Windows 10 updates

Managed TUNI Windows computers are running the Enterprise version of Windows 10. In addition to regular monthly updates, it requires more extensive version updates which bring new functionality and ensure that its regular security updates continue to work.

IT Services releases version updates so that you can launch the update yourself at an appropriate time. The update is voluntary at first. If the computer isn't updated and some time has passed, the update status will be changed to important. This will pop up notifications on the screen and you are expected to start the update.

When the deadline for the ending of your Windows version's security updates is approaching, the automatic installation will be enforced. Do not delay the update until the enforcement, as the update could interrupt your work unexpectedly.

You can view your computer's version of Windows by typing the command winver to Start menu search. The end dates of each version's support lifetime are listed at the end of this page.

Quick guide to voluntary upgrade of Windows 10

IT Services publishes the Windows 10 version update as a voluntary update to Software Center after it has been tested and proven functional in pilot groups.

Currently update to Windows 10 version 20H2 is available as a voluntary update for computers that have version 1909 installed.

We suggest that you start the update at a time that suits you.

The upgrade takes about 60-240 minutes, during which you cannot use the computer. Because the upgrade takes a long time and varies in duration, we recommend to start it at the end of the workday and allow the computer to complete the update by itself.

Follow these steps:

1. Save any incomplete work and close any open programs.
2. Ensure that your computer is plugged in AC power and disconnect any other external devices (printer, usb hard drives, docking station etc.)
3. Make sure that your computer's network connection remains available during the upgrade.
4. Open Software Center. The Software Center icon can be found in the Start menu, or you can type in the Start menu search the keywords: Software Center.
5. When Software Center opens, select the Operating Systems tab from the menu on the left if it is not already open.
6. Select the update "Windows 10 20H2 In-place upgrade".
7. Click the Install button to start the update.
8. Next, a confirmation prompt will appear in which the update can be started or still be cancelled. Click the Install button again.
9. The update process will follow the steps similarly as below in the instructions for an important update.

In case you have problems with the installation, read the troubleshooting instructions below or contact the IT Helpdesk.

Quick guide to upgrading Windows 10

During January and February 2022 the update to Windows 10 version 20H2 will be gradually targeted as an important update to computers that have version 1909 installed.

When the update is required, notifications start to appear on your screen. You may start the update yourself at a time that suits you.

In case you have problems with the installation, read the troubleshooting instructions below or contact the IT Helpdesk.

The upgrade takes about 60-240 minutes, during which you cannot use the computer. Because the upgrade takes a long time and varies in duration, we recommend to start it at the end of the workday and allow the computer to complete the update by itself.

Follow these steps:

1. Save any incomplete work and close any open programs.
2. Ensure that your computer is plugged in AC power and disconnect any other external devices (printer, usb hard drives, docking station etc.)
3. Make sure that your computer's network connection remains available during the upgrade.
4. In the window that appears, click the Start button (Image 1 below), or use the search box to open Software Center from the Start menu.
5. Click the Install button to start the “Windows 10 20H2 In-place upgrade” (Image 2 below).
6. The text “Installing ...” will appear in the Software Center. From this you will know that the update has started.
7. The update is complete when the Windows login screen with the text "Other user" appears on screen (Image 7 below).

Other updates may also become available on your computer after you have upgraded Windows, and they may also require you to restart your computer.

Tips for a patient upgrader

• The update may take several hours, and sometimes it may seem that nothing is happening. Wait patiently.
• During the upgrade, Software Center may close and display an error message and will no longer start. This is normal.
• If the update ends in an error, the computer returns to the state it was in before the update. You can then try to restart the update.

Detailed instructions on upgrading Windows 10

When an update is required, notifications start to appear on the screen. You may start the update yourself at a time that suits you.

The upgrade takes about 60-240 minutes, during which you cannot use the computer. Because the upgrade takes a long time and varies in duration, we recommend to start it at the end of the workday and allow the computer to complete the update by itself.

In case you have problems with the installation, read the troubleshooting instructions below or contact the IT Helpdesk.

1. Starting the upgrade

Ensure that your computer is plugged in AC power and disconnect any other external devices (printer, usb hard drives, docking station etc.) Some external devices may interfere with the upgrade.

Make sure that your computer's network connection remains available during the upgrade. For example, if you have shared the network from your smartphone, connect the phone to a charger. VPN connection is not needed.

Click “Start” in the prompt box that opens on the screen (Image 1), which opens the Software Center. By clicking “Instructions” you get to these instructions on the Intranet. You can use the “Not now” button to delay the update.

Image 1: Update notification

If you cannot see the notification or want to start the installation immediately, you may do that via Software Center. The Software Center icon can be found in the Start menu, or you can type in the Start menu search the keywords: Software Center

When Software Center opens, select the Operating Systems tab from the menu on the left if it is not already open.

