Before you buy: the rules and their sources

Windows 11 and the processor

• Windows 11 runs, with Microsoft's support, only on processors on Microsoft's lists: Intel, AMD, Qualcomm (overview: Windows processor requirements).
• Intel: the list starts at the 8th generation of Core i3/i5/i7/i9 (Core Ultra, the newer "Core 3/5/7" series 1 and 2, and the N-series such as the N100, N200 and Core i3-N305 are on it). Microsoft's first Windows 11 list also carried a few 7th-generation exceptions, such as the i7-7820HQ.
• AMD: the list starts at the Ryzen 2000 series, and not every 2000-series model is on it, so the checker asks you to look those up. Ryzen 3000 and later are on it.
• Qualcomm (Windows on Arm): Snapdragon X, X Plus and X Elite are on the list, as are the 8cx Gen 2 and Gen 3, the 7c+ Gen 3 and Microsoft SQ1 to SQ3. Most apps run on Windows on Arm, but check older programs, printers and games you rely on.
• Celeron, Pentium, Atom, Athlon, Xeon and other Snapdragon names do not settle it on their own: look up the exact model.
• Reading Intel Core model numbers: the digits after the dash start with the generation. i5-7300U is 7th generation, i5-8250U 8th, i7-1065G7 10th, i5-1135G7 11th, i5-12400 12th. A three-digit number (i5-520M) is the first generation.
• Windows 11 also needs at least 4 GB of memory, 64 GB of storage, TPM 2.0 and UEFI with Secure Boot capable (Windows 11 specifications).

Support end dates

• Windows 10: support ended October 14, 2025 (Microsoft). Home users can keep getting security updates to October 12, 2027 through Extended Security Updates: free when you sync your PC settings with Windows Backup, for 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, or a one-time $30 purchase (Microsoft ESU).
• Windows 7 support ended January 14, 2020 (Microsoft lifecycle); Windows 8.1 ended January 10, 2023 (Microsoft lifecycle).
• Chromebooks: each model has an Auto Update Expiration date, published by Google (Auto Update policy).
• Macs: Apple publishes which Macs run the current macOS (macOS Tahoe 26 compatible computers). Some Intel-based Macs are not on it; check the exact model.

Things a listing often leaves out

• Battery health. On Windows, the command powercfg /batteryreport writes a report with the design capacity and the full charge capacity; divide the second by the first. On a Mac: System Settings, Battery, Battery Health.
• Firmware (BIOS/UEFI) password. A locked firmware can stop you changing boot or security settings. Ask to see it start up.
• Company management. Off-lease business computers can still be registered to the old company (Windows Autopilot/Intune, Apple Business Manager) and show the company's sign-in after a reset until the company releases them.
• Activation Lock. A Mac still linked to the seller's Apple Account through Find My can be locked to them.
• Storage. A spinning hard disk as the main drive is much slower than an SSD; eMMC storage is slow and usually soldered.

Rules last reviewed 2026-10-09. If a source changes, the rules here change with it.