Windows 11 Update Leaves Some Older PCs Behind
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Windows 11 24H2 update requires CPUs to support the POPCNT instruction, leaving some older systems unable to upgrade.
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POPCNT is used for workloads like error correction and AI neural networks. May be required for upcoming Windows 11 AI features.
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POPCNT has been supported by all Intel CPUs since Nehalem and AMD CPUs since Barcelona (Phenom II).
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The POPCNT requirement will mostly affect those running Windows 11 on very old CPUs like Pentiums.
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Users bypassing the POPCNT check will not be able to install the Windows 11 24H2 update without modifications.