AI Explorer could revolutionize Windows 11, but can your PC run it? Here’s how to check this
Microsoft is going full steam ahead with the upcoming Windows 11 update 24H2, also known as Hudson Valley. It brings more artificial intelligence (AI) features to the operating system, including AI Explorer, and as such Microsoft will add a feature that can tell users if their PC supports it. Or you can look up that information yourself.
Update 24H2, which will most likely launch in September or October 2024, not only requires PopCnt, but also a mandatory SSE4.2 requirement added to the non-delay code. This update includes some really great AI tools and improvements to many Windows apps and programs, such as Windows Copilot and Cocreator AI-powered assistants for apps like Notepad and Paint.
The biggest feature, of course, is the aforementioned AI Explorer, which records a user’s previous actions and converts them into “searchable moments,” allowing users to both search and revoke them.
On X, Albacore discovered (en New reported) that “a warning message will be displayed on such non-compliant systems.” It’s a useful system for those who aren’t sure if their PC can handle these new AI features. However, instead of waiting for the update to release later in 2024, users can check if their PCs are AI-enabled right now.
Looking at the bits present in insider build 26200, AI Explorer indeed checks these requirements and if they are not met, a warning will appear in the overlays. However, you can skip the check altogether by disabling ID 48486440. This only disables AIX that is doing the checking, not the API https://t.co/XmnjzCZqEwApril 22, 2024
Does your PC have AI? Check now
Dell has published a support page which instructs users how to do this themselves. An important aspect here is that your computer must have a built-in neural processing unit (NPU); which is a specialized processor designed to perform AI-based tasks, doing so more efficiently and consuming less power than a CPU.
Dedicated NPUs are commonly found in PCs with Intel’s 14th generation processors, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 and 8000 series, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 or Snapdragon X Elite and newer.
You can see the steps for checking for NPUs in general, as well as how to check for the required drivers for Intel and AMD processors. As for Qualcomm processors, all AI hardware drivers are pre-installed and updated via Windows Update.
Check if there are NPUs on your computer
(Image: © Dell)
Open the Task management.
Click Performance.
Confirm that NPU is mentioned.
Verify that the correct drivers are installed in Intel processors:
(Image: © Dell)
Open the Device manager.
To expand Neural processors and then select Intel(R) AI boost.
On the Display menu, click Devices per connection.
Now Windows Studio Effects Driver must be overlooked Intel(R) AI boost.
Verify that the correct drivers are installed in AMD processors:
(Image: © Dell)
Open the Device manager.
To expand System devices > AMD IPU device.
On the Display menu, click Devices per connection.
Now Windows Studio Effects Driver must be overlooked AMD IPU device.