How to Get Started Testing Windows 11
- Paul Thurrott
- Jun 24, 2021
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100
If you’re interested in testing Windows 11, you’ll be able to do so starting next week via the Dev channel in the Windows Insider Program. Here’s how to get started.
“We plan to release the first Insider Preview build for Windows 11 next week,” Microsoft’s Amanda Langowski writes. “However ahead of that release, we wanted to let Insiders know of a few changes we are making to how they will receive Windows 11 Insider Preview builds going forward.”
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Those changes aren’t all that unexpected. The big one is that the Windows Insider Program will follow the same system requirements as will Windows 11 generally, you’ll need a PC with a dual-core 1 GHz or faster 64-bit processor, 4+ GB of RAM, 64+ GB of storage, and a TPM 2.0 module. That said, if your PC is already in the Windows Insider Program Dev channel and it doesn’t meet those requirements, Microsoft will allow you to install Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, at least until Windows 11 ships; at that time, those PCs will be opted out of testing and will have to be manually switched back to Windows 10.
To get started, you simply need to join the Dev channel of the Windows Insider Program. If you’ve already done so, you’re all set, assuming your PC is eligible. There’s nothing else to do.
If you’re not enrolled yet, open Settings and navigate to Update & Security > Windows Insider Program to opt-in and then reboot the PC. And then wait for next week. Windows 11 is on the way.
Note that the first builds will not have some features, including Android app support and Chat with Teams. And Windows 11 is expected to hit the Beta channel in July.
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Conversation 100 comments
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creugea7
Log in to Reply<p>So…. What if you run Windows in a VM. VM’s do not have a TPM 2.0 module. Will Windows 11 run in VM then?? </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>I’ve been able to install the leaked (21996.1) build inside a VMWare Player machine… so unless the final version will be different, currently I’ve had no issue…</p>
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ringofvoid
Log in to Reply<p>Many VM platforms provide virtual TPM 2.0 services. I only checked VMware, Hyper-V & Xenserver but I would imagine that others provide it as well.</p>
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ianhead
Log in to Reply<p>The leaked build, which also requires TPM 2.0, works just fine in VirtualBox.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>There is a PDF you can download from Microsoft (download.microsoft.com/download/7/8/8/788bf5ab-0751-4928-a22c-dffdc23c27f2/Minimum%20Hardware%20Requirements%20for%20Windows%2011.pdf) which breaks-down the requirements further. It says when Windows 11 detects it is running inside a VM, it will ignore certain requirements</p>
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waethorn
Log in to Reply<p>I’m reading on Neowin that the Taskbar can only be put at the bottom of the screen.</p><p><br></p><p>Is this for real?</p><p><br></p><p>I know many people that prefer side-docked Taskbars that will absolutely detest this change.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Yes, Microsoft have officially said "bottom of the screen only" in the list of feature depreciations and removals</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>FWIW, Cairo Desktop Environment runs as an alternative desktop shell under the leaked Windows 11 build. Not my 1st choice, but it proves a 3rd party taskbar could be placed somewhere other than the bottom of the screen. IOW, this is MSFT intentionally restricting the Windows 11 UI. Maybe MSFT has good reasons for doing so, but odds are quite high they won’t communicate any such reasons intelligibly any time soon.</p>
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waethorn
Log in to Reply<p>Will there be public ISO’s from the Dev channel for clean installs?</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>These should be available here in due-course: microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso</p>
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superwindows88
Log in to Reply<p>Anyone else quite frustrated by the windows 11 compatibility tool that it fails to give any reason why your device doesn’t meet the requirements? </p><p><br></p><p>i have the Surface Book v1 and it seems to be to be compatible… but it isnt?</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>This might help: pcworld.com/article/3622981/older-microsoft-surface-devices-cannot-upgrade-to-windows-11.html</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Now a practical definition for <em>life of device</em>: for those older Surfaces, October 2025 is meant to be end of life.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>The tool has now been updated to tell you exactly what issues there may be:</p><p><br></p><p>windowslatest.com/2021/06/26/microsoft-updates-windows-11-requirements-says-tpm-2-0-is-required/amp/</p><p><br></p><p>The Surface Book 1 has been confirmed as not eligible for an update to Windows 11. List of supported models here:</p><p><br></p><p>slashgear.com/some-older-microsoft-surface-devices-cant-upgrade-to-windows-11-25679919/</p>
