Software Center and Company Portal Quick-Start Guide
Introduction
Software Center and/or Company Portal are installed on all SUNY Empire devices which is helpful in assisting users with managing access to available approved applications, operating system updates, as well as many other software updates and optional installs that may be available.
Please note: If you are using a laptop that was issued after Summer 2021, then you will be using Company Portal. For desktops and/or laptops that were issued prior to Summer 2021, you will be using Software Center. (When in doubt, you can use the search option to see what is installed on your device.)
Table of Contents
Software Center
Opening Software Center
To open the Software Center, click the Search icon, which is located next to the Windows Logo, (located in the lower left hand corner of your screen, and begin typing Software Center. You should see Software Center appear under the Best Match list that displays from the start menu. For convenience, you can click Pin To Start to make Software Center easier to find on your Windows Start menu.
Installing Updates
Once you have opened Software Center, press Updates, which is located on the left-side menu. Once in the Updates menu, you can select Install All to install all pending updates. Alternatively, you can click into each Update for additional information, then install each update individually. As with all updates, there may be a need to reboot after installation. To minimize the chance of an update rebooting your computer while using it please set your working hours.
Installing Applications
Once you have opened Software Center, press Applications from the left-side menu. In the Applications menu, you will see a list of approved licensed applications you can download to your computer.
- Click on the application to install on your computer.
- Click on the Install button.
If you have purchased licensed software, you will be notified through your request once it becomes available in Applications for download to your university computer. There may be a need to reboot after installation.
Setting Working Hours
Setting your Working Hours will minimize interruptions from Software Updates, and Security Patches. Once Software Center is Open, select Options.
From this menu, you will need to adjust the Working Hours to accurately reflect when you are usually using your computer.
Once you have adjusted the working hours, click Computer Maintenance. This should reveal two checkboxes. Please ensure both checkboxes are selected. Once these are both selected, click on Sync Policy to update your settings.
Company Portal
Opening Company Portal
To open the Company Portal, click the Search icon, located next to the Windows Logo, and begin typing Company Portal. You should see Company Portal appear under the Best Match list. Click Open. This will open to the Company Portal homepage, which will display your recently published apps. Please Note: If you would like to use the Pin To Start to make the Company Portal easier to find on your Windows Start menu in the future, you can click on the downward facing chevron to expand the list of options, then select Pin to Start.
Installing Applications
Clicking on Apps from the column located on the left-hand side will display all of the Apps that are available to update or install. To install an app, click on the app that you wish to install, then click on the Install button that is located in the upper right-hand corner.
Checking status of Updates
To check the status of downloads and recent updates, select Downloads and Updates from the column on the left. These updates happen automatically through Windows and are not done through the Company Portal. This option can be used to check the status only.
