Microsoft is seemingly going to a new limit to define Windows 10 as the ultimate platform for the people of its ecosystem. In short, older OSes will no longer be supported by newer processors, making Windows 10 the absolute minimum starting point for people who are still holding out to their outdated hardware and software configurations.
As it turns out, the AMD, Intel and Qualcomm processors of the future will only support Windows 10 to get enterprise support. This news will allow Microsoft to further add reluctant business users who have stuck faithfully to older OS iterations.
What about Windows 7, 8 and 8.1?
The company is making it mandatory for Skylake processors to upgrade in the near future. It has made a list of these 6th-gen chips that will get support for Windows 7 and 8.1, but that too will end barely a year-and-a-half later on 17th of July, 2017.
After the expiry of the 2017 deadline, it is almost certain that an upgrade is needed and only those updates will be rolled out that don’t risk the “reliability or compatibility of the Windows 7/8.1 platform on other devices”.
Users with older versions of Intel and other options will get the support till Jan. 14, 2020 and Jan. 10, 2023 for versions 7 and 8.1 respectively.
Here’s Tyler Myerson in his own words regarding the change:
“Windows 7 was designed nearly 10 years ago before any x86/x64 SoCs existed. For Windows 7 to run on any modern silicon, device drivers and firmware need to emulate Windows 7’s expectations for interrupt processing, bus support, and power states – which is challenging for Wi-Fi, graphics, security, and more. As partners make customizations to legacy device drivers, services, and firmware settings, customers are likely to see regressions with Windows 7 ongoing servicing.”
It is not immediately clear what hardware developments are making Windows 7 a nuisance at this point, but as Skylake has shown, a better power management between the chip and the OS it runs on is possible. With Koby Lake coming soon, this and much more can be taken to an all new level.
“Windows 7 was designed nearly 10 years ago”
Wrong, Windows 7 was released 22 July 2009, Little more than 6 years
They said designed, not released. Windows 7 is basically Vista, just made more efficient.
So, it means that Windows 10 is Windows 8.1 with little makeup? :) Anyway kidding, Thank you :)
Windows 10 is Windows 8.1 with little makeup? Clearly you have not used it
What is the major change for end users? I have both Windows 10 & 8.1 this time on my laptop & desktop.
What’s new in 10
> Start menu? It’s now useless for most users.
> Edge Browser? (Waiting for extensions which will come in April or May), Chrome/Firefox is still much better & reliable.
> Cortana? Almost useless here
> New Store, Good one, but useless for Desktop/Laptop users? Who use apps on laptop/desktop when desktop softwares are much more reliable, efficient etc.
> Multiple desktops, Old linux idea but great for user experience.
I agree, Windows 10 is good step forward for better OS, but it’s not massive update.
For frontend users, it comes with good GUI tweaks which makes it quite easy to use.
for Developers end, it’s great due to Universal app system, one app for all devices.
Beside this, there is no major change.
Bhai Jan What about Direct X 12 and Performance in Windows 1O . Mujhe Laghta he Windows 1O sab se Achi Windows He AB Tak. Abhi To Sabr Kro Direct x 12 Compatible Software r games 1-2 saal tak aa jaye ge to Direct x 12 ne Sab kuch Badal Dena r Ha . Ap Ache Hardware se Use KRe Windows Phr He
Well bro, these are all addons. Like Directx, Edge, Start menu & Cortana, these can be available as Skype, Chrome, Firefox etc. So, nothing much surprise here.
Main surprise is Universal App system, yes Microsoft did a lot of work on it & appreciaite it :)
I already have accha hardware bhai, i7-4790k. Z97 board, 980 Gtx etc
Yaar windows 7 se windows 8 wala jump chahiye aapko? At least mujhe nahi chahiye aur na microsoft as a company ko :P
Haha, windows 98 se windows xp sahi jump thaa & uss k baad win xp se win 7. Baki sb tu purana mall new packing main kr k baich rha hy microsoft, even all tech companies do this :) & make billions every year
You yourself have listed the additions. I think we all agree this is not just a little makeup. There are many performance, UI and structural changes.
Yes bro, but you didn’t get my point. My point is that these things like DirectX 12, Edge, Cortana etc can be easily available as standalone system just like Skype, Chrome, Firefox, there is no need for complete new operating system. At last they understand user’s need & it’s good news that Windows 10 is last Windows OS. Now, Microsoft will bring changes on this base.
GUI interfaces are good just like 8.1 brought over Windows 8.
There is a difference between “designed” and “released”.
Yes, got it after posting comment bro. He just quoted. Thanks for correction
Windows was pretty much the only major operating system that took the trouble of maintaining compatibility between old software and new hardware long after it’s release. This sort of pushed other OEMs to also include driver support for older version of Windows.
But now the signal seems to be pretty clear going forward. Microsoft is clearly adopting an Apple like strategy of not supporting outdated software on new hardware, which would probably mean that newer hardware (Graphic cards etc.) would also start dropping support for older versions of Windows.
Yeah Exact. You Got it.
there will be a cascade effect.
hey what come first?
Hardware or Software
What is windows
“Microsoft will only support future processors in windows 10” is not the same as “Future processors will only work in windows 10”. It is microsoft that is limiting support to Windows 10 not the CPU manufacturers. The CPU manufacturers will not stop you from running Linux including android, BSD, MacOS X and various flavours of proprietary Unix. In fact they contribute code to the Linux kernel so that it supports their CPUs.
The free alternative to windows like Linux will always be there.