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Alastair Cooper
Log in to Reply<p>My ThinkPad has a TPM 2.0 module but the PC Health Check is reporting it as incompatible. It comfortably exceeds all the other requirements. Hopefully it’s a bug or a configuration issue.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>In the "Windows Security" app, click "Device Security" then "Security processor details" and check the version in there to be sure: look after "Specification version".</p><p><br></p><p>Beyond that (1) ensure within your UEFI settings it is fully-enabled and (2) see if there are any BIOS updates for your device, or any specific TPM firmware updates</p>
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bob25
Log in to Reply<p>My 2-year-old HP Envy laptop is also being reported as incompatible even though it reports the "The TPM is ready for use." Also meets all the other requirements. </p><p><br></p><p>Would it really have been that difficult to have this PC Health Check app identify which requirement(s) is not being met?</p>
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Alastair Cooper
Log in to Reply<p>So I found that in my case for some reason my Core i5 7300HQ (from only 2017) is not supported, going from Microsoft’s supported CPU list. There is needless to say no explanation as to why.</p><p><br></p><p>Going through Intel’s ARK repo of CPU specs it has all the same features as other, sometimes less powerful, CPUs that are supported.</p><p><br></p><p>So what exactly is going on here?</p><p><br></p><p>If Microsoft are trying to drive people to throw out recent, good hardware for no technical reason that’s frankly appalling given the environmental crisis.</p><p><br></p><p>Thankfully I already mostly use it for Manjaro Linux.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Your CPU will likely work; it seems an 8th Gen Intel CPU is "preferred", but not "required", at-least according to docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11</p>
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obarthelemy
Log in to Reply<p>Damn, no TPM 2.0 on my semi-recent (6yrs ?) PC that works perfectly.</p>
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obarthelemy
Log in to Reply<p>And I think I’m the most recent PC of my 10 closest friends/family. That’s going to be an issue, people won’t scrap a PC that’s working perfectly.</p>
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ianbetteridge
Log in to Reply<p>Congratulations, you’ve almost grasped the point of Windows 11 :)</p><p><br></p><p>After the past year’s bumper harvest of new machines, the industry wants to maintain the level of new computer sales (or at least not see it drop dramatically). To do that, it needs something which will get people clinging on to 5 and 6 year old PCs to upgrade – so enter Windows 11. </p><p><br></p><p>Not that it’s bad – in fact it’s the first time I’ve been excited about Windows software for a while – but clearly there’s a purpose to it that involves helping PC makers. </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>To confirm your TPM version, go into the "Windows Security" app, click "Device Security", then click "Security processor details". Then check next to "Specification version"</p>
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obarthelemy
Log in to Reply<p>Pardon my French translation, but it does say "Standard device security not available" :-(</p><p>Checked the docs for my Gigabyte H87N-WIFI 2.0 (Intel H87 Express, i5-4570S). Couldn’t ctrl-F any reference to "TPM" or "Trusted" in the text, and the diagram doesn’t show a TPM connector either. </p><p>Only option in BIOS is TXT-LT which I guess is not TPM 2.0^^. I’ve contacted Gigabyte support to double-check. </p><p><br></p><p>That’s a bit of an issue for me because Windows 11 seems nice.</p><p>That’s going to be an issue for most people around me.</p><p>Anyway if I can’t dogfood it, I won’t recommend it to others (nor erm… force it on them, which is what is usually required ^^).</p><p><br></p><p>Bit of a downer. What’s the point of such reasonnable system requirements if there’s a easter egg that breaks compatibility for so many ?</p>
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SWCetacean
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>At some point, if the security features they want to include in Windows 11 require the use of a TPM, then that becomes non-negotiable. Hardware and software need to work together, and some things in software simply require hardware support. And Microsoft has been really pushing UEFI and TPM for a decade now.</p><p>Also, Windows 11 is no longer being offered in 32-bit, so that’s already a compatibility bridge burned (for any applications that require real mode 16-bit operation), so they probably decided since they’re already burning one bridge, let’s make the TPM a requirement since they want to use TPM features anyways. That way they don’t need to worry about whether a TPM is available and don’t need to write no-TPM codepaths.