Upgrade to Windows 10
Windows 7 will be going end of support on January 14, 2020. After that, software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC will no longer be available. Engineering IT and Microsoft strongly recommend updating any Windows 7 systems to Windows 10 before that time. Engineering IT will be working to schedule times to upgrade systems purchased under a Boston University account to Windows 10, however if you know you have a Windows 7 system please email enghelp@bu.edu to begin the process.
The upgrade strategy will depend on the use of the computer system, and fall under three general categories:
Instrumentation Computers
Computers that are used to control scientific instruments and collect data. The initial assessment of the system will check Windows 10 compatibility of the following items as they relate to the instrument:
- Installed Software
- Device Drivers
- Proprietary Code
We recommend checking online first, then with the instrumentation vendor as necessary.
Eng IT will schedule a time with the lab manager to assess the complexity and requirements of the system.
General Research Computers
Computers in research labs that are used for general computing such as email, word processing, or running any number of engineering software available in to the College.
We ask that users attempt to backup any data prior to the upgrade (i.e. research share, personal X-drive, cloud service, etc) as this will expedite the process. We anticipate most upgrades be completed in 2-3 business days. We can make arrangements for setting up a loaner system during the time of upgrade.
Administrative Computers
Computers in administrative offices used for general computing such as email, word processing, etc.
We ask that users backup any work to the Administration drive (a.k.a. the W-Drive) or their personal X-drive. Backing up your data prior to the upgrade will expedite the process. In the majority of cases we will perform an in-place upgrade at the end of the day to run overnight.
System administrators can also check out the section below which has additional information regarding the upgrade.
Self Service
This section is for Lab System Administrators and Faculty that manage their own computers. If you do not fall into either group, please schedule an upgrade by emailing enghelp@bu.edu
If you do feel comfortable performing an in-place upgrade please perform the following:
- Check software compatibility. If many of your programs are out of date (i.e. Matlab 2013, SolidWorks 2013, etc) it would be faster to re-image.
- Back up your data to the network (i.e. research share, personal X-drive, cloud service, etc)
- Uninstall McAfee. The upgrade installer will not continue with it installed.
- Download the Microsoft Upgrade tool
- Run the Upgrade