Buying a computer (new, refurb or used) and Windows 11 hardware requirements

mackie · Mar 11, 2023

When buying a brand new computer advertised with OS= Windows 11, is it safe to assume that nowadays they meet all the hardware requirements for Win 11? Or do you still have to go through a lot of self searching hoops to make sure all the individual components meet the specs? That's basically what buyers had to do right after MS first came out with their new hardware requirements and not all the manufacturers were onboard. Now that some time has passed, are they pretty much all on board for meeting the specs?

What would be your approach to buying a refurbished one advertised with OS= Windows 11?

And then if you saw a real good deal for a used one advertised with OS= Windows 11?

spapakons · Mar 11, 2023

Any computer with 8th generation or higher Intel CPU or 2nd generation or higher AMD Ryzen CPU, at least 4GB RAM, at least 64GB disk space, UEFI firmware, TMP 2.0 and Secure Boot should meet the Windows 11 requirements. For anything else that has at least a dual core 64-bit or single core 64-bit with Hyperthreading CPU and 2GB RAM can take Windows 11 if you bypass compatibility check at installation. I once had installed Windows 11 on a single core 64-bit Intel Celeron CPU without hyperthreading and with just 2GB RAM. It was rather slow and could not take Windows 11 directly. I had to install at another computer, create a local account and then put the disk in the Celeron computer. Any attempt to create the initial user account at the Celeron failed due to some incompatibility. So at least dual core or single core with Hyperthreading (such as the first Intel Pentium 6xx 64-bit CPUs) is the minimum if you bypass compatibility check. If you want a Windows 11 compliant computer, anything of Intel 8th gen or higher or AMD Ryzer 2nd gen or higher that satisfies all the above requirements.

mackie · Mar 11, 2023

Hello spapakons,,,,,,, Thanks for your detailed post. I agree that with a little effort Windows 11 can be installed on just about any pc that doesn't meet the h/w requirements. I would think that for anyone interested in buying a brand new pc from a major manufacturer, by now all the ones advertised are W 11 hardware compliant? But that's just a guess on my part. Refurbished and used seems like something we would want to check a little deeper, as per your post. By the way, I'm not ready to buy yet because W 11 runs beatifully on my old pc, but the thought about what would I do if I needed to is something I do think about. And I like to see what's being offered on various websites.

cereberus · Mar 11, 2023

mackie said:
When buying a brand new computer advertised with OS= Windows 11, is it safe to assume that nowadays they meet all the hardware requirements for Win 11? Or do you still have to go through a lot of self searching hoops to make sure all the individual components meet the specs? That's basically what buyers had to do right after MS first came out with their new hardware requirements and not all the manufacturers were onboard. Now that some time has passed, are they pretty much all on board for meeting the specs?

What would be your approach to buying a refurbished one advertised with OS= Windows 11?

And then if you saw a real good deal for a used one advertised with OS= Windows 11?

A lot of refurbished pcs are sold with W11 installed but some unscrupulous sellers scam buyers by using various means to bypass compatibility checks.

I bought one online but got a bit wary, and when I checked in more detail, cpu was not compatible. I cancelled order immediately.

Even new ones could potentially be a bit dodgy if vendor is selling off old stock.
Buy from reputable dealers that turn over stock and this will not be an issue.
edit: as @NavyLCDR says, if you buy a device from one of the majors, they will be W11 compatible.

In my mind, it is fair enough for a user to bypass W11 checks to install W11 (accepting risks that in future pc may not work, update etc).

However, I do not think vendors should do it unless they specifically tell you up front as it is misleading advertising.

If you see a good deal and you are informed the pc is not categorised as W11 compatible but has it installed anyway, you can make a judgement.

Just because incompatible pcs can run Windows 11 now is no guarantee they will always be able to.

So best advice is to do your homework and make an informed decision - do not blindly trust seller.

Caveat Emptor.

NavyLCDR · Mar 11, 2023

In order for a major manufacturer like Dell, Acer, HP, Asus, to put the Windows 11 sticker on the computer, it has to meet Microsoft's requirements. Microsoft WOULD go after a major manufacturer for not complying. MS won't go after any individuals selling computers, though.

