CPU support Archives

Winsage

October 19, 2025

Windows 10 PC can’t be upgraded? You have 5 options – and must act now

Windows 10 reached its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025, concluding monthly security updates for over 1 billion PCs. Users with incompatible devices cannot upgrade to Windows 11 via Windows Update and are advised to purchase new hardware. Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for Windows 10 on a subscription basis for three years post end-of-support, with costs varying for consumers, educational institutions, and businesses. Users can also consider buying new PCs, renting a virtual PC through Windows 365, upgrading incompatible hardware to Windows 11 using specific methods, switching to a Linux distribution or ChromeOS Flex, or continuing to use Windows 10 without support, which poses security risks.

AppWizard

October 10, 2025

New AMD Ryzen Zen 6 CPUs work on old AM5 motherboards, Asus appears to confirm

Asus has announced that the B850M AYW Gaming OC motherboard will support the upcoming AMD Ryzen CPUs based on the Zen 6 architecture. The motherboard is designed for overclocking enthusiasts and will allow users to upgrade to new CPUs by simply flashing the BIOS on existing AM5 motherboards. Rumors suggest that the Zen 6 architecture may feature significant improvements, including a 24-core CPU and clock speeds up to 7GHz. The marketing materials indicate compatibility with both current AM5 CPUs and future Zen 6 processors. AMD's CPU sockets, like AM4 and AM5, have provided a strategic advantage by allowing users to upgrade their CPUs without needing a new motherboard, unlike Intel's approach with its LGA sockets.

Winsage

July 15, 2025

Microsoft to Freeze Microsoft 365 Features on Windows 10 in 2026, Pushing Users to Windows 11 Upgrade

Microsoft will stop delivering new features for Microsoft 365 applications on Windows 10 starting in August 2026, while continuing to provide security updates until October 2028. Users on the Current Channel will be the first affected, followed by those on the Monthly and Semi-Annual Enterprise Channels in October 2026 and January 2027, respectively. After these dates, all Windows 10 devices will only receive essential security patches. Microsoft is encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, which will have exclusive new features, while Windows 10 will remain secure but stagnant. Windows 10 will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025, after which users will need to pay for Extended Security Updates.

Winsage

May 17, 2025

Windows 11 Home vs Pro for Gaming: Which One Should You Choose?

Upgrading from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro does not yield significant benefits in gaming performance, compatibility, or features for most gamers. Both editions provide identical gaming performance, supporting the same core gaming technologies such as DirectStorage, Auto HDR, and Game Mode. Windows 11 Home supports up to 128 GB of RAM and one CPU socket with 64 cores, while Windows 11 Pro supports up to 2 TB of RAM and two CPU sockets with 128 cores. Pro includes additional features like BitLocker encryption, Remote Desktop hosting, Hyper-V virtualization, and Group Policy management, which are not typically utilized by gamers. The price of Windows 11 Home is lower than that of Pro, making it a more cost-effective choice for gaming. Both editions meet the hardware requirements for modern gaming, and compatibility with major games and platforms is consistent across both versions.

Winsage

March 5, 2025

Microsoft updates Windows 11 CPU support for OEM systems to include 8th to 10th Gen Intel CPUs

In mid-February 2025, Microsoft updated its support documentation regarding Intel processors' compatibility with Windows 11 24H2, adding several models from the 8th, 9th, and 10th generations that were previously excluded. These processors, introduced about eight years ago, can still perform adequately if their motherboards meet the TPM 2.0 requirement. Microsoft confirmed that these Intel CPU models meet the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 and indicated that future processor generations meeting similar principles will also be considered supported. Although the three Intel generations have not been reinstated on the official list, systems using these processors will not be rendered obsolete or stop receiving updates. Manufacturers are advised against using these older processors in new systems running Windows 11. An official list of supported CPUs for non-OEM or custom PC builders is not available, but builders should refer to Microsoft’s Windows 11 System Requirements, which require a CPU operating at 1 GHz or faster with two or more cores. It is possible to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware by adjusting certain registry values, but this may result in missing system and security updates. Users can also continue using Windows 10 for ongoing security updates or consider transitioning to a Linux operating system.

