Windows 10 Minimum System Requirements Explained
Key Takeaways
- Windows 10 requires at least a 1 GHz CPU with PAE, NX, and SSE2 support for PCs
- PCs need 1 GB of RAM for 32-bit and 2 GB for 64-bit versions
- Mobile devices need at least a Qualcomm or Intel CPU, 512 MB RAM, and 4 GB storage
Microsoft has shared the minimum hardware specifications required to operate its upcoming Windows 10 operating system, addressing both desktop/laptop computers and mobile devices. While an official release date has not yet been confirmed, these guidelines give users a clear idea of whether their current machines can handle the new OS.
For devices with displays eight inches or larger, Windows 10 demands a processor clocked at 1 GHz or faster that supports PAE, NX, and SSE2 instructions. The 32-bit version needs 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage space, while the 64-bit edition requires 2 GB of memory but the same 16 GB storage minimum. Both configurations require a graphics processor that supports Microsoft DirectX 9 with a WDDM driver.
Smaller devices with screens under eight inches, typically running Windows Mobile, have slightly different prerequisites. These require either a Qualcomm or Intel CPU, along with 512 MB of RAM and 4 GB of internal storage.
In related news, Microsoft recently announced that users running pirated copies of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 will still be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10 once it becomes available.
