7th generation Intel i3 processors and Windows 11 compatibility (2023)

7th Gen Intel i3 processors are not compatible with Microsoft's latest operating system: Windows 11. Like most other 7th Gen processors, 7th Gen Intel i3 processors are not listed by Microsoft as compatible processors for Windows 11.

Why aren't 7th Gen Intel i3 processors supported in Windows 11?

Except for the processors used in Microsoft Surface laptops, not all 7th Gen Intel processors are supported by Microsoft for the Windows 11 operating system update. Regardless of processor family, not all 7th Gen processors are compatible with Windows 11. This also applies to series processors:

• From the Intel i3 processor family
• Intel i5 processor family
• Intel i7 processor family
• Intel i9 processor family

Even the processes that Intel has not yet discontinued have been marked as incompatible with the Windows 11 operating system.

When we say that 7th Gen Intel i3 systems are not compatible with Windows 11, it means that such systems do not have a direct upgrade path from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Windows Update.

For its part, Microsoft has made several processor passes to expand the list of compatible processors for the Windows 11 operating system. But even after testing the 7th Gen processors in September 2021, the list of compatible 7th Gen Intel processors remained virtually empty.

We have not yet heard publicly about a possible reason for the incompatibility of 7th generation Intel i3 processors with the Windows 11 operating system. There is no official statement or confirmation from Microsoft or Intel. The only reasons we can understand are potential performance issues and a higher than normal crash rate. Microsoft has extensively mentioned the addition of hardware for a good user experience and low failure rate. Performance issues aside, there doesn't seem to be any logical justification for stalling all 7th Gen Intel processors on the Windows 11 operating system.

Options for 7th generation Intel i3 processors

For PCs with 7th Gen Intel i3 processors, there is no direct upgrade path from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Windows Update. However, Windows 11 can be installed on computers with a 7th generation Intel i3 processor. A clean install of Windows 11 can be performed on computers with a 7th generation Intel i3 processor.

It has been suggested that a clean install of Windows 11 can be performed on such systems. To perform a fresh install, you can use one of the following methods:

• Download the Windows 11 operating system ISO image and install it using the ISO file.
• Use the Microsoft installation wizard. The installation wizard will guide you through installing Windows 11 on your computer.
• The Media Creation utility allows you to burn a DVD or write Windows 11 OS files to a bootable USB drive.

All three methods download the Windows 11 files from Microsoft website using the following download link:https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11.

Updates for a fresh installation of Windows 11 on computers with a 7th generation Intel i3 processor

Microsoft releases various updates for the operating system from time to time. These updates are of different nature. Some are labeled as security updates, while others fall into the categories of quality updates, feature updates, and other product updates.

There is no direct access to Windows Update for unsupported 7th Generation Intel i3 computers. Microsoft does not support such installations of Windows 11 on unsupported 7th Gen Intel i3 processors. As of this writing, November 2021, this means you will not be able to access Microsoft product, feature, and quality updates for Windows 11. Not even security updates will be available. In this regard, it is not recommended to perform a clean install of Windows 11 on an unsupported PC with a 7th generation Intel i3 processor. Business PCs in particular should not be subjected to a clean install of Windows 11 on unsupported 7th Gen Intel i3 PCs.

Which 7th Gen Intel i3 processors are not compatible with Windows 11?

There are 15 processors with the 7th generation Intel i3. All of these are incompatible with Microsoft Windows 11.Below is a list of 7th Gen Intel i3 processors that are not supported on Windows 11.

• Intel® Core™ i3-7020U-Prozessor
• Intel® Core™ i3-7130U processor
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7100U
• Intel® Core™ i3-7102E processor
• Intel® Core™ i3-7101TE-Prozessor
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7100H
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7101E
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7100E
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7100
• Intel® Core™ i3-7300T-Processor
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7300
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7320
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7100T
• Prozessor Intel® Core™ i3-7350K
• Processor Intel® Core™ i3-7167U

Can I continue to use Windows 10 on computers with a 7th generation Intel i3 processor?

Of course, you can still use the Windows 10 operating system on a computer with a 7th generation Intel i3 processor. The Windows 10 lifecycle ends in October 2025. That means you have access to security updates, feature updates, and other product updates for the Windows 10 operating system for the next four years.

It may make sense to continue using Windows 10 for a transitional period to buy time before deciding to purchase a Windows 11 PC.

I have a 7th gen Intel i3 processor and now need Windows 11

We understand that some users prefer to work with the latest operating system or software. We recommend that lovers of such technologies do thisConsider buying a new PC with Windows 11 operating system preinstalled.

Alternative,You can even buy a new PC (non-Intel 7th Gen) with Windows 10. This will give you access to Windows 11 updates through Windows Updateas soon as they are available on your computer. This can be a good way to get Windows 10 to Windows 11 automatic upgrade path.

Application

All 7th Gen Intel i3 processors are not compatible with Windows 11. On such systems, you can opt for a clean install of Windows 11. However, problems arise when no updates are available via Windows Update. Unfortunately, there is still an option to buy a new Windows 11 compatible PC or buy a new Windows 10 compatible PC to get a direct upgrade path from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

You can also read related content for Windows 11:

• Android on Windows 11 - This app will not work on your device
• Improve battery life in Windows 11
• Intel i5-7500 is not compatible with Windows 11
• Windows 11 is not compatible with 7th generation i5 processors
• i7-7700K is not compatible with Windows 11
• There is no "Update" option in Windows 11