Windows desktop: staff

Overview

Eligibility

The Windows desktop can be accessed by all students and staff at the University.

When you log on to a managed PC in an office, you will see the staff Windows desktop.

Your desktop gives you access to the IT facilities you will need as a member of staff at York, such as:

• internet
• software
• printers
• your personal filestore, known as the H: drive or "Documents", where you can save your work

Your Windows desktop is automatically updated with the latest patches and anti virus software.

Logging on

Use your IT Services username and password to log on.

The domain you should use is ITSYORK - the PC will normally set itself to use this automatically.

Software

The staff Windows desktop has some core applications pre-installed, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Reader and Flash.

Other applications are available for you to install.

Use the Software Center to see what is available:

• Go to Start | All Programs | Microsoft System Center | Configuration Manager | Software Center

Our software pages have more information about software at York:

• Software

If you want to install software that isn't on the York network, contact your Departmental Computing Officer (DCO).

They can advise where to purchase the software. You'll also need them to install it for you or grant you extra access to install it yourself.

Using Windows 10

Here are a few handy hints and tips for using Windows 10:

The Taskbar & Start Menu

• The Taskbar is unrestricted for staff and students. Pin frequently used applications to it by right-clicking the application shortcut and selecting Pin to Taskbar.
• When you use an application it will be added to your Start menu, but will disappear if you don't use it for a while - unless you pin it: right-click on the application and select Pin to Start Menu.
• The Taskbar groups open files together by program.
• At the right hand side of the Taskbar the little arrow shows any hidden icons, such as the volume control.
• The box at the far right of the Taskbar can either be hovered over or clicked to show the desktop.

Quick access to recently opened files

Jump Lists are lists of recently opened items, organized by the program that you use to open them.

You can use a Jump List to open items, and you can also pin favourites to a Jump List, so you can quickly get to the items that you use every day.

Jump Lists are available from the Start menu and the Taskbar.

Managing open windows

Use the mouse pointer to select an open window and Shake it. This minimises all other windows, giving you a clutter free workspace. Shaking it again will maximise all the other windows.

Use the Snap feature to dock your window to the left and right sides of the desktop so you can easily have two documents open for comparison. Drag one window off the left of the screen, and the other off the right.

Drag a window by the title bar to the top of the screen to maximise it.

Sticky Notes on the desktop

Add post-it notes to your desktop.

Go to Start | All Programs | Apps | Sticky Notes.

• More information about Sticky Notes

Screen shot tool

Use the Snipping Tool to take screen shots of all or part of your screen.

Go to Start | All Programs | Apps | Snipping Tool.

•  More information about the Snipping Tool

Speech recognition

The Speech Recognition facility allows you to dictate text and control your computer.

Go to Start | All Programs | Windows Ease of Access | Windows Speech Recognition.

• More information about Speech Recognition

Help & troubleshooting

Library & IT Help Desk

If you're having problems using the Windows desktop, get in touch with the IT Support.

Our commitments

Your responsibilities

Please familiarise yourself with the University regulations:

• Regulation 11: Use of computing facilities