Microsoft’s Steve Dispensa has confirmed that the company’s current lists of Windows 11-supported Intel and AMD processors are accurate. While these lists will “evolve over time,” the implication is that users stuck on older hardware such as 7th Gen Core CPUs and first-generation Ryzen CPUs won’t be able to install Windows 11 when it launches later this year. As pointed out by some members of the press, the restriction is amusing because it means that many of Microsoft’s own Surface products won’t be upgradeable to Windows 11. Microsoft has also clarified that Windows 11 will require a TPM 2.0 module—previous documentation from the company suggested that TPM 1.2 would meet the minimum security requirements for Windows 11.
Windows 11 Hardware Requirements
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
- RAM: 4 gigabyte (GB)
- Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
- System firmware: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- S mode is only supported on Home edition of Windows 11. If you are running a different edition of Windows in S mode, you will need to first switch out of S mode prior to upgrading.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 will only support 8th Gen and up CPUs. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 will not install on earlier CPUs. This means Microsoft's own Surface Pro 4, Surface Pro (2017), and Surface Studio 2 ($3,499) will not be upgradeable to Windows 11 🤯 https://t.co/tVbEbbKYDy
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) June 26, 2021
“It’s great to see Microsoft taking more serious steps in making sure their OS is as secure as possible,” said Miguel Zamarripa, CIO of Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Simpleworks IT. “Any step you can take to harden your security is a positive one, including making TPM 2.0 a requirement.”
Sources: Steve Dispensa, Tom Warren, CRN