Windows 7 for Lehigh Students
General
On October 22, 2009, Microsoft released it's latest version of Windows, called "Windows 7" to the public. The new operating system has been in testing for some time, and shows numerous improvements over Windows Vista, especially with regard to performance. In order to maximize that performance improvement, LTS is targetting the 64-bit version of Windows 7 for deployment. We'll be using this version-change as an opportunity to move the software packages that we install and/or recommend for use on campus over to the 64-bit architecture. Switching to the new architecture will likely increase the number of incompatibilities with existing software, but initial testing indicates that the majority of software in use by the university will work well, and that with a gradual implementation, those specific packages with problems can be upgraded or worked around. LTS's list of known issues is being maintained by the SNA staff.
For it's part, LTS has already introduced Windows 7 machines to some of the Library public sites as we test the software image that will be installed onto all of the public site computers at the conclusion of the Spring semester in 2010. We are currently working to prepare software installation scripts for programs supported by LTS, and checking the compatibility of applications that are currently used by students, faculty and staff for all types work at the University. All members of the university community are urged to start testing software that they would expect to be usable on the public sites with Windows 7 and work with their computing consultants to ensure compatibility and/or provide work-arounds.
Student Media
Lehigh's Library and Technology Services department (LTS) will be making student media for this operating system available through the bookstore for the nominal media fee just as it is currently doing with Windows Vista. In the past, the availability of student media from Microsoft has followed the release of the retail media by 3-4 months. Based on that, LTS hopes to make Windows 7 student media available at some point during the spring semester of 2010. We currently anticipate that this would be the "Ultimate" version , as it has been with Vista. We expect to hear for certain after the official release.
For those users eager to upgrade sooner, please remember that many computers purchased recently may have come with coupons from the manufacturer for Windows 7 upgrades. These are likely to be for the same version of Windows 7 as the version of Vista that came on the machine, such as Home Premium or Business. As well, at least one academic software provider is selling a boxed version of the Home Premium version of Windows 7 to students for $30.
Check http://www.lehigh.edu/computing/docs/os/win7install.html for instructions.