You can install and update common third-party software and Windows updates on your UT-owned PC without administrator credentials. Follow these steps to get started.

Installing common third-party software using the UTCOFA Software Center

• In your Start Menu (the Windows icon in the lower left corner of your screen), launch "Software Center" under "Microsoft Endpoint Manager":
  
• The Software Center will open and look similar to this. Only common software that is not currently installed or up to date will be displayed. If you don't see software you're expecting (and you're sure you don't already have it installed), you can attempt to refresh Software Center.
  
• Click on a piece of software you'd like to install (for instance, Google Chrome), then click the Install button:
  
• The status will change to Installing:
  
• And finally, the status will change to Installed:
  
• You can check the installation status and history of installed software by clicking the "Installation status" tab in the sidebar:
  

Refreshing Software Center

When the COFA IT team adds new updates to Software Center, it can sometimes take up to a day for Software Center to get the latest software list. You can do the following to speed it up:

• In Software Center, under Applications, click "COFA - Update Inventory":
  
• Click "Install" or "Reinstall":
  
• You should see the status "Installing..." while inventory information is updated:
  
• When all done, you should see a notification appear:
  
• Go back to Software Center and press the F5 key on your keyboard to refresh the list. You may need to do this several times over the next few minutes to get the most up-to-date list.
• This whole process can be repeated if you believe available software is missing from the list. Remember, if you already have an up-to-date version of an application installed, it will not appear in Software Center until a new version is available.

Troubleshooting

• Some software is only available to computers connected to UT's VPN.  If you don't see software you were expecting, you may need to connect to UT's VPN and try again:
  • See Connecting to UT's VPN for instructions on connecting to the VPN.
  • Once you're connected to UT's VPN, it may take a while for Software Center to update its available software list. Stay connected to the VPN, and follow the directions under "Refreshing Software Center" above.
• If the UTCOFA Software Center notifies you that an installation failed, make sure your computer has a reliable network connection, and try the installation again. You can also try rebooting first. If an installation continues to fail after 2-3 attempts, feel free to contact the central Service Desk at 512-475-9400, describing the issue and reminding them you are from the College of Fine Arts.
• Remember that the software available in the UTCOFA Software Center may not be the latest versions available from the developers, but they are the latest versions acquired by the COFA IT team.

Installing Windows updates

See the Updating your PC's operating system page.