Jump to content

Who will still be running on Win7 and Server 2008 after Jan 2020?

bodminman

By bodminman
in Windows

 Share

Recommended Posts

3s-gtech

3s-gtech

Posted
Posted

I’d say it has been stable/very stable since 1607, as Server 2016 shows (update issues aside). Didn’t touch it before then to know enough, but that’s still over three years. Also, Windows 8.1 has been out for what, six years now? That’s rock solid and still has lots of support time left.

 

It doesn’t pay to sit back on an OS update cycle, especially when the migration tools are as numerous and effective as they are (Windows Update, SCCM, WDS, even a USB stick with the installer on).

MartinT

MartinT

Posted
Posted
No W7 clients here for a long time. Our 2008 R2 file server will be decommissioned at Christmas and we have been migrating files to SharePoint & Teams since August. It's a long old slog but a great opportunity to sort & delete wherever possible.
mikes

mikes

Posted
Posted (edited)

We upgraded to Windows 10 this summer. We waited until this long partly due to budgets (our laptops and equipment were EOL about 3 - 4 years ago, but were still usable until this summer) - and partly due to Microsoft Software. It typically takes about 2-3 years after they release an OS for that OS to become usable. People who deploy a Microsoft OS as soon as it comes out are masochists IMHO. Our old NM deployed RM CC4 along with Windows 7 as soon as they both came out - I vehemently disagreed with that decision. As a result, when the software was deployed, it barely worked, ran like a dog, and crashed all the time. He lost the respect of the staff and ended up resigning.

 

Our deployment this summer has been OK, we haven't had any disasters and the system is usable (unlike the problems I heard about in scotland with one council?). The only problems are the usual Microsoft shoddy software "reboot fixes it" issues. (sound will stop working, spooler service locks up, laptop won't project externally, reboot fixes them)

 

Our mail server is still on 2008 with exchange 2010. Am moving it to O365 shortly.

 

We got shafted on our upgrade as we went into debt for the next 3 years. Our council now has a big IT grant but they won't give us anything as we are up to date. Meanwhile the school that bought loads of switches they didn't need get a huge payout.

Edited by mikes
themightymrp

themightymrp

Posted
Posted

Are you not able to implement a rolling program that upgrades some hardware each year over a 5 year cycle? Surely it would be better than doing a complete replacement every x number of years which would blow the whole budget?

 

We also went with Windows 10 over this Summer and for the most part has been very successful. A few niggles which I've managed to sort with certain software, and issues with printing in some rooms (so other threads on EduGeek to do with ongoing print problems). But generally it has taken well. Possibly because we spent the previous 12 months testing deployments on a mini-network. What annoys me is you spend good time making sure you thoroughly test it, and then MS release a build update every 6 months meaning you may as well start testing again!

Primus

Primus

Posted
Posted
Everything still on 7 here and will be into next year. Had to await money for server upgrades and I've not been totally happy with W10 deployment.

 

What server upgrades are holding you back from moving to Windows 10?

 

You're aware that your Windows 7 PCs will receive no security updates as of January yes?

msi_school

msi_school

Posted
Posted
Just put the Purchase Order in for the cashless catering server upgrade this should be done next week and I am still working on some DT machines for CAM but I will just remove the network drivers if it come to it by Christmas
Zoom7000

Zoom7000

Posted
Posted
I guess it depends on your roles and responsibilities, but beyond a nod to SLT to say ‘we’re going to Windows 10 soon’ I didn’t bother them too much. Of course licensing was already in place so that wasn’t an issue - but I know they weren’t interested so long as the system still worked afterwards.

 

If you’re a tech and feel it’s above your pay grade to make that decision I understand though. Expecting SLT to make a decision like that can be a massive waste of time; no matter how much info you give them, they won’t really care as it’s not something that comes up in an inspection.

 

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. 100% agree that it should be an "IT Team" decision to keep systems up-to-date especially where like in the case of Windows 7, you will be left with systems that are insecure. Unfortunately, there are a lot of IT Teams out there that are in the difficult position where SLT either feel like they know better and are willing to defer; they don't provide the necessary funding and support to carry out the work; or there is hardware, software or systems that simply don't work with Windows 10.

