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Is there any issue running Windows 7 on an 7th Gen. Intel CPU (Kaby Lake) aside from:

  • Windows Update may not work properly (I know it can be patched, e.g. using wufuc)
  • as always, one has to check that the other component of the computer (sound card, network adapter, etc.) has a driver that works with Windows 7

?

I read some conflicting statements. Some sources seem to say it is not possible, e.g.:

https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kaby_Lake&oldid=824423084 :

Kaby Lake is the first Intel platform to lack official driver support for versions of Windows older than Windows 10.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4012982/the-processor-is-not-supported-together-with-the-windows-version-that :

Windows 10 is the only Windows version that is supported on […] Intel seventh (7th)-generation processors

And some sources say it is possible, e.g.:

https://github.com/zeffy/wufuc :

[…] allows you to continue installing updates on Windows 7 and 8.1 systems with Intel Kaby Lake, AMD Ryzen, or other unsupported processors.

http://www.windowspasswordsreset.com/computer/how-to-install-windows-7-on-intel-skylake-laptop-and-desktop-computer.html (mirror):

This article tells you how to add USB 3.0 and intel RST drivers to Windows 7 installation disc, and install Windows 7 on Intel Skylake and Kabylake (6th&7th generation) based laptop and desktop computer with USB drive.

Franck Dernoncourt
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    You're going to have to rely on hacks & cracks - it's going to become the equivalent of running a Hackintosh. – Tetsujin Mar 22 '18 at 20:24
  • @Tetsujin Thanks, could you please indicate one specific issue? – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 22 '18 at 20:25
  • You have asked this exact same question before though it is [now deleted](https://superuser.com/questions/1293880/can-i-use-windows-7-on-an-7th-generation-intel-cpu-kaby-lake)... what exactly has your research in the mean time showed? Have you tried it? – Mokubai Mar 22 '18 at 20:26
  • @Mokubai I have added my "research" to the question, namely "Windows Update may not work properly (I know it can be patched, e.g. using wufuc) ; as always, one has to check that the other component of the computer (sound card, network adapter, etc.) has a driver that works with Windows 7". I haven't tried it as I prefer to know before buying. – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 22 '18 at 20:28
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    There is no 'specific issue' there is a whole slew of issues, trying to bypass your 'not supported' status. – Tetsujin Mar 22 '18 at 20:36
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    @Tetsujin why not mention just one issue (if possible, an important one)? Just curious. Saying there are issues doesn't help much. – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 22 '18 at 20:45
  • Just because there is little to no driver support does not mean it is "impossible", just that random things will not work. This feels like it would devolve into "if, buts and maybes". Why not simply try it, and ask for help fixing specific problems? Or, better yet, just get an OS that *is* supported? – Mokubai Mar 22 '18 at 20:52
  • @Mokubai "there is little to no driver support" -> which component are you talking about? – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 22 '18 at 20:54
  • @Mokubai " Why not simply try it" -> I haven't tried it as I prefer to know before buying. – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 22 '18 at 20:54
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    @FranckDernoncourt Windows 10 isn't really that terrible. If you insist on running an unsupported configuration, expect problems which no-one else has found and have no practicable resolution. – Andrew Morton Mar 22 '18 at 21:23
  • @AndrewMorton I already have Windows 10 on some other computers. But on one computer I need to have Windows 7 natively (= no VM). – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 22 '18 at 21:30
  • @FranckDernoncourt If you *need* Windows 7 then prefer compatible hardware. Otherwise https://superuser.com/questions/1306946/is-there-any-issue-running-windows-7-on-an-7th-gen-intel-cpu-kaby-lake#comment1941896_1306946 and then ask a specific question or questions about the issues you found. –  Mar 23 '18 at 00:12
  • @MichaelBay I have already answered to the comment you linked to. – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 23 '18 at 00:15
  • @FranckDernoncourt Indeed you did by just repeating yourself. This is a circular argument. Mokubai's main point is "try it, and ask for help fixing **specific** problems" and you replied you don't want to. This is the problem: Either you ask a question about a specific issue or it's off-topic (too broad). –  Mar 23 '18 at 00:33
  • @MichaelBay there have been a single answer so it doesn't seem too broad. Makes no sense to buy the computer if it doesn't work with the OS I need to use. – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 23 '18 at 01:01
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    You’re trying to do something unsupported. You know what that means but it seems you want people to prove it to you. We’re not here to speculate on what hundreds of engineers at Intel and Microsoft know. For whatever reason you want to keep Windows 7, it doesn’t change the fact that it is a dying operating system and anything requiring the use of it is also dying. So, rather you like it or not, you’re going to be replacing Windows 7 and everything related to it eventually. So there is no reason not to just try and see, unless the time to replace everything is NOW. – Appleoddity Mar 23 '18 at 02:01
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    @Appleoddity I don't use Windows 7 by choice, I have to. I don't know what unsupported implies in terms of stability in that case. Plenty of things are "unsupported" and then turn out to work fine. – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 23 '18 at 02:22

3 Answers3

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After searching on the web for quite some time and given the fact that the comments on the question do not give any concrete issues, it looks like Microsoft Windows 7 runs fine on an 7th Gen. Intel CPU (Kaby Lake). Tested on ASUS ROG G752VS-XB72K. i7 was running fine.

