Microsoft has recently announced a requirement for the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 build, stating that the processor must support the POPCNT instruction. According to reports by Bob Pony on X, Windows 11 will not work without this instruction, as several system files now require it, starting with the Windows 11 kernel.
The POPCNT instruction, short for “population count,” counts the number of set bits (ones) in a machine word. This seemingly ancient instruction, introduced in the 1960s, is essential for various purposes such as cryptography, data compression algorithms, bioinformatics, machine learning, and AI.
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’s speculated that Microsoft’s move to require this 60-year-old instruction in the next Windows build is to ensure that all Windows 11 PCs are capable of supporting binary neural networks. The introduction of this requirement, alongside the existing TPM 2.0 requirement, may pose a challenge for enthusiasts attempting to run newer operating systems on outdated hardware.
However, for the majority of users with relatively modern PCs, this new requirement is unlikely to be an issue. Microsoft seems to be taking steps to ensure that AI-capable PCs become the norm, with features such as auto upscaling expected in the next big patch.
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