Forum Discussion
Windows 11 compatibility checker to know my computer compatible with Windows 11?
Thinking about upgrading my Windows 10 PC upgraded to Windows 11 but not sure if the current Windows 10 machine actually meets the requirements.
Done a bit of reading and it seems like Windows 11 has some fairly strict hardware requirements around TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and CPU compatibility that a lot of older machines fail. Not sure which of those apply to this setup or whether there's a way to check each requirement individually without relying solely on the Microsoft tool.
Anyone been through this process recently? Would love to know where to find the best Windows 11 compatibility checker tool to know my computer will be compatible with Windows 11 or not.
2 Replies
WhyNotWin11, a free, open-source Windows 11 compatibility checker developed by Robert C. Maehl. It gives you more detailed and accurate information about why your PC may not be eligible for Windows 11 rather than just a vague pass/fail result.
How to Use Free Windows Compatibility Checker
Step 1: Download it
Download WhyNotWin11 from GitHub. Scroll down to the "Downloads" section and click "Download latest stable release."
Step 2: Run it
Double-click the "WhyNotWin11" executable to run the application. No installation is needed — it's a standalone file. If Windows Defender or your antivirus flags it, you may need to allow it through, as it's a lesser-known app from GitHub.
Step 3: Review the results
After a few seconds, WhyNotWin11 will list all the key Windows 11 requirements alongside whether your PC meets them. You don't need to manually enter any information or perform a setup process.
Understanding the Color Results
The results are color-coded:
Green — Compatible component
Orange — Borderline or requires attention
Red — Incompatible component
You can hover over the information icons next to each criterion for additional details. So it is my favorite
Windows 11 compatibility checker checker tool.
You don't need any Windows 11 compatibility checker tool. Instead, here are the key requirements to check for Windows 11 compatibility:
1. Core Hardware Requirements
Processor: 1 GHz or faster, 64-bit, with 2+ cores — and it must be on Microsoft's supported CPU list (most Intel 8th gen+ and AMD Ryzen 2000+ qualify)
RAM: 4 GB minimum
Storage: 64 GB minimum free space
Graphics: DirectX 12 compatible GPU
Display: 720p, 9" or larger
2. The Big One: TPM 2.0
This is what blocks most older PCs. Windows 11 requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. To check:
Press Win + R, type tpm.msc, and hit Enter
It will show whether TPM is present and which version
3. Secure Boot
Your PC must support UEFI firmware with Secure Boot. You can check this in your BIOS/UEFI settings, or by searching "System Information" in Windows and looking for BIOS Mode (should say UEFI) and Secure Boot State (should say On or supported).
