Microsoft announced Windows 11 this week and all are daring to find out whether they can run the new system on their machines. The official Windows 11 requirements are already making headlines by requiring TPM 2.0 and newer processors. Additionally, the Windows 11 Home also needs a Microsoft account and internet connection.
In previous versions of Windows, you could choose between having a local account, rather than needing a Microsoft account, but in Windows 11 this option is abolished altogether.
Microsoft explains:
- Windows 11 Home edition requires an internet connection and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
- Upgrading a device to Windows 11 Home in safe mode also requires an internet connection.
- For all versions of Windows 11, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and use some tools. A Microsoft account is required to use some tools.
It’s still unclear whether you’ll be able to set up a device with a Microsoft account and then switch to a local account in Windows 11 Home. The official page does not mention local accounts at all. Check out other system requirements.
Windows 11 Computer Requirements
| Processor: | 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC) |
| RAM: | 4 gigabyte (GB) |
| Storage: | 64 GB or larger storage device Note: See below under “More information on storage space to keep Windows 11 up-to-date” for more details. |
| System firmware: | UEFI, Secure Boot capable |
| TPM: | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| Graphics card: | Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display: | High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally, 8 bits per color channel |
| Internet connection and Microsoft accounts: | Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use. Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features. |