Newsletter Archives

• Shutdown.exe /f

  Posted on April 11, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  As this weekly column reaches the end of its 25-year run, it’s a bittersweet moment for me.

  But in large part because of you, dear reader, there’s far more sweet than bitter!

  Thank you!

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.15.0, 2022-04-11).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  AskWoody FREE Newsletter, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList

• Tying up loose ends

  Posted on April 4, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  The last few months have been unusually busy; this column has featured several deep-dive, multi-part installments covering Windows 11, Remote Desktop, and other major topics — along with some truly excellent reader mail spawned by those topics.

  But new information keeps pouring in, especially on Windows 11. So here’s a nonstandard, “catching-up” column that fleshes out and adds to some previous topics — tying up some of the loose ends and opening some new areas to explore!

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.14.0, 2022-04-04).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Google, LangaList

• Registry backups: Yea or nay?

  Posted on March 28, 2022 at 02:43 CDT by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  Windows has had the ability to separately back up and restore its Registry — the essential internal database of software settings — since Windows 98. But do Registry backups still make sense in the era of Windows 10/11?

  Plus: A subscriber seeks clarification of the difference between a Windows Recovery Disk and the Windows Recovery Environment.

  And: A subscriber asks for help tracking down a long-forgotten family photo that was unexpectedly displayed by the Windows lock screen slideshow!

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.13.0, 2022-03-28).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList, Photos, Windows Recovery Environment, Windows registry

• Help for trouble with peer networking and ransomware protection

  Posted on March 21, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  In this week’s first reader-submitted question, a subscriber’s peer (serverless) network simply will not allow his three PCs to share files, despite there being no obvious flaws. Why won’t it work?

  In the second, a different subscriber wants to enable Windows’ excellent, built-in ransomware protection (via “Protected folders”) but is prevented from doing so by other elements of his setup. Here’s the fix!

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.12.0, 2022-03-21).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList Anti-malware, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList, Ransomware, Windows networking

• Salvaging a fatally hacked PC

  Posted on March 14, 2022 at 02:44 CDT by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  A subscriber’s PC was commandeered by malware; even the administrator’s account is now inaccessible! How can this PC be safely returned to service, especially now that Windows 11 is closing some of the old back-door admin-access workarounds?

  Plus: Is Google’s Remote Desktop just another way for Google to snoop on us? Does using Remote Desktop create new privacy vulnerabilities?

  And: A question about analog versus digital audio in portable devices, and their relative effects on battery life.

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.11.0 (2022-03-14).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Audio, Google Remote Desktop, LangaList, Remote Desktop Connection, System Recovery

• Do external hard drives make sense in the cloud-storage era?

  Posted on March 7, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  With effectively infinite storage available online, is there any point to storing files and backups locally, on external hard drives? A subscriber’s question prompts today’s first item.

  The second item looks at a PC electrical glitch. A subscriber has a battery-backed uninterruptible power supply and an emergency generator. Trouble is, they won’t work with each other! Here’s what’s probably going on, and how to correct it.

  Last, you’ll see ways to connect to an unknown, potentially compromised, public USB charging port — without risking your device’s data!

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.10.0 (2022-03-07).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList, Power, storage, USB Charging

• ‘Shell’ Extensions; Quick Assist; and moving a spinning HDD

  Posted on February 28, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  It was another busy week for the AskWoody email servers, as your fellow subscribers sent in tips, observations, and questions covering a huge range of issues. Here are some of the most interesting!

  First up: An excellent tip involving another way to check for the cause of File Explorer malfunctions.

  Second: Remote Desktop’s gussied-up cousin, “Quick Assist.”

  And last: When you absolutely must, here’s how to safely move an active, spinning hard drive!

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.09.0 (2022-02-28).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, File Explorer, hard drive, LangaList, Quick Assist, Remote Desktop Connection

• Wide-ranging reader questions

  Posted on February 21, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  The AskWoody email servers have been busy! This week’s column features three interesting questions and tips submitted by your fellow subscribers.

  First up: We look at several potential workarounds for OneDrive backup issues.

  Second: A reader encounters the one time when an unexpected reboot doesn’t necessarily signify trouble.

  And last: A malfunctioning copy of File Explorer resists all repair attempts!

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.08.0 (2022-02-21).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, File Explorer, LangaList, OneDrive, reboot

• New to “remote desktops?” Start here!

  Posted on February 14, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  Previous columns discussed several remote desktops — software that lets you access and use a distant PC just as if you were sitting at its keyboard.

  Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop was the main focus because it’s much easier to configure and use than Windows’ built-in Remote Desktop Connection.

  However, if you’ve never used any remote-access tool before, some of the concepts and set-up steps may seem confusing at first.

  So, here’s additional information and a step-by-step guide to get you up and running with Chrome Remote Desktop!

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.07.0 (2022-02-14).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Chrome Remote Desktop, LangaList, Remote Desktop Connection

• Readers speak: Remote Desktop options

  Posted on February 7, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  A remote desktop connection lets you access and use a distant PC just as if you were sitting at its keyboard. It’s a great way to access your files and apps from anywhere, or to provide long-distance assistance to others.

  Last week’s column focused on the limitations of Windows’ built-in Remote Desktop Connection and on the strengths of Google’s free Remote Desktop.

  This week, your fellow AskWoody subscribers respond. Here’s a selection of their Remote Desktop–related tips, advice, and suggested alternatives!

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.06.0 (2022-02-07).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList, Remote Desktop Connection

• A better remote desktop connection

  Posted on January 31, 2022 at 02:45 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  ISSUE 19.05 • 2022-01-31

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  Alas, it’s not the one built into Windows.

  A remote desktop connection (RDC) lets you access and use a distant PC just as if you were sitting at its keyboard, whether that second device is in the next room or halfway around the world.

  For yourself, RDC provides a way to access files and apps from anywhere. Need something from your PC back home, when you’re on the road? No problem: Use RDC to connect and send yourself the files you need.

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.05.0 (2022-01-31).
  This story also appears in the AskWoody Free Newsletter 19.05.F (2022-01-31).

  AskWoody FREE Newsletter, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList, Remote Desktop Connection

• Inaccessible backups, and a dead laptop

  Posted on January 24, 2022 at 02:44 CST by Fred Langa • Comment in the Forums

  LANGALIST

  

  By Fred Langa

  How can you repair what you can’t get at? Today’s column covers two problems caused by very different access issues.

  In one case, a subscriber is locked out of her old, obsolete backup files; she can neither access nor delete them and thus cannot recover the huge chunk of disk space they occupy.

  In another, a different subscriber needs to data-wipe (“sanitize”) the hard drive of a fatally damaged laptop. But how can he wipe the drive when the laptop won’t even turn on?

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 19.04.0 (2022-01-24).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, LangaList AskWoody Plus Newsletter, backup, destroy data, LangaList
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