Old Drivers and Intel BIOS Removed from Server

At the beginning of 2020, all old Intel drivers and BIOS were eliminated by the manufacturer. On their official website, the company notified users in advance about this. At the developer’s initiative, all files dated before 2000 were included in the removal list.

Old Drivers and Intel BIOS: The Reality

Initially, the plan was to remove software for unsupported systems of the past millennium. This includes Windows 98, ME, Server, and XP. But in reality, the list also included hardware considered morally outdated on the market. Drivers and BIOS updates for platforms released before 2005 were sent to the trash, including mobile, desktop, and server platforms. Considering that many users still run servers on old hardware with Linux and FreeBSD, this news came as a surprise.

There was a scandal on social networks. Admins and programmers expressed negative opinions about Intel regarding the illegality of these actions. After all, logically, the manufacturer is obliged to support its chips for life. But in fact, Intel unilaterally sets the service life of computer hardware.

It’s hard not to recall Microsoft’s conspiracy with hardware manufacturers. When has it ever happened that an operating system checks the chip model and independently decides to refuse platform updates? Moreover, the latest news about the end of support for Windows 7 became a catalyst for user outrage worldwide. Now, following the policies of tech giants, users will have to bear financial costs for acquiring compliant hardware.

Dealing with the Situation

Not everything is as bad as it seems at first glance. Old Intel drivers and BIOS are present on many news portals focused on computers. Owners are not rushing to eliminate the old stuff. On the contrary, they will actively protect the “drivers” and promote their availability. This generates additional traffic for the site.

And with Windows 7, not all is lost. Microsoft has already announced support for large corporations using licensed products. Updates will be released until 2023 for certain companies (with keys). This means that support, passing through hackers, will reach ordinary users. Although with a slight delay, the result will be achieved in any case.