You have access to a wide range of software to help you succeed in your course.
All Open Access Area PCs and laptops are equipped with the AppsAnywhere desktop icon, which lets you download software you need and access software remotely if you need to. You can also download additional software to your University or personal laptop or computer.
If you need to access software held on a lab computer, find out how to get remote access to lab computers from your personal device.
Available software and directories
Quick Links:
AppsAnywhere Adobe Creative Cloud Microsoft 365 Google Sophos ArcGIS Plesk Other
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AppsAnywhere |
AppsAnywhere is the University Apps portal that allows you to stream apps and download software for study and work - available anywhere, on and off-campus, anytime.
Go to the AppsAnywhere portal Get installation instructions and user guides
AppsAnywhere Update
AppsAnywhere version 2.12 will be implemented shortly. In the meantime, here are just some of the new features:
All new UI
A brand new experience for our app store.
100% Windows apps to any device
All your apps in one place. Anywhere, anytime.
New validation workflow
The new validation process is much less intrusive!
App Lists
Quick links to course-specific apps.
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Adobe Creative Cloud |
Adobe Creative Cloud is a set of applications and services from Adobe Systems that gives users access to a collection of software used for, but not limited to, graphic design, video editing, web development and photography. Find out more about Creative Cloud.
Access Creative Cloud software
Due to licensing restrictions, Creative cloud is only available on University devices via Appsanywhere
Adobe software is locally installed without the need for AppsAnywhere in Eldon building but is available from AppsAnywhere everywhere else on campus.
Accessing Creative Cloud software on your device
1. To open an Adobe Creative Cloud product, select it from the Adobe CC folder from the Start Menu.
2. The application will begin to load, after a few moments you will be presented with a log in screen. Enter your university email address into the Email field e.g. up123456@myport.ac.uk.
3. Tab or select the password field, once you are presented with the next screen, choose the Enterprise ID option.
4. You will automatically be directed to the University log in servers. Once the log in has completed, your software will launch.
5. The Adobe log in will remain valid the whole time you are logged into that PC so you can use other Adobe applications without logging in again.
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Microsoft 365 (Office) |
As well as being freely available to use on University PC's, the University offers a free subscription to Microsoft 365. The subscription allows you to download the desktop version of Office on up to 5 PCs or Macs. You can also access the web-based version of Office and use the mobile versions for phone or tablet.
Using Office online
- Go to Office.com
- Sign in with your student email address and university password. e.g. up1234567@myport.ac.uk
- Select one of the applications on the left side or open a previous file from the quick access list.
Using office online is convenient for working across multiple devices, it automatically saves work to cloud storage, and has integrated Turnitin tools.
Installing office on a personal device
- Go to https://www.office.com/
- Here you can use online Office services or find the latest download links for your chosen device.
Password Changes
Please note: If you change your University computer account password at password.port.ac.uk, your Microsoft 365 on-line account password will also update - This usually takes around 5 minutes or less, but can take up to 30 minutes to update and will end any active logins.
Subscription terms:
- Your Microsoft account is created automatically when you enrol at the University. The subscription will last as long as you are a registered student.
- When your active student status ends you will have 30 days to back up any online data from this account (OneDrive, SharePoint, etc.) after which your account will be permanently removed from these online locations.
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Google Workspace |
Google Workspace Suite includes access to Gmail, Calendar and Drive. Also Docs, Sheets and Slides.
Your Gmail account is the main method of communication in the University. Your username is your username plus @myport.ac.uk. For example, up123456@myport.ac.uk.
You get considerable cloud storage with access to Google Drive. This is storage you can access anywhere, without needing to connect to the University's virtual private network.
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Sophos Antivirus |
Antivirus software is used to ensure you are protected by numerous threats on the internet such as malware, viruses and identity theft. Information Services recommends to use the following free antivirus software.
Windows 10
Windows Defender comes as standard with Windows 10 and is automatically enabled so no action is required, you are automatically protected.
macOS
Although Apple Macs are less likely to become infected with viruses, there is still a possibility this may occur. Macs can also be vulnerable to other threats such as information theft. If you would like to stay extra vigilant, Sophos have a free product which is very effective at keeping you safe online and is available to download.
Linux
Sophos offer a free version of anti-virus for Linux.
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ESRI ArcGIS |
ESRI offer a range of Geographical Information System (GIS) services that you have access to. The University has licensed these services for academic use only.
The following software is available:
- ArcGIS Online – an external hosted online service that offers access to interactive mapping, data services, and more
- ArcGIS Pro – a GIS desktop application
- ESRI Training – a training platform for mapping, spatial analysis, and more (individual training courses are set by ESRI and availability of premium courses may be limited)
Access to all services is granted through your University computer account login details.
ArcGIS Pro
You can stream ArcGIS Pro from AppsAnywhere.
- Log in to ArcGIS using your University computer account login
- Click on your name (top right)
- Select My Settings
- Select Licenses on the left hand side of the page
- Scroll down until you see ArcGIS Pro and click Download
- Run the installer
Home installation is not supported by Information Services or the department/school staff, although staff will try to assist students where possible. For usage questions once installed, please contact department/school staff.
