Windows 7 Upgrade Questions for office setting.

[motc7]

Hello:

In a couple of months, we will be upgrading existing machines in the office to Windows 7 Pro. One of the problems we are running into of course is what to do with the existing Windows profiles, meaning, how do we get them back on the existing machines that we are putting 7 onto? We will be upgrading them by pushing out a computer image with the OS and all the programs they need.

The idea of backing up user profiles to a NAS, external HD, or the like sickens me, just due to the fact that I don't want to spend hours and hours waiting for files to backup to such a device when I know that the majority of that crap is iTunes, games, etc and not work related documents.

Frankly, my gameplan is to say "You want your non work stuff, back it up yourself at your expense" but with 100 users, I know I'm going to get some flak for that.

Any ideas on how to get that profile info onto the existing machines without taking forever?

 

[Darryl Licht]

Hello:

In a couple of months, we will be upgrading existing machines in the office to Windows 7 Pro. One of the problems we are running into of course is what to do with the existing Windows profiles, meaning, how do we get them back on the existing machines that we are putting 7 onto? We will be upgrading them by pushing out a computer image with the OS and all the programs they need.

The idea of backing up user profiles to a NAS, external HD, or the like sickens me, just due to the fact that I don't want to spend hours and hours waiting for files to backup to such a device when I know that the majority of that crap is iTunes, games, etc and not work related documents.

Frankly, my gameplan is to say "You want your non work stuff, back it up yourself at your expense" but with 100 users, I know I'm going to get some flak for that.

Any ideas on how to get that profile info onto the existing machines without taking forever?

For starters:

What OS are the machines now???

Are you a 100 PC workgroup or a domain? Most domains store the important user stuff on the server.

Are these disimilar models of PC's, or mostly same models?

No matter, check into the MicroSoft User State Migration Tool (USMT) it may fit the bill perfectly!

 

[motc7]

Hello:

In a couple of months, we will be upgrading existing machines in the office to Windows 7 Pro. One of the problems we are running into of course is what to do with the existing Windows profiles, meaning, how do we get them back on the existing machines that we are putting 7 onto? We will be upgrading them by pushing out a computer image with the OS and all the programs they need.

The idea of backing up user profiles to a NAS, external HD, or the like sickens me, just due to the fact that I don't want to spend hours and hours waiting for files to backup to such a device when I know that the majority of that crap is iTunes, games, etc and not work related documents.

Frankly, my gameplan is to say "You want your non work stuff, back it up yourself at your expense" but with 100 users, I know I'm going to get some flak for that.

Any ideas on how to get that profile info onto the existing machines without taking forever?

For starters:

What OS are the machines now???

Are you a 100 PC workgroup or a domain? Most domains store the important user stuff on the server.

Are these disimilar models of PC's, or mostly same models?

No matter, check into the MicroSoft User State Migration Tool (USMT) it may fit the bill perfectly!

thanks for the response.

XP is the OS now, so I know that it has to be a clean install.

We are on a domain. While people are "supposed" to store things of importance on the network shares, lets face it, accountants while good with numbers are some of the most technologically inept people in this end of the western arm of the Spiral Galaxy.

I read up on the User State Migration Tool. Interesting stuff, but really, I could probably accomplish the same thing with a NAS and just copy and paste back and forth.

 

[pparks1]

From an IT standpoint, I've never worked in a place which would backup or restore personal files such as iTunes libraries or personal pictures, etc...which have been placed on a work computer. If people were smart enough to get their personal stuff onto the computer, they can hopefully find a way to back it up as well.

I'm not trying to sound rude, but people often forget that the work computer is not their own personal use computer. It's company property and belongs to the company. If my work machine were to die on me and my hard drive were toast, my help desk group would bring me a newly imaged machine and I'd be on my own.

 

[Darryl Licht]

thanks for the response.

XP is the OS now, so I know that it has to be a clean install.

We are on a domain. While people are "supposed" to store things of importance on the network shares, lets face it, accountants while good with numbers are some of the most technologically inept people in this end of the western arm of the Spiral Galaxy.

I read up on the User State Migration Tool. Interesting stuff, but really, I could probably accomplish the same thing with a NAS and just copy and paste back and forth.

Yes, it must be a clean install as there is no direct upgrade from XP. Imaging will take care of that!

I understand about the users being dumb!

I have used both WET (Windows Easy Transfer) and the old fashioned "click and drag" copy methods... WET is easy and you can set it up and walk away. Very similar to USMT!

