How do I manage the installation and updates of software for Northwood-owned Windows computers?

Software Center is a Microsoft operating system tool used to manage the installation and updates of software for Northwood-owned Windows devices.

Install Updates

When software updates are available, you will receive a notification from the Software Center icon in the system tray.

 

1. Connect your computer to a power supply and maintain a connection to the Northwood network for the duration of each installation/update
2. Click the Software Center tray icon (shown below)

3. Select Right now (recommended)
4. Click OK​​​

 

Some updates require your computer to restart to complete the installation

• If a restart notification displays, select the desired restart option and click OK or Cancel

View Available Updates to install prior to mandatory patch night

1. Connect your computer to a power supply and maintain a connection to the Northwood network for the duration of each installation/update
2. Press the Windows key () on your keyboard (lower left of the keyboard between Ctrl and Alt)
3. In the Search field type in Software Center
4. Click Updates
5. Click Install All

 

Some updates require your computer to restart to complete the installation

• If a restart notification displays, select the desired restart option and click OK or Cancel

View Installation Status

The Installation Status tab displays the status of updates:

1. Press the Windows key () on your keyboard (lower left of the keyboard between Ctrl and Alt)
2. In the Search field type in Software Center
3. Click Installation Status

• No items found - no updates are pending
• Waiting for user logoff - the update will complete installation when the device is on and no one is logged in
• Requires restart - the update will complete installation after the device is restarted
• Failed - the update did not install and additional action is required if the software is needed
• Past due - will be retried - the update failed to install and will continue trying to install, manual action may be required to resolve the issue
• Installed - Application is installed

To view more details about the update including the status and version, click on an item and additional information will display below.