To flexibly improve the work efficiency of end-users, Windows 11 offers multiple advanced features. Before using Windows 11, you need to make sure your computer is compatible with its installation. Since it presents new system requirements, some previous machines may not be compatible with it. To do a Windows 11 compatibility check, the below section discusses some methods which you can try:
Method-1: Manually checking Windows 11 compatibility:
Though automatic methods are available, you can manually check your software equipment and machine’s hardware to know whether they fulfill the minimum system requirements of Windows 11:
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC.
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Storage: 64 GB or bigger storage device (Extra storage space may be needed to download updates and activate explicit features.)
- System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM): version 2.0
- Graphics card: DirectX 12 compatible graphics or higher version with a WDDM 2.x driver.
- Display: Size greater than 9 inches with HD resolution (720p), 8 bits per color channel.
- Internet connection: Internet connectivity is required to complete updates and to download and use certain features. (For setup of Windows 11 Home, Microsoft account and Internet connectivity are required.)
Note: If your computer is running with the latest version of Windows 10 (i.e., version 20H1 or later) and fulfills the minimum hardware specifications, you can upgrade to Windows 11 free of cost. To check whether your computer has the latest updates for Windows 10 or not, use the below path:
Settings > Windows Update
Method-2: Using Microsoft’s PC Health Check App:
A Windows 11 support page is available on Microsoft’s website, which shows the features and some FAQs. It includes information on the PC Health Check app. This tool can help you to check whether your system can run Windows 11 or not.
- Download the PC Health Check App from the below link:
https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp
- Open the app, and now on the next installer screen, you need to accept the terms and license agreement.
- Click on the ‘Install’ button. (Wait for the app to install; it may take long)
- After the installation is finished, click on the ‘FINSIH’ button.
- In this step, make sure the ‘Open Windows PC Health Check‘ toolbox is ticked.
- After you open the tool, the PC’s configuration is shown on the left pane, and there is a banner stating ‘Introducing Windows 11’. Now click on the ‘Check Now’ button.
After clicking on the ‘Check Now‘ button, the tool will check and inform us whether the system is compatible with Windows 11 or not.
If your PC is compatible, then you will see a pop-up that mentions, “This PC meets Windows 11 requirements“.
Click on the ‘See all results’ to validate all the system requirements
Note: With the PC Health Check app, you only determine whether your computer fulfills the system requirements for operating Windows 11 or not.
You cannot determine which items are not compatible with Windows 11.
Method-3: Using WiseCleaner Checkit:
One of the practical tools to check Windows 11 compatibility is WiseCleaner Checkit. It is a lightweight tool that is safe and free to use. Follow the below steps to use it:
- Download Checkit from the below link:
https://downloads.wisecleaner.com/soft/Checkit_1.0.2.zip
- Run Checkit tool, after which you can determine whether your PC fulfills the minimum system requirements presented by Windows 11.
Method-4: Using Windows Insider Preview PC Health Check App:
- Download this app from the below link and choose the system architecture you are using, i.e., 32-bit or 64-bit.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewpchealth
- Run the program.
- Check ‘I accept the terms’ in the License Agreement and then click on ‘Install.’ (Wait for the installation to complete.)
- Check ‘Open Windows PC Health Check’ and then click on ‘Finish.’
- If the app is already running, click on the ‘Check now’ button on the ‘Introducing Windows 11’ column.
How to fix Windows 11 incompatibility issue?
Occasionally, although your device meets the minimum system requirements, it happens that you still cannot run the Windows 11 OS. The probable reasons revolve around TPM and Secure Boot. So, make sure you have enabled TPM and Secure Boot in BIOS. You can follow these steps:
- Restart your computer and open the BIOS menu.
- In the ‘Security’ interface, search for TPM and check whether it is enabled or not. If not, enable it.
- Follow the below path to enable Secure Boot:
Boot > Advanced Mode > Secure Boot