Planned Change
Windows 7 to Windows 10 Transition Project
Upgrade your University PC to Windows 10 today
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) is currently working to ensure all OIT-managed PCs are updated to the Windows 10 operating system in 2019.
Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 as of January 2020. Once Windows 7 reaches “end of life,” computers running Windows 7 may be vulnerable to viruses, intrusions, or data theft. Updating to Windows 10 allows for the most up-to-date security protections and adds many new exciting features.
Technology Help is actively working to transition users from Windows 7 to Windows 10. If you are currently using Windows 7, your computer should be updated at your earliest convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
View Microsoft’s instructions to help you determine which Windows operating system is installed on your computer.
We do not recommend attempting upgrading your Windows device on your own. A misconfigured upgrade can lead to data loss or incompatibility with University IT infrastructure.
You can either schedule an appointment yourself online or contact Technology Help.
- Schedule your appointment online. NOTE: To ensure zone staff availability, if you are making your appointment for the same day, please allow at leats 3 hours of lead time. For example, if you are making this appointment at noon, please schedule your appointment for after 3 p.m.
- Contact Technology Help
- chat: chat.it.umn.edu
- phone: 612-301-4357
- email: help@umn.edu
The upgrade-preparation appointment will take about an hour and is used to:
- Backup all your data;
- Create a list of your software, printers, and network drives; and
- Answer any questions you have about the upgrade process.
We offer three options for how to schedule the upgrade to Windows 10. Please indicate in your appointment which option you would prefer.
- Zone Support provides you with a loaner laptop, and takes your computer for approximately 24 hours to update your computer’s operating system.
- You schedule your upgrade for a date that you have already scheduled as a full or half vacation day.
- You request your upgrade is completed remotely with your computer remaining at your desk overnight.
Plan for about one business day of work to complete the upgrade on your device. Technology Help has loaner computers available for those who request one.
There are a variety of self-help resources available. Windows 10’s interface is very similar to Windows 7.
The vast majority of applications in use at the University are compatible. Technology Help will work with you to identify those applications before starting the upgrade process.
Please contact Technology Help to discuss your concerns. It may be necessary to work with your collegiate IT and/or the software vendor to determine if the software is compatible or if a newer version is needed.
Most University-owned computers operate well with Windows 10. If you have any questions or concerns about your computer’s compatibility, please Technology Help.
Please contact Technology Help to discuss your research parameters.
OIT will not offer support to machines running Windows 7 after the Microsoft-mandated end-of-life deadline (January 2020). Computers running Windows 7 after this time present a high security risk to the University network. OIT will work in partnership with University Information Security to isolate all remaining Windows 7 computers from the internet.