How to Check If Your PC Can Run Windows 11

5 min read

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, and many older PCs fail the check on one detail. The official requirements include:

• A 64-bit processor
• 4 gigabytes of memory
• 64 gigabytes of storage
• A TPM 2.0 chip
• Secure Boot

Missing any one of them blocks the upgrade.

This guide shows how to check each requirement on your PC, what the results mean, and what to do if your PC falls short.

The Official Requirements at a Glance

Windows 11 needs a compatible 64-bit processor, 4 gigabytes of RAM, and 64 gigabytes of storage. The processor list covers Intel 8th generation and newer, AMD Ryzen 2000 series and newer, and newer Qualcomm chips.

TPM 2.0, the Trusted Platform Module, is the requirement that surprises most people. TPM is a security chip that stores encryption keys, and Windows 11 requires version 2.0. Many PCs built after 2016 have TPM, but it may be switched off in the BIOS, which makes the check fail.

Secure Boot must be available and enabled. Secure Boot stops malicious software from loading during startup, and Windows 11 requires it. Like TPM, Secure Boot can be switched off in the BIOS, and turning it on is often all the check needs.

The display must support at least 720p resolution and be larger than 9 inches diagonally. A graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 is also required.

Using the PC Health Check App

Microsoft offers a free tool called PC Health Check that tests every requirement in one run. Download it from the official Microsoft Windows 11 page, install it, and click Check now.

Read the full report, not just the headline. A fail on TPM alone is a different problem from a fail on processor, memory, and TPM together. The report shows each requirement separately, so you can see exactly what needs fixing.

PC Health Check updates itself when Microsoft changes the processor list. If you ran it a year ago and it failed, run it again, because newer versions may pass a processor that an older version rejected. Always use the latest version for a final answer.

If PC Health Check will not install, check that you are running Windows 10 version 2004 or newer. The tool needs a reasonably current Windows 10 to run. Update Windows 10 first, then run the check again.

Checking TPM and Secure Boot Yourself

Check TPM by pressing the Windows key and R, typing tpm.msc, and pressing Enter. The TPM Management window shows whether a TPM is present and which version it is. A status of TPM is ready for use with version 2.0 means the requirement passes.

If TPM Management says no TPM is found, the chip may be disabled in the BIOS. Restart the PC, enter the BIOS setup, and look for a TPM, PTT, or fTPM setting in the security section. Turn it on, save, and check again in Windows.

Check Secure Boot by pressing the Windows key and R, typing msinfo32, and pressing Enter. The System Information window shows Secure Boot State. A value of On passes, while Off or Unsupported means the setting needs attention in the BIOS.

To enable Secure Boot, enter the BIOS setup and find the Secure Boot option in the boot or security section. Turn it on, save, and confirm in System Information. Some PCs need the BIOS set to UEFI mode first, because Secure Boot does not work in legacy BIOS mode.

What to Do If Your PC Fails

If only TPM or Secure Boot fails, fix it in the BIOS. These are the most common failures, and both are settings rather than hardware problems. Turning on TPM and Secure Boot takes a few minutes and costs nothing, and it passes the check on many PCs that first reported a fail.

If the processor fails, your options are narrower. A processor upgrade is possible on a desktop with a compatible motherboard, but it is rarely worth buying a new processor just for Windows 11.

If memory or storage fails, an upgrade may be simple. Adding RAM is easy on most desktops and many laptops, and replacing a small drive with a larger SSD is a common upgrade.

Do not bypass the requirements with registry tricks unless you accept the risk. Microsoft warns that PCs upgraded past the checks may not receive updates. A PC that misses security updates is worse off than a PC that stays on supported Windows 10.

Staying on Windows 10 or Upgrading the PC

If your PC cannot run Windows 11, staying on Windows 10 is a valid choice while it still receives updates. Windows 10 continues to work, and your programs keep running.

Consider a new PC when the old one fails several requirements. A computer that needs a new processor, more memory, and a bigger drive is near the cost of a replacement, and a new PC brings a warranty and a modern design.

Back up your files before any upgrade, whether it is a settings change or a new PC. A full backup protects you if a BIOS change goes wrong or an upgrade fails halfway. Copy your files to an external drive or the cloud first, then make the change.

When you do upgrade, run PC Health Check one more time after the BIOS changes. A clean pass on every requirement means the Windows 11 upgrade will proceed smoothly. A final check takes a minute and removes the guesswork from upgrade day.

Your project does not have to end with this page — Windows 11 Productivity: Setup for Maximum Efficiency shows a good way to carry it forward.

Related Articles:

• Windows 11 Productivity: Setup for Maximum Efficiency
• Windows 11 Installation Guide: Step-by-Step Tutorial
• Windows 11 Explained: What It Is and How It Works