Windows 11 Hardware Upgrade Checklist for Brisbane PCs and Small Businesses

Not sure if your PC can run Windows 11? Use this quick checklist. This guide helps Brisbane homes and small businesses check compatibility, plan upgrades, and avoid downtime. Check Windows 11 compatibility fast, see local costs, and roll out with less stress.

Key takeaways

• Run PC Health Check first, then confirm TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, CPU, RAM and storage.
• Most 8th‑gen Intel and 2nd‑gen AMD Ryzen or newer are okay; older chips may fail.
• Budget for RAM and SSD upgrades; they give the biggest speed boost for the money.
• Back up before any change. Use a 3‑2‑1 plan and test a rollback image.
• For fleets, schedule upgrades outside trading hours to reduce staff downtime.

What it is and core concept

Definition

A Windows 11 upgrade means moving a PC from Windows 10 to Windows 11 and meeting the hardware rules. Key checks include TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, CPU compatibility, RAM requirements, and storage space. Many PCs only need a BIOS setting change or simple parts like RAM or an SSD upgrade.

Why it matters

Windows 11 adds stronger security, better battery life on laptops, and smoother Teams and Office use. For Brisbane shops, tradies, and offices, staying current lowers risk during storm season and keeps MYOB, Xero, and cloud tools running well. Old boxes can still be useful with smart upgrades.

How the Windows 11 upgrade works and step-by-step

Process

Follow this simple flow before you install anything:

• Run Microsoft’s PC Health Check to get a quick pass or fail.
• Confirm TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot: press Windows+R, type tpm.msc for TPM status; open System Information to see BIOS Mode (UEFI) and Secure Boot State.
• Check CPU compatibility: aim for Intel 8th‑gen or newer, AMD Ryzen 2000 or newer.
• Check RAM requirements: 8 GB is the sweet spot for light work; 16 GB if you multitask or use design apps.
• Check storage: free 64 GB minimum, but plan for 20–30 GB extra. Consider an SSD upgrade if you’re still on a hard drive.
• Update BIOS/UEFI: vendor tools often add TPM or stability fixes.
• Back up: system image, user data, and a restore point. Test the backup opens.
• Upgrade parts if needed: add RAM, fit an SSD (SATA or NVMe), enable TPM and Secure Boot in BIOS.
• Install Windows 11: use Windows Update or the Installation Assistant. Let it complete drivers and updates.
• Post‑checks: sign in, test apps and printers, verify BitLocker and antivirus, re‑run Windows Update.

Featured answer

To check Windows 11 readiness, run PC Health Check, then confirm TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, CPU generation, 8–16 GB RAM, and SSD space. Update BIOS, back up your files, then upgrade parts if needed. Finally, install Windows 11 and test apps, printers, and backups before staff return to work.

Costs in Australia

Typical Brisbane pricing ranges to plan for:

• RAM 8–16 GB: $49–$129 per stick, plus fitment.
• SSD 500 GB–1 TB SATA/NVMe: $69–$189, plus cloning and fitment.
• Business‑grade NVMe 1–2 TB: $149–$329.
• Onsite labour: often $120–$180 per hour; after‑hours may be higher.
• Call‑out or pickup: many charge a flat $40–$80 within metro.
• Downtime: plan 1–3 hours per PC for backup, upgrade and install; more for old or complex setups.

Older CPUs that fail the list may push you to a platform upgrade (board, CPU, RAM). That can run $350–$800 in parts for entry‑level office use, plus labour and data migration.

Common problems in Brisbane

Weather and infrastructure

• Heat and humidity: summer temps in garages and roof‑spaces can throttle older PCs. Plan upgrades in air‑con and add case fans when fitting new parts.
• Storms and power flickers: short outages during updates can corrupt installs. Use a UPS during firmware updates and Windows installs.
• Older buildings: limited power points and daisy‑chained boards cause brownouts. Avoid updating many PCs at once on one circuit.
• NBN quirks: HFC in Carina and Coorparoo can slow at peak, and FTTN in older parts of Ipswich or Logan can be unstable. Schedule large downloads off‑peak or cache the installer onsite.

