Windows 12: Minimum and Recommended Requirements vs. Windows 11

The future of Microsoft's operating system is called Windows 12 , and everything indicates that it will be more demanding, smarter, and also more selective . The company has begun outlining how its next major version will work, and while there's no official date yet, there are already clear clues about what types of computers will be compatible .

The reason? Windows 12 won't be a simple evolution. Its big bet is on local artificial intelligence , which will allow advanced features to be used offline. But this has an inevitable consequence: higher hardware requirements .

Just as Windows 11 left many devices out of the loop for not having TPM 2.0 , Windows 12 will go even further . Microsoft is preparing a modular operating system through its CorePC architecture, which will allow for versions with or without integrated artificial intelligence.

This modularity will allow Windows 12 to be adapted to different types of devices, from entry-level laptops to high-end gaming PCs.

As already seen with Windows 11 Copilot+, Windows 12 could be divided into two main configurations :

Minimum requirements (without local AI)

• 64-bit, dual-core 2 GHz CPU
• 8 GB of RAM
• 64GB storage (SSD recommended)
• TPM 2.0 or equivalent (Intel PTT / AMD fTPM)
• DirectX 12 compatible GPU

This profile would allow users with Windows 11-compatible computers to upgrade to Windows 12 without having to replace their PC.

Recommended requirements (with local AI – Copilot+)

• CPU with NPU of at least 40 TOPs
• 16 GB of RAM (optimal: 24 GB or more)
• 512GB SSD/UFS capacity
• TPM 2.0 or equivalent
• DirectX 12 compatible GPU

Here we're talking about a complete AI experience: from smart assistants that suggest tasks or summarize texts, to features like Memories that track your activity and facilitate productivity.

As with Windows 11, it will be possible to install Windows 12 on unsupported computers, although with risks :

• Lack of official support
• No security updates
• Possible performance issues

In the past, many users managed to install Windows 11 on computers with only 4GB of RAM, but that's no guarantee that this will be the case with Windows 12 , especially if you want to use AI.

Currently, Microsoft only allows local AI on processors with a dedicated NPU. However, many modern graphics cards like the RTX 4060 or 5060 feature dedicated AI cores . Experts believe Microsoft should open up support for GPUs with Tensor Cores to democratize Copilot+ among gamers and mid-range users. This decision could make a crucial difference in Windows 12 adoption.