Since the release of Windows 10 many of you have asked if it is “supported” and should my unit upgrade to it. As the July 25, 2016 deadline for a free upgrade approaches, these questions have become more frequent and urgent.

While UTS makes no official recommendation regarding Windows 10, there are three factors you should consider before switching.

• Need: why is this upgrade required
• Compatibility: do the applications you use work with it
• Privacy: do you understand how this upgrade will impact the confidentiality of your data

While only you can explain why Windows 10 is needed in your particular case, UTS can provide insight about compatibility and privacy.

Compatibility

UTS has tested Windows 10 with our officially supported applications and found some deficiencies. MS Edge, the web browser which replaces Internet Explorer, is not compatible with Mosaic, Confluence or JIRA.  You may encounter intermittent issues using MS Edge with these applications and these applications may not perform as expected.  Firefox and Chrome are our recommended alternative browsers.

Privacy

While some of the new features offered by Windows 10 are appealing, it is important for faculty and staff to take responsibility for the privacy and confidentiality of the information they handle in their role at McMaster. Windows 10 shares a lot of information with Microsoft.  This information may include private, confidential, or restricted information. If you chose to adopt Windows 10, UTS has developed a Windows 10 configuration guide with required and recommended settings to protect both your privacy and McMaster’s information.

This information can be found on the UTS website in the Campus Software section of Core Services.

In summary, you should consider all of the ramifications of upgrading carefully, defining clear reasons for making the switch and tactics for addressing compatibility and privacy concerns.

Thanks for your help,

Sue

Sue McKinlay, PMP

Senior Manager, Client Services