Microsoft unveils Windows 11, but strict requirements mean not everyone can run it

Last night, the Redmond software giant announced its brand-new Windows 11 operating system. For this latest version, Microsoft focused on improving OS performance, revamping its visual design, and integrating modern technologies like Auto HDR (automatic high dynamic range adjustment) and DirectStorage for faster game loading.

But it wasn't the new features or sleek design that truly defined Microsoft's Windows 11 unveiling. The Redmond software developer quickly released the system requirements for Windows 11, and at first glance, they seemed quite reasonable:

• 64-bit dual-core processor clocked at 1 GHz;

• 4 GB of RAM;

• 64 GB of storage;

• UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0;

• 9-inch screen with 1366 x 768 resolution;

• DirectX 12 and WDDM 2.x compatible graphics.

Experienced users, however, immediately spotted the catch: the stringent hardware requirement for UEFI, Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0 support. Not all processors, as it turns out, boast TPM 2.0. More precisely, only users with Intel Coffee Lake (Core 8000) or AMD Zen+ (Ryzen 2000) generation processors will be able to install the latest Windows 11 on their PCs. These are relatively 'young' CPUs, especially by today's standards. Consequently, many perfectly functional processors like the AMD FX/Ryzen 1000 and Intel Core 5000/6000/7000 series, which could easily have served for several more years, might be prematurely retired thanks to Microsoft.

You can find a detailed list of supported processors on Microsoft's official website (on the pages forIntel andAMD).

However, there's an upside: if your PC doesn't meet Windows 11's minimum requirements, Microsoft won't be able to forcibly install the new OS on your device.

Windows 11 is slated for release in Fall 2021, with beta testing set to begin in just a few weeks.