Windows 11 is a 21H2 feature update to Windows 10 operating system. It was released on October 5th, 2021 but it will not be available for all computers and should be installed only on computers that meet the minimum requirements, as defined by Microsoft:
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC).
- RAM: 4 gigabyte (GB).
- Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
- Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0.
- Graphics: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver.
- Your device must be running Windows 10, version 2004 or later.
University computers that have been updated to Modern Desktop standard (i.e. are running Windows 10 and have been joined to Azure AD / enrolled in Intune device management) will be offered a free upgrade to Windows 11 on or after November 2nd through the Windows Update feature, as long as they meet the above requirements.
To check if Windows 11 upgrade is available for your computer:
- Go to Windows Settings (click on the gear icon on the Start menu)
- Click on Update and Security
- Click on Check for Updates
If the update was made available for your computer, you will see this:
Please note that:
- At this time, you are not required to upgrade your computer to Windows 11 although it is recommend that you consider doing so at your convenience to take advantage of new features and performance improvements. Microsoft will continue to support Windows 10 until 2025.
- Just like with other feature updates, if you decide to upgrade to Windows 11, allow yourself at least one hour for the upgrade process (i.e. don't start the upgrade just before your meeting or lecture where you will need to use your computer).
- Once you upgrade to Windows 11, you will have 30 days to uninstall it and go back to Windows 10 in case you ran into some issues.