These are just some of the most common ones that we see as needing updates. Remember to check and update ALL APPS/PROGRAMS unless specified for good reason, even if not listed
See Also
Checklist
BIOS
- IMPORTANT: If encrypted turn off encryption before updating. If left on it will require entering the full encryption key
- Windows key + r → "msinfo2" will give the current BIOS version
- Check against dell.com drivers
- Will need to long restart and install
OS Updates
Forcing an OS version upgrade (ChemIT ONLY)
- Check on the T: drive for the image updating file
- 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
Common Software
Apple
- Itunes: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201352
- Run Apple Software Update, do not pull in new software
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:
http://www.adobe.com/products/players/flash-player-distribution.html
Adobe Creative Cloud
PDF Reader
- Open, then select Help → Check for Updates → Choose "Manually update (not recommended)"
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/
FileZilla
- ONLY if installed
- Run the program and it will automatically check for a newer version
- Allow update if available
Firefox ESR
- Initial program start up behaviors:
- Request to import from Edge
- Request to set as default browser
- "Welcome to Firefox" home page
- 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
Google Chrome
- Initial program start up behaviors:
- "Welcome to Chrome" home page
- Must open twice to get a blank page upon start up
- Menu → Help → About Google Chrome → Checks to see if running most recent version of Chrome
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)