Getting a Windows License

You can get a license for windows via Microsoft Azure — but read the terms and conditions carefully before you start.

Installing Windows

• Please back up any data on your computer before you start, in case you make a mistake while installing.
• If you have a desk in the building, we can loan you a copy of the installation media to install Windows.
• If you're a coursework student, you can download it yourself from Microsoft Azure
• Have your license key ready before you start to install Windows.
• Once you have a bootable USB key ready to use, plug it into your computer and restart to boot from it.
• On HP computers, press F9 at start up to choose a boot device.
• The key for other manufacturers can vary - if in doubt, ask google.

Recommendations

• If your computer has both an SSD and an HDD, install Windows on the SSD for best performance.
• If possible, delete all existing partitions on the drive and start fresh.
• Don't dual boot your machine.
• If you need to run two operating systems on your computer, use a virtual machine.

Running Windows

Getting Windows Applications

UNSW has a range of licensed software available for Windows, including Office 365, Adobe Acrobat and Matlab.

Symantec Antivirus is also available, and we strongly recommend that you install it.

Windows Updates

Please make sure you turn automatic updates on, and keep your machine up to date with the latest patches.

Unpatched computers are an active security risk, and we may disconnect machines from the network if they're not kept up to date.

Network file shares and printing

You can connect to your CSE and UNSW home directories and the various printers throughout the building.

Connecting to Linux servers

If you need to run software on the login servers or other linux machines, see Using Linux at CSE.