Tech Tips

TIP #1: HOW TO MAKE A MICROSOFT OFFICE 365 GROUP 

Microsoft Office 365 Groups is a tool used to bring all your teammates together with repeating emails and calendars. With Groups you are able to share your resources with a group of people you work with such as shared Outlook inbox, shared calendar, shared files, project plans or documents. All members in the group have permission to any of the resources shared.

To create Groups:

You can create Groups using Outlook, Outlook Mobile, SharePoint, Planner, and Teams. Choosing where to start your group depends on what your team consists of.

Outlook on PC and Mac:

• Open Outlook and select Home
• Select New  Items > Group
• Fill out the information
  1. Group name
  2. Privacy
  3. Description > then click Next
  4. Select members and enter their email addresses

Group creators are capable of adding or removing members and customizing permissions. They can also edit the group’s information. Group members cannot change group settings though they can view anything in the group as long as the owner gave them permission.

Using Groups in the workplace can make it easier to collaborate and schedule team meetings. Don’t hesitate to start a group and share resources.

Have additional questions? Contact the Service Desk.

TIP #2: CONFIGURE YOUR BROWSER TO CLEAR THE DATA CACHE WHEN CLOSING

For those who like to keep their cache clear, you can configure each browser to clear cache when you close Chrome and Internet Explorer. 

Chrome:

1. Open browser
2. Use the 3 dots to the right of the URL window to open the Chrome Toolbar, click Settings.
3. Scroll to the Privacy and security section, click Site Setting.
4. Scroll to Content and select “Cookies and site data.”
5. Scroll to “Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome” and press the toggle on.

Internet Explorer:

1. Open Internet Explorer browser
2. On the menu bar, select Tools > Internet Options > Advanced tab
   • Don’t see a menu bar? Right click at the top of the window and select “Menu bar”
3. Under the Security Section, check the box labeled Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed
4. Click OK 

Have questions? Contact the Service Desk and let our technicians help!

TIP #1: STAY SAFE OVER WI-FI BY CONNECTING TO CU’S VPN 

Accessing the internet on an unsecured Wi-Fi network means you could be exposing private information. That’s why a virtual private network, better known as a VPN, is a must for anyone looking to maintain online security and privacy.

A VPN works by creating a private network from a public internet connection. This can protect the information you share or access over the internet against cyberthieves on the same network who could otherwise capture your login credentials, credit card numbers, social security number and other private information.

With CU’s Cisco AnyConnect VPN, you can establish a secure and encrypted connection on any network and mask your internet protocol (IP) address so your online actions are virtually untraceable.

• Encryption makes your data unreadable by scrambling all incoming and outgoing traffic so that it can only be “read” using a unique key. You can increase Wi-Fi security by connecting to a VPN at home and when traveling.
• Using CU’s Cisco AnyConnect VPN may be required to access many CU-specific drives and applications.
• You can connect to a VPN using your computer or any Wi-Fi-enabled mobile device.
• VPN’s are a great way to increase security even on trusted networks, but always be sure to connect to the VPN before using unsecured networks or public Wi-Fi.

Learn how to set up the CU VPN for your computer, Android and IOS phone. 

TIP #2: ADDITIONAL STEPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME WI-FI USE SECURE

Data security is especially important when using a public Wi-Fi network because it prevents anyone else on the network from eavesdropping on your internet activity. However, VPNs enable greater privacy even when you connect to a secure, trusted Wi-Fi network. 

Here are some more techniques to keep your work and personal information safe on your home network:

• Ensure there is a true business need for collecting personal information.
• Secure your home Wi-Fi router by using a strong, unique password and changing it regularly.
• Enable WPA2 encryption, which secures your network traffic with a unique encryption key. 
• Check your internet service provider’s website for details on how to customize your Wi-Fi security settings.

Refer to our Wireless guides on the UIS Service Desk site. 

Have questions? Contact the Service Desk and let our technicians help!

TIP #1: KEEP UNIVERSITY INFORMATION SECURED BY USING YOUR CU ISSUED DEVICES

Only university-provided computers, including mobile computing devices, should be used to access or handle sensitive university information. Do not allow members of your household to access your university-provided computer, as they may unknowingly put your computer at risk. Always lock your computer when stepping away from it, just as you would in the office.

