The minimum system requirements for Windows 12 remain largely unchanged from those of Windows 11, except for a possible increase in the minimum RAM to 8GB. This change could render many older computers obsolete and force users to use Windows 10.
DeskModder has recently revealed that the system requirements for Windows 12 will not differ much from those of Windows 11. The only new requirement is the presence of a TPM 2.0 module, which is already required for Windows 11. Additionally, the processor requirements will remain the same. Therefore, if your computer can run Windows 11, upgrading to Windows 12 should not be a problem.
Windows 12: System Requirements
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
- The device should have a minimum of 64 GB of storage, 8 GB RAM, and a 1GHz CPU clock speed.
- Processor: 64-bit compatible System on a Chip or CPU running at 1GHz or faster with two or more cores (SoC)
- Display: 8 bits per color channel, high resolution (720p), and more than 9 inches across.
- Secure Boot support in system firmware using UEFI
- DirectX 12 or later and WDDM-compatible graphics card 2 driver.
The Cloud PC of Windows 12, the culprit of raising the RAM
Techradar suggests that the potential increase in the minimum RAM requirement for Windows 12 may be due to the introduction of the Cloud PC feature, which could be a significant addition to the operating system. Cloud PC is a service that allows users to access a virtualized Windows desktop from anywhere, using any device. This feature could require additional system resources to function properly, hence the speculated increase in the minimum RAM requirement. However, it’s important to note that this is still speculation at this point, and the actual reason for any change in the minimum RAM requirement for Windows 12 has not been confirmed by Microsoft.
It is true that many people still use computers with 4 GB of RAM, which is currently the minimum requirement for Windows 11. This is sufficient for basic tasks such as browsing the web and sending emails. However, if you want to run more resource-intensive applications or play games, 8 GB of RAM or more may be necessary. This is also true for web browsing, as some popular browsers like Google Chrome are known to consume significant amounts of RAM, especially when multiple tabs are open. Google Chrome even has a feature allowing users to see how much RAM each tab consumes. As software and applications become more advanced and resource-intensive, having sufficient RAM becomes increasingly important for a smooth and responsive computing experience.
Many users use Windows with 4 GB of RAM.
Most new PCs indeed come with at least 8 GB of RAM, but a significant number of users still have older computers with only 4 GB of RAM. According to the latest Valve survey, 5% of Steam users still have 4 GB of RAM. Additionally, the market for second-hand computers with 4 GB of RAM in less developed countries is still significant.
Furthermore, some older users may resist change and prefer to stick with their current computer setup as long as it functions adequately for their needs. However, as technology advances and software becomes more resource-intensive, it may become increasingly difficult for these users to continue using their older systems without experiencing performance issues.
It is possible that some users with older computers that do not meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 12 could find themselves unable to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 12, which may pose a security risk as support for Windows 10 is eventually phased out. However, it’s important to note that Microsoft typically provides a significant amount of advance notice before ending support for a particular operating system, giving users ample time to upgrade their hardware or switch to a newer OS. Additionally, many other factors can affect the success or failure of a new operating system, and it remains to be seen whether Windows 11 will ultimately be considered a “flop” in the long term.
Conclusion
Over a brief span in the world of operating systems, the minimum RAM required by Windows has experienced a significant surge. For instance, Windows 10 necessitated 2 GB RAM in 2015, while Windows 11 mandated a doubling to 4 GB in 2021, and there are indications that the requirement may further double to 8 GB three years later. This represents a remarkable jump in RAM requirements, with other system specifications remaining unchanged.
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