Microsoft has reportedly stopped to support AMD and Intel 7th generation software updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 versions since April this year. The updates which are stopped are exclusively for the newer generation processors of Intel and AMD. Anyone who has the 7th generation Kaby Lake Intel processors and 7th genereation AMD Bristol Ridge CPUs will no longer be eligible to Windows 7 updates.
According to Microsoft, the new CPU models will have active support only on the newest Windows 10 operating system, since the older Windows 7 and 8.1 are nearing the end of their lifecycle.
Microsoft has warned users 1 hear ahead, back in January 2016 and also in August and March as well. However, what was not announced was when this will happen, making this decision by Microsoft all of a sudden and unexpected in a way. The announcement was made during a random Patch Tuesday which featured the following message to users:
“Your PC uses a processor that is designed for the latest version of Windows. Because the processor is not supported together with the Windows version that you are currently using, your system will miss the important security updates.”
Then, if the Windows 7 or 8.1 users attempt to get updates by scanning for them, they receive an error message, saying to them that their computer is not eligible for updates, because of its processor.
The Bottom Line
As a conclusion, the lifecycles of the Windows operating systems end in the the year 2020 for Windows 7 and the year 2023 for Windows 8.1. However, it is clearly visible that Microsoft is aiming to get users to move to their newest operating system which now has 33.1% of users in comparison to 33.2% using the older Windows 7 and 10.2% using 8.1, according to w3schools.com.
Many users on web forums have expressed dissatisfaction with the new changes. However, there were also those who welcomed the changes since more focus will be put into patching one operating system instead of many different ones.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me: