University Technology

Windows 10 Will Be Unsupported in 260 days

Windows 10 is approaching "end-of-support," meaning that Microsoft will soon provide no further security updates or technical support for the product. Please upgrade to a supported version of Windows 11 as soon as possible.

Beginning January 2, 2025, supported computers currently running Windows 10 will be automatically upgraded to Windows 11. These upgrades will occur on a rolling basis between January 2 and April 28, 2025.

+ What do I need to do?
  1. If your computer is on-campus, ensure it is connected with a wired connection or wirelessly to the WIU-SECURE network. If your computer is off-campus, ensure it is connected via WIU's VPN client.
  2. If you wish to allow University Technology to automatically upgrade your computer, please leave your Windows computer on (but logged out) at the end of each day. This will allow for most, if not all, of the upgrade to happen overnight, minimizing any disruption to your workday. Note that supported computers will automatically upgrade at some period between now and April 28, 2025.
  3. If you wish to manually install the upgrade at a convenient time, please follow these instructions to upgrade your device. You can also watch a brief instructional video below:


    If you experience difficulty in performing the upgrade yourself, or if you do not see the option to install Windows 11 from the Software Center, please contact the uTech Support Center at support@wiu.edu or (309) 298-TECH.
+ What is involved with upgrading? Will I lose my data?

This upgrade process may take several hours but the computer can be used during most of the process.  The computer will restart itself at least once during the process.  

There is a very slight possibility of data loss if the upgrade does not work as expected.  Make sure your data is backed up if there is a concern of data loss.

  • uTech expects and assumes that users store their University-related data in Google Drive or on their unit’s S: drive. For information about using Google Drive, see “Google Drive User Guide.”
  • Backup the bookmarks from each of the browsers that you use to Google Drive, S: drive, or portable media (such as a USB thumb drive). For information about backing up Chrome bookmarks, see “Backing Up Web Browser Bookmarks.”

Please make sure all of your files and bookmarks are backed up prior to this update.

+ What if I don't or can't upgrade?

Depending on their age, some computers will not support Windows 11. Consequently, you may not find the Windows 11 upgrade available to install on such computers.

University Technology is exploring cost-saving options for computers that cannot be upgraded, and will provide departments updates on these plans in the coming months. Please focus on upgrading compatible computers at this time and avoid purchasing new equipment until we have finalized plans for incompatible devices.

+ Information regarding computers in Digital Spaces (Classrooms/Computer Labs)

The transition to Windows 11 will be coming to Digital Spaces machines in the Summer of 2025, when we perform our yearly reimaging for all machines. All classroom instructor machines are Windows 11 compatible and will be transitioned then. Computer lab machines may or may not be Windows 11 compatible and we will continue to work with Deans and Department Chairs regarding their current inventories and work on plans on how to move forward with them.