Overview
Windows 11 is the latest operating system (OS) from Microsoft. Upgrading to Windows 11 provides many new features to you as well as improving the security of devices. Over the past year, Information and Instructional Technology staff have evaluated Windows 11 to ensure compatibility with campus workstations and tested functionality of this new OS. Windows 10 Enterprise, a previous campus standard is approaching end-of-life and in 2025 will no longer receive security patches. As a result, all Anne Arundel Community College computers will upgraded to Windows 11 over the next year.
As there are no application interdependencies and Window 11 is hardware dependent, we will be upgrading to Windows 11 incrementally.
- All New Hires/PC Replacements/System Re-Images after January 31, 2024 will receive Windows 11.
- We can only upgrade devices which are Windows 11 compatible. Non-compatible devices may be upgraded as time/budgets permit.
- The training material / FAQ provided below will be continuously updated as more information becomes available.
| Phase 1 (Pilot) |
12/1/23 - 1/31/24 -- COMPLETED |
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STE CALT Labs |
Phase 6 |
Computer Labs/Classrooms 6/1/2024 - 8/16/2024 |
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STE Faculty (Desktops / Laptops) |
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AMIL 209, 314, 404, 411 |
| Phase 2 |
1/03/24 - 3/15/24 -- COMPLETED |
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AMIL 112A, B, C Testing Center (Tickets already entered) |
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TSS Technical Service Desk Staff,
Client Services Staff,
Systems Administration Staff |
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ASTR |
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IIT Conference Room (CRSC 259A) |
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CADE |
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IIT Identified External Testers |
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CALT |
| Phase 3 |
01/03/24 - 03/15/24 -- COMPLETED |
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CRSC |
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ANXA (Instruction) |
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JOHN |
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ANXB (Instruction) |
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DRGN |
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CCIT (Instruction) |
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GYM |
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LBRY 101 – TLC (Instruction / Staff) |
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HLSB |
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JOHN 106 (Instruction) |
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HUM |
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Remote Site Labs & Smart Rooms
(AMIL, HCAT, GBTC) (Instruction) |
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LBRY |
| Phase 4 |
2/05/24 - 5/03/24 |
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MATH |
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IIT (Staff) |
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PLNT |
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AMIL 206 TLC |
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SUNB |
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Remote Site (Staff) |
Phase 7 |
Faculty 9/2024 - 12/2024 |
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Ft Meade (Staff) |
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AMIL 209, 314, 404, 411 |
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HANK (Staff) |
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ASTR |
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ASTR (Staff) |
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CADE |
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CSB (Staff) |
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CALT |
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FLRS (Staff) |
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CRSC |
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PLNT (Staff) |
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JOHN |
| Phase 5 (Staff and Shared Staff Computers) |
5A (Shared Staff Computers) 3/15/2024 - 7/31/2024
5B (Staff Computers) 5/6/2024 - 7/31/2024
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DRGN |
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AMIL (Staff/Shared) |
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GYM |
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CADE (Staff/Shared) |
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HLSB |
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CALT (Staff/Shared) |
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HUM |
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CCIT (Staff/Shared) |
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LBRY |
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CRSC (Staff/Shared) |
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MATH |
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JOHN (Staff/Shared) |
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PLNT |
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DRGN (Staff/Shared) |
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SUN |
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GBTC (Staff/Shared) |
Phase 8 |
Project Cleanup 1/3/2025 - 3/31/2025 |
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GYM (Staff/Shared) |
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Miscellaneous Equipment |
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HLSB (Staff/Shared) |
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Unsupported Equipment (Wyse PC Converter Tool) |
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HUM (Staff/Shared) |
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LBRY (Staff/Shared) |
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LUDL (Staff/Shared) |
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MATH (Staff/Shared) |
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RESM (Staff/Shared) |
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SSVC (Staff/Shared) |
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SUN (Staff/Shared) |
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Set-Up Items
After logging in the first time, we will work with you to configure:
- Outlook Email
- Default signatures in Outlook for new messages.
- As your email is cloud stored, messages, folders, and calendars will need time to cache locally to your system (see note below).*
- Setup and configure a selected ‘Default Web Browser’
- Configure Adobe Acrobat DC or Adobe Acrobat Reader DC as the ‘Default PDF Reader’
- Office personalization
- SnagIt to run at start-up
*With the use of Outlook 365, your email, messages, folders, and calendars are all cloud stored and will automatically restored to device. This content caching is requires Internet connectivity and depending on your Internet speed may take up to 24 hours to be fully available on your device. During this time staff may freely use their device while this content is populated in the background. IIT suggests that staff leave their devices online overnight after migration to allow for this process to complete and gather any other applicable updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What applications are included on my desktop?
