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Windows 10 Rollout

Windows 10 Enterprise is the current version of Microsoft’s operating system. According to Microsoft:

Prior versions of Windows…have limited support when running on new processors and chipsets from manufacturers like Intel, AMD, NVidia, and Qualcomm. A device may not be able to run prior versions of Windows if the device hardware is incompatible, lacking current drivers, or otherwise outside of the Original Equipment Manufacturer’s support period.

Microsoft will cease all support for Windows 7, including security updates, in January 2020.  And with UCA utilizing Active Directory (AD) as its directory service, features provided through AD – like software updates, security patches, and login policies – run much more smoothly and efficiently on Windows 10. With these factors in mind, UCA has phased out support for Windows 7.  All existing supported UCA PC computer models that can run Windows 10 will need to have it installed. All other UCA-owned PCs that cannot run Windows 10 need to be retired and replaced.

Computers that Support Windows 10

The following are the only UCA PC computer models supported by IT that can have Windows 10 installed:

  • Dell Optiplex 3020 / 3050 / 3060 / 7010 / 7020
  • Dell Latitude 3580 / 3590 / E5440 / E6540
  • HP EliteDesk 705 G1 / G2 / G3 / G4
  • HP ProBook 655 G1 / G2 / G3 / ProBook 650 G4
  • Lenovo T540p

Rollout Timeline

The following outlines the steps IT is taking to roll-out Windows 10 Enterprise to the campus.

  • New Computers – All new PC computer models now come with Windows 10 Enterprise installed. There is no longer an option for Windows 7 when purchasing and imaging new computers.
  • Reimaging Existing Computers (see note B) – Any PC computers that need to be reimaged and can run Windows 10 will have that operating system installed. Any computers in need of reimaging that cannot run Windows 10 need to be replaced.
  • Voluntary Deployments (see notes A & B) – Any employee who has a UCA-supported PC computer model that can run Windows 10 may have it deployed by filling out this form. Once complete, someone from the Help Desk will contact you to schedule the upgrade.
  • Required Deployments (see notes A & B) – On July 1, 2018, IT began the process of reimaging all UCA-supported PC computers still running Windows 7 to Windows 10. Beginning January 1, 2020, any PC computer not running Windows 10 will be blocked from logging into the AD domain.  This means any UCA computer still running Windows 7 that is restarted after January 1 will be unable to get past the login screen and therefore unusable.

Notes

(A) End of UCA support for individual computer models may differ from end of Microsoft support date. Refer to the UCA supported computer list for end of UCA support dates.
(B) It is the responsibility of the employee to back up files on a UCA-owned computer. Ensure that your data is backed up, saved on a UCA network drive or on a UCA Google Drive prior to reimaging. For more information see UCA Board Policy 412.

Microsoft Office

As part of the move to Windows 10 Enterprise, Microsoft Office 2019 will be the default productivity software packaged with the Windows 10 image.