If you must use a personal computer, it is recommended that you use remote desktop to connect to your university-provided computer. Visit the UIS Service Desk website for guides on VPN, remote desktop and collaboration tools. 

TIP #2: UNDERSTAND YOUR DATA TO KEEP IT SAFE

It's important to understand the types of data you handle to ensure you are keeping it safe. Your job may require you to handle private information related to students, employees, alumni, donors, research sponsors, patients and others. This material can carry personally identifiable information such as social security numbers, credit card information, educational records and health information.

When handling private information, consider these actions:

• Ensure there is a true business need for collecting personal information.
• Only request the minimum information required. Do not collect additional information that you “might” need in the future.
• Inform the individual why you need the information and how it will be used. If the information will be handled by a third-party, clearly disclose that, too.
• Follow CU security standards and consult with the Office of Information Security to properly secure personal information. Most notably, limit access to personal information to only those who need to know.
• Have a data retention plan that includes a schedule to delete personal information when it is no longer needed and ensure information is cleaned up according to that plan.
• Be aware of any regulatory or contractual requirements regarding privacy and security. Be sure you know your obligations and come up with processes to meet them. This may mean meeting specific security standards, minimum/maximum data retention requirements or other required steps.
• Know how you will handle privacy related questions and requests. Email privacy@cu.edu for assistance and to connect with others at CU who can help with any privacy concerns.

Have questions? Contact the Service Desk and let our technicians help!

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: WAYS TO BOOST CONNECTIVITY

As school starts up, children are now connecting to local Wi-Fi in your area more than before. You may find you have network connectivity issues that you didn’t have a week ago. Some ways to help with this include:

• Connect to your Internet with an Ethernet cable directly to your home router.
• Place you system near the Wi-Fi access point: The strength of the wireless signal could be greatly weakened by obstructions like walls, ceilings, doors, or furniture.
• Shut down or pause other devices and applications running on your network such as:
  • Streaming video services.
  • Cloud backup or sync applications.
  • Content downloads on computers, tablets, and mobile devices.
  • Video/audio communication applications.
• Turn your Zoom camera off or stop Zoom and dial-in.
• Update firmware: Router manufacturers publish firmware updates regularly and upgrading your router can provide a performance boost and access to new features.
• Upgrade router: Routers vary significantly in functionality and price, but in this case the upgrade to make is generally in terms of how far your Wi-Fi is broadcast.

TIP #2: ADD A BACKGROUND DURING YOUR MEETINGS ON TEAMS

Working from home and don’t want your colleagues to see your background? No worries, you can change your background on Teams.
 

Prior to joining a scheduled meeting:

• Select “Join the Meeting” in your invite. You will be taken to a Test screen, seen above.
• Click the middle toggle to turn on virtual backgrounds. Background options will display on the right of the screen.
• Replace the entire background by choosing an image provided or add your own.

During a meeting:

You can also change your background after you have joined a meeting by selecting the three dots for more options from your meeting controls.

• Click Show background effects 
• Select a new background or upload your own image

Have questions? Contact the Service Desk and let our technicians help!

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: BENEFITS OF USING OUTLOOK ONLINE

Using Outlook Web Client gives users many organizational and instant benefits with the same functionality of the application itself. Having access to Outlook Web Access (OWA) provides users with their Office 365 mailbox without needing to use the Outlook application. 

Because OWA only requires a web browser, you can send emails anytime, anywhere and by using any device. All you’ll need is to log in with your email and password. After logging in, you will be able to see your mailbox in real time with no delay in any email arrival to your inbox.

Some OWA benefits include:

• Emails are delivered extremely fast, compared to using Microsoft Outlook on a laptop or computer.
• Complete email history is available. Because OWA doesn’t need to download copies of your messages like the local copy on your computer, you can see a complete history of all your emails. 
• Advanced search on OWA allows users to search more than one location at once and add filters such as keywords, date, subject, and if it has any attachments.
• OWA allows you to customize the layout of the mailbox such as the color scheme, focused inbox, display density, the location of the reading pane and how to sort emails.

TIP #2: NOT ALL POWER SUPPLIES ARE CREATED EQUAL

When a dock or a laptop is provisioned for use, each device is paired with the appropriate power supply (also known as power adapter or power cord) from the factory. The power supply that is included with your laptop should only be used when you are not connected to the dock. The power supply for the dock is for the dock only. Because the two carry different specifications that can cause damage, they should not be used interchangeably. Using them interchangeably can also cause insufficient charging to your laptop. 

