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The next major update of Microsoft's operating system, namely Windows 11 24H2 will arrive soon, and with this update, Microsoft is seen to have updated their operating system code where it now requires a CPU to support the POPCNT instruction set to enable the update to be downloaded and installed .
This set of POPCNT commands is commonly used for the purpose of "booting" the Windows operating system, and also for the USB XHCI driver software of a computer. Typically, after this update, if a computer's CPU does not support this instruction set, they will not be able to use the latest Windows 11 operating system.
So HUGE discovery found in Windows 11 Version 24H2, since build 25905.
A CPU with the instruction "POPCNT" IS NOW REQUIRED!
There are various system files requiring the POPCNT CPU instruction, from the Windows 11 kernel to the USB XHCI drivers.
Without POPCNT, it doesn't boot! pic.twitter.com/vCWYvzfu6k
— Bob Pony (@TheBobPony) February 11, 2024
It may also sound like a serious problem, but the POPCNT instruction set is already supported on all modern CPUs. In fact, it was introduced since the first generation Intel Core CPU series and also on the AMD Phenom CPU series in the early 2000s.
This latest update means that CPUs launched before that era will no longer be supported, especially CPUs in the era of Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon, AMD Sempron and so on. If you're someone who likes to use retro components to power new software and operating systems, this might be less exciting news for you.