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Windows 7 Retirement

Microsoft will end support of Windows 7 on January 14th, 2020. UCSC still has Windows 7 computers in use by faculty, staff, and students. UC Policy states that we will not support any software or operating systems that are not receiving security updates from its vendor.

Section 1 #12:  Run a version of the operating system that is supported by the vendor.

What You Should Do

Faculty/Staff
University-Owned Computers

University-owned computers must have a purchased Windows 10 license in order to move from Windows 7. 

Many campus departments have purchased Windows OS licensing via the annual MCCA program and can upgrade to Windows 10.  The list of departments is available at the bottom of the Microsoft Campus Agreement (MCCA) web page. 

Licenses for university-owned computers may be purchased using the ITS Software Order Form.  Perpetual Windows 10 licenses are $48.36 per computer.

Once you have a Windows 10 license, submit a ticket in SlugHub for assistance with upgrading from Windows 7 to 10.

Students/Faculty/Staff
Personally-Owned Computers

Students can download one free license for Windows 10 from Microsoft at:  UCSC On the Hub
You'll need to register and validate your student status.

Faculty and Staff can purchase one Windows 10 license for $14.99 from Microsoft at: UCSC On the Hub You'll need to register and validate your faculty/staff status.

Residential students can request assistance with Windows 10 upgrades by submitting a ticket in SlugHub.

ITS does not provide help for personally-owned computers, but here are some helpful links about upgrading:

How do I know if I have Windows 7?

Check for your operating system by typing "computer" in the search box, right-click "Computer" and then click Properties or choose "System". Look under Windows edition for the version.

Macs (iMac, MacBook Pro, etc.) run the macOS operating system and not Windows, so this retirement does not impact Apple devices.

Note for Replacement PC Purchases

As of 11/20/19, there may be delays in purchasing new Windows laptops due to a shortage of Intel processors. If you are replacing a Windows 7 computer, please be aware of this delay.

Intel Letter on CPU Supply Shortages

 

Campus message about updating to Windows 10

This email message went out to campus Win 7 clients in late September 2021.

While almost all ITS managed Windows systems have been migrated/upgraded to Windows 10, we still have 68 managed systems running Windows 7 and those systems need to be migrated to Windows 10 or the functions the systems provide moved to Windows 10 systems.
Why Is This Happening?
Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 on January 14, 2020. For 2020 and 2021, ITS purchased extended support for the managed Windows 7 systems, but we won't be able to provide a third year of security patching support. The primary reason for this is as follows:
  • UC system wide policy requires that systems run an Operating System currently supported by the vendor. Windows 7 is out of compliance with this policy.
  • Increasingly, Windows 7 will not work with current implemented technology such as Full Disk Encryption, which is also a compliance requirement.
  • Running an out of date Operating System complicates and otherwise impacts UCSC's ability to carry insurance against cyber security breaches.
When Does This Need To Be Done By?
This needs to be done by February 15, 2022. After that time, systems running Windows 7 will no longer be able to receive support or security patching from ITS Managed Endpoint Services.
How Do I Get Help With This?
Please reach out to ITS via online at https://slughub.ucsc.edu/its or emailing help@ucsc.edu.
We will be able to assist with evaluating whether your Windows 7 system is capable of running Windows 10 and assist with migrating capable systems.