Windows - Supported Versions and Hardware Recommendations

Summary

This article outlines ITS' recommendations and support versions for Windows.

Body

Overview

This article outlines ITS' recommendations and support versions for Windows.

ITS Supported Version

Currently, ITS supports the following Windows versions():

  • Windows 11 Pro

These versions have been tested to ensure browser-application compatibility (link) for University use. We also recommend that you stay up-to-date with the latest Windows patches or versions to maintain your computer's security, stability, and compatibility. Learn how to install Windows Updates (link).

Back to Top

Minimum System Requirements

The following articles are Microsoft's system requirements for the supported Windows versions:

Back to Top

ITS Windows Computer Recommendations

The following recommendations will meet the needs of the general UH staff and students for email, web browsing, word processing, spreadsheet and other office productivity software. The systems listed are ITS minimum level recommendations. ITS recommends purchasing the systems listed below or systems that exceed these specifications.

UH students should consult with their respective college/school/department for specialized hardware/software requirements for their field of study, that are not covered under these general recommendations.

Windows Desktop

  • Current Generation Intel Core Ultra 5 / Current Generation AMD Ryzen 5 (or better)
  • 16GB RAM minimum; 32GB recommended for those running memory intensive applications
  • 512GB Solid State Drive (recommended)*
  • Wired Gigabit Ethernet
  • Wi-Fi 4/5 (802.11n/ac) or higher (optional for desktop, except if desktop will be located where wired connection is unavailable or suboptimal)
  • Webcam with microphone
  • Backup device - External hard drive and/or USB Flash Drive
  • Windows 11 Pro
  • 3-year On-site Warranty

Windows Laptop

  • Current Generation Intel Core Ultra 5 / Current Generation AMD Ryzen 5 (or better)
  • 16GB RAM minimum; 32GB recommended for those running memory intensive applications
  • 512GB Solid State Drive (recommended)*
  • Wi-Fi 4/5 (802.11n/ac) or higher built-in
  • Webcam with microphone
  • Backup device - External hard drive and/or USB Flash Drive
  • Windows 11 Pro
  • 3-year On-site Warranty (recommended adding complete hardware coverage to protect from accidental damage)
  • Most laptops no longer come with an internal optical disc drive. If one is needed, purchase an external USB DVD+/-RW drive.

If additional storage is needed and read/write speeds are not a concern, storage can be expanded via additional internal drives (solid state or mechanical) or by external drives. If additional storage is needed and read/write speeds are important, consider upgrading to a larger primary SSD.

Back to Top

Purchasing

Windows desktops and laptops are available for purchase through:

Back to Top

Details

Details

Article ID: 20182
Created
Tue 12/2/25 8:45 PM
Modified
Fri 12/12/25 2:46 PM