Microsoft has changed the hardware requirements of Windows, next-generation processors only support Windows 10

ByDoba Kung

The number of active devices equipped with Windows 10 isOver 200 million unitsAlthough it is said, Microsoft seems to want more users to use the OS, and changed the hardware requirements of Windows on Friday, January 15, 2016. With this change, next-generation processor support will be Windows 10 only, the sixth generation Intel Core processorSkylakeIt is clear that Windows 7 / 8.1 support of Windows 7 / 8.1 will end in July 2017.

Windows 10 Embracing Silicon Innovation | Windows Experience Blog
https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/01/15/windows-10-embracing-silicon-innovation/

Microsoft will not support older Windows versions on upcoming PC hardware
http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-will-not-support-older-windows-versions-on-upcoming-pc-hardware

Microsoft distributes automatic fixes and updates for each version of Windows.Information on the official page, Windows 7 is said to be able to receive updates on January 14, 2020, Windows 8.1 until January 10, 2023, respectively. However, as Microsoft changed the Windows hardware requirements, Windows 7 / 8.1 with Skylake, the latest processor from Intel, only received support until "January 17, 2017 support" It was revealed.


About this, Microsoft says, "When comparing Skylake-equipped Windows 10 and Windows 7, the Windows 10-equipped terminal will get 30 times superior graphics and 3 times longer battery life, and Windows 10 device Is a processor-supported virtualization-based securityCredential information guard"In order to achieve deep integration between the latest Windows and processors, maintain maximum reliability and maintain compatibility with previous versions of Windows and processors", 2009 This is because Windows 7 released on Windows 7 and earlier version of Windows 8.1 are not suitable for the environment on the latest hardware.

"Supporting Skylake-equipped Windows 7 / 8.1 until January 17, 2017" was revealed, but if you want to receive support even after the end of the term among users who bought them, within the support period It is necessary to upgrade Windows 7 / 8.1 to Windows 10 to Windows 10 / 8.1. In addition, if support on January 17, 2017 after 2017 is not affected to other versions of Windows and terminals, it seems that patch against fatal security risk will be provided.


Also, new processors such as Intel's "Kaby Lake" expected to appear in 2016, Qualcomm's "8996", and AMD's "Bristol Ridge" are only compatible with Windows 10, and the latest processors All seems to be "compatible only with Windows 10".