What are the minimum requirements to get the Windows 11 upgrade?

Hardware Requirements

According to Microsoft’s February 2023 update, you must meet certain minimum hardware requirements to get the upgrade. In addition to the Internet connection required for the process, here's a detailed list of requirements shared by Microsoft:

Graphics card: DirectX 12 or higher compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver.

System firmware: UEFI, supports secure boot.

TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.

Monitor: High Definition (720p) monitor, 9 inches or larger, 8 bits per color channel.

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC).

Memory: 4 GB or greater.

Storage: 64 GB or greater of available disk space.

Currently, Microsoft only needs 64GB to meet its final requirements regarding storage. However, it's important to note that given Windows 11's frequent updates and new feature rollouts, higher storage may be required to ensure you get updates in the future. Microsoft explains that different factors will determine the amount of free space required for such future Windows 11 updates. These factors include:

• Previously installed Windows versions
• The amount of storage space available for reuse in Windows files
• Currently installed applications
• Data Storage Behavior of Said Apps

With this, while you can get the Windows 11 upgrade by meeting the 64GB storage requirement, we recommend exceeding the above amount for the upcoming Windows 11 upgrade. 11 update in preparation.

On the other hand, for virtual machines (VMs), the following configuration requirements should be adhered to:

Generation: 2 (Note: Existing generation 1 VMs cannot be In-place upgrade to Windows 11.)

Storage: 64 GB or greater disk space.

Security:

• Azure: Trusted boot with vTPM enabled.

• Hyper-V: Enable Secure Boot and TPM. (General settings: Secure boot supported, virtual TPM enabled.)

Memory: 4 GB or greater.

Processor: Two or more virtual processors.

• The VM host processor must also meet Windows 11 processor requirements. (Note: In some cases, this requirement for a VM Host may not apply. For more information, see Options for using Windows 11 with Mac computers.)

• Configuration The required VM setup process depends on the VM Host type. For example, a VM Host running Hyper-V must have virtualization (VT-x, VT-d) enabled in the BIOS. Virtual TPM 2.0 is emulated in the guest VM, independent of Hyper-V host TPM presence or version.

Software Requirements

In addition to the hardware requirements, if you are using Windows 10, you will also need to meet some current operating system requirements. Specifically, Microsoft says Windows 10 devices must be version 2004 or later and have the September 14, 2021 or later security update installed.

Also, it’s important to note that Windows 11 in S mode is only available with Windows 11 Home. That means if you're using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education in S mode, you won't be offered a Windows 11 upgrade. Luckily, you can fix this problem simply by exiting S mode. (Note: You cannot switch back to S mode later.)

Additionally, for users running Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions, it is recommended to wait for a signal from their IT administrator to know when they are ready to proceed Windows 11 upgrade.

Optional requirements for specific features

Switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is a big move because you get a variety of new Windows elements and features. Meeting the minimum requirements will give you system upgrades, but some features will only be available on specific machines with specific hardware specs. These features and their requirements include:

5G Support: Requires a 5G-capable modem.

Auto HDR: Requires HDR monitor.

BitLocker to Go: Requires USB flash drive. This feature is available in Windows Pro and above.

Client Hyper-V: Requires a processor with Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) capability. This feature is available in Windows Professional and higher.

Cortana: Requires microphone and speakers, currently available on Windows 11 in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, UK and US .

DirectStorage: Requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games using the standard NVM Express controller driver and a DirectX12 GPU supporting Shader Model 6.0.

DirectX 12 Ultimate: Works with supported games and graphics chips.

Existence: There is a need for sensors that can detect a person's distance from a device or their intention to interact with the device.

Smart video conferencing: Requires camera, microphone and speakers (audio output).

Multiple voice assistant: Requires microphone and speakers.

Snap: Three-column layout requires a screen width of 1920 effective pixels or greater.

Mute and unmute: From the taskbar requires camera, microphone and speakers (audio output). Applications must be compatible with the ability to enable global mute/unmute.

Spatial sound: Requires supporting hardware and software.

Microsoft Teams: Requires camera, microphone, and speakers (audio output).

Touch: Requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch.

Two-factor authentication: Requires a PIN, biometrics (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.

Voice input: Requires a PC with a microphone.

Voice wake-up: Requires a modern standby power model and microphone.

Wi-Fi 6E: Requires new WLAN IHV hardware and drivers and a Wi-Fi 6E capable AP/router.

Windows Hello: Requires a camera for near-infrared (IR) imaging or a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or a portable Microsoft-compatible security key. For more information, see IT tools supporting Windows 10 version 21H1.

Windows Projection: Requires a display adapter that supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct.

Xbox App: Requires an Xbox Live account, which may not be available in all regions. Head to the Xbox Live countries and regions page for the latest information on availability. Some features in the Xbox app require an active Xbox Game Pass subscription.

While these features can be expected when upgrading to Windows 11, there are also some features and elements that can be removed. For example, some of the big changes to the Windows Start section include the removal of Live Tiles and named groups and folders for apps. Other features that will be removed from the system when upgrading to Windows 11 include Wallet, Windows Store for Business and Windows Store for Education, Timeline, Quick Status, and the Math Input Panel.

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