News

General news about what IT Services are up to.

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Removal of Windows 10 “Mail” app

What is happening?

We will be removing (i.e. uninstalling) the native Windows 10 and 11 “Mail” application from all University of Reading managed Windows computers in the next few weeks.

Windows Mail does not have the functionality or security that Microsoft Outlook provides, and for this reason we are going to remove it from all University of Reading managed Windows computers. Microsoft Outlook is the approved application for email and calendaring, and is already installed on all UoR computers as part of Office.

How do I know which I am using?

Most people will be using Microsoft Outlook. If you have a newer computer (particularly a Microsoft Surface) you may be using Windows Mail without realising. The easiest way to tell is to check your email programme icon on the taskbar, so open your email and see what the icon looks like.Taskbar with Outlook icon and Windows Mail icon. The Outlook icon is different. Outlook has an envelope icon with an “O”, whereas Windows Mail has a simple envelope icon.

Do I need to do anything?

The removal of Windows Mail will happen automatically. If you are using Windows Mail now, it would be wise to open up Outlook to familiarise yourself with the interface.

The first time you open Outlook,  you will be prompted for your email address. This will pull all the information needed for first time set up. You can find Outlook by putting “Outlook” in the search bar.

Further information and contact

DTS Outlook webpage

Microsoft Outlook training

Linked In Learning Outlook training topic

If you have any questions or need any advice, please contact the IT Service Desk.

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Emails: Advice for senders

How to stop your email being sent to the Junk Email folder or reported to us as phishing

If you receive an email that you are worried about, DTS are always happy to take a look and advise. Often these turn out to be legitimate emails which have raised red flags with the recipient as a potential phishing attempt. We also see people reporting missing emails, as the emails are being diverted to email Junk folders or sent to Microsoft Quarantine because they have been flagged as spam. 

Junk Email folder in Outlook

Junk Email folder in Outlook

Here we look at a few ways you can make sure emails you send avoid being deleted, quarantined or marked as spam or junk. 

Following these tips will help friends and colleagues determine whether your email is genuine. 

What can I do?

Help emails reach their intended recipient by following these tips: 

  • Proofread your emails and check grammar
  • Have a coherent and relevant subject line:
    • Don’t use CAPITALS, emojis 😀 or exclamation marks !!!!! in the subject line
    • Single word subject lines such as Urgent! or Information? are more likely to get sent to junk.
    • Avoid spam filter trigger words in the subject line e.g. Urgent!, Limited Time!, Available?
  • Don’t send the email content as a picture which may get blocked
  • Limit the number of colours and fonts you use, which also helps with Digital Accessibility. 
  • Address the email to the person you are emailing, e.g. Hi John
    • If you are bulk emailing, consider using mail merge to address people separately
  • If you have a link in an email, particularly to personal details, provide an alternative route to that information. For example, a link might say “Access your staff account“. If you add “or go to the Staff Portal and click the link to the Staff Self Service”, you are giving people an option of finding their own way without relying on the link. 

Emails from or on behalf of the University occasionally get trapped by the Microsoft spam filter. If you are sending emails, here is some additional guidance.

  • Sign off from a named person, rather than a department or team. This gives people a point of contact and someone they can look up on the staff directory.
  • Add your University email signature to the end of the email
  • Use the correct language and spelling for University terms; see the UoR House style guide
  • Send from an @reading.ac.uk email address where possible.

If an email will come from an external email address (for example a third party who are providing a service), make sure you check what they are sending also follows this guidance. 

Someone typing on a computer keyboard

 

You should pay particular attention to your email content if you are sending an email out to many people at once (which may look like spam), or if you want people to click a link (which may look like phishing).

Why does it matter?

Apart from the obvious that you want people to read your emails…

If people report University of Reading emails as spam to Microsoft, then all emails from @reading.ac.uk will start to be scrutinised and potentially held in quarantine. The same is true from a personal email address.

Further reading

We have a Cyber Security section on the DTS website, which also includes information about spotting phishing attempts.

Also check our Digital Accessibility Resources  which can help further with content and displaying images.

Contact

If you have any queries or require any advice, please contact the IT Service Desk.

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Update to SailPoint IIQ (myid.reading.ac.uk) – summary of changes

MyID menu

SailPoint IIQ user account menu

On April 25th 2023, a new release of SailPoint IIQ (accessed via myid.reading.ac.uk) will be going live. This release includes several new features as well as performance improvements.

The main changes are highlighted below.

