[WinPartners] Update on Windows 7 Release Project

[Alexander Kozlov]

Subject: Update on Windows 7 Release Project


Microsoft is expected to release a new desktop operating system - Windows 7 - on October 22, 2009. In order to prepare the community for Windows 7 at MIT, Information Service and Technology (IS&T) launched a Windows 7 Release Project on August 21.

IS&T will make Windows 7 Enterprise (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions) available to MIT faculty, staff, and students on October 22, 2009, the official Microsoft Windows 7 release date, as part of the Microsoft Campus License Agreement (MSCA). Only limited support will be provided at that time to early adopters of Windows 7. As with previous versions of Windows, MIT departments may install IS&T-provided licenses on all MIT-owned equipment, while students are limited to two installations.

IS&T will continue to provide frequent updates on the Windows 7 release effort to the MIT community. For current information, including known issues and how to assist with testing, visit the Windows 7 Release Project Notebook at https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SWRT/Windows+7<https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/display/SWRT/Windows7> (certificates required). If you have questions or comments, please send email to windows7-release at mit.edu<mailto:windows7-release at mit.edu>.

Recommendation to Faculty, Students, and Staff NOT to Purchase Windows 7
All MIT faculty, staff, and students are entitled to this upgrade through MIT's Microsoft Campus Agreement.  IS&T is aware of a Microsoft promotion offering Windows 7 to students for $29.99.  This offer allows students to pre-order a home version of Windows 7.  Software ordered under this promotion will not be available for download until October 22, the same date MIT expects to make the enterprise version of Windows 7 available. IS&T sees no advantage to purchasing Windows 7 and strongly recommends that students and staff not do so.

Phases of the Windows 7 Release Project
The release  project consists of three main phases:

Phase I  -  Testing and Evaluation (August  21, 2009 - October 21, 2009)
During this phase the  project team is focusing on:
* Evaluation and testing of Windows 7 in the MIT environment
* Testing the standard suite of supported applications and services under Windows 7
* Making a recommendation on the timing and methods for community adoption of Windows 7
The project team  is working with IT colleagues across campus to outline a phased release process and support strategy for Windows 7.

Phase II - Limited Support for Early Adopters (starting October 22, 2009)
IS&T will make Windows 7 available to the community on October 22 via download sites for departments and students. The project team will work on preparing the IS&T Service Desk and other front-line support providers (including those in departments, labs, and centers) by providing recommendations and guidelines on Windows 7. The IS&T Service Desk will provide limited support on configuring Windows 7 for the MIT network, obtaining MIT personal certificates, and other basic functionality.

Phase III - Full Support (January, 2010)
Once we determine that all IS&T-supported applications and services are compatible with Windows 7, IS&T will begin providing full support to the community, and the Release Team will provide guidelines and recommendations for upgrading from Windows XP and Vista to Windows 7.

Windows Vista Desupport (January, 2010)
Once full support for Windows 7 is announced, IS&T will start gradual desupport of Windows Vista. IS&T will formulate a plan to end support of Windows Vista and will work with Institute stakeholders to determine an appropriate schedule that balances the needs of the community against our ability to support multiple operating systems.


Please forward this announcement to appropriate departmental mailing lists.



_________________
Important: MIT IT staff will *NEVER* ask you for your password, nor will MIT send you email requesting your password information. Please continue to ignore any email messages that claim to require you to provide such information.

Alexander Kozlov
Windows Platform Coordinator
Software Release Team
Information Services and Technology
N42- 250C
(617) 253-5103