E-Guide WHAT WINDOWS 10 ADOPTION MEANS FOR IT

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1 E-Guide WHAT WINDOWS 10 ADOPTION MEANS FOR IT

2 E nterprise adoption of Windows 10 isn t likely to follow the same pattern as for Windows 7, and that s a good thing, writes columnist Brian Madden. And even though the Windows 10 preview was an olive branch to Windows 8 UI haters, some issues could slow adoption. In this e-guide, learn why the move to Windows 10 will be the first of the smaller and more frequent changes that will be seen after Windows 10. Additionally, find out about the major concerns surrounding Windows 7 end of life. PAGE 2 OF 11

3 WINDOWS 10 ADOPTION WILL FOLLOW SMALLER, QUICKER UPDATES One of the biggest end-user computing stories of 2014 was that s finally moved off of Windows XP. But rather than move to Microsoft s latest desktop OS -- Windows the vast majority of s moved to Windows 7, an OS that s already over five years old. Microsoft has already released a preview of Windows 10, and it seems that it will be widely adopted by s. This keeps with the every other desktop OS migration pattern we ve seen in s since the 90s. Enterprise adoption of Windows 10 isn t likely going to be an exact repeat of Windows 7 adoption -- and that s a good thing. The gap between Windows XP and Windows 7 was huge: The latter broke a lot of applications, it had a new user profile model, security was completely different, and most people moved from 32- to 64-bit architectures. The move from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is much less daunting. The apps are the same. Compatibility is the same. Back-end management is the same. From an IT admin s standpoint, there s almost no difference between the two. PAGE 3 OF 11

4 IT can allow users to run Windows 7 and Windows 10 side by side without the support nightmare of Windows XP and 7. So IT won t be pressured to move from 7 to 10, and, more importantly, there won t be pressure to not start using Windows 10 immediately. My prediction is that Windows 10 will first trickle into s attached to new hardware -- just like how Windows 8 and 8.1 entered s. (Actually, Windows 8 and 8.1 devices might be the best initial candidates for migration to Windows 10.) IT won t have to immediately say, No to these devices, but they also won t have to run out and upgrade everyone to Windows 10 overnight. Microsoft often mentions that Windows 10 updates will be smaller and more frequent -- akin to rapid app development versus waterfall development. Instead of waiting five years between major OS updates, we ll get 15 little changes every three months that add up to the same after five years. The move to Windows 10 itself will be the first of the smaller and more frequent changes that we ll see after Windows and this will be a good thing for IT. PAGE 4 OF 11

5 THE WINDOWS 10 PREVIEW SHOWS ENTERPRISE FEATURES, LIMITS Last month, Microsoft showed off the developments in its Windows 10 preview, which anybody could examine for themselves by downloading the latest technical preview build from the company s website. Unlike some analysts and pundits predicted, the January release was more than a general description of the operating system. technical preview was an olive branch to consumers, showing them that Microsoft heard their complaints about Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. The preview also demonstrated that the software giant has not lost its mojo when it comes to developing new technology and releasing cool products -- the HoloLens was big evidence of that. But what can s learn from the latest OS developments? Here are some key takeaways. BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH THE WINDOWS 10 INTERFACE The changes to the overall user interface from last fall s technical preview to now are encouraging for users, particularly for workers. The desktop PAGE 5 OF 11

6 is the default location where a system boots, not the Start screen. This is a nod to the millions of users who do not care about using Windows on a tablet. The Start menu has a new feel to it, but is still the essential location to launch apps and get things done. Its built-in design and construction should be simple for users of Windows XP and Windows 7 to get used to. Virtual desktops extend the physical multi-monitor environment and should prove quite useful. In addition, Internet Explorer has been revamped to render pages more accurately, and a new Web browser is in the works. THE TABLET AND DESKTOP CONVERGE IN CONTINUUM This will be one of the most attractive features for s, and it is truly a story of marrying the use styles of two very different devices into one distinct hardware unit. Remember that this was the original aim of Windows 8 -- the Start screen and the full-screen Metro environment were for tablets, while the desktop was for those buttoned-down business applications. Most users thought that this was a failure for Windows 8, but the January 2015 technical preview showed how Continuum can solve these issues. PAGE 6 OF 11

