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@Lars220- I’ve very much missed the community here at AskWoody, and appreciate your kind words.
The Accessibility Blog is a great resource, thank you for pointing to it. I’ve bookmarked it, for reading at leisure.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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From the article:
Both home and Enterprise users were well informed of Windows 7’s impending doom and given ample time to upgrade or buy new machines. Guess what happened? Smart people left Windows 7 before support ended while stupid people did not.
Contrary to Fagioli’s point of view, the ‘stupid’ people only had to set automatic updates and accept all that Microsoft shoved them into. It took smarts to investigate the operating system being pushed on their machines and avoid getting shoved onto W10.
Smart people avoid telemetry and preserve their privacy. Smart people are using an operating system that works for them, and not for Microsoft. Smart people don’t have to have unwanted programs installed on their machines and using their resources. Smart people don’t submit to endless updating and non-security changes being pushed to their systems. Smart people avoid being unpaid beta testers for a billion dollar corporation. Smart people figured out how to stay on Windows 7 or moved to another non-Microsoft operating system.
Unfortunately, Microsoft no longer supports a suitable operating system for Home and Pro end users. They could, but instead are implementing a system that cannot function without telemetry, with programs that cannot be removed, and updates that cannot be refused for long. The ‘privacy’ options are a magic act that pretends to give users control, while continuing to harvest data…
How smart is it to call names, and declare people lazy and indifferent, when it took perseverance and active steps to avoid W10… while ignoring all the reasons that people have chosen to stay with Windows 7, despite corporate bullying? There isn’t any acknowledgement of why people my actually choose to avoid W10… and that is pretty lazy and stupid for a journalist to neglect when writing.
What is interesting is none of the Windows 7 machines still operating in my family and friends group have had any mal-ware, and remain stable and reliable… day in and day out. Pretty smart choice, I’d say.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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Malware can be sneaky…
I like to run through MajorGeeks Malware Removal… it uses multiple tools, but steps you through a specific sequence of steps in running them… just in case?
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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Do you have an extra external monitor that you could attach, to see that it works? If it worked, you could change between W7 and Mint and see if it is an operating system issue, or hardware… especially given that bit of light you saw.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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Just a non-technical observation- different e-mail clients use different spam filters, which usually need some ‘training’ when initially implemented.
I’d be checking what was filtered out into spam/trash to see if you are losing any legit communications, as well.
As people correctly label the received mail, the spam filter will become more accurate, and you will see less unwanted mail…
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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Do read PKCano’s Guide for Windows Update Settings for Windows 10, section 2, Home. The registry changes are reported to be working for now.
The trick regarding wushowhide is to set your internet to metered, unpause, and immediately run wushowhide… being on metered may allow you to block some updates before they are downloaded.
It is very much easier to control updating on Pro… you might look for Black Friday sales, but go through a legit vendor.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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When pause expires, or you click to resume, you then receive all available updates, just as if you clicked check for updates at that time.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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Any time Microsoft comes out with a new feature release, it also has to re-release that old chestnut KB4023057. It ensures that your computer is ready for the release by making sure you have enough hard drive space and checks that your windows update is ready for the process. If you don’t see it, it’s a sign your machine is ready for 20H2. If it is offered up, take it as a sign that you need to check hard drive space and ensure that your machine is otherwise healthy and ready.
Those of us intending to update on our own schedule, and not on Microsoft’s, would do well to avoid KB 4023057. It is designed to wipe out any way we may be blocking updating on their schedule.
This update may try to reset network settings if problems are detected, and it will clean up registry keys that may be preventing updates from being installed successfully.
This update may repair disabled or corrupted Windows operating system components that determine the applicability of updates to your version of Windows 10.
My intention is to run 1909, now that it is stable, to its end of life… and that means avoiding KB 4023057. The language Microsoft uses to describe things I may have done to ensure updating on my schedule, and not Microsoft’s, shows their hostility to end user preferences.