</p><p><br></p><p>I’ll probably have to buy a TPM module for my desktop (it has a TPM header, but no TPM) and my wife will likely need to move on from her 2015 gaming desktop. Also, this isn’t the first time something like this happened. Back with Windows 8.1, the 64-bit version of that OS needed the CPU/chipset to support 3 specific instructions that not all 64-bit AMD/Intel processors did. So PCs that could run Windows 8 64-bit just fine could no longer run Windows 8.1. I view that as the same situation here: just like those people running old x64 processors had to upgrade to run Windows 8.1, people running on platforms that don’t support TPMs will need to get new ones.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>I’d imagine the requirements though are going to mean a LOT of devices won’t be able to run Windows 11 though, compared to Windows 10</p><p><br></p><p>Even on recent-model HP ProBook and EliteBook devices we use at work, if you want to install Windows onto a SATA drive you have to change from "UEFI" mode to "Legacy BIOS", as otherwise it will not boot (it doesn’t appear in the "boot order" list). As Windows 11 requires UEFI, that’s an issue.</p><p><br></p><p>Likewise, I think to use some third-party full-disk encryption software you may have to disable the "Secure Boot" feature. So for any business who uses something-other than BitLocker, again, this could be an issue.</p>
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MikeCerm
Log in to Reply<p>Yeah, but virtually every Intel and AMD CPU in the past 15+ years has been 64-bit. Unless you are still somehow using an Atom N270 netbook, then your hardware definitely supports 64-bit. Lots of current desktops don’t support TPM 2.0. Some have a header for it, some don’t. I just don’t see the point of Microsoft, who is offering this as a free upgrade and wants everyone to use it, having a hardware restriction that will prevent like 80% of potential users from upgrading. They’re all just going to keep using Windows 10 until they get a new PC, which could be a decade.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Oddly according to docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11/ it seems the TPM must be version 1.2 minium; 2.0 is simply recommended.</p>
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MikeCerm
Log in to Reply<p>I don’t really see why it’s required at all. I mean, it’s useful to not have to type in a drive decryption password when using Bitlocker, but that’s pretty much all anyone uses it for, if they use it for anything, It really should be optional for people who want to throw caution to the wind and run without Bitlocker, especially since I haven’t read anywhere that full-disk encryption will be on by default in all Windows 11 installs. (Which would be a recipe for disaster, since nobody would bother to back up their Bitlocker key and one wrong Windows update could brick their computer, taking all their files with it.</p>
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dftf
<p>I think having it required on <em>new PCs</em> would be fine, it just sucks for existing ones. You’d think at a time there is a global silicon shortage it makes little-sense, too…</p><p><br></p><p><em>"… since I haven’t read anywhere that full-disk encryption will be on by default in all Windows 11 installs. (Which would be a recipe for disaster, since nobody would bother to back up their BitLocker key …)"</em></p><p><br></p><p>It’s possible that FDE <em>could </em>become a default thing on Windows 11 Home installs: it will be mandatory to sign-in with a <em>Microsoft Account</em>, and the backup-key could get linked to that. And as all devices have to ship with a 64-bit CPU, Secure Boot enabled and a v2.0 TPM, that means the "Device Encryption" option, currently in Windows 10, would be supported. (Which is essentially BitLocker behind-the-scenes, but the only config is simply ON or OFF).</p><p><br></p><p>Don’t forget that on all iOS, iPadOS and Android devices sold in recent-years, the internal-storage is encrypted by-default, so it’s nothing new in some cases. Linux doesn’t (but most distros give you the option during the initial install). And on macOS I’ve no-idea if "FileVault" is enabled by-default or not…</p>
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SWCetacean
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>So I actually don’t need a new TPM module on my desktop computer. I have a Ryzen 7 3700X on an MSI B450 Tomahawk and the CPU has a firmware TPM which can be enabled in the BIOS settings. By default it was disabled, but I found the setting to enable TPM selection and selected the fTPM option. Once I applied the setting and rebooted into Windows, the Windows 11 compatibility check passed. So my guess is that Ryzen or newer processors are capable of running Windows 11 as long as the option to use the fTPM is enabled in the BIOS. Similar things likely exist for newer Intel processors as well. What Microsoft needs to do is enhance that PC Health Check app to detect when the TPM isn’t enabled, check if the CPU has an fTPM, and either give the user an option to enable it, or provide instructions on how to do it. Modifying BIOS settings by hand is not something that the end user should be required to do.</p><p><br></p><p>This also reminded me of Microsoft’s Pluton project, its work to have AMD, Intel, Qualcomm, and other CPU manufacturers build basically an upgraded hardware TPM into their CPUs. That way any new CPU is guaranteed to have TPM capabilities on by default.</p>
