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Next generation of CPUs will require Windows 10, earlier versions not supported

Next generation of CPUs will require Windows 10, earlier versions not supported
Alex Beech

Alex Beech

  • Updated:

Microsoft has announced that they will not be supporting the next generation of CPUs in older versions of Windows. This means that, soon, Windows users wanting to upgrade their processor on Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 machines will receive no updates to support their efforts.

This was revealed in a post on the Windows Blog titled Windows 10 Embracing Silicon Innovation published by Terry Myerson, Executive VP of the Windows and devices group. While the post assures that there is to be extended support for security, reliability, and compatibility for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, is also states:

Going forward, as new silicon generations are introduced, they will require the latest Windows platform at that time for support.

And that’s the important bit, only Windows 10 users are to be supported if they want to adopt the upcoming silicon generation, including Intel’s Kaby Lake, AMD’s Bristol Ridge, or Qualcom’s 8996. Anyone who wants to upgrade on Windows 7 will find themselves on their own.

letterbox cpu

With the post also announcing that Windows 10 now has 200 million active users, this does feel like a way to further boost adoption of the new operating system by strong arming more tech conscious users into installing it. Not that I would dissuade them, I am very happy with my free upgrade.

All of this comes in the wake of Microsoft announcing they would no longer be supporting Windows 8 with any further updates, so I suppose Windows 7 and 8.1 users dodged that bullet at least.

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Alex Beech

Alex Beech

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