Solved Windows 7 or 10 on a new Intel CPU

[HAVOC]

Building a computer for my racing simulator.
I'm using this CPU: Intel Core i7-8700 Coffee Lake 6-Core 3.2 GHz (4.6 GHz Turbo) LGA 1151 (300 Series). It's not the "K" unlocked one.

I was looking at a different CPU before and it said Windows 10 only, cant find such info on the one I bought. It doesn't say anything so can I assume it's compatible with 7? It's a 8th gen CPU if that makes a difference.

 

[mrjimphelps]

Starting with 6th Generation (Kaby Lake), there are restrictions which prevent you from being able to run auto updates for Windows 7. That's probably why they told you that it was Windows 10 only.

I believe Windows 7 will run on these CPUs; but you'll have to come up with a workaround if you want to be able to do Windows updates. There are workarounds; they are not "approved" workarounds, but rather "hacks".

 

[AddRAM]

I haven`t heard of anyone installing 7 on the 8700, and believe me, a lot of W10 members have built new systems with the 8700K.

I have 7 and 10 on my 7900X, but it`s a Skylake.

 

[Bat 1]

While I'm also sure it's possible, though Not in my budget to find out I'm thinking there would be a serious decrease in performance vs Win 10 due to the lack of updated drivers ?

 

[Megahertz07]

I haven't done it but read it's possible.
You will need to add USB 3.x, SATA (and M.2 drivers) to the installation disk.
Create a Windows 7 USB flash installation with new drives for new MB's - Windows 7 Help Forums

As you're not using internal graphics, you must be sure that the Graphics card has Win 7 drivers.

As M$ is installing a update that blocks updates on Kaby lake and Coffee lake computers, use the offline security only updates.
Unofficial Patch Unblocks Windows 7 and 8.1 Updates for Kaby Lake, Ryzen - ExtremeTech
MS releases SP2 for Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[HAVOC]

So for less headaches I should just install 10?
I have a copy but I installed it using BootCamp (MacBook Air) or a VM, can't remember which so I'm not sure if I can use it again. I could never get it running correctly so I deleted the VM.

I'll have to look and see if I have another copy, I know I have copies of 7.

 

[HAVOC]

Update: I tried installing 7. I would lose the keyboard/mouse at the part of the install where you select the language. The keyboard/mouse worked fine in BIOS and different settings I tried had no effect. I installed 10 using the disc I had.

 

[Megahertz07]

I told you will need to add USB 3.x, SATA (and M.2 drivers) to the installation disk.

For me, Win 10 isn't an option.

 

[BogdanH]

HAVOC
Please see my post:
Trying to install Win7 on a Kaby Lake processor - Windows 7 Help Forums
-I hope it gives some insight and help.

 

[HAVOC]

I had to partially disassemble the computer (other issues) and I was looking through the manual for the front panel pinout. That's when I saw that in the specs it only listed Windows 10 as an OS. It has 10 and it works so it's staying.