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Minimum requirements

Minimum requirements are the lowest hardware and software specifications that a computer or other device must meet for particular software to be installed and run.

In plain English

This means the basic level a device has to reach for the software to be installed and run. It includes both physical capabilities and the software setup. The focus is on the lowest acceptable specifications, not better ones.

In context

Here, "Minimum requirements" names the section that states the lowest hardware and software specifications a device must meet for the software to be installed and run.

Situation
Installing, updating, licensing, and checking compatibility for applications
What it communicates
names the baseline requirements section for installation or use

Meaning limits

The term by itself does not say whether higher specifications are recommended or how well the software will perform once those minimums are met.

Examples

“Her desktop met the minimum requirements for the editor only after she added more memory and updated the operating system.”

Core meaning

“Under Minimum requirements, the guide lists the oldest operating system version and the least memory needed to run the software.”

In context