From d7985b2e6d073867fea9cc739e2370ef04abf694 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:10:22 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 1/2] Initial plan


From b997869af13c9c243d41e9e0df9478a00d5dc0cf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:15:04 +0000
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] Add clear OS requirements documentation with matrix

Co-authored-by: mattwojo <7566797+mattwojo@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 TerminalDocs/distributions.md | 28 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 TerminalDocs/install.md       |  5 +++++
 2 files changed, 33 insertions(+)

diff --git a/TerminalDocs/distributions.md b/TerminalDocs/distributions.md
index f8df5a1e..709580be 100644
--- a/TerminalDocs/distributions.md
+++ b/TerminalDocs/distributions.md
@@ -7,6 +7,34 @@ ms.topic: how-to
 
 # Windows Terminal distribution types
 
+## System Requirements
+
+Windows Terminal requires **Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later**. The following table shows which Windows versions are supported:
+
+| Operating System | Version | Build Number | Supported |
+|------------------|---------|--------------|-----------|
+| **Windows 11** | All versions | 22000+ | ✅ Yes |
+| **Windows 10** | Version 2004 (May 2020 Update) and later | 19041+ | ✅ Yes |
+| **Windows 10** | Version 1909 and earlier | 18363 and earlier | ❌ No |
+| **Windows Server 2022** | All versions | 20348+ | ✅ Yes |
+| **Windows Server 2019** | All versions | 17763 | ❌ No |
+| **Windows Server 2016** | All versions | 14393 | ❌ No |
+
+### Why these requirements?
+
+Windows Terminal uses modern Windows platform APIs and UI frameworks (including the Universal Windows Platform and Windows UI Library) that were introduced and stabilized in Windows 10 version 2004. These APIs are essential for Terminal's features, including:
+
+- Modern UI rendering and theming
+- GPU-accelerated text rendering
+- Advanced input handling
+- Multi-window and tab management
+
+**Windows Server 2016 and 2019** are based on older Windows 10 builds (14393 and 17763, respectively) that don't include these required platform features. If you're using these Windows Server versions, consider using the traditional console host (`conhost.exe`) or upgrading to Windows Server 2022.
+
+---
+
+## Distribution formats
+
 Windows Terminal is available through [GitHub releases] in several formats:
 
 - Packaged, or "MSIX bundle"
diff --git a/TerminalDocs/install.md b/TerminalDocs/install.md
index 055a55c1..61d857bd 100644
--- a/TerminalDocs/install.md
+++ b/TerminalDocs/install.md
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ ms.topic: quickstart
 
 # Install and get started setting up Windows Terminal
 
+## System Requirements
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]
+> Windows Terminal requires Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later. For a complete list of supported operating systems, see the [System Requirements section](./distributions.md#system-requirements) on the Windows Terminal distribution types page.
+
 ## Install
 
 > [!div class="nextstepaction"]