It is not the first time that Torvalds has dropped support for 32-bit processors and illuminates kernel developers from the implementation of archaic emulation and work-around solutions. “We lost the support of i386 in 2012. Perhaps it is time to remove the support from I486 in 2022,” Torvalds wrote in October 2022. Failure of large changes in the 6.15 core, which will probably arrive this month, is supported by I486.
Where does that make people perform a 486 system for whatever reason? They can perform older versions of the Linux core and Linux distributions. They may find recommendations for Teersy Distros such as Menuetos, Kolibrios and Visopsys, but all three require at least a pentium. They can run Freedos. They may get away with the OS/2 descendant Arcaos. There are some who have adjusted Windows XP to run at 486 processors, and hopefully they will not connect those devices on the internet.
But if you can perform a 486 system in 2025 if you can perform a 486 system in 2025, you are probably resourceful enough to find copies of the software that is intended for that system. One thing about computers – you never stop learning.
This message was updated at 3.30 p.m. to repair a date error.
