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To determine whether a Windows PC qualifies for Copilot+ features, verify the exact configuration rather than relying on the Windows 11 logo or the Copilot app. Microsoft’s Copilot+ baseline is a compatible Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of more than 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS), at least 16 GB of memory, and at least 256 GB of SSD or UFS storage. Then check the requirements for the particular feature you want, because Recall, Automatic Super Resolution, and other experiences add their own conditions.
Task Manager and Windows Settings can reveal your processor, memory, storage, and whether Windows detects an NPU. The decisive NPU performance figure normally comes from the manufacturer’s specification for your exact processor and configuration.
What “Copilot+ PC” eligibility means
Copilot+ is a hardware class within Windows 11, not another name for the Copilot chat application. Microsoft describes these computers as Windows 11 systems with a high-performance NPU for local, AI-intensive work such as image generation and real-time translation. The class threshold is more than 40 TOPS for the NPU.
The computer must also meet Microsoft’s published memory and storage baseline. A system can have an NPU and still fail Copilot+ qualification if its NPU is below the performance threshold, or if the rest of its configuration is below the minimum.
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- New AI Superpowers - Discover the power of Recall (preview), improved Windows search, and Click to Do (preview) on Copilot+ PCs. Effortlessly locate past content, perform natural searches, and interact with text and images – all while ensuring your data remains private and you stay productive*.
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| Requirement | What must be true | How to verify it |
|---|---|---|
| NPU | More than 40 TOPS, using the NPU in the exact processor and configuration | Confirm the rated NPU performance in the device or processor manufacturer’s specification |
| Memory | At least 16 GB installed memory | Check Windows system information or Settings |
| Storage | At least 256 GB of SSD or UFS storage | Check the drive type and capacity in Windows, then confirm the model specification |
These are class-level requirements. Individual features may require a particular Windows release, additional free space, encryption, a biometric sign-in method, a supported display, current drivers, or a supported application. Meeting the class baseline therefore does not guarantee that every Copilot+ experience will be available on every eligible computer.
Why the exact model and configuration matter
Manufacturers often sell one laptop family with several processors, memory capacities, storage devices, and regional configurations. A product name such as a series or family name is not enough to establish eligibility. Two computers with nearly identical chassis and marketing names can have different NPUs or different amounts of memory and storage.
Find the full model name, product number, and processor designation before comparing specifications. Windows may display a shortened commercial name, while the label on the underside of the computer, the original invoice, or the manufacturer’s support page may contain the product number needed to distinguish configurations.
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Find the model in Windows
- Open Settings and select System, then About. Record the device name, model information, processor, and installed RAM.
- For more detailed identification, press Windows key + R, enter
msinfo32, and press Enter. Record System Manufacturer, System Model, and Processor. - Keep the processor’s complete model number. A family name alone is not sufficient when a manufacturer offers multiple chips in that family.
Step-by-step: check your current PC
1. Look for an NPU in Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. If the compact view appears, select More details.
- Open the Performance tab and inspect the list of processors. On supported systems, Windows can show an entry labelled NPU alongside the CPU, GPU, memory, disks, and network adapters.
- Note the NPU name and driver information if shown. Take a screenshot or write down the exact label so you can compare it with the manufacturer’s documentation.
Task Manager is useful for discovering whether Windows detects an NPU, but its presence does not prove that the device reaches the Copilot+ performance threshold. An NPU label may also be missing because of an outdated driver, firmware, or Windows installation. Treat this screen as an inspection step, not as a certification screen.
2. Confirm the processor and installed memory
In Settings > System > About, check the processor name and the value beside Installed RAM. You can also use the Performance > Memory page in Task Manager to see how much memory Windows currently detects.
Record the installed amount, not the amount advertised for a product family. Shared graphics memory and virtual memory do not replace physical system memory for the Copilot+ baseline. If the computer has a user-upgradeable memory module, the amount after an upgrade is what matters, but the processor and NPU still have to qualify.
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- MODERN CONNECTIVITY AND PRIVACY: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 provide reliable connections for networks and accessories. Two USB-A ports, USB-C with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, HDMI 1.4, an SD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack support displays and peripherals, while the 720p camera includes a physical privacy shutter.
