Windows 11 is the client operating system that Microsoft released on 5 October 2021 as the successor to Windows 10. Among Windows fundamentals it is the current mainstream desktop release of the Windows NT family, combining a redesigned shell with a hardware-backed security baseline that requires TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot and a supported 64-bit processor.
Windows 11 keeps the NT kernel version number 10.0 and broad application compatibility with Windows 10, so most software and drivers run unchanged. Its practical differences lie in hardware eligibility, security defaults, the user interface and the servicing model. Since Windows 10 reached end of support on 14 October 2025, it has become the default target for consumer and business PCs.
System requirements and why they matter
Windows 11 introduced firm minimum hardware requirements, the most controversial change at launch. Microsoft tied eligibility to features that enable virtualization-based security and measured boot, which excluded many older but otherwise capable PCs.
| Component | Minimum requirement | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz, 2 or more cores, 64-bit, on the supported CPU list | Driver model, security features and reliability |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | Baseline multitasking |
| Storage | 64 GB | Operating system and updates |
| Firmware | UEFI with Secure Boot capability | Blocks unsigned boot loaders |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module 2.0 | Protects keys for BitLocker and Windows Hello |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 compatible, WDDM 2.0 driver | Modern display stack |
| Display | 720p, larger than 9 inches diagonally | Usable shell layout |
Unofficial methods can install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but Microsoft does not guarantee updates or support for such devices. In practice, 4 GB of RAM is a floor, not a comfortable target; 8 to 16 GB is typical for office work.
Versions, builds and the servicing model
Windows 11 follows an annual feature update cadence, with a release in the second half of each year, plus monthly quality updates on Patch Tuesday. Smaller features also arrive through controlled feature rollouts between versions.
| Version | Build | Notable changes |
|---|---|---|
| 21H2 | 22000 | Initial release with centered Start menu and Snap Layouts |
| 22H2 | 22621 | Start folders, File Explorer tabs, Smart App Control |
| 23H2 | 22631 | Enablement package, File Explorer redesign, early Copilot integration |
| 24H2 | 26100 | New platform release, Wi-Fi 7, improved Arm emulation, Copilot+ PC features |
| 25H2 | 26200 | Enablement package on the 24H2 platform |
Each version is supported for 24 months on Home and Pro editions and 36 months on Enterprise and Education editions. An enablement package switches on features already present in the code base and installs with a single restart, while a full platform release requires a larger upgrade.
Security architecture
Windows 11 treats security as enabled by default where hardware allows. The hardware requirements make it possible to rely on the following layers across the installed base.
- Virtualization-based security isolates sensitive processes in a hypervisor-protected region.
- Memory integrity, also called HVCI, blocks unsigned or vulnerable kernel drivers.
- Windows Hello replaces passwords with biometrics or a PIN tied to the TPM.
- BitLocker device encryption protects data at rest, enabled automatically on many new installations.
- Smart App Control blocks untrusted applications on clean installations.
- Credential Guard protects domain credentials on Enterprise and Education editions.
A frequent mistake is to disable these protections for compatibility with old drivers or games. Doing so removes much of the security advantage over Windows 10, so updating or replacing the incompatible component is usually the better choice.
User interface and everyday features
The Windows 11 shell is built on Fluent Design with rounded corners and a centered taskbar and Start menu. Window management received particular attention: Snap Layouts and Snap Groups arrange applications in predefined grids, and virtual desktops can have separate wallpapers.
The Microsoft Store accepts traditional Win32 applications as well as packaged apps, and Windows Subsystem for Linux runs Linux distributions including graphical apps. The Windows Subsystem for Android was discontinued in March 2025. The Copilot app provides an AI assistant, and Copilot+ PCs with a neural processing unit of at least 40 TOPS add on-device AI features.
Windows 11 compared with Windows 10
Windows 10 and Windows 11 share the same core, so the differences are about baseline, defaults and support more than about raw capability.
| Aspect | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware baseline | Broad, TPM optional | TPM 2.0, Secure Boot and supported CPU required |
| Support status | Ended October 2025, paid Extended Security Updates | Actively supported |
| Security defaults | Many features opt-in | VBS and memory integrity often on by default |
| Feature updates | Final version 22H2 | Annual releases |
| Arm support | Limited 64-bit emulation | Full x64 emulation with the Prism emulator |
Choosing an edition and planning an upgrade
The right edition depends on how the device is managed. Home suits personal devices and requires a Microsoft account during setup. Pro adds BitLocker management, Hyper-V, Group Policy and domain or Entra ID join, which makes it the usual minimum for small businesses. Enterprise and Education, licensed through volume agreements or subscriptions, add advanced security controls and the longer 36-month servicing window.
Upgrade planning usually fails on details rather than on the operating system itself. Experienced administrators check the following points before rolling out Windows 11 across a fleet.
- Verify firmware settings first. Many eligible PCs ship with TPM or Secure Boot disabled in UEFI.
- Convert legacy BIOS installations. Disks using MBR must be converted to GPT before enabling UEFI boot.
- Test line-of-business software and drivers in a pilot group before broad deployment.
- Suspend BitLocker during firmware updates and keep recovery keys stored centrally.
- Plan for the annual feature update instead of treating the upgrade as a one-time project.
Explained without jargon
Windows 11 is the current version of Windows on most new computers. It looks cleaner than Windows 10 and makes it easier to place windows side by side.
The biggest change is under the surface. It only runs officially on newer hardware that includes a security chip, much like a new building code that requires modern locks. That is why some older PCs cannot upgrade, even though they still work.
A typical use case
A small accounting firm with 25 PCs prepared for the end of Windows 10 support in October 2025. A compatibility check showed that 18 machines met the Windows 11 requirements, while seven older desktops lacked TPM 2.0 and a supported processor.
The firm upgraded the eligible machines in place over two weekends, kept BitLocker and memory integrity enabled, and replaced the seven older desktops with new business laptops. Staff adopted Snap Layouts for working with spreadsheets and client portals side by side. The firm ended up on a supported, encrypted fleet without paying for extended security updates.