Have questions? Contact the Service Desk and let our technicians help!

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: UPDATE ZOOM FOR NEW FILTERS

With the latest version, Zoom has introduced filters. Enjoy new virtual backgrounds, video filters and adjust the lighting to feel more comfortable on video. Learn how to use these new features here.

Don’t have the latest version? Find step-by-step instructions on how to update your Zoom desktop app here.

TIP #2: ZOOM WAITING ROOM AND PASSCODE SIGN-ON

Starting Sept. 27, Zoom will require that all meetings have a passcode or a Waiting Room enabled for all paid accounts. You’re in control of your meeting security selections, and we have designed the options with security and ease of use in mind.

• Enabling a Waiting Room: The Waiting Room feature allows the host to control when a participant joins the meeting by placing participants in a Waiting Room prior to joining the session. It is recommended that you review your Waiting Room selections and options for ‘join before host’ and which participants to place in the Waiting Room. Learn more about Waiting Rooms here.
• Want to add a passcode? It’s easy! Follow this Zoom guide for step-by-step instructions.
• What if I don’t have a Waiting Room or Passcode enabled by September 27? If neither is enabled, Zoom will enable a Waiting Room for your meetings.

If you already have those two options enabled, no further selection needs to be made and the setting will not change unless done manually by you or your administrator. These preferences can be changed at any time.

Having your Waiting Room and Passcode enabled will not have an effect on how you schedule meetings, calendar invites or the meeting attendees. 

Learn more about this change here.

TIP #3: BEST ZOOM SHORTCUTS

Want to make working on your desktop easier? Use these Zoom desktop shortcuts to manage your meetings and help you communicate with others easily.

For your meetings, audio, and control
Zoom shortcuts for PC Desktop:

• Start or stop video using Alt+V 
• Mute or unmute using Alt+A
• Start or stop screen share using Alt+shift+S
• Screenshot using Alt+Shift+T
• Close the current window using Alt+F4
• Enter or exit full screen using Alt+F

Zoom shortcuts for Mac Desktop: 

• Start or stop video using Command+Shift+V 
• Mute or unmute using Command+Shift+A
• Start or stop screen share using Command+shift+S
• Screenshot using Command+T
• Close the current window using Command+W
• Enter or exit full screen using Command+Shift+F

NOTE: To access all running shortcuts on Zoom Desktop, log in to Zoom then click on the profile photo (or box with your initials) in the upper-right corner. Select Settings and click Keyboard Shortcuts.

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: SIGN IN THROUGH ZOOM SINGLE SIGN-ON (SSO) TO SHARE SCREEN

Have you been hosting a Zoom meeting and found this error?

You aren’t alone! If this happens, it could be because you started the meeting without using the single sign-on (SSO) authentication.

How to sign into Zoom through SSO:

• When logging into Zoom on the Web, go to https://zoom.us/signin. 
• Scroll down the page to “Sign in with SSO”. 
• Enter “cusystem” as the Company Domain and click continue. 
• Enter in your CU credentials and password. 

This is the same process for the Zoom desktop client and mobile app.

Signing into the SSO not help enable your screen sharing? As the host, click on the arrow next to “Share Screen” and select “Multiple participants can share simultaneously” and try sharing your screen.

Still having issues? Contact the Service Desk and let our technicians help!
 

TIP #2: HOW TO IDENTIFY WHAT LAPTOP PORTS YOU HAVE

Your CU issued laptop and docking station have several ports that it sometimes can become overwhelming keeping track of their names or what they do. Some common ports your laptop and docking station have include:

• VGA connector: A Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector is a three-row 15-pin DE-15 connector. The 15-pin VGA connector was provided on many video cards, computer monitors, laptop computers, projectors, and high definition television sets.
• HDMI port: A High Definition Media Interface (HDMI) port permits the transfer of audio and video signals between your laptop and other devices like laptops, digital cameras, monitors, game consoles, projectors and more.
• Display port: This port (like HDMI) comes with a 20-pin connector and also sends video and audio signal to external display devices like monitors. There are two types of DisplayPorts used on modern-day laptops: standard DisplayPort (pictured above) and mini DisplayPort.
• Type-C or USB C: Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are usually used for file transfer between your laptop and other devices (laptops, storage disks, smartphones etc), attaching and charging peripherals, and also sometimes serve as a laptop’s charging point. USB-C is the newest USB option and is slimmer, smaller, reversible and handles higher currents with faster transfer speed.

