Microsoft’s next Windows 11 24H2 update is expected to arrive with yet another hardware requirement. Centered around SSE4.2 or Streaming SIMD Extensions 4.2, a crucial component for modern processors, the new Windows 11 24H2 with build 26080 will only boot on CPUs that support the instruction set. This basically means that Windows 11 may stop working on your PC if you want to use the new version.
Attention! Windows 11 may stop working on your PC!
This information comes from https://twitter.com/TheBobPony/status/1781922187252797805 (formerly known as Twitter). This follows previous reports in February where it stated that CPUs without support for the POPCNT instruction were no longer compatible with Windows 11. The updated requirement is essentially the same. However, they now require the entire SSE 4.2 instruction set instead of just the POPCNT instruction within it, as was previously required.
These newly discovered changes surpass the initial criteria for being eligible to install or upgrade to Windows 11, which included secure boot, TPM support, and a newer Kaby Lake or CPU. Notably, POPCNT and SSE 4.2 requirements will be exclusive to 24H2. However, they are expected to extend to subsequent iterations of Windows 11.
While this change is likely intended to optimize performance and ensure compatibility with newer hardware architectures, Microsoft has essentially made life more difficult for users who want to run the latest version of Windows 11.
It’s important to note that the Windows 11 hardware compatibility list excludes older CPUs.
This means that anyone with compatible hardware should not be affected by the stringent requirements. However, users with older hardware and limited knowledge navigating the hardware check may encounter challenges.
With the release of Windows 11 24H2 expected later this fall, AI is expected to be a big focus for Microsoft. With Intel, AMD and even Qualcomm bringing new chips with integrated neural processing units (NPU), Copilot in Windows 11 24H2 should bring much-needed improvements. Furthermore, we can expect news like “Super Resolution”. So you can use AI to increase graphics quality in games, support for voice clarity, a renewed power saving mode and several other design changes.
