Windows 7 End of Life

Microsoft will be discontinuing support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 beginning on January 14, 2020. No more software updates including security updates will be published after that time. Furthermore, UT will no longer be allowing systems running Windows 7 on its network after that time. For more information please see:

• Microsoft End of Windows 7 Support Information
• UTK IT Weekly Announcement

The EECS Department is requiring all systems currently running Windows 7 to be upgraded, retired, or removed from the network by the end of 2019.

Most systems currently running Windows 7 can be reinstalled with the Windows 10 operating system. The minimum requirements for Windows 10 are:

Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster compatible 64-bit processor
RAM: 2 GB for 64-bit
Hard drive size: 32GB or larger hard disk

Additionally, Windows 10 drivers have to be available for the graphics card on the system. Some older AMD/ATI graphics cards are not compatible with Windows 10. If you are unsure, please contact the EECS IT Staff.

The EECS IT Staff re-installs computers “from scratch” when upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10. Doing such a clean install generally yields the best results in terms of speed and reliability. This means, however, that the system drive is completely erased prior to installing Windows 10. Some preparation is required on your part:

1. Make backups of all data you wish to retain after the re-install. UT users have access to a number of cloud-based storage options that can be used for making backups. Google Drive File Stream and Microsoft OneDrive are both available with virtually unlimited storage. Please see https://oit.utk.edu/storage/ for more information. If you need assistance with getting your data backed up, the EECS IT Staff can help! Alternatively, you can use your own storage media such as a USB-connected hard drive or flash drive to back up your data.
2. Make a list of all software you will need on the system after the upgrade. This especially applies to “engineering software” that is licensed to the EECS department. Examples include Mathworks Matlab, ANSYS Electronics Desktop, and Altium Designer. The EECS IT Staff will install this software for you once your system has been updated.

The EECS IT Staff will work with you to schedule the upgrade of your system. If you currently have a Windows 7 desktop or laptop, please contact us as soon as possible. The EECS IT staff will also be reaching out to system owners and end-users of known Windows 7 systems in order to arrange for a re-install.

List of known Windows 7 and Server 2008 Systems

Instead of upgrading a system to Windows 10, system owners may opt to retire the system before the end of 2019. If you will be replacing a system before the end of the year, please let us know. We will schedule a time the system can be retired and help you retrieve any data you need before the computer is surplussed.

There are a limited number of situations where a system cannot be upgraded to Windows 10 or retired altogether. Examples include embedded Windows computers in oscilloscopes or other equipment. Please contact the EECS IT Staff if you have a system that you believe cannot be upgraded. We will work with you to find the best solution which may include removing the system from the network, firewalling, or getting a policy exemption from OIT.