Have another port you aren’t sure what it does? Contact the Service Desk for help!

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: THE UIS SERVICE DESK CAN ASSIST WITH A HOME COMPUTER HARDWARE SETUP!

Whether you are setting up your home office for the first time, need help troubleshooting an issue or want to make sure you setup your equipment correctly, the UIS Service Desk can help. 

With most System Administration employees working remotely, the Service Desk is able to provide virtual assistance to help you with any technical questions or issues. 

Call or email the Service Desk to schedule a remote video call for assistance.

TIP #2: GENERAL KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS FOR TEAMS

Use these general keyboard shortcuts to search your chats and access different commands in Teams.

Windows Shortcuts:

Go to Search CTRL + E
Show commands CTRL + /
Search within a selected message or channel CTRL + F
Show all keyboard shortcuts CTRL + .

MacOS Shortcuts:

Go to Search COMMAND + E
Show commands COMMAND + /
Search within a selected message or channel COMMAND + F
Show all keyboard shortcuts COMMAND + .

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: HOW TO USE ZOOM WHITEBOARD

Struggling with collaboration while working remotely? The Whiteboard functionality in Zoom can help! Here’s how to use it:

1. After starting Zoom, select the Share Screen button located in the bottom tool bar. 
   1. Having issues sharing your screen? Learn why here.
2. Click the second option at the top, Whiteboard.
3. Click Share.
4. You can show and hide the Whiteboard tools, known as annotation tools, by pressing the Whiteboard option in the meeting controls. 
5. Use the page controls on the bottom-right corner of the whiteboard to create and switch between pages. Note: Only the host or the participant who began sharing the whiteboard is capable of creating and switching pages.
6. To end sharing the whiteboard, click Stop Share.

Having multiple whiteboards in a meeting is possible if simultaneous screen sharing is on. This allows more than one participant to share a whiteboard. However, to see two whiteboards at once or your own whiteboard and another participant's, you will need to have dual monitors enabled.
Learn more here.

TIP #2: AVOID DOUBLE BOOKING AND FIND YOUR COLLEAGUES' AVAILABILITY IN OUTLOOK

Have you tried to schedule a meeting with a colleague only to have them decline because they have another meeting? Outlook Scheduling Assistant allows you to see your colleagues’ availability to avoid double-booking them.

1. From the Inbox, select New Items > Meeting or in the Calendar, select New Meeting. You also can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Q to create a new meeting request.
2. Add attendees in the To box.
3. Select Scheduling Assistant from the ribbon. You'll see a row for every recipient you entered in the To box. If you want to add more attendees, you can type their name in any blank row in the Scheduling Assistant.
4. Times that your attendees are busy are shown in dark blue. Times that your attendees have a tentative appointment are shown in a light blue hashed block, and times outside of your attendees' working hours are shown in light gray. Select an available time for all of your attendees.

View more detailed instructions from Microsoft:

Scheduling Assistant for PC
Scheduling Assistant for Mac

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: DO YOU HAVE MORE TABS OPEN THAN YOU CAN HANDLE?

While you can use your mouse to click through your open tabs, an easier keyboard shortcut will allow you to view tabs quicker and more efficiently.

The keyboard shortcuts vary between browsers:

• Google Chrome: You can switch between tabs in Google Chrome by pressing CTRL+TAB. That will simply rotate you through all the tabs going forward and then starting from the beginning again when you reach the last tab on the right. If you want to go the other way, right to left, then press CTRL+SHIFT+TAB.

Want to pull up a specific tab? You can press CTRL+N, where N is a number between 1 and 8. Unfortunately, you can’t go past 8, so if you have more than eight tabs, you’ll have to use a different keyboard shortcut or just click on it. CTRL+9 will take you to the last tab, even if there are more than 8!

Accidentally closed a tab? On Google Chrome CTRL+SHIFT+T can bring back the last tab you closed.

• Internet Explorer: Similar to Google Chrome, you can switch between tabs from beginning to end, right to left, and view specific tabs using the same keyboard shortcuts. 
• Safari: Also like Google Chrome and Internet Explorer, CTRL+TAB and CTRL+SHIFT+TAB work the same on Safari. On Mac, you are still able to view each tab individually by clicking COMMAND+N by replacing N with the number tab you want to view. If you find yourself confused finding which tab is which, click on COMMAND+SHIFT+\ to view all open tabs. Lastly, revive your last closed tab with COMMAND+Z.

