Here's why Microsoft pushes AMD64 specific updates to Intel PCs

Back in 2019 a lot of Windows 10 users have noticed that Windows 10 v1903 includes AMD64 software updates even though they have an Intel based system.

Because Intel and AMD are different manufacturers and also competitors, this raised some eyebrows. Here’s how one user described it:

Microsoft Windows Professional 10 was using a 64 bit intel chip was downloading only AMD64 updates.[…] have to reboot into safe mode and remove the contents of the directory every time the delay ticker is met to stop a 16 hour update cycle with a 52% install and the a forced return to the previous version as the update is trying to apply AMD code to my windows installation on an Intel 64bit processor.

And here’s a screenshot of the original OP:

Although this could seem a big problem that affects a lot of people, you don’t have to worry about it.

AMD64 update is applicable to Intel based systems

If you saw the same thing on your PC, you have to understand that AMD owns the 64-bit architecture and the AMD64 updates are applicable to AMD and Intel-based systems alike, as another savvy user confirms:

AMD invented and owns the 64bit architecture, so even if your system is Intel based, as long as it is 64bit, that update will be applicable.

AMD64 is a generic name for an instruction set used by AMD and Intel. It doesn’t affect one or the other in any way because it’s used for 64-bit processors, regarding the manufacturer of the CPU.

So if you were having the same dilemma, don’t worry about it and just leave the update run its course. Everything is how it’s supposed to be and the update should take place without any issues.

If you encounter any problems similar to the user above, they are most likely caused by something else and surely not from the AMD64 update.

OneDrive is getting the 64-treatment as well

Two years after the release, an update to the Microsoft 365 roadmap stated that,

OneDrive is now available as a 64-bit install for AMD64-based devices.

Thanks to the 2019 AMD64 update, you don’t have to worry if you want to install the new OneDrive on an Intel PC, since they will now work.

If you have any more questions, feel free to reach for the comments section below.