If you like working on the Windows 10 operating system, then you would like to work on the Windows 11 OS on your PC & laptop unit. Microsoft gave the world a glimpse of its new operating system in a 45-minute online event, “What’s next for Windows.”
The news conference was held on June 24, 2021. The software giant released the first preview of the new operating system for those who were part of the Windows Insider Preview Program. On October 5, 2021, they released the official version of the Windows 11 operating system.
The Windows 11 release has gone at a rapid speed. This is not the only factor that is most amazing about the unconventional release of Windows 11. In this post, we will read more about Windows 11, the minimum hardware requirements, features, and FAQs as well.
What is Windows 11?
The Windows 11 operating system is the successor of the Windows 10 OS. You would want to know that the OS is based on the same core architecture as Windows 10. The maker should have provided some new specifications on the OS, using a series of updates to Windows 10.
It has a new major version number and some features, like a new user experience, that is infused with icons & colors. You can also find some significant changes on the start menu and the taskbar.
There is an extensive reworking of the Settings app. It has a widget pane designed to provide bite-sized reminders. There is an elegant visual of the operating system. We were impressed with the new security that comes with hardware that is splendid.
It means that secure boot and device encryption are available. This enables you to ensure that your machine is safe & secure. When you want to make use of new apps in the store, then this OS is meant for you.
There is an option for third-party developers to use the conventional Win32 desktop apps. You can also find safe downloads using the store. It also comes with a new Windows subsystem for your android.
It also lets the android apps work on the Windows PC device. But the feature does not come with the first release of Windows 11. You would want to know that this feature comes on the Windows 11 operating system.
However, for now, the apps can be available on the Amazon app store. It also comes having Paltry App Selection Syndrome. You can find some new apps like the Samsung App Store or even the Google Play Store.
Where to get the most recent Windows 11 version?
Windows 11 was given to the market in October 2021, with the initial release providing version number 22000.194. This is a cumulative update to the Windows Insider Program members that was held on September 16, 2021.
The manufacturer plans to provide Windows 11 as an update the PC units that run & work on the Windows 10 OS. It ensures that the devices offer you with satisfactory upgrade experience. However, you can download Windows 11 using any of the following modes.
- You can use a utility program, the Windows 11 installation assistant.
- You can create the Windows 10 installation media on a USB flash drive.
- You can download a Windows 11 disk image in ISO format.
- You can utilize the Volume License subscribers that have a Visual Studio subscription.
How often does Windows 11 get security and feature updates?
The most important change in the Windows 11 operating system is not entirely the software. Instead, we will want to see the servicing schedule of it. That means users stand to get regular updates on the features per year.
The Windows lifecycle, or the support calendar of Microsoft, is removed now, with the manufacturer offering you with 24 months of support for Home, Pro, and Pro Education. If you work in the IT field, then you are eligible for 36 months of enterprise & education editions.
What are the minimum system requirements for the Windows 11 operating system?
The Windows 10 OS was produced to run on older hardware. But the new operating system, Windows 11, does not require that. You cannot work on it using old PC machines. The devices produced beyond 2019 can work on Windows 11.
That is why you need to know some of the minimum system requirements of the Windows 11 operating system. Though you may be able to install the Windows 11 OS on your device, Microsoft says that these installations might come unsupported.
Here are the minimum system requirements for the Windows 11 operating system.
- Processor: 1GHz or faster with two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC)
- RAM: at least 4GB
- Storage: at least 64GB of available storage
- Security: TPM version 2.0, UEFI firmware, Secure Boot capable
- Graphics card: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: High definition (720p) display, 9″ or greater monitor, 8-bits per color channel
You might want to download and run the PC Health Check app and check for Windows 11 compatibility. This will be able to identify the compatibility issues that can prevent an upgrade. The old hardware may not pass the Windows 11 challenging checks.
Some of the latest Intel 7th Generation Core processors are not compatible with the PC devices that are designed using the AMD Zen 1 processor. The PC machine designed during 2016 or the previous is certainly not supported.
Users would be delighted to know that Microsoft announced it would expand the list of compatible processors on August 27, 2021. It can have other requirements in its place. You will also want to beware of the fact that the Windows 11 operating system requires a hardware security option known as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM).
It has the UEFI firmware (no legacy BIOS) and Secure Boot. Besides, the UEFI also means that system disks have to be set up according to the GUID Partition Table (GPT) standard. When you have a system that uses a legacy Master Boot Record (MBR) system, then it is not supported.
Your internet connectivity has to be suitable for ensuring that Windows 11 is up-to-date and you can download the features. You would also require a Microsoft Account to complete the installation process for the PC machine setup.
This option is for using a local account for the business edition. Here, the first step would be to join the PC to your Windows domain. Please do note that Windows 11 can work on the 64-bit OS for 64-bit CPUs using the 32-bit Windows apps.