Extra Tip: You can also use the ALT+TAB shortcut key on a PC for switching between open applications to more easily navigate. For Mac users, use COMMAND+TAB to switch between open applications.

TIP #2: KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS FOR TEAMS MEETINGS AND CALLS

Ever had to quickly mute yourself in a meeting and struggled to find the mute button on the screen? With Teams keyboard shortcuts, you can mute/unmute, turn the camera off and on, and blur the background easily.

For Windows:

• To mute or unmute during a call on Teams, click CTRL+SHIFT+M
• To turn the camera on and off, click CTRL+SHIFT+O
• To blur background, click CTRL+SHIFT+P

For macOS:

• To mute or unmute during a call, click COMMAND+SHIFT+M
• To turn the camera on and off, click COMMAND+SHIFT+O
• To blur background, click COMMAND+SHIFT+P

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: COMPUTER OR APPLICATIONS RUNNING SLOW? MAYBE YOUR DRIVERS NEED AN UPDATE!

If you notice your computer has been running slower than usual, it could be due to outdated device drivers. Device drivers are an essential piece of software that helps different hardware components work smoothly with your computer. When these drivers are properly updated, your computer will run great. However, when they have become outdated, they can start causing problems.

Some issues caused by out-of-date drivers include:

• Monitor display problems
• USB mouse not detected
• Webcam issues
• Slower operating speeds
• Crashing

Another key advantage of keeping device drivers updated is having the peace of mind of a secure machine. Outdated drivers are a security risk and can make your computer vulnerable to hackers and malicious software.

Updating drivers can solve many problems with both your hardware and software. Give the Service Desk a call to report performance issues and to have one of our skilled technicians troubleshoot and install updates, if needed.

TIP #2:  NEED TO GRAB A QUICK SCREEN CAPTURE OR IMAGE?

Need to capture a screenshot? Windows 10 and MacOS contain built-in snapshot tools that can be utilized with keyboard shortcuts.

Windows

For Windows 10 users, pressing the WIN+SHIFT+S keys together will allow you to 'snip' a portion of your screen to be saved. A small menu bar will appear at the top and give you the option to draw your snip area, snip a specific application window or capture the entire screen. The image is then saved to your clipboard, and can be pasted into an email, chat, document, etc. Note: you cannot save your item directly this way. You must paste it somewhere (such as an empty document, Paint, an email, etc.).

You can also use the snipping tool application by searching for it in your bottom search bar. This tool will give you more options, and allow you to save your item by pressing the “save” icon to pick where you’d like the capture saved. Learn more about what your snipping tool can do here.

Mac 

For Mac users, pressing the COMMAND+SHIFT+4 keys will allow you to snip a portion of your screen. You can then click and drag your cursor to draw a box around your desired screenshot. These automatically save to your desktop as a file that can then be attached or embedded anywhere.

If you press the COMMAND+SHIFT+3 it allows you to take a full capture of whatever screen you have open. This also automatically saves to your desktop.

TIP #3: CONSIDER UPGRADING TO ADOBE ACROBAT PRO

As the university moves towards a paperless environment, it is essential to start using a more current version of Adobe. Many of you are still using Adobe Acrobat XI Pro, which stopped receiving support from Adobe in October 2017. Windows updates have been known to render this software version unusable. The Service Desk has been able to apply “fixes” so far, but that won’t work indefinitely. In addition, for those that have Adobe Acrobat Pro 2017, it will no longer be supported as of June 2022. For the many users at 1800 Grant who use this version, you will receive support and updates through June 2022.

Departments using the outdated, unsupported version of Acrobat (XI) should consider purchasing the most current version. Adobe Acrobat Pro 2020 can be purchased for $102.35. Purchasing this version will ensure you receive updates and support through June 2025. For larger departments, these licenses are transferrable. As employees leave and replacements fill their positions, you will not need to purchase another. The UIS Service Desk simply reassigns the license to the new employee.

To request assistance in purchasing Adobe Acrobat 2020, email the UIS Service Desk at help@cu.edu stating the request and include your department’s SpeedType. We will take care of the rest!
 