7 Many industry observers were hoping that when a user attaches a keyboard to the Surface, it would move over to the desktop, and when he or she removes it, it would automatically move to the Modern environment. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and it could limit the adoption of Windows 10 and touchscreen devices such as the Surface. SIZE MATTERS FOR HOST HARDWARE SCREENS You might have been thinking of purchasing a fleet of small, inexpensive tablets instead of issuing more costly ipads or Android tablets because Windows 10 is free for these small devices. And, since it s Windows, you d think it would plug in to your existing management and control infrastructure, right? Think again. Microsoft announced that Windows 10 will run only Metro-style universal apps and the full-screen Start screen on smaller tablets. The traditional Windows desktop and all legacy apps won t work on devices smaller than 8 in. As one analyst put it, you have to go above an 8-in. screen for Windows 10 to go all the way. This is similar to the limitations of the Windows RT. If an organization can t run its apps on a Windows 10 device and it cannot manage the device with existing infrastructure, why not get the ipads everyone already wants? For s, there is no small tablet play, despite what Microsoft PAGE 7 OF 11

8 would like you to think. WINDOWS SERVER 2016 DELAYED Microsoft recently announced that it will shelve its long-term plans for releasing the Windows 10 client and Windows Server 10 simultaneously, purportedly because of quality concerns. We don t how these concerns apply to Microsoft s better together interactions that were to be enabled when the next Windows client release was paired with its next Windows Server release. Windows 10 is shaping up to be a solid OS, but s have not yet had a chance to really feel out what is available from a management, control and administration perspective in Windows 10. Although the picture around Windows Server 2016 is still murky, it s clear that the user interface in the client is erasing the mistakes of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, providing a valid destination for Windows 7 migrations. PAGE 8 OF 11

9 WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS AROUND THE WINDOWS 7 END OF LIFE? The Windows 7 end of life is nearly here, and desktop administrators must decide whether it s worth sticking with the stable version or migrating. Microsoft offers two kinds of support for Windows operating systems: mainstream and extended. Mainstream support for Windows 7 includes automatic updates, patches, service packs and performance improvements, along with free phone and online assistance through Microsoft Support and the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Mainstream support is typically available for five years from the date the OS was released to the public or for two years after the next operating system or the successor -- which is Windows 8 in this case -- is released, whichever is longer. On Jan. 13, 2015, mainstream support ends for Windows 7, at which time service packs and new features are no longer released, and phone and some forms of online support are no longer free. PAGE 9 OF 11

10 Extended support for Windows 7 includes security updates and self-help information available through the Microsoft Support site and the Microsoft Knowledge Base. Special editions of Windows 7 -- typically for business and developers -- get 10 years of online self-help support. Paid support plans, such as Premier and Essential Support, are also available. Extended support is available for five years from the date the OS was released to the public, or for two years after the second successor operating system is available, whichever is longer. Information about mainstream and extended support is available in the Windows lifecycle fact sheet and in the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ. To prepare for the end of mainstream support, users should make sure they have Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) installed and all security updates released by Microsoft after SP1. To verify, click the Start button, right-click Computer, and select Properties. The View basic information about your computer section at the top lists the Windows edition and the latest service pack that s installed. Windows 7 SP1 is available through Windows Update (go to the Action Center or Control Panel) or can be downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center and installed manually. PAGE 10 OF 11

11 FREE RESOURCES FOR TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS TechTarget publishes targeted technology media that address your need for information and resources for researching products, developing strategy and making cost-effective purchase decisions. Our network of technology-specific Web sites gives you access to industry experts, independent content and analysis and the Web s largest library of vendor-provided white papers, webcasts, podcasts, videos, virtual trade shows, research reports and more drawing on the rich R&D resources of technology providers to address market trends, challenges and solutions. Our live events and virtual seminars give you access to vendor neutral, expert commentary and advice on the issues and challenges you face daily. Our social community IT Knowledge Exchange allows you to share real world information in real time with peers and experts. WHAT MAKES TECHTARGET UNIQUE? TechTarget is squarely focused on the IT space. Our team of editors and network of industry experts provide the richest, most relevant content to IT professionals and management. We leverage the immediacy of the Web, the networking and face-to-face opportunities of events and virtual events, and the ability to interact with peers all to create compelling and actionable information for IT professionals across all industries and markets. PAGE 11 OF 11

E-Guide CLOUDS ARE MORE SECURE THAN TRADITIONAL IT SYSTEMS -- AND HERE S WHY

E-Guide CLOUDS ARE MORE SECURE THAN TRADITIONAL IT SYSTEMS -- AND HERE S WHY P aranoia has crept into many organizations due to the cloud computing approach, and how it feels insecure with your data stored