Windows 11 compatibility: check if your computer meets Microsoft requirements with these tools

Windows 11 is almost here, and the big question that worries many PC users since Microsoft unveiled its first major operating system upgrade in six years is: will my computer be compatible? There has been some confusion over device compatibility since Microsoft’s big announcement for the updated operating system earlier this summer. But the short answer is that Windows 11 should work with most PCs, according to a company blog post.

Unfortunately, Microsoft’s own tool for determining device compatibility – the PC Health Check app – fell short when Microsoft first announced Windows 11 earlier this year (‘not compatible), the company has therefore temporarily deleted the application. But Microsoft’s PC Health Check is now back online and up and running. The app will tell you if your computer meets the requirements to run Windows 11, and if it doesn’t, it’ll tell you why and provide links for further assistance.

But that’s not the only way to check if your device will work with Windows 11, which you can. free download once available. Read on for all your options for checking Windows 11 device compatibility. With the Windows 11 release date in a few days (note however that this will be a phased deployment), it’s a good idea to check your own computer. In the event that your device does not meet the eligibility criteria, you may need to replace your PC by 2025 like Microsoft is phasing out Windows 10 over the next few years.

Read more: Should you buy a new Windows laptop now or wait for Windows 11?

Option 1: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to see if your computer can run Windows 11

Microsoft’s own tool is now available even if you are not in the Windows Insider program. Follow these steps to test if your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 11.

1. Download Microsoft’s PC Health Check. Open the file, accept the terms of use and click To install. Make sure the box is checked that says Open PC Health Check, and click To finish.

2. The application home page that appears reads: “PC health at a glance”. At the top, a box reads: “Introducing Windows 11”. Click on Check now.

If your machine is not compatible, you will receive a message indicating: “This PC does not currently meet the system requirements for Windows 11“, with more information below.

If your machine is compatible, you can free download Windows 11 update when it becomes available. The official Windows 11 release date is October 5, but Microsoft is planning a phased deployment and many devices won’t see the upgrade until 2022. If you’re part of the Windows Insider program, you can download the Insider Preview build version now.

Option 2: try the WhyNotWin11 app to check compatibility with Windows 11

An open source app called WhyNotWin11 is a good alternative to the PC Health Check app. The Github app, created by a developer not affiliated with Microsoft, has a less user-friendly interface, but it should give you more information and go into more detail on various potential compatibility issues. Here’s more info from TechRadar on how to use it to determine your own device’s compatibility with Windows 11.

Option 3: Check out Microsoft’s list of system specifications for Windows 11

To determine if your current PC will be able to run Windows 11, you can check out this list of system specifications on the Microsoft website or in the table below. If your machine is compatible, you can free download Windows 11 update when it becomes available. If you are part of the Windows Insider program, you can download the Insider Preview build version now.

What are the system requirements to run Windows 11?

Here is the complete list of system requirements for Windows 11, including at least 4 gigabytes of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 720p display that is over 9 inches diagonally.

System requirements for Windows 11

Specification	Requirement
Processor	1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip
RAM	4GB
Storage room	64 GB or more storage device
System firmware	UEFI, secure boot compatible
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphic card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display	HD (720p) display greater than 9 inches diagonal, 8 bits per color channel
Internet connection and Microsoft account	For Windows 11 Home Edition: Internet connectivity; Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use. For all editions of Windows 11: Internet access to perform updates and to download and use certain features; Microsoft account for some features