Microsoft locks Ryzen and Kaby Lake users out of updates on Windows 7 and 8.1

It looks like Microsoft is starting to lock down system updates for those using AMD's Ryzen and Intel's Kaby Lake processors on older versions of Windows, including Windows 7 and 8.1. Users are now starting to encounter the following error message: “Your PC uses a processor that isn’t supported on this version of Windows”. This message appears when a user attempts to update their OS and a quick look at Microsoft's support page reveals upgrading to Windows 10 is the only resolution.

Microsoft's support page on the matter says that Windows 10 is the ‘only' OS to support these updated hardware configurations. You will need Windows 10 if running Kaby Lake or newer, AMD's Bristol Ridge or newer (this includes Ryzen), or the Qualcomm 8996 and want to receive important updates in order to remain secure.

This shouldn't be entirely surprising news. Back in February we did hear that AMD wouldn't be releasing drivers for Ryzen running on Windows 7 and Kaby Lake support on older operating systems has been up in the air since last year. That said, Windows 8.1 won't hit its end of life until next year, so locking that OS out too seems like an overstretch, though it makes sense given Microsoft's efforts to push people to Windows 10.

KitGuru Says: It seems that Microsoft is trying some new methods to get die-hard Windows 7 users to finally make the jump to more up to date software. Are any of you still running an older version of Windows? Would you try sticking to it if building a new system?

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