See also:

• Software in CCB's 5 classrooms.

Windows

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Overview

Typical service outcome, from 5/3/13 service call from Michael Hint, after installing the requested software:

While on the machine, I also updated Acrobat, Firefox, Identity Finder, Sketchup, Filezilla, and Symantec Antivirus. I removed Java as it is a security risk. I updated your laptop’s motherboard software and removed some unnecessary network wires from your desk.

Update

• Adobe Acrobat/Reader
• Adobe Flash
  • Both IE (ActiveX) and FireFox
• FireFox (Help > About Firefox). 31.1.0 ESR (as of 1/8/15)
• Symantec SEP: Upgrade (not update definitions!) to 12.1.4xxx (as of 3/5/14)
  • Do using ChemIT's "files" file server.
• BIOS update

Java:

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

• Remove if not needed, especially if obsolete (dangerous if left).
  • For example, in Fall'13, version 6 would be asking for trouble!
• If required, either install managed Java, or stand-alone Java. Known needs in Research:
  • SciFinder Scholar; the "fat" version needs it.
  • Some instrument machines.

These software applications are installed and updated through ChemIT's Active Directory (AD) group policy.

• WebEx
• Java (see below)

By default these applications are not installed on ChemIT's Windows image. They are only installed (via group policy) on request.

Key: These are maintained by ChemIT's group policy. Therefore, do not try to update them by hand!

Remove

• Obsolete Java
  • Note: Remove //any// Java unless there is a need for Java for a business application. In which case we push the current version to the computer (see "Java", above)

Specific

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If iTunes, QuickTime, or other Apple software installed, run Apple Software Update. Pull in just Updates, not New Software.

• http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2305

(Alternative: Use File Updater from FileHippo.com to check for freeware updates)

• http://filehippo.com/updatechecker

Only if computer not managed using ChemIT's infrastructure (how detect?), and for newly installed imaged machine:

Run Windows Update (enter "update" in Run command, for example). Pull in just Important Updates, not Optional Updates.

• • In Windows, this covers MS Office software updates and IE, too.

Oracle Java

(Remove, if possible. See above.)

ChemIT updates Java, if installed and managed by ChemIT (how detect?). Thus, not need to manually update this software.

If Windows machine not managed by ChemIT (how detect?):

• 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).

Adobe Flash

To check software versions installed:

• Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features (click on Uninstall a program to get this last folder)
• Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features

You will see both Flash Player Plug-in and Flash Player ActiveX installed, and their versions.

Adobe Flash Player, Flash Plug-in, and Flash ActiveX

Tip: Current Versions of Flash will auto-update; check File Hippo before manually updating. (Oliver found this NOT to be true for version upgrades, 1/8/15.)

Tip: Do these updates within FF. Otherwise, if using IE, ActiveX's version will require you to quit IE's browser.

• http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

Select, "Do you have a different operating system or browser?". Select Win 7. Then select:

FlashPlayer 11 for Other Browsers

KEY: De-select software being pushed! (Chrome, McAfee, etc.). If do my mistake, cancel, then agree to continue just with application. Extra apps will cancel, but Flash Player resumes downloading/ installing.

Then repeat, but choose:

FlashPlayer 11 for Internet Explorer (this is for the ActiveX version; ActiveX is MS's tech; IE only)

KEY: De-select software being pushed! (Chrome, McAfee, etc.). If do my mistake, cancel, then agree to continue just with application. Extra apps will cancel, but Flash Player resumes downloading/ installing.

Adobe hard to deal with

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:

http://www.adobe.com/products/players/flash-player-distribution.html

Adobe PDF Reader

To Update, open Reader. Then, select Help -> Check for Updates

=> Choose "Manually update (not recommended)". Otherwise user account bugged all the time and there is no updating that can be done within that account!

Browser Plugins

Mozilla 

Update plugins:

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/

Mac OS

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Updates

• Check OS updates
  • Don't inadvertently upgrade the OS, though!
• Firefox browser (under "About Firefox") --> Updates automatically without prompts
  • To switch to ESR version: 
    • http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/
  • Browser plug ins (Silverlight, flash, etc.)
    • http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/
• Microsoft Office
• And possibly other software
  • Acrobat, full version. (N.B. Almost no reason to have the read-only Acrobat installed (much less updated) since Mac OS comes with competent PDF reader, Preview.)
  • If Java installed, use Jave Control Panel, available through the Java control panel in System Preferences (opens in a separate window).