Biggest Windows 11 update in 2 years nearly finalized, enters Release Preview
Windows 11 Update Boosts ARM PCs: Worth the Hype?
Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update, set for release this fall, is now in the Release Preview phase, indicating its near completion. This update features significant system enhancements including an updated compiler, kernel, and scheduler to better support Arm-based PCs, potentially boosting performance by 10-20% for x86 applications on these devices.
Additionally, the 24H2 update introduces user-friendly changes such as Sudo for Windows, support for creating TAR and 7-zip archives directly from File Explorer, and Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. It also includes a new energy saver mode, enhanced Bluetooth audio support, and allows users to run the Copilot AI chatbot in a resizable window.
Exclusive to Copilot+ PCs, which require specific hardware, the update adds the Recall feature for tracking user activities and other advanced capabilities like Live Captions. Despite these advancements, the 24H2 update maintains the core look and system requirements of Windows 11, with full release expected later in the year.
What are the system requirements for PCs to access the new Copilot+ features in the Windows 11 24H2 update?
The system requirements for PCs to access the new Copilot+ features in the Windows 11 24H2 update include having at least 16 GB of memory, 256 GB of storage, and a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of performing at least 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS). Currently, the only processors that meet these requirements are Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite processors5. Microsoft plans to maintain a separate list of processors that support the Copilot+ features, indicating that future Intel and AMD systems with faster NPUs are expected to be released later this year.
What specific improvements does the Windows 11 24H2 update include for Arm-based PCs?
The Windows 11 24H2 update includes several improvements for Arm-based PCs. Some of these improvements are:
- An updated compiler, kernel, and scheduler to better support Arm-based PCs1.
- A 10 to 20 percent performance boost when using x86 applications, thanks to improvements in the translation layer (now called Prism).
- Support for Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite processors, with Intel and AMD systems with faster NPUs expected later this year.
- New features specific to Copilot+ PCs, including the Recall feature, which takes snapshots of everything you do with your PC, and Live Captions for captioning video files or video calls in real-time.
These changes make the 24H2 update the most significant Windows 11 release since the 22H2 update, with major improvements in performance and support for Arm-based systems2.