The compatibility of Wi-Fi 7 for Windows 10 was called into question when a document was leaked online last month describing its support for Windows 11 and subsequent Microsoft operating systems, but not for the main desktop version.

Strange considering that Windows 10 will have official support until October 2025, but less so considering that Microsoft insists on migrating to Windows 11. And the lack of support for important standards, the next major version of the artificially applied wireless standard, ​​it would be a step to “forcibly” change the operating system.

Wi-Fi 7 for Windows 10 on Intel

Now the list is published on ark.intel describes Wi-Fi 7 compatibility for Windows 10 on two chipsets BE200 and BE202, which are developed under the code names, Gale Peak 2 and Misty Peak.

Intel lists key features that define Wi-Fi 7, from (stratospheric) theoretical maximum data transfer speeds 46 Gbps with support for three bands (2.4, 5 and 6 GHz) at a bandwidth of 320 MHz (320/160+160 MHz and 240/160+80 MHz), which is double that of Wi-Fi 6.

It is also stated that quadrature amplitude modulation QAM up to 4094 compared to 1024 in previous standards and better resource allocation in OFDMA. WPA4 is also featured as an additional security feature to protect wireless networks.

Wi-Fi 7 support for Windows 10 is good news for consumers given that this standard is intended permanently replace fixed local area networks over a wireless connection by being able to safely use applications that require a lot of bandwidth, such as Metaverse, remote work, game streaming, cloud computing or virtual/augmented reality.

It must be said that the groups responsible for the standard, such as the IEEE and the Wi-Fi Alliance, have not yet ratified the final characteristics of the standard, and it is the main manufacturers of chipsets and devices that have already announced their support. In terms of actual product availability, the Intel BE200 chip has been listed on the GIGABYTE Aorus Master X Z790 motherboard.

MediaTek and Qualcomm also presented their own solutions, and others such as TP-Link or Netgear announced routers and other networking products. Wi-Fi 7 will be deployed in 2024 and will be available for the main operating systems: Windows, Linux and macOS.