Windows 11: Microsoft specifies hardware requirements, no blocking on incompatible devices

Windows[German]Microsoft has specified some requirements for Windows 11 hardware in a blog post. Compared to earlier information, a 7th generation Intel processor was added to the list of compatible devices after all. In addition, it became known that Microsoft does not want to block the installation of Windows 11 via ISO file on incompatible devices.

For a long time, it looked as if Microsoft was fighting hard against the user community, because the hardware requirements for Windows 11 machines are already steep. Now Microsoft has published an update on August 27, 2021 in the blog post Update on Windows 11 minimum system requirements and the PC Health Check app. There they present new information about the hardware requirements of machines that should receive Windows 11.

New minimum requirements for Windows 11

Based on the results of various tests, Microsoft has made a small addition to the list of processors compatible with Windows 11. Microsoft's developers We have identified a number of PC models that meet the hardware requirements and run on 7th generation Intel processors. These processors were not originally included in the minimum system requirements. Based on these tests, the list of compatible 64-bit processors has been expanded to include the following models:

  • Intel® Core™ X-Serien, Xeon® W-Serien
  • Intel® Core™ 7820HQ

Compatibility with the Intel® Core™ 7820HQ only applies to select devices that ship with modern drivers based on Declarative, Componentized, Hardware Support Apps (DCH) design principles, which includes Surface Studio 2). Here's a list of compatible Intel CPUs

  • ntel Core i5-7640X
  • Intel Core i7-7740X
  • Intel Core i7-7800X
  • Intel Core i7-7820HQ (with support of Microsoft DHC Design Principles)
  • Intel Core i7-7820X
  • Intel Core i7-7900X
  • Intel Core i7-7920X
  • Intel Core i9-7940X
  • Intel Core i9-7960X
  • Intel Core i9-7980XE

After a careful analysis of the first generation of AMD Zen processors in cooperation with AMD, Microsoft developers have come to the conclusion that there are no additions to the list of supported AMD CPUs. 

Otherwise, Microsoft wants to keep the originally set minimum system requirements. Microsoft has concluded that the selected compatible 64-bit processors, 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of storage, UEFI Secure Boot, graphics requirements and TPM 2.0 are the correct minimum system requirements for Windows 11 to meet the established principles.

PC Health Check app to be adapted

Microsoft plans to update the PC Health Check app ahead of the general release to identify the right systems with the newly added Intel CPUs in the coming weeks. In addition, Microsoft wants us to share more about the tools and reports IT pros can use to understand hardware suitability of machines.

ISO installation will not be blocked

Microsoft will not block, an installation of Windows 11 using an ISO installation file or via Media Creation Tool if the system does not meet the minimum requirements. However, the above requirements of 64-bit processors, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, UEFI Secure Boot, graphics requirements and TPM 1.2 remain (see also).

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One Response to Windows 11: Microsoft specifies hardware requirements, no blocking on incompatible devices

  1. EP says:

    from Arstechnica – Coming soon to Windows 11: More reminders that your PC doesn't meet the requirements:

    https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/02/coming-soon-to-windows-11-more-reminders-that-your-pc-doesnt-meet-the-requirements/

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