Microsoft has officially commenced the rollout of its highly anticipated annual Windows 11 update, designated as the 2024 Update or Windows 11 24H2. This phased deployment begins today, targeting users with Windows 11 PCs currently operating on versions 22H2 or 23H2 who have opted for quicker access to new feature updates.
New Features and Enhancements
The 24H2 update introduces a suite of new features aimed at enhancing user experience. Among these is the innovative Energy Saver feature, which replaces the previous Battery Saver settings. Additionally, the update brings support for Wi-Fi 7 and 80Gbps USB4 Version 2.0 ports, along with text labels for common actions such as copy and paste within the right-click context menu. Users will also notice refinements in the functionality of the Quick Settings panels.
For those fortunate enough to possess PCs that meet the stringent requirements of the Copilot+ program—specifically, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of performing at least 40 trillion operations per second—Windows 11 24H2 will eventually unveil an array of advanced features. These include an enhanced Recall feature, an improved Windows Search function, a “super resolution” capability for the Photos app that upscales older images, and innovative generative fill and erase functionalities in the Paint app.
Notably, the 24H2 update marks the most significant transformation to Windows 11 since the 22H2 update two years prior, and it may be the most consequential update since the operating system’s initial launch in 2021. Despite speculation suggesting a potential rebranding to “Windows 12,” Microsoft has opted to retain the existing branding. The preceding 23H2 update primarily served to refresh security updates without altering the core operating system.
Technical Improvements
Beyond user interface enhancements and application updates, Microsoft has emphasized that the 24H2 update encompasses substantial improvements to the compiler, kernel, and scheduler. Users can expect enhanced performance and compatibility, particularly with the operating system’s Arm-to-x86 app translation layer, now referred to as “Prism.”
Having been accessible through the Windows Insider Release Preview channel since May, the 24H2 update has demonstrated stability for everyday use, albeit with the possibility of encountering occasional edge cases. Some new PCs, particularly those equipped with Snapdragon X processors and AI-focused chips from AMD and Intel, have already been utilizing Windows 11 24H2 for several months. Today’s announcement specifically pertains to Windows 11 PCs running older versions.
System Requirements
Importantly, the 24H2 update does not alter the official system requirements for Windows 11, which still necessitate a PC manufactured around 2018 or later. However, the criteria for unsupported installations have tightened, likely due to the recent updates to the compiler and kernel. Windows 11 will now only boot on 64-bit PCs that support the SSE 4.2 instruction set and the POPCNT instruction. Intel’s first-generation Core CPUs introduced SSE 4.2 support in 2008, while AMD incorporated it into its Bulldozer architecture in 2011. Consequently, many older 64-bit Intel Core 2 and AMD Athlon and Sempron CPUs that previously managed to run earlier versions of Windows 11 may no longer be compatible.
