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As Windows XP support draws to a
close, companies are faced with the
arduous task of having to migrate
their desktops to Windows 7, which
is not as simple as it sounds. Normal
functions such as printing become
an infrastructure nightmare if not
implemented correctly.
With a migration of this kind, it’s often
an ideal opportunity to update software to a
64-Bit version for faster working processes.
In order to enable an easier migration and
remove challenges associated with this
task, Microsoft has developed an XP mode
that allows non-compatible Windows 7
applications to continue to be used or run
on a 32-Bit. When a user starts a 32-Bit
application, this runs on the virtual PC,
without the user noticing a break in the
operating system. This seamless integration
is ideal for all organisations migrating to the
latest system who wish to continue using
tested 32-Bit or XP solutions.
However, while the migration process
is fairly simple, printing from Windows
7 can become a significant challenge.
Printing, whether with a virtual PC or a
Windows desktop, is only possible when
the right driver is available. Even though
there are approximately 20,000 drivers with
Windows 7 and more than 10,000 with a
Windows Update, many printers, especially
older models, do not have printer drivers
available. Operators should take heed
prior to migrating and visit the Windows
Compatibility Center to see if there are new
versions available for exiting printers.
What to do when there are no new
drivers and no signs for development
in the future?
One solution is to replace the hardware. This
is not ideal, especially at the corporate level,
as costs can rise well into a five or six figure
sum. Additionally, all new drivers will need
to be installed on PCs and servers within
individual workplaces.
An innovative solution to solve the
challenge of replacing printers and
undergoing a marathon installation process
is to introduce virtual printer drivers.
Cortado with its print software product
family ThinPrint has enabled this with its
V-Layer technology. The solution, called
V-Layer Basic, is specifically designed for
The Printing Guide:
Migrating to Windows 7
organisations using central print servers who
wish to continue to support all printers –
with or without Windows 7 drivers.
All original drivers belonging to the
printers are installed simultaneously on the
central print server. With this solution, the
original drivers are transformed into V-Layer
printers and the installation of original
printer drivers on individual PCs is no longer
necessary! V-Layer Basic also simplifies this
process in the migration to Windows 7, as
only the virtual ThinPrint driver requires
installation and is available for XP and
Windows 7 (32- and 64bit). And since older
printers can still be used, the administrators’
workload becomes centralised and
simplified, enabling end-users to enjoy a
better overall migration experience.
In addition, Microsoft has also come
up with some smart features that could
help simplify the many arduous tasks
administrators face during the migration
process.
From convoluted to simplified – new
features to assist administrators
n
Driver isolation
: Until now the
complete spooler crashes if a driver is
causing issues. Problematic drivers can now
be isolated, resulting in a spooler crash-free
environment. http://blogs.technet.com/b/
askperf/archive/2009/10/08/windows-
7-windows-server-2008-r2-print-driver-
isolation.aspx;
n
Standard print profiles can be
created in Windows 7:
This gives a laptop
user the ability to access different printers
when he/she is at home or in the office.
Printer allocation is recognized through Wi-Fi
profiles. This feature (location-aware printing)
works for virtual PCs as well as Windows 7.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/
windows7/Automatically-switch-default-
printers-between-home-work-or-school;
n
The Printer Migrator command line
tool is replaced by Printbrm.exe
(Print
Backup Recovery Migration): Printbrm also
supports new drivers and 64-Bit systems;
n
Users have the right to install signed
printer drivers which come with Windows 7
or via Windows update; and
n
Windows 2008 R2:
The server
operating system, which complements
Windows 7, offers more printer mapping
possibilities via group policies (GPOs).
Key points to consider when
migrating to Windows 7:
Operators preparing to migrate to Windows
7 should visit the Microsoft Application
Compatibility Toolkit (ACT), Version 5.6 as it
allows you to properly prepare for migration.
The ACT is available at http://go.microsoft.
com/fwlink/?LinkId=131349 and deals with:
n
Checking the compatibility of
applications, devices and computers with
a new version of a Windows operating
system, including risk assessment;
n
Checking the compatibility of Windows
Updates, including risk assessment;
n
Accessing the ACT Community and
exchanging risk assessment information
with other ACT users; and
n
Testing compatibility of web applications
and websites with newer versions and
security updates of Internet Explorer with
the Internet Explorer Compatibility Test
Tool.
If you are a single user, then migrating
from individual PCs to Windows 7 is
straightforward with Windows Easy Transfer.
Larger organisations with many
identically configured PCs should use the
User State Migration Tool 4.0 (USMT)
offered by Microsoft to automate
transmission of files. Compared to Windows
Easy Transfer, USMT supports hard-link
migration. This service program allows user
accounts, files and settings to be saved
on the hard drive of the PC, which will be
updated. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/dd560801%28WS.10%29.aspx
And for those who need to check if their
PC is Windows 7 compatible, the Windows 7
Upgrade Advisor provides this service for free.
Charlotte Künzell, CIO, Cortado AG explains how to migrate
to Windows 7 and carry on printing
Companies
are faced
with having
to migrate
their desktops
to Windows 7,
which is not
as simple as it
sounds.
35
Windows 7
Charlotte Kunzell,
Cortado COO/CIO