Microsoft Officially Lowers System Requirements in Windows

Microsoft confirmed in San Francisco at the BUILD 2014 developer conference that Windows 8.1 Update comes with some significant changes in terms of system requirements, so devices with 1GB of RAM and only 16 GB of storage can now install it as well.

If you’re wondering what the reason behind this move actually is, it’s worth mentioning that Microsoft has been struggling for almost a year to convince OEMs to build more devices running modern Windows, but for one reason or another, only a few large companies have decided to focus heavily on Windows tablets and PCs.

Redmond says that lowering Windows 8.1 Update system requirements was part of its mission to offer a truly unique Windows experience without an impact on performance, so now more devices are able to run the operating system.

“With the Windows 8.1 Update, we have enabled our hardware partners to build lower cost devices for Windows such as devices with only 1GB RAM and 16GB of storage that provide customers with the experience they expect from a Windows device without sacrificing performance,” Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc said.
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy 700z
    CPU
    AMD 4.1 GHz quad-core
    Motherboard
    MSI
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Radeon HD 8670D
    Sound Card
    Integrated Sound, Envy Audio; Beats Audio
    Hard Drives
    1TB 7200 RPM SATA
    PSU
    460 watt
    Keyboard
    wired USB
    Mouse
    wired USB
    Browser
    IE11 / Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender aka MSE
I am running 8.1 on my little Acer Aspire one with 2GB Ram and an Atom N450 1.66GHz. Runs pretty damn good actually. Still frustrates me that I can't change the tile color easily though....... But all in all it actually runs pretty fast on this little thing. I had to use a registry hack to get the resolution right.

Geeve
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Dual Boot: Back to W7 and Ubuntu 12.04
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Dimension E521
    CPU
    AMD AthlonTM 64 X2 dual-core
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9800 GT 1GB
    Sound Card
    M-Audio Mobile Pre USB External
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 1916W
    Screen Resolution
    1440X900
    Hard Drives
    250 GB internal main, 500 GB internal backup, 1TB External
    PSU
    300 Watt (Dell stock)
    Case
    Dell Stock
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    Dell
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    MSE/Defender or whatever it's called now
    Other Info
    Acer aspire One D255, Windows 8.1.1 Pro, 2GB Ram, Intel Atom N450 1.6Ghz
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