BIOSTAR Adds Windows 7 Support To Some Intel and AMD Motherboards
by Gavin Bonshor on April 9, 2019 3:00 PM EST
With Windows 10 now a primary user requirement for the majority of current generation motherboard models, BIOSTAR has today announced that its latest range of Intel and AMD models will include Windows 7 support. Since July of 2015 when Microsoft launched its Windows 10 operating system, its main focus has been shifting users from older versions to the current and latest one. One example is its decision to drop ongoing support from January 14th 2020 for its Windows 7 operating system which includes both securities, and support updates. Biostar is upending this by providing Windows 7 support for its product line.
It is recommended that users looking to use Windows 7 on the supported BIOSTAR models take full advantage of the SHA-2 Security Update which is required beyond July 16th 2019. Not updating with security-focused updates prior to the impending SHA-2 security patch could lead to potential vulnerabilities.
A full list of supported motherboard models are listed below each with an inclusive link direct to the official download page:
AMD 300/400 Series Motherboards
- Racing X470GT8
- Racing X470GTN
- Racing B450GT3
- B450MH
- B450MHC
- Racing X370GT7
- Racing X370GT5
- Racing X370GT3
- Racing X370GTN
- Racing B350GT5
- Racing B350GT3
- Racing B350ET2
- Hi-Fi B350S1
- TB350-BTC
- B45M2
Note, on AMD's 300 and 400 series motherboards such as the BIOSTAR X370GTN and BIOSTAR X470GTN which we have previously reviewed, Windows 7 support is limited to its Bristol Ridge, Summit Ridge, and Pinnacle Ridge processors.
AMD SoC Series Motherboards
- A10N-8800E
- A68N-5600
- A68N-5745
- A68N-5545
- A68N-5200
- A68N-5100
- A68N-5000
- A68N-2100
- A68I-E350 Deluxe
- A68I-450 Deluxe
- A68I-350 Deluxe
- A68I-350 Deluxe R2.0
Intel 300 Series Motherboards
Specifically for the supported Intel 300 series models, BIOSTAR is offering a tool which allows users to create a Windows 7 installation image onto a USB flash drive. The tool can be downloaded directly from the official BIOSTAR website, whereas an official guide to installing Windows 7 can be found here.
As it currently stands, its B360 and Z370 models are exempt from the Windows 7 support roll-out. Whether support for the models such as the BIOSTAR B360GT5S, B360GT3S, Z370GT7 and Z370GT6 are to come at a later date is currently unknown.
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Source: Biostar
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jeremyshaw - Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - link
For quick reference, the supported CPUs on the AMD side are Bulldozer SoC (Bristol Ridge) and Ryzen CPU (no GPU - Pinnacle and Summit Ridge).I'm also guessing the Intel H310 southbridge is the variant Intel released with Win7 support (but also very limited, if any, IGP support).
Cygni - Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - link
The IGPs work fine. I have run Skylake, Kaby Lake, and Coffee Lake all with Win7. The only issue I ever had was the obvious one of getting the installer to load and be happy with UEFI mode over USB. The Ryzen APUs work just fine, too, although you have to play with an ini file to get the latest graphics drivers to install.All of the barriers to using Win7 with new hardware are ones that were explicitly imposed by Intel/MS, there are no inherent issues with the hardware.
Cygni - Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - link
Of course, none of this is official support like what Biostar is trying to do.drexnx - Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - link
I absolutely could not get 7 to work with a Raven Ridge APU - hard bluescreen lock as soon as it tried to start.I did get it working well with my Summit Ridge processor - I didn't realize Pin Ridge was still compatible!
kaidenshi - Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - link
Perhaps I'm stating the obvious, but check with your board manufacturer to see if there are any BIOS/UEFI updates for your system. Even if there aren't any, reset your BIOS/UEFI settings to the factory default, turn off Secure Boot and any other Windows 8+ "features", turn off AMD-V virtuallization support, and try to boot it again. If your BIOS/UEFI has a "legacy" mode, try it too.drexnx - Wednesday, April 10, 2019 - link
I ended up biting the bullet and moving to 10, I just wanted my HTPC working againOxford Guy - Thursday, April 11, 2019 - link
"All of the barriers to using Win7 with new hardware are ones that were explicitly imposed by Intel/MS, there are no inherent issues with the hardware."No, the barriers are the result of consumer demand.
Consumers liked Windows 7, therefore MS had no choice but to force them to accept the supply they (MS) demanded.
Threska - Friday, April 12, 2019 - link
Since we're being nit-picky, MS did indeed have a choice. They just didn't like one of them. Anyway people will be kicked and dragged to Windows 8 which still has an EOL, just a little further in the future. And have less of what people dislike about 10.ltcommanderdata - Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - link
Just to confirm while Biostar may officially support Win7 on these motherboards, Microsoft is not officially supporting them and is still blocking Windows Updates to them?SamsungASUS - Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - link
There is a patch for that. It's called wufuc, and it's by zeffy. It basically unblocks windows update on these new Intel and AMD processors.