Intel i5-6300U processor is not compatible with Windows 11. Let us review the compatibility issues and options in detail below.
If you are running Windows 10 on Intel i5-6300U processor, please have a look at the updates around Windows 10 becoming end of life in October 2025:
Windows 10 Extended Security Updates are free for retail consumers in Europe, except for people in Switzerland and United Kingdom. For people outside Europe, you could get 1 year of free access to Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 by encashing Microsoft reward points or backing up your computer’s settings to OneDrive. Detailed instructions can be read here.
- At the end of August 2025, 45 percent of all Windows desktops continue to run on Windows 10. These systems will sunset into the end of life status in less than 8 weeks from now.
- A Californian man has sued Microsoft for retiring Windows 10 in October 2025. You can read about the lawsuit here. The Court is yet to hear and pass an order on this lawsuit. We will keep you posted.
- Nearly 250 million Windows 10 computers will become end of life in October 2025. WIthout access to security updates, these computers are highly likely to be exploited by threat actors in launching cyberattacks.
- Less than 4 weeks from now, Windows 10 support will cease.
- Extended security updates for Windows 10 are available for purchase from Microsoft.
About Intel i5-6300U Processor
Intel i5-6300U processor is a 6th generation Intel core processor from the family of i5 processors. It belongs to the Skylake series of Intel processors.
The processor was first launched in Q3 of 2015. So, it has been almost 10 years since the processor was launched. It has 4 cores and can support up to 32 GB memory.
Intel i5-6300U and Windows 11
Intel i5-6300U is not compatible with Windows 11. You can verify this from the list of Windows 11 approved or compatible processors on the Microsoft website.
You will notice that Intel processors starting from Intel i5-8200 series support Windows 11 processors. In other words, processors of the i5 family 8th generation and newer generations are compatible with Windows 11.
Windows 10 and i5-6300U
For i5-6300U systems running Windows 10, it is important to note that Windows 10 will become end of life on 14 October 2025. After October 2025, a Windows 10 computer will not get any security updates, feature updates or official support.
Your Windows 10 computer will continue to work sans security updates. There is a possibility for you to enroll in extended support program for Windows 10.
ESU program for Windows 10
Windows 10 becomes end of life on 14 October 2025. To access security updates after October 2025, you would need to enroll for an Extended Security Program for Windows 10.
The ESU program for Windows 10 is a paid subscription to extended security updates. The extended security updates for Windows 10 will be released every month under the ‘Patch Tuesday’ initiative of Microsoft.
The ESU program can be bought for a period between 1 to 3 years. So, at maximum, you could extend Windows 10 security update support for a period of 3 years.
The ESU price for Windows 10 for end users is $30 for a year and $61 for a business computer. You can check pricing details for Extended Security Updates for Windows 10.
If you do not enroll in the ESU program for Windows 10, you PC will run without any resolution for new vulnerabilities and security threats uncovered in Windows 10 after 14 October 2025. This may not be a preferred option for business computers.
Latest Updates about Windows 10 becoming End of Life
Windows 10 is scheduled to become end of life on 14 October 2025. There are a couple of updates about this development:
- Microsoft has started rolling out notifications on the affected Windows 10 systems about the impending End of life status of the operating system in October 2025.
- An interesting development is taking shape in the United States. A Californian resident has sued Microsoft for imposing an End-of-life status on Windows 10 in October 2025. Nearly 43 percent of all Windows desktops in the world are still using Windows 10 operating systems. You can read in detail about the lawsuit and how it may impact Windows 10 users in the next few weeks.
Can I install Windows 11 on i5-6300U?
Technically speaking, it is possible to install Windows 11 on i5-6300U systems. This assumes that other hardware requirements for Windows 11 are fulfilled.
But, we do not suggest installing Windows 11 on i5-6300U systems because of the following reasons:
- Access to Windows 11 security updates is not guaranteed. So, you would be running Windows 11 sans security updates.
- There is a possibility of system malfunction on account of inherent incompatibilities of the hardware.
Therefore, we believe that i5-6300U systems have 2 options:
- Continue with Windows 10 after 14 October 2025 with or without the ESU program enrollment.
- Retire the Windows 10 system and get a new computer with preinstalled copy of Windows 11 operating system
Simplifying technology, one step at a time.