HOW TO: Access the Clemson Software Repository (Windows or Mac)
Estimated Reading Time: 4 MinutesHOW TO ACCESS THE SOFTWARE REPOSITORY
The preferred method for installing commonly used software at Clemson is the Company Portal. But some software is not available there - or if you have any issues using it, the Software Repository is a second option.
The software repository is the source where all of the software that Clemson has available is stored. Check here for a full list of available software. Although some software can be downloaded by any Clemson user, many software packages are designated for specific college or group use.
Before doing any of the below instructions, if you are off campus, you must first connect to the Clemson VPN. Follow these instructions (https://hdkb.clemson.edu/phpkb/article.php?id=64) to do so, then continue reading below.
This article contains four parts. Three will include how to map the Software drive on your computer (Windows 11, Windows 10, and Mac), and how to install software from the software drive.
- Click on the yellow file folder in the taskbar or Windows, File Explorer.
- Right-click on This PC (on the sidebar).
- Click on Map network drive.
- On the Map network drive screen:
- Select a drive letter not currently used.
- Under Folder enter \\software.clemson.edu\software
- Uncheck Reconnect at sign-in.
- Check Connect using different credentials.
- Click on Finish.
- You will be asked to sign in to the Clemson network with your Clemson user name and your Clemson password. Then click OK.
- Now you will see a new drive named software in your File Explorer. If you click on it, you will see a list of folders for the Software you can install. For more details on installing software, scroll down to the instructions on using the Software Repository where the details of using the folder are the same as Windows 10.
- First, open the folder in the taskbar (or Search, File Explorer) and click on This PC. If the little caret (arrow) in the upper right hand corner is pointing down, click on it to make it point up so you can see the ribbon. If it is pointing up and you already see the ribbon, leave it alone.
- Next, click on Map network drive in the ribbon, then click Map network Drive.
- Select a Drive letter not currently in use. Enter \\software.clemson.edu\software as the Folder. Uncheck the box that says Reconnect at sign-in and check the box that says Connect using different credentials. When this is all filled out, press Finish at the bottom.
- Enter your Clemson username and password when prompted and then click OK.
- The software drive can now be accessed from This PC in the File Explorer. It will be called software and associated with the letter you selected. When you are finished, it will disconnect when you restart your computer. Or to disconnect without restarting, right click on the drive letter and select Disconnect.
- Click on the Finder Icon in your dock.
- From the Menu bar at the top of your screen, click Go.
- Choose Connect to Server from the drop-down menu (Command+K).
- Highlight the address bar and enter smb://software.clemson.edu/software
- And then click Connect.
- Select Registered User and enter your Clemson username and password.
- Again click Connect to connect to the software repository.
- If you see a window with several folders, then you have successfully connected to the software repository.
- Once you are in the Repository, scroll down until you find the software that you would like to install. Find the Mac folder.
- Notice the folder titled Documentation. Certain programs will have important installation keys and notes in this folder, thus it is good practice to read the files in this folder before starting an installation.
HOW TO INSTALL SOFTWARE IN THE SOFTWARE REPOSITORY
- Scroll down until you find the software that you would like to install. Some applications that you will install will be divided into subfolders sorted by operating systems. For instance, scroll down until you see the Microsoft Site-Licensed folder. Double-click the folder and you will see a subfolder for each operating system.
- For some applications, there will be a folder titled “Documentation” or a file named "readme". Certain programs will have important installation keys and notes in this folder, so it is good practice to read the files in this folder before starting an installation.
- To temporarily see the file extensions for the files in the folders, click on the View tab in File Explorer, and then click File name extensions. (You can turn this off later if you do not need it.)
- To install a piece of software look for one of the files that say include the word Install or Setup and have a file extension of .exe or .vbs. If you do not see an .exe or .vbs file that seems to be the installer, then you may need to refer back to the Documentation folder for one of the text files mentioned earlier.
If you have further questions or need assistance please contact the help desk via ITHELP@clemson.edu or 864-656-3494.