You should first check Windows 10 minimum requirements, compatibility, and specifications if you are planning to install or upgrade to Windows 10. Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users should upgrade to Windows 10 to get its new features and benefits.
The new operating system, Windows 10, addresses and rectifies many criticisms and flaws of Windows 8. In this guide, we will show you the minimum system requirements for running Windows 10 and recommended system requirements for using Windows 10 efficiently.
Note: If you are thinking to purchase a new laptop, you might want to buy Acer Aspire E 15.
If you want to know about the new user interface design, usability improvements, security and performance enhancements, and if Windows 10 is better than the previous versions of Windows, you can see our detailed hands-on review of Windows 10.
Windows 10 system requirements
Although, the minimum requirements of Windows 10 are same as Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, you can see the Windows 10 recommended requirements in detail in the guide below. Before you upgrade your computer to Windows 10, you should make sure that your computer's hardware meets the minimum required specifications. The 32 bits and 64 bits versions of the Windows 10 operating systems have different requirements which you can see below.
A quick look at Windows 10 minimum requirements
- Processor: At least 2GHz
- RAM: 1GB for 32-bit and 2GB for 64-bit OS
- Hard disk: 16GB for 32-bit and 20GB for 64-bit OS
- Graphics card: DirectX 9 with WDDM driver
If your computer's hardware meets these requirements, you can install and run Windows 10 on your computer.
If you want to know the minimum and recommended hardware requirements for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10 in detail, or if you want to understand Windows 10 hardware specifications, you can see below.
Windows 10 Recommended System Requirements in Detail
Processor speed
The processor speed determines how fast your your computer processes information. Windows 10 requires your processor speed to be at least 1 GHz (1 gigahertz). Although the processor requirement is low, it is recommended that you keep a processor with higher rating. If you play games or use CPU intensive applications and softwares like 3d modelling programs, processor speed of 2 GHz or higher is better.
RAM
For 32-bit operating system, your computer must have atleast 1 GB (1 gigabyte) of RAM. For 64-bit operating system, at least 2 GB (2 gigabyte) is required. Higher RAM values makes your computer perform better. More RAM also means that your computer will be able to comfortably run multiple applications. For gaming and other memory consuming apps, you should keep more RAM.
Hard disk space
For 32-bit version of Windows 10, at least 16 GB (16 gigabyte) of hard disk space is required and for 64-bit version of Windows 10, your computer must have at least 20 GB (20 gigabyte) hard disk. If you keep many large files such as movies, songs, games, etc., you computer should have larger hard disk space.
Graphics card
Any Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver is required to run Windows 10. Some games and programs might require DirectX 10 or higher for optimal performance.
Additional requirements if you want to use certain features
You will need an internet connection and a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 if you want to access Windows store to download and run apps.
For playing DVDs, separate playback software is required.
If you want to install 64-bit Windows 10 on a 64-bit PC, your processor must support CMPXCHG16b, PrefetchW, and LAHF/SAHF.
Some Noticeable changes in Windows 10
Windows 10 has many new features and improvements over the previous versions of Windows. If you want to know what are the changes in Windows 10 and how it stands in comparison with the previous versions of Windows, you can see our detailed guides on Windows 7 vs Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 vs Windows 10.
Start Menu
The Start menu which was removed in Windows 8, now finds its way back in Windows 10 with some changes. The Start menu of Windows 10 looks like a combination of the Start menu of Windows 7 and the Start screen of Windows 8.
Metro UI Apps in desktop styled Windows for laptops and desktops
On a Windows 10 laptop or desktop, you can run Metro Apps in windows similar to the normal desktop application windows. It means that you can use mouse to minimize, maximize, or close Metro Apps as you do with normal applications. In Windows 8, the Metro Apps and the normal desktop applications behaved differently and it was confusing. Windows 8 users had to learn how to use apps in Metro UI.
Now, there are multiple desktops(virtual desktops) called Task View in Windows 10
The new feature, called Task View, lets you create multiple virtual desktops in Windows 10. Virtual desktops are useful for people who work on multiple apps on their computers. Virtual desktops in Windows 10 lets you systematize your desktop easily. You can see how to use Task View and virtual desktops in Windows 10.
There are many enhancements in Windows 10 over Windows 7 and 8. If you want to see Windows 10 new features and use them, you should upgrade your laptop or desktop to Windows 10 operating system.
Note: You might want to buy Acer Aspire E 15, if you are planning to buy a new laptop.
