UEFI Firmware TPM 2.0 Microsoft Windows 11 WDDM 2.0 Driver Windows 11 Pro Retail

Computer Software Windows 11 Pro Retail Korean Version Win 10 home OEM Original Activation License

Windows 11 release date

Microsoft says that it expects to begin shipping Windows 11 on Oct. 5 for new and existing PCs. The update will roll out in a measured and phased approach and will only be offered on existing PCs if they are eligible by meeting Windows 11's system requirements.

You can now see whether your PC meets the new minimum requirements for Windows 11. There are also some "hard" and "soft" requirements, including CPU types, leaving a lot of flexibility for which hardware can get Windows 11.

Windows 11 System Requirements

The minimum system requirements listed below are the official specifications given by Microsoft. No recommended system requirements have been provided as of yet, so these are our own estimates on what would be the best setup for good performance with the operating system, based off our knowledge of Windows 10. These will be subject to change as we have more hands-on experience with the new operating system.

Generally speaking, the major differences between the minimum requirements from those of Windows 10 is the aforementioned increase in RAM to 4GB, and the need for a CPU with two or more cores (and 64-bit only), and the aforementioned requirement for a TPM and UEFI BIOS.

Windows 11 Minimum Requirements

CPU : 1 GHz or faster (two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC, must be later than Intel 8th Gen / AMD Zen 2 / Qualcomm 7 & 8 Series)
RAM : 4 GB
HDD : 64 GB of storage space (initially – further updates may require more space)
GPU : Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
System Firmware : UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM : Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
DirectX : Version 12
Display : High definition (720p) display, 9″ or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel
Network : Internet connection required to set up and update

Windows 11 Recommended Requirements

CPU : 2 GHz or faster (two or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or SoC, must be later than Intel 8th Gen / AMD Zen 2 / Qualcomm 7 & 8 Series)
RAM : 8 GB
HDD : 100 GB of storage space
GPU : Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
System Firmware : UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM : Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
DirectX : Version 12
Display : High definition (720p) display, 9″ or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel
Network : Internet connection required to set up and update

Windows 11 new features

Windows 11 includes a whole bunch of new features and changes that differentiate it over Windows 10. To begin, Windows 11 features a brand-new user interface (UI) design, built from the ground up with simplicity and ease of use in mind. Microsoft has tried to simplify the UI in as many areas as possible, creating a clean, fluid space for work and play.

Microsoft says the new UI will help you stay productive or in your creative flow, as the OS does its best to remain out of the way. The company is adding new productivity features that help keep you in your flow, such as new functionality like the new "Snap Navigator" menu that drops down from an app window's maximize button. This lets you snap an app to a predetermined set of grid layouts without needing to drag your window to the edge of your display.

There's also a new Chat app built right into the Taskbar, which lets you share files, text, and video with friends, family, or colleagues via Microsoft Teams for consumers. Microsoft is integrating Teams into Windows 11 in other ways, such as with the ability to share an app window into a Teams call directly from the Taskbar, as well as mute your mic from the System Tray area.

Microsoft has built a new Start menu and Taskbar experience, now centered by default. Gone are live tiles, and in their place is a grid of app icons that can be rearranged. Pinned and running apps in the Taskbar are now also centered, and there are many new subtle animations when clicking and moving things around. The System Tray and Action Center has been tweaked to match this, with Notifications and Quick Actions now split into two separate menus.

Quick Actions are now known as Quick Settings and appear when you click on the System icons on the far right of the Taskbar. From here, you can connect to Wi-Fi or a Bluetooth device, enable night light, configure focus mode, and much more. Clicking on the date and time will open your calendar view and notifications.

There's also a new out of box experience, lock screen, and modern File Explorer UI. Microsoft is also introducing a new "Widgets" panel that houses features such as To Do, Calendar, Photos, and news from MSN.

Overall, Windows 11 is a much more open system compared to Windows 10 and its predecessors.

Finally, Microsoft talked about how Windows 11 is built for gamers with new features like Auto HDR, Direct Storage, and DirectX 12 Ultimate.

Windows 11 Home Vs Pro: Main Differences

One of the only leaked differences that currently separates Windows 11 Home vs Pro is the requirements for a Microsoft account and a stable internet connection during setup – both of which aren’t needed to set up Windows 11 Pro. However, as we said earlier, many of the main differences that separate Windows 11 Home vs Pro are yet to be leaked.

However, whilst that’s the case, we can still extrapolate some of the differences based on Windows 10 versions. For a start, Windows 11 Pro will likely offer additional security and business-tailored features when compared to the home version – as per Windows 10. Looking at the Windows 11 predecessor, Win 10 Pro did offer BitLocker device encryption and Windows Information Protection (WIP) – something the Home version simply couldn’t boast. These are two great features that help increase the security benefits of Windows 10 Pro over Home – and we expect to see similar differences with Windows 11.

Furthermore, Windows 11 Home will likely offer limited functionality and features when it comes to business management and deployment software. This was certainly the case in Windows 10 and there has been no mention to suggest anything different this time around, with Pro benefiting from at least 10 additional managements tools – including mobile device management, Microsoft store (for business) access, and the Windows Update for business features.

Windows 10 Home Vs Pro Bussiness Management & Deployment Features

Hardware requirements for Windows 11: