Hot Take Windows 11 24H2 to Enforce New Hardware Requirement

[vtqhtr413]

Microsoft is working on the next feature update for Windows 11 currently, which it calls Windows 11 version 24H2. The company confirmed the name of the update this month and ended speculations that it would release Windows 12 instead this year.

The feature update focuses on AI functionality, but it will also include a change that affects some devices running Windows 11 negatively. It appears that Microsoft is introducing a new hardware requirement in Windows 11 version 24H2 that prevents systems that do not support it from booting the operating system.

What makes this more troubling than the general hardware requirements of Windows 11, which can be bypassed, is that this particular requirement cannot be bypassed. If the CPU does not support POPCNT, Windows 11 version 24H2 will not boot. The instruction requires a processors that supports SSE4.2 or SSE4a.

The change affects Intel and AMD processors that are relatively old. Intel launched support for SSE4.2 in Intel Nehalem core processors in late 2008. AMD added support for the instructions in late 2011. Older processors continued to be sold for some time.

Windows 11 24H2 to enforce hardware requirement - gHacks Tech News

Windows 11 version 24H2 may enforce a new hardware requirement that will block older processors from running the operating system.

www.ghacks.net

 

[TairikuOkami]

If the CPU does not support POPCNT, Windows 11 version 24H2 will not boot.

So MS is creating that problem again, like during forced Windows 10 upgrades on laptops. Windows Upgrade has been postponed, because your hardware is not supported.
2 years later: A forced upgrade for security, because you current version is not supported anymore, regardless of hardware incompatibility. BSOD: OS can not boot, buy a new PC.

 

[LennyFox]

I just checked the specs of the CPU of my laptop it supports SSE4.2 and SSE4a. To be honest, my old Linux patoto desktop with a CPU benchmark less than 50% of my laptop (and a SSD speed of only 25% of my laptop) feels as snappy as my laptop, so when Microsoft keeps increasing hardware requirements, I will simply move to Linux completely.

 

[Ink]

I see no issues from the new hardware requirements.

1. Windows is a product of Microsoft.
2. Microsoft = Generate business from their products and services.
3. Microsoft are heavily invested into AI for Windows and their Online services.
4. SSE4.x and POPCNT contribute towards AI in Windows.
5. Microsoft do not tend to the needs of their user base, unless they can see #2.

Incompatible PCs can continue to use Windows 11 23H2.

In other news, I asked two AI for the technical details, here's what they said:

Spoiler: Brave Leo

Does AI require SSE4 and POPCNT?

Yes, AI applications, including machine learning and deep learning algorithms, can benefit from the use of SIMD instructions like SSE4 and `popcnt`. These instructions can accelerate various computations, such as matrix operations and bitwise calculations, which are common in AI applications. By leveraging these instructions, AI algorithms can execute faster, consume less power, and provide better performance, making them more efficient and effective.

Spoiler: Copilot with GPT-4

Does AI require SSE4 and POPCNT?

Certainly! Let’s delve into the technical details regarding AI requirements related to SSE4 and POPCNT instructions.

1. SSE4 (Streaming SIMD Extensions 4):
   • SSE4 stands for Streaming SIMD Extensions 4, which is an instruction set architecture extension for x86 processors.
   • It provides a set of instructions that enhance parallel processing capabilities, especially useful for multimedia and scientific computing tasks.
   • SSE4.2 specifically includes instructions for string manipulation, vectorized integer operations, and CRC32 checksum calculations.
   • AI workloads can benefit from SSE4.2 due to improved performance in certain operations.
   • Intel Nehalem core processors introduced support for SSE4.2 in late 2008 [1].
   • AMD processors also added support for SSE4.2 in late 2011 [1].
2. POPCNT (Population Count):
   • POPCNT is an instruction that counts the number of set bits (1s) in a binary value.
   • It is particularly useful for tasks involving bit manipulation, such as searching, hashing, and AI algorithms.
   • Windows 11 version 24H2 enforces a new hardware requirement: systems must support POPCNT to boot the operating system.
   • Unlike other hardware requirements, this one cannot be bypassed.
   • If your CPU lacks POPCNT, Windows 11 version 24H2 will not boot.
   • The instruction also requires a processor that supports SSE4.2 or SSE4a.
   • This change affects older Intel and AMD processors that do not meet these requirements [1].
3. Checking Compatibility:
   • To determine if your processor supports SSE4.2, you can use tools like CPU-Z.
   • Download CPU-Z from the official website and run it.
   • Check the CPU tab to see which instructions your processor supports.

Remember, while these requirements are essential for Windows 11 version 24H2, older systems can continue using Windows 11 version 23H2 until 2025 [1]. If you’re curious about your CPU’s capabilities, give CPU-Z a try!

 

[Morro]

According to HWinfo my PC supports these …

SSE
SSE-2
SSE-3
SSSE-3
SSE4.1
SSE4.2

Not SSE-4a for some reason, but I guess that means 24H2 should work on my PC once it comes out?

 

[LennyFox]

I see no issues from the new hardware requirements.

Incompatible PCs can continue to use Windows 11 23H2.
----- until 2025

People who participate in the two-year mobile replacement frenzy also cycle also seem to replace their PC's every three to four years, so those consumers probably don't see an issues, but ..some people can't financially afford to buy new stuff every four years or simply don't want to replace a device that still works fine ... and may have issues.

