Is i7-7600 compatible with Windows 11?

Intel’s i7-7600 processor is not compatible with Windows 11. We look at more details on this page.

Salient points

• i7-7600 is called the Kaby Lake processor. The Kaby Lake processors are not compatible with Windows 11.
• i7-7600 processor belongs to the i7 family of core Intel processors.
• i7-7600 is a 7th generation processor from Intel.
• In the i7 family of processors, only processors that are from 8th generation or later generations are compatible with Windows 11. For a list of Intel processors compatible with Windows 11, you can check this Microsoft page.
• In terms of available options for your Windows 11 incompatible processor, you could choose to continue to run Windows 10 on it until October 2025.
• If you choose to buy the Extended Security Updates, you can continue with Windows 10 until October 2028.
• You can also install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware with registry modification. This option is not supported by Microsoft.

We look at a few options available for Intel i7-7600 systems.

Have a look at the quick updates for Windows 10 operating system. If your computer runs on i7-7600 processor, these quick facts may be of interest to you.

Windows 10 Extended Security Updates are free for retail consumers in Europe, except for people in Switzerland and United Kingdom. For people outside Europe, you could get 1 year of free access to Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 by encashing Microsoft reward points or backing up your computer’s settings to OneDrive. Detailed instructions can be read here.

• Windows 10 became end of life on 14 October 2025.
• You could get access to Extended Security Updates for Windows 10. This would allow access to the latest security updates released for Windows 10 after 14 October 2025.
• If you do not have access to the Extended Security Update program of Windows 10, the last security update for your computer is KB5066791. It was released on 14 October 2025.
• You must deploy this security update, KB5066791, on the Windows 10 computer. By doing so, your computer’s security will have been updated to the recommended status as of 14 October 2025. Just launching the Windows Update program on Windows 10 computer will initiate the process of updating the Windows 10 installation on computer.
• KB5068781 is the first extended security update released for Windows 10 version 22H2. ESU key is required to install this security update on your Windows 10 computer. ESU key can be had by encashing 1000 Microsoft reward points. Or, you could buy for $30 a year. Or, you could setup Backup of computer settings to Microsoft’s cloud to get free access to the ESU program for Windows 10 between October 2025 to October 2026.

Will my Windows 10 computer with i7-7600 processor stop working on i7-7600?

No, your Windows 10 computer based on i7-7600 processor will not stop working after October 2025. However, Microsoft will stop pushing out feature updates or security updates after 14 October 2025.

So, any new security vulnerabilities or threat uncovered in Windows 10 after October 2025 will remain unpatched. You can read more about details of how your Windows 10 will run after October 2025 on this page.

Can I continue on Windows 10 after October 2025?

Assuming you have an Intel i7-7600 processor running on Windows 10 operating system, the official support for Windows 10 ends on 14 October 2025. After that date, you can continue to use Windows 10 by participating in the ESU program for Windows 10. This is an Extended Security Update program devised by Microsoft for end-of-life Windows 10 computers.

The main features of the ESU program for Windows 10 are:

1. The ESU program is a paid program
2. You can opt to buy Extended Security Updates from Microsoft for a period between 1 to 3 years.
3. With full ESU program coverage, you can continue with Windows 10 until October 2028.

You can read more about pricing of Windows 10 ESU. It’s $30 a year for a retail user and $61 a year for business users.

Should I install Windows 11 on an incompatible system?

Microsoft has made it technically possible to install Windows 11 on an unsupported hardware. We do not support such installations because of the following reasons:

• Installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware will cause driver inconsistencies
• Your computer may malfunction after installing Windows 11 on unsupported hardware.
• Windows 11 on unsupported hardware will not be supported by Microsoft. So, coverage for security updates of Windows 11 will always remain a concern.

Buy a new computer?

Buying a new computer with Windows 11 operating system preloaded remains a practical option. If the budget allows, getting a new computer always remains the preferred option for systems that are not compatible with Windows 11. Remember, Windows 10 becomes end-of-life on 14 October 2025.