If you own a device powered by a Clover Trail Atom processor then you're never going to be able to upgrade beyond the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. This is because Microsoft has deemed these Intel processors incapable of running the Windows 10 Creators Update. And that's final.

It used to be that you could essentially run any operating system on an old computer. It would just run really slowly. Now, with the coming of Windows 10, Microsoft is placing restrictions on what old hardware can run its operating system. And Atom processors are first in the firing line.

Stuck With the Anniversary Update Forever

Microsoft started rolling the Creators Update out to the proles (non-Windows Insiders) recently. And while most people updated without a hitch, people with devices powered by Intel Clover Trail Atom processors discovered that their PCs weren't supported. Despite being just a few years old.

As detailed by ZDNet, the devices passed the compatibility check and downloaded 3GB of files as preparation for the Creators Update. However, the installation would fail, with affected owners informed, "Windows 10 is no longer supported on this PC. Uninstall this app now because it isn't compatible with Windows 10."

It turns out that Microsoft has decided that because Intel no longer offers support or driver updates for these devices Microsoft considers them incapable of coping with the Windows 10 Creators Update. Which means these devices will forever be stuck with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update released in 2016.

Since this issue first came to light Microsoft has issued a statement saying:

"[These processors] require additional hardware support to provide the best possible experience when updating to the latest Windows 10 feature update, the Windows 10 Creators Update."

"However, these systems are no longer supported by Intel and without the necessary driver support, they may be incapable of moving to the Windows 10 Creators Update without a potential performance impact."

The good news is that Microsoft isn't leaving these users high and dry without any support. Instead, the company is extending support until 2023 for anyone who owns a Clover Trail Atom PC. Anniversary Update support is meant to end in 2018, but as these devices originally shipped with Windows 8 or 8.1 they'll have support extended accordingly. Which is a nice gesture.

Does Microsoft Deserve the Blame or Some Credit?

From the lack of communication to the downloading of 3GB of unnecessary files this is a bit of a mess. However, Microsoft should get some credit for extending support for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update to resolve this issue quickly. Still, owners of the affected devices are justifiably annoyed at getting stuck with an old version of Windows 10 through no fault of their own.

Do you own one of the affected devices? Are you upset at not being able to upgrade Windows 10 beyond the Anniversary Update? Or are you just happy to have upgraded to Windows at all? Do you blame Microsoft or Intel for this lack of support? The comments are open below...