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You can’t install Windows 11 24H2 if you don’t have a SSE 4.2 CPU

Windows 11 24H2 has another requirement that no one has thought about

2 min. read

Published onApril 22, 2024

published onApril 22, 2024

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The newWindows 11 24H2is coming soon, but Insiders got to test it in various iterations, including theLTSC version for OEMs. However, according to a few users who’ve tried to boot it, there are some issues to deal with from the start.

Bob Ponyreported on Xthat Windows 11 Build 26080 now requires a CPU with SSE 4.2 to run, otherwise, the system will loop reboot indefinitely.

⚠️ 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 instruction present will trigger an automatic reboot once it reaches the boot screen phase.https://t.co/iLkYuqQojZpic.twitter.com/5RCxzoFexQ

What is SSE 4.2 and why does Windows 11 requires this feature?

As you might have imagined, SSE is an acronym for Streaming SIMD Extensions, a set of instructions embedded into the latest CPUs to enhance multimedia and mathematical operations. Some applications such as Adobe Creative Cloud require SSE 4.2.

The problem is that Windows 11 requires SSE 4.2 because it has a component called POPCNT (Population count – a string of bits, not the actual people count). Intel implemented POPCNT beginning with the Nehalem microarchitecture and AMD implemented it starting with the Barcelona microarchitecture.

Nehalem architecture was introduced by Intel in 2008 and AMD has it in AMD 10h CPUs from 2007 so, if you have a relatively new machine, your processor comes with SSE 4.2 and you can relax.

However, you can still check if you have it. To do that, open System Information and find the Processor section. Then, check the CPU specifications online for your processor to see if it is SSE 4.2 compatible.

For instance, I looked up my Intel CPU of the official website and found out that it is SSE 4.2 ready. You may also use a dedicated tool for CPUs such as theIntel Processor Identification Utilityor any other such tool.

Now, we don’t know exactly if Microsoft knows about this exclusion or if Windows 11 really needs this feature to run, but right now, it seems that the new update won’t boot without it.

However, there are a lot of chances that if you have an older PC with a 2006 or older CPU, it won’t boot Windows 11 anyway because of other system requirements.

Do you have an older PC? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

More about the topics:24h2,CPU,Windows 11

Claudiu Andone

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.

His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.

With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!

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Claudiu Andone

Windows Toubleshooting Expert

Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft

With KB5043178 to Release Preview Channel, Microsoft advises Windows 11 users to plug in when the battery is low#

Copilot in Outlook will generate personalized themes for you to customize the app#

Microsoft will raise the price of its 365 Suite to include AI capabilities#

Death Stranding Director’s Cut is now Xbox X|S at a huge discount#

Outlook will let users create custom account icons so they can tell their accounts apart easier#

You can’t install Windows 11 24H2 if you don’t have a SSE 4.2 CPU#

What is SSE 4.2 and why does Windows 11 requires this feature?#