Artificial intelligence has crept in everywhere, as everyone tries to add it in some way, even if it is not particularly necessary. Microsoft has added it, through Copilot, to its most recent operating system. Well then, Windows 11 will show a watermark which indicates that our computer is incompatible with the AI because of our processor.
To date, the only watermark that appeared on Microsoft’s most recent operating systems had to do with activation. If you didn’t purchase a license, you were reminded that you were using the free version at all times to force you to purchase a license.
Microsoft wants you to change processor
Windows 11 establishes somewhat strict requirements, such as a detailed list of supported processors and the obligation to use the TPM 2.0 module. Now it is added as a requirement that the processor must support the artificial intelligence that Microsoft has introduced in its operating system.
The person who found this element in the code is Albacore, who published it on Twitter. It has been found that there is a new requirement, which would be the mandatory support of the SSE4.2 instructions. You should know that this is not a big problem either, since most processors that support Windows 11 already support this type of instructions.
Looking at bits present in insider build 26200, AI Explorer indeed checks these requirements and if they aren’t met, a warning will be present in its overlays. You can however skip the check altogether by disabling ID 48486440. This only disables AIX making the check, not the API https://t.co/XmnjzCZqEw
April 26, 2024 • 16:02
It is still important that Microsoft adds an element of verification of support for AI. Surely, it has to do with applications like Copilot Advanced and AI File Explorer, new features to come. It has also been discovered the inclusion soon of DirectX AI Super Resolution.
It was within the Insiders Build 26200 where this information and other relevant information was found. It also highlights the requirements for AI Explorer. The need for processors to support the new instructions is highlighted and the system must have at least 16 GB of RAM.
Albadore has highlighted that he has found a method to avoid the verification process. This scan can be avoided by disabling ID 48486440 in the RTM build. But, most likely, in the final version it will not be possible to avoid scanning.
The instruction check could be intended to prevent Windows 11 24H2, the next major update to the operating system, from starting. Previously, data on locking mechanisms have already been found if the processor does not support SSE4.2 instructions. Come on, it’s a new mechanism to prevent this operating system from being installed on “non-compatible” computers.
Preparations for Windows 12?
We don’t know much about Microsoft’s next operating system, except for some rumors. It is said that it could be launched at the end of the year and that the integration with artificial intelligence would be very great. This leads us to think that this measure could be a preliminary step for very restrictive future requirements.
It suggests that, for the hypothetical Windows 12, it is established as a mandatory requirement that the processor have NPU (Neural Processing Units). A type of core that is designed to perform AI tasks exclusively.
This would be outrageous, since there are hardly any processors with this type of cores currently on the market. But it is unlikely seeing the slow migration that is taking place towards Windows 11. If this happens, over 90% of users would not be able to make the leap to the new operating system.
