Windows 11 - preparing your device
Organise, check and back up your data
A step-by-step guide
Maintain your desktop by regularly transferring files from your desktop to OneDrive to prepare for the upgrade rollout. This practice not only ensures a tidy and clutter-free workspace but also guarantees that your files are securely stored and easily accessible. Storing files on OneDrive enhances their security, ensures seamless access from any device, and safeguards your important documents against loss.
Following the steps below will ensure a smooth transition to the Windows 11 service.
Step 1: Organise and back up your files
Step 2: Back up your bookmarks and favourites
Step 3: Check current access
Step 4. Consider software requirements
- 1. Backing files to OneDrive
- 2. Bookmarks and Favourites
- 3. Mailboxes / Calendars / Teams / WS
- 4. Software requirements
Backing up files
1. Organise your files:
Go through your desktop files and organise them into categories. Delete any files that are no longer needed to declutter your desktop.
See YouTube video: The Secret Carbon Footprint of Digital Data
2. Shared files:
It is best practice to store business-critical and other documents that require shared access, both internally and externally, in a relevant channel within an MS team. See Move or Copy files in Microsoft Teams.
If you have previously shared documents from OneDrive, moving them to MS Teams will break the sharing link. To maintain a shared link, see - How to move documents between SharePoint Sites without breaking the sharing links.
3. Create folders:
To make it easier to find files later, consider creating new folders on OneDrive and using clear and descriptive names.
4. Move files to OneDrive:
- OneDrive Folder: On your computer, you can move files directly into this folder, and they will automatically sync with OneDrive.
- Drag and Drop: Simply drag and drop files from your desktop into the corresponding folders in OneDrive.
- Copy and Paste: Alternatively, you can copy files from your desktop and paste them into OneDrive folders.
- Online upload: In Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, select Upload > Files. Select the files, then Open.
See Microsoft video: OneDrive - upload files and folders
5. Syncing and access:
Make sure the files are syncing properly. You can check the status in the OneDrive sync client on your toolbar. Once synced, you can access your files from any device by logging into OneDrive.
Backing up your bookmarks and favourites
Instructions for web browsers
Check current access
Review the mailboxes, shared calendars, MS Teams teams, and Workspaces currently accessible through your account. These cloud-based applications are automatically mapped to your account to ensure seamless access.
Following the upgrade, a dedicated IT assistant will help you set up your new device for immediate use, ensuring you have continued access to the shared resources.
Check software requirements
Do you use assistive or accessibility software?
To ensure a smooth upgrade process, we request that you notify us in advance of any accessibility or assistive software you currently use.
By providing this information early, we can conduct the necessary checks and ensure that your transition to the Windows 11 is seamless, with all required software ready for access on your upgrade date.
Please take action as soon as possible. If you have accessibility or assistive software installed on your device, please contact the project team at assistive.support@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk to provide details about the software.
Requesting software
Your device will be configured with the standard Staff Managed Desktop Service applications which includes the supported default browser, Microsoft Edge. However, you will be required to install some applications via the self-service Software Center such as the VLC Media Player.
For the list of approved applications available to install on your device, please visit Software Centre.
There may also be some software packages that we need to add to the service as they are identified. To address this, we've introduced a new software request process, allowing staff to request software that is not immediately available in the Software Centre. PGR students will require their supervisor to complete this process.
The software request process may take up to 28 days, so we encourage you to plan ahead to ensure a smooth transition to accessing your software on the Windows 11 service.