Detection App to help identify why your PC isn't Windows 11 Release Ready!

WhyNotWin11

WhyNotWin11

  -  2.4 MB  -  Open Source
  • Latest Version

    WhyNotWin11 2.6.1.1 LATEST

  • Review by

    Marian Marinescu

  • Operating System

    Windows 7 / Windows 7 64 / Windows 8 / Windows 8 64 / Windows 10 / Windows 10 64

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Robert C. Maehl / External Link

  • Filename

    WhyNotWin11.exe

WhyNotWin11 is a lightweight system information app that can inform users whether or not their desktop or laptop PC satisfying the system requirements needed for the installation of Windows 11, the latest version of the popular operating system made by Microsoft Corporation. While the official hardware compatibility app exists, developers from Microsoft have decided to simply offer a Yes/No prompt to the compatibility query by the user. On the other hand, this fast and reliable open-source application clearly showcases all hardware requirements and lists what items did user fail or succeed on.

Windows 11 Compatibility Software for PC

WhyNotWin11 is distributed online as an executable file optimized only for Windows 10 and it has no automated installer. Therefore, users can simply download it and place it either on their local storage or portable USB drive. Since this application requires access to the central sections of the OS and tries to perform a diagnostic pass on the motherboard, users will first have to grant this app administrative privilege start. To do so, they simply need to right-click on the WhyNotWin11.exe file and select the “Run as administrator” option. Otherwise, Windows 10 will prompt the user that this application has no official certification and cannot be run.

Once up and running, WhyNotWin11 showcases a simple dashboard with the eleven most crucial hardware requirements that the desktop and laptop PCs must pass in order to be able to install Windows 11. These requirements cover CPU architecture, Boot method, CPU compatibility, CPU core count, CPU frequency, DirectX12 compatibility, Disk partition type, RAM size, presence of Secure boot, TPM version, and amount of available storage.

Windows 11 Minimum Requirements
  • Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
  • System firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
  • TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
  • Graphics Card: DirectX 12 compatible graphics / WDDM 2.x
  • Display: >9” with HD Resolution (720p)
  • Internet connection: Microsoft account and internet connectivity required for setup for Windows 11 Home
The app offers no additional functionality. Users can simply see the green, yellow and red notifications near each hardware requirement, and do nothing more. App offers two additional options – a link to visit the official GitHub page where this project is developed in an open-source environment, and a “Check for Updates” button.

WhyNotWin11 is a reliable tool that can help anyone check if their Windows 10 PC is ready to be upgraded to Windows 11. The app is 100% FREE and receives regular updates.

  • WhyNotWin11 2.6.1.1 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    WhyNotWin11 2.6.1.1 Screenshot 1

What's new in this version:

WhyNotWin11 2.6.1.1
- Adds TSV (Tab Separated Value) support
- Fixes Hostname not exporting with Results
- Fixes Check Skipping not being accounted for in Exit Code Value
- Adds ability to export additional system info using /extras or /ex
- Changed Exported Result files to use Hostname if no filename is specified, or if the filename is a directory


WhyNotWin11 2.6.1.0
- Updates Processor List
- Fixes Intel Processors WMIC Values
- Minor Graphical Layout Improvements
- Added Exception for "RDP Display Adapters"
- Reduces FileWrite calls when Outputting Results
- Adds Ability to Skip Specific Checks using /skip or /sc
- Improve Feature Update Compatibility Results on Windows 11


WhyNotWin11 2.6.0.0
- Minor Translation updates
- Fixes UNC paths for /exporting
- Updated Fallback Processor Lists
- Adds Rounded Corners for Windows 11
- Adds Company Name for some Updaters
- Excludes DisplayLink USB devices from GPU footer
- Shortens Motherboard footer for ASUS, Gigabyte, Microsoft, MSI, and Oracle Devices


WhyNotWin11 2.5.0.5
- Code Cleanup
- Fixes Dev Builds
- Fixes App Sidebar Icon
- Minor Translation updates
- Fixes DPI scaling for Windows 11
- Adds fixes from 2.5.0.4 that failed to commit
- Fixes CPU Check rarely having wrong status icon
- Changes LTT Sidebar Link to a General Github Profile Link
- Adds BIOS Version to Motherboard info in footer for Support Technicians
- Adds Support for 23H2 and Newer Update Compatibility Status "TargetVersionUpgradeExperienceIndicators"


WhyNotWin11 2.5.0.4
- Minor Translation updates
- Updated Fallback Processor Lists
- Added Support for Processor Family Detections
- Improved WMIC Performance for CPU Info Checks
- Corrected Icons for both compiled and uncompiled


WhyNotWin11 2.5.0.3
- Updated Disk Info Module
- Fixed WhyNotWin11 Icon when running directly from Source
- Fixes a Crash for Some Users on Successful CPU Compatibility Check


WhyNotWin11 2.5.0.2
- Minor Translation Updates
- Reverted Status Check Indicators from 2.5.0.1
- Supplemented CPU Compatibility Check with Windows Update Registry Key
- Added Motherboard Info to Footer to Assist Support Reps Assisting End Users


WhyNotWin11 2.5.0.1
- Minor Translation Updates
- Fixed Guides not being Clickable
- Removed long past Windows 11 release timeframe info
- Added Separate Indicators for Failed Windows Update Checks
- Changed Settings dropdowns to disable if no options available
- Removed no longer needed "Currently Known Requirements" disclaimer


