June 28, 2026, 11:12 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Microsoft may significantly change the requirements for some AI features in Windows 11. New hardware guidelines suggest that a special AI unit may no longer be necessary. Instead, computers without a Neural Processing Unit, or NPU, could run certain AI applications locally. This could enable the use of these features on many more devices.
Copilot+ PCs have so far required special hardware
Since June 2024, Microsoft has positioned the so-called Copilot+ PCs as a central platform for AI applications. To earn this designation, devices must meet several requirements. These include at least 16 gigabytes of RAM, an SSD, and an NPU with at least 40 trillion operations per second, or TOPS.
An NPU is specifically designed for processing AI tasks and operates with high energy efficiency. This allows AI functions to be executed directly on the device without needing external data processing. Many AI features in Windows have so far been available only on such systems. Computers with powerful graphics cards, however, have been left out, even though they possess the necessary computing power.
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Microsoft adjusts guidelines for developers
According to the online magazine “WindowsLatest,” Microsoft has changed the requirements in a support document. It states that developing applications with local AI functions will no longer necessarily require an NPU.
The document notes that APIs for Large Language Models, or LLMs, can now be used locally on computers without Copilot+ status. Instead, a sufficiently powerful graphics card is required. This would significantly relax Microsoft’s previous hardware requirements.
The new entry barrier is relatively low. Microsoft specifies a Nvidia graphics card from the RTX-30 series as the minimum requirement. The models must have at least 6 gigabytes of video memory.
This means the RTX 3050 already meets the stated requirements. This model is among the most affordable of this generation and already has the required amount of VRAM.
Benefits for developers and potential impacts for users
The adjustment could be particularly interesting for developers. They would no longer need to use the previously mandated hardware and could instead rely on widespread and relatively inexpensive graphics cards.
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At the same time, the change could also affect users. The previous exclusivity of certain Copilot+ features could disappear. Technically, this step would be unsurprising, as graphics cards often provide significantly more power than an NPU and are also much more widely available.
Microsoft has not yet confirmed whether features like Recall or AI writing services will be usable without an NPU in the future. However, the new hardware guidelines indicate that the previous direction is apparently changing.