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Video introduces webinar feature for MS Teams
Aug 4th, 2021
Tech Talk logo

Interested in hosting a webinar for a large audience and collecting registration information? Microsoft Teams now offers the capabilities to do just that and more. Leverage functionality that is similar to scheduling a Teams meeting and minimize the need to use another platform.

When using the webinar function, you can invite presenters separately, provide details about your interactive event, and create a registration form with a unique link. You can customize the form with a graphic and add the necessary attendee fields to deliver an engaging presentation.

Watch Information Technology Services team member Craig Brown demonstrate how to set up Teams Webinar in this 164-second Tech Talk video. If you want more information about using the Teams webinar feature, click on the links in the Comments section below the video.

Tech Talk is a presentation of IT Services. More Tech Talks are available at www.uwindsor.ca/its/tech-talk.

Workstations running Windows 7 blocked as part of security enhancements
Jul 29th, 2021
computer running Windows 7 shown behind bars

Anyone running an undocumented workstation with the Windows 7 operating system may, as of today, be experiencing difficulty accessing the University network. A block to the network has been implemented as part of the planned security enhancements under the Y2K20 Project to modernize computer workstations.

“Any device running an out-of-date operating system increases the vulnerability of our University network and all our users’ data,” says Marcin Pulcer, assistant director of Information Technology Services. “Microsoft has not provided support for Windows 7 since January 2020.”

Anyone using an unregistered Windows 7 workstation will not be able to remote desktop to a device from home, or access the internet, OneDrive files, or other internet-dependent University applications.

If you find that your device is blocked, a temporary exception is possible. Contact the IT Service Desk via live chat from the bottom right corner of www.uwindsor.ca/its or www.uwindsor.ca/itshelp, or call 519-253-3000, ext. 4440, for help and to have your device added to the Windows 10 upgrade worklist.

A Knowledge Base Article is available with more information on device management basics.

Action needed to prepare campus to print again
Jul 8th, 2021
Computer giving thumbs-up

A security update needs to be installed on all campus computers to safely re-enable printing. Due to the risk of this vulnerability, it is not safe to re-enable printing until enough computers have received this update.

Users can help expedite the return of printing by making sure their computers receive the update as soon as possible.

For Windows 10 devices enrolled in Intune Device Management or UWin Active Directory - the update will be applied automatically. All that needs to be done is to reboot when prompted.

For all other Windows 7 devices and Windows 10 devices not enrolled in Intune or UWin Active Directory - a patch is available and must be manually installed by the user by following these steps:

  1. Open Windows Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Click Check for updates.
  3. A new July patch will automatically start downloading on your device. Make sure that the patch with KB5004945 in the name is one of the patches being installed.
  4. Click on Restart now after the patch is downloaded.

If you have not installed updates on your Windows 7 or unmanaged Windows 10 device in a while, your device may be several patches behind and the install process may take some time. You may have to apply updates and reboot multiple times. Using device management is a way to make this process less painful in the future. Contact IT Services for more information.

If you are still unable to print by the end of the day, contact IT Services as there may be additional steps on your machine that you need to take to be able to print.

Should you have further questions or concerns regarding these update processes, contact the IT Service Desk at 519-253-3000, ext. 4440.

Printing disabled on University devices
Jul 6th, 2021
Printer with red circle and slash superimposed, indicating "do not print"

Printing has been disabled campus-wide in response to a critical Microsoft vulnerability named PrintNightmare.

“The vulnerability is very, very severe,” says Kevin Macnaughton, team leader security, Information Technology Services. “Without blocking this, hackers could very easily take over not only your machine, but also the entire network.”

Other universities, colleges, and organizations have taken similar steps to ensure the safety of their networks. If your printers have not been automatically disabled yet, IT Services strongly advises that you take action to disable printing manually in order to be protected.

Updates will be available regularly on the IT Services webpage. If you have any critical printing needs, a temporary exemption may be available; contact the IT Service Desk at 519-253-3000, ext. 4440, or via live chat in the bottom right corner of www.uwindsor.ca/its or www.uwindsor.ca/itshelp.

University network to block workstations running Windows 7
Jun 16th, 2021
A Windows computer behind bars, as if in jail.

Undocumented workstations running the Windows 7 operating system will be blocked from accessing the University network starting Monday, July 5, as part of the security enhancements under the Y2K20 Project to modernize computer workstations.

“Windows 7 has been out of support since January 2020,” says Marcin Pulcer, assistant director, of Information Technology Services. “Leaving devices running an out-of-date operating system on our network increases the risk not only to the security of your personal, corporate, or research data but also to that of all other users’ data on the University network.”

Once blocked, devices will no longer be able to access the University network. This means that if you are using an undocumented Windows 7 workstation, you will not be able to remote desktop to your device from home, or access the internet, OneDrive files, or other internet-dependent applications.

There are approximately 50 documented Windows 7 devices currently in use. The users of these workstations have been contacted by IT Services via email. Users of these devices will be granted a temporary exception so they can continue to access the University network while the campus is operating remotely.

If your workstation is running Windows 7 and you have not received an email, complete this form by Monday, June 21, to add your computer to the temporary exception list and the worklist to be upgraded to Windows 10.