News

Kaby Lake and Zen Won’t Support Windows 7 and 8.1

The push for Windows 10 exclusivity is set to continue, with Intel and AMD revealing that its next generation of processors will not include support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 – not even temporarily. While Microsoft backtracked on Windows 7 and 8.1 support for its Skylake chips – the hardware will support the two operating systems until 2020 – Intel’s Kaby Lake and AMD’s Zen will only have official support for Microsoft’s latest operating system, a policy endorsed by the two chipmakers.

“We are committed to working with Microsoft and our ecosystem partners to help ensure a smooth transition given these changes to Microsoft’s support policy,” an Intel spokesperson told Computer World, adding, “No, Intel will not be updating Win 7/8 drivers for 7th Gen Intel Core per Microsoft’s support policy change.”

While this does not necessarily mean that Windows 7 and 8.1 will not work with next gen processors – after all, they’ll probably still be x86, which both operating systems are designed for – it does mean that, should either operating system successfully install on such a system, any problems or bugs that crop up will not be fixed.

Microsoft justified the policy to PC World:

“As new silicon generations are introduced, they will require the latest Windows platform at that time for support. This enables us to focus on deep integration between Windows and the silicon, while maintaining maximum reliability and compatibility with previous generations of platform and silicon.”

Effectively, if you want a Windows operating system running with a next gen processor, it has to be Windows 10. Microsoft doesn’t care if 7 or 8.1 are your favourite: like it or Linux it.

Ashley Allen

Disqus Comments Loading...

Recent Posts

Twitch Now Banning All Content Focusing On Intimate Body Parts

As by now, I'm sure you are aware Twitch has decided to go ahead and…

7 hours ago

Seconds Patch of “Operation Medic Bag” For Payday 3 Released

I doubt many of you have been keeping up with Payday 3 which is understandable…

9 hours ago

MSI Announces SPATIUM M580 FROZR With A Huge Cooler

Today MSI has announced a new Gen 5 SSD, the SPATIUM M580 FROZR which comes…

9 hours ago

LENRUE PC Speakers, USB/USB-C Powered Computer Speakers with Loud Stereo Sound

Stereo and Noiseless - Without any noise! After multiple debugging, suppress static. Become clearer and…

10 hours ago

HP M27f Ultraslim Monitor 27 Inch

PICTURE-PERFECT IMMERSION – Work or play on a monitor that redefines high definition with its…

10 hours ago

Govee LED Light Bars, Smart WiFi RGBIC TV Backlight

Syncs With Your Music: With an internal high-sensitivity mic, Govee Flow Plus LED light bars…

10 hours ago