Wondering if a PC running Windows is compatible with Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system, which is coming soon? Microsoft has significantly changed the system requirements for Windows 11, so many devices running Windows 10 or earlier versions of Windows will not be compatible with Windows 11.
The new version of Windows will be released on October 5, 202.1
Microsoft released its PC Health Check tool when it officially announced Windows 11. The tool was available only to insiders and checked whether the PC it was running on was compatible with Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system.
The company withdrew the tool soon after and promised it would release an updated version before Windows 11 was released. The updated version was released exclusively for insiders some time ago; this public version of the tool is now available.
Interested users can download the official PC Health Check app from Microsoft’s Windows 11 website. You must scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the “Download PC Health Check App” link to download the software to the local system.
Run it, hit the “Check Now” button at the top and you will be told if the device meets the requirements.
The updated version of the program displays additional information about potential system requirements issues.
The author’s aging Surface Go laptop is not compatible with Windows 11 according to the tool due to its processor. The processor is listed and the link provided opens a Microsoft Docs website that informs about compatible processors and includes links to lists of all supported processors.
The original version of the tool did not provide this information. It simply said “This PC cannot run Windows 11” and kept the user in the dark.
Third-party Windows 11 requirements checking tools have been created to fill the void. You can check out the Windows 11 Requirements Checker, or this review from Win11SysCheck and WhyNotWin11.
It could be argued that it does not matter which component of the device is not compatible, as this prevents the same result from upgrading to Windows 11. Although this is true for devices with fixed hardware components, for example a laptop or the Surface Go device, this is not necessarily true for PCs without fixed components. A user can upgrade the processor if it is not compatible, sometimes even without replacing the motherboard or other components in the process.
Some vendors offer upgrade packages, which include a new motherboard, new processor, and RAM, in one package, for easier upgrading.
PCs that cannot be upgraded can still install Windows 11 under certain circumstances, but Microsoft is deliberately vague in this regard. While the company has admitted that installations are possible, it has suggested that incompatible PCs running Windows 11 may not receive updates and may be limited in functionality.
Initial upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11 are free, but it’s unclear whether Microsoft plans to stop them at some point, or keep upgrades free indefinitely but only unofficially as it has. for upgrades from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10.
The PC Health Check app does not help buyers. Some PCs that can be purchased online and at point of sale are not compatible with Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system. Buyers should use Microsoft’s Processor Compatibility List and System Requirements Document to find out if a PC is compatible with Windows 11, unless the vendor specifically points out.
Microsoft plans to support Windows 10 until October 2025. Devices that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 can stay on Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 10. The only viable option after October 2025 is to switch to linux. Some may prefer to continue running Windows, even if they are not supported.
Now you: what are your plans in this regard? Windows 11? Stick to older versions of Windows? Switch to Linux?
Summary
Article name
Microsoft PC Health Check Windows 11 Compatibility App Now Available to Everyone
The description
Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool is now available to everyone. The tool checks whether Windows PCs are compatible with Microsoft’s new Windows 11 operating system.
Author
Martin Brinkmann
Editor
Ghacks Technology News
Logo
Advertising
