Student PCs in open-access areas and teaching IT labs have been upgraded from Microsoft Windows XP to Microsoft Windows 7 during September – December 2010. Centrally bookable rooms will be upgraded between 10th January 2011 and 17th January 2011. It is intended to start to upgrade staff PCs from January 2011 with Windows 7.
Why we are upgrading to Windows 7
Advantages of Windows 7
Further help with Windows 7
Further help with MS Office 2007
Windows XP SP2 is no longer being supported by Microsoft. Over time this version of Windows will become more and more insecure. Windows XP SP3 is available but it would involve the same amount of work as upgrading to Windows 7 (64 bit). As a result it was decided that Windows 7 would be the operating system of choice with support for XP in the Student IT areas and Staff PCs being removed. Windows 7 gives us the opportunity to benefit from:
Please note the following when using windows 7 PCs:
Lower System Requirements: Unlike Windows XP, which required significantly more memory and processing speed to power its graphical user interface, Windows 7 does not use as much resources. As such, Windows 7 can load programs, boot up and shutdown faster.
Simpler Navigation: A trio of improvements to the user front-end makes Windows 7 easier to navigate and multitask than its predecessors. By using Aero Peek features, Windows 7 users can more easily view desktop contents by turning all open windows transparent. With Aero Shake, you also have the option to simply grab an active window and physically shake the mouse to minimize other panes cluttering up one's monitor. Lastly, Aero Snap functions automatically resize windows to take up half the screen when they're dragged to either side of your display.
Better Multitasking: Borrowing from Apple's Snow Leopard operating system, Windows 7 now offers a more aesthetically pleasing, icon-based taskbar that lets you permanently pin and organize favourite programs on it. You can additionally point to icons to get thumbnail previews of open files and windows associated with each program, all accessible with a click. Everything's displayed in as a minimally intrusive way as possible, helping to cut down on clutter and making it possible to keep track of everything that's happening on your desktop. Jump lists for each piece of software, available when you right-click on the respective program, let you immediately pull up recently opened files and documents.
Greater Stability: Most hardware and software is readily compatible with Windows 7 and will work out of the box with no need to download and install additional drivers. In instances where it is necessary to install drivers it is easy to locate and add these updates to your PC.
Enhanced Security: The useability problems found in VISTA with the constant need for confirmation of actions that may be deemed as in-secure, has now been addressed with a more balanced approach to opo-up warnings. Users can now control the relative amount of prompts regarding system security they receive using an intuitive slider bar control, with alert messages minimized to avoid becoming a nuisance. In addition, the Internet Explorer 8 web browser is better-guarded against external threats. Further security is provided with the ability to encrypt drives and data using BitLocker technology on sensitive files and portable USB keys.
Multi-touch Capabilities: If you have a compatible touch-screen PC or laptop, multi-touch physical gestures can now be used to navigate the operating system and pull up documents and data.
Simpler File Organisation: Libraries, which serve as all-purpose containers, allow you to conveniently catalogue photos, music, video and files in single locations, no matter where they are located on your local hard drive or remote network drives.
Overall Performance: Windows 7 has inspired more third-party developer support than other Windows versions and enjoys a larger business software library that takes advantage of its built-in features. The system's improvements significantly enhance users' everyday work and online experience. It will also allow the University to standardise its Microsoft Operating System as 64-bit Windows 7 computers.
IT Helpsheets have been created specifically for Windows 7. These cover topics listed below:
W1 Logging on first time: This Helpsheet covers a basic introduction for when you log on for the first time.
W2 Navigation: This Helpsheet covers changes that have been made in the Windows Start Menu and Taskbar. The new more powerful search facility, pinning items to the start menu and taskbar, recently used files, jump lists, thumbnail previews and usability tools.
W3 Managing your Windows: This Helpsheet covers the new tools provided in windows 7 to help you use and arrange windows that are open on your desktop. This describes how to use Snap, Peek, Shake and Win-Flip tools provided with Windows 7.
W4 Desktop Customisation: This Helpsheet covers how to customise the Windows 7 desktop by changing its look and feel, how to change your screen resolution and how to add desktop gadgets.
