Posted on 09/02/2016 1:35:58 PM PDT by upchuck
Microsoft is slamming the door on PC builders and upgraders who might have hoped to use the new Intel Kaby Lake or AMD Zen chips for Windows 7 or Windows 8 PCs. Sorry: Both chips are officially supported only by Microsoft’s Windows 10.
Microsoft's mandate is discreet rather than secret. In January, the company tried to shorten its support lifecycle for Intel Skylake PCs running Windows 7 and 8, a policy the company subsequently abandoned after much outcry. But Microsoft’s statements have also consistently included a critical caveat: The latest generations of silicon—specifically Intel’s Kaby Lake chip, Qualcomm’s 8996, and AMD’s Bristol Ridge silicon—will all require Windows 10.
“As new silicon generations are introduced, they will require the latest Windows platform at that time for support,” a Microsoft spokeswoman replied, when asked to confirm that that position was still in place. The goal appears to be to move forward with new features, even if it means leaving some users behind. “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.”
Why this matters: Microsoft's push forward, however rational from a technology standpoint, robs PC enthusiasts of their choice of operating systems—a freedom this particular sector of the community has loudly defended in the past. This could have broader implications for the PC market, too: It could be the deciding factor that finally brings about the abandonment of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. (Linux is an option, too, and nothing is precluding Apple from buying the chips for Macs, either.)
(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...
Win 10 offer nothing new and usable for me so I'm planning to staying with Win 7 as long as possible. All updates turned off.
Ping.
I dont have to have Microsoft. I dont have to have apple either.
Hmm ... AMD? Big marketing opportunity. Also, Can’t VMWARE tell Windows 7 it’s an Intel Skylake or earlier?
Me too.
Thanks for the update.
AMD caved too, sheesh.
I use Linux now, and will never go back.
Why is illegal? If MS does not want to modify their software to accommodate the new chips why should they be compelled to do so?
Win10 freezes up erratically.... can interrrupt seriously-important work
we will stick with Win7, as troublesome as it can be at times it is still far more reliable than Win10
“Win 10 offers nothing new and usable for me so I’m planning on staying with Win 7 as long as possible. All updates are turned off. “
Me too.
Thanks for the update.
And when my PC dies I will move to Mac like my wife already has for her business with no issues.
XP FOREVER!......................
Why is illegal? If MS does not want to modify their software to accommodate the new chips why should they be compelled to do so?
Because MS seems not to be changing any of their stuff. It's about making others conform to MS and it's business plan.
It's about denying 3rd parties the option of supporting older versions of Windows and forcing people into Win X. I believe this is also called forced obsolescence. That can be a problem in several ways, such as anti-trust or unfair trade practices.
I don't know if there any violations here or not but it should be looked into at least.
Not a lawyer, don't play one on TV, and I wash my hands after dealing with them.
I was once an XP forever person. But with Win 10 coming out, I decided to upgrade to MSFT’s last decent (IMHO) OS and made the leap to Win 7 this past spring.
It’s not that much different from XP and I’m using Classic Shell to keep some of my XP GUI favs around.
You’re welcome.
I am not in favor of either of those kinds of laws.
If someone wants to not sell to someone else I don’t see that government should force them to do so.
If MS wants to put contractual restrictions on the use of their products I see no reason that they should not be permitted to do so.
I am not a fan of MS and I fully intend to never buy another of their products. I don’t like that their Windows 10 is spyware. I like others on this thread have turned off updates on the Windows 7 and 8 machines I have.
I originally had intended to buy Apple when I got the Windows 8 box but my wife did not want to learn Apple but now she hates Windows 8 so that is the end of Windows in my home.
Maybe I will try Linux next.
I use 7 at work........Have never had a problem with XP..............
XP is still on my PC.
So Microsoft is actively reducing their customer base?
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