Windows 11 has very specific hardware requirements.
- It requires a 64 bit processor with at least 1 GHz clock speed and at least 2 cores.
- It must have at least 4 GB RAM and 64 GB hard drive space.
- DirectX 12 support is needed.
- Aside from this, feature specific requirements will vary with the features that you intend to use.
Over here, we will look into the processor family of ATOM and list the Intel ATOM processors that are compatible with Microsoft Windows 11.
Which ATOM Processors are compatible with Windows 11?
The X-Series Intel Atom processors that have been released in the Q1 2021 are compatible with Windows 11 installation.
There are 8 processors of the Intel Atom range that will allow you to install Windows 11, and you will continue to receive Windows 11 security updates.
Expectedly, the list of compatible with Intel Atom processors is likely to expand in the next few quarters as newer ATOM processors hit the market.
The 8 Intel Atom processors that will support Windows 11 installation are mentioned below:
Four Core Intel Atom Processors compatible with Windows 11
Five Intel Atom processors with 4 cores, and released in Q1 2021 are compatible with Windows 11 installation.
| Intel Atom x6425RE | Intel Atom x6427FE | Intel Atom x6414RE | Intel Atom x6425E | Intel Atom x6413E |
Two Core ATOM processors that are compatible with Windows 11
There are three Intel Atom processors that have 2 cores, and are compatible with Windows 11 installation. Such an install of Windows 11 will be fully supported by Microsoft through the windows update cycle. These processors were launched in Q1 2021.
| x6212RE | x6200FE | x6211E |
Options for non-supported Intel ATOM processors
You can continue to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. Microsoft has published registry keys that will disable check for compatible hardware before installing Windows 11.
This option is not recommended or supported by Microsoft for the following reasons:
- Your system may malfunction
- Your system may run into compatibility issues with existing software and drivers.
- Access to Windows 11 security updates is not guaranteed
Once the TPM check and hardware compatibility checks are disabled, you can clean install Windows 11 on unsupported PC.
Stay with Windows 10
Staying with Windows 10 and giving Windows 11 update a miss may sound like a practical option for unsupported ATOM processor based computers. Windows 10 will become end of life in October, 2025.
Until 14 October 2025, you can continue to run Windows 10 on unsupported hardware.
Can I continue using Windows 10 after 14 October 2025?
Yes, you can continue to run Windows 10 on unsupported ATOM processor based computers. For this, you will need to enroll in a paid subscription of Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 or the ESU program. This is a paid program.
You can buy extended security updates for Windows 10 for a period between 1 to 3 years. You can check more details on the ESU program page for Windows 10.
Buy a new computer with Windows 11
You have an option to buy a new computer with Windows 11. This is an expensive option, but offers a long-term peace of mind.
Conclusion:
A total of eight Intel ATOM processors are compatible with Windows 11. All these have been released in Q1 2021. So, any ATOM processor which was launched before 2021 is not fit or compatible for Windows 11 installation.
You may also like to read the following Windows 11 related content”
- Windows 11 not compatible with i5 7th generation processors
- Can Windows 11 run on Intel i3 processors?
- i7-7700K is not compatible with Windows 11
- Can Windows 11 be installed on computers without TPM 2.0?
- Can Windows 11 run on Intel 7th generation processors?
- i7 6700K cannot run windows 11 – incompatible with Windows 11
- Open Task Manager on Windows 11 computer
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.