Updates to Silicon Support Policy for Windows

[Brink]

Earlier this year, we shared information about Windows 10 embracing silicon innovation and our work with partners to achieve breakthroughs in performance, imaging, connectivity, power, graphics, and more as the Windows platform evolves with them. At the time, we shared our commitment to deliver security, reliability and compatibility to our installed base.

Enterprise customers are moving to Windows 10 faster than any version of Windows. At the same time, we recognize that, in some instances, customers have a few systems that require longer deployment timeframes. We listened to this feedback and today are sharing an update to our 6th Gen Intel Core (Skylake) support policy.* We have extended the support period from July 17, 2018 to the end of support dates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1; and we will provide all applicable security updates.

This policy change primarily applies to our commercial customers who are currently managing deployments with Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, and does not apply to customers running Windows 10.

• Today Windows 7 is in extended support and support will end for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, and support for Windows 8.1 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.

This change is designed to help our customers purchase modern hardware with confidence, while continuing to manage their migrations to Windows 10. There are now over 350 million devices on Windows 10 and more than 135 billion hours of use since the launch, with enterprise customers deploying Windows 10 to devices every day. We recommend that customers upgrade these 6th Gen Intel Core systems on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as soon as possible so that they can receive full support along with the great enhancements that come from running modern hardware with modern software.

Our commitment to all of our customers remains strong and we’re grateful for your ongoing support.
Additional information on the topic can be found here.

*Applies to Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows Embedded 7, 8, 8.1.

Source: Updates to Silicon Support Policy for Windows | Windows For Your Business

 

[Indianatone]

If Zen is as good as rumors Microsoft or AMD will have to produce system drivers for that platform too. Frankly I can see Windows 7 support extended to 2025 with an SP2 chargeable update. I would gladly purchase that for a small fee for my PC's. If not Linux Mint is the direction I'll be going. Windows 10 with the forced updates, awfully garish display in ugly 2D, telemetry, lack of Aero, and absolutely crap start menu with the basic interface set up for a mobile platform with 2 or 3 hundred users. I foresee a shake up soon at Microsoft as frankly they could not even give 10 away for free. It could have been so different if they had really listened to the insiders instead of only listening to what they wanted to hear. OK I am off to free up some space on my virtual machines drive by deleting some Windows 10 virtual machines since I never bother to use them. I have 4 on 3 machines. UK and USA English 64 and 32 bit. Seems over the top now.
Oh and adverts on the start menu and lock screen, what are they thinking?

 

[Layback Bear]

The big thing that is being said in my opinion is Intel Skylake sales are taking a dive. People like me do not want to upgrade any hardware that will lock them into W-10 or any other operating system.

This means nothing to me.
350 million devices on Windows 10

I would like to see a break down on what devices W-10 is being used on.

How many laptops, desktops, poky pads, cell phones ect. is W-10 being used on. A basic break down would mean a lot more.
How many of the listed came installed with the purchase of said hardware.
Are the new purchase locked into W-10.

To put it simple. Are people choosing W-10 or is it being forced upon them do to lack of knowledge or maybe a lack of a choices customers have.

All the operating systems and hardware I have use through the years I have chose to use for various reasons. I would like to be able to continue that method in the future. I know that in the real world my methods are only enjoyed by few people compared to the masses. Most buy and use what ever is throwed at them.
Most people I know have very little knowledge of what is inside there Dell or Acer or other manufactures. They might see the Intel or AMD sticker on their computing device but have no idea what that means. That is exactly the market Microsoft is reaching for. Their is a reason; by many times it the biggest market. Those that don't know and don't want to know is by far the biggest market compared to those that do know and want to know more.

I'm waiting for what the enterprise environment next move is.
When a large business or industry which has thousands of computers with various hardware has to choose. I don't believe they want to be locked into hardware just because Microsoft and the hardware manufacture have a deal to make things that way.

I know I can't change the market place with my thoughts but it does feel good to still be able to post them.

My thoughts.

Jack

 

[margrave]

This announcement was for corporate users.

Do home users care? I don't.

I never change the OS. I seldom upgrade the hardware. I don't care about new stuff ... until I buy a replacement computer after five or more years.

A computer is a tool. I buy it. I use it. It gets old. I chuck it out and buy a new one.

I don't work for the computer. I expect the computer to work for me.

 

[groze]

This announcement was for corporate users.

Do home users care? I don't.

I never change the OS. I seldom upgrade the hardware. I don't care about new stuff ... until I buy a replacement computer after five or more years.

A computer is a tool. I buy it. I use it. It gets old. I chuck it out and buy a new one.

I don't work for the computer. I expect the computer to work for me.

Its actually good news, windows 7, 8.1 home, & pro user will get support for the Skylake processors tell the extended support ends . I think they might have done it for legal reasons.

We listened to this feedback and today are sharing an update to our 6th Gen Intel Core (Skylake) support policy. We have extended the support period from July 17, 2018 to the end of support dates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1; and we will provide all applicable security updates.

Windows 7 is in extended support and support will end for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020, and support for Windows 8.1 will end January 10, 2023.

 

[RoasterMen]

AMD Should NOT disappoint it's customers with Zen or else they're done.

 

[Painter]

MS got an earfull from their Enterprise clients, OEM and manufacturing partners. The PR statement is total BS.

 

[Indianatone]

This announcement was for corporate users.

Do home users care? I don't.

I never change the OS. I seldom upgrade the hardware. I don't care about new stuff ... until I buy a replacement computer after five or more years.

A computer is a tool. I buy it. I use it. It gets old. I chuck it out and buy a new one.

I don't work for the computer. I expect the computer to work for me.

Those of us who build our own PC's all at once or a part at a time (Johnny Cash Style) do care. I will often buy a new motherboard CPU and Ram and throw it in the same case and PSU with the same hard drives and Graphics cards so I want my new toys to be supported. Next upgrade may be an SSD and then a graphics card. To find these are not supported in an OS that currently has 50% of market share would really aggravate a large number of users. So you don't care and chuck out your PC, that is kind of wasteful as you could donate it to a non profit who could find a use for it. My computers also work for me and I like to work on them getting more out of them than a basic set up. So yes some of us do care a lot about support for new platforms as they come out.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Microsoft to support Skylake on Windows 7 and 8.1 after all

Don't know the reliability of this but it sounds reassuring to users of this forum

Microsoft to support Skylake on Windows 7 and 8.1 after all - gHacks Tech News

 

[ThrashZone]

Still a little anticlimactic with all the fuss over a quad core
I could get another x99 sabertooth and i7 5820k for about the same $$

 

[Brds7t7]

You get the feeling Microsoft's "All your eggs in one basket" approach probably wasn't the best idea?

 

[ThrashZone]

Heck at first I thought Micro... was buying Intel