Please review the Excel spreadsheet below for your computer. To find you computer name, please see this page. This may not be a complete list and the UT computer in your possession or storage may not be compatible with Windows 11.

What if my computer is on this list?

If your computer is on this list, it has been identified as not being compatible with Windows 11. This can be for a few reasons, but the CPU model (Intel or AMD) is the primary reason. Below are options for you if your machine is on this list.

1. The primary resolution is a new computer replacement if you need to maintain this computing resource use. Please see this page regarding the computer procurement policy at UT and within ME.
   
   

2. If you no longer need this computer and don’t want to replace it, please contact ME IT at mech-it@austin.utexas.edu with the details and we will pick up the computer(s) to prepare for UT surplus which include data storage destruction.

Can I just keep my computer offline and continue to use Windows 10?

Broadly speaking - no.

UT computers (and all computers used for university work) must be managed, secured, and supported according to the UT Information Resources Use and Security Policy. Most of the enforcement and compliance checks are done via network-connected management tools. When a machine exists offline, these tools can’t do their job.

To continue using a computer for university work that can’t be fully compliant, a security exception must be requested and approved by ME IT, ME Department Head, Dean of Cockrell Engineering, and the UT Information Security Office with the machine existing off the network if approved. In short, there has to be a valid, technical reason for security exception requests to be approved and often the computer is in a reduced function state. Convenience, cost of new computers, cost of software upgrades, etc are generally not valid reasons.

Approved security exceptions means that manual intervention, compliance checks, and general management falls on ME IT as well as yourself to ensure continued compliance with the security exception and all applicable IRUSP standards. This is resource-intensive and not a scalable support model in our environment of hundreds of computers.

Exceptions

There will be situations where Windows 10 exceptions are valid, but this will be heavily scrutinized to ensure no other practical options exist. In these cases, we will evaluate whether a security exception and offline use is applicable or discuss other options with you. Below are some potential examples.

• My old lab equipment is only compatible with Windows 10 and really expensive to replace.

  • This should be rare as Windows 10 compatible software/drivers are much friendlier with Windows 11 support compared to the Windows 7 to Windows 10 transition.

• The niche and expensive software we use is only compatible with Windows 10.

  • Not upgrading and maintaining software licensing is generally not a reason to get an exception. You need to budget and pay for software maintenance/upgrades to stay on the latest supported version from the vendor/developer to reduce security vulnerabilities.

  • Software vulnerabilities will force network quarantines regardless of OS version.