Microsoft has not officially announced the Windows 10 requirements when it released its new operating system. So everyone assumed, knowing the company's tendency from older Windows 8 and 7 systems that system requirements did not grow.
However, for the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update, also known as Redstone 1, system requirements change according to Microsoft.
From now on, desktop versions of Windows 10 will require at least 2 GB RAM. Earlier, this requirement only existed for 64-bit versions of Windows 10, while the 32-bit version could also be used with 1 GB RAM.
| Windows 10 architecture | RAM requirement |
|---|---|
| 32-bit | > = 2 GB |
| 64-bit | > = 2 GB |
Most modern computers come with at least 2 GB RAM, and so most of them should easily meet the new requirements.
Another interesting note is that the minimum screen size for Windows 10 Desktops has changed. According to the new changes, now Windows 10 in the Desktop version can be used on devices with a screen 7 "(inches), such as tablets that are able to run Windows 10 Desktop, (as long as they have the RAM that required).
As for Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft says it will be able to run on devices that have a screen up to 9 ″. This can help OEMs launch new devices in the market.
The question is: what will happen to all those who have older systems and are thinking of upgrading to Windows 10?
Below we present all system requirements announced by Microsoft.
| Components | Operating system | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 Mobile | Windows 10 for desktop editions | Windows Server 2016 Technical Preview | IoT Core | ||
| Processor | One of the SoCs listed in section 2.1 | 1 GHz or faster processor or SoC
For details, see 3.1 |
1.4 GHz or faster 64-bit processor or SoC
For details, see 4.1 |
400 MHz or faster x86, x64 processor or ARM SoC
For details, see 5.1 |
|
| RAM | 1 GB or higher
For details, see 2.2 |
2 GB
For details, see 3.2 |
512 MB
For details, see 4.3 |
256 MB available to the OS for devices without display support
512 MB available to OS for devices with display support, depending on resolution For details, see 5.2 |
|
| Storage | 8 GB flash storage
For details, see 2.3 |
16 GB for 32-bit OS
20 GB for 64-bit OS For details, see 3.3 |
60 GB
For details, see 4.4 |
2 GB
For details, see 5.3 |
|
| Security | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) | required
For details, see 2.8 |
required
For details, see 3.7 |
Optional
For details, see 4.7 |
Optional
For details, see 5.4 |
| UEFI Secure Boot | required | required | Optional | Optional | |
| Display | Screen | Less than 9-inches | 7-inches or more required for tablets, 2-in-1s, laptops, and all-in-one
Optional for desktop PCs |
Optional | Optional |
| Resolution | WVGA, FWVGA, WXGA, qHD, 720p (HD), or 1080p (FHD), WQHD
For details, see 2.4 |
SVGA (800 x 600) or higher
For details, see 3.4 |
XGA (1024 x 768) or higher
For details, see 4.5 |
Design dependent | |
| Bit depth | 32 bits of color per pixel | 32 bits of color per pixel | 32 bits of color per pixel | Design dependent | |
| Touch, touch pad, and active penFor details, see 6.1 | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| CameraFor details, see 6.2.1 | Rear-facing camera | Required for phones that run Windows 10 Mobile
Optional for other devices that run Windows 10 Mobile and for any devices that run Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise |
Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Forward-facing camera | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| AudioFor details, see 6.2.2 | Audio codec | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Primary microphone | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Secondary microphone | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Dynamic noise suppression | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Loudspeaker | Required for phones that run Windows 10 Mobile
Optional for other devices that run Windows 10 Mobile and for any devices that run Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Earpiece | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| wirelessFor details, see 6.3 | 2G / 2.5G / 3G (UMTS / EvDO) / 4G (HSPA) cellular radio | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional (data only; no voice support) |
| LTE cellular radio | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional (data only; no voice support) | |
| Bluetooth | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Wi-Fi | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| A-GNSS | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| FM radio | Optional | Not supported | Not supported | Optional | |
| NFC | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Networking | Wi-Fi and cellular is required for phones
At least one option for network connectivity is required for other devices (such as Wi-Fi) |
At least one option for network connectivity is required (such as Wi-Fi or an Ethernet adapter) | The following are required:
|
Optional | |
| SensorsFor details, see 6.4 | Accelerometer | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Magnetometer | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Ambient light sensor | Optional
For details, see 2.5.1 |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Proximity sensor | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Gyroscope | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| NotificationFor details, see 6.5 | Vibration mechanism | Required for phones
Optional Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional |
| NLED | Optional | Optional | Optional | ||
| Hardware buttons | Power | See 2.6 for the required, optional, and not supported buttons
See 6.6 for button behavior requirements |
See 3.6 for the required, optional, and not supported buttons
See 6.6 for button behavior requirements |
Power button is required, all other buttons are not supported
See 6.6 for button behavior requirements |
All buttons are optional
See 6.6 for button behavior requirements |
| Volume Up / Volume Down | |||||
| Home | |||||
| Back / Search | |||||
| Camera | |||||
| Rotation lock | |||||
| ConnectorsFor details, see 6.7 | USB | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional |
| Headphone / headset jack | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Micro SD card slot | Optional | Optional | Optional | Optional | |
| Video output | Optional | At least one video output port is required for desktop PCs
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | |
| SIM slot | Required for phones
Optional for other devices |
Optional | Optional | Optional | |
Windows 10 System Requirements
