All these PCs will need to be upgraded to Windows 10

Jan 23, 2016 08:03 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has recently revealed that devices powered by Intel’s new Skylake lineup of processors will require Windows 10 starting July 17, 2017, so they will continue to be supported even if they run Windows 7 or 8.1 for almost 18 more months.

Furthermore, Redmond says that new processors will require Windows 10 by default, so there are almost zero chances to purchase a new computer sometime in the next couple of years and run anything but this new operating system.

In a support page today, Microsoft reveals the list of devices that are currently equipped with Skylake and that will continue to receive support until July 17, 2017, even if they run Windows 7 or 8.1. After this date, however, they’ll have to be upgraded to Windows 10.

The full list (which you can find in the box at the end of the article) includes devices from Dell, HP, Lenovo, and NEC, all of which have agreed to make Windows 10 mandatory starting mid-2017.

“For each of the supported systems listed on the OEM pages, the OEM has committed to additional testing, regular validation of Windows Updates, and publishing drivers and firmware for Windows 10 on Windows Update which will help unlock the security and power management benefits of Windows 10 once the systems are upgraded,” Microsoft says.

Windows 10 for the win

Terry Myerson, head of the OS group at Microsoft, has explained that the switch from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10 is needed because the difference in performance, security, and stability on new CPUs such as Skylake is huge in favor of the new operating system.

“Compared to Windows 7 PC’s, Skylake when combined with Windows 10, enables up to 30x better graphics and 3x the battery life - with the unmatched security of Credential Guard utilizing silicon supported virtualization,” Myerson says.

But there's no doubt this forced change will again cause criticism against the company, especially in mid-2017, when Windows 7 and 8.1 PCs with Skylake will stop getting updates.

Below is the list of devices that will continue to get updates on Windows 7 and 8.1.

Windows 7/8.1 Supported PCs