Intel i5-6300U processor is not compatible with Windows 11. Let us review the compatibility issues and options in detail below.
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.
It may be pertinent to mention that the cost of Extended Security Updates or license is likely to be higher than the costs of a regular Windows license.
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.
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
Rajesh Dhawan is a technology professional who loves to write about Cyber-security events and stories, Cloud computing and Microsoft technologies. He loves to break complex problems into manageable chunks of meaningful information.