Windows 11 is What's Next for Windows!

Corrine

Corrine

Administrator,
Microsoft MVP,
Security Analyst
Staff member
Joined
Feb 22, 2012
Posts
12,391
Location
Upstate, NY


It is official! Windows 11 is the next version Microsoft operating system. As Satya Nadella said in the "What's Next for Windows" event, "It's the beginning of a new generation". Highlights of that new generation are described in the article on the Windows Experience Blog by Panos Panay, Chief Product Officer, Windows + Devices, "Introducing Windows 11". You can also be certain that all the "tech bloggers" will be publishing numerous articles highlighting the new Windows 11.

A question that many home computer users have been wondering about since rumors of the new operating system started is whether the upgrade from Windows 10 will be free. We now know that Windows 11 will be available through a free upgrade for eligible Windows 10 PCs and on new PCs beginning this holiday and will continue into 2022.

The minimum system requirements to run Windows 11 are as follows:

Quote
processor1 gigahertz (ghz) or faster with 2 or more cores on acompatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (soc)
memory4 gb ram
storage64 gb or larger storage device
system firmwareuefi, secure boot capable
tpmtrusted platform module (tpm) version 2.0
graphics carddirectx 12 compatible graphics / wddm 2.x
display>9” with hd resolution (720p)
internet connectionmicrosoft account and internet connectivity required for setup for windows 11 home
Certain features require specific hardware, see detailed system requirements.
Click to expand...


To determine if your current PC is eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 11, download the PC Health Check app.

I happy that my PC meets the system requirements for Windows 11 and am looking forward to testing the new Windows Insider Builds for Windows 11 next week.


(Note If you had a problem with the event streaming as I did during the event, you can watch a replay here.)
 
It is going to be fascinating to see whether several of the restrictions stated for hardware compatibility with Windows 11, for machines that are already running Windows 10, stick.

Just for amusement, I downloaded and ran the PC Health Check App (arrives as an MSI installer), and have been told that my machine doesn't meet the requirements. And that machine has an i7 processor (early, admittedly), 16 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD but no TPM. It's UEFI/BIOS "born on date" is 4/21/2014. While not exactly a youngster in the computer world, I've got machines much older than this one running Windows 10.

The potential exists for a lot of very upset Windows 10 users if they stick to their stated compatibility requirements for any machine to run Windows 11, not just those being built as we speak.

I won't mind sticking to Windows 10 provided it keeps having security patches applied.
 
There is some information about the TPM setting at If your PC says it can't upgrade to Windows 11, check your BIOS

Only 8th gen and higher Intel Processors are supported. The list of supported Intel Processors is at Windows Processor Requirements Windows 11 Supported Intel Processors

For the sake of completeness:

-- Supported AMD Processors: Windows Processor Requirements Windows 11 Supported AMD Processors
-- Supported Qualcomm Processors: Windows Processor Requirements Windows 11 Supported Qualcomm Processors

britechguy said:
I won't mind sticking to Windows 10 provided it keeps having security patches applied.
Click to expand...

Since the end of support date for Windows 10 is 14 October 2025, you'll likely need a new PC before then anyway. :giggle:
 
@Corinne,

I have stated elsewhere, I fully suspect that there is going to be a lot of backpedaling from Microsoft in the coming months, and the first thing that will be is the TPM requirement.

There are already a number of "red flags" flying. Time will tell.

Addendum: Mere seconds after I posted this, the following was offered on another tech forum I participate on:

Turns out Windows 11 does not need TPM 2.0 after all - MSPoweruser​

 
Last edited:
Corrine said:
To determine if your current PC is eligible for the free upgrade to Windows 11, download the PC Health Check app.
Click to expand...


End users cannot rely on this tool to determine whether their PC can or cannot run Windows if it displays:


This PC can't run Windows 11


While this PC doesn't meet the system requirements to run Windows 11, you'll keep getting Windows 10 updates.


This PC can't run Windows 11 is simply a catch all phrase that is going to be frequently incorrect.

The tool posts information on hardware.

It does not post information on problems related to Windows.

The PCs may run Windows 11 after troubleshooting failed windows updates / upgrades.
 
And this very thread demonstrates why Microsoft has such problems with smooth roll outs.

What is now branded as Windows 11 was never intended to be "a new Windows." The tool that's supposed to check whether your machine would be compatible is giving false negatives. Yet another shot in the proverbial foot.

I will never understand why these arbitrary rushes to market continue to occur again and again and again. One of the reasons I got out of software development ASAP was because, as one of my then coworkers put it so succinctly: There's always time to do it over, but there's never time to get things right in the first place.
 

Has Sysnative Forums helped you? Please consider donating to help us support the site!

Back
Top