ICT provides support for the purchase, set up and renewal of the Imperial's computing hardware and software. The university requires that any device(s) purchased using university funds (regardless of source) is completed through the approved channels. To ensure the device remains secure and up to date, all devices must have the standard university build which will be subject to ongoing central management. Find out more about how to get computers, devices and software and read our Information Security policy (referencing section 11.8.12).
Under the Technology Refresh Programme (TRP), any permanent members of staff (academic, secretarial, administrative or technical) appropriately authorised by the department or faculty, are entitled to a replacement computer. To be eligible, a member of staff must be at least 20% G code (HEFCE funded).
Machines used by Research Assistants and Postgraduate Research (PhD) students are not included in this programme and should be provisioned via research funding.
Staff and students may request to retain certain IT equipment provided to them by Imperial when they leave the university. This is subject to approval by the faculty and ICT. Read our standard operating procedure for further guidance.
Operating systems and university build
We can offer the best level of support for our standard university installations. We perform extensive testing to ensure our installations work on our preferred supplier’s hardware and integrate with other IT services. The below tabs detail our builds. We cannot provide any guarantees that other systems will work as seamlessly with university IT facilities.
We support and introduce upgrades to newer operating systems and standard software after compatibility with our systems has been confirmed.
Operating systems and Imperial build details
Windows 11 is the latest, most secure version of Windows to be released.
Windows 11 provides seamless integration with Microsoft services like those offered through Office 365, including OneDrive for Business which offers a secure, cloud-based storage solution to staff and students.
- Log in with your Imperial username and password
- Log in with university account via LDAP integration
- Automatic home directory mounting
- Pre-configured email software – Thunderbird
Saving power
All Imperial devices are set up to be efficient and save power whilst not in use, with auto-sleep settings on public and staff computers. When not in use, staff computers should be put into Sleep mode, or ‘Shut Down’ overnight and during weekends and holidays to further reduce the university's carbon footprint.
Remote access
If you are connecting remotely via Remote Desktop Gateway you can turn your PC back on using the Wake My PC facility. Alternatively, staff and students can access most services from the cloud such as OneDrive for Business, or use Unified Access.