PC Health Check is a Microsoft app for Windows PCs. It shows the state of the device in one window and points to the Windows settings that can fix what it finds. Its best-known job is telling Windows 10 users whether their computer can move to Windows 11. It also reports on battery wear, drive space, startup time, update status and basic device details. Microsoft delivers PC Health Check to Windows 10 devices through Windows Update, and the app is not offered on devices that already run Windows 11.
Windows 11 eligibility check
On a PC running Windows 10, PC Health Check compares the hardware against the minimum requirements for Windows 11. The user starts the test with the Check now button. The result does more than say yes or no: the app explains why the device qualifies or fails and what can be done about it. The requirements cover the processor, memory, storage, UEFI firmware with Secure Boot, a TPM 2.0 security chip, and graphics and display support.
The check is useful after hardware changes too. A user who changes the device hardware can run PC Health Check again to see the new verdict straight away. The Windows Update page in Settings, however, can take up to a day to reflect the change. Meeting the requirements does not mean the upgrade appears at once, since Windows 11 is offered gradually. A known compatibility problem can also hold the upgrade back until it is resolved. The eligibility tools are meant for personal PCs; on a device run by an IT department, the administrator decides about the upgrade.
Battery wear and drive space
For laptops and tablets with one or two batteries, PC Health Check compares the battery’s current capacity with its original capacity. This shows how much the battery has worn down. This report appears on devices more than three years old. A link leads to battery saving tips.
The storage section shows how full the main drive is, and expanding it reveals the remaining free space. The Manage storage settings link leads to the Windows storage page, where the user can turn on Storage Sense or follow cleanup recommendations.
Startup time and device details
PC Health Check reports how long the device takes to start and lists factors that affect that time. The Manage your startup programs link opens the startup apps list, where the user can review entries and switch them off.
A device specifications area shows facts such as the age of the PC and the amount of storage. From here the user can also rename the PC.
Update status and settings backup
PC Health Check also warns when Windows is not up to date or needs attention, and its Open Windows Update button goes directly to the update page in Settings. A separate section covers backup and sync. After signing in with a Microsoft account, the user can sync preferences across devices. These include passwords, Microsoft Edge favorites and reading lists, and themes. The user can also back up photos and files to OneDrive.
The app keeps itself current. When Microsoft releases an important update to PC Health Check, it installs automatically. The user cannot turn off this behavior. The user can remove the app from the installed apps list in Settings.
Scope of the tool
PC Health Check reads system information and directs the user to existing Windows controls. It does not clean drives, change startup entries or install Windows 11 on its own. For hands-on maintenance tasks, Microsoft points users to a separate app, Microsoft PC Manager, which is not available in every region.
