But really very old CPUs will not work
No Windows 12 this year ? Microsoft has confirmed that it is preparing a huge Windows 11 24H2 update
Microsoft seems to want to block the ability to install the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update on computers with older processors.
In this case, we are no longer talking about such a limitation that Windows 11 formally has from the start. Microsoft reportedly wants to make it a requirement to support the POPCNT instruction.
This instruction is supported by fairly old CPUs, many of which are not formally suitable for installing Windows 11 at all. But the lack of POPCNT support will likely be a bigger barrier to installing the update on older PCs.
For example, Intel Core 2 Duo processors do not support the required instruction. Intel first added support to the first generation Core i processors, and AMD added such support to processors based on the Barcelona architecture.
Most likely, craftsmen will find a way to circumvent the ban, but for ordinary users this will be an additional obstacle.