- Windows 11 24H2 hardware requirements include a 1GHz 2-core CPU, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of SSD, TPM 2.0, and Secure Boot. An NPU is also required for advanced AI features.
- The PC requires a Snapdragon X Elite CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 225GB of SSD for features like AI Explorer.
Windows 11 24H2 (2024 Update) has the same main hardware requirements as versions 23H2 and 23H2, meaning that if your computer is already running Windows 11 23H2 or an older release, it’s compatible with version 24H2. However, this version introduces new requirements to support some of the new AI features.
For example, a device will require an NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for certain AI functionalities and to consider the system as an “AI PC.” However, not every AI PC will support all the AI features. For example, Microsoft plans to require an ARM64 processor with Qualcomm NPU (QCOM0D0A) (such as the upcoming Snapdragon X Elite processor), at least 16GB of memory, and 225GB of storage to access the “AI Explorer” feature.
It’s important to note that these new requirements won’t prevent existing computers from upgrading to the 2024 Update. However, if you plan to upgrade a Windows 10 computer, the hardware has to meet the minimum requirements, including a 64-bit dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0, and Secure Boot.
This guide will go through the new system requirements for installing Windows 11 and the steps to check whether your computer will run the new version of the operating system.
- Windows 11 24H2 system requirements
- Windows 11 24H2 supported processors
- Windows 11 24H2 features requirements
Windows 11 24H2 system requirements
If you want to install Windows 11 24H2, your computer should meet the basic system requirements:
- Processor: 1GHz (64-bit with POPCNT) or faster CPU or System on a Chip (SoC) with two or more cores.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Hard drive: 64GB or larger.
- System firmware: UEFI and Secure Boot capable.
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module version 2.0.
- Graphics: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
- Display resolution: HD 720p display greater than 9 inches diagonally (8 bits per color channel).
- Networking: Internet and Microsoft account.
If you want to install Windows 11 24H2 and access advanced AI features, your computer will also need a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). If your device doesn’t have an NPU, you can still install version 24H2 and access AI features, such as Copilot.
Windows 11 24H2 supported processors
Windows 11 24H2 only runs on some processors, including Intel Core 8th Gen and higher processors and some Pentium, Atom, Celeron, and Xeon CPUs. On the AMD side, the operating system only supports the second-generation Ryzen (including Threadripper) and newer processors, alongside some EPYC and Athlon CPUs. As for ARM support, the latest version of Windows will support Qualcomm Snapdragon 850, 7c, 8c, and 8cx first and second generations, Snapdragon X Elite, and the Microsoft SQ1 and SQ2.
Furthermore, the 7th Gen Intel processors are also supported, but only the 7820HQ chip. In addition, Intel’s Core X and Xeon W processors are supported, but only if the device comes with Declarative, Componentized Hardware Support Apps (DCH) drivers.
On unsupported devices, you may still be able to upgrade (at your own risk) from the ISO file or USB bootable media. However, the computer will still need a 64-bit processor with the “POPCNT” instruction, at least two cores, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and an enabled TPM 1.2 chip and Secure Boot.
It’s important to the “POPCNT” (Population Count) instruction requirement because the computer won’t boot properly if this feature is missing at the time of the version 24H2 upgrade. Although most devices with unsupported hardware will continue to be able to upgrade and use the operating system, the new hardware requirement will affect processors released before 2007 as they don’t include the “POPCNT” instruction.
Here’s the list of the supported processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm.
Intel supported processors
- 8th Gen (Coffee Lake).
- 9th Gen (Coffee Lake Refresh).
- 10th Gen (Comet Lake and Ice Lake).
- 11th Gen (Rocket Lake and Tiger Lake).
- 12th Gen (Alder Lake).
- 13th Gen (Raptor Lake).
- Pentium – Gold and Silver.
- Xeon – Skylake-SP, Cascade Lake-SP, Cooper Lake-SP, Ice Lake-SP
- All supported Intel processors.
AMD supported processors
- Ryzen 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000 (including 3D V-cache chips).
- Ryzen Threadripper Pro 59xxWX.
- Ryzen Embedded V25xx and V27xx.
- EPYC 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen.
- Athlon – Gold, Silver, 3xxx, 300x.
- All supported AMD processors.
Qualcomm supported processors
- Snapdragon X Elite.
- Snapdragon 850.
- Snapdragon 7c.
- Snapdragon 8c.
- Snapdragon 8cx.
- Snapdragon 8cx (Gen2).
- Microsoft SQ1.
- Microsoft SQ2.
- All supported Qualcomm processors.
Windows 11 24H2 features requirements
Here are the hardware requirements to support specific features:
- AI Explorer: requires a Snapdragon X Elite processor.
- 5G support: requires a 5G capable modem.
- Auto HDR: requires an HDR monitor.
- BitLocker to Go: requires a USB flash drive.
- Client Hyper-V: requires a processor with second-level address translation (SLAT) capabilities (available in Windows Pro and above editions).
- DirectStorage: requires 1 TB or greater NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the “Standard NVM Express Controller” driver and a DirectX 12 Ultimate GPU.
- DirectX 12 Ultimate: available with supported games and graphics chips.
- Presence requires a sensor that can detect human distance from the device or intent to interact with the device.
- Intelligent Video Conferencing: This feature requires a video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output).
- Multiple Voice Assistant (MVA): requires a microphone and speaker.
- Snap three-column layouts: require a screen that is 1920 effective pixels or greater in width.
- Mute/Unmute from Taskbar: requires a video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). The app must be compatible with features to enable global mute/unmute.
- Spatial Sound: requires supporting hardware and software.
- Touch: requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch.
- Two-factor authentication requires using a PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.
- Voice Typing: requires a microphone.
- Wake on Voice: requires a Modern Standby power model and microphone.
- Wi-Fi 6E: requires new WLAN IHV hardware and driver and a Wi-Fi 6E capable access point or router.
- Wi-Fi 7: requires a Wi-Fi 7 compatible adapter and access point or router.
- Windows Hello: requires a camera configured for near-infrared (IR) imaging or a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or a portable Microsoft-compatible security key.
- Windows Projection: requires a display adapter that supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct.
The information in the article is based on existing requirements to install the current version of the operating system and the new requirements to consider a computer an “AI PC.” In addition, I’m including the details about the possible changes in the processor instructions and AI Explorer requirements.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].