Things to know about your Windows 11 upgrade

Before having your University computer upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11, there are a few important things you need to know:

Your computer will be completely wiped; all files and software applications stored locally will be removed.

Quick summary

  • Before your upgrade: Back up your P:Drive and relevant files on the C drive, know which software applications you use.
  • On the day of your upgrade: Bring your University managed laptop to the Williamson Building, sign in to your laptop approximately one hour later with Duo, and collect your laptop another 45 minutes later.
  • After your upgrade: Install additional software applications, install the printers, add shared mailboxes, connect to shared network drives, and customise your task bar and lock screen, if you like.
  • Exceptions: Upgrades for desktop PCs cannot yet be requested, this service is not available to Honorary or visiting staff, and dual-boot is currently not offered.

Before your upgrade

Backing up your files

University Windows 11 PCs save to Microsoft OneDrive by default, rather than P:drives. You are responsible for ensuring the following documents and other files are copied to your OneDrive:

Note that Dropbox for Business is useful for one-off sharing of information with non-University staff; it must not be used as a storage medium.

Software applications

Ensure you know in advance which software applications you use. GlobalProtect, and Microsoft 365 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams will be installed automatically, however you may find that some applications you use will need to be installed again.

On the day of your upgrade

You will be required to bring your University managed laptop to the Windows 11 Upgrade Hub in the Williamson Building. You will be sent information after booking your appointment.

The upgrade is a two-stage process and is likely to take 2 hours to complete:

  • Stage 1: Your laptop will be 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. Once you have done so, the upgrade process will take another 30-45 minutes to finish.

After your upgrade

Software applications

You will be able to install many other applications from the Company Portal (the replacement for the Software Center in Windows 10), and the Microsoft Store, without needing to contact the IT Support Centre.

Shared resources

If you have access to a shared mailbox, you will need to add it to Outlook again.

If you have access to shared network drives, you will need to ‘map’ those network drives again.

Printing

Xerox printers, will need reinstalling from the Company Portal.

Other non-Xerox printers may need manually reinstalling; search our Connect portal for details.

Customisation

Note: Some information in this section links to Microsoft; the University is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Exceptions

  • The upgrade service is not yet available for desktop PCs. We will update this page when this changes.
  • This service is not available to honorary or visiting staff, due to licensing reasons.
  • Dual-boot systems (those which use both Windows and Linux/Ubuntu) are not supported.