i5 7th generation processors are incompatible with the direct update from Windows 10 to Windows 11. We know this from the list of Microsoft’s Windows 11 compatible processors. As of November 2021, the list of compatible processors does not contain any 7th generation Intel i5 processor. There has been no modification in the list of Intel i5 7th generation processors that are compatible with Windows 11.
Intel i5 7th generation computer updates to Windows 11?
But, we have had confirmation from at least 2 users over the previous week. Both run Intel i5 7th generation processors. The personal computers are compatible on every other Windows 11 eligibility requirement. The missing link is the i5 7th generation processor. Both these computers have received Windows 11 update. One user’s i5-7400 computer got updated to Windows 11 from Windows 11. It is running fine as of now.
The other user has received a notification of a pending download of Windows 11 for upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The striking aspect of both computers is that all the drivers on the system also got updates. These include the Intel drivers for audio, network and the graphics card drivers from the manufacturers. Is there a possibility that Intel and Microsoft could be looking at testing the i5 family’s 7th generation processors for Windows 11 operating system?
Last week, we also received a notification about the increased rate of updates of Windows 11 by Microsoft. Now, we have received updates about the i5 processor family of the 7th generation processors.
I have Intel i5 7th generation processor. Should I wait for Windows 11 update?
For the Intel i5 7th generation processors, it looks like the best option would be to wait for a few months for the situation to evolve and clear. Things seem to be progressing in the right direction. As a worst case scenario, you do have access to Windows 10 updates until October 2025.
It definitely looks like that Microsoft is on to something for the 7th generation Intel processors. And, the same would hold true for Intel as well. Quite a sizable number of 7th generation processors of Intel have yet to be retired. It does not make any sense for the systems driven by these processors to be deprived of the Windows 11 operating system.
Our suggestion would be to hold off on to Windows 10 for some more time. Especially, if you are running a small business on a computer driven by an Intel i5 7th generation processor. There are lot of unanswered questions for now in terms of Intel i5 7th generation processors:
- are the Intel i5 7th generation processors being tested by Microsoft and Intel for Windows 11 performance?
- will such computers and processors have access to the security, feature and other updates through the Windows update program of Microsoft?
- is Intel doing a complete refresh of its software for the i5 7th generation processors and the drivers that work with it?
- are the audio and display adapters from different manufacturers being updated to correspond to Windows 11 support on the Intel i5 7th generation processors?
Remember, nothing has changed officially. Both, Intel and Microsoft continue to maintain the the Intel i5 7th generation processors are not compatible for Windows update from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Can I install Windows 11 on Intel i5 7th generation processors?
Yes, you can look to get a clean install of Windows 11 on an Intel i5 7th generation processor. Microsoft allows you to install Windows 11 through one of the three methods it has advertised on the website:
- install Windows 11 through ISO image
- use media creation tool to install Windows 11 through a DVD or USB drive
- let the installation assistant help you through the Windows 11 process
This is a clean install of Windows 11 computer. It is best to perform a clean install on a new partition or a new SSD drive. Keep your Windows 11 and existing Windows 10 installations separate for now. Also, do remember, there is no clarity that you will get any security, feature or other updates through the Windows update program on Windows 11 computer. We strongly suggest that you must take a balanced view of the entire situation. And, for small and not so large businesses, this could potentially mean more hassles due to unavailable security updates on the computer.
How do I track progress of Intel i5 7th generation processors for Windows 11 update?
Microsoft updates its list of compatible processors from time to time. Look out for the list of compatible Intel processors on the following link – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-supported-intel-processors
You may do well to track the Windows update program on your personal computer. Watch out for driver updates and Windows 11 update. If you get the Windows 11 update on your Intel i5 7th generation processor based computer, what should be done? Should you skip the update and stay on Windows 10 for now, until you have had a confirmation of future updates from Microsoft? Or, should you grab the update with both hands. Obviously, it is an assumption that in all likelihood, you will continue to get future updates from Microsoft through the Windows update program.
Eventually, many analysts see many incompatible Windows 10 computers moving to Windows 11 computers with or without restrictions.
Conclusion
A couple of Windows 10 users received auto updates to Windows 11 on Intel i5 7th generation processors during the 3rd week of November 2021. The computers updated to Windows 11 and seem to run fine for now. Is this an aberration? Or, is Microsoft testing Intel’s 7th generation processors for Windows 11? There is no confirmation on any of these factors. So, these Windows 11 updates should be treated as unconfirmed developments for now. We hope that Microsoft and Intel will release an official confirmation should the situation with Intel i5 7th generation processors changes in the near future.
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- Windows 11 not compatible with i5 7th generation processors
- Intel i5-7500 not compatible with Windows 11
Rajesh Dhawan is a technology professional who loves to write about Cyber-security events and stories, Cloud computing and Microsoft technologies. He loves to break complex problems into manageable chunks of meaningful information.