Overview
Various IT departments across the University of Oregon use Software Center to allow their users to install applications, software updates, and upgrade Windows.
This article explains the basic functionality of Software Center for Windows available to users in those departments, such as:
All specific questions about Software Center should be directed to local IT departments.
- Software Center is only installed on some machines in some departments across campus.
- The VPN may be required when using licensed software that is installed from Software Center.
- Any questions about Software Center should be directed to your local departmental IT for an accurate response.
- Larger applications can take a long time to download and install. Please ensure you leave your computer plugged in and connected to network and power for the duration of any installations. Failure to do so may result in the install failing or other unexpected behavior.
- To start Software Center on a Windows 10 computer, press Start and type
Software Center. Select Software Center when it appears.
- If you navigate the Start menu, you can also look under the Microsoft System Center folder for the Software Center icon.
Select the Applications tab to find and install applications that your departmental IT deploys to you or this computer.
- All: Shows all applications that you can install.
- Required: Your IT admin enforces these applications. If you uninstall one of these applications, Software Center reinstalls it automatically.
- Search: Enter keywords in the Search box to find it.
- Switch the view: Select the icons to switch the view between list view and tile view. By default the applications list shows as graphic tiles.
Application Details
Before installing any Application, it is recommended that you read the Application Details as it can contain some important information:
- Status: Available or Required - This will indicate if the Application is optional (Available) or Automatically installed (Required).
- Restart Required: If the application requires a restart it will be noted here. Be sure to save any work before trying to install an application that requires a restart.
- Request: Some software has licensing restrictions that require approval for installation. If there is a Request button instead of Install then an administrator has required approval. Please type in your reason for requesting access to the application and click the Request button and an Administrator review your request. Once the Administrator approves the application, installation will happen automatically.
Install multiple applications
To install more than one application at a time:
- Enter multi-select mode in the list view, by selecting the multi-select icon in the upper-right corner.
- Select two or more applications to install by selecting the checkbox to the left of the apps in the list.
- Select the Install Selected button.
The applications install as normal, only now in succession.
Note: Do not install more than one large application in succession using this method. The computer may run out of temporary storage to download the files.
Select the Updates tab to view and install Windows software updates that your IT department has deployed to this computer.
- All: Shows all updates that you can install
- Required: Your IT department enforces these updates
- You can see when these will install automatically by looking under the Installation Status > Upcoming section where it will display the next Maintenance Window.
To install updates, select Install All or choose updates to install automatically.
To only install specific updates, other than those that are required, select the icon to enter multi-select mode. Check the updates to install, and then select Install Selected.
Select the Operating Systems tab to view and install versions of Windows that your departmental IT has installed or made available to this computer.
- All: Shows all Windows versions that you can install
- Required: Your departmental IT enforces these upgrades.
Note: If unsure about the deployment of a new operating system, please consult with your administrator. Please back up all important data before proceeding with any operating system upgrade.
Select the Installation status tab to view the status of applications. You may see the following states:
- Installed: Software Center already installed this application on this computer.
- Downloading: Software Center is downloading the software to install on this computer.
- Failed: Software Center encountered an error in trying to install the software.
- If an application fails to install, please contact your local IT department for assistance.
- Upcoming Tab: Shows the date and time of the device's next maintenance window to install upcoming software. Maintenance windows are defined by your IT department.
- The status can be seen in the All and the Upcoming tab.
- You can install before the maintenance window time by selecting the Install Now button.