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anoldamigauser
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Is TPM 2.0 going to be a requirement for upgrading once Windows 11 is released, or is this just a requirement for the Insider Channel builds?</p><p><br></p><p>If it is the former, then this is the bone that Microsoft is throwing the OEM partners. TPM 2.0 was released in Q3 2016, so it would not be mainstream until 2017, and there were probably older machines in the pipeline even then, so machines 4 years old or later will not make the cut.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>It will be required — listed here under "System Requirements":</p><p>microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/windows-11-specifications</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p><strong>UPDATE</strong>: according to docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11 , it’ll only be required to have a v1.2 TPM chip; a v2.0 is "recommended", but not required</p>
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anoldamigauser
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Another issue is that they will not upgrade any computer with a processor prior to the 8th gen Intel chips. These were announced in August 2017 and went into computers one could purchase in September 2017. In reality then, there is a good probability that a computer purchased even in late 2017 will not make the cut.</p>
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rbwatson0
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Will signing up for dev channel work if you’ve already install the leaked build? Or will it try to install Windows 10 again.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Anyone currently running an Insider version of Windows 10 right now is going to get upgraded to Windows 11 within the next few weeks. However, as you’re running the leaked build (which Microsoft has been issuing legal takedown-orders to sites to remove their downloads) I think you’ll find you won’t be supported.</p><p><br></p><p>Wait until an official Windows 11 Insider Preview ISO is made available here (microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso) and do a clean-install at that time</p>
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ZeroPageX
Log in to Reply<p>How many desktop PCs come with TPM modules? I’ve only built my own, and I had to check to see if I had one. My motherboard has a header for one, but I have to buy a module separately.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Yeah, I’d imagine many cheap-end laptops and desktops aimed at the home-user market right-now probably lack a TPM… so bit mad that a new device you could buy today won’t run Windows 11 when it’s released later this year! It’s like the "Vista Capable" thing all-over-again!</p>
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Alastair Cooper
Log in to Reply<p>I thought that would be the case too when I get my new machine in a few months, but it turns out that at least Ryzen CPUs have a ‘firmware TPM’ built into the CPU that also meets the requirements and you don’t need to buy an add-in module. You may need to turn it on in the BIOS. Obviously I will check this all out very carefully before I buy.</p><p><br></p><p>Microsoft really need to clear up their communication this before people get understandably irate or waste money on components they don’t need.</p>
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StevenLayton
Log in to Reply<p>Dumb question, how do you know/check if your machine has <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">TPM 2.0?</span></p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>In the "Windows Security" app, click "Device Security" then click "Security processor details"</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Or go into Device Manager and expand the "Security devices" item; if you don’t have that, your device either has no TPM, or you need to go into the BIOS / UEFI settings and enable it</p>
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lvthunder
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Does anyone know much about these TPM addons for Desktop PC’s. I have a Asus Z87-Expert Motherboard that has a 20 pin TPM connector on the motherboard. Are those connectors a standard since it doesn’t look like ASUS makes them anymore?</p>
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rth314
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>It appears that the 20-pin is part number "90MC03W0-M0XBN1". Amazon doesn’t have it in stock. You could Google the part number to try to find it. The 14-pin, which is what my Asus Maximus VIII Hero motherboard required, is available on Amazon (Asus TPM-M R2.0 14-1 Pin TPM Module). I ordered it for $15.</p>
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bncz1
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>On my desktop, ASUS Rog Strix Z390-E, I changed BIOS setting in Advanced / PCH-FW / TPM device, from Discrete to Firmware.</p><p>That solved the TPM issue and made my PC eligible for Windows 11.</p><p>No need to buy a standalone chip :)</p>
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mattbg
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>On Intel, I believe PTT is a chipset feature, so the Z370 has it but I don’t believe the Z87 does.</p>
