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rarnold57's avatar
rarnold57
Copper Contributor
Jun 08, 2025

Windows 11 CPU Compatibility - Intel Core i7-6700HQ

Hello,

I have an older laptop running Windows 10 but with decent specs (good for gaming at the original purchase time). I just saw the annoucement on Windows 10 End of Life/End of Support

I ran the PC Health Check which shows my system is NOT compatible due to the CPU not being supported - Intel Core i7-6700HQ. However all other specs meet the criteria (see at bottom, along with full specs).

I checked the official website to see if my CPU is compatible. It is not on the list.

However, I also checked some community posts which pointed me to this list, which says my CPU IS compabilite.

  1. Will Microsoft be working on making further CPU's officially compatible? I'm not very confident in my computer/Windows ability if something goes wrong during the upgrade.
  2. What's the difference with the official Microsoft list, and the "allthings.how" list?
  3. How are contributors making the decision that the CPU will work, if it's not on the official Microsoft list?

Thank you!

rarnold

 

FULL SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS:

Device Name    DESKTOP-N9MRDP5
Processor    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz   2.60 GHz
Installed RAM    16.0 GB (15.9 GB usable)
Storage    932 GB HDD ST1000LM014-1EJ164
Graphics Card    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M (4 GB), Intel(R) HD Graphics 530 (128 MB)
Device ID    531D6561-B87B-46A9-92FE-B969216C13C4
Product ID    00325-96002-58655-AAOEM
System Type    64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch    No pen or touch input is available for this display

 

 

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4 Replies

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  • Nobel_Baynes's avatar
    Nobel_Baynes
    Steel Contributor
    Jun 11, 2025

    i7-6700HQ is not supported. However, there are many ways for installing Windows 11 on unsupported CPU.

  • rarnold57's avatar
    rarnold57
    Copper Contributor
    Jun 10, 2025

    Here are the links I referred to (I couldn't create my post with them in it for some reason):

    • End of Life – https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows/end-of-support?r=1#:~:text=Support%20for%20Windows%2010%20will,recommend%20moving%20to%20Windows%2011
    • Microsoft supported CPUs – https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors
    • Community blog post discussing other CPUs – https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/discussions/windowsinsiderprogram/windows-11-cpu-compatibility/2596092
    • Link in community post with other CPUs – https://allthings.how/list-of-all-intel-and-amd-processors-not-supported-by-windows-11/
  • Gordony's avatar
    Gordony
    Iron Contributor
    Jun 10, 2025

    Microsoft's official compatibility list for Windows 11 primarily includes newer CPUs that meet specific security and performance criteria. The list is conservative and focuses on ensuring a smooth, secure experience, especially for mainstream users.

  • rarnold57's avatar
    rarnold57
    Copper Contributor
    Jun 09, 2025

    See referenced links below:

    • End of life - https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows/end-of-support?r=1#:~:text=Support%20for%20Windows%2010%20will,recommend%20moving%20to%20Windows%2011 
    • Supported Processors - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors
    • Community post -  Windows 11 CPU compatibility | Microsoft Community Hub
    • CPUs list from community post - https://allthings.how/list-of-all-intel-and-amd-processors-not-supported-by-windows-11/

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