Image 2: Software Center

Click the Install button to start the update.

Next, a confirmation prompt will appear in which the update can be started or still be cancelled (Image 3). Click the Install button again.

Image 3: Confirmation prompt

2. Installation process

Once the installation has started in Software Center, the update will be shown in ‘Installing’ mode. From this you will know that the update has started. The computer will then automatically complete the installation. During this time, the computer will restart several times.

The update may take several hours, and sometimes it may seem that nothing is happening. Wait patiently.

During the upgrade, the Software Center may close and display an error message (Image 4), and cannot be started again. This is normal during the update process. Installation is going on in the background.

The computer should not be used during the upgrade as it will restart automatically several times.

Image 4: Software Center cannot be loaded prompt

The update is in progress and progress will be reported on the screen with various notifications (Image 5). Do not turn off the computer but wait for the update to complete. The update progress bar appears on the screen during most of the update.

Image 5

3. Completing the upgrade

The update is complete when the login screen with text "Other user" (Image 6) appears on screen.

If the screen has your name on it, it is not the login screen, but lock screen instead. This means that the update is not complete, but the screen has gone into protection lock. You can type your password to unlock if you want, but let the update process finish before starting working on the computer.

Image 6: Login screen

The first login after the update will take a little longer than usual and the following message will appear on the screen (Image 7).

Image 7: Don’t turn off your PC

Other regular updates may also occur on your computer after you upgrade Windows, and they may require you to restart your computer.

Troubleshooting

With these you can resolve some upgrade issues on your own.

Problem: Software Center shows the upgrade status as "Installed" and "Reinstall" button is available, but I still get notifications about the installation.

• You can make sure that Windows is version 20H2 by typing the command winver to Start menu search.
• If winver shows version 1909, the update has not installed. In this case restart the update with the Reinstall button in Software Center.
• If the version is indeed 20H2 or newer, the notifications should stop automatically soon. If they don't, please contact IT Helpdesk.

Problem: The update can't be started because the drive C: has too low free space.

• The upgrade requires 25 GB free space on drive C:
• When needed, make more free space by deleting unneeded files, or move files to e.g. OneDrive.

Problem: The computer's WiFi doesn't work after the upgrade.

• Log in to the WiFi network again by typing in your account and password again. See the pages Wireless networks.
• If possible, connect your computer to network with the cable for a while.
• If the computer's brand is Lenovo, type "System update" to the Start Menu search box and use the tool to find and install any updates. Then try the WiFi network again.
• Type "Network reset" to the Start Menu search box and start network reset function.
• If these tips didn't help, bring the computer to IT Helpdesk desk on the campus.

Problem: The computer's power management settings or screen lock settings returned to default settings.

• Set your preferred power management settings again. See How can I change the power management settings?

Problem: Default applications (e.g. web browser and email application) have changed after upgrade and notifications about them appear on the screen.

• Type "Default apps" to the Start Menu search box and choose your preferred default apps again.

Problem: An application that has been installed from Software Center or by IT Services doesn't work after the upgrade.

• Try restarting the computer.
• Open Software Center and see if the software is listed there and Uninstall button is available. Try running Uninstall, restart the computer, and then Install.
• If these tips didn't help, contact the IT Helpdesk.

Problem: An application that I have myself downloaded from the Internet and installed, doesn't work after the upgrade.

• Try restarting the computer.
• Download and install the application again using the same method than you used previously, preferably upgrading to the application's latest version.
• If these tips didn't help, contact the IT Helpdesk.

Problem: Windows upgrade doesn't seem to work, and my computer is reaching the end of its 4 year lifetime.

• It's usually not worthwhile to spend time solving problems on an expiring computer.
• In this case your unit's IT contact person can be contacted to agree on ordering a new computer.

Windows 10 upgrade schedule

Windows needs to be updated about once a year with a more extensive version upgrade so that its regular security updates continue working.

To find out the version installed on your computer, open the Start menu and type winver in the search box. In the window that opens, you will see a four-character version number, eg “Version 20H2”.

Microsoft has announced that security updates for each version of Windows 10 Enterprise will end on the following schedule. After that date, the computer's version of Windows is out of date and cannot be used securely online.

• Version 1709: 13 October 2020
• Version 1803: 11 May 2021
• Version 1809: 11 May 2021
• Version 1903: 8 December 2020
• Version 1909: 10 May 2022
• Version 2004: 14 December 2021
• Version 20H2: 9 May 2023

IT Helpdesk
0294 520 500
it-helpdesk [at] tuni.fi
helpdesk.tuni.fi