Windows 8 Enterprise at UW

IT staff have begun testing Windows 8 for use on university-owned computers that run UW administrative applications and centrally provided productivity software. We want to ensure that the end-user experience is a positive one. Thorough testing will help us determine when it is best to fully recommend, support, and deploy the new operating system to campus.

It is expected that new releases of various software applications will be required before IT can support 8 on university computers. In addition, departmentally-supported software will need to be evaluated for its compatibility and functionality with 8. Some software vendors do not yet support their software running on Windows 8.

Information Technology recognizes the challenges and opportunities of a new operating system. IT is not yet in a position to fully support Windows 8 on departmentally owned computers. It is our current recommendation that users do not upgrade to or order new computers with the new operating system. This will allow more time for vendors to provide us with software that is officially supported on 8. IT will continue to image new computers with Windows 7 Enterprise until Windows 8 is fully supported.

Moving the University community and University systems to the Windows 8 platform will require changes. Testing of anti-virus, VPN, Adobe, Office, firewall, statistical and other administrative applications will take place before full support can be considered. New releases of various software applications may be required before IT can support 8 on University computers.

We already know that UW’s current version of Microsoft Forefront Client Security antivirus software isn’t supported on Windows 8. IT will upgrade the antivirus to Forefront Endpoint Protection by the Fall of 2013.

UW licensed software compatibility chart

Please reference the Web site linked below for up-to-date information on additional software compatibility.

Windows 8 Compatibility Center

Information Technology cannot confirm the accuracy of the software listed on this site. UW Software Compatibility is determined by the statements from the vendor and through IT limited testing.

IT Computer Sales will continue to sell new computers with the least expensive operating system – Windows 7 Home Edition – until the University is in a position to fully support and deploy Windows 8. IT supported computers will receive the normal UW Windows 7 Enterprise image. All official UW images will include standard productivity software pre-installed.

All university owned computers will be eligible to upgrade to Windows 8 at no additional cost under the Microsoft Campus Agreement after it is fully supported.

Eligible students are able to obtain Windows 8 by going to the Wyoware website. Work At Home (employee) customers should have an opportunity to obtain and install Windows 8 starting in November 2012. If you need to access UW resources from off-campus using WyoSecure, talk to the UWIT Help Desk or your IT consultant before making a decision to upgrade. Contact the UWIT Help Desk at 307-766-4357, option 1, or email userhelp@uwyo.edu for assistance.