The university has started to upgrade to Windows 7, the latest version of the Microsoft Windows operating system.

The university took the decision not to install Windows Vista when it was released in 2007 , but decided to continue to run Windows XP and wait for a more stable operating system. Windows 7 is considered to be more stable and suitable for a university environment than Windows Vista.

Timescales for the upgrade

• As of June 2010, all new Windows computers ordered through the university will have Windows 7 pre-installed on them, unless the person ordering decides that they would prefer to have Windows XP. Anyone ordering a new PC is advised of the issues with certain software/systems (see list below) and given a choice. They will be asked to respond, in writing, nominating the Operating System required.
• The open access computer poolrooms and teaching rooms were upgraded to Windows 7 during August 2010.
• Staff computers are upgraded on request to the Helpdesk, at dates and times agreed with the departments concerned. Schools and departments with their own technical support may wish  to undertake this task themselves and can contact the Helpdesk for further information.

Reasons to move to Windows 7

• To keep in line with software in university teaching rooms
• Future proofing and security: Microsoft stopped selling Windows XP in January 2009 and withdrew mainstream support of XP in April 2009. In August 2014, Microsoft will stop releasing security patches for XP, which means that if there are any new threats to Windows computers, XP users may not be protected from them.
• To keep up-to-date and be able to take advantage of new software. The new version of Internet Explorer (IE9), for example, will not run with Windows XP.
• To take advantage of the time-saving features in Windows 7 including snap, jump lists and easier file management using libraries and favourites. To learn more about these new features, see our Migrating to Windows 7 guide.
• To take full advantage of new email features that came with Outlook 2010.
  
• To help save the planet! Windows 7 has more power management settings than Windows XP. Not only does Windows 7 save power by running more efficiently in the background, but you can also do your bit by setting your PC to go to sleep during periods of inactivity. See our Migrating to Windows 7 guide for instructions on how to change your sleep settings.

Reasons not to move to Windows 7

Applications listed below are known to be incompatible with Windows 7 in their current form, however later versions of some applications are now available which are compatible with the new operating system. If you use one of the applications that is now Windows 7 compliant and would like to upgrade to the new operating system, please contact the Helpdesk for further information

If you have Windows 7 installed and wish to use Planon, the Estate and Facilities on-line Helpdesk, please use Firefox instead of Internet Explorer. 

If your computer is below the following minimum specifications, we do not recommend that you upgrade to Windows 7

• 1Ghz  processor
• 2gb RAM
• 80gb hard disk
• 256mb graphics card

See checking your computer's specification for help with this.

Help and further information

If  you would like to find out more about the move to Windows 7 and how it might affect your workplace, you can attend one of our Windows 7 Briefing sessions. Visit our loco page to make a booking. 
You can also download the following help sheets:

You can also contact the Service Desk for further information.

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