Category Archives: Knowledge Base

Knowledge base articles written and maintained by the CIM Technical Team

Microsoft Imagine

Access to Free Microsoft Software

Free Microsoft software can be obtained through Microsoft Imagine (formerly Microsoft DreamSpark).

The software and related keys can be obtained from Royal Holloway portal. If you are given a choice, please opt for Imagine/DreamSpark Premium.

This programme entitles the users to one key of most pieces of Microsoft Software, including the latest operating systems (Desktop and Server), development languages and server software.

The notable exception to the extensive catalogue of software is Microsoft Office, which is not considered ‘development software’ by Microsoft. This can instead be obtained for home machines by logging into the Royal Holloway Office 365 portal, clicking the ‘Office 365’ button/banner on the top right, and then choosing ‘Install Office’ on the top right.

More information on Microsoft Imagine programme can be found on the Microsoft Image page,  and on the Wikipedia Page.

macOS Sierra recommendations

macos-sierraApple launched macOS Sierra to the public on September 20th 2016

This document is based off the original article ‘MacOS in the wild‘ by Tristan Findley

See: What’s New in macOS Sierra

macOS Sierra (10.12) was on September 20th to the general public, and is now available as a free upgrade via the macOS App Store, however we are recommending all staff and students of Royal Holloway to hold off upgrading until certain issues and incompatibilities can be resolved. Continue reading