WhyNotWin11 2.5.0.0
- Minor Translation Updates
- Minor Error Handling Improvements
- Removed Warning if already running Windows 11
- Updated AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm Processor Lists
- Added Checks for Windows 11 Updates Using TargetVersionUpgradeExperienceIndicators


WhyNotWin11 2.4.3.2
- Minor Translation Updates
- Updated Github and Discord Logos
- Reverted DPI Handling Change from 2.4.3.0
- Added Guide Strings to Translation Templates
- Improved Warning if Already Running Windows 11
- Finished MOST Group Policy Registry value entries
- Updated AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm Processor Lists
- Fixed Category Labels on Settings not adhering to theme
- Updated Builds to use latest AutoIt Version upon compiling

Added the following improvements when running in WinPE:
- Added Drive Space check to check C: by default
- Added /drive : and /d : to override Space Check Drive


WhyNotWin11 2.4.3.1
- Fixes Crash if Languages or Themes do not exist
- Code Cleanup
- Added Basic Settings Menu
- Improved Disk Detection and Info (Credit @htcfreek)
- Improved DirectX Check Performance
- Added Guides for Common Questions
- Fixed Storage Space Check for GiB vs GB
- Fixed DPI Scaling Code on Some Devices
- Fixed Ryzen 5 1600 AF detection and reporting
- Added reporting of TPM Device Driver Error State
- Added Latest Intel and AMD Supported CPUs to CPU Lists
- Fixed Regression where TPM 1.2 was marked as Compatible
- Added GPO Registry Values to Control the Appearance of WhyNotWin11 (more coming soon)


WhyNotWin11 2.4.2.1
- Fixes issue with RAM reporting
- Updated language file templates
- Started on Language Picker code


WhyNotWin11 2.4.2
- Added /force option
- Fixed /update option
- Added Summary Screen
- Updated Compatible CPU lists
- Fixed SQ1 & SQ2 CPU Frequency Display
- Added timeout to DX12 + WDDM2 check
- Improved Command Line option handling
- Disabled critical failure error pop-ups on silent mode
- Corrected Minor Issue on Failed DirectX Check CSV output
- Removed Linux Easter Egg as WINE is no longer able to run the application
- Improved DX12 + WDDM2 check to report failures in WINPE and other Circumstances


WhyNotWin11 2.4.1
- Updated Supported AMD Processors
- Updated Supported Intel Processors
- Removed Clean Install Upgrade Note


WhyNotWin11 2.4.0
- Cleaned up Code
- Updated Language Files
- Fixed Command Line Switches (see below and WhyNotWin11.exe /?)
- Added New Supported Intel Processors
- Re-Added Cross for Failed Checks for Accessibility
- Removed "Unsure" Result for CPUs now that Microsoft testing is complete
- Added Note that WIndows 11 can be installed, but not updated to, if you completely delete your existing Windows 10 data


WhyNotWin11 2.3.2
- Cleaned up Code
- Updated Language Files
- Added RTL Support in Translations
- Added "n" Support in Translations
- Improved WMIC Performance Slightly
- Fixed TPM Check failing on Rare Occasions
- Removed Checkmark and Cross from Pass/Fail
- Fixed Reporting of RAM on Systems under 4GB
- Added Exclusion for "Citrix Indirect Display Adapter"
- Fixed Social Icons not recoloring to match Text Color
- Fixed Secure Boot "Supported" Devices reporting as "Enabled"
- Added not yet enabled Code for Advanced Checks (Physical Display Size, etc)


WhyNotWin11 2.3.1
- Improved GPT check
- Improved Icon Quality
- Minor Text Improvements
- Minor Code Improvements
- Updated "OK" to Checkmark
- Added Basic Theming Support
- Fixes Pentium Gold CPU Detection
- Fixed Crash when no Boot Devices Found
- Fixes Odd Issues with 8.1 Color Detection
- Added Basic Descriptions and Fixes for Items
- Fixes Alert for those running Windows 11 or Linux
- Improved Uncompiled File Structure for Easier Understanding
- Fixes Misspelling from Microsoft's OWN Supported Intel Processor List


WhyNotWin11 2.3.0.5
- Fixes Check for Updates button
- Corrected Dark Mode Text Color
- Reverts Incorrectly Updated CPU List (20H1, not 11)


WhyNotWin11 2.3.0.4
- Updated Social Icon Layout
- Fixed Social Icon Backgrounds
- Added Translation Improvements
- Fixed Not Warning Incompatible OSes
- Added Minor Performance Improvements
- Added Progress Bar for WMIC Progress for Slower Systems
- Fixes Language and CPU Files if Running Uncompiled Source
- Fixes issue with TPM 1.2 Not Reporting as Detected but Incompatible for Non-Admins


WhyNotWin11 2.3.0.3
- UI Improvements
- Added Various Translations
- Improved DirectX detection
- Improved Various Translations
- Fixed GPT Detection edge case
- Added Command Line Switches (/format and it's parameters do not work by itself currently, must be before /silent)
- Custom Themes are now Respected
- Adds Migitations to Security Concerns (Advisory coming 7/9)
- Added Font Sizing Support to Translations
- Fixed Backup Ram Check Reporting KB as GB on Failure
- Removed Translation Credit, will be re-added tomorrow
- Fixed Non-Admin TPM Checking on Non-English Systems
- Added GPT Fail for when GPT was detected but not bootable