Who this is for / when to use it
You need to install an application on your JCB (Cornell-owned) computer. Before you put in a ticket or contact the Help Desk, check whether you can install it yourself — much of the software used across JCB is available for you to install on your own, in seconds, with no ticket and no waiting:
- On a Windows PC: open Software Center.
- On a Mac: open Self Service.
These are the JCB software catalogs on Cornell-owned computers. JCB IT curates what's in them so approved, licensed software can be installed on demand — and anything you pick installs on its own, without needing admin rights. Self-installing is faster for you.
Good to know: not everything is available this way — the catalogs carry a curated subset of software, so specialized, brand-new, or individually-licensed apps may not appear. But many of the applications used most across JCB are there, so it's always worth checking first. If what you need isn't listed, see If the software you need isn't there below.
Before you start
- This works on JCB-managed, Cornell-owned computers, where Software Center (Windows) and Self Service (Mac) come pre-installed.
- On a personal (non-Cornell-owned) device these catalogs don't apply.
Steps
On a Windows PC (Software Center)
- Open Software Center. Click the Search bar and start typing
Software Center, then open it.
- Go to the Applications tab to see what's available to you.
- Find the app you want and click it — browse the list or use the search box.
- Click Install. The app downloads and installs on its own — you don't need admin rights, and you can keep working.
- When it finishes, the status changes to Installed. Your new app is ready to open from the Start menu.
On a Mac (Self Service)
- Open Self Service. The quickest way is Spotlight: press ⌘ + Space, type
Self Service, and press Return. (It's also in your Applications folder.) 
- Browse or search for the app you want.
- Click Install under the app. It downloads and installs on its own — no admin password needed.
- When it finishes, open your new app from the Applications folder or Launchpad.
Common problems / if that didn't work
The software you need isn't in the catalog (or is listed but won't install). That's expected sometimes — the catalog is a curated subset, not everything. This is the point to contact JCB IT. It helps to mention:
- The exact name of the software you need (and a version, if it matters).
- That you already checked Software Center / Self Service and it wasn't there (or wouldn't install) — that saves us a step.
- Whether it's for a specific deadline, class, or project, in case licensing needs to be arranged.
- Software Center won't open or is empty on Windows — give it a few minutes after login (it syncs its list in the background), then try again. If it's still empty, restart the PC once and reopen it. If it never populates, contact JCB IT.
- The app is listed but the install fails or gets stuck — restart the machine and try once more; a pending update or reboot can block installs. If it fails again, note the app name and any error message for JCB IT.
- You can't find Software Center / Self Service at all — it should be pre-installed on JCB-managed, Cornell-owned machines. If it's genuinely missing, your machine may not be enrolled in JCB management yet — contact JCB IT.
Still stuck?
If the software isn't in the catalog, won't install after a restart, or the tool itself is missing, contact itrequests@business.cornell.edu.
Still need help? Contact the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Helpdesk at itrequests@business.cornell.edu.
[edited via Jane by kdf52 on 2026-08-26 19:01 UTC]