Which PCs can upgrade to Windows 11?
Microsoft hasnt made that question easy to answer, as Windows 11s hardware requirements have been confusing, not least by the need for TPMs. Microsoft itself pulled the PC Health Check app, which was one of the few ways that you could tell if your PC qualified for Windows 11. Now, some PC makers are simply telling you whether your PC can upgrade to Windows 11, or if youll need to buy a new one. Below, youll find links to the major PC makers who've published such lists. Some have included FAQs or explanations of the Windows 11 hardware requirements as additional context. You can find more information about this and other relevant Windows 11 topics in our Windows 11 superguide. Acer PCs that can run Windows 11  Acer currently isnt highlighting its existing PCs that can run Windows 11, as some other manufacturers in our list do. The companys Windows 11 page pushes potential customers to buy the Acer Swift 3, and the many Acer Swift 3 models that it offers. Were not entirely sure if Acers Swift 3 (SF313-52-78W6) from 2020 will qualify for Windows 11, though the cutoff date from other manufacturers appears to be 2019 or so. We would imagine that Acers Swift 3x (2021) would also qualify for Windows 11, though Acer has yet to confirm this. Mark Hachman / IDG Acers recent Swift 3s are supported by Windows 11. Acer also owns Gateway, and Gateways support page doesnt currently mention Windows 11. Asus PCs that can run Windows 11  Asus has published a general overview of Windows 11, including some of the features that Microsofts latest OS offers. But youll want to dive into this massive list of Asus PCs that will receive Windows 11 to be truly sure. You may need to click the appropriate tab at the top of the page. Make sure that you know your model numberyou can find it on the bottom of the laptop, as Asus explains. Thats important, as PCs that qualify for Windows 11, such as the superb Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition, can carry model numbers specific to a particular retailer. Dell PCs that can run Windows 11  Dell provides a thorough, easy-to-use list of Dell PCs that can run Windows 11, from its Alienware gaming desktops and laptops right through to its Vostro line and Precision workstations. Dell also provides a handy Dell-specific Windows 11 FAQ, which notes that all Dell PCs currently sold on Dell.com will be upgradable to Windows 11, beginning late in 2021. (Microsoft has said that Windows 10-to-11 upgrades wont happen until 2022, but its possible that OEM systems may receive special treatment.) Gordon Mah Ung Dells XPS 13 7390 appears to be one of the oldest Dell PCs that will be officially upgradable to Windows 11. If your device is not listed, Dell is not testing the device and drivers will not be upgraded for that model, Dell says. If your device ships with a version of Windows 11, drivers are available for that version and testing is not necessary.  We havent checked every device on this list, but the oldest XPS laptop that qualifies for Windows 11 appears to be the Dell XPS 13 7390, which we reviewed in November, 2019. Dells SupportAssist tool can help. Dynabook PCs that can run Windows 11  Dynabook, the smaller PC maker which has taken over for Toshiba, hasnt said much about its Windows 11 plans. It has, however, released a statement: Dynabook is excited about the arrival of Windows 11 and we look forward to adding it to our portfolio of the world-class mobile computing solutions - Portg, Tecra and Satellite Pro. The company hasnt said when that will happen, however, or whether any models will be excluded. HP PCs that can run Windows 11  HPs Windows 11 site includes a brief Windows 11 FAQ. There are two key points: First, HPs introduction includes the disclaimer that our current Windows-based PCs will be upgradeable to Windows 11 when its available later this year. Second, HP says that PCs sold on its site will include a badge that indicates that they can be upgraded to Windows 11. HP representatives referred us back to Microsofts Windows 11 hardware specifications when we asked for further clarification. HPs original press release also lists several specific HP models that it says will support Windows 11:  Currently shipping HP Spectre, HP Envy, and HP Pavilion PCs, including the HP Spectre x360 14, HP Envy x360 15, and the HP Pavilion All-in-One. HPs Omen and Victus gaming PCs, including the Omen 16, Victus by HP 16, and Omen 30L desktop. Select HP Pro and HP Elite laptops, including the HP Elite Dragonfly G2. Ben Patterson/IDG HP specifically called out this Spectre x360 14 as one of the laptops youll be able to upgrade to Windows 11. HPs press release does provide some wiggle room for including PCs that do not appear on the list, including older Omens. Your best bet is to look for the Windows 11 badge on PCs sold on HPs site. (The badges, from what we can see, have yet to appear.) Lenovo PCs that can run Windows 11  So far, Lenovo hasnt done much to promote Windows 11 except to reproduce some of Microsofts guidance via a Windows 11 FAQ, which clarifies certain aspects that we already know, such as whether its free (it is) and so on. Interestingly, if you search for Windows 11 on the site, Lenovo.coms list of Windows 11 search results includes what the page title lists as Free Upgrade PCs to Windows 11 OS. You might expect some additional clarifying language on the page making it explicit that these PCs do indeed qualify for Windows 11. That language doesnt currently appear, so we checked with Lenovo: The PCs on the page qualify for Windows 11 upgrades, were told. Microsoft PCs that can run Windows 11  Microsoft was one of the first PC vendors to highlight that several of its older Surface PCs could not run Windows 11clearly indicating that Microsoft wasn't playing favorites with its new hardware requirements. Weve listed the Surfaces that qualify for Windows 11 as part of our earlier story. If you own an older Surface Pro tablet or a first-generation Surface Book, youre out of luck. Mark Hachman / IDG Microsofts Surface Book 3 is one of the devices Microsoft has approved for Windows 11. You might think that Microsofts online store would offer some information about whether the PCs it sells would be Windows 11-compatible, but no luck so far. MSI PCs that can run Windows 11  MSI has done an excellent job of explicitly telling you which of its PCs will support Windows 11, with an extensive list of Windows 11-supported PCs as well as a FAQ (PDF) too. The latter information seems sourced directly from Microsoft. Whats interesting, though, is that MSI lists only desktops and all-in-one PCs as candidates for Windows 11. Theres not a single consumer laptop on the list, such as the MSI GE76 Raider. Razer PCs that can run Windows 11  Razer also hasnt said much about Windows 11, and the company hasnt set aside any space on its website for Windows 11 information. Weve asked Razer which of its PCs will be eligible for Windows 11, and well add that information to this page when we get it. We would expect 2021s Razer Book 13 and the 2020 Razer Blade Stealth would both be eligible for Windows 11. Samsung PCs that can run Windows 11  Samsung hasnt said anything on Windows 11 that we can find, including anything on the companys website. Weve asked the company which Samsung PCs will be eligible for Windows 11, and well add them to the list when we hear more. We would expect that Samsungs Galaxy Book Pro 360, a 2021 laptop, would be a good candidate for Windows 11.