Future PC processors will only support Windows 10

Microsoft has announced in a blog post that future processors in PCs will not come preinstalled with Windows 7 or 8.1 but Windows 10.

Previously there would be updates to new hardware to work with older operating systems work with newer ones but this time, they trashed that method and reversed it. Next generation processors like Intel, AMD, NVidia and Qualcomm will now support Windows 10 in new models.

“We continue to partner with these companies on their roadmaps, to achieve breakthroughs in performance, imaging, connectivity, power, graphics, and more as the Windows platform evolves with them,” Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group, wrote in the blog.

He also added that “Windows 7 will continue to be supported for security, reliability, and compatibility through January 14, 2020 on previous generation silicon. Windows 8.1 will receive the same support through January 10, 2023. This includes most of the devices available for purchase today by consumers or enterprises.”

So support will be there but only for devices that were made to support Windows 7 an 8.1. Its latest operating system Windows 10 has over 200 million active users of and Microsoft expects to see more growth. Here are the rates of adoption of the various Windows versions over the years:

The push to users’ adoption of Windows 10 may come from the fact that the new OS helps with better WiFi connection, better graphics and improved security compared to Windows 7 or 8.1.