Last year, Microsoft confirmed that it would restrict latest chips by AMD and Intel from running anything preceding Windows 10, and many wondered what would happen if their Kaby Lake or Ryzen-powered PCs were to run older versions of Windows.
Turns out Microsoft is staying true to its word. A number of reports are now stating that Microsoft is disabling patches or future updates for computers with latest chips running on either Windows 7 or 8.1
Update Your Latest Chips With Windows 10 Or Else, Says Microsoft
Word started when a Microsoft support document leaked on Thursday, March 16, which specifically addresses those who have paired older Microsoft OSs with newer Intel or AMD chips. The same goes for Qualcomm. Microsoft will block updates on said systems until they are updated to Windows 10.
These are a couple of specific error prompts users will get upon checking for updates:
• "Unsupported Hardware: Your PC uses a processor that isn't supported on this version of Windows and you won't receive updates."
• "Windows could not search for new updates: An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer. Error(s) found: Code 80240037 Windows Update encountered an unknown error."
The document says that such errors occur because newer processor generations require the latest version of Windows for support. These processors include the Bristol Ridge, or Ryzen, from AMD; the Qualcomm 8996; and Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake chips.
"Because of how this support policy is implemented, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 devices that have [modern processors] may no longer be able to scan or download updates..." the support document states.
Is This Too Drastic A Step For Microsoft?
Such a step, however, can easily be deemed as too drastic. For its part, it's logical for Microsoft to expect that users who'll own PCs with extremely updated hardware won't even dare touch older versions of Windows, because such a move could be seen as ultimately backward. Still, it's entirely within the freedom of users to pick the version of Windows they want to run on their PCs. More worryingly, the cutting-of-ties doesn't just involve driver updates and such, but a complete blackout. Not even product or security updates. No updates at all, basically.
The only recourse affected users can apply is to upgrade to Windows 10, as previously mentioned, and is even endorsed by the support document. It's a drastic approach for some, and it will most probably not sit well with Windows 7 or 8.1 holdouts.
Moreover, the total shutdown, as pointed out by Hot Hardware, perplexes some. Mainstream support for Windows 8.1 isn't scheduled until Jan. 9, 2018, and extended support for windows 7 and 8.1 won't end until 2020 and 2023, respectively. Why Microsoft is already gate-blocking Windows 7 or 8.1 support on latest chips is probably beyond anyone at this point.
Will you be affected by Microsoft's decision to disable update on modern chips running older versions of Windows? What do you think is the company's motivation behind the move? Feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
