New MS Policy Forces Windows 10 Upgrade on New Processors

[Technicholls]

Did you see this news release on Friday from Microsoft. Looks like MS is going to be playing hardball to force upgrades to it's new OS. Note my highlights:

• Windows 7 will continue to be supported for security, reliability, and compatibility through January 14, 2020 on previous generation silicon. Windows 8.1 will receive the same support through January 10, 2023. This includes most of the devices available for purchase today by consumers or enterprises.
• Going forward, 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. For example, Windows 10 will be the only supported Windows platform on Intel’s upcoming “Kaby Lake” silicon, Qualcomm’s upcoming “8996” silicon, and AMD’s upcoming “Bristol Ridge” silicon.
• Through July 17, 2017, Skylake devices on the supported list will also be supported with Windows 7 and 8.1. During the 18-month support period, these systems should be upgraded to Windows 10 to continue receiving support after the period ends. After July 2017, the most critical Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 security updates will be addressed for these configurations, and will be released if the update does not risk the reliability or compatibility of the Windows 7/8.1 platform on other devices.

You can read the entire story here: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/01/15/windows-10-embracing-silicon-innovation/

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Covered pretty well here in a long thread.
https://www.technibble.com/forums/threads/amd-intel-microsoft.68181/#post-533283

Doesn't phase me, I never installed ancient OS's on brand new hardware.
And business grade workstations and laptops are still going to be offered with special installs of Win7.

 

[TAPtech]

I'm glad my SolidWorks clients stay current with their licenses, despite the high software fees. The newest SW2015 Service Pack supports W10, as does the latest release, SW2016. Those are probably the only clients that will be getting the brand new hot rod CPU's for another year at least, until the new CPU architectures become prevalent in the regular workstation line up.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Not supported >< unable to achieve. Just means that Microsoft will not officially provide support. So you might not be able to get WHCL certification. Doesn't mean that Windows 7 will not install nor that manufacturers will not provide drivers, most of which have nothing to do with the CPU only the chipsets.

 

[gadgetfixup]

I think MS overplays their hand on software support. Just like pulling support on Win8 early. To the large majority, they (we) could care less. We've been pretty much on our own and without real support from MS for decades now.

 

[Altster]

Did you see this news release on Friday from Microsoft. Looks like MS is going to be playing hardball to force upgrades to it's new OS. Note my highlights:

• Windows 7 will continue to be supported for security, reliability, and compatibility through January 14, 2020 on previous generation silicon. Windows 8.1 will receive the same support through January 10, 2023. This includes most of the devices available for purchase today by consumers or enterprises.
• Going forward, 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. For example, Windows 10 will be the only supported Windows platform on Intel’s upcoming “Kaby Lake” silicon, Qualcomm’s upcoming “8996” silicon, and AMD’s upcoming “Bristol Ridge” silicon.
• Through July 17, 2017, Skylake devices on the supported list will also be supported with Windows 7 and 8.1. During the 18-month support period, these systems should be upgraded to Windows 10 to continue receiving support after the period ends. After July 2017, the most critical Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 security updates will be addressed for these configurations, and will be released if the update does not risk the reliability or compatibility of the Windows 7/8.1 platform on other devices.

You can read the entire story here: https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/01/15/windows-10-embracing-silicon-innovation/

Well when I finally get tired of Windows 7 I'll be moving on to Linux as it is better suited for my Core2-Quad anyway! Heck w/ M$ and their crappy software.