What you need to know
- Windows 11's official release happens on October 5, 2021.
- Due to its contentious hardware requirements, many people are worried their machines won't be able to upgrade.
- A new report estimates that over 50% of enterprise devices won't make the Windows 11 cutoff.
Ever since Windows 11 exploded onto the scene with its flashy flower-esque blue wallpaper and much-hated Start menu, people have been wondering: Can I run the new operating system? And now, with the OS but a few blinks away from its October 5, 2021 release, people are still wondering that same question.
Microsoft has released an updated PC Health Check app to let people know whether they're eligible, but lots of confusion and frustration remains around the CPU and TPM requirements. Lots of people are surprised and baffled that their recent devices don't appear to make the cutoff.
But average consumers aren't the only ones who are experiencing unpleasant wake-up calls about Windows 11. The enterprise world is as well, with IT management company Lansweeper's research showing that more than 55% of workstations aren't going to be eligible for the next iteration of Windows (via The Register).
This data comes from 60,000 organizations' estimated 30 million Windows devices. In other words, not a small sampling size. Lansweeper found that 44.4% of devices made the cut, leaving the majority out in the cold. CPU inadequacy was the biggest contributor to the high number of machines not equipped for Windows 11.
Virtual machine workstations had far worse results, with only 0.23% having what it takes to pass Windows 11's TPM requirements.
Make sure your own PC qualifies for Windows 11, especially if you're in the market for a new one (after all, no one wants to buy a machine that'll be obsolete in less than a week).
