Microsoft Blocks Windows Support Updates For AMD Ryzen And Kaby Lake PCs Running Windows 7 and 8.1

Builders, upgraders and users running Windows 7 and 8.1 on new generation AMD Ryzen and Kaby Lake have now been locked out of system updates from Microsoft.

Systems with the latest generation processors running Windows 7 and 8.1 now receives an error message that the PC they are using uses a processor that is not supported with their version of Windows.The message now appears when users running an older OS with the new processors try to update their system. The user will also be given an advice to upgrade their OS to Windows 10.

Apparently, Microsoft slammed its doors on users who might want to run Ryzen or Kaby Lake chips on an older version of Windows. This does not mean though that using the new chips with older Windows OS will not work, for it will still do, just without getting new security patches and updates.

Previous speculations hinted that AMD was working on chipset drivers for socket AM4 platform for Windows 7. However, after getting validation for its Ryzen desktop processors, the company decided to roll out support and drivers for Windows 10 instead.

Apparently, AMD conducted tests on Windows 7 with AMD Ryzen; the results were discouraging for there were features that did not fare well using the older OS, therefore the decision to abandon it. Additionally, Microsoft's Knowledge Base post would suggest Microsoft intends to implement a hard block, with Windows Update completely locking out the new processors from older OS, according to Ars Technica.

Many Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users accuse Microsoft that this attempt is to force its user base to install Windows 10 to increase its market share. However, even if the processors themselves are backward compatible and can function without problems on older generation OS, the only caveat is that the machine will no longer be eligible for security fixes and updates, opening it to security risks.

According to PC World, in Microsoft's bid to move things forward, it robs users and enthusiasts of their freedom to choose which operating system they would use. Accordingly, this freedom is strongly defended by the user community in the past.

AMD and Intel may seem to have little choice in Microsoft's decision that will effectively limit the customers they sell to. No matter what reason Microsoft might give out in terms of providing a more manageable, secure operating system, and all the benefits it might have with across all users and devices, a substantial portion of users cannot see past the blatant attempt to force Windows 10 upon them.

The problem with this new decision is that Windows 7 still reigns as the world's number one desktop operating system. Nearly 50 percent of all PCs are still powered by it. Windows 10, on the other hand, is just getting close to 25 percent.