Try3 · Mar 11, 2023

mackie said:
When buying a ... computer advertised with OS= Windows 11, is it safe to assume that nowadays they meet all the hardware requirements for Win 11?

No.
Check its specs using Windows 11 requirements - MSLearn

I do not disagree with any previous posters. If a trustworthy seller says the computer meets Windows 11 requirements then that is likely to be the truth.
But that's not what you asked. You asked if the existence of Windows 11 on a computer was sufficient. It is not.

All the best,
Denis

Porthos · Mar 11, 2023

cereberus said:
However, I do not think vendors should do it unless they specifically tell you up front as it is misleading advertising.

I also feel the same about local computer repair providers doing this to their customers. I doubt the shops are going to give the unsuspecting users free service to hack the system every year to get the next version to install.

I hope this practice has slowed down or stopped since last October (22h2) when we found out you have to jump through hoops to get yearly feature updates to install.

I know there is always help here and other forums that can assist users But... the type of users that use local repair shops, are not the kind of users that ever use help forums.

spapakons · Mar 11, 2023

Always check the specs before buying. Also nobody would upgrade your incompatible computer for free when a new Windows 11 is released. In fact almost all how sell incompatible computers with Windows 11 wait for the moment you will need an upgrade to charge you more.

cereberus · Mar 11, 2023

Porthos said:
I also feel the same about local computer repair providers doing this to their customers. I doubt the shops are going to give the unsuspecting users free service to hack the system every year to get the next version to install.

I hope this practice has slowed down or stopped since last October (22h2) when we found out you have to jump through hoops to get yearly feature updates to install.

I know there is always help here and other forums that can assist users But... the type of users that use local repair shops, are not the kind of users that ever use help forums.

In fact, vast majority of users will just take it on face value their pcs are not compatible.

mackie · Mar 11, 2023

cereberus said:
A lot of refurbished pcs are sold with W11 installed but some unscrupulous sellers scam buyers by using various means to bypass compatibility checks.

I bought one online but got a bit wary, and when I checked in more detail, cpu was not compatible. I cancelled order immediately.

Even new ones could potentially be a bit dodgy if vendor is selling off old stock.
Buy from reputable dealers that turn over stock and this will not be an issue.
edit: as @NavyLCDR says, if you buy a device from one of the majors, they will be W11 compatible.

In my mind, it is fair enough for a user to bypass W11 checks to install W11 (accepting risks that in future pc may not work, update etc).

However, I do not think vendors should do it unless they specifically tell you up front as it is misleading advertising.

If you see a good deal and you are informed the pc is not categorised as W11 compatible but has it installed anyway, you can make a judgement.

Just because incompatible pcs can run Windows 11 now is no guarantee they will always be able to.

So best advice is to do your homework and make an informed decision - do not blindly trust seller.

Caveat Emptor.

Agree. Thanks for mentioning your experience with buying that non-compliant one online. I think this situation is going to be with us for the foreseeable future and will probably not improve, especially when Win 10 goes end-of-support in two years. Maybe MS will extend that by one or two years since it will affect so many.

badrobot · Mar 11, 2023

It depends where you are buying from.
But if you are talking about big box stores, you shouldn't worry about too much about refurbished products as they still come with standard warranty. If it has Windows 11. then the hardware is okay.
If buying from community listing, I suggest you stay away if you really don't know what you are looking for. Normally they just turn it on for you and show it works but I doubt they will open up the case for you to scrutinize it. But if you can get the specs of mobo and other major components ahead of time to do your research, then go for it with caution.

mackie · Mar 11, 2023

NavyLCDR said:
In order for a major manufacturer like Dell, Acer, HP, Asus, to put the Windows 11 sticker on the computer, it has to meet Microsoft's requirements. Microsoft WOULD go after a major manufacturer for not complying. MS won't go after any individuals selling computers, though.

Do you think that applies to refurbished ones with Win 11 that they (the major manufacturers) sell on their websites? I would hope so.

mackie · Mar 11, 2023

badrobot said:
It depends where you are buying from.
But if you are talking about big box stores, you shouldn't worry about too much about refurbished products as they still come with standard warranty. If it has Windows 11. then the hardware is okay.
If buying from community listing, I suggest you stay away if you really don't know what you are looking for. Normally they just turn it on for you and show it works but I doubt they will open up the case for you to scrutinize it. But if you can get the specs of mobo and other major components ahead of time to do your research, then go for it with caution.

