Upgrade vs. Replacement
As Microsoft has publicly announced the end date for extended support of the Windows 7 operating system. So, if you’re one of the 40% of global organisations still using Windows 7 operating system then read checklist whether device upgrade is sufficient or replacement of devices is necessary.
If you are unaware about the Windows 7 End of Life and need more detail than Click here
To help you make this choice, here is a checklist to consider when looking to migrate from Windows 7 to Windows 10 successfully.
Check hardware details:
Identify devices that will meet the minimum hardware specifications necessary for a desirable and productive level of performance. The minimum hardware recommendations from Microsoft are often insufficient toward being productive in the long term, resulting in device hardware being replaced sooner than expected.
- Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or System on a Chip (SoC)
- RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit
- Hard drive space: 16 GB for 32-bit OS or 32 GB for 64-bit OS
- Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
- Display: 800 x 600
Verify application compatibility:
Determine which applications you have installed on your current Windows 7 estate, and check they will be compatible with the new Windows operating system. Any applications with known incompatibilities will receive a recommendation from us on how to proceed.
Confirm licensing compliance:
The audit of devices and applications is the ideal time to verify your business has sufficient licenses for Windows 10. In some cases, newer Windows 7 devices may already have a license for an upgrade to Windows 10. Microsoft has become vigilant in pursuing companies out of compliance with licensing. We will help to ensure your devices are properly licensed for use.
Decide whether to replace the device.
Perform a clean install or an in-place upgrade on the current device. There are several factors to bear in mind when considering an “In-Place” migration.
- Are there any 32-bit operating systems needing to become 64-bit? If so, does the hardware architecture support it, and will it need additional or improved/ upgraded resource (eg more RAM)?
- Are there any Professional edition devices upgrading to Enterprise, or Enterprise to Enterprise?
- Are there any Home edition devices used in the business?
Train users
If users are unfamiliar with Windows 10 we can provide training to minimise the disruption to their operation.
Perform a pilot deployment:
Our advanced tool-set will allow us to automate the in-place upgrades with ease. A pilot deployment will ensure the execution of the migration proceeds as expected. Deploying to a small test group first will pay dividends over the duration of the project.
If you find that a majority of your devices have aged out and do not meet minimum specifications for an upgrade, here are our recommendations for replacement of devices.
We’d like to work with you to help you find the right path forward. Contact our team today.
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