Microsoft might require an SSD for Windows 11 starting in 2023

Currently, the only storage requirement to install Windows 11 is 64GB of free space. There's no mention regarding the type of storage device, allowing users to install on an HDD or an SSD. However, according to a new report, Microsoft may soon limit Windows 11 installations to SSDs.

According to a report from Trendfocus (via Tom's Hardware), Microsoft is asking OEMs to stop using HDDs as boot drives in favour of SSDs for pre-built systems. The report also adds that the manufacturers have a deadline to do it by 2023, but discussions to push it back to 2024 are still underway.

Although SSD prices have dropped since they've become widely available for consumers, they're still more expensive than HDDs. Today you can get a 1TB HDD for £35, but if you wanted an SSD for that same price, you would get one with 500GB of storage. With SSDs still being more expensive per GB, OEMs are a bit resistant to this change.

Despite Microsoft's demands, the company hasn't altered the Windows 11 system requirements yet, as it still lists a “64 GB or larger storage device” to install the OS. However, assuming the deadline for OEMs to use SSDs as boot drives is accurate, we might only see the storage requirements change by then.

KitGuru says: Do you think Microsoft will change the storage system requirements for Windows 11? 

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