Remember to check and update ALL APPS/PROGRAMS unless specified for good reason, even if not listed. This page also contains specifics related to updating some of the most common applications.

See Also

Checklist


BIOS updates

  • IMPORTANT: If encrypted turn off encryption before updating. If left on it will require entering the full encryption key
  • Windows key + r → "msinfo32" will give the current BIOS version
  • Check against dell.com drivers
  • Will need to long restart and install

Windows OS Updates

Forcing an OS version upgrade (ChemIT ONLY)

1) Check current OS version build

  • type winver into Windows search bar

2) Check latest version in our repository and apply if a more recent one exists:.

  • Check on the T: drive for the latest OS upgrade file.
    • Example for Win10: T:\Windows\Microsoft\Windows\Win10\
  • Move the correct version upgrade to the desktop.
  • Follow included instructions.

Forcing an OS update

  • Settings → Update
  • Check for updates
  • "Check online..." option should appear, if not restart

Software application updates

True for all: Remove application icons from the Desktop

  • If a software update (or installation) leads to an icon being added to the Desktop, remove it.
    • Rationale: Often these icons are for "All users" not just for the user who updated or installed the program. Thus, users get them on their Desktop whether they want or need them AND don't have the authority to remove them.
      • If any user wants that icon, they can put it there themselves.

Check updates for ALL installed software

  • Below are tips on updating select, more common software.

Apple

Adobe

Adobe's idea of facilitating the deployment of installs and updates within an org. is licensing and local hosting if not using SCCM? (As of fall 2014, at least.) See:

NOTE: Adobe products in particular tend to add Desktop icons. Remove them. (Users cannot remove these.)

  • Adobe Creative Cloud

  • PDF Reader

    • Open, then select Help → Check for Updates → Choose "Manually update (not 
  • Flash

    • ONLY if installed
    • Check version: Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features
    • You will see both Flash Player Plug-in and Flash Player ActiveX installed, and their versions. Check the version against the latest and update if necessary.
    • https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Chrome

  • Menu → Help → About Google Chrome → Checks to see if running most recent version of Chrome
  • Do NOT allow this to be a desktop icon (for users cannot remove it if you leave it for all users).
  • Ensure that it is x64 bit (As of 2/9/18, OSD was shipping 32-bit!!)

FileZilla

  • ONLY if installed
  • Run the program and it will automatically check for a newer version
  • Allow update if available

Firefox ESR

  • Firefox ESR will check and automatically update upon program start up
  • To check: Menu → Options → Advanced → Update → Show Update History
  • Active plugins/extensions will automatically update
  • Do NOT allow this to be a desktop icon (for users cannot remove it if you leave it for all users).

Java

Caution: Please don't update this yourself if it's centrally managed by ChemIT!

  • Remove if not needed, especially if obsolete
  • If required, either install managed Java, or stand-alone Java. Known needs in Research:
    • SciFinder Scholar; the "fat" version needs it.
    • Some instrument machines.
  • If Windows machine not managed by ChemIT:

    • Go to Java.com. Press Free Java download. Click on "See all Java downloads." (Not the "Agree and Start Free Download" button!)
    • Select Windows Offline (32-bit). You may also need Windows Offline (64-bit)

 

 

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