Intel is one of two most popular computer component manufacturers, and are loved the world over for how fast and reliable their i-series processors are. Windows 11 has recently been released and in this article I will explain if the i7 is good for Windows 11.
The i7 is good for Windows 11, but only 4th generation or later i7’s. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation i7’s are too slow to run Windows 11. Also, only 8th generation or newer i7’s are fully supported for Windows 11.
But, it’s still possible to install Windows 11 on an i7 CPU that is not fully supported.
Below, I will cover some helpful tables that show how well each generation of the i7 works running Windows 11 – and what fully supported means. As well as:
- What Intel Core i7’s are compatible with Windows 11
- What version of Windows is best for the i7 – all generations
- What i7 laptops come with Windows 11
Let’s get into it!
Intel Core i7 Windows 11 Compatibility
Intel has been making i7 processors since about 2005. As a result, many of the i7’s are not quite old by computer standards.
It’s very clear that Microsoft has made it so it is 100% supported for CPUs that are about 5 years old or newer. Whereas, i7’s that are older than that are not fully supported.
It’s safe to assume it’s a balance between allowing Windows 11 to utilize the latest technology – which has been released since Windows 10 – and allowing it to work on the most number of computers. As most people buy a new computer every 3 to 5 years.
Here’s a table that shows roughly when each generation of the i7 was released showing the 8th generation i7 was released about 5 years before Windows 11 was released and set the minimum CPU requirements for Windows 11 to be fully supported:
| Intel i7 Generation | Year released |
| 1st | 2005 |
| 2nd | 2007 |
| 3rd | 2009 |
| 4th | 2011 |
| 5th | 2013 |
| 6th | 2015 |
| 7th | 2017 |
| 8th | 2018 |
| 9th | 2019 |
| 10th | 2019 |
| 11th | 2020 |
| 12th | 2021 |
| 13th | 2023 |
With that said, Intel i7 processors get faster and faster with each new generation that is released. Therefore, the older generations of the i7 are quite slow by today’s standards. As a result, some i7’s are better suited to Windows 7. Here’s a table that shows what these are:
| Intel i7 Generation | Best version of Windows |
| 1st | Windows 7 |
| 2nd | Windows 7 |
| 3rd | Windows 7 |
| 4th | Windows 11 |
| 5th | Windows 11 |
| 6th | Windows 11 |
| 7th | Windows 11 |
| 8th | Windows 11 |
| 9th | Windows 11 |
| 10th | Windows 11 |
| 11th | Windows 11 |
| 12th | Windows 11 |
| 13th | Windows 11 |
Although, there is a best version of Windows for each generation of the i7, there are some limitations to what an i7 can and can’t do. Here’s a table that shows how well each generation of the i7 performs when doing typical tasks on a computer:
| Intel i7 generation | What it can do |
| 1st | Only for web browsing and documents |
| 2nd | Only for web browsing and documents |
| 3rd | Only for web browsing and documents |
| 4th | Can handle resource intensive programs like gaming but they are noticeably slow. |
| 5th | Can handle resource intensive programs like gaming but they are noticeably slow. |
| 6th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 7th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 8th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 9th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 10th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 11th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 12th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 13th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
It’s also possible to break down the performance of an i7 even further. Here’s a table that shows more detail about how well an i7 performs.
| i7 generation | Web browsing and working on documents | Resource intensive programs like video editing software | Gaming |
| i7 4th generation | Yes. Ok performance. | Yes, but very slow and almost unusable. | Yes. But, only games that are not graphics intensive like Minecraft.. |
| i7 5th generation | Yes. Good performance. | Yes, but very slow and almost unusable. | Yes. But, only games that are not graphics intensive like Minecraft. |
| i7 6th generation | Yes. Good performance | Minimum | Yes. Minimum for graphics intensive games |
| i7 7th generation | Yes. Very good performance | Minimum | Yes. Minimum for graphics intensive games |
| i7 8th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Ok performance. | Yes. Good for graphics intensive games |
| i7 9th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Very good for graphics intensive games |
| i7 10th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
| i7 11th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
| i7 12th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
| i7 13th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
Based on independent speed tests, user reports. I personally have the equivalent of a 6th generation i7. I use it for work, browsing the web, and playing very graphics intensive games.
My favorite game is Dota 2. I don’t have a dedicated graphics card but I have found gaming performance to be amazing. I can play it on the highest graphics settings.
When using it for regular tasks like web browsing it’s super fast. It also starts up to the home screen in about 10 seconds.
Minimum i7 generation for Windows 11
The minimum generation to run Windows 11 on an i7 is 4th generation. An i7 that is an older generation such as a 2nd generation will still work.
But, it will be too slow to use comfortably. For that reason, Windows 11 is a far better option. It has less demand for a computer’s resources and therefore runs a lot faster.
The minimum generation of the i7 that is fully supported is an 8th generation.
It’s a bit too much info, as to why this is, but the fact that you can still install it, and most people report no issues on an unsupported CPU, means it’s not a major factor.
What Version of Windows is Best For the i7?
The best version of Windows for the i7 is Windows 7 for i7’s that are 3rd generation or older. And Windows 11 for i7’s that are 4th generation or higher. Windows 10 was previously the best option.
But, independent tests have shown that it has identical performance to Windows 10.
READ MORE >> Is Windows 11 slower than Windows 10
Almost everyone who sees or uses Windows 11 thinks the user interface has been improved over Windows 10, and prefers it. Myself included.
It’s also not very different at all to Windows 10 so the learning curve is very small. Based on all of these reasons Windows 11 is a better option now than Windows 10.
What i7 Laptops Have Windows 11?
All brand new laptops that have an i7 will have Windows 11. For second hand laptops with an i7 it will vary. i7 CPUs that are compatible with Windows 11 are newer than 5 years old. Computer stores very rarely sell computers that are older than 1 to 2 years.
This is any 8th generation or newer i7. Nowadays it’s virtually impossible to find a new laptop without Windows 11.