For most businesses upgrading an operating system is a daunting process. Buying new licenses can be expensive, not to mention you’ll have to make sure your software and hardware will be compatible. There is a list of factors to weigh when deciding if, and when, it’s worth it.
In this first section of a two part series, we will start by discussing how to evaluate your current system and identify potential issues you may face in implementing a new operating system. In Part 2, we will be reviewing additional issues such as how difficult it may be for your users to learn the new system, what kind of benefits you can expect from upgrading, and the final steps to take to make your decision.
Will my hardware be able to run it?
Microsoft had the forethought to provide the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. This handy and free tool can be quickly downloaded and will evaluate your PC hardware to make sure it has the necessary resources to run Windows 7. You can even plug in your USB devices, printers, scanners, etc. which you regularly use and the tool will check if they’re compatible as well.This tool does not check every piece of hardware and software known to man. Microsoft also provides the Windows 7 Compatibility Center where you can manually check hardware and software important to you.
Most computers running Windows Vista will be able to run Windows 7, however it is highly recommended you check compatibility regardless. The Upgrade Advisor will advise you of hardware and system upgrades which will be necessary and you can evaluate whether or not you are interested in upgrading your equipment to meet those needs. If you are intent on upgrading to Windows 7 and you find your hardware lacking, it may be less expensive to buy a new PC rather than upgrade your existing equipment.
How do I make sure my software is compatible?
The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor does check for program compatibility and the Windows 7 Compatibility Center covers literally thousands of pieces of software, but it doesn’t cover everything. This is a good start, but you’ll want to make sure all your programs are compatible. You can easily check with your software manufacturer; this generally involves a quick trip to their website. You may need to download an update, which manufacturers usually provide at no cost. There is a possibility the manufacturer will want you to purchase a new version of their software, however the only way to know is to check with them.
Windows 7 also has a great new feature: Windows XP Mode. Programs that are not compatible with Windows 7 can be run in Compatibility Mode, which launches a virtualized Windows XP window, and runs it with XP settings. Even better, the software you need to use this feature is provided for free directly from Microsoft, but only for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise users. XP mode does come with its own set of considerations, and whether or not this will meet your needs completely is a question for your IT team and will likely only be answered with testing.
How easy is the upgrade?
If you have Windows Vista, you can upgrade directly to a comparable version of Windows 7 (ie if you are running Vista Business, you can upgrade to Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate). If you are running XP, you will need to do a “clean” install, meaning you will be completely replacing the operating system, not upgrading it. Your files, programs and settings will need to be backed up as they will be erased. If you’re backing up your data already (and every business should be), very few additional steps will be necessary.
A clean install may be preferable even if you are using Vista. A clean install wipes out old registry entries and files no longer in use which can bog down your system, and removing them will free up some disk space. Since you are reinstalling only the programs and files you want, any unused programs that came preinstalled on your computer or any malware you may have picked up will be gone. A clean install also reduces the chance that the upgrade may get corrupted. Sometimes upgrades go bad, and if that happens, you’ll need to do a clean install regardless.
Come back later this week for Part 2, including:
Why is upgrading worth it?
What is the learning curve?
When does XP support end and why does that matter?
Isn't Windows 8 coming out soon?
Final steps
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