Microsoft Windows 11 upgrade for laptops

University staff and postgraduate researchers can choose a date and time to bring their University managed laptop to the Windows 11 Upgrade Hub in the Williamson Building.

Ensure your data is backed up before your upgrade to Windows 11

University Windows 11 PCs save your files to Microsoft OneDrive by default rather than your P: drive.

Copy your files from your P: drive and any relevant files from your computer’s internal storage to OneDrive, and as a matter of priority, you must confirm that those files have synchronised to OneDrive correctly by ensuring you can see them in OneDrive online via a web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

If you do not see all your files in OneDrive online, check that you are using your University OneDrive account, and follow any prompts from the OneDrive software to resolve any issues on your device.

This is an essential step; while it’s unlikely, there is always a small possibility that OneDrive has not synchronised your files correctly. If there are any synchronisation problems, you would normally see a red X on the OneDrive icon in your system tray at the bottom right of the screen, and these are often duplicate files which need updating.

If you have any questions, concerns or uncertainties about your data, you should speak with an IT Services colleague in the Windows 11 Upgrade Hub in the Williamson Building, or contact the IT Support Centre, as any files which are not backed up correctly will not be recoverable once your PC is wiped.

Other things to consider saving to OneDrive include your web browser’s bookmarks/favourites, OneNote notebooks, sticky notes, and EndNote libraries.

Additional important information

  • This service is not currently available to honorary, emeritus, or visiting staff, due to licensing reasons.
  • Library staff should contact the Library Digital Support team to arrange for their Windows 11 upgrade or use the library sign-up sheet.
  • If your laptop is dual-boot (that is, it currently boots into both Windows and Linux), the Windows 11 Upgrade Hub will only install the Windows Operating System. A separate request will need to be raised to install Linux.

On the day

Bring your University-managed laptop to the Windows 11 Upgrade Hub in the Williamson Building, room 4.06. The easiest way to find Room 4.06 is to use the entrance nearest to University Place, taking the lift to the fourth floor, then turning right through the double doors.

If your laptop was funded by IT Services it may be replaced with an equivalent model and the process will be like getting a new laptop. If you feel like you need support with your first log in, speak to a member of IT Services staff who will be happy to help.

If your laptop wasn’t funded by IT Services, then Windows 11 will be installed on your own laptop.

The upgrade is a two-stage process and, on average, takes two hours to complete, although this may be longer if issues are encountered:

  • Stage 1: Your laptop will be completely wiped, and Windows 11 will be installed. This usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.
  • Stage 2: You will need to sign in with your University IT account, including Duo 2-factor authentication, so please remember to bring your phone or other Duo authentication device. Once you have done so, the upgrade process will take another 30-45 minutes to finish.

The upgrade process includes a wipe and load, which will format/erase all data, applications, and partitions on your computer’s internal storage drive (including, but not limited to, your C: drive). Any data that you have not backed up will be permanently lost.

If you have concerns regarding your data, please speak with an IT Services colleague in the Windows 11 Upgrade Hub in the Williamson Building, or contact the IT Support Centre.