Microsoft on Tuesday was found out to have cut off future Windows 10 updates for devices built on Intel Clover Trail Atom processors. But winds of change struck Microsoft on Thursday as it reverted back its decision.
Microsoft shut down its Windows 10 updates for certain Intel Atom processors after Intel ended its support for these chips. Following the clamour of affected device owners, the Redmond, Washington-based conglomerate decided to offer six more years of software updates, including the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
Microsoft has agreed to continue supporting devices running on Intel Clover Trail Atom processors with future Windows 10 updates, including the anniversary software version Fall Creators Update.
"As part of our commitment to customers, we will be offering the Windows 10 Anniversary Update to these Intel Clover Trail devices on Windows 10, which we know provides a good user experience. To keep our customers secure, we will provide security updates to these specific devices running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update until January of 2023."
The cloud computing firm's decision came as a fulfilment of its vision to make "Windows as a service."
"With Windows 10, we introduced Windows as a Service, a model for continuous value delivery via twice annual feature updates and monthly quality updates," says Microsoft in a statement 20 July. "Along with this updated delivery cadence, we adjusted our support lifecycle policies to reflect the Windows as a Service model."
IBTimes SG first reported on Tuesday the cutoff of Windows 10 support for certain devices. Affected devices run on Intel Atom processors Z2760, Z2580, Z2560, and Z2520. At least 10 million of these devices, mostly are desktop and laptop computers and tablets, were sold between 2013 and 2014 with Windows 8 operating system out of the box.
Microsoft noted that future Windows 10 updates should come in sync with support from the hardware, driver, and firmware to experience its finest performance. Thus, prolonging the support for certain devices. Once the hardware partner withdraws its support for a device or one of its components through updates and fixes, it will largely affect the performance of Windows 10 updates in the future, Microsoft further emphasised.