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER TO PREVENT SLOWNESS

Have you ever wondered why the Service Desk Team will ask, “Have you tried rebooting your computer?” It might sound like a dismissive response, but rebooting or restarting a computer can solve many issues. This solution is not limited to computers; it applies to all types of computing devices: wireless routers, iPads and mobile phones. It also applies to software – is Google Chrome acting slow and consuming a lot of memory? Try closing it and reopening it!

Some benefits of restarting your computer include: 

Flushes RAM – RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is your computer’s main type of memory. When you restart your computer, you flush out all the random, unimportant, and temporary data bogging down your device. 
Boost Performance – Think of RAM like your short-term memory. You can only keep so much in mind at one time without losing concentration, and the same is true for your computer. Rebooting keeps your computer running quickly because it flushes all those temporary files piled on your PC’s memory. 
Saves Time – Rebooting your computer is one of the quickest ways you can fix an error with your machine. 
Bug Fixes – Computers that go without reboots for extended periods of time are prone to an assortment of bugs and glitches. Rebooting your computer will help clean up those little errors and prevent the systems’ processors from becoming overloaded. 
And more! – There are several other benefits to restarting your computer regularly, like completing software updates and allowing simple startup diagnostics to check your computer’s essential file structures.

TIP #2: WHAT IS YOUR P: DRIVE?

When you started at CU, you were provided a computer with access to three drives:

• P: drive (personal)
• S: drive (department/shared)
• R: drive (Scratch – open access)

Your P: drive is a great place to save files as it is continuously backed up to the university’s servers, ensuring you can retrieve a file if it is accidentally deleted or lost.

Recover your lost files by submitting a ticket to the UIS Service Desk. Have questions? Contact the Service Desk with any questions regarding your P: drive while working remote.

TIP #3: UIS SERVICE DESK SUPPORT – WHEN AND WHERE

With the safer-at-home order still in place, the UIS Service Desk has been working hard to ensure you can continue to work remotely without issue. While we have been able to mostly support our end-users using secure remote connections, there are situations where we may ask you to return your device to 1800 Grant for technical support.

The UIS Service Desk Team strives to ensure all employees remain safe during these times. To ensure we are able to social distance appropriately, please contact the Service Desk and schedule a time to meet with one of our technicians if you have to bring your equipment in. We support in-person help on Tuesday’s from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. by appointment.

Our team practices safety measures by wearing face masks, using hand sanitizer continuously and disinfecting your device before giving it back to you. Please help us prevent the spread of COVID-19 by calling (303) 860-4357 and scheduling a time or open a ticket by emailing us at help@cu.edu. We look forward to serving you!

Want to get to know the UIS Service Desk? Visit the website to put a face to the name!

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: CREATE FILLABLE PDF FORMS

Have you ever needed to create a form as a fillable PDF? It’s not as difficult as you may think.

Learn how to easily turn a scanned paper form or a simple form made in Microsoft Word, Excel, or another application into an intelligent PDF form with this Adobe guide.

TIP #2: CONNECT TO VPN REGULARLY

What do you do if you see this Windows license dialogue box on your computer?

Some laptops can run into Windows licensing issues, update issues, etc. The UIS Service Desk recommends that you make certain to connect to the Cisco AnyConnect Security Mobility Client Virtual Private Network (VPN) on your machine at least once a week to help ensure that your PC is up-to-date with all policies, for licensing and data security. Visit the How to Guide section to learn more about VPNs.

Security tip: Use the VPN to boost Wi-Fi security at home and when traveling; it provides a secure connection to the CU network from any location and may be required to access many CU-specific drives and applications. Be sure to connect to the VPN before using unsecured networks or public Wi-Fi. Learn more security tips here. 

TIP #3: ADD EMOJIS TO YOUR KEYBOARD

You can quickly express yourself by adding an emoji with this nifty keyboard shortcut. Do this by pressing the Windows logo key + period (.) to open an emoji panel on a PC. For a Mac press Command + Control + Space to open an emoji panel.

In addition to traditional emojis, you can use kaomojis to create faces with text, as well as symbols—like rare punctuation and currency—to make a statement.

Not seeing the emoji keyboard? Contact the Service Desk for help.

Having other issues? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling (303) 860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: CREATE AND MODIFY OUTLOOK RULES

In a time when we are relying on electronic communications more than ever, it can often feel overwhelming with how many emails hit our inbox each day. Outlook makes it easy for users to manage and organize their inbox and allow you to teach Outlook how you want specific messages handled automatically.