An internet connection is required to license ArcGIS Pro.
- Run ArcGIS Pro.
- When prompted for the license (first run) or when logging in (top right in Pro) tick sign me in automatically at the bottom of the window.
- Click on Your ArcGIS organization's URL.
- Enter portuni (tick to remember the URL).
- Click Continue.
- Click on University of Portsmouth.
- Use your University computer account login details.
ESRI ArcGIS alternative
QGIS is free open source software (FOSS) GIS that can be streamed from AppsAnywhere or from the QGIS website. It matches the capability of most aspects of ArcGIS Pro and is available on Windows/macOS and Linux.
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Plesk - web hosting management software |
Plesk is a web hosting management software you can use for project work. The University has both Linux and Windows Plesk servers so you will need to select the appropriate option when requesting a site. You can request a site through Service Desk.
Important information about using Plesk:
- You will be able to login directly to the Plesk Control Panel via a web browser – see demonstrations of Plesk
- If you prefer to create in MsSQL or ASP.NET you will need a Windows operating system
- MySQL backend is available on Windows or Linux, and MsSQL is available on Windows
- You'll get 500Mb of space to host your website – you can request more if needed
- If an issue with the web contents functionality is caused by a transfer, IT Support will help
- If you need to setup a redirect to the new site, you can contact IT Support
- You can use FTP to transfer data for Windows and SSH for Linux – FTP is only available internally
If you have a virtual domain address registered in the University domain name service (DNS) that address can be kept, for example 'crm.port.ac.uk'. However, if you are a userweb address owner, for example http://userweb.port.ac.uk/~yourname, this will change to http://username.myweb.port.ac.uk. In both cases the physical address of the host will have changed and any direct references to ‘Betel’ or Betel’s IP address must be changed in the coding to reflect the new system.
Plesk
- All websites must be primarily for educational purposes and not for private use.
- Web content hosted on the University of Portsmouth web hosting service must be work, study or research related.
- Restricted data must not be collected, stored or processed on or via websites without the written approval of the Complaints/Information Disclosure Officer (ext 3642) and the Security Architect (ext 3279). Restricted data is defined in Annex A of the University Data Protection Policy.
- You must not use the website to post or transmit any information that breaches the copyright or intellectual property rights of any third party.
- Website owners, activities and content published in www.xyz.myweb.ac.uk and www.xyz.myport.ac.uk domains, are subject to all University of Portsmouth security policies.
- Fraudulent, deceptive, defamatory, obscene, racist, sexist or pornographic content must not be published via or on the website.
- You must not tamper with or hinder the normal operations of the website, attempt to disable the website, or attempt any unauthorised modifications to the website or its contents.
- The security of your username and/or password is your sole responsibility. Do not disclose your password to any other member of staff, student or third party.
- Proprietary web applications and tools will not be supported (e.g. Adobe Flash Player, iTunes, Adobe Photoshop, Google Earth, Skype, WinZip).
- The University of Portsmouth reserves the right to disconnect websites known to be at high risk of compromise.
Bloomberg software
Bloomberg software is available in the following locations:
- Richmond Building 1.01 x 8 PCs
- Richmond Building 1.08 x 19 PCs (this room is available when not in use for teaching)
- Richmond Building 2nd floor x 1 PC (PC 02 next to the diner booths – 2nd PC in next to the wall)
- Library first floor x 3 (On the first floor next to the staircase above the print station – they can be identified by the Bloomberg keyboards attached)
Mathworks (MATLAB)
You can access MATLAB and Simulink through our Universities sitewide license.
Visit our Mathworks page for downloads and advice.
Maxon Cinema 4D
Maxon Cinema 4D is the perfect package for all 3D artists who want to achieve breathtaking results fast and hassle-free. Beginners and seasoned professionals alike can take advantage of Cinema 4D’s wide range of tools and features to quickly achieve stunning results.
Adobe Substance Suite
Adobe Substance Suite has inspiring, intelligent tools and content to create and apply materials for 3D.
SideFX Houdini
SideFX Houdini is built from the ground up to be a procedural system that empowers artists to work freely, create multiple iterations and rapidly share workflows with colleagues.
Discounted software
- Academia provide discounted educational software to students, view their student store
- Pugh provide discounted educational software to students, view their student store
- Software4Students offers you more than 100 discount software packages from Microsoft Office, Kaspersky, Adobe and many more with exclusive discounts for students
- You can purchase EndNote software at a reduced rate. You may be asked to provide evidence of your student status
Additional free software
Depending on the requirements of your course, you may have access to additional software.
Software for CCI students
If you're studying in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries, you might need access to software only installed on specific computers across campus.
Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching (STEM Students)
If you're studying in a STEM department (Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths), you can access additional Microsoft software, including Microsoft Project.
You'll need to have created a free Office 365 Account to download this additional software. If you already have an account, you can download Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching from the Microsoft website.