Microsoft backtracks after public outcry, to provide support for Intel’s sixth generation Skylake processors run Windows 7/8.1 PC/laptops
After a tremendous public outrage over Microsoft’s decision to exclude Skylake processor run Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 from receiving security updates, Satya Nadela run tech giant has now backtracked and said that will support Skylake PC’s running on Window 7/8.1.
Users will remember that Microsoft announced back in January it will stop providing support and security fixes for all PCs running Intel’s sixth generation Skylake processors. It had said at that time that these must upgrade to Windows 10, or risk not being supported.
In fact, at that time Microsoft had given 18 months deadline for Skylake processor run Windows 7/8.1 PC/laptop owners to upgrade to Windows 10 or lose support and risk their PCs. At that time it was seen as shadow blackmailing on part of Microsoft to make Skylake processor run PC owners to move to its newly released Windows 10 OS.
According to the Microsoft Blog, the Skylake Processor run Windows 7/8.1 PC/laptops will continue to receive support and security updates upto 2018.
We have extended the support period from July 17, 2018 to the end of support dates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1; and we will provide all applicable security updates.
It also announced that Skylake PCs will be supported normally on Windows 7 and 8.1. Extended support for Windows 7 ends on January 14, 2020, and for 8.1, it’s January 10, 2023, so those are the dates that users of the operating systems can expect to stop receiving patches.
Microsoft however has not budged from its stated position on Intel’s seventh generation Kabylake and AMD’s Bristol Ridge and said that the PC/laptops running on these next gen processors will have to install Windows 10.