Operating systems
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Macintosh
We currently support and recommend Mac OS 10.5.8 and above. Due to security risks, ITS recommends all machines be at this minimum.
Please see the ITS announcement regarding known incompatibilities with OS X Lion (10.7).
Windows
Windows 7 -At Yale, practice-specific applications in the financial, student administrative and clinical areas have NOT been certified for use with Windows 7. Testing to analyze, document and provide support on a University level is underway. ITS does not recommend upgrading to Windows 7 at this time.
XP Professional – ITS supports and recommends Windows XP Pro on all new computers. This operating system has been tested and is fully compatible with University line of business applications. Additionally, Microsoft has promised to continue to support Windows XP until 2014.
Regarding other versions of XP, none of Yale's supported applications require or even take advantage of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows XP Home lacks many of the features needed on Yale's network.
Other Windows systems – Microsoft has discontinued support for Windows 2000, NT, Me, 98, and 95.
- Visit the Microsoft Support Lifecycle website for detailed information on their support lifecycle.
UNIX and Linux
ITS recommends the latest version of Redhat Enterprise Linux. For a variety of information and software of use to the Linux community of users at Yale University visit the Linux Systems Design & Support (LSDS) website.
OS standards for applications
Upgrading OS
If your computer is working correctly with its current operating system, do not upgrade it. The manufacturer's warranty may be void if you install an updated version of your operating system over the OS version that came with your computer. Upgrades often require you to completely delete the contents of your hard drive, and begin from scratch. You must also purchase a new license for the new operating system, plus some of your older peripherals and software may need to be upgraded. For these reasons we strongly suggest you do not perform a major operating system upgrade on your computer.
If you must upgrade your operating system, contact ITS first. Some newer hardware or software requires you to upgrade your current operating system. Also, any computing device with confidential information, especially ePHI (electronic protected health information), should be running recommended operating system software. In this case we ask that you contact us first so we can help you understand what impact upgrading will have on your system, before you run into trouble.
Service packs
Service packs should be applied after they are tested by ITS, and made available via our software website. Service packs are not considered operating system upgrades, but rather a collection of patches to help your operating system run more stably and securely.
The ITS patch management service enables both local and central ITS staff to deploy critical security patches to Macintosh and PC-compatible computers across campus in a consistent and reliable way. These patches are tested for compatibility with University applications. It is administered by ITS in collaboration with other IT providers across the University. Once the patches have been tested and released, they will be automatically distributed and applied to any client machines that require them. Learn more...
Does your computer pass inspection?
To ensure your computer meets these requirements you can perform the following functions from any network connection.
Windows update:
- To ensure you have the latest updates from Microsoft go to www.microsoft.com/windowsupdate from IE and update your computer and select express.
- Turn on Windows AutoUpdates: Right click my computer a click properties, select the tab for automatic updates and select the radio button for automatic (recommended).
- Open your Antivirus client and make sure it has the latest virus definitions.
Macintosh update:
- To ensure you have the latest patches from Apple, click the Apple Menu and click Software Update.
- To automatically receive future patches, click the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update and schedule weekly updates.
- Open your antivirus client and make sure it has the latest virus definitions.
Useful links:
- ITS patch management service
- Comparison of Windows operating systems
- Windows Desktop Product Lifecycle Guidelines
