Microsoft's upcoming change could block off Windows 11 CPU requirements bypass on old PCs

copyer · Feb 12, 2024

Yay, proc has that sse4.2
And looking in to get a 7700, if they still got sold..

Winuser · Feb 12, 2024

Berton said:
I already have Linux Mint on a computer, custom with Gigabyte board, Intel Core i7-4770 CPU. Most of the programs I regularly use are cross-platform, no issue if needing to change. And Linux has a new E-Mail client available called Evolution, looks good.

I'm running Linux Mint on two computers, a Mini-Pc and a Laptop in a VM so I won't have to start out as a newbie.

mackie · Feb 12, 2024

pietcorus2 said:
Look here ; Windows 11 24H2 to enforce hardware requirement - gHacks Tech News

I looked here and downloaded CPU-Z. Ran it and it shows my test pc is at SSE-4.1.

If this holds, will stay on 23H2 until Nov 2025.

bobkn · Feb 12, 2024

Wolfzz said:
Microsoft's upcoming change could block off Windows 11 CPU requirements bypass on old PCs

Microsoft is reportedly updating the CPU instruction support on Windows 11 with a new "POPCOUNT" instruction, which means systems with very old PCs won't be able to bypass requirements.

www.neowin.net

A bit weak on details.

Or are most of us supposed to already know which CPUs include PopCnt?

The link provided by "Bree" (Post 20) gives a list, although the way it is organized requires some additional digging. (At least, it would for me. I can never recall the Intel code name for whatever CPU I'm using.) Looks like Intel Core CPUs mostly (all?) have the instruction. That goes back to around 2010.

Bree · Feb 12, 2024

bobkn said:
A bit weak on details.

Or are most of us supposed to already know which CPUs include PopCnt?

The link provided by "Bree" (Post 20) gives a list, although the way it is organized requires some additional digging. (At least, it would for me. I can never recall the Intel code name for whatever CPU I'm using.) Looks like Intel Core CPUs mostly (all?) have the instruction. That goes back to around 2010.

Run CPU-Z. There's a Portable App version: CPU-Z Portable (system profiler) | PortableApps.com

According to the list here: SSE4 - Wikipedia if an Intel CPU has SSE4.2 then it should also have PopCnt. For AMD it requires SSE4a or above. My unsupported System Two with its 1st gen i5 looks good for 24H2.

siliconbeaver · Feb 12, 2024

How about if NOT very old? say just 5-8 yrs old.

hope the new Rule NOT kills PCs presently running Windows 11.

Wolfzz said:
Microsoft is reportedly updating the CPU instruction support on Windows 11 with a new "POPCOUNT" instruction, which means systems with very old PCs won't be able to bypass requirements.
www.neowin.net www.neowin.net

bobkn · Feb 12, 2024

Bree said:
Run CPU-Z. There's a Portable App version: CPU-Z Portable (system profiler) | PortableApps.com

According to the list here: SSE4 - Wikipedia if an Intel CPU has SSE4.2 then it should also have PopCnt. For AMD it requires SSE4a or above. My unsupported System Two with its 1st gen i5 looks good for 24H2.

View attachment 86922

Thanks for that. For people at my level of knowledge, this would be easier to use than your earlier link.

(No personal application for me. My desktops use newish CPUs, and my unsupported laptop has a Gen6 CPU.)

bobkn · Feb 12, 2024

siliconbeaver said:
How about if NOT very old? say just 5-8 yrs old.
hope the new Rule NOT kills PCs presently running Windows 11.

Why speculate? I suggest downloading CPU-Z (free), and checking as suggested by "Bree" (post 25).

siliconbeaver · Feb 12, 2024

thanks,

doing now.

bobkn said:
Why speculate? I suggest downloading CPU-Z (free), and checking as suggested by "Bree" (post 25).

Hazel123 · Feb 12, 2024

It's kind of mean not letting people run it on really old computers. What harm would it do microsoft for people to enjoy really old computers with a new operating system? Oh right - so yes it might mean they don't go out and buy a new computer.

bobkn · Feb 12, 2024

Hazel123 said:
It's kind of mean not letting people run it on really old computers. What harm would it do microsoft for people to enjoy really old computers with a new operating system? Oh right - so yes it might mean they don't go out and buy a new computer.

I'm not competent to agree or disagree.

MS claimed that the hardware requirements for 11 were security based. But most of the security features are present in 10, but not required. We were allowed to run unsecured PCs for years.

Kees · Feb 12, 2024

Hazel123 said:
What harm would it do microsoft for people to enjoy really old computers with a new operating system? Oh right - so yes it might mean they don't go out and buy a new computer.

As a matter of fact Microsoft has done that already with the introduction of Windows 11.
Because most people who own older PC's will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 when they have to use programs like Rufus to install W11 on a PC without UEFI and/or TPM2 (or other system specs MS is demanding). I think many people will buy a new system if they have not the right hardware to upgrade to W11.

godsey786 · Feb 12, 2024

Hazel123 said:
It's kind of mean not letting people run it on really old computers. What harm would it do microsoft for people to enjoy really old computers with a new operating system? Oh right - so yes it might mean they don't go out and buy a new computer.

Recently, there has been news about Windows BitLocker being hacked on older laptops with Windows 10.

Techspot created panic using a false headline stating ‘BitLocker is available in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.’ Instead, the headline should have stated that the hacking was done on a 10-year-old CPU.

erhanercan · Feb 12, 2024

Microsoft's priority should be to focus on stability and the absence of stupid bugs in the operating system. After that, I will hand over all my data to them on a silver platter and even give them money.

(Google Translate)

Stigg · Feb 12, 2024

Bree said:
Run CPU-Z. There's a Portable App version: CPU-Z Portable (system profiler) | PortableApps.com

According to the list here: SSE4 - Wikipedia if an Intel CPU has SSE4.2 then it should also have PopCnt. For AMD it requires SSE4a or above. My unsupported System Two with its 1st gen i5 looks good for 24H2.

View attachment 86922

The author also has a portable version.

CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

CPU-Z for Windows® x86/x64 is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system : Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels. Mainboard and chipset. Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD). Real time...

www.cpuid.com

The installer link is called SETUP and the portable version link is called ZIP.

NormanF · Feb 13, 2024

You can query if POPCNT is supported by looking up SSE4.1, SSE4.2 and SSE4.A in your CPUID instruction field.

If they're missing, you can't upgrade to 24H2.

Bree · Feb 13, 2024

NormanF said:
You can query if POPCNT is supported by looking up SSE4.1, SSE4.2 and SSE4.A in your CPUID instruction field.

If they're missing, you can't upgrade to 24H2.

SSE4.1 is not sufficient it that's all you have. PopCnt support came with SSE4.2 (for Intel) or SSE4a (for AMD).

NavyLCDR · Feb 13, 2024

I wonder if you could still apply and run an image using the dism /apply-image command in Windows PE?

That would only apply to clean installs, of course.

Ghot · Feb 14, 2024

Windows 11 24H2 has un-bypassable hardware requirements...

https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/12/windows-11-24h2-to-enforce-hardware-requirement/ CPU "must" have one or the other of these instruction sets (RED box). This requirement can NOT be bypassed...

www.elevenforum.com

Bree · Feb 14, 2024

NavyLCDR said:
I wonder if you could still apply and run an image using the dism /apply-image command in Windows PE?

That would only apply to clean installs, of course.

I'm sure you could - but without a PopCnt-capable cpu it's unlikely to be able to boot.