W5 Useful tools: This Helpsheet describes some of the tools that are provided free with Windows 7 and how they have been updated to be more useful than previous versions. Tools included in the Helpsheet are WordPad, Paint, Calculator, Stick Notes, Snipping Tool, and Problem Steps Recorder
W6 User & Data Security: This Helpsheet covers how to protect your data with Windows 7 firewall, how to backup and restore your data and Windows Anti-Virus, Spyware and Malware protection
W7 Accessibility: This Helpsheet covers the new Ease of Access Center and how to customise your computer to fit your needs, Assistive technology tools that help you use your computer and how to use Speech Recognition.
If you are having a specific problem in using or customising windows 7 that the IT Helpsheets do not cover then please review the Frequently Asked Questions for Windows 7.
If you still cannot find a solution to the problem please contact the IT Helpdesk.
IT Helpdesk: extension 3169 (external callers: 01603 593169)
Staff IT Helpdesk: extension 2345 (external callers: 01603 592345)
Microsoft Office 2007 has been used within UEA for the past year. Helpsheets, guides and advice were given to students and staff during the implementation period for Office 2007. For those moving to Windows 7, Office 2007 will not be any different to Office 2007 on Windows XP. To remind staff and students of the resources available to help you in using Office 2007 a list of useful links is provided below.
IT Helpdesk: extension 3169 (external callers: 01603 593169) Contact Helpdesk online
Staff IT Helpdesk: extension 2345 (external callers: 01603 592345) Contact Helpdesk online
Why we are upgrading to Windows 7
Advantages of Windows 7
Further help with Windows 7
Further help with MS Office 2007
Why we are upgrading to Windows 7
Windows XP SP2 is no longer being supported by Microsoft. Over time this version of Windows will become more and more insecure. Windows XP SP3 is available but it would involve the same amount of work as upgrading to Windows 7 (64 bit). As a result it was decided that Windows 7 would be the operating system of choice with support for XP in the Student IT areas and Staff PCs being removed. Windows 7 gives us the opportunity to benefit from:
- Improved searching
- Improved security
- Latest technology which most students are familiar with (having used vista and windows 7)
- Improved performance as it will now be 64bit e.g. faster login times
- Allows greater control over mobile devices and laptops
Please note the following when using windows 7 PCs:
- Please be patient when you login to a Windows 7 PC for the first time. The first time will take longer than normal.
- If you need to access files placed on your XP desktop please run the program on the Windows 7 desktop by clicking on “Transfer my profile (XP to Win7)”.
- You can continue to access files in your filestore normally from both XP and Windows 7.
- If you encounter any problems such as software not running correctly, please contact the IT helpdesk.
Advantages of Windows 7
Lower System Requirements: Unlike Windows XP, which required significantly more memory and processing speed to power its graphical user interface, Windows 7 does not use as much resources. As such, Windows 7 can load programs, boot up and shutdown faster.
Simpler Navigation: A trio of improvements to the user front-end makes Windows 7 easier to navigate and multitask than its predecessors. By using Aero Peek features, Windows 7 users can more easily view desktop contents by turning all open windows transparent. With Aero Shake, you also have the option to simply grab an active window and physically shake the mouse to minimize other panes cluttering up one's monitor. Lastly, Aero Snap functions automatically resize windows to take up half the screen when they're dragged to either side of your display.
Better Multitasking: Borrowing from Apple's Snow Leopard operating system, Windows 7 now offers a more aesthetically pleasing, icon-based taskbar that lets you permanently pin and organize favourite programs on it. You can additionally point to icons to get thumbnail previews of open files and windows associated with each program, all accessible with a click. Everything's displayed in as a minimally intrusive way as possible, helping to cut down on clutter and making it possible to keep track of everything that's happening on your desktop. Jump lists for each piece of software, available when you right-click on the respective program, let you immediately pull up recently opened files and documents.
Greater Stability: Most hardware and software is readily compatible with Windows 7 and will work out of the box with no need to download and install additional drivers. In instances where it is necessary to install drivers it is easy to locate and add these updates to your PC.
