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University Software Standards

Effective from: Jul 2022
Last Review: Jun 2022

Category Recommended Software Standard Acceptable Software Software under consideration
1. Operating System Windows 10 Enterprise Edition 64-bit Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese (Build Number within 18 months) Windows 11

Windows 8.1 Enterprise Edition 32-bit (or 64-bit) Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese
[NB: Since Windows 8.1 is deprecated, and will become end of support by 23 Jan 2023, it is highly discouraged to use.]
2. Office Suite Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (previously named Office 365 ProPlus) Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 (Long Term Servicing Channel) with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese

Office Professional Plus 2019 64-bit (or 32 bit) Edition Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese

Office Professional Plus 2016 32-bit (or 64 bit) Edition Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese
[NB: Office 2016 is deprecated after the Mainstream Support was ended; it is highly discouraged to use.]

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3. Document Exchange Adobe Acrobat Reader DC — —
4. E-mail Outlook, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Outlook 2021
Outlook 2019
Outlook 2016		 —
5. Scheduling Outlook, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Outlook 2021
Outlook 2019
Outlook 2016		 —
6. Web Browser* Microsoft Edge Chrome —
7. Anti-virus Kaspersky Total Security for Windows Windows Defender Antivirus (Pre-installed service with Windows 11, 10 and 8.1) —
8. File Compression WinRAR latest version [NB: ZIP file format is still recommended] — —
9. Secured Shell PuTTY , WinSCP latest version* — OpenSSH client
10. Protecting digital information, Data Encryption for USB removable storage devices; and full-disk encryption for laptops Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) unified labeling client Microsoft BitLocker*
Microsoft BitLocker To Go*

*Remark:

  • Item 6 Web Browser
    • IE 11 desktop application will end support for Windows 10 Semi Annual Channel starting in June 15, 2022.
  • Item 9 Secured Shell
    • is required only for users who need to use the software.
    • OpenSSH client is built-in features in Windows 10 (Build 1809 and later)
  • Item 10 Protecting digital information, Data Encryption
    • Microsoft BitLocker is recommended for users who need to handle sensitive information. BitLocker is Drive Encryption technique for OS and Fixed data drives.
    • Microsoft BitLocker To Go is BitLocker Drive Encryption for removable storage devices.
    • Microsoft Information Protection (MIP) unified client replaced Azure formation Protection (AIP) classic for protecting data, and Microsoft will discontinue the support for AIP classic client on March 31, 2021.

Notes on the selection of University Software Standards:

  1. Executive Summary – Adopting Software Standards in the University
  2. For all software
    • Both Chinese and English versions are recommended depending on the actual needs of the departments/units.
    • Departments/Units are recommended to watch out for the securities patches/software updates provided by the vendors and install the critical patches when necessary. ITSC will also notify departmental LAN administrators about the critical updates of various software.
  3. For Electronic Filing – To read PDF documents, departments/units are recommended to install the latest Adobe Acrobat Reader DC which can be downloaded from Adobe website. Users need to create PDF document could purchase Adobe Acrobat DC.
  4. For Chinese Character Set – ITSC is implementing a Supplementary Chinese Character Set for the University so that our specially created Chinese characters would be displayed correctly.
  5. For the software compatibility with the following campus wide applications, please refer to Tips and Getting Started guide at:
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