A couple of weeks ago, changes to the Windows 11 24H2 CPU requirements support document aimed at OEMs stirred up a whirlwind of confusion and mi’s truths within the tech and Windows community. There were reports that flooded social media claiming that Microsoft were no longer supporting a heap of older CPUs on and after the Windows 24H2 update marking them as “unsupported”.
Microsoft have come back saying that this was a essentially a classic case of miscommunication and as a result they have updated their blog to ensure better clarity.
The Source of the Confusion
The misunderstanding came about when Microsoft updated its documentation to recommend newer CPUs to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers like Dell, HP etc) madaring the use of newer processors and chipsets for new devices. This might sound obvious, after all if you buying a new device in 2025, you’d expect it not to be based on five year old technology such as 8th or 9th generqtion processors especially in the wave of demand for NPU supported internals to support the growing wave of edge AI powered software.
In shirt, many misinterpreted this and read it as Microsoft changing the core Windows 11 compatibility ability requirements which they have not.
Clarity on support for older CPUs
Just to confirm, Microsoft have not and are not excluded older CPUs from running Windows 11 outside of the already well communicated compatibility requirements. Microsoft’s updated clarified documentation explicitly lists Intel’s 8th, 9th, and 10th-generation processors among the CPUs that are supported CPUs, along with a few other models.
The clarity also re states the restrictions are for OEMs, ensuring that users are not “conned” into buying value priced new devices built on old and aging chipsets.
What this means for Users.
In short, “Keep Calm and Carry on”. The updated support document is primarily intended for OEMs, guiding their decisions for new hardware production. Although it’s unlikely that manufacturers will or would priotise older CPUs for upcoming Windows 11-capable PCs, the list ensures flexibility for scenarios where such hardware might still be utilised and also gives consumers and buyers better confidence.
For users with existing devices running on these processors, this clarification provides the following reassurance: older yet reliable and compatible hardware will continue to be supported in the Windows 11 24H2 ecosystem.
Windows 11 hardware requirements
The link below takes you to Microsoft’s official communications and compatibility requirements for Windows 11.
Most of the time, security and annual and semi annual feature updates in Windows are built on the same core OS platform. This means that the changes and new features in these updates are / updated on top of that particular OS build.
This is not the case with the latest Windows 11 24H2 Update which is starting to roll out now.
Why is the Windows 11 24H2 update different?
Unlike previous updates to Windows 11, Windows 11 24H2 is delivered as an update to existing devices with Windows 11 installed. This update is essentially a whole new version of Windows and yes, some have dubbed it Windows 12 – because it is, in all purposes a new OS version that is installed over (OS Swap) on the top of the existing OS – making it a new version.
This approach is the same as when Windows 11 was released back in 2021 and was (of course) an OS upgrade on-top of Windows 10. Many saw Windows 11 as “just a UI refresh.” But it was actually a totally new build of Windows. It had major architectural and security changes throughout the OS. Updates like Windows 11 version 22H2 and version 23H2 introduced many new features, but these updates were fundamentally built on the same underlying Windows 11 OS platform.
Windows 24H2 is a new OS
Windows 11 24H2 update is built on a totally new platform (codenamed Germanium) which brings fundamental under-the-hood changes to the core of the Windows 11 Operating System. Many of these updates and changes will not be obvious or event visible to a typical user, but many of them are fundamental changes. For example, one significant improvement with this release is much better optimisation for ARM based devices such as the new Snapdragon Powered Copilot+ PC devices like the Surface Laptop 7.
This is also why this update launched preinstalled on Snapdragon X series PCs. The feature set wasn’t completely finished when they launched, but the code base was needed to take advantage of the new features which are now rolling out.
The question asked by many is – “Is Windows 11 24H2 really Windows 12 then“?
So why isn’t it called Windows 12?
Good question. Well, whilst this is a major update under the hood the UI does look the same as before, and in terms of new features for existing PCs, many of the new things are subtle and reflective of the ongoing tweaks and changes such as finally moving those legacy “Control Panel” updates to Settings. As such there is nothing in 24H2 that really says “hey – this is a brand-new operating system” – and that’s a good thing I think (right now anyway).
In the past, we typically received a “new version” of Windows release every three or so years, and as such it was possible to “upgrade” from one to the next if you were willing to buy a new Windows license (or a new device with a new license).
Of course, most people did not want to do that, which meant that most of us (consumers anyway), only got a new OS update when they bought a new PC/Laptop – which included the latest license you needed. for the “current OS”. That’s how Windows upgrades worked for most people anyway!
Windows 11 version 24H2, it is basically the same thing. Whilst this update is available for existing PCs (it’s also free) there’s very little that is new and shiny for existing devices.
All the big news and new features are part of the new generation of devices – the Copilot+ PCs and AI PCs – and most of those new AI features will only work (be activated) on these new devices – since they need a PC with a chipset that includes an NPU with over 40TOPS of performance – this is basically new devices launched after June 18, 2024 (or even later, if you want to get an AI PC based on the AMD or Intel PC).
So back to the point, yes Copilot+ and AI PCs are essentially Windows 12 with all the features it introduces but still under then branding (as the UI has not changed) as Windows 11.
What does a Copilot+ PC and Windows 11 24H2 Bring then?
Right now, what Copilot+ devices do add some cool new AI features which I would say currently appeal to tech enthusiasts and those that run AI workloads (or plan too). You do get live captions with real-time translation in any app, have the ability to use new AI features in apps like Paint using a “cached” LLM on the device and new you’ll soon get features like Recall, Click-To-Do, and generative fill which are also huge new features that are all exclusive to those new Copilot+ and AI PCs devices.
Will there be a Windows 12?
We don’t know to be honest – not yet anyway. It is clear to me that Microsoft are working to ensure they don’t abandon or upset their existing users and create confusion.
With Windows 10 going end of support in October 2025 (that’s a year from now), creating a Windows 12 brand will likely up-set many businesses that are in a transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
This version of Windows 11, will include a whole load of features that will be exclusive to the newer AI PC hardware such as the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11. This still creates an incentive for people to buy new PC with shiny features (that makes PC companies like Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft happy) whilst still ensuring the Windows 11 OS is modern and fresh. Existing devices can still upgrade to Windows 24H2, but they won’t get these new AI features (you need that NPU remember).
Will Microsoft ever unveil plans to release a formal Windows 12? I really don’t know at the moment. I think a new “branded” version will come at some point in the next couple of years. They may just call it Windows – something we thought Microsoft were going to do when Windows 10 was released.
What do you think – should Windows just be called Windows 25H1 for example, or do we prefer a version number. I’m a Windows / Surface MVP and I don’t know any more than you right now (of course if I did, I couldn’t tell you – but I honestly do not know!)