The only minor issue is that Microsoft decided to stop pushing "updates" to Windows 7 running on an on an 7th Gen. Intel CPU, so if you want to use Microsoft Updates you have to patch it, e.g. using https://github.com/zeffy/wufuc.

Franck Dernoncourt
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  • Downvoter: please explain. – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 23 '18 at 04:16
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    What about driver and compatibility issues? Have you actually tested it and can verify that Win 7 handles the hardware with no problems, or is this answer theoretical? – fixer1234 Mar 23 '18 at 06:32
  • @fixer1234 driver for which component? Compatibility between which components? – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 23 '18 at 06:53
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    Any components. The question cites references that say the hardware and drivers are not supported. The answer says the only issue is updates. So my question is, did you actually test it on the new hardware and found no actual driver or compatibility issues? – fixer1234 Mar 23 '18 at 07:00
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    To clarify, the answer seems to suggest that it is based only on collecting information; that nobody offered any concrete evidence of issues. That's to be expected if people took the various sources at their word and never invested the time to evaluate what, if any, problems manifest as a result. So that, alone, isn't really evidence that there are no compatibility/driver issues. However, if you actually tested it and found no problems, that's pretty good evidence that it isn't a foregone conclusion that it won't work. – fixer1234 Mar 23 '18 at 07:17
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    @fixer1234 done – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 23 '18 at 07:18
  • Add that to the answer and I'll offset the downvote. :-) – fixer1234 Mar 23 '18 at 07:19
  • @fixer1234 done – Franck Dernoncourt Mar 23 '18 at 07:20
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Windows 7 works fine on 7th and 8th gen of Intel CPU if your Motherboard provide the drivers like Gigabyte for instance (but you should check the model before purchasing, most Z370 have windows 7 drivers for instance)

For Ryzen it is the same, you should check if your motherboard has the driver before purchase. Most B350, and now X470 also have windows 7 support on gigabyte.

You should note that windows 7 drivers is not provided for raven APU 2200G & 2400G. And you can only run windows 10 or Linux on this platform.

For ryzen gen 2 such as 2600/2600X/2700/2700X AMD provide official drivers.

Most of the time whether it is AMD or Intel, you have to install windows 7 using a DVD through sata optical drive.

If your motherboard USB ports don't work during install, you will have to use PS2 keyboard and Tab key during install of windows.

Once windows is installed you should install straight away the USB3 drivers, then the chipset or the other way around depending of your MB.

Then reboot and everything should be fine.

Windows 7 support is announced to stop in 2020, but I guess like XP it will be extended for a couple more year (if you use windows update).

TriplePorridge
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    So, if I can get the mothearboard drivers I can run W7 x64 on all the Ryzen first generation? I'm interested in Ryzen 3 and Ryzen 5. – E_Blue Apr 24 '18 at 05:30
  • @E_Blue Yes, there is even an official support drivers up to x470 chipsets, but even on 50x chipsets it is possible to make it work with modified drivers (except for usb drivers on asrock motherboards on 50x chipsets, which will crash your os). Your best option is to get a preinstalled win7 on different os and move your ssd to a new setup. Also prepare a ps/2 keyboard or mouse beforehand, because usb driver will not work out of the box and you will need some manipulator to install them. – HydraOrc Jun 02 '22 at 10:15
  • @HydraOrc Thanks. I just buyed an Asrock Steel Legend B450 and work fine even for NMVE but some day the PSU or the GPU, i'm not sure, got bad and take out the motherboard with it. Now I'm on an ASUS B450 Rog Strix that doesn't support W7 so I just buyed a W10 Retail license. – E_Blue Jun 04 '22 at 19:36
  • @E_Blue did you run it with small PSU wattage and gave it some highload? I think for modern Ryzen with a good graphics card you need at least 750 – HydraOrc Jun 09 '22 at 12:08
  • @HydraOrc It was a Ryzen 5 1600 with an RX580 on a 500W EVGA PSU. I'm not on the high end GPU side. – E_Blue Jun 13 '22 at 18:03
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Of Course Yes. 7th and 8th Gen Processor only have USB Driver issue.

For 7th Gen Intel Processor, Download and install this USB Driver, The rest will work fine in everything.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/21129/USB-3-0-Driver-Intel-USB-3-0-eXtensible-Host-Controller-Driver-for-Intel-7-Series-C216-Chipset-Family

For 8th Gen Intel Processor, Download and install this USB Driver, The rest will work fine in everything.

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/22824/Intel-USB-3-0-eXtensible-Host-Controller-Driver-for-Intel-8-9-100-Series-and-Intel-C220-C610-Chipset-Family

SS CHIN
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