Windows · System Info
Check hardware eligibility for feature upgrades
PC Health Check reports whether your device meets the hardware requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, supported CPU) for the latest Windows feature upgrade, alongside a quick overview of battery and storage health.
How to open PC Health Check & Upgrade Eligibility
- Open Settings → System → About
- Look for the Windows 11 upgrade eligibility link, or install the PC Health Check app from the Microsoft Store
- Run the check and review any failed requirements
- Follow the linked guidance to resolve issues like disabled TPM
What you should know
- Shows a pass/fail result for each Windows 11 hardware requirement
- Displays battery capacity health on supported laptops
- Surfaces storage space warnings before you attempt a major upgrade
- Links directly to guidance for resolving any failed requirement
PC Health Check is a separate Microsoft Store app rather than a built-in Settings page; the About page links out to it rather than embedding its results directly.
Why it matters
Before attempting a major Windows feature upgrade, checking hardware eligibility avoids the frustration of a failed or blocked install partway through. Requirements like TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enforced strictly for Windows 11, and older PCs frequently fail silently without an obvious explanation unless this check is run first. It also gives a battery health snapshot that's otherwise hard to find without third-party tools, useful for deciding whether a laptop battery needs replacing.
Best practices
- Run this before attempting any major feature upgrade, not after hitting an error.
- If TPM shows as disabled rather than absent, check your PC's UEFI/BIOS firmware settings, since it's often just turned off.
- Revisit this periodically on older hardware to track battery health degradation over time.
Common problems and fixes
- TPM shows as 'not available' even though the CPU is listed as compatible.
- Enter UEFI/BIOS firmware settings and enable TPM (sometimes labeled fTPM or PTT), since it's often present but disabled by default.
- The eligibility check fails with no specific reason given.
- Download and run the standalone PC Health Check app from Microsoft for a more detailed breakdown than the About page summary.
Tips and tricks
- Check TPM status directly by running 'tpm.msc' from the Run dialog for a more technical view than the Health Check summary.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as Windows Update?
No, this only checks eligibility and hardware health; it doesn't install anything itself.
Can I upgrade if my PC fails a requirement?
Officially, no supported path exists, though some enthusiasts use unsupported workarounds at their own risk.
Related settings
- About / System InformationAbout shows your PC's core specifications at a glance — processor, installed RAM, device ID, and system type — alongside your exact Windows edition, version, and build number. It's the single quickest place to find the information support technicians, driver downloads, and compatibility checks almost always ask for first.
- Windows UpdateWindows Update allows you to download and install the latest security patches, feature updates, and performance improvements. Keeping your system updated helps protect against vulnerabilities and ensures optimal performance.
- ActivationActivation shows whether your copy of Windows is genuinely licensed and linked to your hardware or Microsoft account, which edition you're running, and lets you enter a new product key or upgrade to a different edition, like from Home to Pro. A properly activated Windows unlocks full personalization options and removes the persistent activation watermark.
More System Info guides for Windows
- Date & TimeDate & Time settings control your system clock, time zone, and whether Windows sets these automatically using your location and an internet time server. Correct time settings matter well beyond the clock display — they affect file timestamps, certificate validation, scheduled tasks, and login to network resources.
- Advanced System SettingsAdvanced System Settings (opened via sysdm.cpl or 'Advanced system settings' in search) is a legacy System Properties dialog covering performance options like visual effects and virtual memory, system startup and recovery behavior, user profile management, and manual environment variable editing. These controls predate the modern Settings app and remain the only place for several deeper configuration options.
- Rename This PCLets you change the device name Windows uses to identify this PC on networks, in file sharing, and when pairing devices like Bluetooth accessories.
- System Protection & Restore PointsConfigures System Restore, which periodically saves snapshots of system files and settings so you can roll the PC back to an earlier working state after a problematic driver or software installation.
- Environment VariablesLets advanced users view and edit environment variables such as PATH, TEMP, and custom variables that control how applications, scripts, and the command line locate files and behave.
- Domain or Workgroup SettingsLets you configure whether this PC belongs to a home network workgroup or a business network domain, which affects sign-in options, network resource access, and group policy management.