Windows 11 started its roll-out in October of 2021 and plans to complete it by mid-2022. It will be available to compatible devices through the Windows Update utility and will automatically be installed. But what can you expect from the operating system upgrade, and what requirements do devices need to meet to install it?
Windows 11 System Requirements
Not all devices will be compatible with the operating system upgrade. Here is a list of the Windows 11 system requirements needed to upgrade:
- A recent 64-bit Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm processor
- Enabled Secure Boot support
- A TPM 2.0 module
- 4GB or more of RAM
- 64GB or more of storage
- Computers that are only 3-4 years old
Older devices that do not meet the requirements for Windows 11 can continue to use Windows 10. Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 with security updates through 2025. However, after that time your computer may be at an increased risk for new security threats moving forward. For those who plan to keep using Windows 10, it is advisable to get third-party security software that will stay up to date with new security risks and keep your computer protected in the future.
Manual Installation
As mentioned, on computers that meet the Windows 11 system requirements, the update to the new operating system will happen automatically. However, if your device does not meet the requirements and you don’t want to keep using Windows 10, you can install Windows 11 manually. Manually installing the update does mean that some security and driver updates may not happen as they should. Microsoft does not recommend installing it on computers that don’t meet the system requirement because it might also cause the computer to crash repeatedly. However, if you are a very tech-savvy person you might know some tricks to alter your registry files and get around those issues.
Windows 11 Features
The main reason for the strict system requirements for Windows 11 is its features. This includes integrating Android apps and unifying the look and feel of built-in apps. Windows 10 was lauded for its compatibility with older computers (an apology for Windows 7 and 8), but Microsoft has different goals for Windows 11. Security and stability are at the forefront of its design, as are more modern and streamlined interfaces. If you want to take a peek, you can see some great images in this Debugger Medium Blog. You can also get a look and find more information on the Microsoft website.
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