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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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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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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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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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