HomeWinBuzzer NewsMicrosoft Extends Skylake Support for Windows 7 and 8.1

Microsoft Extends Skylake Support for Windows 7 and 8.1

Support for Windows 7 will now end on January 4, 2020, while Windows 8 will be supported until 2023.

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Earlier in the year, extended support for its computers with Skylake processors by one year. The end date has now been moved even further back, to 2023.

Microsoft states that although Enterprise customers are moving to quickly, they realize the deployment frames of customers differs. The changes come from user feedback.

The Policy Change

Naturally, these changes only apply to commercial clients who are managing deployments in and 8.1. For customers running Windows 10, there will be no change. Here are the specifics:

  • “Today Windows 7 is in extended support and support will end for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, and support for will end January 10, 2023.
  • 6th Gen Intel Core devices on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will be supported with all applicable security updates until the end of support for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
  • This change is made possible through the strong partnership with our OEM partners and Intel who will be performing security update validation testing and upgrade testing for 6th Gen Intel Core systems running Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 through the end of support dates.
  • As previously communicated earlier this year, future silicon platforms including Intel's upcoming 7th Gen Intel Core (Kaby Lake) processor family and AMD's 7th generation processors (e.g. Bristol Ridge) will only be supported on Windows 10, and all future silicon releases will require the latest release of Windows 10.”

Previous Controversy

When Microsoft revealed support changes for Windows 7 and 8.1 in January, it was met with significant outcry. The move was seen by as a push to get businesses to use Windows 10.

Some the outcry came from , who criticized Microsoft on the matter. The company accused Microsoft of “just pushing customers to move to Windows 10,” and said customers were asking them to “influence Microsoft” to change.

In response, Microsoft added an extra year of support, but it appears customers still weren't happy. The policy clearly has not been encouraging users to switch to Windows 10, so it has been extended further.

Of course, this still doesn't apply to Kaby Lake and Bristol Ridge, processors, which will remain Windows 10 only.

You can read the blog post for yourself here.

SourceMicrosoft
Ryan Maskell
Ryan Maskellhttps://ryanmaskell.co.uk
Ryan has had a passion for gaming and technology since early childhood. Fusing the skills from his Creative Writing and Publishing degree with profound technical knowledge, he enjoys covering news about Microsoft. As an avid writer, he is also working on his debut novel.

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