I’m sorry Susan… until Microsoft provides an absolute off switch for telemetry and demonstrates respect for end user’s needs and preferences, I absolutely intend to block updating any way necessary… and KB 4023057 is not my friend… Unless I have a problem I cannot diagnose that is interfering with updating when I decide to update, it is malware, pure and simple. Describing it as something that helps ready one’s computer for updating is as misleading as describing a car theft as helping me upgrade to a newer vehicle. Choice and consent is absent. (And for the compulsive who will reply that I agreed to the EULA, don’t bother… that is legal speak that covers Microsoft’s self entitlement, not something that is ethical in terms of real informed consent for end users… a way to legally defraud us, nothing more).
So… KB 4023057 is never downloaded onto my machines. It installs Microsoft Update Health Tools, which are designed to ignore and over ride any end user preferences I may set… so… no… not going to happen…
It did, by the way, show up this month, in wushowhide… and is safely hidden.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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I am notoriously slow in applying updates myself… and since retiring, it is all one long weekend for me… but for people in the US with jobs, the four day Thanksgiving holiday may be one of their few long breaks, giving ample time, just in case.
I’ve recommended that several family members go ahead and install 2004 because it suits their schedules. They have time to do back ups and imaging… and then install… and then have time to deal with any problems before they need their computers for work.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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It’s only third party antivirus, if you are running one, that had any problems.
Advanced system care isn’t an antivirus, but I might make sure the AI mode is turned off before updating. I don’t know enough about it, but when I see it detects threats.. well, it takes little time to turn it off, and then back on (if you are using it)… but that is for going to 2004, not regular updates…
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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My recommendation at this time for general use is to be running Windows 10 1909 or later. Its predecessor, 1903, will reach end of servicing on Dec. 8. I have not noted any issues with Windows 10 version 2004, but that’s not true for all users — especially those that use third-party antivirus.
No, Susan didn’t say it was time to upgrade to 2004, just that one should at least be on 1909…
Since there hasn’t been an announcement that it is time to upgrade to 2004, I take this as regular monthly upgrade advice… but it could be that Susan doesn’t realize that we are waiting for such a specific cue, and maybe she could clarify. In the US, with a long, four day weekend, it might be the perfect time to upgrade, if not planning to wait until close to 1909’s end of life.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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You missed Woody’s announcement- see Changing of the guard at Askwoody.com!
All of us are getting used to the changes. Susan isn’t Woody, but she knows her stuff.
If you prefer, wait to update until just before December’s Patch Tuesday… but most of the problems have been with managed business environments… or Malwarebytes (see Computerworld article).
Susan didn’t use the exact same format as Woody… she has her own voice… but she isn’t going to abandon us home users, either. If there is something you still need to know after reading her Computerworld article, post back here… and we’ll see if we can help you.
PS- Woody has a special place in many hearts here… he’s guided us reliably for years… but he’s taught us well, and we should be able to continue updating reliably and safely under Susan’s guidance.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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Libraries are just a way of organizing files, so deleting a library does not delete any files.
In the Navigation pane right click Music Library. Select Properties. It should open to show locations. Check any unwanted locations (such as Documents), select remove, and then be sure to select Apply, at the bottom.
That should remove the unwanted locations.
Then right click Libraries, and choose Restore default libraries, if you want the originals. If you want to add a library, click New.
My mistake is usually trying to delete the folder, rather than going to the library and deleting the location.
Having shaky hands, I’ve had to figure out what the heck did I just do, many times… Not sure what caused the changes you see, but an accidental drag and drop can rearrange things. In fact, it happened for me, as I was double checking what the exact steps were, so I could share with you!
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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I routinely rename the ISO, to be clear about the version number and date downloaded. The name change doesn’t alter anything, and makes it much easier for me to identify.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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As to #4- it is actually sometimes helpful, to have a second Windows account… like if you ever get hit with the empty desktop after an update, or to compare settings/behavior, or to diagnose whether something is Windows in general or something specific to a particular account… as well as running in a standard account, rather than an administrative account for security reasons.
Every account allows for individual adjustments regarding name, picture, password, and settings.
Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter
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