A woman looking confused holding Windows 11 upgrade media

The termination of support for Windows 10 by Microsoft in October 2025 means that business leaders need to plan for the transition to Windows 11, and this means understanding the Windows 11 upgrade requirements. Upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 is free, however, Windows 11 has specific hardware requirements and not all computers that currently run Windows 10 can be upgraded and older systems may need to be replaced.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand the technical prerequisites to facilitate a smooth transition.

In this blog post, we will discuss the technical requirements of upgrading to Windows 11 so you can assess its impact on your business.

Technical Requirements

Processors

Windows 11 needs a compatible 64-bit processor with a clock speed of at least 1 GHz and 2 or more cores.

Intel processors will need to be 8th-generation processors or above.

For AMD processors, it is not as simple to determine, but you will find a list of supported processors here:

Windows processor requirements Windows 11 supported AMD processors | Microsoft Learn

RAM

A minimum of 4GB of RAM is needed for Windows 11 to run.

Storage

You will need 64GB or more of storage space to install Windows 11.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module)

Windows 11 mandates TPM 2.0 for security reasons. It is essential to ensure that your system’s BIOS or UEFI firmware has TPM enabled.

Secure Boot

Secure Boot must be supported and enabled in the system’s UEFI firmware. Secure Boot is a feature that ensures only trusted software is loaded during start up, enhancing security.

Graphics Card

Your system must be equipped with a DirectX 12 compatible graphics card and a WDDM 2.0 driver.

Internet Connection

An internet connection will be required to finalize the upgrade process and to carry out updates after installation.

How to check if your systems are compatible

Microsoft provides a PC Health Check app to ascertain whether your system complies with the Windows 11 requirements. Running this tool can help identify any potential compatibility issues. Blisstech Solutions can assist with running this across your environment to audit this automatically.

What if my systems aren’t compatible?

If your systems aren’t compatible, you will need to take action before October 2025 to address this.

If the issue blocking the upgrade is a processor or TPM, you will most likely need to replace the system, as upgrading these items is usually not an option.

If one of the other technical requirements is the issue, then a simple upgrade or configuration change may be all that is needed.

If you need help or advice with the transition to Windows 11, Blisstech Solutions are experts in this field and would be delighted to help. Just get in touch.

← Don’t sleep on this simple, effective security booster The Blue Screen of Death and how to avoid it →

Unwrap the gift of knowledge: 5 free AI training courses by Microsoft

Microsoft has a little business-boosting gift that you won’t want to miss out on… five free courses about AI. We have the details, and the links to the courses.

At last: Sync passkeys across your devices

Tired of juggling passwords and endless reset emails?
There’s a smarter, safer way to log in. Once again, Microsoft is about to make life a lot easier for you and your team.
No passwords. No lockouts. Just quick, secure access wherever you are…

A woman on a laptop with a shield and lock on the screen

Why you should use a password manager

Introduction It can be difficult to keep track of all of your online passwords, especially if you have multiple accounts for different purposes. But did you know that there is a way to keep all of your passwords safe and secure? A password manager such as LastPass...

A person in a hoodie surrounded by green cipher text

3 Things You Must Do to Protect Against Ransomware

Ransomware is an increasingly common and devastating cyberattack that can happen to any business. The ransomware attacks that get the most media attention are those on high profile companies, but ransomware attacks on small businesses are increasing too. Many smaller...

Is data security your top priority?

Most businesses believe their data security is under control. But confidence and reality don’t always line up.
As companies grow, systems multiply, cloud apps get added, older platforms stay in place, and access permissions stack up.
And that increases risk…

Unlock the Hidden Productivity Gems within Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is a cornerstone for many businesses, but its vast potential often remains untapped. While applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams are widely used, there's a treasure trove of productivity-enhancing tools waiting to be discovered. Embark on...

Tech Tip: How to Follow Sites in SharePoint

Hello, Happy New Year and welcome to today's Tuesday Two Minute Tech Tip which is about how to find the data you want to access in SharePoint and OneDrive. If you are working with files in Teams and on SharePoint sites, you might wonder why you do not see the sites...

This tiny tweak to Teams will make meetings smoother

Sick of saying “next slide please” in your Teams meetings? Microsoft has a small but powerful new feature that will put an end to that. Find out more here…

Security Awareness Training Thumbnail Image

Human Error: The Achilles’ Heel of Your Cybersecurity

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are prime targets for cyberattacks, and the most vulnerable element in their defence is their workforce. Effective cybersecurity awareness training is essential for every employee across your organisation. But to implement it...

How To Secure Your Business When Remote Working

The global COVID-19 crisis means that more people are remote working than ever before. Businesses rushed to enable their employees to work from anywhere very quickly, which may include access to sensitive company data. In the rush to stay operational during the...

Windows 11 Upgrade Requirements