Windows 11 2024 Updates even gives unsupported PCs a performance boost

Windows 11 2024 Updates even gives unsupported PCs a performance boost

What you need to know

  • The Windows 11 2024 Update, which is also known as Windows 11 version 24H2, became generally available recently.
  • The update includes several new features, but it also boosts the performance of PCs.
  • According to several users, the Windows 11 2024 Update also improves performance when running on unsupported PCs.

As a long-time Windows user with a rather old PC, I can’t help but feel a glimmer of hope upon hearing about the Windows 11 2024 Update. My trusty old Celeron processor has been serving me well for a decade now, but it’s no secret that it struggles with some tasks. However, the stories of improved performance on unsupported hardware have me intrigued and a little excited.


Microsoft recently released a significant update, taking Windows 11 to version 24H2, or more casually referred to as the “Windows 11 2024 Update.” This latest iteration of Windows offers improved security and fresh features, along with under-the-hood performance enhancements that promise a noticeably smoother user experience. Interestingly, it seems even older, unsupported hardware may benefit from these improvements, according to a Reddit user’s report.

Windows 11 sets a stringent list of prerequisites, one being the necessity for a TPM 2.0 chip. These conditions prohibit countless computers from receiving an official upgrade to Windows 11 at this time. However, it’s possible to find methods to install Windows 11 on incompatible systems, although Microsoft has attempted to close some of these loopholes. Yet, there are still ways around the restrictions available.

Discussions revolve around the potential issue of an unprecedented amount of outdated computers due to Microsoft’s unwillingness to raise the minimum requirements for upgrading to Windows 11. However, today’s focus is not on the millions of functional PCs that might become obsolete when Windows 10 reaches its end-of-life support. Instead, we’re talking about how the latest update for Windows 11 enhances the performance of even older computers.

As an analyst, I’ve recently delved into the findings shared by Reddit user bambamito. They detailed their experience running Windows 11 on a decade-old Intel Celeron PC, which was previously incompatible with the operating system before the 2024 Update. Interestingly, they reported improved performance post-update, indicating that the update might have optimized the OS for older hardware.

They reported an improvement in performance! In my personal observations, launching the explorer has become much swifter (it opens with a single click without any delay, as I’ve never reinstalled and still use the same SSD), navigating through Chrome feels more fluid, and YouTube videos load quicker (I usually watch at 1080 resolution). In summary, the overall smoothness of the user interface has enhanced.

In the comments following bambamito’s post, others reported comparable instances. To get a more comprehensive understanding, we need input from a wider range of users. However, it’s heartening to note that several users are experiencing improved performance with the update.

Windows 11 2024 Updates even gives unsupported PCs a performance boost

Below is a quick breakdown of the most notable features that ship with the Windows 11 2024 Update or that will come to PCs running the latest version of Windows in the near future (some features ship in waves):

  • File Explorer home tab now includes updated layout with shared documents
  • You can now duplicate tabs by right-clicking the tab.
  • Context Menu layout has been updated with better labelling to be easier to use.
  • You can now create .7z and .TAR archive formats. 
  • You can view your Android phone’s file system directly in File Explorer
  • A new Outlook app for email, calendar, and contact is included
  • Microsoft has updated Copilot as a standalone web app
  • Photos now includes AI-enhanced generative erase and background editing
  • Windows Update now supports checkpoints and hot patching for faster and less obtrusive updates
  • Voice Clarity uses AI to remove background noise picked up by your microphone in supported apps
  • Power settings for plugged/unplugged state can now be configured simultaneously
  • A new Energy Saver mode replaces battery saver and applies to both laptops and desktops
  • You can now configure mouse scroll wheel direction in Settings
  • Wi-Fi 7 hardware is now supported
  • New PRISM emulation layer makes x86 emulated apps run better on Arm
  • Arm-based devices should now run smoother
  • Phone Link is now integrated with the Start menu
  • Taskbar system tray layout has been simplified
  • Quick Settings has been rebuilt to be faster and more customizable
  • Windows Spotlight image is now the default wallpaper setting
  • You can now set HDR images as a desktop wallpaper

Knowing which gadgets will receive the initial rollout of the Windows 11 2024 Update, as outlined by our guide, can help you determine if it’s the right time for you to upgrade your computer. Additionally, we provide a guide on how to manually prompt the Windows 11 2024 Update on your device.

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2024-10-01 21:39