Microsoft ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025. Home users can still get free security updates until 12 October 2027, but after that, a Windows 10 laptop stops getting security fixes. If you are buying a used laptop now, Windows 11 matters.
What Windows 11 needs
Windows 11 has stricter requirements than Windows 10. The one that catches most older laptops is the processor: Microsoft’s supported list starts at Intel 8th generation and AMD Ryzen 2000 series. The laptop also needs TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, which most business laptops from the same era have.
“Windows 11 installed” is not the same as “Windows 11 eligible”
Windows 11 can be installed on many older laptops with unsupported processors, and it usually runs well. The catch is that Microsoft doesn’t guarantee those machines will keep receiving updates. That is why we label every listing clearly:
- Windows 11 eligible: the processor is on Microsoft’s supported list.
- Runs Windows 11 (unsupported processor): it works today, but future feature updates aren’t guaranteed. These laptops are cheaper, and fine for many people. Just go in with your eyes open.
- Not applicable: Macs run macOS.
How to check a processor yourself
Look for the model number. For Intel, the first digit or two after “i5-” or “i7-” is the generation: i5-6200U is 6th generation (unsupported), i7-8665U is 8th generation (supported), i5-1135G7 is 11th generation (supported).
Use our shop filters or the Laptop Finder to see Windows 11 eligible laptops in stock.
