Windows Upgrades
The Information Security team is leading an initiative to update Medical School-owned Windows devices.
Microsoft support has ended for numberous versions of Windows 10. Additionally, Microsoft Windows 7 support will end in Jan 2021.
To address unsupported versions, all UMass Chan Medical School devices will be scheduled for an update over the coming months. We will be strategically identifying Windows machines requiring upgrades and will reach out to specific users approximately two to three weeks prior to the upgrade.
Why is an upgrade necessary?
Microsoft has ended or will soon end support for certain Windows versions. Unsupported devices pose a security risk as they can no longer be patched against emerging vulnerabilities and bug fixes.
How can I tell what version of Windows I have?
Open the Start menu by clicking the bottom left-hand corner of your screen. Type “about” or “about your pc” in the search box, which can be found in the bottom left-hand corner. Select About your PC. The Windows version will be displayed.
How are upgrades deployed?
Upgrades will be remotely deployed to machines. A prompt will appear on your screen letting you know that the upgrade is available. You will be given the option to defer the upgrade for up to two weeks, allowing time to prepare for/schedule the upgrade at your convenience. After the two week deferment period, the upgrade will begin automatically.
How long will the upgrade take?
The upgrade can take as little as 45 minutes or as long as 2 hours. The age of your desktop or laptop will determine the upgrade duration.
During the upgrade, you will not be able to access your device.
How can I prepare for the upgrade?
Users can proactively clean up and delete unneeded data from their devices. This will speed up the time the upgrade will take.
Please keep an eye out for upgrade communications.
Additionally, it is also recommended that users evaluate the software they are currently using to ensure it is compatible with Windows 10.
Will I have to upgrade again?
Yes, upgrade are required for security and performance and are anticipate to occur approx. once every year and a half.
Incompatible applications:
The Information Technology department does recognize that certain departments may have old software or hardware that is not compatible with Windows 10. We encourage you to reach out to discuss upgrade options.
If there is a business case for a particular computer to remain on an earlier Windows version, the computer will need to be removed from the network as it presents a security risk to the entire network.
To avoid incompatibility issues, Information Security will conduct a "pre-check" of each machine prior to deploying the update. A "pre-check" is a check of your machine to ensure that the necessary memory is available and that hardware and software are compatible with Windows 10. If incompatible applications do reside on your machine, the upgrade will not be sent and you will be contacted individually.