How about when you buy from a major online store and they advertise as new with Win 11?

Try3 · Mar 11, 2023

badrobot said:
If it has Windows 11. then the hardware is okay.

mackie said:
with Win 11

No, no, no.
Having Windows 11 is not a certification of compatibility.

If it has Windows 11 then the hardware is not fatally incompatible.
You cannot say any more than that.

See post #6.

All the best,
Denis

Fiveish · Mar 11, 2023

mackie said:
Do you think that applies to refurbished ones with Win 11that they sell on their websites? I would hope so.

Just be safe and verify. I've been sold and returned brand new laptops that were not properly configured for the hardware they were running and thus would throttle components due to insufficient voltage or cooling. Manufacturer refurbished is just a marketing term--they could have some contractor in a random warehouse or office somewhere just signing off on reselling returned units as certified refurbed. If you're looking into the desktop market, it tends to be even worse. I'd recommend buying new from a reputable seller and buying slightly over the recommended specs. Hardware requirements are minimums, so they just guarantee that the device will "run" W11, not run it well. I have a laptop running W11 with an 8th gen i7 (u-series, low power) and wouldn't recommend going lower than an 8th gen device with 4 cores/8 threads.

spapakons · Mar 11, 2023

Any computer that can run Windows 8/8.1 64-bit can be made to run Windows 11 if you bypass compatibility check. You can expect performance being the same as running Windows 8 with the same drivers and same settings. If you want a Windows 11 compliant computer check the specs before buying. Make sure the CPU is at least 8th gen Intel or 2nd gen AMD Ryzen. This should have an UEFI firmware and Secure Boot for sure, it is rather unlikely it wouldn't. So the next thing to check is if it also has TPM 2.0 module. If it has, then 99% is Windows 11 compliant. If you don't care about compliance you can always bypass compatibility check and install Windows 11 anyway.

Try3 · Mar 11, 2023

spapakons said:
Any computer that can run Windows 8/8.1 64-bit can be made to run Windows 11 if you bypass compatibility check

I'm sorry but that is incorrect.
I've found a Windows 10 computer that will not complete Windows 11 installation despite bypassing compatibility checks and Bree has found another.

All the best,
Denis

spapakons · Mar 11, 2023

In Windows 11 22H2 upgrade fails if you are connected to the internet. Disconnect from the internet before upgrading.

Fiveish · Mar 11, 2023

spapakons said:
Any computer that can run Windows 8/8.1 64-bit can be made to run Windows 11 if you bypass compatibility check. You can expect performance being the same as running Windows 8 with the same drivers and same settings. If you want a Windows 11 compliant computer check the specs before buying. Make sure the CPU is at least 8th gen Intel or 2nd gen AMD Ryzen. This should have an UEFI firmware and Secure Boot for sure, it is rather unlikely it wouldn't. So the next thing to check is if it also has TPM 2.0 module. If it has, then 99% is Windows 11 compliant. If you don't care about compliance you can always bypass compatibility check and install Windows 11 anyway.

As someone who has transitioned from 10-11, you will absolutely run into compatibility issues with some apps and drivers that aren't configured. Plus, W11 in still in an experimental stage (I've have numerous updates that have broken the taskbar/menus, or have temporarily broken various services). I also had W11 break the drivers for a tablet display I was using which was fixed by a subsequent driver update from the manufacturer. W11 and W8 will absolutely not run the same on identical drivers and settings, beyond the fact that both OS have different settings options and configurations. Yes, you can bypass compatibility checks and TMP 2.0 security req., but that is recommended for advanced users, not someone who is a novice and doesn't understand what those features are. You're technically right for the most part; just not for this user in particular.

spapakons · Mar 11, 2023

I didn't say a novice can do it, but he can ask for help from an experienced friend or even professional. Many professionals will help you install Windows 11 on your computer if you pay for their time, unless they are Microsoft associates and prefer you to buy new hardware.

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