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Windows 7, Windows Vista Support

The Windows Working Group, which is comprised of members from IT groups across campus, continues to evaluate Windows 7 (publicly available October 22, 2009) to determine compatibility and support. However at this time, both Windows 7 and Windows Vista are unsupported. Please contact your local support group for assistance.  This information will be updated as new information becomes available.

Official support for Windows 7 is tentatively set to September 1, 2010 or when Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is released, whichever comes first.

  1. Does the University support Windows 7 and Windows Vista?
  2. What York University computing services are compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Vista?
  3. What are the minimum supported hardware requirements for running Windows 7?
  4. How do I resolve the incompatibility issue between the default file format for Office 2007 and all previous versions of Office?
  5. Where can I get Windows 7 and Windows Vista Anti-Virus software?


  1. Does the University support Windows 7, Windows Vista?

    New systems that arrive with Windows 7 or Windows Vista pre-installed, and that are for University use, should have the operating system replaced with Windows XP Professional. 

    Further information will be made available via University IT groups and this web site.


  2. What York University computing services are compatible with Windows 7, Windows Vista?
  • ResNet service
  • AirYork service
  • YorkNet service
  • @yorku.ca email service through https://mymail.yorku.ca (with Mozilla Firefox)
  • Passport York authentication services
  • Symantec EndPoint Protection RU5
  • Wireless Printing in student labs (Vista only)
     


  1. What are the minimum supported hardware requirements for running Windows 7?

    York's Windows Working Group, which is comprised of members from IT groups across campus, recommends the following hardware configurations for running Windows 7, 32 bit:
     

    For DESKTOP

    Based on Premium Home Edition
    Recommended Minimum
    Configuration

    "Good"
    This configuration will adequately run Vista, including the AERO 3D desktop.
         		 Recommended Minimum
    Configuration

    "Better"
    This configuration will provide the best performance especially for resource-intensive tasks such as video editing. 
     
    Processor (Intel) 1.8ghz core duo 2.0ghz core 2 duo
    Display 17" SVGA (1280 x 1024) 19" SVGA (1280 x 1024)
    Memory 2g ram 2g ram
    Hard Drive Storage 80gb SATA 160gb SATAII
    Optical Device CD-RW/DVD-ROM CD-RW/DVD-ROM
    Video Card
         		 Directx 9/WDDM capable/compliant c/w min. 128MB sdram (integrated) Directx 9/WDDM capable/compliant c/w min. 256MB sdram (ad-on card)
    Network Interface - Integrated Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card

    York's Windows Working Group, which is comprised of members from IT groups across campus, recommends the following hardware configurations for running Windows 7, 64 bit:

    For Windows 7,  64 bit version
    For Desktop

    Same specs as the about 32 bit versions, but with memory of 4GM RAM or higher.


    York's Windows Working Group, which is comprised of members from IT groups across campus, recommends the following hardware configurations for running Windows 7, 32 bit:

    For LAPTOP

    Based on Premium Home Edition
    Recommended Minimum Configuration

    "Good"
    This configuration will adequately run Vista, including the AERO 3D desktop.
         		 Recommended Minimum Configuration

    "Better"
    This configuration will provide the best performance especially for resource-intensive tasks such as video editing. 
     
    Processor (Intel) 1.8ghz core duo 2.0ghz core 2 duo
    Display 14" SXGA 15.4" WSXGA
    Memory 2g ram 2g ram
    Hard Drive Storage 80gb 100gb SATA
    Optical Device CD-RW/DVD-ROM CD-RW/DVD-ROM
    Video Card
         		 Directx 9/WDDM capable/compliant c/w min. 128MB sdram (on-board video) Directx 9/WDDM capable/compliant c/w min. 128MB sdram (discrete card)
    Network Interface - Integrated Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Card
    Weight <5.5lbs <6lbs


    York's Windows Working Group, which is comprised of members from IT groups across campus, recommends the following hardware configurations for running Windows 7, 64 bit:

    For Windows 7,  64 bit version
    For Laptop

    Same specs as the about 32 bit versions, but with memory of 4GM RAM or higher.




  2. How do I resolve the incompatibility issue between the default file format for Office 2007 and all previous versions of Office?

    Microsoft has changed the default file format for Office 2007 to an XML-based document format. As a result, previous versions of Office do not recognize documents saved in the default format. To address this issue, Microsoft has released a Compatibility Pack available for Office 2000, XP, and 2003. This Compatibility Pack allows those with previous version of Office to open, edit, and save files using the Office 2007 XML-based file format. It can also be used in conjunction with the Word, Excel and PowerPoint 2003 Viewer.

    The Compatibility Pack can be downloaded form the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack page.

    NOTE:  FAculty and staff using York-supported equipment can contact their local IT support group for assistance with installing the Pack. The Compatibility Pack has been installed in student labs and on Library machines since September, 2007.  A list of labs can be view on the Computing Labs  page.  Faculty should specify in their course notes that students are advised to submit assignments in 2003 file formats.

    Macintosh users - there is currently no compatibility pack for Office 2004. Mac users can now purchase Office 2008 for Mac to support Office 2007 file formats.

    Deployment of Microsoft Office 2007 and Office 2008 for Mac on University-supported computers has been set to default save documents as Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc) for compatibility reasons.


  3. Where can I get Windows 7, Windows Vista Anti-Virus software?

    You can download a copy of the Vista Anti-Virus software from the software download page.  The Windows 7, Windows Vista anti-virus software is only intended to provided needed for non-York supported machines that are brought on campus and connected to the network.  Windows 7, Windows Vista is not yet supported by University IT groups.