Microsoft Will Block Windows 7/8.1 updates on Newer Hardware
When Windows 10 launched there was an unerlying message claiming that Windows 10 would be the only OS supported on systems going forward. Basically that means if you buy or build a new PC it will be harder to get systems with Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 installed and driver support would eventually dry up.
It would seem that a few updates came down last week to finally enforce that message by looking at what hardware you have and blocking any updates from being pulled down.
When you try to scan or download updates through Windows Update, you receive the following error message:
Unsupported Hardware
Your PC uses a processor that isn’t supported on this version of Windows and you won’t receive updates.
Additionally, you may see an error message on the Windows Update window that resembles the following:
Windows could not search for new updates
An error occurred while checking for new updates for your computer.
Error(s) found: Code 80240037 Windows Update encountered an unknown error.
Cause
This error occurs because new processor generations require the latest Windows version for support. For example, Windows 10 is the only Windows version that is supported on the following processor generations:
Intel seventh (7th)-generation processors
AMD “Bristol Ridge”
Qualcomm “8996"
Because of how this support policy is implemented, Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 devices that have a seventh generation or a later generation processor may no longer be able to scan or download updates through Windows Update or Microsoft Update.
Resolution
We recommend that you upgrade Windows 8.1-based and Window 7-based computers to Windows 10 if those computers have a processor that is from any of the following generations:
Intel seventh (7th)-generation "Intel Core" processor or a later generation
AMD seventh (7th)-generation (“Bristol Ridge") processor or a later generation
Qualcomm “8996" processor or a later generation
We have known this day would come and it really shouldn't be a suprise to anyone. In fact it is a trend I am calling "The Microsoft Intel Poison Pill"
What this states is that Intel and Microsoft are working together to "force" users to upgrade their hardware. That helps make the computing experence better, companies will make money and justify additional research to make better hardware. It will also "force" people away from using a PC since phones and tables do 90% of what people want anyway.
All of this started with the launch of Windows 8 along with a huge push from Intel and Microsoft to make monitors touch enabled. The general public fought back and it soon died. Microsoft even changed the start menu (in a general FU fashion) to make it better to use on a traditional desktop.
The next push was with the launch of Windows 10 followed by another ultimatium claiming that Skylake and Kaby Lake would only run on Windows 10. There is nothing in the processor that is keeping it from physically running on an older OS. Plus, you can physically install any operating system including Linux on a LGA1151 system. The difference is that drivers are no longer being released for Windows 7/8/8.1 making it harder to run new hardware.
It would seem that now the poison pill is breaking and all with a simple Windows Update. This won't disable your PC but does open it up to security issues and additional problems that Microsoft has traditionally addresed. Though it would seem that we are holding on to things we like for too long and its costing the big three too much money.
Of course, what really drives it home is that all Microsoft has to do is tell Windows Update "No More Windows" and we will have a real world "House of M" situation.
