Microsoft extends support for Windows 7 and 8.1 with Skylake again

Microsoft has again extended the support period for Windows 7 and 8.1 in combination with Intel Skylake processors, so there is now no limitation on that support. Twice before, Microsoft announced limited periods.

Microsoft reports that it has listened to customer feedback and has extended the support period for Windows 7 and 8.1 with Skylake processors from July 17, 2018 to the dates when support for both operating systems ends anyway, i.e. in combination with other hardware. This means that Windows 7 and 8.1 will also receive all security updates, not just the critical ones, on Skylake systems for the full extended support period. Extended support for Windows 7 will end January 14, 2020, and Windows 8.1 will end on January 10, 2023.

Microsoft announced in January that Skylake systems must migrate to Windows 10 from July 17, 2017 in order to receive support from Microsoft. That date was extended by a year to 2018 in March, and Microsoft then announced that only critical updates would be released after that period. Now that last limitation has also disappeared. It is not clear why Microsoft has extended Skylake support in such a phased manner.

The limitation that Windows 10 is only supported in combination with Intel Kaby Lake, AMD Bristol Ridge and later processor generations remains. After the arrival of the Anniversary Update, Windows has a support period until October 13, 2026. Before that update, that was October 14, 2025. Microsoft has a special page for viewing the support dates of the Windows versions.