Windows Self-Service Through the Software Center
On your University managed Windows machine, you log into Software Center to install applications and software updates.
Opening Software Center
Method 1
For the simplest method to start Software Center on a Windows 10 or 11 computer
- Press Start.
- Type Software Center.
- Press on the Enter key on your keyboard.
Method 2
- Navigate to the Start menu.
- Look under the Microsoft System Center group for the Software Center icon.
Applications
Select the Applications tab to find and install applications that are available for your 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 will reinstall it.
- Filters: Your IT admin may create categories of applications. If available, click the drop-down list to filter the view to only those applications in a specific category. Select All to show all applications.
- Sort by: Rearrange the list of applications. By default this list sorts by Most recent.
- Search: Still can’t find what you’re looking for? 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.
- Tile view: Your IT admin can customize the icons. Below each tile displays the application name, publisher, and version.
- List view: This view displays the application icon, name, publisher, version, and status.
Installing Multiple Applications
Install more than one application at a time instead of waiting for one to finish before starting the next. Not all applications qualify:
- The app must be visible to you.
- The app must not be already downloaded or installed.
- Your IT admin doesn’t require approval to install the app.
To install more than one application at a time:
- To enter into the multi-select mode in the list view, click the multi-select icon in the upper right corner.
- Select two or more apps to install by clicking the checkbox to the left of the apps in the list.
- Select the Install Selected button.
The apps install as normal, only now in succession.
Installation Status
Click 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. Please contact the IT service desk if multiple failures occur.
Options
Work information
Indicate the hours that you typically work. Your IT admin may schedule software installations outside your business hours. Allow at least four hours each day for system maintenance tasks. Your IT admin can still install critical applications and software updates during business hours.
- Click the drop-down lists to select the earliest and latest hours that you use this computer. By default these values are from 5 a.m. through 10 p.m.
- Select the checkbox next to the days of the week that you typically use this computer. Software Center only selects the weekdays by default.
Power Management
Your IT admin may set power management policies. These policies help your organization conserve electricity when this computer isn’t in use.
To make this computer exempt from these policies, select the checkbox Do not apply power settings from my IT department to this computer. This setting is disabled by default; the computer applies power settings.
Computer Maintenance
Specify how Software Center applies changes to software before the deadline
- Automatically install or uninstall required software and restart the computer only outside of the specified business hours: This setting is disabled by default.
- Suspend Software Center activities when my computer is in presentation mode: This setting is enabled by default.
- Sync Policy: Select this button when instructed by your IT admin. This computer checks with the servers for anything new, such as applications, software updates, or operating systems.