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
If your Intel ATOM processor is not supported by Microsoft for Windows 11 installation, you still have options to install Windows 11 on your system. To do so, you could perform a clean installation of Windows 11 on your computer. The best way to do so is on a new hard drive. We suggest that you install Windows 11 on a new SSD or Solid State drive. This will ensure that the Windows 11 install is over and above the already installed operating system on your computer. You could set the system to dual boot between Windows 11 and Windows 10 or the old operating system.
To perform a clean install of Windows 11 on your computer, you could use one of the three options to download original Windows 11 from the Microsoft website:
- you could use the Windows installation assistant to run you through the process of installing Windows 11 on your computer.
- you could download an ISO image of Windows 11 on your computer, and use the ISO image for installing the Windows 11 operating system afresh.
- your could use the Media creation tool of Microsoft to burn a DVD or a USB drive with the Windows 11 operating system files. You can use this media to install the Windows 11 on your unsupported PC.
You may also want to hear about the caveats of installing Windows 11 on an unsupported system. If you install Windows 11 on a computer that is not compatible with the Windows 11, you are unlikely to get updates through the Windows update program. Essentially, you won’t have access to the feature updates and other product updates through the Windows update channel. There is no clarity with respect to availability of security updates on unsupported computers. Without security updates, your computer is fraught with risks of unpatched operating system.
This update restriction is in place as of October 2021. Things may change in the future though. Unsupported computers may be allowed access to the Windows 11 security updates. Keep checking out for revisions in the update policy for Windows 11.
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. That is four years from now. You will have access to all the feature, product and security updates through the Windows update program in the control panel. You could extend your computer’s working lifetime by 4 years if you choose to stay with Windows 10.
Buy a new computer with Windows 10
You may want to stay ahead of the technology; and, your ATOM processor is not supported by Microsoft for Windows 11 upgrade. In such cases, there are a couple of options.
- Buy a new laptop or personal computer that comes pre-loaded with Windows 11 operating system. HP, Dell, Acer and ASUS have already launched notebook computers with Windows 11.
- If you wish to save some money, buy a new personal computer that has Windows 10 operating system. In the next 3-6 months, you will get access to the Windows 11 operating system through the Windows update program. And, the best part is that your new computer will be supported fully in terms of feature updates, security updates and product updates until October 2031 or 10 years from now.
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 blog about smart wearables, Cloud computing and Microsoft technologies. He loves to break complex problems into manageable chunks of meaningful information.