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    Does Windows 7 work on Kaby Lake laptops?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by franzerich, Jan 7, 2017.

  1. franzerich

    franzerich Notebook Evangelist

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    So I thought I'll buy a new laptop soon, and plan to install Windows 7 as usual. But then I see some strange articles claiming "Windows 7 does not support Kaby Lake"... Wtf...

    I haven't given this much thought earlier, but after CES I suddenly realized every new laptop comes out with Kaby Lake. Does that mean I can't even install Windows 7 anymore and the installation will fail right away? Or is this only a "you should not, but it will still work" thing?

    Should I make a run for an older laptop instead???

    Goddammit Windows 10 data spy trojan horse!!!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 7, 2017
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  2. Falco152

    Falco152 Notebook Demon

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    No support doesn't mean it won't run.
    It just code word that MS stopped offering direct engineering support (basically an educated technical 24/7 hotline support ) to 3rd party hardware/software manufacture.

    It will work as it have been done in the past Win OS, just not with full capability.
    You can still request full functionality drivers for unsupported OS from individual vendors for a fee or you can wait for someone make one.

    Or the vendor still supports it for free.
     
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  3. franzerich

    franzerich Notebook Evangelist

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    I see. Okay at least... though I wonder what full capability means? Will things like power saving ability in the Windows energy profiles don't work anymore? (which automatically makes my CPU work at half its clocks when power adapter is unplugged).

    Anyone has an idea which special CPU functions would work and not work?

    Wasn't there something about native h265 encoding (for video editing) with the new Kaby Lake processors? Would that be "blocked"?
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2017
  4. StormJumper

    StormJumper Notebook Virtuoso

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    If all the laptop came with was W10 then you will not get Win7 support that the short end of the story. No amount of looking will help. Your going to have to take the gut punch and go with Windows 10 for newer laptop whether you want to or not-they are not making drivers for Win7 on new laptops anymore. If you asking more about the iNtel CPU then you should contact iNtel support and ask them as this is their IP and would know more how to answer your question.
     
  5. pathfindercod

    pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso

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    Most clevos/sager offer windows 7 drivers for all their new laptops.


     
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  6. 3Fees

    3Fees Notebook Deity

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    Gut Punch,lol.