Microsoft Extends Windows 10 Security Updates To 2023 For Clover Trail Systems

Affected Intel Clover Trail processors include:

• Atom Z2760
• Atom Z2520
• Atom Z2560
• Atom Z2580

Adding salt to the wounds of these customers, Microsoft said that security updates for these systems would only extend into 2018. Most of these systems came preinstalled with Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, and had they stayed with Windows 8.1 instead of Windows 10 (which Microsoft enticed these users to do, for free), they would have received security updates until 2023.

Apparently, Microsoft has seen the error in its ways, as it has announced a policy change with regards to security updates for affected systems. For starters, Microsoft explained that its reason to not support Clover Trail systems piggybacks on Intel’s decision to turn its back on the platform.

“They require additional hardware support to provide the best possible experience when updating to the latest Windows 10 feature update, the Windows 10 Creators Update,” wrote Microsoft in an emailed statement. “However, these systems are no longer supported by Intel (End of Interactive Support), and without the necessary driver support, they may be incapable of moving to the Windows 10 Creators Update without a potential performance impact.”

While Microsoft has no intention of making sure that major feature updates are made compatible with Clover Trail systems (i.e. the Windows 10 Creators Update or Fall Creators Update), the company will now provide security updates for the next 6 years to these customers:

We know issues like this exist and we actively work to identify the best support path for older hardware. 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, which aligns with the original Windows 8.1 extended support period.

The fact that Microsoft would even attempt to cut off systems that were sold as recently as 2015 strikes us as a little puzzling, so we’re glad to see that the company at least had a [partial] change of heart.