Interested in finding out more? Check out the step-by-step instructions in Microsoft Office's walkthrough on managing email messages by using rules.

TIP #2: UNDO/REDO KEYBOARD SHORTCUT

We all make mistakes from time to time. It's impossible to go back in time to correct your previous actions like they never existed… or is it? If you find yourself editing a document and realize you need to quickly undo or redo previous actions, do so with ease using this week's keyboard shortcuts.

In many applications - including Adobe and Microsoft - pressing Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z in MacOS) undoes the last operation/action you performed. Conversely, you can redo the last operation/action performed by pressing Ctrl+Y (Cmd+Y in MacOS).

TIP #3: RESOLVING TEAMS LOGIN ISSUES

Sometimes after changing your system password, Teams may appear unresponsive, fail to update or fail to login. The login screen may appear blank or display the following message:

If you find yourself in this situation, follow the steps in the Service Desk's guide on How to Troubleshoot Microsoft Teams Login Issues.

Still having problems logging in? Please contact our technicians by emailing help@cu.edu or calling 303-860-HELP (4357). 

TIP #1: CREATE AND RENAME A MICROSOFT TEAMS GROUP CHAT

Creating a Microsoft Teams group chat is a great way to stay connected, collaborate and share files as a group – up to 100 people can participate.

Starting a group chat is easy:

• Start by selecting the New Chat icon at the top of Teams, next to the search box.
• To add members, select the field labeled To: Enter Name, Email or Tag and type the names of the people you want to add.
• Name your group using the field labeled Group Name. You can edit the group name at any time by selecting the Pencil Icon next to group’s name.   

Hosts can continue to invite members to the chat by clicking the Add People icon in the top right corner and can decide how much of the chat history a new member can view.

TIP #2: TEAMS VIDEO CHAT NOW ALLOWS FOR 9 PARTICIPANTS

The more, the merrier. As part of recent Microsoft Teams upgrades, users can now video chat with up to nine participants. (The previous limit was four). Microsoft launched this feature in response to many requests from users working at home.

TIP #3: PRINT IT FASTER WITH A KEYBOARD SHORTCUT

Print a document quickly by pressing Ctrl+P (Cmd+P in MacOS). From there, a preview window will let you print or save a PDF copy. This shortcut works in Microsoft O365, on internet browsers and in many other programs.

TIP #1: ARCHIVING MESSAGES IN OUTLOOK

Emails are a great way of communicating and serve as a reference for work done in the past, so it’s important to be able to have a way to access old emails. However, each user has a 100GB mailbox limit. If your mailbox gets too full, you will be unable to send/receive new emails and can make searching through old emails painstakingly slow. Don’t fret! You can easily clean up storage space without having to resort to deleting any messages.

Archiving your emails provides an easy, reliable way to clean up storage space while still providing you access to all the emails you’ve ever sent and received. Outlook also allows you to be in control of the method and frequency of archiving and has provided a number of resources to help:

• For those who prefer to ‘set it and forget it’, follow these steps: Archive older items automatically
• For those who want to have more control over when emails are archived or need to clean up space immediately, follow these steps: Archive items manually
• For more information on the different ways to archive Outlook messages, check out this Office article:  Archive in Outlook for Windows

TIP #2: CHECKING ZOOM AUDIO INPUT AND OUTPUT

We’ve shared with you before how to test your Zoom audio prior to joining a meeting, but have you ever run into issues with the volume of audio once the meeting starts? You can easily check and adjust the volume of your speaker or microphone during a meeting using these instructions on Testing Audio Using Audio Settings.

TIP #3: MICROSOFT UPDATES

Each month, the Service Desk deploys important updates that provides necessary – and sometimes critical – fixes to known issues with Microsoft products. Known as patches, these fixes are crucial in maintaining a reliable and secure system.

For University Information Services, the Service Desk deploys these updates on the third Saturday of each month, ready to install starting at 6:00 am by restarting your device. Installation is required by 6:00 pm the next day (Sunday).

For the rest of System Administration, the Service Desk deploys these updates the following Friday, ready to be installed starting at noon that day by restarting your device. Installation is required by noon the following Tuesday.

