Skylake requires Windows 10, and so will future models

Jan 16, 2016 08:24 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has recently confirmed that new CPUs will only work with Windows 10, so in case you're planning to purchase a new computer in the next 12 months, you'll have to upgrade to the new operating system.

The new support policy comes into effect with Intel's new 6th-generation CPUs (codenamed Skylake) and will affect all future CPUs, the company confirmed in a statement.

Windows 7 devices with Skylake need to be upgraded

Select devices coming with Skylake will be able to run Windows 7 and 8.1, but they will have to be upgraded to Windows 10 by July 17, 2017, Terry Myerson, head of the OS group at Microsoft explained. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 will thus remain platforms for older architectures, and devices with newer CPUs, including Skylake, that are yet to be updated to Windows 10 will only receive security updates if they do not affect compatibility or reliability.

“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. For example, Windows 10 will be the only supported Windows platform on Intel’s upcoming 'Kaby Lake' silicon, Qualcomm’s upcoming '8996' silicon, and AMD’s upcoming 'Bristol Ridge' silicon,” Myerson noted.

Myerson went on to explain that there's a huge difference in performance when comparing Skylake on Windows 7 and Windows 10, saying that the new operating system can provide 30x better graphic and battery life that's three times bigger.

Devices running Windows 7 or 8.1 and which are using an older chip will continue to receive updates and security patches as planned until January 14, 2020, and January 10, 2023, respectively.

But the bottom line is that new computers coming with the latest-generation chips will need Windows 10 and Windows 10 only, so Microsoft's gradually pushing Windows 7 out in the dark.