10/08/2019
Recently had a customer approach me about 'rolling back' a new Dell to Windows 7 - not a terribly uncommon request, but the first in a while. It appears this is no longer possible, as of the "Skylake" (6th gen) Intel CPUs. For those of you like myself - subscribing to "where there's a will there's a way", not so. Feast your eyes on this juicy statement:
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The issue is based on Windows. Microsoft explicitly states new processors will only work with Windows 10. Windows 7 and 8.1 won't be updated for future processors, starting with Intel's Skylake platform
'Going forward, as new silicon generations are introduced, they will require the latest Windows platform at that time for support,'
'Intel's current, sixth generation processors, known as Skylake, are the first that won't support either of the older versions of Windows.'
Furthermore there are No Windows 7 drivers for INTEL B360 chipset or 8th gen and later INTEL processors. ONLY windows 10 will work.
This is INTEL/AMD/Microsoft Policy not Dell.'Windows 10 will be the only supported Windows platform on Intel's 'Kaby Lake' , Qualcomm's '8996' and AMD's 'Bristol Ridge' .' There will never be any 7 or 8.1 drivers for these platforms. This is an Optane Compatible System with No legacy Booting Support."
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When asked about updates to 'the issue', the response was stern:
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"There is no way and never will be. This is enforced by INTEL and Microsoft.
Windows 10 is the only Windows version that is supported on the following processor generations:
Intel seventh (7th)-generation processors and newer
AMD âBristol Ridgeâ
Qualcomm â8996"
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 would need to emulate Windows 7âs expectations for interrupt processing, bus support, and power states- which is not supported now for WiFi, graphics, sound, security, and more.
With Windows 7 now in extended support, Vendors are not allowed to support newer INTEL or AMD processors using windows 7.
â˘Windows 7 will continue to be supported for security, reliability, and compatibility through January 14, 2020 on previous generation silicon. Windows 8.1 will receive the same support through January 10, 2023. This includes most of the devices available for purchase today by consumers or enterprises.
â˘Going forward, as new silicon generations are introduced, they will require the latest Windows platform at that time for support. This enables us to focus on deep integration between Windows and the silicon, while maintaining maximum reliability and compatibility with previous generations of platform and silicon. For example, Windows 10 will be the only supported Windows platform on Intelâs upcoming âKaby Lakeâ silicon, Qualcommâs upcoming â8996â silicon, and AMDâs upcoming âBristol Ridgeâ silicon."