Upgrade of campus machines to Windows 11
IST Client Services worked with Academic Support Units (ASUs) to upgrade capable devices to Windows 11, rollover or replace older devices, and identify devices that needed Windows 10 Extended Security Updates. This work required strong collaboration and coordination with IT contacts in ASUs, IST Client Services and IST Technology Integrated Services, and was essential to ensure Windows systems in ASUs are secure and kept up to date.
Windows 11 builds on the foundation of previous Windows versions but introduces new design elements, productivity tools, security measures, and performance enhancements.
Other 2025 accomplishments
Some of the other great work from the past year
M365 changes and education campaign
Changes to the M365 platform in 2025 required strong change management, communication, training and support efforts by the IST Client Services team. M365 Information sessions were offered throughout the Spring 2025 term, along with related IT professional development courses. Topics included: Sensitivity Labels rollout, OneDrive, Email, SharePoint and MS Teams Quotas, Pronouns, and Teams Chats data retention. This work was essential in ensuring the campus was prepared and able to navigate these changes successfully.
Microsoft Intune rollout
IST Client Services and Technology Integrated Services worked with Academic Support Units (ASUs) to upgrade capable devices to Windows 11, rollover or replace older devices and identify devices that needed Windows 10 Extended Security Updates. This work required strong collaboration and coordination with IT contacts in ASUs, IST Client Services and IST Technology Integrated Services, and was essential to ensure Windows systems in ASUs are secure and kept up to date.
M365 License portal migration (from Grouper)
IST Client Services worked with clients and IT contacts across campus, with support from IST Technology Integrated Services, to move generic, service, and affiliated staff accounts to the new M365 License Portal. This initiative included a clean-up of accounts no longer needed and will require yearly sponsorship to ensure only accounts needed are assigned M365 Licenses. This work also ensured the correct licenses are applied for the use case, and reduced the number of licenses required and the total costs for these licenses to the University of Waterloo.
SharePoint Alerts depreciation project
Microsoft is retiring SharePoint Alerts in July 2026. Modern notification solutions based upon the Power Automate platform or SharePoint Rules can be used as alternatives. IST Client Services prepared documentation, SharePoint Alerts Replacement Alternatives - Power Automate and SharePoint Rules, and a support model for this work and completed an outreach to owners of existing Alerts to ensure they are prepared and have time to migrate their alerts to an alternative.
Mailman list migration to Microsoft Distribution Lists
As part of the Email Improvement project, IST Client Services worked with IST Technology Integrated Services to plan, test, communicate, support and document the migration of existing IST hosted Mailman lists to Distribution Lists. To date, many lists have been migrated and more will be completed in 2026. More information about the new DLs can be found at Distribution lists (DLs) in Microsoft Outlook.
Upcoming 2026 initiatives
A look at what we'll be working on in 2026
IST Webstore
In 2025, a review was completed of the applications available to members of the Waterloo community, via the IST Webstore, and related processes and functionality of this service. In 2026, related work will continue to enhance the support and usability of this service.
CanHEIT conference
CanHEIT (Canadian Higher Ed IT Conference) is coming to the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University in June 2026. This conference brings IT staff from Universities across Canada together to learn, share and collaborate. IST Client Services and other IT staff at both universities will be working to make this conference a success.