Older Windows Phone 8.1 Lumia handsets won't get Windows 10 Mobile

2 min. read

Published on August 2, 2016

published on August 2, 2016

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Windows 10 Mobile Anniversary Update is not far off, but it turns out not everyone is set receive the update. Some users of certain Lumia smartphones may never get the chance to take advantage of what the new operating system has to offer.

This is a huge blow to many who thought their Windows Phone 8.1 handset would be supported by Windows 10. After all, Microsoft did say all devices powered by the previous operating system would be eligible for the upgrade.

As it stands right now, this is not the case and we’re not certain if it will ever change. The reason for the change of heart could be due to performance, but this is something Microsoft should have known beforehand. The company made a promise and now it is finding it difficult to live up to it.

We knew something was up after our in-house Lumia 920 stopped longer receiving updates. Several users lodged complaints via the Feedback Hub, but Microsoft did not respond. Now we know — and it is not a good feeling.

Those with the ability to upgrade to Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview but didn’t will find out they can no longer do so, and will be stuck on Windows Phone 8.1 for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, those who have updated will find themselves booted from the Fast Ring to the Release Preview. They will never get the chance to update to the Anniversary Update, which means all the problems they are facing now with the Release Preview version will have to be dealt with one way or the other.

Don’t despair quite yet: We are almost sure someone will make it possible for older Lumia smartphones to download the Anniversary Update ROM and install it on their device. It won’t be a smooth ride, but it should work and give folks access to the latest advancements in Windows 10.

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Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.