What happens if your PC or laptop does not meet the minimum system requirements?
We are often asked about this issue. So, what can you do when your machine does not meet the requirements? The good news is that the Windows 11 setup program includes a utility that checks for compatibility using the hardware requirement.
This unit blocks the upgrade installation on the machine that does not include a supported CPU or TPM 2.0. You do not have to make use of the compatibility check by downloading the ISO file and downloading file.
When your PC or laptop runs using Windows 10 but does not have the hardware requirements, then you can make use of the Microsoft support document. You will need to do the below registry key modification like this:
- Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\MoSetup
- Name: AllowUpgradesWithUnsupportedTPMOrCPU
- Type: REG_DWORD
- Value: 1
However, Microsoft does not recommend that you make this kind of tweak. Though the requirements do help in offering you with a reliable experience, installing Windows 11 on a PC or laptop is not ideal and results in compatibility problems.
When you go ahead with the installation, then your PC will not support or be entitled to getting updates. The damage that may be caused to your PC or laptop does not come under manufacturer warranty.
What’s new in the Windows 11 user interface?
For the natural observer, the new Windows 11 operating system might not have a barrage of features in it. You can see the visual discrepancies as what the maker calls the Windows 11 user experience (UX).
It also includes new icons, attractive colors, and corners that are rounded, and you also get to use a new system font. The taskbar contains a new button that can open on a new widget pane, and you can find the choice of widgets is relatively less.
You would want to know that the selection of the widgets is only for the manufacturer’s services. You can also do other taskbar tweaks, but not the centered alignment, which is relatively minor.
You can adjust the visualization of the tray icons to make them appear a lot crisp, and have clean, quick settings. As we have written in the above parts of the post, there are also minor changes to the fundamental aspects of the Windows UX.
We liked the design of it as the start button slides to a new pane that resembles the scrolling lists of the apps and utilities that are found on the menu. In the Windows 11 operating system, you can notice that the space is divided into 2 rectangular search boxes.
The top half of the program icons are meant for shortcuts to the recent documents that you have worked on. Besides you can also pin the folders and the programs to reduce the amount of space that it occupies.
You can also drag them according to your preferred order and adjust the customization options too. You can group the icons pinned to start into a subfolder. Otherwise, you would have to pin the system folders to the bottom, between the user profile picture and the power button.
We like the design & ability of the file explorer. It has the same capability as with the rest of Windows. It comes having a simplified ribbon and shortcut menus. But the tree-pane arrangement is absolutely there.
But the settings app has a complete makeover. There is also a new navigation pane that is present on the left, which offers you with ready access to the main categories. There are some of sections that can slide as and when you need them for system settings and personalization options.
When you make use of the Surface Pro laptop, then you can find most changes working on it sublimely. Users have commended the manner in which the touch elements and the pen flawlessly work.
A new voice typing feature allows you to dictate text automatically typed in the app or text box. You can activate it using Windows and H. You can make use of the snap shortcuts work to position windows side by side.
You can also do that from the taskbar, letting you restore a specific arrangement using a single click. There is a good UX enhancement that the previous Windows elements come to play with.
It is vital for the pending elements of the control panel of the apps that are hosted by the Microsoft Management Console (MMC). These were some of the notable changes that were found in the Windows 11 operating system.
FAQs
The minimum system requirements for Windows 11 are that it should have a 1GHz processor that can work on two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC). You will want to have 4GB RAM or more, along with a storage space of 64GB SSD, to install Windows 11.
There are several methods that you can use when you want to make sure whether your PC meets Windows 11 requirements. You can make use of the PC Health Check app; then, you can press the Windows logo key + S or the search option, type PC Health Check, and choose the app from the results.
It is like running a Windows 10 PC machine having 2GB RAM. That is because the minimum is slow. When you want to have a smooth performance, the option is to upgrade your RAM to 8GB or reduce it to Windows 10.
Yes, all the latest models can work on Windows 11 operating system. However, when the device is more than 10 years old, then you may want to upgrade it. Then you can use free updates available through the Windows Update present in the settings, update, and security options. If you are working on an old laptop, then please upgrade your laptop.
The minimum system requirement for working on Windows 11 PC unit is 4GB RAM. But you might want to utilize 8GB RAM for Windows 11 and other primary software. However, if you want to run top-end software, then 8GB may not be enough.
Conclusion
This is it. We have come to the end of our post on the minimum system requirements for the Windows 11 operating system to work on your PC machine. If you own one, then you might want to make sure that you follow the minimum requirements or the maximum requirements.
The Windows 11 operating system is a stunning OS that comes infused with many specifications. You can achieve a ton of projects using it. When you are using an old PC system, then you might want to make use of a new machine.
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and upgrade to the Windows 11 operating system.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.