The IT User Support Group now offers an easy and convenient way to order a computer, new or repurpose (used, hardware at no charge). We provide the lowest-cost, and highest-quality services available, based on standardized hardware and software configurations, automated management systems, and years of expertise. We provide the following services for all new and re-purposed workstation requests:
- Help selecting the ideal computer for your work and budget
- Procurement of hardware and accessories
- Enrolling computers in our management systems
- Pre-configuring computers with Berkeley Lab recommended software and settings
- Delivery, installation, and configuration based on customer needs
Support labor costs are $100/hr. Labor is not charged to Operations staff, as part of the Operations Desktop Support program.
To order your computer now, see the Request a Computer FAQ.
Microsoft has entirely changed their approach to updating Windows 10. Now they are releasing major builds twice a year which are much larger downloads that require longer install times with a REBOOT.
Each build will have an end of lifecycle and will cease to be supported as defined by their End of Service date, see IT Spotlight article, Windows 10 Lifecycle and the Need To Update Regularly (https://commons.lbl.gov/display/itfaq/2018/03/01/Windows+10+Lifecycle+and+the+Need+to+Update+Your+System+Regularly).
Users should know that they must regularly commit to updating their Windows 10 operating system or risk cyber threat and/or block, not to mention further increased time to update your system. Falling behind on updates could take several hours to upgrade your system resulting in loss of productivity. The more frequent the update and REBOOT, the less downtime.
To update your Windows 10 system:
Select Start button
Select Settings
Select Update & Security
Select Windows Update
Select Check Updates and update your system if there are updates
Note: There are optional settings in the Advanced Settings section where you can set download and reboot options to meet your workload.
Don’t forget that you should always backup your system before updating. Berkeley Lab IT provides Druva inSync for this purpose (https://software.lbl.gov/swSoftwareDetails.php?applicationID=184).
Friendly reminder it is always wise to reboot your computer at least once a week to ensure the health of your computer.
RELATED ARTICLES
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027667/windows-update-windows-10
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12373/windows-update-faq
Users may be presented with the message "Unlicensed version - use is illegal." when attempting to login to their computer using StrongID. This message does not prevent users from accessing their computers, users should proceed as they would normally do to login to their computer.
IT is in the process of updating computers where this message appears with the updated license information.
Microsoft has taken a different approach to updating Windows 10, as they release major builds twice a year. Each build will have an end of lifecycle and will cease to be supported as defined by their End of Service date. Users should know that they must regularly commit to updating their Windows 10 operating system or risk cyber threat and/or block.
Microsoft has published the Windows 10 lifecycle fact sheet (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet), see the table below.
Windows 10 version history | Date of availability | End of service |
| Windows 10, version 2004 | May 27, 2020 | December 14, 2021 |
| Windows 10, version 1909 | November 12, 2019 | May 11, 2021 |
| Windows 10, version 1903 | May 21, 2019 | December 8, 2020 |
| Windows 10, version 1809 | November 13, 2018 | November 10, 2020 |
| Windows 10, version 1803 | April 30, 2018 | November 12, 2019 |
| Windows 10, version 1709 | October 17, 2017 | April 9, 2019 |
| Windows 10, version 1607 | August 2, 2016 | April 10, 2018 |
| Windows 10, version 1511 | July 29, 2015 | May 9, 2017 |
Table updated on July 9, 2020.
Thanks to Berkeley Lab BigFix and support from our LBL Active Directory and our Windows Server Update Service (WSUS), we have discovered 43 Windows computers that have not updated their Windows 10, version 1511 operating system. These systems must update immediately. IT User Support will be reaching out to these users in the next week to provide any support needed with their Windows 10 update.
To find out about the your Windows 10 version, see Which Windows operating system am I running? (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13443/windows-which-operating-system)
Users should be mindful regarding Windows Updates:
Backup your system before doing your Windows Update, you can use Druva inSync from our software download page, https://software.lbl.gov/swSoftwareDetails.php?applicationID=184
Update files can be big and may take some time to download
Once the Update starts to download you can minimize it and continue working
When the download is complete it will ask for a reboot, you can pause or reschedule for the end of the day (Note: update will not finish without a reboot)
Application of system settings after a Windows Update may require another 15-30 minutes after you reboot and login
Users can request help with updating their Windows 10 system by clicking on the link below.
Remember do not push off updating your computer, update regularly!
RELATED ARTICLES
This project was possible because IT identified affected systems with Berkeley Lab BigFix. To get Berkeley Lab BigFix for your computer, please visit software.lbl.gov.