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obarthelemy
Log in to Reply<p>Hold on, also the task bar is stuck at the bottom, taking up scarce vertical space when I have about 1.6x more, less useful, horizontal space ? That’s a major regression, and probably a dealbraker for me. I’ve been on a vertical task bar forever.</p>
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obarthelemy
Log in to Reply<p>Sorry, Ninja’d.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ninja’d"? What do you think this site is, </span><em style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ars Technica</em><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">? ;)</span></p>
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rycott
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Welp… I guess my two Windows 7 era laptops I was going to use to test this out are out the Window.</p><p><br></p><p>One an i5 with 8GB RAM and a SSD and the other an i7 with 8GB RAM and a SSD.</p><p><br></p><p>Guess Microsoft has decided that even though these laptops run everything perfectly they are all of a sudden not good enough for Windows 11.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>You can run 11 on them providing they have at-least a 1.2 TPM chip, UEFI (not BIOS only) and offer Secure Boot.</p><p><br></p><p>Otherwise you have until October 2025 to still run Windows 10 on them (or Jan 2023 for Windows 8.1)</p>
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rycott
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>They are both Windows 7 era machines. Pre-secure boot.</p><p><br></p><p>I don’t really use them a lot but it’ll ruin my workflow when I do use them if I switch back to Windows 10 after using Windows 11 on everything else.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Well, unless Microsoft drops any of the requirements before launch then those machines have until October 2025 to run Windows 10 securely (assuming they are on either Home or Pro). And after that point, you might be able to find someone running an activation-server online and offering LTSC licences; the 2019 LTSC is supported until Jan 2029…</p>
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rycott
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Yes… I understand when the EOL for Windows 10 is and that these laptops will still get security updates to them.</p><p><br></p><p>It was more a complaint about how Microsoft are basically making laptops that are perfectly capable of running Windows 11 not be able to for ‘reasons’.</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Given all the comments about TPM 2.0 and being able to install the leaked Windows 11 build in VMs, it does seem the ideal setup going forward may be a very light weight Linux host (running Openbox, i3, or dwm) running Windows 11 in a VirtualBox VM.</p><p><br></p><p>Maybe MSFT has set up 2025, when Windows 10 reaches EOS, as the Year of Desktop Linux.</p>
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Maverick010
Log in to Reply<p>Windows 11 can be installed in Hyper-V. I have it installed in Hyper-V on a Windows 10 desktop. My system does have TPM 2.0 module, but Hyper-V also creates a virtual one for emulation. If installing directly to hardware, then the TPM 2.0 module would be needed or Windows 11 may not install.</p><p><br></p><p>Year of Linux will never happen for an OS that has many features, but is a master of none when it comes to real productivity</p>
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Alastair Cooper
Log in to Reply<p>Linux is master of a lot that Windows is terrible at when it comes to development, server and administration tasks.</p><p><br></p><p>The few proprietary applications that target only Windows don’t actually cover productivity in a lot of areas.</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>In terms of only available for Windows, a fair amount of industry-specific software, hardware controllers, A/V editing. More prosaically, Excel on Windows far surpasses Excel on Macs in many respects, so while there may be a Mac version of Excel, there’s really only one true version, the Windows one.</p><p><br></p><p>Doesn’t all Adobe software have at least as good if not better Mac versions?</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>When Windows 11 detects it is running inside a VM, it ignores certain hardware requirements.</p><p><br></p><p>Refer to this PDF: download.microsoft.com/download/7/8/8/788bf5ab-0751-4928-a22c-dffdc23c27f2/Minimum%20Hardware%20Requirements%20for%20Windows%2011.pdf</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>| <em>master of none when it comes to real productivity</em></p><p><br></p><p>Which would seem to indicate your job doesn’t involve math, statistics or technical writing.</p>
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vladimir
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>My PC didn’t pass the check but it turned out that I just had to change a Bios setting to enable TPM. I did so and now the health check returns a green light. I wonder for how many people this is just a BIOS setting</p>
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curtisspendlove
