Microsoft requires Windows 10 to support next-generation processors

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Microsoft is going to make changes to its support policy. For new generations of processors, customers must be running the latest Windows version at the time of release. The new policy includes Intel Skylake, which will require Windows 10.

The new policy was outlined on Microsoft’s blog. For old generations of hardware, nothing will change: Windows 7 will be supported until January 14, 2020, while Windows 8.1 will be provided with updates until January 10, 2023. The new rules do apply to the sixth generation Intel processors and all future series. This includes the Skylake processors. For AMD, this concerns processors in the Bristol Ridge series. Systems based on these processors must therefore be equipped with Windows 10 for support by Microsoft. Incidentally, systems for which there is no official support still receive security patches.

It is, however, still possible to provide some systems with new hardware with older Windows versions with support from Microsoft. The company will release a list of systems, with the mentioned devices being updated until July 17, 2017, without Windows 10 being required. After that, users still have to install Windows 10 to get updates. This transition period is primarily intended for business customers.

With the new support policy, Microsoft probably wants to ensure that consumers and companies immediately choose the latest Windows version when purchasing new hardware. Companies in particular regularly install older Windows versions on their systems. However, Microsoft hopes that as many users as possible will switch to Windows 10, and for this reason has made an upgrade from Windows 7 or 8.1 free.

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