Plan to upgrade to Windows 11. What is the windows 11 25h2 cpu support?

Intel 8th Gen for Windows 11 25H2.

As i know. Proceed with your upgrade to Windows 11 24H2. The compatibility requirements are stable. The Windows 11 25H2 CPU support needed to run the core OS is not changing for the foreseeable future. The new "requirements" you hear about are specifically for next-generation AI capabilities, which are additive features, not a new base requirement for the operating system itself.

But if your CPU doesn't support the minimum requirements for Windows 11, the upgrade process will fail. Here are some steps you can take:

Check System Requirements:

1. Verify CPU Requirements: Ensure the Windows 11 25H2 CPU support meets the minimum requirements for Microsoft. You can check the specifications on the manufacturer's website or in the Device Manager in Windows 10.

2. Full Specifications for Windows 11.

Upgrade Path:

Determine Upgrade Path: If your CPU doesn't meet the minimum requirements, you can consider the following options:

Dual-Boot: You can install Windows 11 on a separate SSD and dual-boot, allowing you to use both Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Hardware Upgrade: If the CPU is the only issue, you might be able to upgrade your CPU to a compatible one. This can be costly and is not always feasible.

Wait: If you can't meet the requirements now, you might need to wait until you can upgrade or replace your hardware.

Create a Bootable Media:

You can still create a bootable media for Windows 11 using the media creation tool, but you won't be able to upgrade if your CPU doesn't meet the requirements.

Use the media to install Windows 11 on a separate drive, but be aware that you won't be able to activate it without a compatible CPU.

The CPU requirements for Windows 11 24H2 are the same as for 23H2, and they are highly likely to remain identical for Windows 11 25h2 CPU support. Microsoft has not announced any changes to the hardware floor (the minimum required CPU generation) for future Windows 11 feature updates, including 25H2.

1. The "Hard Floor" is Set

The strict CPU requirement (8th Gen Intel Core / AMD Zen 2 or newer, with specific Qualcomm & Microsoft SQ chips) was established with the initial release of Windows 11 in 2021. This is considered the "hard floor" – the absolute minimum. All subsequent feature updates (22H2, 23H2, 24H2) have maintained this same floor.

For 25H2: Microsoft would make a major public announcement well in advance if they planned to raise this hardware floor. No such announcement has been made. The consistent pattern indicates Windows 11 25H2 CPU support that are compatible with 24H2.

2. The "Soft Floor" & Your Upgrade Path

This is the crucial part for your Windows 10 PC:

The PC Health Check App or WhyNotWin11 tool tells you if your PC meets the official requirements (the "hard floor").

If your PC is unsupported (e.g., you have a 7th Gen Intel CPU), your upgrade path from Windows 10 is not via Windows Update. However, clean installation using an ISO is often still possible. Microsoft does not technically block installation on some older CPUs via ISO, but it's considered "unsupported" — meaning you won't get updates via Windows Update and Microsoft disclaims liability for issues.

For 24H2 and likely 25H2: This "unofficial" installation method on older CPUs is expected to remain the same. The installation media does not have a different CPU check.

3. The Real Focus for 24H2/25H2: "AI PC" Requirements

The new, stricter requirements are for specific AI features, not for the OS itself.

Windows 11 24H2 runs perfectly on all supported hardware from 2018 onward.

New AI features like Recall, Cocreator, and advanced Live Captions require a dedicated NPU (Neural Processing Unit). These NPUs are only found in the very latest "AI PC" chips like:

• Intel: Core Ultra Series (Meteor Lake, Lunar Lake, Arrow Lake)
• AMD: Ryzen 7040/8040/8050 Series (Phoenix, Hawk Point, Strix Point) and newer
• Qualcomm: Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus

Crucial: If your PC doesn't have an NPU, you simply won't have access to these specific AI features. The rest of Windows 11 24H2/25H2 will install and function normally.

You're planning to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The Windows 11 25H2 CPU support is a crucial aspect to consider.

Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 have the same CPU requirements as Windows 11 23H2. The minimum CPU requirements for Windows 11 are:

• 64-bit processor (CPU) or system on a chip (SoC)
• Supports Secure Boot
• Supports UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware
• Supports TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0 or later
• Supports 64-bit architecture (x64)
• Has a processor architecture from Intel (6th Generation or later) or AMD (Zen 2 or later)

The existing Windows 11 25H2 CPU support requirements will remain unchanged. You can check your current CPU model and compatibility with the Windows 11 25H2 requirements.

Microsoft does not provide official support for downgrading or upgrading to previous versions of Windows, so the free upgrade path is:

Windows 10 -> Windows 11 (latest available version, which is 24H2 or 25H2)

To confirm, you can check your current Windows 10 version and CPU model to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11 25H2. If you're unsure, you can check Microsoft's documentation or online resources for detailed information on CPU compatibility and Windows 11 requirements.

Microsoft has not yet released the official final CPU support list for Windows 11 version 25H2. However, based on the company’s established policies and historical data regarding Windows 11 25H2 CPU support, we can draw reasonable inferences about which processors will be compatible.

Check CPU Model

• Press Win+R, type msinfo32, and view the specific CPU model under the Processor section.

Compatibility for Different CPUs

• If your CPU is on the official support list: Updates will be automatically pushed via Windows Update after 25H2 release.

• If your CPU is not on the official list: You can install 25H2 using the 24H2 method. The most reliable approach is to use a third-party USB installer, which bypasses system requirement checks.

• Note: Unofficially supported devices may not receive all subsequent updates.

Conclusion

25H2 does not introduce new support for older CPUs. If your computer previously ran 23H2 or 24H2, it will almost certainly run 25H2 using the same method. The only real barrier is extremely old CPUs lacking the fundamental POPCNT instruction.

Microsoft has explicitly stated that system requirements for Windows 11 throughout its entire lifecycle (including the CPU compatibility list) remain fixed. This policy has been consistently applied since the initial release across versions 22H2, 23H2, and 24H2. Consequently, the officially supported CPU list for Windows 11 25H2 will be identical to that of 24H2.

Windows 11 25H2 CPU Support Statement

Compatibility Status for Older CPUs (Non-Officially Supported Models)

• Complete Incompatibility: Starting with 24H2, certain extremely outdated CPUs (primarily models lacking the POPCNT instruction, such as some Intel Core 2 Duo and early AMD Phenom processors) have been subject to a ‘hard block’. These CPUs cannot boot Windows 11 24H2/25H2, and workarounds are ineffective.

• Cases where adaptation is possible via third-party tools: For ‘unofficially supported but capable’ CPUs (such as the popular Intel 7th Gen Core i7-7700K and AMD Ryzen 1000 series), the bypass method remains effective in 24H2 and is expected to be applicable in 25H2 as well.