Windows 7 End of Life

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol45 Issue5 3–7 February 2020

Hi All

The Windows 7 End of Life date has now passed. Machines running Windows 7 are no longer getting security or virus definition updates (Windows Security Essentials is no longer getting updates).

We know there are a large number of Windows 7 machines still in use in the school. This is a situation that we need to fix as soon as possible.

There are a number of options we have available to us:

UPGRADE TO WINDOWS 10

Bring your Windows 7 (or older) machines to the School Computer Unit and we can upgrade them for you.

TAKE THE MACHINE OFF THE NETWORK

Let us know and we can come lock out the network port of the machine to ensure it stays off the network and is not at risk of being hacked.

PURCHASE EXTENDED SUPPORT

In exceptional cases, for example where a machine is controlling equipment and can’t be upgraded and needs to stay on the network, we can purchase extended support that can extend the useful life of these machines for up to three more years. Please discuss this option with the School Computer Unit.

If moving forward there are Windows 7 machines remaining on the network that haven’t been rectified in one of the above ways we will have to start tracking machines down and taking them off the network.

Thanks

Martin Conway

IT and Digital Media Manager

Research School of Physics

Australian National University

Canberra ACT 2601