Windows 11 22H2 System Requirements [Full List]

Here’s all you need to know about Windows 11 22H2 system requirements to ensure your device is compatible with running the latest version of the Windows 11 operating system. With the release of Windows 11 22H2 just around the corner, it is essential to know whether your computer meets Microsoft’s recommended Windows 11 22H2 hardware requirements to avoid unexpected installation and performance issues. Keep scrolling to learn all the new prerequisites, supported processors, and features requirements to upgrade to Windows 11 22H2.

Let me deliver good news first. Windows 11 2022 Update requires the exact system hardware configuration as version 21H2 from last year. So if Windows 11 21H2 is already installed on your device, it qualifies to run version 22H2 on desktop, laptop, and Surface devices.

And if you’re planning to switch from Windows 10, ensure that the hardware setup is up to the mark, meeting at least minimum requirements. For instance, 64GB storage, 4GB RAM, 64-bit dual-core processor, Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 and Secure Boot.

Furthermore, to perform a fresh installation, you are now required to create an account using your Microsoft account credentials. This also means that the device must have an internet connection. Otherwise, the setup process will remain incomplete.

In this guide, I will walk you through the new system requirements to install Windows 11 and the release date for the version 22H2 update.

windows 11 22h2 system requirements

Windows 11 22H2 System Requirements

Here are the hardware requirements for Windows 11 22H2 update:

  • Processor: 1GHz or faster CPU or System on a Chip (SoC) with two or more cores
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Hard drive: 64GB or larger
  • System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
  • Graphics: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver
  • Display resolution: High definition (720p) display greater than 9″ diagonally, 8 bits per color channel
  • Networking: Microsoft account and internet connectivity

From now onward, you will also need to have a Microsoft account and an active internet connection to finish Windows 11 Home or Pro setup. What this means is that the Home and Pro editions will not support local accounts, particularly during the initial setup.

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Windows 11 22H2 Supported Processors

Like the original version, Windows 11 22H2 only works with some processors. For example, this new version is compatible with Intel Core 8th Gen and higher processor in addition to some Atom, Celeron, Xeon, and Pentium CPUs.

If you have AMD SoC, the latest update of the operating system only supports the second-generation Ryzen (plus Threadripper) and newer processor units, along with some Athlon and EPYC CPUs.

Regarding ARM support, the latest version of Windows 11 supports Microsoft SQ1 and SQ2, alongside Qualcomm Snapdragon 850, 7c, 8c, and 8x first and second generation.

Moreover, the Intel 7th Gen processors support is also available but limited only to the 7820HQ chip. Additionally, Intel Core Xeon W and Core X processors fall into the supported category, but with a qualifier that the device has Declarative, Componentized, Hardware Support Apps (DCH) drivers.

See below the list of supported processors from Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm.

Intel supported processors

  • 8th Gen – Coffee Lake
  • 9th Gen –  Coffee Lake Refresh
  • 10th Gen – Comet Lake and Ice Lake
  • 11th Gen – Rocket Lake and Tiger Lake
  • Pentium – Gold, and Silver
  • Xeon – Skylake-SP, Cascade Lake-SP, Cooper Lake-SP, Ice Lake-SP
  • Supported Intel processors

AMD supported processors

  • Ryzen – 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000
  • Ryzen – Threadripper 2000, 3000, Pro 3000
  • EPYC – 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen
  • Athlon – Gold, Silver, 3xxx, 300x
  • Supported AMD processors

Qualcomm supported processors

In case of an unsupported device, you may upgrade using the ISO file or bootable USB flash drive created with the Media Creation Tool (MCT) but do so at your own risk. In any case, the device will still need to meet the minimum hardware requirements mentioned above.

Windows 11 22H2 Features Requirements

Check the full list of the hardware requirements to support specific features:

  • 5G support: requires a 5G capable modem.
  • Auto HDR: requires an HDR monitor.
  • BitLocker to Go: requires a USB flash drive.
  • Client Hyper-V: requires a processor with second-level address translation (SLAT) capabilities (available in Windows Pro and above editions).
  • DirectStorage: requires 1 TB or greater NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the “Standard NVM Express Controller” driver and a DirectX 12 Ultimate GPU.
  • DirectX 12 Ultimate: available with supported games and graphics chips.
  • Presence requires a sensor that can detect human distance from the device or intent to interact with the device.
  • Intelligent Video Conferencing: This feature requires a video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output).
  • Multiple Voice Assistant (MVA): requires a microphone and speaker.
  • Snap three-column layouts: require a screen that is 1920 effective pixels or greater in width.
  • Mute/Unmute from Taskbar: requires a video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output). The app must be compatible with features to enable global mute/unmute.
  • Spatial Sound: requires supporting hardware and software.
  • Microsoft Teams: This app requires a video camera, microphone, and speaker (audio output).
  • Touch: requires a screen or monitor that supports multi-touch.
  • Two-factor authentication requires using a PIN, biometric (fingerprint reader or illuminated infrared camera), or a phone with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities.
  • Voice Typing: requires a microphone.
  • Wake on Voice: requires a Modern Standby power model and microphone.
  • Wi-Fi 6E: requires new WLAN IHV hardware and driver and a Wi-Fi 6E capable access point or router.
  • Windows Hello: requires a camera configured for near-infrared (IR) imaging or a fingerprint reader for biometric authentication. Devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN or a portable Microsoft-compatible security key.
  • Windows Projection: requires a display adapter that supports Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 2.0 and a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Wi-Fi Direct.

What’s The Release Date Of Windows 11 22H2?

Windows 11 22H2 release date is Tuesday, 20 September 2022 according to a rumor @zacbowden). Although the final version of Windows 11 22H2 is out since June 7, 2022, but accessible only via the Release Preview Channel.

The update will land as a free upgrade on computers already running the original version.

Since this update brings a new version of Windows, it will require a complete reinstallation through either Windows Update or Installation Assistant.

That said, there is no need to worry about losing your data because the upgrade process will keep settings, files, and apps.

The next major refresh (2022 Update) of the Microsoft desktop operating system codenamed “Sun Valley 2” is a feature update that will introduce new features and improvements.

The Windows 11 2022 Update will also continue to update the desktop interface and bring back previously removed features.

As usual, Microsoft will take its time to roll out the update in phases, which means not all compatible devices will receive the update at once. Rather it will come in a controlled and gradual manner across the globe.

Also, note that the multinational company will hold back the update on laptops, desktops, and tablets with compatibility issues.

Is Windows 11 22H2 An Optional Update?

Yes, version 22H2 is an optional update from Microsoft. Therefore, it won’t download and install automatically until you manually update from the Windows Update settings. However, on a device nearing the end of service, Windows 11 version 22H2 setup will install automatically.

After verification of all the system hardware requirements, you can perform an in-place upgrade or clean install of Windows 11 22H2.