As many IT administrators know, the launch of Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Server 2008 R2 are quickly coming around the corner. The MS Windows 7 wide release comes on the 22nd of October, 2009. I know most of my customers are looking forward to this release from Microsoft. Administrators managing devices such as printers, scanners, multifunction and all-in-one products will likely want to plan for compatibility and readiness.
Commercial LaserJet, Color LaserJet and Edgeline Drivers:
Customers who have moved to simplify their deployed drivers on print servers and clients are in good shape with the HP Universal Print Driver. While they may be fine with earlier versions, officially support from HP comes with the current 5.0 version (www.hp.com/go/universalprintdriver). Specifications on what hardware models are supported by this print driver and method of connectivity are listed on the "Specifications" tab from the UPD's website. For administrators sharing drivers from print servers or hosting as direct-IP or USB connections for compatible devices, this is a good option and the recommended one to go with by Hewlett-Packard in most cases.
Other Imaging and Printing Products including printers, scanners, all-in-one's, etc.:
HP has posted a Windows 7 readiness portal at www.hp.com/go/win7. It’s been recently updated with the link for “HP Imaging and Printing Software and Driver Information for Windows® 7”. Click this link to see if your product is (or will be) supported in the Windows 7 environment. Consider the following:
- Right now the device list looks relatively complete and detailed. If you do not see your device there, talk with your HP sales representative as you plan for fleet deployments or contact your support contact for confirmations if required on what is or is not supported. There are always options for unsupported devices, including trade-up programs and seasonal trade-in promotions.
- Customers will not see download links for Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 drivers just yet on the HP portal, but the Windows 7 Readiness portal advises: "HP Software & Driver downloads will be available closer to the official release of Windows® 7, which is scheduled for October 22, 2009." Customers can expect to see those download links appear as the URL advised closer to the launch date.
Kind regards, B.
UPDATE (01-OCT-2009): Customers will start seeing links on download locations appearing for HP's commercial products like Laserjet, Color LaserJet and Edgeline devices showing "Microsoft Windows 7 (32-bit)" and "Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)". There's not much content there yet, but as I start to see drivers post for various products I'll advise. No such links exist yet for the consumer and small business and commercial direct-attached oriented products like DeskJet and OfficeJet products, but when I see stuff, I'll advise. Don't forget the "Windows Update" feature for many drivers which are already available for distribution from Microsoft documented here: www.hp.com/go/win7.
