Check whether a Windows 10 PC can move to Windows 11
Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check and exact minimum requirements before upgrading parts, bypassing setup, or replacing the PC.
Direct answer
The shortest reliable path.
Run Microsoft PC Health Check on the Windows 10 PC and select Check now. Windows 11 requires a supported 1 GHz or faster processor with at least two cores, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, UEFI with Secure Boot capability, TPM 2.0, DirectX 12 graphics with WDDM 2.0, and the documented display and setup requirements. Passing minimum hardware checks does not guarantee an immediate Windows Update offer; Microsoft also evaluates readiness and safeguard holds. A failed check should identify the blocking requirement before any replacement decision.
System view
Check the whole path.
- 01Exact PC hardware and firmware
- 02PC Health Check assessment
- 03Windows 11 minimum requirements
- 04Windows Update readiness
- 05Upgrade, targeted change, or replacement decision
Scope before steps.
Consumer Windows 10 PCs being evaluated for an officially supported Windows 11 upgrade.
Managed enterprise deployments, unsupported-install bypasses, application certification, Windows licensing purchases, or component installation.
Procedure
Do this in order.
- 01
Run the authoritative eligibility check
Open PC Health Check, find Introducing Windows 11, and select Check now.
- 02
Identify the exact blocker
Expand the result and distinguish CPU-list failure, TPM, Secure Boot, memory, storage, graphics, or another requirement.
- 03
Confirm firmware changes with the maker
If TPM or Secure Boot appears disabled, use the PC manufacturer’s model-specific instructions before changing UEFI settings.
- 04
Wait for Windows Update readiness
After eligibility passes, check Windows Update and respect any readiness or safeguard message.
Diagnostic matrix
Read the result, not the guess.
| What you see | Check next | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| PC Health Check and Windows Update disagree after a hardware change | Allow the documented refresh period or manually refresh eligibility. | Windows Update may still hold the previous assessment. |
| CPU is fast enough but rejected | Check the exact processor against Microsoft’s approved CPU list. | Clock speed and core count are necessary but not the entire CPU rule. |
| PC passes but upgrade is not offered | Review Windows Update readiness and safeguard information. | Minimum requirements do not force immediate rollout. |
Stop conditions
Know when not to keep changing things.
- Do not use an unsupported-install bypass as proof that the PC is officially compatible.
- Do not change TPM, Secure Boot, storage mode, or UEFI settings without model-specific instructions and a backup.
- Do not replace the whole PC before identifying whether the failed requirement is configurable, replaceable, or fixed to the platform.