Windows 11 Supported CPU List – Complete Guide

Below is a comprehensive review about the Windows 11 supported CPU list, including detailed lists for Intel and AMD processors officially supported by Microsoft as of current releases (including Windows 11 version 25H2).

Since its launch in October 2021, Windows 11 has introduced stricter hardware requirements than previous Windows versions. Among the most important of these is CPU compatibility, enforced not only for performance but also for security and reliability features such as TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, SSE4.2, and POPCNT instruction support.

Microsoft maintains official lists of supported processors for Windows 11, largely focusing on modern generations of Intel and AMD CPUs (along with some ARM‑based Qualcomm processors). These lists are updated periodically, particularly with major OS releases such as version 24H2 and 25H2.

Below, you will find an overview of Windows 11 CPU compatibility and supported Intel and AMD processors based on the latest official documentation, along with explanations of how compatibility works and what it means for users.

Why CPU Compatibility Matters for Windows 11

Windows 11 introduced a more restrictive hardware compatibility model than Windows 10. Key protections such as Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and required CPU features like SSE4.2 and POPCNT are essential parts of Microsoft’s vision for secure and reliable PC computing.

If a processor does not appear on Microsoft’s supported list, Windows 11 may refuse to install or upgrade in the standard way—even if the CPU technically supports 64‑bit operation and meets other minimum requirements. For older hardware, there are unofficial workarounds, but these are not supported by Microsoft and may block Windows Updates.

Supported Intel CPUs for Windows 11

Microsoft’s official list of supported Intel processors includes a wide range of modern Intel desktop, mobile, and server chips. These span multiple Core generations from the 8th generation Coffee Lake series all the way up to the latest 14th generation Core processors, as well as Pentium, Celeron, and select Xeon families.

Note: The official Microsoft list is comprehensive and includes series and families rather than every single SKU. The major categories below summarize those families as maintained in Microsoft documentation.

Intel Processor Families Supported

Core Series

• Intel® Core™ 8th Generation (Coffee Lake)
  Includes Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 variants — the minimum supported desktop and mobile CPUs for Windows 11.

• Intel® Core™ 9th Generation

• Intel® Core™ 10th Generation

• Intel® Core™ 11th Generation

• Intel® Core™ 12th Generation (Alder Lake)

• Intel® Core™ 13th Generation (Raptor Lake)

• Intel® Core™ 14th Generation (Raptor Lake Refresh/Core Ultra)
  All Core i3, i5, i7, and i9 families from these generations are supported.

Pentium & Celeron

• Intel® Pentium® Gold and Silver Series (various U, Y, N, and G series)
  Modern Pentium CPUs (4000 and newer) are included in the Windows 11 supported lineup.

• Intel® Celeron® Series
  Several newer Celeron families are supported — especially 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, and 7000 series chips where they meet instruction requirements.

Xeon & Workstation/Server

• Intel® Xeon® Scalable Processors

• Intel® Xeon® W Series

• Other Xeon families included in modern Windows 11 support lists
  These higher‑end server and workstation CPUs are supported when they meet the documented security and instruction requirements.

Supported AMD CPUs for Windows 11

The AMD side of the Windows 11 CPU compatibility list features modern Ryzen, Ryzen Pro, and Threadripper families across desktop, mobile, and enterprise segments. Microsoft’s Windows 11 25H2 supported AMD processors list provides categories that include many series from Ryzen 10 through Ryzen 9000, along with EPYC and Athlon where applicable.

AMD Processor Families Supported

Ryzen Desktop Processors

• AMD Ryzen™ 10 and 100 Series
  These include early Ryzen CPUs that meet minimum Windows 11 requirements.

• AMD Ryzen™ 200 Series

• AMD Ryzen™ 3000 Series G & GE

• AMD Ryzen™ 4000 Series

• AMD Ryzen™ 5000 Series

• AMD Ryzen™ 6000 Series

• AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series

• AMD Ryzen™ 8000 Series

• AMD Ryzen™ 9000 Series
  All of the above families are listed as supported in the official documentation.

Ryzen AI & Specialized Lines

• AMD Ryzen™ AI 300 Series / AI Max 300 / AI Z2 Extreme

• Ryzen™ Z1 / Z2 Series
  These include chips designed for AI and high‑performance mobile segments and are part of Windows 11 compatibility.

Threadripper & Workstation

• AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ Series (3000, 7000, and 9000)

• AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO Series
  Professional workstation parts are supported where they comply with Windows 11 hardware checks.

Athlon & EPYC

• AMD Athlon™ 7000 U Series (exceptions apply in some sub‑series)

• AMD EPYC™ (4004, 4005, 7003, 8004, 9004, and 9005 Series)
  These include both client Athlon CPUs and enterprise EPYC server processors.

Key Notes on CPU Compatibility

1. Minimum Generations

Official minimum requirements for Windows 11 CPU support are:

• Intel: 8th generation Core and later

• AMD: Ryzen 200 and later (plus specific earlier families where applicable)
  This reflects Microsoft’s emphasis on modern CPU features required for security and stability.

There are rare exceptions (e.g., certain Intel Core 7th Gen chips on OEM‑certified systems), but these are not generally supported for new installations.

2. Security & Feature Requirements

Windows 11 requires several CPU features beyond basic compatibility:

• TPM 2.0

• Secure Boot (UEFI firmware)

• SSE4.2 and POPCNT instruction support
  Without these, even if a CPU is modern, Windows 11 may not install or boot properly.

3. OEM vs. End‑User Compatibility Lists

The official Microsoft supported CPU lists are primarily intended for OEMs building new Windows 11 devices. For existing systems, Microsoft recommends users check compatibility with the PC Health Check app rather than relying solely on the published lists.

4. Unsupported CPUs

Older processors such as pre‑8th‑gen Intel Core, first‑gen Ryzen‑100 series, and many legacy chips lack the necessary instruction sets and security features; hence, they are not supported for Windows 11 without modifications.

How to Check If Your CPU Is Supported

There are several ways to verify Windows 11 CPU compatibility:

1. PC Health Check App
   Microsoft’s official tool checks if your current system meets Windows 11 requirements.

2. System Information in Windows Settings
   Compare your listed CPU model against the supported lists above.

3. Third‑party tools such as CPU‑Z can report support for required instructions like SSE4.2 and POPCNT.

Windows 11’s supported CPU ecosystem reflects Microsoft’s commitment to secure, modern computing. With official lists covering a broad range of Intel and AMD processors — from mainstream desktops and laptops to high‑end workstations and servers — most devices from the last several generations are fully supported as long as they meet additional hardware requirements.

Before purchasing or upgrading a PC, always verify CPU compatibility, especially if planning to run the latest Windows 11 versions (such as 25H2), and use the Microsoft PC Health Check app for the most accurate compatibility status on your exact hardware.