Windows 11 24H2: Does Your Hardware Support It? Check Out Our Live Tests and Discover What We Found

Windows 11 24H2 is here, and with it comes a slew of new features, performance improvements, and—of course—some unexpected quirks. If you’re anything like us, you’re probably wondering whether your PC is ready for the upgrade and what kind of performance changes to expect.

We’ve spent countless hours running live tests on different hardware configurations, checking for compatibility, and uncovering some of the hidden issues that Microsoft doesn’t always highlight. In this post, we’ll walk you through our findings, talk about the impact of the new update, and discuss one particular issue that’s been causing headaches for gamers—BitLocker being enabled by default.

Is Your Hardware Ready for Windows 11 24H2?

First, let’s address the big question: Will your PC support Windows 11 24H2?

As usual, Microsoft has a list of minimum system requirements, but let’s be honest—these don’t always tell the full story. Based on our tests, here’s a quick checklist to see if your system is up to the task:

Minimum System Requirements for Windows 11 24H2

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster with at least two cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
• RAM: 4 GB (but let’s be real, 8GB is the minimum for decent performance)
• Storage: 64 GB or larger storage device
• Firmware: UEFI, Secure Boot capable
• TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
• Graphics Card: DirectX 12 compatible with WDDM 2.0 driver
• Display: High definition (720p) display that is greater than 9” diagonally

If your PC already runs Windows 11, chances are you’ll have no issues upgrading to 24H2. However, Microsoft has introduced subtle compatibility changes that might impact older hardware.

Our Live Testing: Surprising Compatibility Issues

We tested the update on various configurations, from high-end gaming rigs to older budget laptops. Here’s what we found:

1. Older CPUs Are Struggling

While Microsoft’s official documentation suggests that 8th Gen Intel and newer are supported, some older CPUs did technically install 24H2 but struggled with performance issues. If you’re running an Intel 7th Gen or Ryzen 1000 series, you might see increased stuttering in games and everyday applications.

2. Increased RAM Usage

Windows 11 24H2 appears to be slightly more demanding on RAM. On systems with only 4GB, we noticed a lot more swapping to disk, which significantly impacted performance. If you’re running anything less than 8GB, now is the time to upgrade.

3. SSD vs. HDD Performance Gap

Microsoft continues to optimize Windows for SSDs, and HDDs are suffering because of it. Boot times on older HDD-based systems have increased, and even opening basic apps takes noticeably longer compared to SSD-equipped machines.

BitLocker Enabled by Default: A Gamer’s Nightmare

One of the biggest surprises we encountered during testing was that BitLocker is enabled by default on many systems running Windows 11 24H2.

What is BitLocker?

For those unfamiliar, BitLocker is Microsoft’s built-in encryption tool that secures your data by encrypting your drive. While this is fantastic for security, it can be problematic for gaming, video editing, and high-performance applications.

Why BitLocker is Bad for Gaming and Performance

1. Increased Disk I/O Overhead
   Since BitLocker encrypts and decrypts data on the fly, it adds extra processing overhead to your storage. This results in slower load times in games, reduced FPS in some cases, and longer application launch times.
2. Performance Impact on SSDs and HDDs
   While modern NVMe SSDs can somewhat mitigate the impact, older SATA SSDs and HDDs suffer heavily. We saw game loading times increase by 15-30% on some systems where BitLocker was enabled.
3. More CPU Usage
   If you’re using a lower-end CPU or an older laptop, BitLocker’s encryption process can eat up CPU resources, leading to lower FPS and potential micro-stutters in gaming.
4. Limited Control for Home Users
   BitLocker is mostly intended for enterprise users, yet it comes enabled by default in Windows 11 Pro. Many home users don’t even realize it’s running in the background, slowing things down.

How to Disable BitLocker and Restore Performance

If you’re a gamer or someone who values performance over encryption, you may want to disable BitLocker. Here’s how:

1. Open Windows Search and type BitLocker then select Manage BitLocker.
2. Find the drive where Windows is installed (usually C:) and check if BitLocker is turned on.
3. Click Turn off BitLocker and wait for the decryption process to complete. This may take some time depending on your drive size.
4. Restart your PC to finalize the changes.

After disabling BitLocker, we saw immediate improvements in loading times, smoother gameplay, and reduced CPU usage across various tested systems.

Windows 11 (24H2) – Without encryption (Bitlocker)

Windows 11 (24H2) – With Encryption (Bitlocker)

Should You Upgrade to Windows 11 24H2?

Based on our testing, here’s our verdict:

Upgrade If:

✅ You have a modern system with an SSD and at least 8GB of RAM.
✅ You want the latest security updates and features.
✅ You don’t mind tweaking settings (like disabling BitLocker) to get optimal performance.

Hold Off If:

❌ You have an older CPU (Intel 7th Gen or lower, Ryzen 1000 series).
❌ You’re running Windows 10 and are happy with its stability.
❌ You use a traditional HDD as your primary drive.

Final Thoughts: Is Windows 11 24H2 Worth It?

While Windows 11 24H2 brings some useful new features, it’s clear that Microsoft is pushing security at the cost of performance. BitLocker being enabled by default is a prime example of how these security-first decisions can negatively impact gaming and other high-performance tasks.

If you’re a gamer or a power user, we highly recommend checking your BitLocker settings and adjusting them accordingly. The update itself is solid if you have the right hardware, but older systems may struggle.

Have you tried Windows 11 24H2 yet? Let us know your thoughts! And if you need help optimizing your PC for peak performance, feel free to reach out to us at Computer Technicians. We’re here to make sure your system runs as smoothly as possible! 🚀