Windows 10 22H2 (2022 Update) has the same hardware requirements (processor, memory, and storage) as previous versions, including 21H2, 21H1, 20H2, 2004, and older down to version 1507.
Usually, hardware requirements do not change when upgrading to a new version of Windows 10. However, it is not uncommon for the operating system to have additional requirements. For instance, with the release of version 1903, the minimum storage requirement was bumped to 32G for new installations.
It’s important to note that version 22H2 is considered the last release of Windows 10, as the company plans to retire it on October 14, 2025. After this point, the operating system will no longer receive security or maintenance updates or support of any kind unless you purchase the extended support subscription.
If you have a computer running Windows 7, 8.1, 10, or 11, you can quickly check if your system meets the requirements for the latest version of Windows 10 using the “System Information” app and checking the summary section. You can find the app using the Windows Search feature and look for “System Information.”
Windows 10 system requirements
If you want to install Windows 10, the device has to meet the basic system requirements:
- Processor: 1GHz or faster CPU or System on a Chip (SoC).
- RAM: 1GB requirement for 32-bit or 2GB for 64-bit.
- Hard drive: 32GB for a clean install or a new PC (16 GB for a 32-bit or 20 GB for a 64-bit existing installation).
- Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
- Display resolution: 800×600 minimum requirement.
- Networking: Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter.
Windows 10 hardware support
These are the minimum hardware features and supported processors from Intel and AMD:
Processor features
- Compatible with the x86 or x64 instruction set.
- Support for PAE, NX, and SSE2.
- Support for CMPXCHG16b, LAHF/SAHF, and PrefetchW for 64-bit OS installation.
Intel processor support
- Up to 13th Generation Intel Processors (Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9-13xxx).
- Intel Xeon W-12xx/W-108xx.
- Intel Xeon SP 32xx, 42xx, 52xx, 62xx, and 82xx.
- Intel Atom (J4xxx/J5xxx and N4xxx/N5xxx).
- Celeron.
- Pentium.
Check this list for a complete list of supported Intel processors.
AMD processor support
- Up to AMD 7th Generation Processors (A-Series Ax-9xxx & E-Series Ex-9xxx & FX-9xxx).
- AMD Athlon 2xx processors.
- AMD Ryzen 3/5/7/9 4xxx.
- AMD Opteron.
- AMD EPYC 7xxx.
Check this list for a complete list of supported AMD processors.
Qualcomm processor support
- Snapdragon 8CX.
- Snapdragon 8CX Gen 2.
Check this list for a complete list of supported Qualcomm processors.
Storage support
- Storage controllers must support booting using the Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) and implement device paths as defined in EDD-3.
- Storage host controllers and adapters must meet the requirements for the device protocol used and any requirements related to the device storage bus type.
- Bus-attached controllers must implement the correct class/subclass code as specified in the PCI Codes and Assignments v1.6 specification.
Display support
- Depth of 32 bits on each output simultaneously.
- Minimum diagonal display size for the primary display of 7 inches or larger.
Additional requirements
The basic requirements are very low, but to fully take advantage of the features Windows 10 offers, you need newer and more specific hardware.
- Speech recognition may require a high-fidelity microphone array and hardware driver with Microphone array geometry exposed
- Windows Hello requires facial recognition, iris detection, or a fingerprint reader.
- Device Guard requires UEFI Secure Boot with third-party UEFI CA removed from the UEFI database, TPM 2.0, and firmware’s virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD RVI) support.
- You need a tablet or a monitor that supports multi-touch to use touch.
- A Microsoft account is required for some features.
- Secure boot requires firmware that supports UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and has the Microsoft Windows Certification Authority in the UEFI signature database.
- Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible with DirectX 10 or higher for optimal performance.
- BitLocker To Go requires a flash drive (Windows 10 Pro only)
- BitLocker requires either Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2, TPM 2.0, or a flash drive (Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise).
- Client Hyper-V requires a 64-bit system with second-level address translation (SLAT) capabilities and an additional 2GB of memory (Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise).
- Miracast requires a display adapter that supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.3 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct.
- Wi-Fi Direct Printing requires a wireless adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct and a device that supports Wi-Fi Direct Printing.
- Device encryption requires a computer with InstantGo and TPM 2.0.
Microsoft also warns that running Windows 7 and Windows 8 isn’t enough to upgrade, you must update the operating systems to Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 8 should be updated to Windows 8.1 Update to upgrade to Windows 10.
If you upgrade from an older version of Windows 10, the new feature update should be installed in the same hardware configuration, whether you use the Windows Update, Media Creation Tool, Update Assistant, or ISO file since the requirements haven’t changed.
Update July 1, 2024: This page has been updated to ensure accuracy and include the latest information.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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