- READY FOR BUSINESS AND EDUCATION: Windows 11 Home and Microsoft 365 Personal provide familiar tools for documents, communication, coursework, and daily productivity. A 47Wh battery supports mobile workflows, while the included 65W power adapter enables efficient charging. Dolby Audio stereo speakers and dual-array microphones enhance online meetings and classes.
3. Check the storage device and capacity
- Open Settings > System > Storage to see the installed drive capacity and current free space.
- Open Task Manager > Performance and select each disk. Windows commonly identifies whether a drive is an SSD or another type of storage.
- Use the exact model specification to confirm that the internal system storage is an SSD or UFS device and that its capacity meets the Copilot+ baseline. A removable USB drive does not substitute for the internal system drive requirement.
Windows may show a capacity slightly below the number printed on the box because manufacturers measure decimal gigabytes while Windows reports usable space differently. Compare the drive’s stated capacity and type with the manufacturer’s configuration, rather than treating a small display difference as a separate hardware class.
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Search the manufacturer’s support or product specification using the full model and processor number you recorded. Look specifically for the NPU’s TOPS rating. Some documents list separate CPU, GPU, and NPU figures; the relevant number is the NPU figure, not a combined “AI performance” number unless the documentation explicitly identifies it as NPU performance.
Do not infer the rating from a processor family, a marketing phrase such as “AI PC,” or the fact that Task Manager lists an NPU. If the specification lists several processor options, match the exact processor installed in your computer. When a regional support page and a retail listing disagree, use the manufacturer’s documentation for the exact product number and configuration.
5. Compare the collected details with the baseline
Create a simple record containing the model, processor, NPU rating, installed memory, storage type and capacity, Windows edition, and Windows version. Mark each baseline item as confirmed, below the minimum, or not yet verified.
- Confirmed NPU: the exact processor documentation states a rating above the threshold.
- Confirmed memory: Windows detects at least the required installed amount.
- Confirmed storage: the internal system drive is the required type and capacity.
- Unverified: a missing specification or an ambiguous family name requires further confirmation; do not mark it as eligible by assumption.
Only after all three hardware areas are confirmed should you move on to the requirements of the individual feature you intend to use.
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Check Windows version and feature-specific conditions
Copilot+ components are delivered and serviced through Windows Update. Microsoft’s current component documentation covers Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, and 26H2. The exact feature set can change as Windows updates add, revise, or stage components, so check Settings > Windows Update and install available updates before diagnosing a feature that is missing.
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- New AI Superpowers - Discover the power of Recall (preview), improved Windows search, and Click to Do (preview) on Copilot plus PCs. Effortlessly locate past content, perform natural searches, and interact with text and images – all while ensuring your data remains private and you stay productive. ( Copilot plus PC experiences vary by device and market and may require updates continuing to roll out through 2025; Recall and Click to Do will be coming to European Economic Area later in 2025; timing varies. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs)
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Recall
Recall has requirements beyond the Copilot+ class baseline. Microsoft documents a qualifying secured-core Copilot+ device, a 40-TOPS-class NPU, the required memory and storage configuration, encryption, and Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security with a biometric option. Recall also requires at least 50 GB of free space to enable.
To investigate a Recall problem, first confirm the device is recognized as a qualifying Copilot+ system. Then check free space on the system drive, confirm that device encryption is enabled, and verify that Windows Hello has a supported biometric method such as fingerprint or facial recognition. A computer can pass the hardware class check and still be unable to enable Recall if one of these security, storage, or sign-in conditions is absent.
Automatic Super Resolution
Automatic Super Resolution has its own supported device and processor classes, requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, and lists a display resolution of 1080p or higher. It also depends on current graphics drivers, compatible games, and additional conditions documented by Microsoft.
If the feature is unavailable, check the display connected to the PC, update the graphics driver from the computer or graphics manufacturer, and confirm that the game is on the supported list. Passing the NPU and memory checks alone cannot make an unsupported game or display qualify.
Other Copilot+ experiences
Each experience can have its own operating-system, driver, application, security, display, free-space, or regional conditions. Check the feature’s current Microsoft documentation after confirming the hardware. Requirements may change when a component is updated through Windows Update, so a result from an older Windows release may not describe the current behavior.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Copilot app access is not Copilot+ eligibility
Microsoft provides an access and installation path for the Copilot app on Windows. That app question is separate from whether the computer contains the hardware required for Copilot+ experiences. A Windows 11 computer may run the Copilot app without having a qualifying NPU, and installing the app does not add an NPU or change the computer’s hardware class.
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- ENJOY UP TO 19 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES OF BATTERY LIFE - HP Fast Charge restores battery from 0 to 50% in approximately 45 minutes
- AMD RADEON 840M GRAPHICS - Built in for thrilling gaming performance, high resolution display support and hardware accelerated encoding with or without a discrete graphics card
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 512 GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD offers fast speed and efficient storage; and 16 GB DDR5 RAM memory boosts performance with higher bandwidth
Conversely, a computer with qualifying hardware may still need the right Windows version, drivers, account setup, region, and feature rollout before a particular Copilot+ experience appears. Use the hardware workflow and the feature documentation independently rather than treating the app’s presence as proof of eligibility.
What to do when the result is unclear or negative
Task Manager does not show an NPU
- Install pending Windows updates and obtain the current chipset, NPU, and firmware updates from the computer manufacturer.
- Restart the computer and check Task Manager > Performance again.
- Use the exact processor specification to determine whether an NPU should be present. If the documentation does not identify a qualifying NPU, do not assume that a hidden or renamed device meets the requirement.
The absence of an NPU entry can be a detection problem, but it can also accurately reflect hardware without an NPU. The manufacturer specification resolves that uncertainty.
An NPU is listed but its TOPS rating is missing
Do not substitute CPU or GPU performance, a benchmark score, or a combined system AI figure. Look up the exact processor and product number in the manufacturer’s technical documentation. If no reliable NPU rating is published for that configuration, treat Copilot+ eligibility as unconfirmed rather than guaranteed.
Memory or storage is below the baseline
A below-minimum configuration fails the class check even when the NPU is powerful enough. A memory upgrade may help only when the computer supports a larger module and the processor platform remains the same. Replacing a drive can address capacity in some systems, but it does not repair an underpowered NPU. Check service documentation and warranty conditions before opening a laptop.
The hardware passes but a feature is missing
- Check the installed Windows version in Settings > System > About and install updates from Settings > Windows Update.
- Install current chipset, NPU, graphics, and firmware drivers from the device manufacturer.
- Recheck the feature’s special requirements, including free space, encryption, Windows Hello, display resolution, supported games, and compatible applications.
- Allow for regional availability or staged delivery. A feature may be documented for a release but not yet enabled on every device, account, or market.
How to compare two PCs for Copilot+ use
When deciding between systems, compare the complete configurations rather than the product family names. Use these axes in order:
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Comparison axis | Questions to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| NPU performance | What is the NPU TOPS rating for the exact processor? | The NPU threshold defines the Copilot+ hardware class. |
| Memory and storage | How much memory is installed, and is the internal drive the required SSD or UFS capacity? | A fast NPU cannot compensate for a configuration below the baseline. |
| Target feature | Does the feature require extra free space, security, display resolution, drivers, or a supported application? | Feature-level conditions can exclude an otherwise eligible PC. |
| Software support | Which Windows release, firmware, and drivers are supplied, and will the device receive them? | Copilot+ components are serviced through Windows Update and depend on software support. |
| Availability | Is the feature available for the device’s region and configuration? | Documented availability does not always mean immediate availability on every system. |
If your current PC does not qualify and you specifically want Copilot+ experiences, compare complete eligible Copilot+ configurations using these same checks. You do not need to replace a computer merely to use the Copilot app; an upgrade is relevant only when the hardware-dependent experiences justify it.
Final eligibility checklist
- Exact model and product number identified.
- Exact processor recorded.
- NPU visible in Windows or confirmed in the manufacturer’s specification.
- NPU performance confirmed for that processor and configuration.
- Installed memory checked in Windows.
- Internal storage type and capacity confirmed.
- Windows version and pending updates checked.
- Requirements for the specific feature reviewed.
- Drivers, firmware, security settings, free space, display, application, and regional conditions checked where applicable.
A Windows 11 installation, a visible NPU, or access to the Copilot app is not enough on its own. Copilot+ support is established by matching the exact hardware configuration to Microsoft’s class requirements and then satisfying the additional conditions of the feature you plan to use.
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