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Operating system updates

The Windows and macOS operating systems, regularly release software updates to keep their systems as secure as possible.

Instructions on how you can get these updates, and thus keep your device running smoothly and securely, are provided below.

• macOS updates
• Windows updates
• Non-compliant computers

macOS updates

For information about how to check for and install software updates on macOS, please refer to the Apple website.

Windows updates

The Windows updates can be categorised into two areas:

• Monthly Windows updates
  • Can take 5 - 20 minutes and may require a restart
• Windows version upgrade
  • Can take 30 minutes up to 2+ hours and may require several restarts

These updates can be done one of two ways:

• Automatically, via the Software Center application* (MECM, formerly known as SCCM).
• Manually, by running the Windows Updates application

* The Software Center application is not available on the Student Wi-Fi network.

The preferred method of receiving updates is via the Software Center application.

Automatic Windows updates via the Software Center

The Software Center uses what's known as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) to roll out updates.

The benefits of using the Software Center (MECM) are:

• Updates are managed and automatically deployed by IT Services - you don't have to do anything
• IT Services will test all updates before deploying them

If your Windows computer is part of the College network*, then you must have the Software Center application installed on your computer.

* Does not apply to computers on the Student Wi-Fi network.

How can I check if I have the Software Center application installed?

To check if the Software Center application is installed on your computer:

• On the left end of the taskbar, click the Start icon.
• Type, Software Center

If you see the following result, then you have the software installed.

If you don't see it, refer to Installing the Software Center (MECM) application

How the Software Center works

In general, once we've finished testing them, Windows updates are sent out automatically via the Software Center, to batches of computers over the course of seven working days.

When the updates show up on your computer, they must be installed by 4 pm, the following business day.

You can install the updates before the enforced deadline or postpone them to keep working.

If you wait until the deadline has passed, then the installation will proceed automatically in the background.

Once an update has been installed, you will see a notification that a restart is required. If a restart has not happened before the 4 pm deadline time, you will be provided with a 4-hour countdown, at the end of which, an automatic restart of the computer will happen.

Once this restart countdown begins, it cannot be postponed, extended or cancelled by you or IT Services.

You can choose to manually restart the computer at any point during the countdown or wait for the countdown to finish, at the end of which the automatic restart will happen.

If you plan to leave the computer on and let it restart automatically, you are advised to save your data and close all open applications. If using a laptop, please ensure it is plugged in.

A 'restart' normally takes between 5 to 20 minutes but for larger updates such as version updates, it can take 30 minutes up to 2+ hours and may require several restarts.

On average, version updates are only depolyed once per year.

The time an update takes is also dependant on the age of the computer.

What you'll see

When an update is made available to your computer you will see a pop-up notification at the bottom right of your screen, indicating that 'Software changes are required'.

To proceed with the updates, you can click on this pop-up message. This will open a Software Center application and list information about the software changes.

• If you ignore the pop-up message, it will disappear after approximately 5 - 10 seconds.
• To access the Software Center application again, click the Software Center icon (shown below) in your taskbar and then click View Required Software.
  
  
  
  
• Alternatively, you can wait until the installation deadline has passed, at which point the software installation will begin automatically.

If you choose to start the installation process yourself, as outlined above, then the following options will be provided.

• You will first see a deadline of when the update will take place - should you do nothing.
• If you would like to control when the process begins, you will have the following options:
  • Right now (recommended): This will start the process straight away.
  • Outside my business hours: This will allow you to schedule the update to begin at a time of your choosing; provided it is not past the installation deadline.
  • Snooze and remind me later: This will delay the update for up to 2 hours. You won't be able to 'Snooze' past the enforced installation deadline.
    
    
    
    

Once the updates have been installed on your computer, you will see a notification that a restart is required.

If the computer has not been restarted before the 4 pm deadline time, then a 4-hour countdown to an automatic restart will appear on the screen.

The restart notification window can be 'Snoozed' and minimised for the first three hours of the countdown.

During the final hour of the countdown, the notification window cannot be 'Snoozed' or minimised.

Once the countdown completes the computer will be restarted automatically so make sure to save any outstanding work.

Installing the Software Center (MECM) application

If attempting the following steps from off-campus, you will need the VPN service connected for the duration of the process.

1. Launch the Windows 'Run' dialog box by holding down the Windows key on the keyboard and hitting R, or by choosing Run from the Start menu.
2. In the 'Run' dialog box, beside 'Open:' type the following and click OK:
   
   \\ntserver-usr\PCSoftware\MECM_Client_Current\ccmsetup.exe

The installation process is 'silent', meaning that you will see no dialog boxes. It can take about 5 - 20 minutes to complete the installation.

After 20 minutes, to allow the installation complete, please follow these steps to help ensure the PC checks in with our MECM system and gets its updates in the future:

• Right-click on the Start button, choose Run, type control panel and click OK.
• Towards the top right, beside View by: choose Small icons.
• Click Configuration Manager and choose the Actions tab.
• Select Discovery Data Collection Cycle (or if it's not listed, select any of the others items) and click Run Now.

Manually install Windows updates

The below instructions will show you how to manually install updates on your version of Windows.

Non-compliant computers and removal from the network

Computers doing any of the following items may be disconnected from the network as an IT security measure.

• Running older, unsupported operating systems
• Failing to have the required operating system updates installed
• Failing to have the required anti-virus software installed