What is the CPU microcode?

Posted by golem on Super User See other posts from Super User or by golem
Published on 2014-08-20T17:28:35Z Indexed on 2014/08/20 22:23 UTC
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linux

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boot

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cpu

Today after unpacking the initramfs file from my Linux /boot directory I found that it contains the GenuineIntel.bin file, and that that file is an image of what is called the CPU microcode.

Then I found articles on ArchWiki and Wikipedia describing the subject. Now I'm not sure that my vague understanding of the subject is correct.

Can anyone please explain what the CPU microcode is in plain English?

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