Windows 7 upgrade coming soon to a computer near you
Starting next month, Microsoft will no longer be supporting its Windows XP operating system—and that means an equipment/software upgrade is on the way for many district schools and offices.
Currently, more than 64,000 computers are still running Windows XP, but HISD’s Information Technology department has launched a campaign to completely upgrade these devices before the 2014–2015 school year begins.
Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Why is this upgrade necessary?
Most software applications are updated on a regular basis as a matter of course by developers to fix problems, add requested features, and improve end-users’ overall experience. Windows is no different. Since the previous version will no longer be supported by the manufacturer starting in April, the time is right to upgrade.
Who will be affected?
Anyone who uses a computer on a daily basis. Hard drives may simply need to be re-imaged and have the latest version of the operating system installed, but computers could be completely replaced if they are deemed too old to support the latest operating system.
What do I need to do?
Nothing just yet. A pilot program has been launched at eight locations during the first weeks of March to streamline the process, and technology teams will be visiting all campuses and work locations over the next six months to complete an inventory and provide administrators with a detailed breakdown of their equipment’s status. Teams will usually return the next day to upgrade eligible devices and remove obsolete equipment. Affected employees will be asked to save their files to a flash or network and make a note of their favorite internet sites and any specialized software or applications that may need to be reinstalled.
How is the replacement of campus critical machines being handled?
Campus critical devices (such as those used for testing or other crucial daily business functions) will not be removed until replacement equipment has been delivered, set up, and tested.
What is the timeline for this campaign?
Work at both campus and non-instructional locations will begin on March 24. All work is expected to be complete by Aug. 22, 2014. Every effort will be made to avoid instructional locations during testing “dead weeks.”
