Boston College supports both Mac and Windows computers. Chromebooks and Tablets may not be the right choice for your primary computer on campus.
Mac
亚色影库 recommends:
- Students:听macOS Sequoia (v. 15) or macOS听Sonoma (v. 14) with the latest system updates.
- Faculty & Staff:听macOS Sequoia (v. 15) or macOS听Sonoma (v. 14) with the latest system updates.
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Apple Intelligence is an artificial intelligence (AI) system built into Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and macOS operating systems; this feature is included with macOS Sequoia and iOS/iPadOS 18.
Apple Intelligence leverages both on-device and server-side processing, which Apple calls 鈥淧rivate Cloud Compute鈥� (PCC). Whether processing the data on-device or using PCC, Apple states that the data remains protected and private and is not used to train Apple鈥檚 models.
Data Security Considerations
'Confidential' and 'Strictly Confidential' data, as defined by the Boston College Data Security Policy, should not be used with Apple Intelligence or any online AI tool without University review. Additionally, this technology may change in the future, and users should notice any changes in the Terms of Service published by Apple or notices from Boston College about the privacy of Apple Intelligence.
Apple released macOS Sequoia (v. 15) commercially on September 16, 2024.
Please note that听Sequoia (v. 15) may not be compatible with all Mac computers.听Check to ensure your computer is compatible with Sequoia.
How can I upgrade my computer to Sequoia (v. 15)?
Before you upgrade to Sequoia, make sure your computer and all software is compatible with this version.
Note:听All core apps at 亚色影库 are supported on Sequoia.
Faculty & staff
We recommend you contact your TC for assistance with upgrading to Sequoia (v. 15).
Students
We recommend you get assistance with upgrading to Sequoia (v. 15). Students can bring their computer to the Walk-In Help Desk (O鈥橬eill 3rd floor).
Apple released macOS Sonoma (v. 14) commercially on September 26, 2023.
Please note that听Sonoma (v. 14) may not be compatible with all Mac computers.听Check to ensure your computer is compatible with Sonoma.
How can I upgrade my computer to Sonoma (v. 14)?
Before you upgrade to Sonoma, make sure your computer and all software is compatible with this version.
Note:听All core apps at 亚色影库 are supported on Sonoma.
Faculty & staff
We recommend you contact your TC for assistance with upgrading to Sonoma (v. 14).
Students
We recommend you get assistance with upgrading to Sonoma (v. 14). Students can bring their computer to the Walk-In Help Desk (O鈥橬eill 3rd floor).
Apple released macOS Ventura (v. 13) commercially on October 24, 2022.
Please note that听Ventura (v. 13) may not be compatible with all Mac computers.听Check to ensure your computer is compatible with Ventura.
Note: 32-bit apps no longer work on macOS.
What does 亚色影库 Recommend?
Please note that听Ventura (v. 13) has some known compatibility issues with the software and services you use on campus.
Some things to note about Ventura (v. 13):
- Students:听All core student apps at 亚色影库 are supported on Ventura.
- Faculty & Staff: Please note that听Ventura has some known compatibility issues with the software and services you use on campus, including Dell Data Security (DDS).听Because of these incompatibilities, it may not be in your best interest to upgrade now, unless you have a specific need to use Ventura (v. 13).
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How can I upgrade my computer to Ventura (v. 13)?
Before you upgrade to Ventura (v. 13), make sure your computer and all software is compatible with this version.听
Faculty & staff
There are still some applications used on campus that are not compatible with Ventura (v. 13). Please check with your TC before upgrading. 听
We recommend that you contact your TC for assistance with upgrading to Ventura (v. 13).
Students
We recommend you get assistance with upgrading to Ventura (v. 13). Students can bring their computer to the Walk-In Help Desk (O鈥橬eill 3rd floor).
Apple is no longer supporting these versions of macOS:
- Monterey (v. 12)
- Big Sur (v. 11)
- Catalina (v. 10.15)
- Mojave (v. 10.14)
- High Sierra (v. 10.13)
- Sierra (v. 10.12)
- El Capitan (v. 10.11)
- Yosemite (v. 10.10)
- Mavericks (v. 10.9)
- Mountain Lion (v. 10.8) and below
If you are using one of the macOS versions listed above, please talk to your TC or the Help Center to upgrade to a more recent version of macOS.
Faculty & staff with non-亚色影库CR computers
To run Windows on Macs with an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, etc.), you need to purchase additional software:听
- Parallels (Student Edition) or听VMware Fusion
- Windows 11 Professional - Note: Parallels &听VMware Fusion only work with the Professional version, not the Education version.
Please be aware there may be limitations to running Windows applications in this environment.
Tip: You should always backup your computer before you upgrade to a new operating system.
Windows
亚色影库 recommends:
- Students: Microsoft Windows 11 with the latest system updates.
- Faculty & Staff: Microsoft Windows 11 with the latest system updates.
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Microsoft released Windows 11 commercially on Oct 5, 2021. Note: All core apps at 亚色影库 are supported on Windows 11.
How can I upgrade my computer to Windows 11?
Faculty & staff
Before upgrading your computer to Windows 11, your TC (Technology Consultant) will prepare your computer for the upgrade process:
- Your TC will give your computer a 鈥渢une up鈥� to make sure it has the latest drivers and software patches. They will also confirm your data is actively backed up in CrashPlan.
