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Technology and Communications - Supporting Windows 7

A few staff members in Technology and Communications have been testing and using Windows 7 for a few months and we have been researching and testing the best solutions for deploying this new operating system.  As you are well aware we did not release any support information about Windows Vista because we felt that the majority of the computer systems on campus at that time would either have to be upgraded or replaced to adequately run the Vista operating system.  In addition, Vista was found to be less stable than the Windows XP operating system and since the interface has dramatic changes over the XP system we felt that there really was no justification for pushing this new operating system.  However, we need to begin supporting and offering Windows 7 across campus because Microsoft has begun phasing out support for Windows XP and we have found that Windows 7 is more reliable and it has been designed without some of the major flaws that Vista contained.  The interface is still based on the Vista look and feel but a large number of our students and employees have been using Vista on their personal windows computers since it was released in January of 2007 so this should not be an overbearing concern.  We do not plan to "require" anyone to use Windows 7 as we will continue to support Windows XP as long as Microsoft continues to provide the updates and security patches for this operating system and/or as long as it still functions properly and securely on our campus network domain.  Listed in the table below are the minimum system requirements that Microsoft recommends as well as what we would recommend as an optimum configuration based on our testing of this new operating system. Having enough memory (RAM) is the most important of all these components.

* Note that some features of Windows 7 require additional components.  For example, to run legacy applications in Windows XP mode an extra 1GB of RAM and 15GBs of hard drive space are required.  For a list of system requirements and a link to download the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx.

There are currently 6 different versions of Windows 7 available but we are only licensed to install the Enterprise version which essentially contains all the extra features and this version is the only volume license version available.  For a list of the various versions and their differences go to: http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7install/thread/6719ae72-7187-45cd-80f7-55e66f3ec686.

Following is our planned time frame for offering and supporting Windows 7 (this is subject to change):

Started and ongoing - Continue to upgrade other staff members within Technology and Communications to Windows 7 in an effort to expand the numbers of those capable of providing support for this product.

Mar. 2010  -  Complete the creation of an automated Windows 7 installation and configuration routine that we can use to deploy this new operating system.

Mar. & Apr. - Offer Windows 7 training and Q&A sessions.  We will offer more sessions as needed.  Click Here to Register for Windows 7 Training.

March 2010  – Begin offering Windows 7 as an option for any new or existing University computers. 

* Note that departmental computers which share files should be cautious about using Windows XP and Windows 7 computers in their local area network.  The sharing and security processes of these two operating systems are quite different and may not provide you with the desired results.

 
 Windows 7 Resources
(note that not all features will be available on the EUP network)

• What Is Windows 7
• Windows 7 Quick Reference
• Performance Improvements 
• Getting Around the Desktop
• Personalizing your PC
• Finding Your Files
• Printing Options
• Backing Up and Restoring Files
• Burning a CD
• Internet Explorer 8
• 7 Tips in 7 Minutes (from SHI - requires name and email address)
• Windows 7 Forums

7 Second Demos
Shake Window to Unclutter Desktop
Search Quickly
Taskbar Preview
Snap Windows

*Mac users - to view some of the videos above, you will need an application that reads WMV (Windows Media) file formats such as the Flip4Mac application from Microsoft.