With any big migration of this kind it's best to involve the users. They will take "ownership" of the new OS sooner. Set them a deadline to move all user data to the servers and give them detailed instructions on how to do so. Set a realistic deadline and keep reminding them that anything they dont move will be lost. An approach such as this may ease your workload and make the users feel involved in the process.

 

[motc7]

thanks for the response.

XP is the OS now, so I know that it has to be a clean install.

We are on a domain. While people are "supposed" to store things of importance on the network shares, lets face it, accountants while good with numbers are some of the most technologically inept people in this end of the western arm of the Spiral Galaxy.

I read up on the User State Migration Tool. Interesting stuff, but really, I could probably accomplish the same thing with a NAS and just copy and paste back and forth.

Yes, it must be a clean install as there is no direct upgrade from XP. Imaging will take care of that!

I understand about the users being dumb!

I have used both WET (Windows Easy Transfer) and the old fashioned "click and drag" copy methods... WET is easy and you can set it up and walk away. Very similar to USMT!

With any big migration of this kind it's best to involve the users. They will take "ownership" of the new OS sooner. Set them a deadline to move all user data to the servers and give them detailed instructions on how to do so. Set a realistic deadline and keep reminding them that anything they dont move will be lost. An approach such as this may ease your workload and make the users feel involved in the process.

Sounds like I was heading in the right direction. Thanks to the both of you! Up rep coming shortly.

From an IT standpoint, I've never worked in a place which would backup or restore personal files such as iTunes libraries or personal pictures, etc...which have been placed on a work computer. If people were smart enough to get their personal stuff onto the computer, they can hopefully find a way to back it up as well.

I know, and this is the first time I'm dealing with it. Basically it's a situation where they know where they are supposed to store things, and just don't. As for the iTunes and personal files, frankly, I don't have time for that crap. I agree, if they got them on there, they should get them off.


What's going to be funny is when they expect us to provide a jump drive or DVD to copy to. i'll be sure and post some of the hilarity that will ensue.

 

[pparks1]

What's going to be funny is when they expect us to provide a jump drive or DVD to copy to. i'll be sure and post some of the hilarity that will ensue.

Please be sure to post.

I've had executives ask about getting their local machines backed up onto tape and expect that we will back up their music and picture collections, etc. It always amazes me what people expect, or how little they think about what is really going on, how much things cost, the time and effort involved with doing it, and the ramifications of having GB's of music stored but without actually having a license to have them.

 

[Darryl Licht]

thanks for the response.

XP is the OS now, so I know that it has to be a clean install.

We are on a domain. While people are "supposed" to store things of importance on the network shares, lets face it, accountants while good with numbers are some of the most technologically inept people in this end of the western arm of the Spiral Galaxy.

I read up on the User State Migration Tool. Interesting stuff, but really, I could probably accomplish the same thing with a NAS and just copy and paste back and forth.

Yes, it must be a clean install as there is no direct upgrade from XP. Imaging will take care of that!

I understand about the users being dumb!

I have used both WET (Windows Easy Transfer) and the old fashioned "click and drag" copy methods... WET is easy and you can set it up and walk away. Very similar to USMT!

With any big migration of this kind it's best to involve the users. They will take "ownership" of the new OS sooner. Set them a deadline to move all user data to the servers and give them detailed instructions on how to do so. Set a realistic deadline and keep reminding them that anything they dont move will be lost. An approach such as this may ease your workload and make the users feel involved in the process.

Sounds like I was heading in the right direction. Thanks to the both of you! Up rep coming shortly.

From an IT standpoint, I've never worked in a place which would backup or restore personal files such as iTunes libraries or personal pictures, etc...which have been placed on a work computer. If people were smart enough to get their personal stuff onto the computer, they can hopefully find a way to back it up as well.

I know, and this is the first time I'm dealing with it. Basically it's a situation where they know where they are supposed to store things, and just don't. As for the iTunes and personal files, frankly, I don't have time for that crap. I agree, if they got them on there, they should get them off.


What's going to be funny is when they expect us to provide a jump drive or DVD to copy to. i'll be sure and post some of the hilarity that will ensue.

Just remember...test, test, TEST!!! Then perhaps rollout one department at a time... easy does it! Oh yes... DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!

 

[pparks1]

From my experience typically the upgrades come with new hardware rollouts. So, a new machine would be imaged and brought over, employee would move what they need, old machine would be kept for a few days before being recycled back into the community...if it were still decent enough for a less demanding department. So, this provided some extra comfort and duplication to prevent tragic problems from a simple oversight. I realize that many of us are not so lucky in the real world.

