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Required updates for Windows computers

Submitted by stauffeg
on

Microsoft will stop providing security updates, software updates and technical support for the Windows 10 operating system, Office 2016 and Office 2019 starting this fall. In order to protect your computer, the data on it and the larger university computing environment, these updates should be made to all university-owned computers during the summer months. Making sure your personal devices have up-to-date software is also important, especially if you do work for the university on them. In addition, all university-owned computers should be running endpoint detection and response software. Information about how to install all of this software is provided below.

Why it is important to update now 

The complexity, speed and number of cyber threats are increasing and colleges and universities are increasingly being targeted by aggressive cyberattacks. Updating now will help ensure that your computer and data are protected by the most up-to-date security protocols. If you wait until the fall to update, it could be harder to get support due to IT support providers being stretched thin by start-of-semester activities. 

How to update Windows 

If your department has an IT support professional, you should check with that person before updating to Windows 11. When you’re ready to start the update: 

How to update Office 

OIT recommends that users upgrade to Microsoft 365 Apps to get the latest supported versions of Office applications. If your department has an IT support professional, you should check with that person before upgrading. These are the steps to upgrade: 

  • Identify which version of Microsoft Office they currently have installed
  • Uninstall their old version of Office (2016 or 2019)
  • Install the latest Microsoft 365 Apps

This page will walk you through these Office upgrade steps. If you are not comfortable performing these steps on your own, please reach out to your departmental IT support professional, your Dedicated Desktop Support team, or Buff Techs for assistance. 

Tips for updating to Windows 11 

Here are some other tips to ensure the Windows 11 upgrade process goes as smoothly as possible: 

  • A good time to update is at the end of a workday so that the update process does not interfere with workday activities. Please note that the update process can take two to three hours to complete the update to Windows 11. 
  • If available, you should plug your computer into a wired network or a docking station as the download speeds will be faster than when using a wireless network. 
  • If the update seems to stall at zero percent, please be patient and let it run; the update process can take two to three hours depending upon your internet connection.  
  • If your update remains at zero percent after 24 hours or fails after a second attempt, please contact your department’s IT support professional or the Buff Techs for assistance. 
Make sure your computer has endpoint detection & response software 

If your computer doesn’t already have endpoint detection and response (EDR) software, you should install it. Most Windows computers, if they have EDR software installed, will likely be running Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. Here's how to check if a Windows device is running Defender for Endpoint. 

EDR software monitors devices for threats like ransomware and malware, and is a more proactive approach to detecting advanced security threats compared to antivirus solutions, which typically address only known threats. The campus offers EDR options, including Defender for Endpoint, that meet our Secure Computing Standards. 

IT support 

If you have questions about any of these security requirements or how to implement them, please contact your IT support technician or the Buff Techs. 

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