Software

How Windows 7's End of Life Affects Colleges and Universities

Microsoft is no longer offering support for Windows 7. Whether or not your institution has switched over to Windows 10, you need to know what’s in store.

Autumn Whitefield-Madrano

Autumn Whitefield-Madrano is an author and editor.

The day has arrived: As of January 14, Microsoft is no longer offering support or updates for Windows 7. The latest and most up-to-date version of the Windows operating system is Windows 10. It features stronger built-in security, swifter functionality, more stability — and, more crucially, active and ongoing support from Microsoft.

If your higher education institution hasn’t made the switch from Windows 7 to Windows 10, here’s a quick rundown on why universities should embrace Windows 10, how one university navigated the migration and what to do if you haven’t started the transition yet.

Get Institutional Security With Windows 10

Instead of leaving security updates up to the user, Windows 10 updates automatically with bug fixes, security patches and general upgrades. While some individual users may feel stymied by not having control, it offers institutions, at minimum, a broad form of protection.

The security upgrades themselves are substantial: Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection offers stronger preventative protection, post-breach detection, and automated investigation and response. This level of security frees up IT teams to focus on needs specific to their institutions instead of manually investigating every incoming threat. Security teams can also use Windows 10 to craft systems that fit their needs.

Users will welcome Windows 10’s increased compatibility with cloud computing as well as heightened browsing security. Institutions that haven’t yet made the shift will find themselves vulnerable to attacks and malware. Even if users are diligent about complying with internally mandated security updates, the protections themselves simply aren’t as strong as those in Windows 10.

Windows 10 Lets You Do More at Once

One of the benefits of Windows 10 also has the potential to be a drawback: increased opportunities for multitasking. The multiple desktop feature allows for the perks of a second screen without actually requiring another monitor. It’s helpful to employees who work on unrelated projects simultaneously.

To create a new desktop, go to the task bar and select Task View > New Desktop, then select the apps that apply to that space. Switch between desktops by selecting Task View again.

The Task View is also useful in helping users keep track of open apps, similar to the alt-tab keystroke. Switching to Snap View allows users to arrange open windows (including split-screen viewing) and dock windows to the corners of the screen; Microsoft’s Snap View guide shows a number of ways to use this enhancement.

Other user-facing benefits include a return of the Start Menu, which shows pinned and frequently used apps upon clicking the Start button, a feature Windows 7 users enjoyed but that disappeared with Windows 8. Users may also appreciate the addition of Cortana, the Windows voice assistant, as well as improved automatic detection and response of whether the device is being used as a tablet or laptop.

Monotaskers and multitaskers alike can enjoy the Action Center of Windows 10. This feature collects alerts and notifications from all apps and displays them in a single panel, paving the way to a workspace with minimal distractions. Activate Action Center by clicking its icon near the task bar; adjust notifications in Settings > System > Notifications & Actions.

How Florida State University Charted Its Path to Windows 10

For Florida State University, the impending end-of-life date for Windows 7 presented both a challenge and an opportunity. The university got started on the migration well in advance, beginning the move to Windows 10 in the fall of 2016, according to an EdTech interview with Alex Morales, associate director of IT services and head of computer technology support at FSU.

By clearly communicating and smartly compartmentalizing how they would roll out the Windows 10 upgrades, the university was able to transition its first thousand computers within the first four months, Morales says. The most challenging part of the migration was in updating division and departmental computers, but with the right planning and communication, things went off without a hitch.

In Morales’ view, the biggest challenge for colleges managing a migration to Windows 10 isn’t necessarily technical; it’s ensuring there’s sufficient and effective user education before, during and after the migration.

“People are scared of embracing new technology, even if it enhances the ability to get the most out of their computers,” he says.

What to Do If You Haven’t Started Your Windows Migration

For colleges that still need to migrate, one option is to enlist third-party support, like that offered by CDW’s Professional Services team. Solution architects who understand the unique needs of higher education can help institutions with all steps of the process, from a readiness assessment through customization, pilot deployments, rollouts and data migration. Colleges often find that outside support pays off by helping them navigate which licensing and subscription options make the most sense financially and simplifying management for IT staff.

Institutions can also take the Device as a Service route. That eliminates some of the logistics and headaches involved in managing software upgrades and dealing with older devices that cannot support Windows 10. In this option, DaaS can meet a number of needs: reducing the burden on the IT team, giving users some choice in their devices and making sure that proper security measures are in order.

Institutions that haven’t changed over need a migration plan, and they need it now. The alternative is sticking with Windows 7 and turning to Microsoft’s pay-per-device support plan, which will cease to be an option in January 2023. Migration can be daunting, but for security and user ease, it’s an undertaking worth the effort.

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