 

Yes, all of the above are completely unacceptable positions to be in and there is no real excuse for it. But it is worth noting that some IT Teams might find themselves in these position. My post was alluding to what action they should take should they be in these positions.

 

If anything, the WannaCry attack on the NHS brought the dangers to the forefront of the news and as such, SLT should be taking a heavy interest on listening to IT Teams and keeping systems and data safe.

  • Thanks 1
MartinT

MartinT

Posted
Posted
The IT Teams should be very insistent that network/client security is a priority regardless of whether the SLT are interested or not. Don't be passive and wait, put a migration plan together and request that they sign it off or offer an alternative. Don't take no for an answer and if they insist on deferring then ask them to direct you to that effect in writing. I guarantee that they will not want to put their neck on the block and will accept the plan.
bodminman

bodminman

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Look at the number of Windows 7 issues on Edugeek....

 

Windows 10 is a stable mature platform now.

 

Yes but some schools simply don’t either have the money for replacing incompatible PCs/servers or the money to purchase the components to make the machines compatible.

 

Not a lot of money sloshing around in schools at the moment. :(

  • Thanks 1
3s-gtech

3s-gtech

Posted
Posted
Understood - we have PCs that have been in service with us for a decade. First bought running XP, they run 10 fine - the only change has been an SSD and sometimes more RAM - 10 will run on some very old hardware! Reasonable cut-off seems to be anything Intel Core 2 onwards but not the oldest (945) chipsets, or AMD AM2 stuff onwards (Phenom etc). Server wise, I couldn’t get anything newer than 2012 to run on an ancient HP ML115 G5, but I have 2012 R2 on other G5 hardware and 2019 on G6.
  • Thanks 1
Primus

Primus

Posted
Posted
Yes but some schools simply don’t either have the money for replacing incompatible PCs/servers or the money to purchase the components to make the machines compatible.

 

Not a lot of money sloshing around in schools at the moment. :(

 

There'll be even less money if they get hit with a huge fine for a data breach because they were running unpatched old software...

  • Thanks 3
elsiegee40

elsiegee40

Posted
Posted (edited)
There'll be even less money if they get hit with a huge fine for a data breach because they were running unpatched old software...

 

Or, possibly more likely, have the school put of action for a couple of weeks or more due to crypto virus.

Edited by elsiegee40
  • 2 weeks later...
round2it

round2it

Posted
Posted

finally got senior team onboard and money has suddenly appeared.

 

so the work begins late but at least i have a plan of action.

 

hard graft over then next few months.

  • 3 weeks later...
JordanT91

JordanT91

Posted
Posted
Well, other duties got in the way of me getting all our SIMS users switched over to the Windows 10 compatible access method in the last few weeks of term, so that means I'm unable to re-image the last remaining 20 or so W7 devices this week. If I did, there'd be major issues on Monday! It'll just have to be a few every week now. Should be done by February half-term.
fiza

fiza

Posted
Posted
Well, other duties got in the way of me getting all our SIMS users switched over to the Windows 10 compatible access method in the last few weeks of term, so that means I'm unable to re-image the last remaining 20 or so W7 devices this week. If I did, there'd be major issues on Monday! It'll just have to be a few every week now. Should be done by February half-term.
Sorry but what is the W10 compatible access method for SIMS?
JordanT91

JordanT91

Posted
Posted
Sorry but what is the W10 compatible access method for SIMS?

Our SIMS is hosted by our LA. I can't go into specifics, but the method we had to use to remotely access SIMS is not compatible with W10. They've rolled out a new method, but it's awkward getting everybody set up on it. Put simply, I made a guide for getting set up but the staff couldn't handle it by themselves. It's easier for me to just do it with them individually, but it's tricky catching people and the last few weeks of term were manic.

  • Thanks 1
markwilfan

markwilfan

Posted
Posted
Our SIMS is hosted by our LA. I can't go into specifics, but the method we had to use to remotely access SIMS is not compatible with W10. They've rolled out a new method, but it's awkward getting everybody set up on it. Put simply, I made a guide for getting set up but the staff couldn't handle it by themselves. It's easier for me to just do it with them individually, but it's tricky catching people and the last few weeks of term were manic.
Obviously not knowing the specifics it's hard to comment but is it worth making a new thread for this and seeing if anyone has a way to automate this? Automate the world

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing


×
×
  • Create New...