Updates to Michigan Medicine Windows computing environment – happening now through early April

02/28/2022

HITS will soon update many Michigan Medicine computers to align available tools, improve functionality, and provide a more consistent user experience across our Windows computing environment – primarily impacting Standard and Flex mode DESKTOPS, and Kiosk devices.

Late last year, Michigan Medicine completed the rollout of the Microsoft 365 (M365) productivity suite, including Microsoft Teams – which is now our organization’s preferred tool for business (non patient-related) chat.

As a result, Skype for Business (including Persistent Chat groups) will be retired on March 31.

In conjunction, here are some changes you can expect to see:

Windows Standard/Flex DESKTOP Computers

  • Folder backups to OneDrive: (These changes may happen anytime between March 1–25)
    • Various folders (such as Desktop and Pictures) will be automatically backed up to OneDrive, after which they’ll be available whenever you log in to M365.
    • Note: This change has already been applied to Windows LAPTOPS.
  • Start Menu (These changes may happen anytime between March 29–April 5)
    • Skype for Business will be removed from both the device and the Start Menu.
    • File Explorer will be replaced with OneDrive in the Start Menu.
    • File Explorer will still be available below, in the Taskbar.

Click here to see “before and after” examples.

Kiosk Computers

  • Office Upgrade/Start Menu changes (These changes may happen anytime between March 29–April 5)
    • Office 2016 will be upgraded to Office 2021.
    • Skype for Business will be removed from the device and the Start Menu.
    • “OWA” (Outlook Web Access) icon will be replaced with the Outlook icon, which will now open automatically in Microsoft Edge.

Click here to see “before and after” examples.