Intel i5 6th generation processors are incompatible with Windows 11. You cannot update Windows to Windows 11 on such systems. Clean installing Windows 11 on such systems may be possible. But, it is not recommended for a whole variety of reasons.
List of Intel i5 6th Generation Processors incompatible with Windows 11
There are 22 processors in Intel i5 6th Generation. Out of these, 17 are discontinued. The remaining five processors are available in the current setup. All these 22 processors are incompatible with Windows 11.
All i5 6th generation processors were released in 2015 or 2016.
The list of incompatible processors is shared below.
List of 5 i5 6th Generation Processors that are available in the current market
List of 17 i5 6th Generation Processors that are discontinued
| Processor | Release Date | Number of cores | Max Turbo Frequency | Internal Cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i5-6585R Processor | Q2’16 | 4 | 3.60 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6685R Processor | Q2’16 | 4 | 3.80 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6350HQ Processor | Q1’16 | 4 | 3.20 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6402P Processor | Q4’15 | 4 | 3.40 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6300HQ Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 3.20 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6440HQ Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 3.50 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6200U Processor | Q3’15 | 2 | 2.80 GHz | 3 MB |
| i5-6360U Processor | Q3’15 | 2 | 3.10 GHz | 4 MB |
| i5-6260U Processor | Q3’15 | 2 | 2.90 GHz | 4 MB |
| i5-6287U Processor | Q3’15 | 2 | 3.50 GHz | 4 MB |
| i5-6267U Processor | Q3’15 | 2 | 3.30 GHz | 4 MB |
| i5-6600T Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 3.50 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6500T Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 3.10 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6400 Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 3.30 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6400T Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 2.80 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6600 Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 3.90 GHz | 6 MB |
| i5-6600K Processor | Q3’15 | 4 | 3.90 GHz | 6 MB |
Can I install Windows 11 on the i5 6th Gen processor-based computers?
Yes, Microsoft has made it technically possible to install Windows 11 on i5 th generation processor based computers. However, we do not recommend installing Windows 11 on such computers for the following reasons:
- Access to security updates for Windows 11 is not guaranteed for unsupported processors and unsupported hardware
- There is a high possibility of system malfunction due to underlying compatibility issues with hardware and software
For business computers and users, installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware is not at all recommended due to security risks involved.
For systems based on i5 6th generation processors and running Windows 10, there is another situation that is developing. You cannot update Windows 10 to Windows 11 on i5 6th generation processors.
And, Windows 10 becomes end of life on 14 October 2025. By becoming end of life, security updates for Windows 10 will be unavailable after October 2025. So, running Windows 10 after October 2025 poses significant risks to the computer.
Let us quickly look at the options available for i5 6th generation computers running Windows 10 below.
Get Extended Security Updates
You could enroll in Microsoft’s Windows 10 Extended Security Update program. It is also called the ESU program for Windows 10.
The ESU program for Windows 10 will allow access to Extended Security Updates for a period between 1 to 3 years.
Upgrade Processor
You could look into upgrading the processor and motherboard of the Intel i5 6th generation processor based computer to a combination of processor and motherboard that is compatible with Windows 11.
This could, potentially, save some costs as you would be reusing the hard drive, display monitor and peripherals.
Get a new computer
You could buy a new computer that comes preloaded with Windows 11 operating system and gives access to security updates for an extended period until 2031.
This looks like the costliest option. But, it gives for a longer period of hassle free system performance and security..
Can I continue running Windows 10 after October 2025?
Yes, you could continue running Windows 10 after October 2025. This will be without access to security updates. So, your computer will remain unpatched and unsecured against any security vulnerabilities in Windows 10 that are detected after October 2025.
We do not recommend this option due to significant risks for the computer and your data.