Forum Discussion
Windows 11 for 7th generation Intel
Hi, I have learned that Microsoft has excluded all Intel processors prior to 8th generation from their current Windows 11 upgrade. While it is a great way to make millions of PC's obsolete, it is a pain for 1. the customer (who, like myself, has invested more than $1k for a machine which will be obsolete after 5 years and therefore is a bad investment), and 2. for the environment (if you want to avoid climate change you shouldn't dump millions of machines, probably having them burnt in the open air in some 3rd world country). Of course, Intel and PC builders like to sell new gear, however they are basically admitting that their designs weren't future-proof and sustainable from the outset. I feel that Microsoft and Intel should have a closer look at customer satisfaction before they take such a short-sighted decision which renders good hardware useless without much value added.
64 Replies
I agree with you. In my case, I have used the hacks described on various websites about using Rufus to install an unrestricted version of Windows 11. It does not have access to the preview channel but it did accept my Windows 10 license, so there's that. I also managed to install all of my old, unsigned drivers so that my functioning Brother 5040 printer works, so that I didn't have to dump it into the landfill - at least not yet.
I am sure that everything will stop functioning at some point, and then I will graduate from my i7-3770 to maybe an i7 tenth generation. Anyway, I really think that creating all of this e-waste for an OS update is really gross. I depend on Microsoft products for what I do, so I am stuck. I do hope that MS stops telling the world that they are an environmentally friendly company, because this vulgarity demonstrates that they are not. If anyone is curious, here are the specs on my 10 y/o machine.
ASUS P8Z68 DELUXE
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3770 CPU @ 3.40GHz 3.40 GHz
Installed RAM 32.0 GB
Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 21H2
Installed on 4/25/2022
OS build 22000.832Thanks for publishing your experience with Win 11 on your old salty yet reliable i7- 3rd gen work horse.
One of my admins at our company is still using his 3rd gen i7 -- and resists my complaints that he needs to swap out the $1200 9th gen system we shipped him 5 months ago...
Speaking as a PC tech of 30 years, I agree with Microsoft policy on THIS issue.. and the reasons for biting the bullet far outweigh the risks... though just about everything else they do on every other OS upgrade irks me to no end.
What I would like to know.. (which NO ONE has mentioned so far) does the 'Win 11 fresh install' on your system... each and every month... allow and install the updates every patch Tuesday.
THIS IS WHAT MATTERS MOST.
If for any reason, MS allows this today and then in future blocks said updates, then anyone using the non-approved hardware for Win 11 will eventually get what is coming their way in the form of Russian/Iranian/ North Korean MALWARE designed to victimize people who do not follow the guidelines.
Regardless, I am eager to know if your system has been accepting updates. And until Win 11 22H2 comes out this October, I am not investing my time testing it on any system.
Sharing the good news on Win 11...
In October 2022, MS should be releasing the next version of Win 11. Said version should run Android apps by default, abolishing that pesky memory leak on File Explorer tabs (trust you do NOT want memory leaks in File Explorer) and general improvements to the start menu which was a huge step backward IMHO.
In addition, it is rumored that 4 times a year, Win 11 will download new apps and features. Some speculate that after two years, then we might see Win 12.
Looking forward to your response.
- Hi there,
Here is what Win 11 says that I have running:
Version 21H2
Installed on 4/25/2022
OS build 22000.832
I will post what happens on Patch Tuesday - fingers crossed. I am typing on my Android so forgive me if I didn't answer something else. Will update tomorrow.
Regards!
- I honestly don't think everything will stop functioning at some point. I was in beta on windows 10 pro on i5 7500 and windows 11 got installed while installing the beta update. That's good new. Also if Microsoft goes that route to stop updates and features on unsupported machines that's a failure tours them and ill definitely ditch windows altogether. But i don't think it will happen. I gotten updates while on windows 11. Runs and smooth as windows 10.
- Like yourself i have an unsupported processor, namely i7-8620HQ, which minimum speed is 2.7Ghz, with turbo boost 3.2Ghz when necessary. I have installed Windows 11 and like yourself it rus as smooth as silk, i get all the updates with no worries . Like many that pay in acess of 1000 pounds for a professional pc it is expected not to change systems within a four year period or beyond unless something dramatic happens. All companies have to run at a profit however they can and Intel, microsoft & company must allow marginal processors to be included in their upgrades. This would allow pc and chip manufacturers, be a little mor eco friendly and offer a better reception by the end user.
- I did a clean install of windows 10 and join beta program and for my surprise windows 11 got installed. I was shocked. You should try and see if that works. But remember do a back up.
Hello, Windows10 will be supported until October 2025.
The exclusion of 7th generation Intel processors has been tested in the Insider program and by many independent institutions.simply - the architecture of the processors and the possibility of failure was decisive.
Best regards
https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2021/08/27/update-on-windows-11-minimum-system-requirements-and-the-pc-health-check-app/
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What the freak does that mean, "the possibility of failure was decisive"?
- its all b.s to me. its business to them, they want us just to buy more recent machines and make retailers, manufacture happy. they know some 7th gen runs fine and buttery like i5 7500. i think Microsoft should stop with all these requirements and let the users decide if they want to risk it and upgrade.
