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Intel Atom Z2580, Clover Trail+

Prior to the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft had a relatively unproblematic update process. For the first 5 years of the Bone' lifespan, information technology received both security and characteristic updates. Afterward this period ended, the OS still received security updates for another five years. (Windows 8.0 was an exception to this process, as part of Microsoft's plan to motility people to Windows 8.1). Windows x inverse this policy significantly, offering updates for an unspecified period of time — back in 2022, Terry Myerson stated that Windows 10 updates would be offered "for the supported lifetime of the device." Now nosotros know what it looks like when devices get out that period of fourth dimension, and it'south not pretty.

Owners of Clover Trail-based Cantlet ii-in-1s (and peradventure a few laptops or netbooks) are being hitting with the following error when they try to install the Windows 10 Creators Update: "Windows 10 is no longer supported on this PC. Uninstall this app now because it isn't compatible with Windows 10."

Samsung Ativ Smart PC 500T

Devices like the Samsung ATIV were some of the first Clover Trail products.

Clover Trail systems were sold from 2022 to 2022, typically with Windows 8.0 or eight.1 installed. Under the 5+5 update system, a Clover Trail owner who stayed with Windows 8.i would receive feature updates through 2022 and security updates through 2023. Under the new Windows-as-a-service model, Microsoft only supports previous versions of its operating system for 18 months. Clover Trail got the previous Anniversary Update (1607), just can't install the Creators Update (1703).

Microsoft has pledged to continue offering security fixes for Clover Trail devices that upgraded to Windows x through 2023, according to The Verge, but that these products will receive no new features or not-security updates.

When Terry Myerson first made his merits almost updating for the supported lifetime of the device, it confused rather than antiseptic the state of affairs. Microsoft afterward issued an updated argument that included the post-obit: "A device may not be able to receive updates if the device hardware is incompatible, lacking current drivers, or otherwise exterior of the Original Equipment Manufacturer's (OEM) support period."

According to ZDNet's Ed Bott, there'southward some testify that this is a GPU driver issue. Intel used PowerVR Series 5XT drivers for Clover Trail and Clover Trail+, and apparently either Intel or Imagination Technologies (or both) aren't planning to update them whatsoever time soon. A back up note from Acer indicated it was working with Microsoft to add compatibility for these chips, merely The Verge appears to have dumped cold water all over that merits.

Where does this exit Clover Trail, Other Atom Devices?

Clover Trail owners will be limited to version 1607 (Anniversary Update) of Windows 10. (If you ain an Atom, you can bank check to see if it'southward a Clover Trail CPU hither.) Microsoft will still provide security updates through January 2023, meaning no users will be dumped off the bandwagon early, at least as far as security is concerned.

What's less clear is how Microsoft will handle this outcome with other SoCs. Bay Trail devices began shipping in 2022 and by and large ran Windows viii.1 likewise. Merrifield and Moorefield both launched prior to Windows x and too used PowerVR for graphics (G6430 in this case). Bay Trail used Ivy Bridge-class graphics, simply one of Microsoft'due south stated reasons for killing production support for Clover Trail was that the devices were no longer supported past Intel. As you tin can come across beneath, some Bay Trail devices have already hit the same "End of Interactive Support" problem.

Intel-Atom-Support

Click to enlarge. The initial Bay Trail SoCs are already at cease-of-life.

There'due south a simple fashion for Microsoft to cut through the murk and clarify this solution: Promise to provide security updates to all devices that upgraded from Windows viii.ane through 2023, even if feature updates stop earlier. This would cover other lower-end products from AMD and Intel that might otherwise air current upward orphaned.

Given how hard Microsoft pushed people to upgrade, and how willing it was to appoint in malware-like tactics (as admitted by its own executives) to get its Os on people's hardware, it'south the least the company tin can do. And if MS tin can't tell the difference between consumers that upgraded from Windows 7 and those that upgraded from Windows 8.1, well, treat them the same way. It's not like in that location's necessarily some huge hardware differential between Windows seven and Windows 8/8.1 systems, and Windows vii was more than popular than Windows viii/8.one through the entirety of the latter'due south life cycle. The smart move hither is to support the customers that autumn into this trap through no fault of their own.

Now read: Windows 10: The Best Subconscious Features, Tips, and Tricks