That said, I agree with you: there is a better alternative for old hardware (Linux) and my three year old laptop still qualifies for 2024H2

 

[roger_m]

I will no longer be able to run Windows 11 on my 18 year old Core 2 Duo laptop. Despite the age, performance was decent, once I disabled Microsoft Defender.

 

[HarborFront]

My 13th Gen laptop Intel CPU below supports SSE4.2 means it has POPCNT support, right? It's not stated in the spec

Intel® Core™ i7-1360P Processor (18M Cache, up to 5.00 GHz) Product Specifications

Intel® Core™ i7-1360P Processor (18M Cache, up to 5.00 GHz) quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

EDIT - POPCNT is part of the SSE4.2 instruction set

 

[HarborFront]

According to HWinfo my PC supports these …

SSE
SSE-2
SSE-3
SSSE-3
SSE4.1
SSE4.2

Not SSE-4a for some reason, but I guess that means 24H2 should work on my PC once it comes out?

Quote

The SSE4a instruction set is unique to AMD processors and is not supported by the Intel IPP library.

Unquote

SSE4a instructions support

Hello. We are using Intel IPP library version 5.3. And facing a problems on AMD processors with SSE4a instruction set. Wich version of IPP library supports this instruction set? How to get this version (what is licensing policy)?

community.intel.com

 

[scorpionv]

Bad news for compact low power servers / HTPCs etcetera, even fairly recent Intel Atom CPUs do not have anything above SSE3.

Anything to boost hardware sales...

 

[Morro]

Quote

The SSE4a instruction set is unique to AMD processors and is not supported by the Intel IPP library.

Unquote

SSE4a instructions support

Hello. We are using Intel IPP library version 5.3. And facing a problems on AMD processors with SSE4a instruction set. Wich version of IPP library supports this instruction set? How to get this version (what is licensing policy)?

community.intel.com

Thank you for explaining that.

 

[NormanF]

So MS is creating that problem again, like during forced Windows 10 upgrades on laptops. Windows Upgrade has been postponed, because your hardware is not supported.
2 years later: A forced upgrade for security, because you current version is not supported anymore, regardless of hardware incompatibility. BSOD: OS can not boot, buy a new PC.

You can buy a used PC made after 2010.

 

[NormanF]

According to HWinfo my PC supports these …

SSE
SSE-2
SSE-3
SSSE-3
SSE4.1
SSE4.2

Not SSE-4a for some reason, but I guess that means 24H2 should work on my PC once it comes out?

Yup. SSE4.A is found on AMD chips.

 

[NormanF]

My 13th Gen laptop Intel CPU below supports SSE4.2 means it has POPCNT support, right? It's not stated in the spec

Intel® Core™ i7-1360P Processor (18M Cache, up to 5.00 GHz) Product Specifications

Intel® Core™ i7-1360P Processor (18M Cache, up to 5.00 GHz) quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

EDIT - POPCNT is part of the SSE4.2 instruction set

Modern PCs should be eligible. If you have an old PC, you can keep running 23H2 until end of life in 2025 or move to Linux or Chromeflex OS.

 

[silversurfer]

Microsoft raising Windows 11 24H2 system requirement to block CPUs without SSE4.2 and PopCnt​

Microsoft raising Windows 11 24H2 system requirement to block CPUs without SSE4.2 and PopCnt

Microsoft recently added a compatibility block wherein very old unsupported CPUs like Intel's Core 2 Duo, are no longer able to bypass Windows 11 system requirements during version 24H2 setup.

www.neowin.net

 

[NormanF]

Both of my mobile workstations were made after 2010 and the cpu has SSE4.2

You can check with CPUID-Z to determine whether your PC can run 24H2.

 

[silversurfer]

Microsoft to warn if your Windows 11 PC doesn't meet system requirements for AI Explorer​

Microsoft is also setting a baseline requirement for the AI File Explorer. Code related to such system requirements was discovered recently. Windows user and Twitter (now X) user Albacore, who uncovered the requirements code first, found out that a cautionary message will be displayed on such systems not meeting the requirements. This is sort of similar to the missing PopCnt message or a system requirements not met watermark.

Microsoft to warn if your Windows 11 PC doesn't meet system requirements for AI Explorer

Microsoft is looking to display a system requirements cautionary message on Windows 11 24H2 PCs for when such a PC fails to meet the requirements for the upcoming AI-powered File Explorer.

www.neowin.net

 

[vtqhtr413]

A working trick to make your incompatible device fit to install Windows 11

To install Windows 11 on incompatible devices, select the Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC edition, designed for specific hardware.

windowsreport.com

As Windows 10 approaches its end of life, many users wonder about and explore options. If you don’t want to ditch your device yet but want to use the latest Windows operating system, you should consider Windows IoT editions (previously known as Windows Embedded).

With this new trick, you can easily bypass the Windows 11 system requirements check at the time of installation. All you need to do is select the Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC edition, a special OS version designed for specific hardware. Your device doesn’t have to go through a hardware compatibility check by choosing this option.

The LTSC version, or Long-Term Servicing Channel edition, is for organizations that don’t want to install Windows updates frequently; therefore, they get a major version upgrade every 2 to 3 years. You get five years of mainstream support plus five years of extended support.

In a recent tweet, Bob Pony mentioned on X (Formerly known as Twitter):