Beginning at 4:00 PM on Monday, November 22, ITS will distribute an update to Denison-owned Windows computers to improve their ability to communicate with our Windows patching system, which delivers updates to software that runs on Windows computers.

After that time, your computer may display the pop-up window shown below:  

The update requires your computer to restart in order to fully install, and the pop-up window alerts you that your computer will automatically restart in two hours to apply the update. If you prefer, you may manually restart your computer any time before then to apply the update. 

Patching plays a critical role in keeping Denison-owned computers stable and secure, and this update will enhance the delivery of important software updates to your computer. We recognize that work takes place at all hours of the day, and we apologize for any inconvenience this causes. For additional information, please see the additional information below, or contact the ITS Service Desk at 740-587-6395 or servicedesk@denison.edu. 

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What’s happening?

Starting at 4 PM on Monday, November 22, ITS is distributing a small software update to all Denison-owned Windows devices. Whether it is on or off campus, once your computer receives the update, it will display the following pop-up window: 

The update will automatically restart your computer two hours after it is received; you may also manually restart your computer any time after you see the prompt. Unlike some updates, once your computer receives this software update, you will not have the option to cancel or postpone the restart.

Why is ITS doing this, and why are you starting Monday at 4 PM?

This update ensures that Denison-owned Windows devices communicate effectively with our Windows management system. Applying this update allows us to more effectively distribute future security updates and critical patches to your computer. 

This process begins Monday at 4 PM to avoid disruption to teaching and minimize the impact on employees’ daily work schedules.

I will be busy at 4 PM on Monday. Can I manually install this update ahead of time?

No. Our patch management system will begin offering the update to Denison-owned Windows computers at 4 PM. Computers that are powered on will receive the update over the next few hours as they periodically check in with our management system.

How can I make this update go as smoothly as possible?

When the prompt shown above appears, you have two choices:

• Let your computer automatically restart in two hours. Leave your computer powered on, and be sure to close all programs and windows before the countdown timer in the pop-up window counts down to zero.
• Manually restart your computer any time in the next two hours. Close all programs and windows, then restart your computer as you normally would.

How will I know if the update successfully installed?

After your computer restarts and you next log in, the window shown below will appear briefly at the bottom-right corner of your screen:

What if I don’t see the prompt after 4 PM on Monday?

Some computers may take a few hours to check in with our management system, so don’t be surprised if you don’t see it immediately. If you use a desktop computer, make sure your machine is powered on and ready to receive the update before you leave Denison for the day. (You don’t need to leave your computer logged in.) If you use a laptop computer, you might turn it on at home (if you take it home) so it can receive the update and restart. Either way, be sure to close all open programs and windows.

If your computer does not ultimately show the prompt, that is OK. Some devices do not check in properly to our patch management system, and we will contact you in the near future to address and improve that.

What if my computer is not powered on at that time?

Your device will receive the update the next time it is turned on. If you are logged into the computer, you will see the prompt shown above and can choose to let your computer automatically restart after two hours or manually restart your computer any time before then. 

What happens if I’m not logged in to my computer at that time?

That is OK. Your device will receive the update and will restart on its own. Please save all the files you are working on and close all applications before you step away from your computer.

Will this impact teaching computers when classes resume on Monday, November 29?

Beginning Tuesday, November 23, we will proactively check all Windows classrooms and labs to ensure that teaching workstations have restarted and applied the patch prior to classes resuming on Monday, November 29.