Technology

Windows 7

With the recent release of Microsoft Windows 7, users of Windows XP and Vista operating systems (OS) may not know that support will begin to shift away from those versions in favour of the newest edition.

As of September 2009, only about 22% of personal computers are running Windows Vista. Windows XP on the other hand, although no longer available for sale, still accounts for approximately 68%. The remaining ten percent includes Mac OS, Linux, older versions of Windows and other operating systems.

While Windows XP still has a substantial majority of users, time is running out on the eight-year-old operating system. It is expected that hardware and application vendors will begin to phase out support for the older versions thereby forcing users to upgrade.

Transitioning from Windows XP
Users of Windows XP may assume that Microsoft would have created a seamless upgrade process to Windows 7. Despite the massive market share still enjoyed by Windows XP today, migrating to Windows 7 requires a clean installation, meaning that existing files, programs, and settings are not retained. All applications need to be reinstalled and data manually copied back to the hard drive from backups.

Applications that run in Windows XP but are not compatible with Vista may also not work in Windows 7. Microsoft includes Windows XP Compatibility Mode with the Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions of Windows 7, effectively creating a separate Windows XP installation that runs within Windows 7 in a virtual environment. This option adds compatibility to run software written for XP but may not support all your applications because of the inherent limitations of working within a virtual machine. As a separate Windows installation, your virtual XP will also need to be patched and kept secure with antivirus updates on a regular basis.

Upgrading from Windows Vista
Unlike the older Windows XP, Vista users have the option to upgrade their operating system directly to Windows 7. Since Windows 7 is based on the Vista code base, upgrading should be a much more straightforward process with fewer application compatibility issues.

These three versions should allow Vista to make a seamless migration:

• Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium

• Windows Vista Business to Windows 7 Professional

• Windows Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Ultimate

Any other OS cannot be upgraded directly to Windows 7 and will require a fresh installation and manual migration of files and applications as described above.

Hardware
Windows 7 has much higher system requirements than XP; this is to be expected given the hardware for which XP was originally designed.

PCs that can run Vista can probably run Windows 7 too. For Windows XP computers, Microsoft recommends purchasing a new PC that comes with Windows 7. That may sound a bit extreme, but the migration process from XP is quite laborious, taking at least two hours per computer.

To take full advantage of the OS your hardware may have to be upgraded; depending on internal components, additional RAM and an upgraded graphics card may be required for a more noticeable change. Also remember that XP has been available for eight years; a PC that is more than three years old may perform poorly with Windows 7 and not be worth upgrading.

The complexity of upgrading and migrating may seem daunting to some users. Microsoft’s recommendation to purchase a new computer rather than attempt an upgrade testifies to that.

Why Windows 7?
If you are using Vista right now, chances are good that you will notice a big improvement in performance by upgrading because the installation process, boot-up times and shutdown times are noticeably quicker. Windows 7 has full support for 64-bit and multi-core processors, which is now standard for most new computers. Use of native 64-bit software and device drivers will help unleash the full potential of your computer.

Improvements have also been made to security through the Windows Action Centre, similar to Security Centre in XP. Better power management for portable computers will help extend working time and the enhanced-user interface, taskbar and search functionality will save you time by making information more accessible.

Despite the comfort and familiarity of XP, it is important to keep in mind that it is now in retirement — or the Extended Support phase, as Microsoft puts it. Security patches will continue to be available until 2014; however, software support for older operating systems will begin to fade away. Consider how much software available today is still compatible with versions of Windows older than XP. Not many. As support for Windows XP wanes your business will increasingly be at a competitive disadvantage if you are unable to run some applications or perform certain tasks.

Other Considerations

• Buy a hard drive backup for each computer and back up everything regardless of the operating system before you convert any of your computers.

• Keep your old software installation discs and/or install files. You never know when you may need to reinstall your applications.

• Keep at least one computer and one printer that operate on XP. Like all previous transitions, such as DOS to Windows, Windows 3.1 to 95 and Windows 95 to NT, some applications may not work properly or at all in the new OS. A few years down the road you may need to retrieve data from those applications that were not migrated forward.

• Your business depends on output. Ensure that all the drivers and applications you require are fully supported either natively in Windows 7, or, at least, in the Windows XP Compatibility Mode of Windows 7 before retiring XP.

The Advisor
If you are considering a migration from XP, Microsoft provides the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on its website as a free download. This application will scan the hardware and software on your current PC for compatibility. Microsoft strongly recommends running this application on any PC you intend to upgrade or migrate to Windows 7. The software, once loaded onto your computer, scans the system to:

• determine whether your system meets the minimum system requirements, including CPU, RAM and free hard drive space

• analyse devices for compatibility; the advisor then tells you whether your system, scanners, modems, controllers, cameras and any other devices will be compatible with Windows 7

• report on support for your applications; the advisor indicates whether or not difficulties may be encountered and advises you to go to the software supplier to obtain more information.

It is a good idea to save and/or print the results for each computer and review the recommendations before upgrading or migrating to Windows 7.

The Cost
The cost of upgrading to Windows 7 ranges from $115 to $350 per machine, depending on which version has the features you require and whether or not you qualify for the Upgrade version pricing or need to pay for Full version. If your XP computers are not compatible with Windows 7, there is either the incremental cost of upgrading your hardware or the cost of replacing the computers entirely with new hardware.

Help!
We strongly encourage all businesses that choose to upgrade their existing computers from XP or any other operating system to contact their local computer service provider for assistance rather than tackle the task themselves. The on-site involvement of a service provider will ensure that essential files are backed up, appropriate hardware upgrades are installed and the most suitable fixes for existing software are obtained. A proactive approach early on should ensure that the transition from XP and/or Vista to Windows 7 is completed as efficiently and effectively as possible.