To protect your Rowan workstation from security threats and optimize system performance, Information Resources & Technology and our vendors, such as Microsoft, push out updates for Rowan workstations. It's important to check for and install updates on a regular basis. Some updates will require you to restart your computer. If you dismiss these notifications, your workstation will be automatically restarted.
Here's how to check for updates:
- Windows
- Mac
Windows
Windows updates are required to ensure the stability and safety of your computer. You may see different notifications requiring you to do some action on your computer. This may occur a few times per month.
This is the first notification explaining that you have an update pending and that a reboot is required.
If you dismiss the notification pictured above, the following notification will appear in the taskbar.
If you hover over the notification in the taskbar with your mouse, you will see a message similar to the one below, telling you an update is required.
If you ignore the taskbar notifications, you will begin to receive pop-up notifications, like the one below.
If you scheduled a time to restart your computer, or your computer is set to automatically restart, you will receive the notice below 15 minutes before the restart will occur. You can restart your device immediately, wait for the scheduled restart time or reschedule the restart.
When a restart is required and you cannot reschedule it, you'll see one of the below notices, depending on the type of update. When you receive one of these notices, you can decide whether to wait for the restart to occur at the scheduled time or restart immediately.
Microsoft Intune Software Updates
Updates to and installation of software on Rowan Windows workstations are managed through Microsoft Intune. When we need to update and/or install software on your Rowan workstation, you will see notifications, like the ones below, in your system tray in the lower right corner.
After the successful installation of new software, a new icon, like the one below, will appear in the taskbar:
- Open any Office app, such as Word, and create a new document.
- Go to File > Account (or Office Account if you opened Outlook).
- Under Product Information, choose Update Options > Update Now.
Windows Defender for Endpoint antivirus software protects your Rowan computer. Automatic Defender updates are pushed out to your computer on a regular basis. To make sure you have the latest updates installed:
- Right-click the Defender icon in the taskbar (if you don't see the Defender icon, look for the Show hidden icons option on the taskbar)
- Click Check for protection updates
Mac
Operating System & Software Updates
Rowan-managed macOS workstations are set to automatically download and install updates without intervention, when possible. If an update requires a reboot, it will prompt you and will automatically install if you log out or restart your computer.
To install updates manually on your Mac, do one of the following:
- To download macOS software updates, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update
Tip: You can also click the Apple menu and the number of available updates, if any, is shown next to System Preferences. Click System Preferences to continue. - To update software downloaded from the App Store, click the Apple menu, and the number of available updates, if any, is shown next to App Store. Choose App Store to continue in the App Store app
.
For more information, see Apple's update page.
To check if you have any pending updates for Microsoft Office:
- Open any Office application, like Word or Outlook
- Go to Help > Check for Updates.
Microsoft Defender antivirus software protects your Rowan computer. Automatic Defender updates are pushed out to your computer on a regular basis. To manually update your Microsoft Defender Virus & threat protection:
- Click the Defender icon in the menu bar.
- Click Open Microsoft Defender
- Click Check for updates under "Virus & threat protection updates"