Troubleshooting and quick checks for your Windows 11 upgrade

Short answer

If PC Health Check says no, check BIOS for TPM (PTT on Intel, fTPM on AMD) and Secure Boot, then update BIOS. Add RAM or an SSD if performance is weak. If the CPU is too old, plan a platform refresh or keep Windows 10 with strong backups until replacement.

Quick checks

Try these safe steps:

• Press Windows+R, type tpm.msc. Status should show “TPM is ready for use.”
• Open System Information. BIOS Mode should be UEFI; Secure Boot State should be On.
• Reboot to BIOS/UEFI. Look for PTT/fTPM and Secure Boot settings; enable them.
• Update BIOS using the vendor tool. Plug into mains or a UPS during the update.
• Check CPU generation in Task Manager or System Information.
• Run a SMART check with your drive tool. If “Caution” appears, replace the drive before upgrading.
• Free up space by removing temp files and old installers.
• Back up to an external drive and to a cloud account before any major step.

Safety notes and when to call a pro

Red flags

Stop and get help if you see any of these:

• Business PCs joined to a domain, Microsoft 365 tenant policies, or BitLocker you can’t unlock.
• RAID, NAS syncs, or accounting software with shared databases (MYOB, Reckon, industry ERPs).
• No current backup, or backups that have never been test‑restored.
• BIOS update failed or the PC won’t post after enabling Secure Boot.
• Thermal issues, swollen laptop batteries, or bent M.2 standoffs when fitting SSDs.

For fleets, stagger upgrades, test on one pilot PC, and keep a rollback image. Plan out of hours work to avoid staff downtime.

Local insights and examples

Brisbane/SEQ examples

Across Brisbane we see common patterns:

• CBD and Fortitude Valley offices: Dell OptiPlex and HP EliteDesk from 2016–2017 often fail CPU rules but can run well on Windows 10 with fresh SSDs until replacement.
• North Lakes and Springfield families: laptops with 8 GB RAM and a small SATA SSD run Windows 11 nicely after a BIOS update and enabling TPM.
• Sunnybank and Eight Mile Plains home offices: custom PCs with 7th‑gen Intel pass everything except CPU. A budget platform refresh (board+CPU+RAM) fixes it while keeping the case and PSU.
• Logan and Redlands tradies: rugged laptops often meet CPU rules but need an NVMe upgrade for better CAD and plan reading on site.
• Storm season: we fit UPS units in Indooroopilly and The Gap to protect upgrades and installs from power flickers during big cells.

Onsite Windows 11 upgrade options in Brisbane suit businesses that need minimal downtime: parts prep in workshop, onsite fit and clone after hours, and a test run before staff log in next morning.

FAQs

Q1: Can I install Windows 11 without TPM 2.0 or Secure Boot?

There are workarounds, but they aren’t supported and can break updates or security features. For home use it’s risky; for business it’s a hard no. Enable firmware TPM and Secure Boot if available, or plan a hardware upgrade so you stay supported and compliant.

Q2: How much RAM and storage do I need?

Windows 11 will run on 4 GB, but 8 GB is the practical minimum. Go 16 GB if you multitask, use Teams meetings, or edit photos. For storage, use an SSD with at least 256–512 GB; 1 TB is better for business files and cached cloud data.

Q3: Which CPUs are compatible?

As a guide, Intel 8th‑gen Core and newer, and AMD Ryzen 2000 and newer, are generally supported. Some models vary. If your chip is older, Windows 10 can stay usable with an SSD and RAM bump while you plan a platform refresh.

Sources and further reading

Microsoft’s baseline requirements cover CPU lists, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and storage. The PC Health Check app gives a quick pass or fail. BIOS/UEFI settings often label TPM as PTT (Intel) or fTPM (AMD). For backups, follow the 3‑2‑1 rule and test a restore before upgrades.

Wrap-up and next steps

Run the checks, back up, and plan small hardware boosts first: RAM and an SSD upgrade give the best gains. If your CPU is too old, schedule a tidy platform refresh. Need help or onsite rollout across Brisbane? Service:
Computer Upgrades & Hardware Installation