AskWoody

Chromebooks may get the capability to dual-boot into Windows

I’m gradually weaning myself away from Windows-only apps, using cloud-based apps (through both Chrome and Firefox) to get most of my work done.

There’s an interesting update on the XDA Developers forum about Campfire, Google’s Bootcamp-like project that will (if all works according to plan) allow you to run Windows programs on a dual-boot Chromebook.

Interesting stuff.

Time to make sure Windows Automatic Update is turned off

With Patch Tuesday arriving tomorrow, now’s a good time to triple-check and make sure you have Automatic Update turned off.

We’re still at MS-DEFCON 1: Current Microsoft patches are causing havoc. Don’t patch.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

Patch Lady – August 9th updates

Abbodii reminded us on the Patchmanagement.org list that the KBs that some are seeing released on August 9th are merely the infamous two year old update meant to pave the way for future feature upgrades.  As Abbodii reminded us, it’s had over 25 releases/re-releases so far.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4023057/update-to-windows-10-versions-1507-1511-1607-1703-and-1709-for-update

The next update – only out on Microsoft update – not on WSUS, nor on the catalog site will be offered up to some, but not all machines for various unknown issues:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4295110/updates-to-windows-10-version-1709-update-components-august-9-2018

Using the principles of the monthly Windows Servicing guidance of being Simple, Predictable, Agile and Transparent, I rate this not being transparent as it could be.

Rumors of a new, updated Coffee Lake chipset for Win7

It isn’t like you’ll be able to install and update Win7 on a fancy new power-mad PC. But it’s looking more and more like Intel and Microsoft may come to a cease-fire long enough to slip in a new, more powerful version of the old Coffee Lake processor.

Interesting, if it comes to pass – specifically for those who would like to run new-ish hardware with a stable operating system.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

We continue at MS-DEFCON 1: Don’t install any of the July patches

With August patches just around the corner, you’d be well advised to give up on the July patches. Yes, some folks dodged the (many!) bullets and managed to get some of the July patches installed without hosing their systems.

But for almost everybody, in almost every situation, the risk of installing the July patches is far, far greater than the risk of skipping them.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

Patch Lady on RunAsRadio Podcast

To listen to Susan Bradley on the subject of patching and her recent patching surveys, you can download this week’s podcast from runasradio.com’s Show 596

The mechanics of Windows and Office patching — explained in plain English

There’s a lot of confusion about “Week A” / “Week B” bafflegab and what constitutes a Preview. Microsoft’s explanations don’t make much sense.

To top it off, the theoretical framework for Patch Tuesday and its precedents and antecedents varies wildly from how patches happen in real life.

Here’s my attempt to untie the Gordian update knot.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

Patch Lady – Skype gets a reprieve

You may have already seen this in the Askwoody lounge but for once Microsoft listened to customer feedback.

I have seen many many many longtime users of Skype say that they are looking for alternatives due to all of the changes.  Just like the Windows 10 upgrades on 7, you’ve had to watch carefully in the Skype dialog boxes to not get upgraded.  So if you are a classic Skype user, watch those update/upgrade dialog boxes in the Skype interface as it just might try to trip you up.

I can’t believe I’m pointing to this…but there is guidance on ways to block the upgrade prompts in this forum post.