According to many who have made the switch, Windows 7′s interface changes are fairly intuitive and user-friendly. Other changes, such as to the notification area in an attempt to make Windows less intrusive, may require workarounds or additional education for staff. IT Knowledge Exchange member IceCubbe points out that many of the systems settings can be difficult to find, despite the updated search function. His suggestion? Take advantage of Microsoft’s “little trick dubbed ‘GodMode’”:

Create a folder and name it:GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

The next time you open the folder you will find links to all control panel settings listed….The GodMode folder becomes a motorway to your system settings.

Windows 7′s compatibility does not come without a learning curve; administrators must figure out how to ensure that applications will continue to run after the changeover. Deciphering and choosing one of Windows 7′s options for compatibility is key to a smooth transition. The Register’s Tim Anderson points out some of the key changes to administrative features between XP and Windows 7:

Microsoft’s tools for Windows 7 administration are better than those for Windows XP, but many techniques are different. Key areas include changes to group policy, which lets administrators customise and lock down Windows 7 desktops centrally, and the new Microsoft Deployment Toolkit including the Windows Deployment Services, the Windows Automated Installation Kit and the User State Migration Tool. Backup and restore is different than in Windows XP, being image-based and designed to work with backup drives or Microsoft’s Data Protection Server rather than with tape, though third-party backup systems are also available.

There are also significant new administrative features in Windows 7 such as Direct Access, which enables remote access to file shares without a VPN, and Bitlocker file encryption. Encryption is not to be taken lightly: get it wrong, and users can lose data.

Anderson also mentions Microsoft’s Software Assurance subscription, which now allows VDI use rights through the use of Windows Thin PC. The subscription also includes the Desktop Optimization Pack chock full of management features worth learning and utilizing.

The learning curve doesn’t end with administrators. Your help desk and software developers will also have to do a little catching up in order to understand and take full advantage of additional features like new troubleshooting tools and improved application performance in Windows 7.

If you have additional tips for a Windows 7 ease-of-use, share them in the comments section, in the forums, or email me directly at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

• Hardware compatibility
• Application compatibility
• Migrating user settings and data

However, it is important to note that Windows 7 is the first version of Windows to run better on the hardware than its predecessor. According to Microsoft, Windows 7 requires 1 GB RAM and 1.4 GHz processors.

Anderson brings up another great point about moving to Windows 7 that may deter many enterprises from migrating everyone right away:

Figuring out how to retain user documents and settings is another key issue. There is no in-place upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7, and there is no in-place upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows. Many administrators dislike in-place upgrades anyway, because there is more that could go wrong.

This means most Windows 7 deployments will be new installations, not upgrades, potentially wiping user data.

The smoothest transition for users is the zero-touch automated option with PCs managed by the System Center Configuration Manager. Starting with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, which includes documentation and links for download such as the Windows Automated Installation Kit, can ensure that you are better-prepared and informed as to the proper specs for your endeavor. Another plus of using the Windows Automated Installation Kit is the included User State Migration Tool, which allows the retention of user profiles and data that might be lost in the case of a new installation rather than an upgrade to Windows 7.

Like with any major upgrade or migration, it is in your best interest to create a plan before beginning deployment, complete with a backup plan as well as backups of all computers. Another perk of deploying Windows 7? If you’re running Vista or 7, you can take advantage of Internet Explorer 9, released today.

Keep us updated on your migration progress, hangups, and successes in the comments section or send me an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

The company is migrating 250,000 managed seats to the new OS, in an effort to standardize desktop deployment. T-Systems isn’t the only company making the migration or singing Windows 7′s praises, so it’s looking good for the OS, whose first service pack was recently released.

Have a different take on Windows 7 or its new service pack? Let us know in the comments section or send me an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.

Melanie Yarbrough is the assistant community editor at ITKnowledgeExchange.com. Follow her on Twitter or send her an email at Melanie@ITKnowledgeExchange.com.