Microsoft blocks Ryzen and Kaby Lake users from updates on Windows 7 and 8.1

fudzilla.com ^ | 17 March 2017 | Nick Farrell

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Upgrade or die

Software king of the world Microsoft is locking down system updates for those using AMD’s Ryzen and Intel’s Kaby Lake processors on Windows 7 and 8.1.

Users are now starting to encounter the following error message: “Your PC uses a processor that isn’t supported on this version of Windows.”

This message appears when a user attempts to update their OS and a quick look at Microsoft’s support page reveals upgrading to Windows 10 is the only way to fix the problem.

Microsoft’s support page on the matter says that Windows 10 is the ‘only’ OS to support these updated hardware configurations. You will need Windows 10 if running Kaby Lake or newer, AMD’s Bristol Ridge or newer (this includes Ryzen), or the Qualcomm 8996 and want to receive important updates to remain secure.

Those who own these chips should not be surprised, and indeed those who spend money on getting the latest chips should probably not be using Windows 7 or 8 anyway. AMD warned that this would be happening in February.

At the time, it said it would not be releasing drivers for Ryzen running on Windows 7. Intel hinted that something similar would happen for Kaby Lake support last year.

The question really is one of ethics. Windows 8.1 won’t hit its end of life until next year, Vole is switching off its support early for new chips.

[usconservative]

I view any new updates from Microsoft for Windows 7 with suspicion because I know that their desire is to faze it out. So their incentive to screw your system up is strong.

I hope you have Windows 7 as a Virtual Machine with updates turned off somewhere. That's going to be the only way you'll be able to run Windows 7 in the not too distant future.

Those of you who are technically capable should download the free VMWare Player software and learn how to create a Windows 7 Virtual Machine from your current Windows 7 PC's. Make several copies, don't rely on one. Turn updates off and keep safe copies.

I personally have WindowsXP through Windows 8.1 as Virtual Machines and have updates turned off on all of them. I also disable Networking via the VMWare interface so that none of them communicate via Internet. Anything I need to do with any of those OS' is completely isolated from the Internet and any software I'd need to install/configure/re-install etc.. I have copies of also "just in case."

Welcome to the future of computing.

[yuleeyahoo]

At the time, it said it would not be releasing drivers for Ryzen running on Windows 7. Intel hinted that something similar would happen for Kaby Lake support last year.

If the chip makers are not making drivers for legacy operating systems, how is this Microsofts fault?

[Governor Dinwiddie]

#20 usconservative: "Windows as a Service is really where Microsoft has wanted to go all along. Office365, Azure, DevOps in the Cloud and more are all "Services" that Microsoft offers that are subscription based"

Great analysis. The point to which Microsoft is totally blind is that pursuing this policy will only drive sensible people to Chromebook or the Google cloud. Microsoft's plan hurts their partners (both hardware and software) because maybe 3/4 of all computer users can get by on Chromebook/Google cloud (or Linux) at zero cost. Why bother with Microsoft services when Google services are available to anyone, with any operating system that has net access.

Your other good point is that Linux is the only other alternative. I've used Linux for years and it does more than I could ever imagine doing on Windows and far easier, and far cheaper. The realistic alternatives to Windows and/or Microsoft "services" are (in no particular order):

• Apple (pricey, and another corporate lock in).
• Google Cloud and/or Chromebook (free/inexpensive, works well, but guard your privacy settings).
• Linux (free, very powerful, but you need to have an open mind initially. And of course Google cloud is available here too if that floats your boat).

[TruthBeforeAll]

And more land fills get filled up with the residue of these companies while their CEOs jet around the world pontificating about the horrors of global warming.

[upchuck]

Thanks for posting all the good WAS (Windows as a service) info.

Linux is on my research list.

[ontap]

I would think the object is to not update....the old system would work just fine for me since I don’t do any computing other than surfing the web and email!!

[fireman15]

I hope you have Windows 7 as a Virtual Machine with updates turned off somewhere. That's going to be the only way you'll be able to run Windows 7 in the not too distant future.

