WINDOWS 11 IS HERE! BUT IS IT HERE FOR YOU YET?
Microsoft has finally released the OS as a free upgrade to PCs and laptops running Windows 10. But you device hardware requirements or buy a new might still not get it unless you meet certain
HT Tech
Six years after Microsoft first rolled out Windows 10, the company has finally started rolling out an upgrade to its operating system (OS), with Windows 11. The new OS will be available to all Windows 10 PCs and on new PCs as a free upgrade. With Windows 11 release, Microsoft is giving the OS a fresh coat of paint, from the system elements like the Start Menu to the notification centre and the system apps. Users will also be able to run Android apps without installing ‘emulator’ software, and security and performance improvements will enhance user experience in general.
However, many users who are waiting for Windows 11 to arrive on their PCs and laptops might be in for a bit of a surprise. Microsoft has added stringent requirements that bar older devices from installing the update, which excludes millions of PCs. Even if you do have a compatible PC or laptop, Microsoft says that the rollout will be done in a phased manner, and some users may not see the update notification for weeks – or even until 2022.
To be able to get the Windows 11 update, your PC must meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements. The PC should be running on system-on-chip with two or more cores with a clock speed of at least 1GHz. It should have 4GB of RAM, at least 64GB of storage space, Trusted Platform
Module or TPM version 2.0, a graphics card compatible with DirectX 12 or with WDDM 2.0 driver. There should be a screen with at least 720p resolution that is greater than 9-inches diagonally with 8 bits of colour channel, UEFI, and Secure Boot capable.
To check if your desktops and PCs are eligible for the upgrade, you can download Microsoft’s PC Health Check app.
Users who find their PCs incompatible with Windows 11 have two choices. They can either continue to run their PCs on Windows 10 or they can buy a PC. Microsoft has already announced that a host of devices from companies such as Acer, AMD, ASUS, Dell, HP, Intel, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Samsung and Surface meet the system requirements needed for downloading Windows 11.
Alternatively, PC/laptop manufacturers are coming up with updated models that will ship with the latest version of the OS pre-installed. Lenovo will be launching five new laptops across categories soon, all with Windows 11 pre-installed. The models launching this month include Ideapad Slim 3i, Ideapad Slim 5i, Lenovo Legion 5 Pro and Lenovo Legion Slim 7. HP and Acer have also revealed their lineup of laptops that will come with Windows 11. Laptops from HP include ENVY x360 13, Pavilion Gaming 15, All-in-One PC, Pavilion 14 and Pavilion 15. Models with pre-installed Windows 11 from Acer include Swift X, Swift 3, Aspire 5, Aspire 3, Spin 3 and Spin 5.
TO BE ABLE TO GET THE WINDOWS 11 UPDATE, YOUR PC SHOULD BE RUNNING ON SYSTEM-ON-CHIP WITH TWO OR MORE CORES WITH A CLOCK SPEED OF AT LEAST 1GHZ. IT SHOULD HAVE 4GB OF RAM, AT LEAST 64GB OF STORAGE SPACE, AMONG SEVERAL OTHER REQUIREMENTS.