Microsoft Ending New CPU Support in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1

We missed this over the weekend, but last Friday Microsoft Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group, Terry Myerson, wrote a blog post that says Microsoft will no longer be supporting ‘old’ processors for users that are running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. For example, Windows 10 will be the only supported Windows platform on Intels upcoming ‘Kaby Lake’ silicon, Qualcomms upcoming ‘8996’ silicon, and AMDs upcoming ‘Bristol Ridge’ silicon. Intel is reducing the long term support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers in an attempt to get them to upgrade to Windows 10. We didn’t see that one coming!

Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Support Policy:

• 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 Intels upcoming Kaby Lake silicon, Qualcomms upcoming 8996 silicon, and AMDs 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.