Microsoft has stopped updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 installed on Kaby Lake processors from Intel. The company promised it would do so some time last year, saying that it was to increase compatibility between newer operating systems and processors.
What happens now is that Windows 7 and 8.1 will not receive updates if they are running Sky Lake or earlier processors. Both these operating systems running on older Intel chips are unaffected by the new policy from Microsoft.
Microsoft’s new policy also extends to AMD’s new Ryzen chips; which will only be supported by Windows 10. Essentially leaving on the latest generation of processors from both Intel and AMD supported by Windows 10.
This was generally viewed as a move to promote the upgrade to Windows 10, although Microsoft frames the problem differently. The company claims that newer processors from Intel have capabilities that Windows 7 and 8.1 are unable to use; which means that they will not be operating optimally.
Going forward, Microsoft’s new policy will see a greater parallel between new processors and operating system. Essentially, the latest operating system will only work properly on the latest processor. How this will shake out in the end is anyone’s guess; considering that these products don’t share the same development cycle.
Still, it’s bound to annoy people who still want to run Windows 7 on their brand new machines. Especially considering that Microsoft’s extended support policy will see the operating system receive updates until 2020.
[Source: The Register]
