Office of Information Technology

Windows 7 Support



General Information about Windows 7

Oct. 22 was the consumer release date for Microsoft Windows 7. The new operating system offers reduced boot time, better overall performance, and increased security. See Microsoft's Windows 7 page for more information.

Windows 7 is available in four versions:

  • Home Premium
  • Professional
  • Enterprise
  • Ultimate

The versions are differentiated by the features they provide. Home Premium is marketed to the home user, Professional and Enterprise are marketed to the business user, and the Ultimate version includes every available feature in Windows 7.


Support for Personally-Owned Workstations

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) offers limited support to faculty, staff, and students for their personal workstations that they use on campus running the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system.


Support for AU-Owned Workstations

Compatibility tests have been conducted to ensure that all of our current enterprise, network, security, and productivity applications will work with Windows 7.

OIT plans to begin ordering new workstations with Windows 7 installed in the Fall of 2010.

Existing AU-owned Windows XP computers will not be upgraded, unless there is a specialized need.


Compatibility Testing Results

Testing has been completed. The following applications were found to be compatible:

  • Adobe Flash Player
  • Adobe Reader
  • Adobe Shockwave
  • Cisco Clean Access
  • Datatel Web UI
  • EndNote
  • Java
  • Juniper VPN
  • Lotus Notes
  • Microsoft Office 2007
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • OpenOffice
  • PowerDVD DX
  • Roxio CD Creator DE

Testing revealed conflicts with the following applications:

  • There are known conflicts with Windows 7 using our Novell network clients and Symantec Endpoint Protection. We are working with the vendors to obtain compatible software updates.
  • Windows 7 goes to sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity, by default. When this happens, the network connection is shut off and Cisco Clean Access and some other programs will require you to log in again.
  • There will be support challenges as new issues arise, and we come up to speed on changes and how AU’s applications work in this new operating system.

Contact the IT Help Desk at 885-2550, e-mail helpdesk@american.edu, or instant messenger at AskAmericanUHelp for assistance.