How to upgrade to Windows 11 on managed staff PCs

You are about to undertake the Windows 11 upgrade on your device. This will take approximately 1.5 to 3 hours if upgrading on site using a wired network connection, but may take longer if you have not recently updated your device or are upgrading over a slower network connection.   

Note: If Microsoft Visio or Project 2016 or 2019 are installed on your PC, these will also need to be upgraded. The Windows/Office upgrade process will remove the old versions. Instructions for installing the new versions are included below in 'Post upgrade actions'. 

Before you start: Important actions 

Before you start, you should restart your device to ensure it is fully updated before starting the upgrade.

From the office:

• It's recommended that you use a wired network connection and keep the mains power/charger on throughout.
• If you are upgrading on site using a docking station, check that you are connected properly. If you can still see the Wi-Fi icon, the dock may be for power only meaning your device is not physically connected to the network. Try another location or plug directly into an Ethernet cable.
• Ensure that you know your CONNECT login details as well as your Single Sign-On (SSO) and multi-factor authentication MFA login details as these may be required when you open Outlook or other Office applications after the upgrade.

From home:

• The upgrade process downloads around 10GB of data and therefore anyone on a data-limited package (mobile broadband, etc.) should take this into account.
• Undertake a speed test on https://www.fast.com to check that your broadband download speed is over 30Mbps. If your download speed is less than 30Mbps, it is not recommended to run the upgrade at home, although you can try to run it overnight or plan to upgrade in the office. 
• Ensure that you know your CONNECT login details as well as your Single Sign-On (SSO) and multi-factor authentication MFA login details as these may be required when you open Outlook or other Office applications after the upgrade.

Upgrade Process 

1. Restart your manage staff PC (desktop or laptop) and log in as usual.
2. Log in to Windows with your CONNECT username and password.
3. In the search field on your Task bar type in software.
4. Select Software Center from the list shown, then select Operating Systems from the left-hand side menu. 
5. Select Windows 11 23H2 In-Place Upgrade. If this option is not displayed then your device has not yet been registered for the upgrade. If you have received your invitation but this option is not displayed, then please contact us for assistance.
6. When the Software Center box appears, select Install.

• You have the option to cancel the upgrade at the beginning, using the Cancel button while the software is downloading, but you cannot cancel after the upgrade starts. 
• You will see a white screen with a spinning icon with the word 'Installing' next to it. The upgrade can take between 1.5 and 3 hours. The Estimated time will be shown on the screen. 
• After the install element completes, a blue Upgrading screen will appear.  
• This will be followed by an Installation Progress box. Let this process continue. Your PC will restart multiple times.
• It is very important that you do not turn off your PC. 

Post upgrade actions

1. Log in at the Windows sign-in screen with your CONNECT username and password once the upgrade is complete. Your first login will take longer than usual as your profile is being set up – please be patient as this could take longer than 30 minutes.
2. After your first Windows 11 login completes, and before you start setting things up, please complete another restart and login again. This will ensure your new profile is fully loaded and up to date.
3. If you had Microsoft Visio or Project 2016 or 2019 these will have been removed. Please open the 'Oxford Applications Installer' and select Visio or Project 2021 and confirm to install. If these are not shown in the Oxford Applications Installer and you were previously a 2016 or 2019 licence holder, please contact us for assistance.
4. Set up Microsoft 365 login (desktops only). From the Start menu open Settings>Accounts>Access work or school>Connect and log in with your SSO account (abcd1234@ox.ac.uk) as usual.