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University Software Standards

Effective from: Oct 2021
Last Review: Sep 2021

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 8.1 Enterprise Edition 32-bit (or 64-bit) Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese Windows 11
2. Office Suite Office 365 ProPlus Office 2019 Professional Plus 64-bit (or 32 bit) Edition Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese

Office 2016 Professional Plus 32-bit (or 64 bit) Edition Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese

Office 2013 Professional Plus 32-bit Edition Server Pack 1 Multilingual User Interface with Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese [NB: Office 2013 have potential compatibility issues with Office 365 modern authentication and DUO; it is highly discouraged to use]

 —
3. Document Exchange Adobe Acrobat Reader DC — —
4. E-mail Outlook of Office 365 ProPlus Outlook 2019
Outlook 2016
Outlook 2013		 —
5. Scheduling Outlook of Office 365 ProPlus Outlook 2019
Outlook 2016
Outlook 2013		 —
6. Web Browser* New Microsoft Edge Chrome or Internet Explorer 11 —
7. Web Browser add-on VLC media player latest version — —
8. Anti-virus Kaspersky Total Security for Windows — —
9. File Compression WinRAR latest version [NB: ZIP file format is still recommended] — —
10. Anti-spyware Windows Defender (Pre-installed service with Windows 10) Windows Defender (Pre-installed service with 8.1) —
11. Secured Shell PuTTY , WinSCP latest version* — —
12. 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
    • Microsoft announced that
      • Beginning from November 30, 2020, the Microsoft Teams web app will no longer support IE 11.
      • Beginning from August 17, 2021, the remaining Microsoft 365 apps and services will no longer support IE 11.
      • Microsoft will be ending support for the legacy version of the Microsoft Edge desktop app on March 9, 2021, in favor of the new Microsoft Edge.
    • IE 11 desktop application will end support for Windows 10 Semi Annual Channel starting in June 15, 2022.
  • Item 11 Secured Shell
    • is required only for users who need to use the software.
  • Item 12 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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