How to make sure that the PC you are buying is Windows 11 compatible

Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system will be released in October 2021 with updated system requirements that make the majority of old and many not-so-old PCs incompatible with the new operating system.

Manufacturers such as HP, Dell or Asus will release devices that are compatible with Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system, but what if you need a PC right now?

Some manufactures highlight whether a device will get a free upgrade to Windows 11; this also means that the hardware is compatible.

windows 11 device find out compatibility

If the information is not provided, you could ask the support about compatibility with Windows 11, but it is always a good idea to double-check to make sure you are getting a compatible device.

If you plan to build the PC from scratch or buy from a third-party site, then you may not be able to contact support to inquire about Windows 11 compatibility or find the information on site. Things will get better once the operating system is out, but for now, you need to take a few extra steps to verify that the device or hardware is compatible.

If you look at Windows 11's system requirements, you will notice that the majority of requirements are met by more or less any PC or device that you may buy nowadays. Four Gigabytes of RAM and 64 Gigabytes of storage, a 720p or greater display, a DirectX 12 graphics card should not pose any issues when selecting devices.

It is the process and motherboard that may cause problems in regards to Windows 11 compatibility.

Microsoft lists a 1 GHz or faster processor with 2 cores as the system requirement on the main page, but if you dig deeper, you will notice that it limits processors to certain processor generations.

Generally speaking, if the processor is an 8th generation or newer processor, it is compatible with Windows 11. Microsoft published updates system requirements this week that include some 7th generation Intel processors as well.

Here are links to the processor listings of CPUs that are compatible with Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system:

All you have to do is compare the processor of the device you are interested in with the listing; if it is found on the listing, it is compatible with Windows 11.

One example. You can buy an HP laptop with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor. 11th generation means that it should be compatible, and you get the verification if you search the Intel processors listing for the processor.

It may be difficult to make sure that the motherboard components, TPM version and UEFI, Secure Boot capable requirements are also met, especially if the information lacks clarity.

While you can check a computer for TPM compatibility, you usually don't have access to devices that you plan to purchase.

A search for TPM or UEFI may not yield any results, depending on the site that you are on. Amazon's listing for the example device did not provide the required details.

You may want to search the page first to find out if the information is listed. If it is not, you may run a search for the product or attempt to find it on the manufacturer's website. You may not find the information on the site or the Internet sometimes, in which case contacting support is the best option. You could also look around for a comparable product that provides better information.

Closing Words

Microsoft's new system requirements make it difficult to make sure that a PC that you are interested in is compatible with Windows 11. Previously, you could pick almost any device out there and be sure that it is compatible with Windows 10.

There is unfortunately no option to make sure that a PC is compatible with Windows 11 if the information is not provided properly on the manufacturer's website or shopping site. Most devices released in 2020 or 2021 should match these requirements and be compatible with Windows 11, but there is still the chance that some are not.

Most may want to wait for Windows 11 to be released before a new device is purchased to avoid making mistakes and ending up with a device that is not compatible with Windows 11.

Now You: Will you buy a PC that is compatible with Windows 11, or upgrade an existing one?

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