It is important to note that you must restart your computer in order for these updates to install. No action by that deadline will result in an automatic install, forcing your device to shut down. We recommend all users restart their devices prior to that deadline in order to avoid risking losing any unsaved information or being kicked out of a meeting due to the forced restart.

TIP #1: GETTING HELP IN MICROSOFT O365 APPLICATIONS

Do you find yourself needing a little assistance when using a Microsoft application like Word or Excel? Get the help you need with this week’s first keyboard shortcut.

While using a Microsoft O365 application, simply press F1 to bring up the Help Screen. From there, you can perform a number of actions including searching for help, reviewing featured help topics, formatting tips and templates and assistance with formulas and functions.

TIP #2: HOW TO RECALL A SENT EMAIL IN OUTLOOK

We’ve all been there – you hit Send on an email only to realize you sent it to the wrong person or forgot to include an attachment. If only there was a way to get that email back before the recipient sees it. Great news – there is! Message recall can delete or replace copies of that email (as long as they have not read the message yet).

To recall an email in Outlook, simply follow these instructions from Microsoft. Outlook can even confirm whether the recall succeeds or fails, allowing you to breathe a little easier knowing the status of your message.

TIP #3: FIND COMMAND KEYBOARD SHORTCUT

No longer scroll through documents trying to find the information you need with this week’s second keyboard shortcut.

In a Microsoft O365 document, press Ctrl+F (Cmd+F in MacOS) to open the Navigation/Find and Replace window (depending on the application). From there, type the word or phrase you are looking for into the search bar to locate your information.

TIP #1: VPN CONNECTION REQUIRED FOR SELECT CU RESOURCES

In the past, we’ve reminded you to always double check that you are connected to CU System’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) when working remotely, ensuring you have a secure, encrypted connection to our network. This VPN connection is required to access many CU-specific applications.

Earlier this month, UIS made it easier to identify when a VPN connection is required to access select CU Resources portal tiles. Each tile requiring a VPN connection is now marked with a red VPN label:

Need a refresher on connecting to the VPN? Check out the UIS Service Desk how-to-guides on configuring Cisco AnyConnect VPN.

TIP #2: REQUESTING A ZOOM PRO LICENSE

For many of us, Zoom has become a necessity to stay connected to each other and we want to make sure you are getting the most out of it. Some users have signed up for Zoom using the free login and their university email, but this does not give you all the features or protection that a Pro account offers.

UIS has purchased enough Zoom Pro Licenses to provision each System Administration employee with one. If you do need a Zoom account (whether brand new or upgraded from a free account), please contact the UIS Service Desk to request a Pro License by emailing help@cu.edu or calling 303-860-HELP (4357).

TIP #3: REDUCE YOUR RISK BY USING YOUR CU-PROVISIONED LAPTOP

For most users with a CU-provisioned laptop at home, there is no need to remote into a desktop at the office. As long as you are connected to the VPN, you will be able to access all CU applications and network drives (for example, your personal P: drive and shared S: drives).

By asking users to use only one CU-provisioned device, it reduces the risk of power issues - like the one experienced last week - and alleviates the need for each desktop computer to be rebooted after an outage. Please contact the UIS Service Desk for more information.

TIP #1: AVOIDING CORONAVIRUS-THEMED SCAMS

From phishing texts to emails appearing to come from the recipient’s IT help desk, would-be scammers are capitalizing on the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak with an increasing number of new scams.

The best way to protect yourself is to arm yourself with up-to-date information for recognizing phishing attempts and other scams. We encourage all CU System employees to review the Office of Information Security’s information and resources on coronavirus-themed scams and to report anything that looks “phishy” to you.

TIP #2: LOCKING YOUR COMPUTER - KEYBOARD SHORTCUT

As University of Colorado employees, it is our responsibility to protect potentially sensitive or confidential information. When you want to step away from your computer but not shut it off, press Windows+L (Ctrl+Cmd+Q in MacOS) to quickly lock your computer, keeping your files safe and preventing others from accessing your computer.

TIP #3: REMOVING JUNK EMAILS FROM YOUR INBOX

As intuitive as Outlook rules are, some junk mail will always make its way past the filter. While you can simply delete each message, there is a way to identify messages as junk and keep them out of your inbox for good.

To mark a message as junk, right click the message in the preview pane and locate the Junk option. From there, you can select a variety of options – including Block a Sender, ensuring those emails do not continue to clutter your inbox.