Windows Patch Updates for CUIT-managed Computers

To protect Columbia's computer systems against cyberattacks and helps ensure that our data is secured, while also giving you the flexibility you need to save and complete your work, CUIT has developed a patch management strategy that maximizes the security of your CUIT-managed computer. CUIT distributes updated patches as soon as they have been internally tested and approved, and users must install and reboot within seven days.

CUIT Software Center desktop icon

How do I know if I have a CUIT-managed computer?

If you have the CUIT Software Center icon on your desktop, you have a CUIT-managed Windows computer.

What you need to do

  • Install the Patches and Reboot

You are prompted when patches are available and asked to reboot after the installation is complete to apply the updates. For maximum security, CUIT encourages you to reboot your computer as soon as possible. You can even schedule the patches to be installed at a time of your choosing. You may defer the reboot until a more convenient time, however after seven days, your machine will automatically be rebooted to apply the updates. Urgent patches (such as those needed to protect against ransomware) may be deployed on occasion without the option to defer.

  • Save your work

Keep in mind that you may or may not be at your computer when the automated reboot takes place (especially if you defer rebooting). CUIT recommends that you save your work frequently to avoid potential loss of data. Always save your work before going home, and log out instead of shutting down. If your computer has been off for seven days or more, it is possible the patches will be deployed as soon it checks in for updates, with no chance to defer.

 

Select an update option from the "Software changes are required" notification

After Windows updates are deployed, a notification will be displayed informing you that software changes are required.  

Pop-up window in lower-righthand corner: Software changes are required
Pop-up offering options to select the time to apply software changes to your computer

Install updates manually or choose certain updates to install

Open the CUIT Software Center and select Updates from the left-hand navigation pane.

CUIT Software Center Desktop icon

Click on the patch updates you would like to install and select Install All in the upper right-hand corner. Remember that all updates will need to be installed within seven days from being deployed to your computer, so it's best to do all at once.

Updates section of CUIT Software Center

If a dialog box pops-up with an error stating Software Center cannot be loaded... then select OK. Next, follow the directions under Configure business hours for updates.

Please note: You will continue to receive this error until a daily 4-hour window for installation is set.

Software Center error window

Configure business hours for updates

Open the CUIT Software Center and select Options from the left-hand navigation pane.

CUIT Software Center desktop icon

Under Work information, select your business days and hours.

Please note: You will continue to receive this error until a daily 4-hour window for installation is set.

Options section of CUIT Software Center

Under Computer Maintenance, check to the box for Automatically install or uninstall required software and restart the computer only outside of the specified business hours.

Please be aware that the seven-day installation deadline will take precedence over your scheduled business hours. If the seven-day deadline occurs before your next scheduled business hours, your computer will automatically install the updates and reboot.

Reboot your computer

The notification will be displayed as a text pop-up initially, and then as a reminder with a green icon in your toolbar.

"Restart Required" pop-up in lower-righthand corner
Green toolbar notification indicating a reboot is needed

You can choose to Restart now, or Snooze and remind you again in 1, 2 or 4 hours.

"Restart your computer" notification from CUIT Software Center

If you do not schedule an installation and reboot time, you will receive a 24-hour countdown notification stating that Your computer is about to restart. You can choose to restart now or hide this notification.

Be sure to save your materials if you see this notification in case you forget to restart your computer. It will happen automatically if you do not select to do it.

"Your computer is about to restart" 24-hour pop-up notification from Software Center

If you do not schedule an installation and reboot time, you will receive a 1-hour countdown notification stating that Your computer is about to restart. You cannot hide this notification.

Be sure to save your materials if you see this notification in case you forget to restart your computer. It will happen automatically if you do not select to do it.

"Your computer is about to restart" 1-hour pop-up notification from Software Center