Microsoft fixes the POPCNT bug, big relief for MS Store app users on Windows 10

We recently reported how users on unsupported legacy CPUs can’t upgrade to Windows 11, even after trying to bypass the system requirements, due to POPCNT, an SSE 4.2-based instruction, being made mandatory.

This also affected other parts of the OS, primarily on Windows 10. Many got File system error (-2147219196) when launching Microsoft Photos, Calculator, Movies & TV, and Feedback Hub, amongst other Microsoft Store apps.

Soon, it became apparent that the problem was linked to a regression in the Visual C++ Libraries (version 17.8.0) framework package that many MS Store apps rely on. It affected legacy devices that do not support SSE 4.2 instructions.

Finally, Microsoft has a fix

The latest Visual Studio 2022 version, 17.9.1, comes with a patch for the POPCNT bug that affected Microsoft Store apps.

As per the release notes on the official website, here’s what new in version 17.9.1:

• Fixed a bug where the libconcrt.lib used when static linking could contain an SSE 4.2 instruction that was illegal on older X64 systems.
• Updated the 16.11 MSVC toolset to 16.11.34 (14.29.30154.0) for customers who use the 16.11 C++ toolset with VS 17.9.
• Added support for char8_t as a built-in type for C++20 with /clr.

So, all you have to do is download the latest version of Visual Studio 2022 from the official website and install it.

Besides, you could simply install the latest OS update. To do that, press Windows + I to open Settings > choose Update & Security > go to Windows Update from the left > click Check for updates > download any available newer version of the OS.

To summarise, you can now run apps without getting a File system error, but Microsoft hasn’t yet addressed the part about installing Windows 11 on unsupported CPUs.

Microsoft’s earlier stance was that unsupported PCs could run Windows 11, but they may not receive security updates. Seems like that has changed now, and Microsoft is making sure only processors supporting POPCNT can upgrade to Windows 11.

Remember, computers manufactured in recent years support POPCNT, so this requirement shouldn’t be a problem for most of you!

If you are still getting the (-2147219196) File system error, let us know in the comments section below.