Posted 2/13/2024, 3:45:00 PM
Microsoft may end Windows 11 support for 15-year-old PCs lacking key CPU feature
- Microsoft may drop support for very old PCs lacking the POPCNT CPU instruction in Windows 11 24H2 update
- POPCNT counts set bits in a machine word, first appeared in late 2000s Intel and AMD chips
- Lack of POPCNT may prevent Windows 11 from booting on 15+ year old PCs after 24H2 update
- Unlikely to impact many mainstream users as Windows 11 requirements exclude pre-8th gen Intel chips
- Serves as a reminder that even Microsoft is getting stricter about minimum hardware requirements