Windows upgrade: action required from all staff

Important information for all staff

All staff need to be aware of an important upgrade required on managed laptops and desktops. This is an upgrade to Windows 11 and needs to be in place before the start of the new academic year (31 August 2025). 

Failure to upgrade to Windows 11 by this date will result in you being locked out of LJMU systems including email, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Teams, due to security threats that would not receive updates after that date.

How to update your laptop or desktop to Windows 11 

IT Services (ITS) has a phased programme in place and will be reaching out from the end of April 2025 to different teams across the university, beginning with academic staff. Upon receiving an email from ITS, please prioritise this and follow the instructions to upgrade to Windows 11.  

One device policy 

As per LJMU’s one device policy, staff using outdated hardware which is incompatible with the upgrade will be provided with the new standard of a managed laptop, with docking station, to allow staff to work flexibly across the campus and from home. Therefore, staff with two devices will be upgraded to one single device (unless a second device has previously been authorised for specific technical, business or health-related reasons). 

What to do next? 

Wait to be contacted by ITS. Once contacted, it is vital that you respond promptly and co-operate with the process.  Failing to respond may mean you miss your turn and your device will not be upgraded in time. If you plan to be away from the university over the summer months, please ensure you’ve completed the upgrade before you finish for the summer.  

Once contacted you will need to:

• Move any data you have stored on your local device onto your One Drive 

• Fill in the indemnity form. This will be sent to you from ITS when booking in your upgrade. 

• Move your files from your M Drive to your OneDrive

Important note: ITS will not be able to upgrade your equipment unless you have completed your indemnity form.

In addition to the Windows 11 rollout, we are phasing out the use of the M Drive. While preparing for your Windows 11 upgrade it is vitally important that you start moving any documents you currently hold locally on your device and you will be required to complete an indemnity form to confirm this has happened. For the best possible experience, you should also move your data from your M Drive onto your OneDrive.

You can find instructions on how to use OneDrive and move your data from M:Drive to OneDrive.

If you need any assistance, you can contact the IT helpdesk on extension 5555 or via HelpMe.ljmu.ac.uk. 

Further information on the Windows 11 upgrade

For further information and FAQS including what to do if you have a disability or health issue, visit the IT Services webpages.