You and I share the same paranoid computer world view. If you start with a clean version of Windows 7 and spend a day or two fooling around with it, and then install the multitude of updates available it is amazing how much things get bogged down. I am always a little disappointed by the performance hit when running virtual Operating Systems. I guess that is one argument for a newer computer.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

#22 "If the chip makers are not making drivers for legacy operating systems, how is this Microsoft's fault?"

The article is misspeaking in a way. Software engineers would not characterize support for the CPU as a driver because the CPU is intrinsic to the operating system. Traditionally the only support operating system software engineers could expect from a manufacturer is good documentation. Ryzen is fully documented for OS development.

The idea that Windows 7/8 are unsupported on Ryzen has nothing to do with AMD, and everything to do with Microsoft. Of course I would expect nothing less of Microsoft than a little verbal slight of hand and signifying. If Microsoft wanted to support Ryzen, they damn sure could.

For what it's worth, Linux already has support for Ryzen. It is perfectly doable and there is no dark mystery to it.

[entropy12]

I am using Windows 7 Professional version. Still getting regular updates.

[minnesota_bound]

I would think getting a anti spyware program like Malwarebytes and a anti virus program like Webroot then you do not need to update Windows.

[MCH]

RRReeeeeeee! I can't run an old MS operating system on my brand new computer!!

Windows 7 was replaced in 2012. It's now 2 major versions old.

For the time being it's still being supported with new security patches & updates. However, not new major feature improvements like support for the latest CPU chips & instruction set extensions. Seems reasonable to me.

How many years after an old product has been deprecated do people expect them to keep pouring big bucks into it for major new feature upgrades? 5 years seems like a pretty good deal to me, in the world of software.

[MCH]

and a quick look at Microsoft’s support page reveals upgrading to Windows 10 is the only way to fix the problem.

Mint won't also fix the problem?

Windows 7 was deprecated 5 years ago. To be fair, you'd have to compare a comparable era version of Mint to see if it would support the latest processors.

Looks like that would be Mint v13 (Maya) from 2012, which is the oldest version of Mint still being supported. And from Linux Mint version history it looks like v13 LTS ends next month. So, pretty much on par with MS' old Windows 7 product in terms of long term support.

[publius911]

If the chip makers are not making drivers for legacy operating systems, how is this Microsofts fault?

Seriously?
You actually believe that the 9000-pound gorilla played no role in pressuring motherboard and chip makers into solidifying their attempt to monopolize all aspects of computing and peripherals?

If Microshaft can write software not to run anything not Microsoft or Microsoft-approved, things are drifting beyond "monopoly" into RICO territory.

Even Linux-based systems can't be immune.

[publius911]

Windoze updates are seriously overrated anyway.

"Overrated" is an understatement.

I have a 5-yr old Win 7 laptop and a 2-year old Win 10 laptop.

Without fail, every couple of Microsoft updates at least one piece of installed (legal and expensive) software breaks or is somehow compromised.

Microsoft is determined to commit suicide.
Works for me. But I better start preparing NOW.

[redcatcherb412]

{{{{{{{Even Linux-based systems can’t be immune.)))))))

The Win10/Ubuntu Bash marriage kinda shows that to be the case. It is interesting to run a unix shell from Windoze without having to reboot a seperate OS.

[publius911]

I would think the object is to not update....the old system would work just fine for me since I don’t do any computing other than surfing the web and email!!

Unless you have a computer fairy who allows you to connect to the internet to surf the net and use internet email, without connecting to the internet, you are vulnerable. Offline is the only safe option.

[PAR35]

Windows 7 was deprecated 5 years ago.

Yeah, and 8.1 wasn't.

[DAC21]

“They really, really, really want everyone on Win 10, don’t they?”

Them and NSA, CIA....

[null and void]

Precisely.

[null and void]

The idea that Windows 7/8 are unsupported on Ryzen has nothing to do with AMD, and everything to do with Microsoft.

DOS isn't done until Lotus won't run.