Windows 7* Migration

Change is good

As businesses grow and technologies change, rolling out a new operating system can minimize short-term hassles while reducing long-term costs. Drawing on vast experience and expertise, Intel has developed comprehensive best practices as well as innovative technologies to help your business get the most out of its migration to Windows 7*.

Creating a road map for smooth migration

With advance preparation and smart deployment, you can save time, reduce expenses, and minimize disruption. Intel’s IT department completed a beta deployment, followed by a company-wide migration to Windows 7* on Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor–based PCs. We found that using new PCs throughout the migration process can:

  • Minimize short-term IT hassles such as lagging performance due to the new OS.
  • Reduce management and support costs down the road

Not surprisingly, we learned some things the hard way—but Intel’s IT department is happy to share its knowledge on the migration process with IT peers. As you develop a migration plan and begin your own deployment, please refer to Intel IT’s best practices along the way.

Download Intel’s Best Practices for Windows 7* Migration > (PDF 937KB)

The right processors for the job

Using the right hardware not only makes for easier migration, it also brings greater performance. 3rd generation Intel® Core™ and Intel® Core™ vPro™ processors deliver intelligent performance for Windows 7* and provide the following benefits when compared to systems that are just three years old:

  • The 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor runs business productivity applications up to 80% faster1 2
  • Up to 90% faster multitasking on the 3rd generation Intel Core i5 processor1 2
  • Encrypt sensitive data up to four times faster on the 3rd generation Intel Core i5 processor3 1 2

Creating a road map for smooth migration

 

Pairing the new OS with business PCs running the latest Intel® processors also yields superior graphics. The Windows 7 Aero* user interface combines with built-in visuals on 3rd generation processors to provide a stunning visual experience without the cost of a dedicated graphics card.4

Learn more about migrating to Windows 7* >

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Product and Performance Information

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1. Cross-client claim based on lowest performance data number when comparing desktop and mobile benchmarks. Configurations and performance test as follows: (Mobile) Comparing pre-production 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i5-3320M Processor (4T2C, 3MB cache, up to 3.20 GHz), Intel Reference Board, pre-production BIOS, Memory 8 GB (2x4 GB) Micron* PC3-12800, Hitachi* Travelstar 320 GB hard-disk drive, Intel® HD Graphics 4000, Driver pre-production 8.15.10.2616 , Chipset INF pre-production 9.3.0.1019. Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor P8600 (2T2C, 3M cache, 2.40 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB), HP* dv6, BIOS HP* vF.31, Memory 4 GB (2x2 GB) Micron* PC3-8500, Hitachi* 320 GB hard-disk drive, Mobile Intel® GM45 Chipset Family w/ integrated graphics Driver: 8.15.10.1749, Chipset INF 9.2.0.1030, Microsoft Windows* 7 Ultimate 64-bit 6.1 Build 7601 (Desktop) Comparing pre-production 3rd generation Intel® Core™ i5-3450 Processor (4T4C, 6 MB cache, 3.1GHz base up to 3.5GHz), Intel® Desktop Board DH77KC, Memory 8 GB (2x4 GB) Micron* DDR3-1600, Seagate* 1 TB, Intel® HD Graphics 2500, Driver: 8.15.10.2616 (BIOS:vSLZ7510H.8 6A.0033.2011.1230.1146, Chipset INF 9.3.0.1019, Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E8400 (2C2T, 3.0GHz, 6MB cache), Memory 4 GB (2x2 GB) Micron* DDR2 800 MHz, Seagate* 1TB hard-disk drive, Intel® G45, Driver: 8.15.10.2189, BIOS:IDG4510H.86A.0135.2011.0225.1100, INF), Microsoft Windows* 7 Ultimate 64-bit 6.1 Build 7601 Business productivity claims based on SYSmark* 2012, which is the mainstream office productivity, data/financial analysis, system management, media creation, 3D modeling, and web development benchmark tool used to characterize the performance of the business client. SYSmark 2012 features user-driven workloads and usage models developed by application experts. Multitasking claims based on PCMark* 7, a hardware performance benchmark for PCs running Microsoft Windows* 7, includes a collection of various single- and multi-threaded CPU, graphics, and HDD test sets with a focus on Windows* application tests. Encryption workload consists of SiSoftware Sandra* 2011—AES256 CPU Cryptographic subtest measures CPU performance while executing AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption and decryption algorithm. For more information go to http://www.intel.com/performance.


2. Software and workloads used in performance tests may have been optimized for performance only on Intel microprocessors. Performance tests, such as SYSmark and MobileMark, are measured using specific computer systems, components, software, operations, and functions. Any change to any of those factors may cause the results to vary. You should consult other information and performance tests to assist you in fully evaluating your contemplated purchases, including the performance of that product when combined with other products.


3. Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) requires a computer system with an Intel® AES-NI enabled processor, as well as non-Intel software to execute the instructions in the correct sequence. Intel® AES-NI is available on select Intel® processors. For availability, consult your reseller or system manufacturer. For more information, see software.intel.com/en-us/articles/intel-advanced-encryption-standard-instructions-aes-ni.


4. Includes Intel® HD Graphics, Intel® Quick Sync Video, Intel® Clear Video HD Technology  (Intel® CVT HD), Intel® InTru™ 3D Technology, and Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions (Intel® AVX). Whether you will receive the benefits of built-in visuals depends upon the particular design of the PC you choose. Consult your PC manufacturer whether built-in visuals are enabled on your system.