Before You Start
Make sure your power supply is securely connected at both ends. Please be connected to a fast and reliable internet connection such as the eduroam wifi, direct ethernet in your office. Download speeds at home will vary depending on the speed and reliability of that internet connection.
Make sure to backup your data. You can find more information at: Backing up Your Data
Make sure your computer has been updated fully prior to the upgrade using the following articles from Apple and Microsoft:
Quit all your open applications prior to running the upgrade.
Steps
macOS
For macOS, Apple releases a new major version every year for free.
Follow these instructions from Apple on how to download and install the latest version of macOS.
Windows 11
For Windows, you can often upgrade your computer by visiting the Microsoft Windows 11 Upgrade Information website.
For help installing Windows 11, visit Microsoft's Windows 11: FAQ page
For Faculty/Staff Geneseo Owned Computers
If you have a computer provided by the college, upgrading your Operating System is quick and easy. Visit the page for Windows computers-https://geneseo.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/HELP/pages/edit-v2/122978311 and this page for Mac computers-https://support.apple.com/en-us/102662 . In most cases the installation will take less than an hour, so make sure to run it when you won't need your computer immediately.
Troubleshooting
Upgrade is running slowly
The speed of the upgrade depends on various factors, including your internet connection, the age of the computer being upgraded, and the age of the OS running on the computer.
The computer doesn't have enough space to perform the upgrade
If the computer does not have enough space to perform the upgrade, you will need to clear space on your hard drive. One way to preserve space on your hard drive would be to move files to a server or on cloud storage.
How can I tell what OS version I'm currently running?
Related articles
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