14 DAY TRIAL // Earlier this month, it has emerged that Microsoft would block Windows updates on Windows 7 and 8.1 systems with latest-generation processors, and now it turns out that the software giant is getting ready to enforce this restriction in the two operating systems.
This month’s preview updates, which are supposed to allow IT managers to test updates before they are shipped via Windows Update, include two patches that enable what Microsoft calls “processor generation detection” in Windows 7 and 8.1.
The two updates are KB4012218 and KB4012219, respectively, and are currently available via the Microsoft Update Catalog, as they’re still offered with a preview tag. As gHacks reports, the changelog is huge, but also includes a reference to Microsoft’s new policy.
“Enabled detection of processor generation and hardware support when PC tries to scan or download updates through Windows Update,” one of the lines in the changelogs reads.
Updates to ship to Windows 7 and 8.1 next month
Microsoft has already confirmed that the latest-generation processors, including here AMD’s Ryzen and Intel’s Kaby Lake, would only be supported by Windows 10, so these new updates do not come as a big surprise. Especially given the recent news that updates would be blocked for systems running the newer chips, that is.
Redmond’s announcement was made by Terry Myerson in January 2016, who explained that Windows 10 was the only OS version coming with features to take full advantage of the technology bundled in the latest processors.
“Going forward, as new silicon generations are introduced, they will require the latest Windows platform at that time for support. 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,” he said.
These two updates are projected to be pushed to all Windows 7 and 8.1 systems next month as part of the Patch Tuesday cycle on April 11.