College of Natural Sciences Office of Information Technology
Dear CNS Faculty and Staff,

As we prepare to kick off the Fall 2025 semester on Monday, August 25, the College of Natural Sciences Office of Information Technology (CNS OIT) would like to share a few important reminders and best practices to ensure a smooth start to your academic and administrative activities.
Update Your Devices and Applications Now
Before the first class day, please take the time to run operating system and application updates on all University-owned computers, tablets and mobile devices. This will keep devices performing their best and help avoid device quarantines from the Information Security Office (ISO) due to missing critical updates.

ALERT: Microsoft Windows 10 will become End Of Life (EOL) on October 14, 2025. The ISO will begin sending quarantine notices 30 days after this date. We ask that you upgrade your Windows 10 device prior to the October date to prevent any potential network quarantines.

Some reminders when running updates:
  • Leave devices powered on, connected to power and connected to the network (preferably the UT wired or Wi‑Fi network) for several hours to ensure they receive necessary updates and security patches.
  • Updates may require time to download and install, so make sure to factor that in when running through these tasks.
  • Always verify you have a backup of your data prior to performing operations system upgrades.
Test Classroom Technology Before Day One
Faculty should plan to:
  1. Visit their assigned classroom(s) before the semester begins.
  2. Familiarize themselves with AV systems, projectors, mics and lecture capture tools.
If you need support or a walk-through, CNS OIT is available to assist – please don’t wait until the first class!
Connect with CNS OIT Before Introducing New Technology
If you plan to purchase, bring in or connect any new devices to the campus network (e.g., printers, smartboards, lab equipment, IoT devices), please consult with CNS OIT before purchasing.
Our network environment has compatibility considerations and security restrictions; not all technology is supported without prior review.
Use University-Supported Storage Service
Protect your work by using centrally managed and secure options to store your data in the cloud:
  • Microsoft 365 SharePoint and OneDrive: https://office365.utexas.edu
  • UT Box: https://utexas.app.box.com
  • Campus file servers (if applicable to your department or lab)
These platforms offer safe, compliant and collaborative storage solutions that align with university data policies.
Best Practices for Device Performance
To keep your devices running efficiently throughout the semester:
  • Restart your computer at least every two weeks to apply updates and refresh system performance.
  • Log in regularly with your UT credentials, especially on managed machines, to ensure systems stay current with university policies and configurations.
Additional Reminders
  • Ensure that antivirus tools are active (such as Microsoft Defender or other approved software).
  • Back up your data regularly if you’re using local storage (though cloud-based options are preferred).
  • Avoid using unsupported or end-of-life software, which poses a risk to the UT network and your work.
Need Help?
Please reach out to the CNS OIT Help Desk or visit our CNS OIT Wiki for detailed documentation and guidance.

Let’s work together to ensure a secure and disruption-free start to the semester. Thank you for helping keep our digital and instructional environments running smoothly.

Warm regards,
CNS Office of Information Technology
University of Texas at Austin
📧 help@cns.utexas.edu | 🌐 https://cns.utexas.edu/help
This communication is from College of Natural Sciences – Official.
View this email online.
The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 78712 US