Microsoft may soon prevent the next major Windows 11 update (known as 24H2) from running on very old computers. This change is due to a newly discovered requirement for the POPCNT instruction, which many older CPUs do not support.
POPCNT is a CPU instruction used to count the number of set bits in a value. It has applications in cryptography and has been present in CPUs for decades.
Intel introduced POPCNT with its Nehalem architecture in 2008 and AMD with its Barcelona architecture in 2007. If your computer uses a CPU manufactured before those dates, there’s a possibility that it may no longer be compatible with future Windows 11 updates.
Since Microsoft already restricts Windows 11 installation to relatively modern processors (8th generation Intel chips or newer), this potential change won’t impact most users.
However, those who have bypassed Windows 11 hardware restrictions on older systems could run into problems during the next major update.
It’s unclear if this change is intentional or an accidental result of including newer CPU instructions during the development process.
A similar incident occurred recently in Windows 10, leading to compatibility problems for some older processors.
Microsoft has not yet officially commented on this situation. This development underscores Microsoft’s increasing focus on stricter hardware requirements for its operating systems.
Users with significantly older computers may want to consider the upcoming limitations if they plan to continue using Windows 11 long-term.
However, as mentioned earlier, Microsoft has restricted Windows 11 installation to compatible devices since its launch. So, if you’ve checked the compatibility list, there’s no need to worry; your device will continue to work normally.
Currently, Microsoft is finalizing the 24H2 version, slated for release to manufacturers (RTM) by April. If you’re eager to try out the 2024 update ahead of time, you can install the Insider Preview build of Windows 11 version 24H2 (Build 26052) through the Dev or Canary channel.
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(Via)
