Microsoft has officially unveiled the next-generation version of its operating system, called Windows 11. In addition to a brand-new look, Windows 11 introduces a whole host of productivity improvements, including new ways to manage applications, support for widgets, and the integration of Microsoft Teams into the taskbar.

The only problem is that many Windows 10 users may not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 — even if their PCs are just a few years old. Why? Because they don’t meet the Windows 11 minimum system requirements:

Windows 11 System Requirements

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• Graphics Card: DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0

If your motherboard is equipped with a TPM module, then the Windows 11 system requirements probably don’t seem too strict to you. Well, that’s because you don’t know that Microsoft is officially supporting only a relatively small number of Intel and AMD processors, regardless of how powerful they are.

For example, Intel processors compatible with Windows 11 date back to only mid-2017. The situation is even worse when it comes to AMD processor, whose support start with 2nd gen Ryzen (2018). Microsoft has decided to take this drastic step to deliver the most secure and stable Windows experience possible.

Also Read: Microsoft To Finally Retire Internet Explorer In 2022

You can verify if your PC meets the minimum system requirements using the official PC Health Check app (not available at the time of writing this article because Microsoft has decided to temporarily remove it).

Users whose PCs don’t meet the system requirements can continue to use Windows 10, whose official support ends October 2025. While Microsoft still hasn’t announced an official release date for the next version of Windows, recent reports indicate that date will most probably be October 20, 2021.