Dell Optiplex Computers – Windows 11 Compatibility

Dell Optiplex range of desktop computers is not fully compatible with Windows 11. This implies that you cannot upgrade to Windows 11 from all the Optiplex computers.

We have divided this document into 2 different sections. You get a list of Dell Optiplex computers that can upgrade to Windows 11. The second section lists the Dell Optiplex systems that cannot be upgraded to Windows 11.

List of Dell OptiPlex compatible with Windows 11 upgrade

  • OptiPlex 3060
  • OptiPlex 3070
  • OptiPlex 3080
  • OptiPlex 3090
  • OptiPlex 3090 Ultra
  • OptiPlex 3280 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5060
  • OptiPlex 5070
  • OptiPlex 5080
  • OptiPlex 5090
  • OptiPlex 5260 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5270 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5480 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5490 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7060
  • OptiPlex 7070
  • OptiPlex 7070 Ultra
  • OptiPlex 7071
  • OptiPlex 7080
  • OptiPlex 7090
  • OptiPlex 7090 Ultra
  • OptiPlex 7460 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7470 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7480 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7490 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7770 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7780 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex XE3

OptiPlex 3060 and 5060 were released in 2018. All the subsequent models were released after 2018 and are compatible with Windows 11.

This implies that OptiPlex series released before 2018 is not compatible for Windows 11 upgrade.

List of Dell OptiPlex compatible with Windows 11 22H2 version

The following Dell OptiPlex models are compatible for an upgrade to Windows 11 22H2 version. You will notice that the list is similar to the one shared above. However, there are a few additional OptiPlex models that can be upgraded to the Windows 11 22H2 version.

  • OptiPlex 3000
  • OptiPlex 3060
  • OptiPlex 3070
  • OptiPlex 3080
  • OptiPlex 3090
  • OptiPlex 3090 Ultra
  • OptiPlex 3280 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5000
  • OptiPlex 5060
  • OptiPlex 5070
  • OptiPlex 5080
  • OptiPlex 5090
  • OptiPlex 5260 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5270 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5400 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5480 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 5490 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7000
  • OptiPlex 7060
  • OptiPlex 7070
  • OptiPlex 7070 Ultra
  • OptiPlex 7071
  • OptiPlex 7080
  • OptiPlex 7090
  • OptiPlex 7090 Ultra
  • OptiPlex 7400 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7460 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7470 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7480 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7490 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7770 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex 7780 All-in-One
  • OptiPlex XE3
  • OptiPlex XE4

List of Dell OptiPlex not compatible with Windows 11 upgrade

  • Dell OptiPlex 980 DT
  • Dell OptiPlex 980 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 980 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 390 DT
  • Dell OptiPlex 390 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 390 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 790 DT
  • Dell OptiPlex 790 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 790 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 790 USFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 990 DT
  • Dell OptiPlex 990 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 990 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 990 USFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 3010 DT
  • Dell OptiPlex 3010 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 3010 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 7010 DT
  • Dell OptiPlex 7010 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 7010 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 7010 USFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 9010 DT
  • Dell OptiPlex 9010 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 9010 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 9010 USFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 3020 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 3020 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 3020M
  • Dell OptiPlex 9020 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 9020 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 9020 USFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 9020M
  • Dell OptiPlex 7020 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 7020 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 3040 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 3040 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 3040M
  • Dell OptiPlex 5040 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 5040 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 7040 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 7040M
  • Dell OptiPlex 3050 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 3050 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 3050M
  • Dell OptiPlex 5050 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 5050 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 5050M
  • Dell OptiPlex 7050 MT
  • Dell OptiPlex 7050 SFF
  • Dell OptiPlex 7050M

So, Dell OptiPlex until OptiPlex 7050 series are not compatible with Windows 11 upgrade. These processors were released between 2011 to 2017.

Dell OptiPlex running Windows 10

Dell OptiPlex computers running Windows 10 need to be aware that Windows 10 becomes end of life on 14 October 2025. Normal Windows 10 security updates will not be released after 14 October 2025.

This leaves OptiPlex users with limited options and an action point.

For OptiPlex computers compatible with Windows 11, users must upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 before October 2025.

For OptiPlex computers incompatible with Windows 11, there are two options.

  • You could enroll in a paid subscription for the Extended Security Updates or the ESU program for Windows 10. The ESU program allows access to Extended security updates for a period between 1 to 3 years.
  • The second option is to let Windows 10 run without security updates. It is not a recommended solution due to inherent risks involved with an unpatched computer. But, Windows 10 will continue to work after 14 October 2025 sans security updates.

How do I find my OptiPlex model?

There are 2 ways in which you can find the model of your Dell OptiPlex computer.

  • Find the Service tag number from the OptiPlex model and check on the Dell Service Support website. It would disclose the precise Dell OptiPlex model in use.
  • Alternatively, go to the BIOS screen by repeatedly pressing F2 key during the system boot process. The BIOS screen lists the Dell OptiPlex model in use.

Can I forcefully install Windows 11 on incompatible Dell OptiPlex computers?

Technically, Microsoft made it possible to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. This is done through registry editing to bypass compatibility checks made during Windows 11 installation.

We, however, do not recommend installing Windows 11 on unsupported Dell OptiPlex computers because of the following reasons:

  • Access to Windows 11 security updates is not guaranteed on unsupported hardware.
  • There is a high possibility of system malfunction due to inherent software and hardware incompatibility on unsupported OptiPlex models.