Do I Have to Change Computer to Windows 11?

With Windows 10 support officially ending in October 2025, the question on many users' minds is, "Do I have to change computer to Windows 11?" The buzz around Microsoft's latest operating system is met with equal parts excitement and confusion, especially regarding its stringent hardware requirements. Many have asked, "Can this computer be upgraded to Windows 11?" only to be met with a disappointing compatibility error.

This article is here to demystify the process. We will explore why Windows 11 has these specific requirements, what they are, and most importantly, provide a guide on how you might be able to upgrade your current machine without buying a new one. We'll tackle the common questions: "Do I need to upgrade to Windows 11?" giving you the information you need to make an informed decision.

System Requirements for Windows 11

Before attempting any upgrades, you need to know the official checklist. This section details the minimum specifications your PC must meet.

The easiest way to check your PC's status is by downloading and running Microsoft's "PC Health Check" application. It will give you a simple yes or no answer and point out which requirements you don't meet. If you see the dreaded "can't upgrade to Windows 11" message, the list below will help you identify the specific component that needs attention.

Processor (CPU): 1 Gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).

RAM: 4 Gigabytes (GB) or greater.

Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device.

System Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable.

TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.

Graphics Card: DirectX 12 compatible or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver.

Display: High definition (720p) display, 9” or greater monitor, 8 bits per color channel.

How to Upgrade a Computer for Windows 11 Upgrade

If the PC Health Check app identified issues, don't worry. Many of these can be resolved with BIOS setting changes or hardware upgrades. This section provides a practical guide to addressing the most common compatibility roadblocks.

1. Update Firmware to Enable UEFI and Secure Boot

Many modern PCs support UEFI and Secure Boot, but they may be disabled by default. This is often the easiest fix.

Step 1. Check Your Current Mode: Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter. Look for "BIOS Mode." If it says "UEFI," you're good. If it says "Legacy," you'll need to switch.

Step 2. Enter BIOS/UEFI: Restart your computer and press the designated key to enter the BIOS setup (commonly F2, F10, F12, or DEL). The key is usually displayed on the boot screen.

Step 3. Enable Secure Boot: Look for a "Security" or "Boot" tab. Find the "Secure Boot" option and set it to Enabled.

Step 4. Change BIOS Mode (If Necessary): In the same "Boot" tab, look for an option like "Boot Mode," "UEFI/Legacy Boot," or "CSM Support." Disable Legacy/CSM and enable UEFI.

Step 5. Save and Exit: Save your changes and restart the computer.

2. Update and Enable TPM 2.0

The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a security chip that may be present on your motherboard but disabled in the BIOS.

Step 1. Check TPM Status: Press Windows Key + R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. If it shows the status as "The TPM is ready for use" and the "Specification Version" is 2.0, you are all set.

Step 2. Enter BIOS/UEFI: As in the previous step, restart your PC and enter the BIOS.

Step 3. Enable TPM: Look for a "Security," "Advanced," or "Trusted Computing" section. The setting might be called "TPM Device," "Intel Platform Trust Technology (PTT)," or "AMD fTPM." Set it to Enabled.

Step 4. Save and Exit: Save the changes and let your computer reboot. Run tpm.msc again to confirm it's active.

3. Update Storage: Get More Space and Speed

The 64GB storage requirement is a minimum; for a smooth experience, you'll want more. This is also a perfect opportunity to upgrade from a slow Hard Disk Drive (HDD) to a much faster Solid State Drive (SSD). Managing this process can be tricky, which is where a powerful tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional becomes invaluable.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a comprehensive disk and partition management software designed to simplify complex tasks. Whether you need to resize partitions, migrate your entire operating system, or clone a disk, its intuitive interface makes the process safe and straightforward.

Method A: Extend Your C: Drive with "Allocate Free Space"

If your C: drive is full but you have plenty of space on another partition (like D:), you can easily reallocate it.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Step 2. Right-click the partition with ample free space (e.g., the D: drive) and select Allocate Free Space.

Step 3. In the pop-up window, specify how much space you want to move and select the C: drive as the destination.

Step 4. Click Apply in the top toolbar and then Proceed to execute the operation. The software will handle the rest, safely extending your system drive.

Method B: Upgrade to a New SSD with "Clone Disk"

If you've bought a new, larger SSD, this feature lets you copy everything from your old drive—including Windows, apps, and files—without reinstalling anything.

Step 1. Connect your new SSD to the computer.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. In the top panel, click Clone > Clone Disk.

Step 3. Choose your old drive as the source disk and the new SSD as the destination disk.

Step 4. You can edit partitions on the new disk or let the software clone them as is. Be sure to check the option to Align partition to optimize for SSD, which improves performance.

Step 5. Click Apply and Proceed to begin the cloning process. Once complete, you can swap the old drive with the new SSD.

Beyond these features, AOMEI Partition Assistant also offers OS migration to SSD, partition recovery, and the ability to convert disks between MBR and GPT without data loss, which can be another requirement for UEFI booting.

4. Update CPU: The Toughest Hurdle

CPU compatibility is the one requirement that is often non-negotiable without a hardware replacement.

Step 1. Identify Your CPU: Go to Settings > System > About and look under "Processor."

Step 2. Check Microsoft's Lists: Compare your CPU model against Microsoft's official lists of supported processors.

Windows 11 Supported Intel Processors

Windows 11 Supported AMD Processors

If your CPU is not on the list, you officially can't upgrade to Windows 11. For desktop users, upgrading the CPU might be an option. For laptop users, this typically means a new computer is required to run Windows 11 officially.

5. Update RAM

Windows 11 requires a minimum of 4GB of RAM, but 8GB or 16GB is recommended for good performance. You can check your installed RAM in Settings > System > About. Upgrading RAM is usually a simple and cost-effective process for both desktops and many laptops.

To Sum Up

So, to return to our original question: do I have to change computer to Windows 11? The answer is nuanced. You don't necessarily need a brand-new machine, but you do need a compatible one. For many users, compatibility is just a few BIOS tweaks away by enabling UEFI Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. For others, the barrier might be storage space—a problem easily solved by upgrading to an SSD and using a tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to manage the transition smoothly.

The only true hard stop is an unsupported CPU. If you've checked all the boxes and your hardware is ready, the decision of "should I upgrade to Windows 11" becomes one of personal preference. With its modern interface and enhanced security, it's a worthy successor to Windows 10. By following this guide, you are now equipped to assess your PC and confidently take the next steps on your Windows 11.