Monthly Archives: March 2018

Configuration Manager Software Centre Fix

Posted on by

An error was identified when opening up the Configuration Manager Software Centre…

‘Software Centre can not be loaded. There is a problem loading the required components for Software Centre’

This error resulted in the user being unable to install any software or run the Windows 10 In-Place upgrade Task Sequence. The original workaround was to add the PC to a Legacy software centre collection.

We have now identified what the issue is and the fix is deployed via a group policy so there is no user impact.

The Advanced Configuration Manager Software Centre will then become available, once the fix is applied.

Timescale:

19/03/18. – The GPO containing the fix will be deployed to the Desktops and Laptops that have already exhibited the issue.

22/03/18 – The GPO will be applied to the Staff Windows 7 and Win Service in order to prevent further issues.

Change to Office365 Pro Plus activation on Windows staff PCs

Posted on by

The activation method for Office365 Pro Plus (a.k.a. Office 2016) on Windows 7 and Windows 10 staff PCs is being changed.

Using the current method (shared activation), Office applications can only be launched when connected to the internet. We are therefore changing Office365 Pro Plus installation on staff PCs to use user-based activation. This will activate Office in the name of the first user to use it on a PC.

Should this result in a user exceeding their maximum number of Office activations (10), instructions for deactivating computers they no longer used are available at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/it/staff/365/faqs/.

PCs which have Visio or Project installed already use this activation method. Lab PCs are not affected by this change.

What will the user see?

The change itself is silent and does not require or cause open Office applications to be closed. The first time a user launches an Office application after the change they will be asked to accept a license agreement. After that, neither that user nor any other user on that PC will see any prompts resulting from this change.

Timescale:

The change is being rolled out with the following schedule:

13/03/18 – IT staff, IT Services and Careers

15/03/18 – Professional Services

20/03/18 – Schools beginning with A – M

22/03/18 – Everyone else

This change has already been made in new Office installations installed during Task Sequences or via Software Center.

CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND HELP?

 Please contact our Service Desk at it.services@lboro.ac.uk for more information.

Changes to Windows 10 Task Sequences 09/03/18 – COMPLETE

Posted on by

These changes are now live. Please note that we have also added in the installation of .NET 4.7.1 to all three Windows 10 staff Task Sequences to resolve issues with Software Center.

Please contact the IT Service Desk if you have any issues.

 

Changes to Windows 10 Task Sequences Friday 9th March 8:30am – 9:30am

The Windows 10 In-Place Upgrade, Provisioning and Imaging Task Sequences will be updated on Friday 9th March during the Task Sequence at risk period. It is therefore recommended that you do not attempt to carry out any Windows 10 installations or upgrades at this time.

We will inform you when the work has been completed.

The changes are:

All Windows 10 Task Sequences

  • Base OS image/update package updated to December patch level of Windows 10 1703 (to resolve an issue identified by Microsoft which prevents later software updates installing). Note that more recent software updates will install post-Task Sequence as usual.
  • Office365 suite (Office 2016) changed to use per-user activation rather than shared activation to allow offline use of standard Office applications.
  • Upgrade Readiness scripts updated to v2.3.
  • McAfee Agent updated to v5.0.6.220.

In-Place Upgrade & Imaging Task Sequences

  • Added W10 compatible drivers for legacy Toshiba Portege R600s.

Provisioning Task Sequence

  • Added Cisco Jabber v11.8.1 to bring it inline with other Task Sequences.

Timescale:

 09/03/18 – 08:30am-09:30am

CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION AND HELP?

Please contact our Service Desk at it.services@lboro.ac.uk for more information.