  • New starters will now be prompted to change password on their first login to a University system (apart from students who set their passwords through RISIS).
  • Employee extended accounts will now need to be applied for every three months (this is an account management requirement for security credentials ISO27001 and Cyber Essentials). If you know an account is required for longer than three months, consider requesting an External account instead of an extension. Any current employee can request an external account for you.
  • We have improved acknowledgement emails. When you request a new account or an extension, you will now get an acknowledgement email with information on who needs to approve your request.
  • We’ve also added a link to RISIS Ask A Question (for student extensions) and an additional course to the Compliance section (for employees and externals).

We have updated our documentation and the User Account Management webpage to reflect these changes. 

For a full list, including bug fixes, please see change C-2304-210 (ask IT Service Desk for a copy if you cannot access the change tickets).

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Device Lifecycle News – February 2023

Image showing a computer with the words device lifecycle printed across the middle. An arrow encircles the computer to represent a circular process.New IT Equipment available to Functions

The Device Lifecycle team has been in contact with departments across various functions to arrange upgrades to standardised portable equipment, in line with the University’s Smart Working policy. The feedback from staff is that they appreciate the increased flexibility of the new laptops as well as the personalised support provided during transition from the old device. 

Anyone who would like more information on the Smart Working policy can find the details on the HR website https://www.reading.ac.uk/human-resources/working-life/smart-working

Problems with a new Surface device?

If you received a new Microsoft Surface device last year and either haven’t set it up, or have had problems setting it up, then you need to know that the Device Lifecycle team are offering any member of staff who has queries or on-going difficulties a 1-2-1 deskside support session. If this applies to you then please go to our Microsoft Surface set up webpage for details of how to request a visit from the team.

Is your team eligible for Device Replacement?

Have a look at our website to see if your department could benefit from an equipment upgrade, and contact us to discuss by emailing Device-lifecycle-DTS@reading.ac.uk

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Device Lifecycle News – January 2023

Device lifecycle logo - a green square with a white computer icon in the centre. An arrow going round it represents the cycle.Progress report

The Lifecycle team have completed successful delivery in Human Resources and Legal Services. We are now finalising dates with Student Services for the roll-out of their equipment over the next two months. 

We have published a schedule January-March which can be found on our new website.

Device Lifecycle Website is Live

The Device Lifecycle programme is up and running and anyone interested in more details can have a look at the website. The site explains how the programme works within the University’s New Ways of Working strategy, which devices are in scope for replacement and how the new process operates in practice.

Screenshot of the DTS device lifecycle homepage

Got a question? See our FAQs!

The team has put together a list of Frequently Asked Questions to answer common queries and clarify any issues which staff may be uncertain about.

We will update this page as work progresses and we come across more questions. 

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Eduroam (Wi-Fi) maintenance schedule 24/01/23

Tuesday 24th January – Whiteknights/London Road

What is happening?

DTS are doing some work on the Eduroam Wi-Fi service between the hours of 1900 and 2200 on Tuesday 24th January. During this time there may be some interruptions in the Wi-Fi signal whilst changes are carried out.

Where: Whiteknights/London Road
When: 1900 to 2200 – see schedule of works
Who is affected: Everyone (staff and students)

This work forms part of the ongoing upgrade and improvement to Wi-Fi availability on campus.

Schedule of works

Please note timings are for information only and are subject to change. 

Testing will place at 7pm in the Mathematics/DTS building. The Library will be last at approx. 8.15pm. London Road will start at 8.15pm and should complete by 9pm.

1900-1930

1930-2000

2000-2030
Mathematics & DTS (testing) Polly Vacher Meteorology
JJ Thomson Allen Lab Palmer
Philip Lyle Wager Miller
Minghella Studios ICMA Agriculture
Sports Park Russell Mathematics & DTS
Hopkins Student Union Park House
  Carrington Cedar Hotel
  Chemistry Archway Lodge
  Health & Life Sciences Harry Pitt
  Henley Business School (Whiteknights) Whiteknights House
    Estates
    Foxhill House
    Edith Morley
    Library

Contact

If you have any questions or need any advice, please contact the IT Service Desk. 

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Windows 7 end of life announcement

Last call for Windows 7

On 10th January 2023, all remaining Windows 7 computers will be taken off the University of Reading network. 

This is to protect us and you from cyber attacks. Windows 7 is “end of life”, and will not receive any future security updates from Microsoft.

Windows 7 End of Life

End of Life (EOL), in software terms, means that a company no longer supports, updates, or patches that piece of software. Windows 7 End of Life date is 10th January 2023. We have already had an extension to the published EOL (14-01-20), and there is no possibility that Microsoft will extend this further.

What if I have Windows 7?

There should be very few computers left running Windows 7 in the University.