On some key machines, might even be worth trying to grab a quick image if it's important. That way you can restore back if something terrible is discovered after the fact.

 

[motc7]

Yes, it must be a clean install as there is no direct upgrade from XP. Imaging will take care of that!

I understand about the users being dumb!

I have used both WET (Windows Easy Transfer) and the old fashioned "click and drag" copy methods... WET is easy and you can set it up and walk away. Very similar to USMT!

With any big migration of this kind it's best to involve the users. They will take "ownership" of the new OS sooner. Set them a deadline to move all user data to the servers and give them detailed instructions on how to do so. Set a realistic deadline and keep reminding them that anything they dont move will be lost. An approach such as this may ease your workload and make the users feel involved in the process.

Sounds like I was heading in the right direction. Thanks to the both of you! Up rep coming shortly.

From an IT standpoint, I've never worked in a place which would backup or restore personal files such as iTunes libraries or personal pictures, etc...which have been placed on a work computer. If people were smart enough to get their personal stuff onto the computer, they can hopefully find a way to back it up as well.

I know, and this is the first time I'm dealing with it. Basically it's a situation where they know where they are supposed to store things, and just don't. As for the iTunes and personal files, frankly, I don't have time for that crap. I agree, if they got them on there, they should get them off.


What's going to be funny is when they expect us to provide a jump drive or DVD to copy to. i'll be sure and post some of the hilarity that will ensue.

Just remember...test, test, TEST!!! Then perhaps rollout one department at a time... easy does it! Oh yes... DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!

how's this for plans. I already had this typed up before posting here.


· The target month to begin upgrades to Windows 7 would be June 2010.
· Upgrades will be performed by department.
· The upgrade will be pushed from the Zenworks server. This image contains the OS and the common programs used throughout the firm. Programs not included are Quickbooks, Fixed Assets, CSA, etc.
· With the exception of Partners, we will not backup or transfer current Windows profiles to the new OS. To do such would be very time consuming and prolong the process unnecessarily.
· Users would be responsible for transferring any firm business related documents to their home directories for access after the upgrade. Note: This is a practice that everyone should already be doing on a daily basis.
· Any other non-business data such as music, photos, etc would be up to the responsibility of the individual to remove from the computer to an alternate form of storage. The IT Department will not provide DVD’s, USB drives or the like for such a purpose. Also, home directories will be monitored to ensure that this data is not stored their either.
· Approximate time to upgrade and configure would be roughly 2-3 hours total.




Does that sounds like a plan that Ace Rimmer would come up with?

 

[Darryl Licht]

how's this for plans. I already had this typed up before posting here.


· The target month to begin upgrades to Windows 7 would be June 2010.
· Upgrades will be performed by department.
· The upgrade will be pushed from the Zenworks server. This image contains the OS and the common programs used throughout the firm. Programs not included are Quickbooks, Fixed Assets, CSA, etc.
· With the exception of Partners, we will not backup or transfer current Windows profiles to the new OS. To do such would be very time consuming and prolong the process unnecessarily.
· Users would be responsible for transferring any firm business related documents to their home directories for access after the upgrade. Note: This is a practice that everyone should already be doing on a daily basis.
· Any other non-business data such as music, photos, etc would be up to the responsibility of the individual to remove from the computer to an alternate form of storage. The IT Department will not provide DVD’s, USB drives or the like for such a purpose. Also, home directories will be monitored to ensure that this data is not stored their either.
· Approximate time to upgrade and configure would be roughly 2-3 hours total.




Does that sounds like a plan that Ace Rimmer would come up with?

Yeah QB is a beeyatch!

Hopefully you already have a written Acceptable Use Policy for your firm that addresses this:

Any other non-business data such as music, photos, etc would be up to the responsibility of the individual to remove from the computer to an alternate form of storage. The IT Department will not provide DVD’s, USB drives or the like for such a purpose. Also, home directories will be monitored to ensure that this data is not stored their either.

One note... dont make it "the law"
... in other word dont mandate... involve them.

Perhaps have a meeting get their comments and concerns, demo win7, and show them how to move data to users shares on the server (also provide documentation for the technically inept). Or have user groups get involved with 1 representative from each dept??? Or all of these suggestions! Also, start training early, before the rollout. I strongly urge involving your users to an extent, it will result in a smoother transition, with less resistance, and greater acceptance!