- Note: 亚色影库鈥檚 agreement with Microsoft does not allow faculty & staff to install the Windows operating system (Enterprise or Education) on their personal computers.
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Once your computer is ready, Windows Update will prompt you to upgrade your computer to Windows 11.听
- It may take 30-45 minutes to complete the upgrade process.听
- Important: Please do not turn off the computer, unplug it, or disturb it during the process, as it may cause the upgrade to fail.
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Questions or issues?
- Contact your TC.
- Contact the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) or help.center@bc.edu.
Students
Before upgrading your computer to Windows 11, make sure your computer and all software is compatible with this version:
- Check what version of Windows you are running.
- Check the minimum system requirements needed for the Windows 11 upgrade. If you are not sure, you can check with your PC Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or by using the PC Health Check app to assess compatibility.
- Back up all important data before upgrading.
Use Windows Updates to upgrade your computer to Windows 11:
Questions or issues?
- Visit the Walk in Help Desk (O鈥橬eill Library 3rd floor).
- Contact the Help Center at 617-552-HELP (4357) or help.center@bc.edu.
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What鈥檚 the different between Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Windows 11 offers security & performance improvements, including improved memory management, better efficiency for background tasks, and faster waking from sleep mode.
Windows 11 has a slightly different interface than Windows 10:
- Start menu located in the middle of the taskbar
- Rounded corners of windows and menus
- Icons may look a little different
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Windows 11 Feature Updates
Microsoft releases major Feature Updates to the Windows operating system about once a year that update built-in apps and add new features. These updates may take 60-90 minutes to complete.
- 23H2 is the current听Feature Update available for 亚色影库-owned computers
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What to expect
Your computer will automatically download the Feature Update and notify you that it鈥檚 ready to install. You鈥檒l be prompted to pick a time, remind you later, or do the update by restarting now. Please do not turn off your computer during the update.
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Please upgrade to Windows 11.
Microsoft is no longer supporting Window 8, 7, or XP.
If you are using Windows 8, 7, or XP, please talk to your TC or the Help Center to upgrade to a more recent version of Windows.
Faculty & staff with non-亚色影库CR computers
If you are using Windows 10 Home, please be aware of the following:
- Windows 10 Home does not support a multilingual user interface.听
- Home versions do not let you join the听亚色影库 domain. If you need access to on-campus servers and 亚色影库 printers, you need to join the 亚色影库 domain. You do not need to join the 亚色影库 domain to print to the Libraries (i.e., remote printing). Note: Students can access the web and most 亚色影库 online services (Agora Portal, etc.) by just connecting to the 亚色影库 wireless or wired network, so it's not necessary to join the 亚色影库 domain.
If you need a multilingual user interface or need to join the 亚色影库 domain, 亚色影库 recommends you upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.
How do I upgrade my version of Windows?
- Faculty and Staff: Contact your Technology Consultant (TC) to help you get an upgrade.
- Students: 亚色影库 can install (for free) a newer version of Windows for students who bring their computers to the Walk-In Help Desk. Important: You must back up your data before installing a new operating system.
All current 亚色影库 students can download Windows 11 (Education version) on either a Mac or Windows computer.
To download Windows 11 (Education version):
- Go to Microsoft Azure Education & sign in using your "short" 亚色影库 email address (e.g., username@bc.edu):
If you have trouble signing in, use a Private/Incognito browser window.
- On the 亚色影库 Single Sign On (SSO) login page, enter your 亚色影库 Credentials (the username and password you use for Agora Portal) and complete 亚色影库 2-Step Verification.
- First time logging in? Microsoft prompts you to set up a second method of authentication with either a phone and/or email. Please enter at least one of these.
- Fill out the Academic Verification forms online, making sure to read & accept the terms.
- On the left, open Learning resources, then select Software.
- Search for Windows 11 and follow the online instructions to download the software.
- Click View Key, then copy and paste this key into an email to helpdesk@bc.edu.
- We recommend you get assistance with installing Windows 11. Bring your computer to the Walk-In Help Desk (O'Neill 3rd floor).
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Tip: You should always backup your computer before you upgrade to a new operating system.
Chromebooks and Tablets
Chromebooks and Tablets (Android, iPad, Kindle Fire) may not be the right choice for your primary computer on campus. Limitations include:
- Some applications are not available on Chromebooks or Tablets. For example, some classes require Respondus Lockdown Browser (online testing software in Canvas), which is not available for Android tablets. Work around: The .
- Be aware of your software needs and your computer's capacity. Chromebooks & Tablets do not have the capacity to install large programs (such as Microsoft Project, Visual Basic, etc).
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Mobile Devices
In general, mobile device support, including support for smart phones,听is based on platform as opposed to a particular device. These mobile device platforms are supported at Boston College:
- Android
- iPad & iPhone
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Note: ITS does not endorse or recommend a specific carrier, because of the unique needs of individuals and departments at Boston College.
Standard support of mobile devices听at 亚色影库 includes the following:
- 亚色影库 WiFi activation and configuration
- 亚色影库 email configuration
- Syncing calendar and contacts
- First-level hardware and software diagnostic troubleshooting
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Standard support is based on compatibility with 亚色影库 standard services. As technology evolves, 亚色影库 is committed to evaluating and testing emerging mobile technologies, updating documentation, training support personnel, and working with carriers to evaluate products and services.