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Description
NOTE: This article only applies to employees in the Suffolk Region.
This article lists the hardware a Windows computer needs to run Windows 11, and the specifications CCE Suffolk recommends when purchasing a new workstation.
Microsoft's Official Windows 11 Minimum Requirements
- Processor: 1 gigahertz or faster, with 2 or more processing cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor, and appearing on Microsoft's approved processor list (Intel 8th Generation or newer; AMD 2nd-generation Ryzen or newer)
- Memory: 4 gigabytes of Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Storage: 64 gigabytes
- System firmware: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), with Secure Boot capability
- Security chip: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics: DirectX 12 or later compatible, with a WDDM 2.0 driver
- Display: High definition (720p), 9 inches or larger, 8 bits per color channel
- Account: Internet connection and a Microsoft account are required during initial setup
CCE Suffolk Recommended Minimums
Note: The specifications below exceed Microsoft's published minimums and reflect what CCE Suffolk should purchase to, not the lowest specs a computer could technically run on.
- Memory: 8 gigabytes of RAM minimum, 16 gigabytes preferred. Windows 11 alone uses roughly 2.5 gigabytes of memory while idle, leaving little room once a web browser, email, and messaging applications are also running. 8 gigabytes is a safe day-to-day floor; 16 gigabytes is preferred for staff who run several applications at once.
- Storage: 256 gigabytes minimum. The 64 gigabyte Microsoft minimum leaves very little room after the operating system and feature updates are installed, since major updates can use roughly 20 gigabytes each and are released twice a year.
- Processor: Follow Microsoft's approved processor list as the floor; no additional increase is recommended at this time.
- Security chip and firmware: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are required with no exception. Confirm these are present on any new purchase before ordering, since some older or budget models do not include TPM 2.0 by default.
Notes
- Windows 11 version 24H2 reaches the end of its support period on October 13, 2026. New purchases and reimages should target version 25H2 or 26H2 to stay on a supported release.
- These specifications apply to standard staff workstations. Roles with specialized needs, such as GIS mapping, video editing, or drone data processing, may require higher specifications than listed here.