Transition to Windows 7 and Internet Explorer 9 continues
City computer users are continuing to transition to the Windows 7 operating system. The City is moving to Windows 7 because Windows XP, our current operating system, won’t be supported after April 2014.
Once the transition to Windows 7 is made, City computer users should not see any difference in how they use individual applications such as Word or Excel. The change will be more evident in the look and feel of your desktop, and how you locate your web browser, My Computer or other programs.
Transition timeline
The transition is being handled over the course of eight months. The next offices tentatively scheduled for the installation of the new system are:
Nov. 15
- Community Planning and Economic Development staff in Room 1C, City Hall
- Health Department’s senior citizen drop-in center
- Information Technology
Nov. 22
- Community Planning and Economic Development staff in the Crown Roller Mill building (floors 2, 3, 6 & 7)
Once these work groups receive the upgrade, Information Technology (IT) staff will begin upgrading computers in other work groups until all City computers have the new operating system. The transition schedule is posted on the Information Technology website.
Preparing for the change
Before the upgrade, computer users will receive a notice from Information Technology detailing the transition and asking them to:
- Back up anything on their desktops and local drives. (Any files on the desktop and local drive are not recoverable after the new system is installed.)
- Read articles and look at videos about the new system that are posted on the Training and Development website. (Topics covered include: Introduction to the Desktop, What's New with the Windows Desktop?, Introduction to the Start Menu, What's New with the Start Menu?, What's New with the Windows 7 Taskbar?, Windows in Windows 7, Navigating Personal Folders, and Using Libraries.)
- Check out the Windows 7 FAQ.
The switch to Windows 7 also means a change to Internet Explorer 9. The Training and Development website also features a video on getting started with Internet Explorer 9 and an article about Internet Explorer 9 keyboard shortcuts.
Published Nov. 13, 2013
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