Log in to Reply<p>I’m guessing it will be for a lot of people. For instance, most Intel Core series chips should support Platform Trust Technology (which emulates TOM 2.0 without a hardware module).</p><p><br></p><p>I enabled this on my i5 earlier and the health check passed. </p><p><br></p><p>www.onlogic.com/company/io-hub/intel-platform-trust-technology-ptt-tpm-for-the-masses/</p>
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thewarragulman
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I’m hoping that they’ll also let us download an ISO or give a Media Creation Tool for the Windows 11 Preview, while yes we can do an in-place upgrade and the reset the PC to get a clean install experience, I (and I assume many others) would like to perform clean installs of the OS to avoid any troubles that may have been caused by thein-place upgrade from Windows 10.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>It’s unlikely you’ll get a Media Creation Tool until Windows 11 goes RTM, but an ISO image should be made available at microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewiso once it officially starts rolling-out to Insiders</p>
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polloloco51
Log in to Reply<p>I just ran the Windows 11 checker. It says, my Dell XPS 8700, with an I7-4770, 16GB of RAM, GTX 1060 6GB, and a (recently purchased) Samsung Evo 870 1TB SSD, is not compatible! The new requirements, are going to cut out highly significant chunk of current PCs. Including Microsoft’s Surface line, and other premium PCs. </p><p><br></p><p>I hope Microsoft changes the requirements (tacking off the TPM requirement)! Or Windows 11 will be the new Windows Vista! </p>
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czenisek
Log in to Reply<p>There’s a processor compatibility list that I found after running the same tool on my powerful desktop (with TPM 2.0) and being told it wasn’t good enough. The list says an 8th generation Intel processor or newer is required. </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Apparently an 8th Gen CPU is only preferred, but should not prevent a Windows 11 install, at-least according to docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11</p>
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dnationsr
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>that is wrong..i have a dell insoiron 660 and i’m running win 11</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>The Health Check tool has just been updated within the last few hours and now will tell you what the issue is</p>
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ianhead
Log in to Reply<p>I am guessing there would still be no way to go from Dev to Beta builds without a clean install, once you’re running a Dev build? </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Given the Dev build was leaked, not made officially available, I’d highly-doubt they’d allow an in-place upgrade, no…</p>
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ianhead
Log in to Reply<p>I mean in the Dev Insider channel, once Windows 11 officially hits it? I was wondering if the builds in the Dev Channel will be too far ahead of the Beta one like they have been in the past</p>
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jjdiebolt
Log in to Reply<p>This TPM business is really confusing. I have top-of the range DELL G7 with 16MB RAM, Intel (R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz 2.21 GHz processor purchased exactly two years ago this summer. I also have three Dell XPS 8xxx series purchased in late 2018 to mid 2019 with 32 MB of RAM. When I go to the windows security app the "Information about the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) states it is manufactured by Intel version 403.1.0. specification version 2.0, PPI specification version 1.3, TPM specification 1.38 and PC client specification version 1.03. Which of these stats makes or breaks the TPM threshold? 2.0, 1.3, 1.38 or 1.03? I hope I did not fork over $1,600 for a high end-laptop (and 3 desktops) two and three summers ago for something that won’t run Windows 11. With the microchip cost issues these days, I can’t imagine what these custom build by DELL for my specifications would cost now. I will not be happy with MSFT if this is some sort of scheme to boost PC sales and get around a "free" upgrade by forcing consumers to pay for it via a new PC. A best that would be deceitful, at worst it might be gouging. I’ll chalk it up to my ignorance in these matters until I find out which one of the varied "versions" listed above really matter from 1.03 to 2.0. Any help decoding "MSspeak" here would he most appreciated. Thank you so much. -JJ </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>The value you would be looking at in Windows Security > Device Security > "Security processor details" is the <strong>Specification version </strong>field.</p><p><br></p><p>Another easy way is to go into Device Manager and then expand the "Security devices" item: on my device, it clearly says "Trusted Platform Module 1.2".</p><p><br></p><p>According to docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11 , your device must have a v1.2 TPM minimum (v2.0 is recommended) and also the "8th Gen Intel CPU or equivalent AMD or ARM" is also a "recommended", but not "required"</p>
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wolters
