I am not making this up. Microsoft MSFT 425,43 +5,25 +1,25% almost as if in an attempt to get users of Windows 7 to go out and buy a new Windows 10 machine has intentionally broke Windows 7 for users with Asus ASUUY 91,67 +3,67 +4,17% system boards. Windows update KB3133977 which use to be an “Optional” but recently became a ‘Recommended’ update. This update enables secure boot on Windows 7 (a feature that was previously disabled). Older PC’s with Asus boards don’t support secure boot, which will cause users to get the below red screen upon first bootup after installing the now recommended update.
Asus does have a workaround to get these Windows 7 PCs booting again. To check to see if your Windows 7 PC has an Asus board Go to: All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Information. This will list your PC’s components, including the motherboard. Note: HP HPQ 37,11 -0,56 -1,49% & Dell computers may contain Asus boards but are branded as the computer’s model number.
Microsoft acknowledges that there is problem, but it is in the support document for update 3133977, “After you install update 3133977 on a Windows 7 x64-based system that includes an Asus-based main board, the system does not start“. Furthermore, Microsoft is not going do anything about this, at least in the form of a patch. It did use this as an opportunity to market the ‘Secure Boot Feature’ in Windows 10…
Microsoft claims this is not a move to get Windows to upgrade to Windows 10. Most people don’t buy that and further would Microsoft admit they purposely crippled an OS to get users to upgrade to their new OS. Although, they did admit they would cut off support for Windows 7/8.1 computers running newer hardware. So I suppose anything is possible…
via Forbes: Gordon Kelly