Our standard Windows 11 installation includes the following applications:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
- Alertus Desktop
- Fusion
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft 365 (Office 365)
- Microsoft Defender
- Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Teams
- Mozilla Firefox
- OneDrive
- Snagit
- VLC
- Whitney Font
- Zoom
Based on the unique needs of staff, additional non-standard applications will be included where needed.
Where are my applications?
The familiar Windows Start Button has been replaced with a new Windows icon in the lower left corner of the screen. Clicking this button will provide access to your All Apps menu as well as the logoff / lock and system restart/shutdown menu option.
Where can I find my saved files?
Selecting File Explorer option in the start menu will provide you with access to your files. Here you have access document in OneDrive as well as various other mapped network resources.
What web browsers are available?
As a standard, all upgraded workstations feature the most up-to-date versions of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox.
Information and Instructional Technology staff requests Colleague access via Google Chrome at this time, as such each staff system features a desktop shortcut configured to launch Colleague within Chrome.
How do I set or change the default program that opens a particular file?
Example: How do I set Adobe Acrobat DC to open PDFs rather than Microsoft Edge?
Using the steps below you can change the default program that launches when attempting to open a particular file.
- In the search box found in the lower left of the screen type ‘Default app settings’
- To select a new default program by Application, select the ‘Set Defaults by App’ menu option at the bottom of the right pane
- Select your preferred program from the list of installed applications and click on the link labeled ‘Set this program as default’
How do I lock, shut down, or log out of my computer?
There are multiple ways to shut down or log out of your computer. Three popular methods are identified below:
• To shut down or restart your computer, click the start button in the lower left and click the icon that resembles a power button. A menu will appear which will allow the selection of ‘Shut Down’ and ‘Restart’
• To log off or lock your computer, click the start button in the lower left and click the top circled icon. A menu will appear which will allow the selection of ‘Lock’ or ‘Sign out’
• Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete will present a menu which also provides access to ‘Lock’, ‘Shut down’, Restart’ and ‘Sign out’
How do I open links in Outlook in a different browser other than Edge?
To change your computer's default browser, select the search bar next to the Windows icon at the bottom of your screen. Type "Default Apps" and open the app. Select the browser app that you want to be your default, and click the Set Default option at the top of the page.
Open your Outlook Desktop App, and go to File>Options>Advanced and locate drop-down menu under the
Link Handling section. Change the option in the drop-down menu from Microsoft Edge to Default Browser. Then select OK.
How do I enable/disable desktop notifications?
Windows 11 features a new notification method for providing information to users through popup messages in the lower right corner of the screen. For example, these new notifications can provide a preview of a new email message or information from particular application/process. By default, desktop notifications are enabled for all AACC workstations. If desired however, notifications can be disabled using the steps below.
1. In the search box found in the lower left of the screen type ‘Notification’ and select the Notification and Action Settings menu option
2. Within Notification and Action Settings, select notifications can be enabled or disabled using the radio buttons in the right pane
How do I create a desktop shortcut?
Like previous versions of Windows, desktop shortcuts can be quickly created to access commonly used applications or files. Desktop shortcuts can be created using the steps below.
1. Right-click on the desktop and select ‘New’ -> ’Shortcut”
2. Using the Wizard enter the location of the file/folder/URL that you would like to have a shortcut created for.
3. Alternatively, you may also use the ‘Browse’ button to select the targeted file from your local disk or network share.
4. Once the path has been entered, select ‘Next’ and enter a name for your shortcut followed by ‘Finished’
How do I add a new printer?
Printers can quickly be added to Windows 11 using the steps below.
1. Using the search box on your taskbar, search for "Printers" and open "Printers & Scanners".
2. Select the "Add Device" button and allow time for it to scan for nearby printers.
3. Select the Add button next to the name of your desired printer
To make your desired printer the default option, select it from the Printers & Scanners menu, and then select the Set as default button.
General Questions
What are the benefits to upgrading to Windows 11?
Windows 11 offers several improvements over Windows 10, some of which are listed below.
• Enhanced Start Menu and Task Bar
• Greater Microsoft Edge Web Browser Integration
• Improved Security
• Improved Multitasking Support
• Improved Performance
• Windows Copilot support
With this upgrade, your Windows 11 system will also include Microsoft 365, which provides the latest versions of Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and other Office Applications.