Many users may find themselves with obsolete devices in the not too distant future, forced to upgrade their computer.
Technological evolution is a double-edged sword: on the one hand it offers increasingly advanced and high-performance tools, on the other it makes once cutting-edge devices obsolete. This process of continuous innovation pushes companies to develop software that requires increasingly powerful hardware, creating a cycle of technological renewal that not everyone is able to follow. Updates are essential for device security and performance, but for older computer models, they can also spell the end of the road.
Each new operating system update brings with it a wave of changes, some of which may have significant impacts on a wide range of users. The upcoming release of Windows 11 24H2 is no exception. It is therefore essential to understand what the effects of these software evolutions will be on the devices currently in use and what criteria will determine the compatibility of the systems with the new versions.
Old computers and updates: the eternal struggle with the new that advances
The heart of the Windows 11 24H2 update lies in its system requirements, particularly regarding the processor. Computers with CPUs that do not support SSE4.2 instructionsessential for managing complex calculations and improving overall system performance, they will not be able to install the update. These instructions are essential for the correct functioning of the operating system and their absence prevents the installation of new versions.
This change mainly affects older PCs. For example, all Intel processors released after 2008 and AMD processors after 2011 include support for SSE4.2, which means most computers manufactured in the last decade should be able to support the upgrade. However, older devices, especially those pre-2008, will not be compatible with Windows 11 24H2.
The data shows that computers that do not meet these requirements are a minority. However, for this segment of users, the update marks a critical moment: they will need to purchase new hardware if they want to continue using the latest version of Windows. Not only that, but the hardware limitations of these old devices often do not allow them to fully exploit the potential of modern software, compromising user experience and security.
Looking to the future, Microsoft has announced that future versions of Windows 11 will take advantage of even more advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and Copilot AI, which will require even higher technical specifications. For example, future versions will require a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of handling a huge volume of operations per second, requirements that only a few supercomputers can currently meet.
