New Windows computers for staff have been cloud-managed by ICT services since March 1, 2024.
If you are the recipient of a new computer, please read more about the changes and more detailed instructions on how to set up your computer in the quick start guide: Printable Start Guide for a new Windows computer. The guide includes the most important IT guidelines and contact details; and is particularly useful for new employees. The guide has been updated in March, 2024 and applies to Windows computers purchased after March 1, 2024.
Key changes in new computers (from March 1, 2024):
- The user can install basic programs from the Company Portal instead of the Software Center still used on older computers.
- Cloud-managed computers have biometric login through the Windows Hello service. The computer user can choose to log in using facial recognition, fingerprint, or PIN code.
- ICT services customer support assists as needed through the RemoteHelp program. This program allows support staff to take control of the computer and solve problems via remote connection. The application is already pre-installed on new computers.
- The default storage location for your files is OneDrive, included in the M365 service. The following features are enabled by default on new computers:
- Files-on-demand
You can use all your files in OneDrive without having to download them and use your computer’s storage space. This of course requires your computer to be online. Please read more: Save disk space with OneDrive Files On-Demand for Windows – Microsoft Support - OneDrive PC Folder Backup
M365 synchronizes the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders to OneDrive. So, if you for example save a Word document to your desktop and your computer is online, your file will also be saved to the desktop folder in OneDrive. Similarly, if you delete a file from your desktop, it will also be deleted from OneDrive. The same applies in the other direction, meaning if you delete a file from OneDrive, it will also be deleted from your computer. This is called file synchronization, and it means that the files in the two folders are always up-to-date and identical, provided that the computer is online. - Note: You can change the above settings, so you can disable them if you wish. If you disable the Files-on-demand feature, you will use OneDrive and your computer’s hard drive in the same way as before the change. If you disable backup, the local files on your computer and the corresponding files already copied to OneDrive will no longer be synchronized. They will then be separate copies, and modifying or deleting them will only affect where you make the changes or deletions. This means that the contents of your computer’s Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders will not be backed up: If your computer, for example, breaks or is lost, you will no longer have access to those files.
- Files-on-demand
Computers purchased before March 1, 2024 will be used for the computer life cycle. (Please see the contract end-date from the sticker on your computer.) You should get email from ICT Services when it is time to change your computer.