Selecting the correct edition of Windows 7 to install in your environment is a critical first step in the preparation and planning stage. It is recommended to first determine the needs of the organization and end users. Based on the needs, determine what features address those needs and choose that edition. Many times Windows editions are chosen based on other factors such as upgrade patch and cost instead of the features that are required for the business.
For deployments in an organization or enterprise environment that has a domain, Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and/or Ultimate are required. All other versions will not be able to join a domain. It is recommended that an environment run the same edition of Windows 7 for standardization. Testing before choosing what version to deploy in an entire environment is also recommended.
Ensuring the computer(s) in which Windows 7 will be deployed meets compatibility requirements which are critical to the successful deployment of Windows 7. The easiest method of ensuring the system is compatible is by using the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor on the current system. The tools and methods required to make this determination involve the following:
1. Confirming the hardware requirements are met – making sure the computer meets the minimum requirements for the Windows 7 edition and features that are planned to be used is a major first step. Computers purchased in the last two years should meet these requirements without any issues and even be able to run 64-bit editions. Your specific hardware may be determined on Windows machines through the System Properties in the Control Panel.
2. Confirming devices and hardware have correct drivers – although Microsoft did a great job in providing a large amount of hardware and device drivers this time around, it is wise to ensure that all your hardware and devices are compatible with Windows 7. This could be done manually by visiting the computer manufacturer's Web site and verifying whether hardware drivers are available for the version of Windows 7. Pay particular attention to the 32-bit versus 64-bit versions of drivers and devices supported.
3. Confirming whether the software required runs on Windows 7 – many of the issues with Windows Vista came from the lack of software compatibility. Windows 7 has fixed this issue, and a wide range of applications are now compatible. This planning phase should not be ignored, especially for the business critical applications being run on your environment. It is recommended that all applications be tested on multiple systems before doing a large deployment of Windows 7.
These three aspects were one of the main reasons for Windows Vista's failure and lack of deployments in the enterprise. When deploying systems organization wide, ensuring software compatibility is a huge factor. The Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor should be run on multiple machines that have business critical applications. Furthermore, testing of these applications should be conducted on Windows 7 to confirm compatibility.
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1. Windows 7 migration tips and which editions to choose
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