Enhanced Security: The useability problems found in VISTA with the constant need for confirmation of actions that may be deemed as in-secure, has now been addressed with a more balanced approach to opo-up warnings. Users can now control the relative amount of prompts regarding system security they receive using an intuitive slider bar control, with alert messages minimized to avoid becoming a nuisance. In addition, the Internet Explorer 8 web browser is better-guarded against external threats. Further security is provided with the ability to encrypt drives and data using BitLocker technology on sensitive files and portable USB keys.
Multi-touch Capabilities: If you have a compatible touch-screen PC or laptop, multi-touch physical gestures can now be used to navigate the operating system and pull up documents and data.
Simpler File Organisation: Libraries, which serve as all-purpose containers, allow you to conveniently catalogue photos, music, video and files in single locations, no matter where they are located on your local hard drive or remote network drives.
Overall Performance: Windows 7 has inspired more third-party developer support than other Windows versions and enjoys a larger business software library that takes advantage of its built-in features. The system's improvements significantly enhance users' everyday work and online experience. It will also allow the University to standardise its Microsoft Operating System as 64-bit Windows 7 computers.
Further Help with Windows 7
IT Helpsheets have been created specifically for Windows 7. These cover topics listed below:
W1 Logging on first time: This Helpsheet covers a basic introduction for when you log on for the first time.
W2 Navigation: This Helpsheet covers changes that have been made in the Windows Start Menu and Taskbar. The new more powerful search facility, pinning items to the start menu and taskbar, recently used files, jump lists, thumbnail previews and usability tools.
W3 Managing your Windows: This Helpsheet covers the new tools provided in windows 7 to help you use and arrange windows that are open on your desktop. This describes how to use Snap, Peek, Shake and Win-Flip tools provided with Windows 7.
W4 Desktop Customisation: This Helpsheet covers how to customise the Windows 7 desktop by changing its look and feel, how to change your screen resolution and how to add desktop gadgets.
W5 Useful tools: This Helpsheet describes some of the tools that are provided free with Windows 7 and how they have been updated to be more useful than previous versions. Tools included in the Helpsheet are WordPad, Paint, Calculator, Stick Notes, Snipping Tool, and Problem Steps Recorder
W6 User & Data Security: This Helpsheet covers how to protect your data with Windows 7 firewall, how to backup and restore your data and Windows Anti-Virus, Spyware and Malware protection
W7 Accessibility: This Helpsheet covers the new Ease of Access Center and how to customise your computer to fit your needs, Assistive technology tools that help you use your computer and how to use Speech Recognition.
If you are having a specific problem in using or customising windows 7 that the IT Helpsheets do not cover then please review the Frequently Asked Questions for Windows 7.
If you still cannot find a solution to the problem please contact the IT Helpdesk.
IT Helpdesk: extension 3169 (external callers: 01603 593169)
Staff IT Helpdesk: extension 2345 (external callers: 01603 592345)
Further Help with MS Office 2007
Microsoft Office 2007 has been used within UEA for the past year. Helpsheets, guides and advice were given to students and staff during the implementation period for Office 2007. For those moving to Windows 7, Office 2007 will not be any different to Office 2007 on Windows XP. To remind staff and students of the resources available to help you in using Office 2007 a list of useful links is provided below.
Microsoft Office Guides:
- UEA CSED Training guides:
- Office 2007 Quick Reference Guides:
- Guide on how to customise Office 2007:
- Tool used to compare the menu in Office 2003 with the one in Office 2007 (useful to find out how to do things in Office 2007 if you know how to do them in Office 2003):
- Blog on how to work with the new Ribbon menu in Office 2007:
Microsoft Office Online Training and Help:
- Outlook 2007:
- Word 2007:
- PowerPoint 2007:
- Excel 2007:
- Access 2007:
Contact:
IT Helpdesk: extension 3169 (external callers: 01603 593169) Contact Helpdesk online
Staff IT Helpdesk: extension 2345 (external callers: 01603 592345) Contact Helpdesk online