Winsage

February 24, 2025

Microsoft trims more CPUs from Windows 11 compatibility list

Microsoft has released a list of CPUs compatible with Windows 11 24H2, specifying that OEMs must use Intel's 11th-generation or later processors for new PCs. This update is directed at OEMs, not end users, and emphasizes that older pre-11th-generation Intel processors are not supported. Intel's 11th-generation chips were introduced in 2020 and have since been phased out, with many older processors now in a "legacy software support model." Users with eighth, ninth, and tenth-generation Intel processors may still use them if they meet other requirements like TPM 2.0. Microsoft has not clarified if this announcement indicates future reductions in CPU support, although it has historically adjusted hardware requirements.

Winsage

February 17, 2025

These chips are no longer supported by Windows 11

Microsoft has released an updated support list for Windows 11 tailored for OEM systems with the introduction of the 24H2 update. This update officially supports new Intel processors, including the Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200 series, but excludes older Intel 8th, 9th, and 10th-generation chips, including the Core i9-10900K. The exclusion of these processors aligns with Intel's strategy to transition older integrated GPUs to a legacy support model. AMD processors, including those from the Ryzen 8000 series, remain supported, though some models from the Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI families are missing. Existing systems with unsupported Intel processors can still install Windows 11 24H2 and receive updates, but the changes primarily affect OEMs launching new systems. Microsoft has also removed the official guide for installing Windows 11 without a TPM 2.0 check.

Winsage

February 16, 2025

Intel 8th, 9th and 10th Gen processors absent from Microsoft’s Windows 11 24H2 CPU support list

Microsoft has released the processor support lists for Windows 11 version 24H2, adding support for Intel's Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake Core Ultra 200 series processors. Support for Intel's 8th, 9th, and 10th Generation processors has been discontinued, following Intel's shift of its 7th to 10th Gen integrated graphics processing units (iGPUs) to a legacy support model. The official CPU support lists were published after several months of Windows 11 version 24H2 being available. The removal of support for the 10th Gen Comet Lake processors, such as the Core i9-10900K, has raised concerns, especially when compared to older models that remain supported. On the AMD side, Ryzen 8000 chips have been added to the support list, but there are discrepancies, including the mislabeling of the Ryzen 7 Pro 8945HS. The non-Pro variant is absent from the list, and Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI mobile chips, like the Ryzen AI 9 370 HX, are not explicitly supported. Microsoft has stated that new processors based on existing architectures will still be considered supported, even if not listed. Systems with CPUs outside the official support lists can still receive Windows updates, indicating a flexible support strategy.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

4 reasons why Windows 11 Pro is a solid OS for home labs

Many operating systems designed for server tasks are based on Linux due to its secure architecture, extensive packages, and community support, leading to a preference for Linux among DIY enthusiasts. Windows 11, particularly the Pro version, offers features that make it a viable option for experimentation servers, including a beginner-friendly GUI, built-in Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), higher RAM limits, dual-CPU support, and a built-in Hyper-V toolkit for running Windows VMs. Windows 11 Pro supports over 128GB of RAM and dual-processor setups, unlike the Home version, which has limitations. It can also function as an all-in-one workstation for gaming and everyday tasks, allowing users to host private game servers and run experimental virtual machines without complex configurations. However, Windows systems generally have less security and incur performance overhead compared to Linux-based platforms.

Winsage

November 22, 2024

Can your old PC even handle the Windows 11 upgrade? Here’s how to tell

As of October 2025, Windows 10 will no longer receive monthly security updates, prompting users to consider upgrading to Windows 11 or exploring alternatives. The ability to upgrade depends on the age and specifications of the PC, particularly the CPU. PCs designed from 2019 onward generally meet the requirements for Windows 11, including the necessary Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0. PCs from 2016 to 2019 may still be capable of upgrading but may require a registry edit if their CPUs are not officially supported. PCs designed between 2010 and 2015 may have some potential for upgrade, depending on the presence of a TPM and the CPU manufacturer. Older PCs from 2009 and earlier typically lack the necessary TPMs and CPU support for Windows 11, making upgrades unlikely. Users with these older machines might consider alternative operating systems like Linux.