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>I wonder if running the Insider on the Surface Pro X will include the recent, full ARM 64 abilities as the latest Windows 10 Dev build? </p><p><br></p><p>That said, if Android Apps will use the Intel Bridge, does that mean ARM based devices cannot run Android apps? </p>
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iron_road
Log in to Reply<p>Just a note for everyone regarding the TPM requirements. For Intel users look in the bios for Intel PTT and for AMD users look for fTPM. Don’t quote me on this but I think I found somewhere that the Intel PTT is 4th Gen and on. Not sure what gen fTPM came to AMD but I believe it’s Ryzen only.</p>
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jjdiebolt
Log in to Reply<p>Follow-up. Ran the checker and got some ambiguous results. No once, "congrats" twice. (on the laptop–I am away on vacation so I cant test the XPS 87xx and85xx till next week, so maybe my ire is not justified). I do have a question about enrolling this PC in the "Dev" channel. Previous MS language stated "Dev" channel builds are (paraphrased) "are not tied to any specific release, active development of windows, etc". Prior to this, to get out of Dev you had to do a clean install. Is MSFT now definitively stating if we switch to "Dev" now we will be all set for Windows 11 or will we still be stuck in the limbo-land that "Dev" was before unless we wait to enroll in "Dev" when a Win 11 build is released. I have had one XPS 87xx which has been in "Dev" since they changed it up from the ring system several years ago and I did a mirror image using Acronis prior to enrolling it. Going back has always been no big deal aside from re-installing some software as I have used it as one of my day-to day machines. I also have to ask is MSFT planning on offering us a ‘magic window’ to get out of "dev’ and into "beta" before "dev" is switched back to active development? I wonder if anyone at MSFT has thought this out. So looking forward to Windows 11, truly excited at the attention MSFT has decided to pay to the OS since I joined the program in 2014. I just hope I know how and when to properly navigate the channels. I was on the road today, perhaps some of you might be able to offer some insights. Again, most appreciated. Just joined yesterday, but have been a reader for years. Thanks -JJ </p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>It’s reported Microsoft have now released an updated version of the Health Check tool, and it will now tell you specifically what the issues are</p>
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waethorn
Log in to Reply<p>The TPM “requirement” is this:</p><p><br></p><p>TPM 1.2 is required.</p><p><br></p><p>TPM 2.0 is recommended, but will be required for OEM’s on new hardware.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Yeah, even-though on the main page it says 2.0 is required, it clearly says on docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11 that only 1.2 is required; 2.0 is just preferred.</p><p><br></p><p>I’m still puzzled though why they didn’t make things like a TPM, UEFI and Secure Boot mandatory for new devices, but not require them on existing ones. Would have made more-sense: newer devices are more-secure by default, but you can still get Win11 on as-many devices as-possible…</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Update: Microsoft have updated that page to confirm a v2.0 TPM will be the minimum (bit.ly/3jfZ5fe)</p>
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obarthelemy
Log in to Reply<p>I’ve been trying to solve my TPM issue. Motherboard does not have it, nor a connector to add it. CPU is socket 1150 which is old enough to be a pain to find a motherboard for. I’m not junking a perfectly serviceable PC to lose the ability to put the taskbar where god intended it (on the side). Who does MS think they are, Apple ? Even the guy who designed the Dock for Apple admitted it was ergonomics nonsense, just looks good in the store.</p><p><br></p><p>Me no happy. I’d love to run Android apps on my PC w/o Bluestacks.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>You can continue to run Windows 10 securely until October 2025. If you install a virtualisation solution (such as the built-in <em>Hyper-V </em>if you’re using Pro or higher; or <em>VMWare Player </em>or <em>Oracle VM VirtualBox </em>on Home) you can install Windows 11 inside it, and run it inside Windows 10.</p>
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lewk
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>As usual, Microsoft have messed up the communication. This is what’s happening:</p><p><br></p><p>You can MANUALLY upgrade an existing PC to Windows 11 via MediaCreation, as long as it meets the Minimum Requirements:</p><ul><li>CPU: Core >= 2 and Speed >= 1 GHz</li><li>System Memory: TotalPhysicalRam >= 4 GB</li><li>Storage: 64 GB</li><li>Security: TPM Version >= 1.2 and SecureBootCapable = True</li></ul><p><br></p><p>You will be AUTOMATICALLY upgraded or OFFERED Windows 11 via Windows Update, ONLY if your PC meets the Recommended Requirements:</p><ul><li>Security: TPMVersion >= 2.0</li><li>CPU Generation</li></ul><p><br></p><p>For those of us with CPU’s that are about 3 years or older can still upgrade to Windows 11, just manually (and if the other minimum requirements are met).</p><p><br></p><p>The PC Health Check app is currently scanning for Recommended Requirements only, that is why a lot of us that exceed the minimum requirements are getting "This PC can’t run Windows 11" results. Rest assured though, we can manually upgrade via MediaCreation. It just won’t be automatically offered via Windows Update.</p>