Windows 10 has been the default operating system in the University since 2019, and in that year there was a project to upgrade all staff devices to Windows 10. DTS have contacted everyone who requested to remain on Windows 7, and our Specialist Engineers have worked with them to test their equipment on Windows 10. In a handful of cases this doesn’t work so that device will stay on Windows 7, but separated from the University network and the internet. 

How do I know?

To check your operating system, follow these instructions: Which version of Windows do I have? 

What should I do if I am using a Windows 7 computer?

If you haven’t been contacted by us about your Windows 7 device, please raise a ticket as soon as possible with the IT Service Desk. 

Can I stay on Windows 7?

Every Windows 7 device represents a significant risk and, for this reason, continued use of Windows 7 must be approved by DTS. DTS maintains a record of all Windows 7 devices.

If you wish to continue running a Windows 7 PC after 10th January 2023, it will be as a standalone machine without connection to any network. 

  • You will not be able to access University file shares or research data storage
  • You will not be able to access the internet through a wired connection on campus
  • You will be vulnerable to cyber attacks (if you access the internet via another means)
  • We will be unable to support you if anything goes wrong

Contact and further information

Please follow these links for more detailed information:

If you have any questions or need any advice, please contact the IT Service Desk. 

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Device Replacement News – December ’22

Device lifecycle logoWhat’s new for 2023?

Our new Device Lifecycle team officially started work in December 2022 and is now responsible for the Device Replacement Programme.  The team will be co-ordinating with each school and function in turn to provide and install the most appropriate devices and peripherals. 

Following discussions with our Business Relationship Managers and stakeholders within each area, we are putting together a 12-month calendar which sets out the schedule of work planned until December 2023. This is expected to be part of a three year roll out to replace all old devices across the University.

What can you expect from us?

In an initial consultation, the team will discuss your area’s particular requirements, advise which devices and peripherals would enhance your digital working and answer any questions regarding the project.  They will then go onsite in your department to provide all help and support required to set up the new equipment.  

The aim is to ensure the transition is as simple and efficient as possible.

Until Device Replacement Rolls Out in Your Department ….

As always, if you have any problems with your University IT equipment, log a ticket with the IT Service Desk:

  • Online through the IT Self Service Portal
  • In person, you can visit the IT Service Desk on the first floor of the main Library on a weekday (8am to 5pm) or weekend (9am to 5pm), during term time
  • Email dts@reading.ac.uk

Our User Support team will evaluate any slow performing or faulty devices and recommend next steps.

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Device Replacement News – November ’22

About the device replacement programme

Device lifecycle logo

Device lifecycle logo

The New Ways of Working (NWoW) Programme is an ambitious project including a sub-programme to replace all University devices with a standardised, easy to support-and-use, modern and portable device. The project to replace these aligns closely with the University’s strategic aims in terms of new ways of working, and this Programme will work closely with Estates, Health and Safety and HR to ensure consistency across each of these working areas, with a specific focus on digital flexibility and efficient working.

November Update

In our last post Device Replacement October update, we told you about our plans for the coming weeks to get the next phase up and running.

We have placed an order with our suppliers for the next batch of laptops. This has meant we have been able to take advantage of a bulk order discount.

We have recruited a device lifecycle engagement analyst who will start at the beginning of December. Also, we have recruited two additional dedicated User Support technicians, who will start working alongside our experienced engineers next month.

The envisioning centre in the URS Building is almost ready to accept visitors, and we expect it to be live before the Christmas break. Booking a visit for specific areas will be arranged through our engagement analyst.

Pilot: Human Resources

Photo of a desk with computer equipment

Example of a hot desk for HR (not all equipment supplied by DTS)

During the last week of November, our User Support technicians will be checking with the assigned stakeholders in HR to make sure that everything is set up and working as they required. This is an essential part of the device delivery process; ensuring everything that was agreed at the start of the project has been delivered before customer sign off. 

Next steps

Once HR have signed off the work, we will move to the next group. For the last month or so, our Business Relationship Managers have been contacting their areas to find out more detailed requirements and this has fed into the information we hold about the age of all devices to enable us to produce a draft schedule of work. As a result, the next area will be Legal (before Christmas), followed by Student Services (after the Christmas break).

Further information

We are in the process of setting up new communication channels, in the meantime if you need information about the device replacement programme, please raise a ticket with the IT Service Desk who will pass it to the team.

If you need a new device, this has reverted to the pre pandemic process and should be arranged through your department.

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Microsoft to Disable Legacy Email Protocols 01-10-22

What is happening?

