Windows 11 System Requirements: Check If Your PC Is Eligible for 26H2

Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, and recommends upgrading to a supported version of Windows 11 to keep receiving security updates, maintenance, and access to newer features. However, not every Windows 10 PC can upgrade to Windows 11. It requires specific hardware features, including TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, UEFI firmware, and a compatible processor. Microsoft says these higher system requirements primarily enforce strict, modern baseline security features and ensure long-term system reliability. In this guide, we’ll explain the Windows 11 system requirements and show you how to check whether your PC is eligible for the Windows 11 26H2 upgrade.

Official Windows 11 System Requirements

Before checking whether your PC can upgrade to Windows 11 26H2, it’s useful to know exactly what Microsoft requires. A compatible PC must meet the minimum hardware requirements below:

Requirement	Minimum requirement
Processor	1 GHz or faster, with 2 or more cores, and a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
RAM	4 GB
Storage	64 GB or larger
System firmware	UEFI, Secure Boot capable
TPM	Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
Graphics card	Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
Display	High-definition (720p) display larger than 9 inches
Internet connection	Required for updates and some features
Microsoft account	Required during initial setup for Windows 11 Home and Windows 11 Pro for personal use

These are the minimum Windows 11 system requirements Microsoft published. If your device meets this configuration, your PC is eligible from a hardware perspective, although some Windows 11 features may require additional hardware.

For older Windows 10 PCs, the processor, TPM 2.0, and UEFI/Secure Boot requirements matter most. A PC can have enough RAM and storage but still fail the Windows 11 compatibility check because of its processor or firmware configuration.

How to Check If Your PC Is Eligible for Windows 11 26H2

The easiest way to check your PC is with Microsoft’s PC Health Check app. It checks your hardware against the Windows 11 requirements and tells you whether your device is eligible.

Check Windows 11 Compatibility With PC Health Check

1. Download and install PC Health Check from Microsoft’s website.
2. Open the app.
3. Under Introducing Windows 11, select Check now.
4. Wait while the app checks your PC.
5. Review the result to see whether your device meets the Windows 11 requirements.

If your PC is compatible, open Windows Update and check whether Windows 11 26H2 is available

If PC Health Check says your PC isn’t eligible, it can also identify the requirement causing the problem. For example, the issue may be an unsupported processor, disabled TPM 2.0, or a Secure Boot configuration that needs attention.

Tip: Don’t assume an older Windows 10 PC is automatically incompatible. Some PCs support TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot but have these features disabled in UEFI firmware.

TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot Isn’t Enabled?

If PC Health Check says your PC isn’t eligible because TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot is disabled, the required hardware may already be available. Many modern Windows PCs support these features, but UEFI firmware may have them disabled.

Enable TPM 2.0

First, check whether TPM is already available:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type tpm.msc and press Enter.
3. Check Specification Version under TPM Manufacturer Information.

If it shows 2.0, your PC already has the required TPM version.

If Windows says “Compatible TPM cannot be found,” TPM may be disabled in UEFI.

To access UEFI from Windows:

• Open Settings > System > Recovery.
• Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
• Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.

• Look under Security, Advanced, or a similar section for the TPM setting.
• On Intel systems, it may be called Intel PTT or Platform Trust Technology. On AMD systems, look for AMD fTPM or Firmware TPM. (Microsoft support)

• Enable the appropriate option, save the changes, and restart Windows.

Open tpm.msc again and confirm that Specification Version shows 2.0.

Enable Secure Boot

You can check Secure Boot from Windows before changing anything:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
3. Under System Summary, find Secure Boot State.

If it shows Off, your PC may support Secure Boot but have it disabled.

Enter UEFI using the same Advanced startup > UEFI Firmware Settings option described above. Depending on the manufacturer, Secure Boot may be located under Boot, Security, or Authentication.

Enable Secure Boot, save the changes, and restart Windows. Then open msinfo32 again and confirm that Secure Boot State shows On.

Important: UEFI settings vary between manufacturers. If your PC is configured with Legacy BIOS/CSM, don’t simply switch firmware settings without checking the system configuration first, as this can prevent Windows from booting.

Quick Insight: If PC Health Check flags TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot, check whether the feature is simply disabled before concluding that your Windows 10 PC cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 26H2.

Why Windows 11 26H2 not offered to my device

Even if your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements, you may not immediately see Windows 11 26H2 in Windows Update. Hardware compatibility is only one part of the feature update process.

Your Windows 10 PC Is Not Fully Updated

If you’re upgrading from Windows 10, install the latest available Windows updates first.

Go to: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates

Restart the PC if Windows asks you to, then check for updates again.

Windows Update Has Not Refreshed Your Compatibility Status

If you recently enabled TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, or made another hardware or firmware change, Windows may need some time to reassess the device. Restart the PC, install any pending updates, and check Windows Update again.

Microsoft Has Applied a Compatibility Safeguard

Microsoft can temporarily prevent a feature update from being offered when a known compatibility issue affects a particular hardware configuration, driver, application, or other component.

In this situation, the PC can meet the basic Windows 11 requirements but still not be offered Windows 11 26H2 until Microsoft addresses the compatibility issue.

In this situation, it’s generally better to wait until the compatibility issue is resolved rather than trying to force the feature update.

The PC Is Managed by an Organization

If your computer belongs to a business, school, or other organization, Windows Update policies can control when feature updates are offered. The availability of Windows 11 26H2 may therefore depend on your organization’s update management settings.

Tip: Passing the Windows 11 compatibility check doesn’t guarantee that 26H2 will appear in Windows Update immediately.

Can I Upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 for Free?

Yes. If your Windows 10 PC meets Microsoft’s Windows 11 hardware requirements, you can upgrade to Windows 11 26H2 without buying a new Windows license. The upgrade is available for eligible Windows 10 devices, though the exact experience can vary by device and how Windows Update delivers the release.

Before upgrading, make sure your PC runs a supported version of Windows 10, has enough free storage, and has all important Windows updates installed.

Check for the Windows 11 26H2 Upgrade

On Windows 10:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Update & Security > Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. If Windows 11 26H2 is available for your PC, Windows Update will show the upgrade option.
5. Select Download and install and follow the on-screen instructions.

On Windows 11:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. If Windows 11 26H2 is available, select Download and install.

Before starting the upgrade, back up important files and make sure the PC has enough free storage.

If Windows Update doesn’t offer the upgrade but PC Health Check confirms that your hardware is compatible, you can also use Microsoft’s Windows 11 Installation Assistant to check for and start the upgrade.

The Installation Assistant runs its own compatibility checks, so it isn’t a tool to bypass Windows 11’s hardware requirements

Before Upgrading to Windows 11 26H2

Before upgrading your Windows 10 PC to Windows 11 26H2, take a few minutes to prepare the device. This helps prevent common installation problems and protects your files if something goes wrong during the upgrade.

• Back up important files: Save important documents, photos, and other personal files to an external drive or cloud storage.
• Install pending Windows updates: Make sure your Windows 10 installation is fully up to date before starting the upgrade.
• Check available storage: Make sure the Windows drive has enough free space for the upgrade.
• Connect the charger: If you’re using a laptop, keep it plugged in during the installation.
• Update important drivers: If you’ve had known driver issues, check for newer drivers on your PC or your hardware manufacturer’s website.
• Disconnect unnecessary devices: Remove external USB devices and other peripherals you don’t need during the upgrade.

Once your PC passes the compatibility check and you’ve backed up your files, you can proceed with the Windows 11 26H2 upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions