Windows 11 is arriving later this 12 months as a free improve for Windows 10 customers, however many are discovering that their {hardware} isn’t appropriate. Microsoft has altered its minimal {hardware} necessities, and it’s the CPU modifications which might be most stunning right here. Windows 11 will solely help eighth Gen and newer Intel Core processors, alongside Apollo Lake and newer Pentium and Celeron processors.

That instantly guidelines out hundreds of thousands of current Windows 10 units from upgrading to Windows 11, and even units like Microsoft’s personal Surface Studio 2 which the corporate continues to be selling right now for $3,499.

Windows 11 may also solely help AMD Ryzen 2000 and newer processors, and 2nd Gen or newer EPYC chips. You can discover the total listing of supported processors on Microsoft’s site, however right here’s the essential breakdown:

Windows 11 help for Intel

• Intel eighth Gen (Coffee Lake)
• Intel ninth Gen (Coffee Lake Refresh)
• Intel tenth Gen (Comet Lake)
• Intel tenth Gen (Ice Lake)
• Intel eleventh Gen (Rocket Lake)
• Intel eleventh Gen (Tiger Lake)
• Intel Xeon Skylake-SP
• Intel Xeon Cascade Lake-SP
• Intel Xeon Cooper Lake-SP
• Intel Xeon Ice Lake-SP

Windows 11 help for AMD

• AMD Ryzen 2000
• AMD Ryzen 3000
• AMD Ryzen 3000
• AMD Ryzen 4000
• AMD Ryzen 5000
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2000
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 3000
• AMD EPYC 2nd Gen
• AMD EPYC third Gen

Many Windows 10 customers have been downloading Microsoft’s PC Health App (available here) to see whether or not Windows 11 works on their programs, solely to search out it fails the test. As Microsoft now requires a TPM (Trusted Platform Module), this has led to some further confusion round {hardware} help.

Windows 11 would require a TPM able to 2.0 help, and UEFI Secure Boot. Both of those applied sciences are designed to enhance the safety of Windows, and stop malware and ransomware from tampering with encryption keys and different safe parts of the working system.

While Microsoft has required TPM help for OEM {hardware} certification since Windows 10, it hasn’t actively required Windows to have this absolutely enabled. That’s altering in Windows 11, and it means in case your laptop computer or PC shipped with out these BIOS choices enabled then you definitely’re going to have to search around for a setting to modify on.

“Almost every CPU in the last 5-7 years has a TPM,” explains David Weston, director of enterprise and OS safety at Microsoft. Weston is recommending that Windows 10 customers failing Microsoft’s Windows 11 improve checker necessities ought to guarantee BIOS choices for “PTT” on Intel programs are enabled, or “PSP fTPM” on AMD units. As each BIOS has completely different settings, you may have to consult with your laptop computer’s handbook for those who’re struggling to search out the choice.

If you’ve enabled TPM help however you’re nonetheless not passing the Windows 11 improve checker, it’s seemingly as a result of your CPU isn’t supported. Intel has confirmed Microsoft’s Windows 11 CPU necessities. “A broad range of Intel-based platforms are expected to support Windows 11: 8th Gen and newer Intel Core processors, as well as Intel Pentium processors and Intel Celeron processors from the ‘Apollo Lake’ generation and newer,” says an Intel spokesperson in a press release to The Verge.

This is the primary vital shift in Windows {hardware} necessities for the reason that launch of Windows 8 again in 2012, and the CPU modifications are understandably catching individuals unexpectedly. Microsoft can also be requiring a front-facing digicam for all Windows 11 units besides desktop PCs from January 2023 onwards. It’s one other change that can form the {hardware} that Windows 11 will run on within the coming years.