Atom CPUs not supported by the Creators Update just yet

Apr 6, 2017 07:13 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 Creators Update, and while everyone rushes to install it with the Update Assistant, the official ISOs, or the Media Creation Tool, the software giant recommends users of PCs with Intel Clover Trail processors to postpone the upgrade.

The company says in a warning that Intel Clover Trail chips are not yet supported by Windows 10 Creators Update, and while you might be able to get it up and running on such a device, the experience you’ll get will be substantially impacted, with icons and text likely not to appear at all.

Furthermore, Microsoft says that some UI parts could be displayed as solid color blocks on devices powered by these processors, if the Creators Update installs correctly in the first place.

Wait until it shows up in Windows Update

Four different processors are listed as unsupported at this point, namely the Atom Z2760, Z2520, Z2560, and Z2580, but Microsoft says that it’s already working with partners to develop support.

“Microsoft is working with our partners to provide compatible drivers for these processors.  Until then, Windows Update will prevent devices containing one of the processors listed above from installing the Creators Update,” the company says.

“If your PC contains one of these processors, Microsoft recommends that you do not install the Creators Update from the software download site. Please wait and allow Windows Update to install the Creators Update after compatible drivers are released and installed. If you have already installed Creators Update from the software download site and are experiencing these problems, you can use Windows 10’s recovery options to go back to an earlier build.”

The safest way to upgrade to the Creators Update with a PC running an Intel Clover Trail processor is to wait until it shows up on Windows Update, though there are no specifics on when this is supposed to happen.

Microsoft, however, is rolling out the Creators Update via Windows Update in stages in order to ensure that smooth performance is offered, so Atom systems should see the new OS release available for download only when the aforementioned issues are resolved.