Microsoft are making a mandated change on the 1st of October 2022 and will be retiring Basic Authentication for legacy protocols in Exchange Online.

About email and authentication

When you send an email from your reading.ac.uk or student.reading.ac.uk account, the email contains additional information which advises our Microsoft Exchange email server that you are authorised to send email from that email programme and email account. If you are sending email from an unsupported programme or account, you will get an error message.

The majority of apps, services and websites use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), i.e. as well as username and password you need to set up an additional check when logging in, whether via an app or by entering a code sent by email, phone call or text message.

There are some legacy programmes which use Basic Authentication, i.e. username and password only. Support for this is being removed by Microsoft in their Exchange email server on 1st October 2022.

What does this mean for me?

If you are using an email programme with only Basic Authentication, you will not be able to send emails from 1st October and beyond.

Who is affected?

This affects people who are using either an old or nonstandard email app, e.g.

  • If you use older Outlook email programmes, i.e. Outlook 2010 or Outlook 2013
  • If you are on a mobile device and using a non-native email app
  • If you use Thunderbird or Spark as your email client (mainly Mac users)
  • If you manually configured your email client, i.e. you put in your own information when you added your profile, which are now not recommended.

Who is not affected?

You will not be affected if your Microsoft Office is up to date i.e. you use Outlook 2016 or Microsoft 365, you use the built in email client on your mobile (e.g. Microsoft Outlook App), or you use email on the web.

How can I tell?

A simple way to tell if you are affected is how you log in to get your email.

Basic authentication only requires a username (email address) and password, as shown in this screenshot:

Screen capture showing email and password

This is an example of a modern authentication request – it requires additional approval beyond username and password.

Image showing modern authentication method

What do I need to do?

There are several ways to mitigate this by either changing or upgrading your email programme, which are summarised below:

  • All users: Use webmail/Outlook on the web instead. You can access your University email account at https://outlook.office365.com/mail/
  • All users: Change your email programme to Outlook (2016 or 365) or another email client which uses modern authentication such as Gmail. Note that all staff and students are eligible to download Outlook 365 via Microsoft 365 Apps, following these instructions: KI 0202
  • Outlook 2013 users: Remove and re-add your account choosing “Microsoft 365” as the account type.
  • Mobile users: Change or upgrade your email programme to the Microsoft Outlook app.
  • Mac users: Update iOS to current version and reinstall the Apple Mail application
  • Thunderbird users: update to latest version of Thunderbird following these instructions: KI 1209
  • “Other” mail clients, remove and add back account choosing ‘Microsoft 365’ as the account type

For the technically minded, the full table:

Legacy protocol Description What uses it Solution
Exchange ActiveSync & AutoDiscover Used to connect mailboxes to Exchange online * Windows Mail

* Calendar

* Email clients on mobile device

* Mac OS

 Use webmail/ Outlook online

Use Outlook 2016 or Office 365 or Outlook for mobile

Update iOS to current version and reinstall Apple Mail
IMAP Allows access to email without downloading it to the device. Email is read directly from the email service Email clients such as Thunderbird and Spark.

Outlook and Apple Mail when manually configured

 Use webmail/ Outlook online

Use Outlook 2016 or Office 365 or Outlook for mobile

Update to current  Thunderbird app

Update iOS to current version and reinstall Apple Mail
MAPI Over HTTP Primary mailbox access protocol used by Outlook 2010 SP2 and later Outlook 2010 and newer email clients on mobile devices Use Outlook 2016 or Office 365 or Outlook for mobile
SMTP Authentication TCP/IP protocol used to send/forward email; it cannot receive messages Email clients such as Thunderbird and Spark.

Outlook and Apple Mail when manually configured

 Update Thunderbird

Remove and add back account choosing ‘Microsoft 365’ as the account type
“Other Clients”

(Linux mail clients, custom mail clients, etc)

 Any other protocols identified as utilizing legacy authentication Application should be up-to-date and added using modern authentication protocol such as ‘Microsoft Exchange’ or ‘Microsoft 365’ option

What happens if I don’t do anything?

If you don’t do anything, you will not be able to send any emails using your current method from 1st October. As this is mandated by Microsoft, DTS have no ability to grant an extension.

Further information:

This change is examined in further detail in this Microsoft article: Deprecation of basic authentication exchange online

What version of Outlook do I have? You can usually find the Outlook product version by selecting Help > About while in Outlook. Also see this article by Microsoft.

Creating a new Outlook profile to restore default settings: KI 1813 How to create a new profile in Outlook 2016 (Windows 10) 

Contact:

If you want any advice or have any issues, please raise a ticket with the IT Service Desk.