This story has been updated in light of Microsoft’s update of its guidance on the necessity of TPM 2.0 at the minimum hardware requirements, and therefore the ability to run Insider builds of Windows 11 on older AMD and Intel machines.
Microsoft Windows 11 does not explicitly support first generation AMD Ryzen CPUs. But it does not then support any Intel processor made prior to the Coffee Lake generation. So nothing from the Ryzen 1000-series or seventh-generation Kaby Lake isn’t listed as a win for Windows 11.
Originally, we were recommending that you forgo the pitchfork as there were some caveats regarding this CPU-exclusive look. But with the update from Microsoft, it might already be time to pick up the burning torches, pull out those farming tools, and start the long journey to Castle Frankenstein Microsoft.
Although Microsoft once again released a patch based on the release of the first Windows 11 Insider Preview build, and its ability to support Intel 1st and 7th Gen Ryzen processors. Which shows absolutely nothing…
Microsoft is updating the compatibility book
The lists of supported Intel and AMD processors for Windows 11 are long, but not exhaustive. Originally, it looked as if that was the difference between something Microsoft calls a “hard floor” and a “soft floor” in its Windows 11-compatible cookbook.
This is the difference between definitely not being able to install Windows 11 and not being able to advised to.
But late Saturday, Microsoft updated the page to “correct the instructions on TPM requirements for Windows 11” and to remove all talk of hard and soft floors. Instead it simply reads:
“To run Windows 11, devices must meet hardware specifications. Devices that do not meet hardware requirements cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.”
In its defense, this page now offers a specific set of minimum hardware requirements for Windows 11, but the fact that it’s doubled down on Microsoft’s assertion that the TPM 2.0 specification was an absolute must if you wanted to get some nice next-gen operating systems to work is heartbreaking. a little.
The Windows 11 announcement was met with interest and dismay. On the other hand, the very serious “What’s Next for Windows” livestream showed us a vision of Windows 11 as an open and good-looking update to Windows 10, with more of a penchant for gaming. It is effectively free.
On the other hand, we had the Windows 11 Health Check app that seemed to tell PC gamers, using very powerful platforms, that their hardware wasn’t up to the task of running Microsoft’s next-generation operating system.
So having a long list of supported CPUs, which seems to lose any silicon not born over four years ago, is just another knife to the heart.
We’ve provided some help for those struggling with Health Check – Hint: It might be a TPM 2.0 key in your BIOS. It’s still worth noting that just because you’re still rocking an octa-core Ryzen 7 1800X processor, an unlisted 16-thread, or a quad-core Core i7 7700K processor, it doesn’t mean that Windows 11 won’t run on your machine.
There are likely to be workarounds, and we’re still hopeful that Microsoft will back down a bit on these entry requirements, because if it’s limiting gaming features to Windows 11, and refusing to add them to future Windows 10 updates, a lot of gamers are standing to miss it.
What are the minimum PC requirements for Windows 11?
To run Windows 11, hardware must meet hardware specifications. Devices that do not meet the hardware requirements cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.
- Healer: 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC)
- RAM: 4 GB (gigabyte)
- storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
- System firmware: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) v2.0
- Photographers card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
- S mode is only supported in Windows 11 Home. If you are running a different version of Windows in S mode, you will first need to exit S mode before upgrading.