The next major Windows 11 update has a new hardware requirement

Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update is expected to introduce 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 build 26080 will only boot on CPUs that support the instruction set.

This information comes from Bob Pony on X (formerly known as Twitter), following previous posts in February where he claimed that CPUs that do not support the POPCNT instruction are no longer compatible with Windows 11. The updated requirement is essentially the same, except that they now require the full SSE 4.2 instruction set instead of just the POPCNT instruction within it, as was previously required.

⚠️ UPDATE: Since Windows 11 Build 26080, a CPU with the SSE4.2 instruction is ALSO REQUIRED TO BOOT Windows 11 Version 24H2!!

Attempting to boot Build 26080+ on systems without the SSE4.2 directive present will result in an automatic reboot once the boot screen stage is reached. https://t.co/iLkYuqQojZ photo.twitter.com/5RCxzoFexQ

– Bob Pony (@TheBobPony) April 21, 2024

These newly discovered changes surpass the initial eligibility criteria for installing or updating to Windows 11, including Secure Boot, TPM support, and a Kaby Lake or newer CPU. Notably, POPCNT and the SSE 4.2 requirements will be exclusive to 24H2 and are expected to be expanded across later iterations of Windows 11.

While this move was likely intended to streamline performance and ensure compatibility with newer hardware architectures, Microsoft has actually made things more difficult for users wanting to run the latest version of Windows 11.

It's important to note that Windows 11's hardware compatibility list excludes older CPUs, meaning anyone with compatible hardware shouldn't be affected by the strict requirements. However, users with outdated hardware and limited expertise navigating the hardware check may encounter challenges.

With Windows 11 24H2 coming later this fall, AI is expected to be a big focus for Microsoft. With Intel, AMD, and even Qualcomm releasing new chips with integrated Neural Processing Units (NPU), Copilot in Windows 11 24H2 should bring much-needed improvements. In addition, we can expect new gaming features such as “Super Resolution,” which can use AI to improve graphics quality in games, support for voice clarity, a revamped power saving mode, and several other design changes.