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Alastair Cooper
Log in to Reply<p>That would be good news, but I can’t find a source for this. Do you have one?</p><p><br></p><p>It’s still bad if machines aren’t offered the automatic update (even if it comes with a compatibility warning) since people will doubtless replace hardware unnecessarily.</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>You can find the source of what is referenced above here: docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11/</p>
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TheFerrango
Log in to Reply<p>That reference clearly states that the minimum requirement is a processor from the provided compatibility list</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>They have recently updated that page (bit.ly/3jfZ5fe). TPM 1.2 won’t be supported</p>
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zvonimirm
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Hi Paul, any info if leaked dev build of Windows 11 can be upgraded to legal Windows Insider Dev Channel? Or I need to reinstall latest Windows 10 build to receive Windows Insider builds? Currently I’m enroled in Windows Insider Program on leaked Windows 11 and it looks ok. </p>
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Alastair Cooper
Log in to Reply<p>They have quietly clarified things on the web site:</p><p><br></p><p>Hard Floor:</p><ul><li>CPU: Core >= 2 and Speed >= 1 GHz</li><li>System Memory: TotalPhysicalRam >= 4 GB</li><li>Storage: 64 GB</li><li>Security: TPM Version >= 1.2 and SecureBootCapable = True</li><li>Smode: Smode is false, or Smode is true and C_ossku in (0x65, 0x64, 0x63, 0x6D, 0x6F, 0x73, 0x74, 0x71)</li></ul><p>Soft Floor:</p><ul><li>Security: TPMVersion >= 2.0</li><li>CPU Generation</li></ul><p><br></p><p>So the hard TPM requirement is 1.2 and the CPU generation is a soft requirement.</p><p><br></p><p>It looks like my laptop’s Windows partition may be safe going forward after all (including post-2025 if I still have it by then).</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Source: docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/windows-11</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>They have now revised that page and clarified it must be a v2.0 TPM. (source: bit.ly/3jfZ5fe )</p>
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hrlngrv
Premium MemberLog in to Reply<p>Having spent years running Windows 10 Insider builds on VMs, its theoretical minimum 32GB storage requirement was complete MSFT (in this case, a synonym for BS).</p>
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jjdiebolt
Log in to Reply<p>Found the answer to my earlier query about the "Dev channel not being tied to a specific release". I brought my Dell G7 (2020) into the Insider program last night. Two things, after installation the description of "Dev" has changed to "Be the first to access Windows 11 builds early in the development cycle." and when I go to the option to leave, under "Stop Getting Preview Builds" the language now states in addition to .."a clean install a new version of Windows 10" it now has "waiting until the next version of Windows releases to the public." No slider to do so automatically, as of yet, but that makes sense as I haven’t technically installed the first preview build of the new OS yet. Clearly, as I have long thought once the "co_release" branch emerged, despite the word salad explanation at the time, I was probably early into a distinct OS.</p>
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donquiiixote
Log in to Reply<p>What is meant by manually switch back to windows 10? Using a recovery disk to restore that version of windows?</p>
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Sir_Timbit
Log in to Reply<p>Can anyone clarify or are these still unknowns.</p><p>1) Re: Win10 is supported until 2025. Does that mean from now on, after 21H1, Win10 users who stick with Win10 will only get monthly security updates? So Windows 10 "21H2" is what will be Windows 11?</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>That’s what I’m wondering too… is it "security and bug-fix only" from now for Windows 10?</p>
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buzzardj
Log in to Reply<p>My barely 1 year old Surface Studio 2 (top model, 32 GB RAM, 2TB SD) can’t run Windows 11 according to Microsoft’s PC "Health" Check – considering that this system lists for close to $5K, maybe they should rename the utility to PC "Wealth" Check?</p>
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dftf
Log in to Reply<p>Nope, I don’t see your model on the list of confirmed Surface devices which will get Windows 11:</p><p><br></p><p>slashgear.com/some-older-microsoft-surface-devices-cant-upgrade-to-windows-11-25679919/</p><p><br></p><p>The Register say it’s because the CPU isn’t supported:</p><p><br></p><p>theregister.com/2021/06/25/windows_11_processor/</p>