Switching from 32bit to 64Bit

[newpersn]

In the next few months (before summer new image roll out) I want to switch to X64bit OS (Windows 7)

 

What steps to do i need to do before i roll this out?

 

We use Redirected Desktop/Documents and Start Menus

 

TIA

 

Newp

[computer_expert]

Update the start menu shortcuts (from program files to program files (x86) for any 32bit programs) or use item level targeting if you use GPP shortcuts to target based on OS architecture.

[jonnykewell1]

Make sure you upgrade all your printer drivers to 64bit

[newpersn]

Make sure you upgrade all your printer drivers to 64bit

 

I already done that when i moved our print server from 2003 to 2008 R2.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Update the start menu shortcuts (from program files to program files (x86) for any 32bit programs) or use item level targeting if you use GPP shortcuts to target based on OS architecture.

 

I think this i may need help on. But i create a 64Bit copy of windows 7 and get it on the domain and see what breaks.

[Joanne]

Make sure all programs will open in 64 bit. You never know... there could be a sneaky 16bit program lurking somewhere!

[glen_j]

another thing to note is to use 32 bit versions of office, Microsoft recommend it :-) if you use sims.net some of the timetable/cover reports won't work as they still use 16bit programs, there are newer ones that work but don't quite look the same.

[newpersn]

Make sure all programs will open in 64 bit. You never know... there could be a sneaky 16bit program lurking somewhere!

 

Working on that now. Just having a dig around the programs folder to see whats hiding.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

another thing to note is to use 32 bit versions of office, Microsoft recommend it :-) if you use sims.net some of the timetable/cover reports won't work as they still use 16bit programs, there are newer ones that work but don't quite look the same.

 

ok. We still use office 2010 anyway. Wont move till 2013 till support end on 2010.

[Joanne]

That's the bit I find hardest to do... test programs... I get bored!! But the time will pay off.

[kennysarmy]

Buy more RAM ready to install

[newpersn]

That's the bit I find hardest to do... test programs... I get bored!! But the time will pay off.

 

Cuppa with some music. I should be alright.. Not looking forword to test Pro Desktop.....

 

Buy more RAM ready to install

 

Most of our computers have 4gb of ram. (I3's) They only the few that have 2gb now.

[kennysarmy]

Cuppa with some music. I should be alright.. Not looking forword to test Pro Desktop.....

 

 

 

Most of our computers have 4gb of ram. (I3's) They only the few that have 2gb now.

 

Why do you have to text EVERY bit of software - surely a quick check on websites or phone calls will confirm most software these days is fine....

[Joanne]

Why do you have to text EVERY bit of software - surely a quick check on websites or phone calls will confirm most software these days is fine....

 

Not a guarantee... I've learnt the hard way

[newpersn]

Why do you have to test EVERY bit of software - surely a quick check on websites or phone calls will confirm most software these days is fine....

 

Each software is different. Each network different.

[Sagima]

Test all the software. If you're like us you'll find that there are still a couple of 16bit programs being used which will require replacing.

Our Optiplex 745s (I know - been trying to have them replaced for the last three years) have terrible performance under 64bit Win7. The other models we have are roughly the same

[ThatBoringBloke]

Just out of curiosity but why doe you feel the need to switch to x64 with the OS that you're already using?

 

If you were changing to windows 8 I could understand, but why windows 7?

[Joanne]

Why not?

 

All mine are on 64-bit...

[newpersn]

Just out of curiosity but why doe you feel the need to switch to x64 with the OS that you're already using?

 

If you were changing to windows 8 I could understand, but why windows 7?

 

Just makes sense. 4gb of ram. Some computers may get upgraded to 8GB (Our DT computers might due to photoshop)

[featured_spectre]

Just install the 32bit OS twice and be done with it [/end sarcasm]

[Patrick]

Just out of curiosity but why doe you feel the need to switch to x64 with the OS that you're already using?

 

If you were changing to windows 8 I could understand, but why windows 7?

 

If the machine has over 4GB of RAM then 32bit windows won't be able to work with it and it's just wasted.

[ForgotMyPassword]

I'd suggest that upgrading to Win 7 64bit just to make use of available physical RAM isn't necessarily the best reason for putting yourself (and your users) through the pain.

 

Moving to Windows 8.1 64bit I could understand. It's a LOT quicker than Windows 7 on equivalent hardware on our network, YMMV. You'll have people that complain 'I don't like Windows 8' but there's plenty that can be done to make it more familiar.

 

However, I would do a full analysis of what you want to gain by doing anything like an OS migration - do teachers complain as it is at the moment?

 

Thanks,

James

[Patrick]

You say spare users the pain by not upgrading windows 7 to 64bit, yet suggest windows 8.1? Windows 8 in any iteration will probably cause users pain. Skip 8, wait for 10 IMHO.

[ForgotMyPassword]

I can only call it like I see it (supporting my users) but it's not a problem with a combination of a little time spent ensuring people understand the differences in UI and a correctly configured set of policy.

 

I can understand the logic of wanting to wait to till Windows 10 if you're trying to save yourself the work of redeploying etc. but don't forget you'll have the retraining headache with any new OS AND do you want to wait the typically 3-6 months for drivers etc. to stablise? Let's not forget application compatibility.

 

Not trying to be confrontational but just making sure that the right reasons are driving this conversation - what are the teachers complaining about (if anything?)

 

Cheers,

James

Edited March 27, 2015 by ForgotMyPassword
re-wording as written in a hurry!

[Patrick]

I understand what your saying, just that in my opinion windows 8 in any guise is an unnecessary upgrade in schools. Windows 7 64bit does the job fine and i'll move to windows 10 when I have to in a few years. No need to upgrade just because the latest is out. Whilst I do agree that windows 8.1 performs best and has great features, the gains are too small to warrant the upgrade effort.

 

Ps: not confrontational at all, just a discussion

[Garacesh]

Why do you have to text EVERY bit of software - surely a quick check on websites or phone calls will confirm most software these days is fine....

... You're new here, right? xP

The amount of poorly-coded educational software our staff try to buy each year is just.. Nooooo. Half of it doesn't work as standard, let alone changing OS architecture!

 

You say spare users the pain by not upgrading windows 7 to 64bit, yet suggest windows 8.1? Windows 8 in any iteration will probably cause users pain. Skip 8, wait for 10 IMHO.

That's what we're doing here, though I doubt we'll grab W10 immediately. You all can be our guinea pigs and we'll see how it goes .. We have W8.1 on some tablets and on a machine connected to a CTouch screen (the staff infuriatingly refer to it as 'the big iPad' aarrrggghhhh not everything has to be Apple for FSM's sake!!) but on desktops we're not touching 8/8.1.. It's not worth mopping the brains off the ceiling, or the time spent modifying the image to make it feel like W7.

[Duke5A]

Don't install Java x64; just keep it x32 and remove the icons out of the Start Menu for the x64 version of Internet Explorer.