Take control of your Mac’s privacy

ISSUE 18.16 • 2021-05-03

APPLE

By Nathan Parker

Apple’s emphasis on privacy is focused on personal devices, such as iPads and iPhones. But Macs have privacy settings, too.

In my recent article “Take control of your privacy — iPhone & iPad” (AskWoody 18.12, 2021-04-05), I discussed many of the settings provided by iOS and iPadOS to control the privacy and security of the device and the apps running on it. Although one might think all Apple systems would be in lockstep, I have noticed that the settings in macOS are not quite as granular, not quite as detailed, as those in iOS/iPadOS.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.16.0 (2021-05-03).
This story also appears in the AskWoody Free Newsletter 18.16.F (2021-05-03).

More on OneDrive, and Symlinks

LANGALIST

By Fred Langa

A recent column on OneDrive problems brought a ton of email from readers asking for help with overcoming OneDrive’s poor documentation, weak user interface, and other limitations.

The largest group of questions was about using symlinks to allow OneDrive to automatically sync and process files or folders without having to first move and fit them all into the local C:\…\OneDrive\ folder.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.16.0 (2021-05-03).

Microsoft Casual: It ain’t all fun ’n’ games

PUBLIC DEFENDER

By Brian Livingston

New shoot-’em-up and twitch videogames get all the attention, but lots of people still like good ol’ strategy games, such as Solitaire and Minesweeper.

Microsoft removed its games from Windows 8, but they’re just lightly hidden in Windows 10. In addition, the whole Microsoft Casual Games package is downloadable — and boy, are people having problems.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.16.0 (2021-05-03).

How to control the privacy of your Microsoft account

MICROSOFT

By Lance Whitney

You can review and manage a host of privacy settings and collected data for your Microsoft account via a dedicated account website.

I know that some Windows users shy away from creating a Microsoft account because they’re concerned about the software giant siphoning up too much information about them. That’s certainly a valid concern. Like other tech companies, Microsoft will track many of your activities to “customize your experience” but also, sadly, to serve you targeted ads and other content.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.16.0 (2021-05-03).

Last call for 1909

PATCH WATCH

By Susan Bradley

All’s clear for updating. Plus, I bid farewell to the man who saved the Internet.

As noted in my Alert last week, I’ve given the all-clear to install updates this month. The printing bugs have been squashed, and no other issues are apparent.

If you have still not installed updates, review your deferral settings. If you’ve chosen to defer updates to a specific date, click on Start, Settings, Windows update. If updates are deferred, you will see a bold notice that updates are paused plus a Resume updates button. Clicking that button will clear any deferrals you have set.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.16.0 (2021-05-03).

Tasks for the weekend May 1, 2021 – How to remove IE

(YouTube video here)

So now that new Edge is out you may ask yourself … “Self? Is it wise to keep Internet Explorer 11 on my Windows 10?”

Some people have indicated that they proactively have removed IE from their systems and then realized some applications demand – even now – that Internet Explorer is still kept on the system. The biggie in the small business space is QuickBooks. Yes indeed, it still demands that Internet Explorer is installed.

IF you want to proactively remove it here are the steps:

20H2 instructions:
Open Settings.
Click on Apps.
Click on Apps & features.
Then on optional features.
Click on Internet Explorer 11 option.
Click to Uninstall.
Click the Restart now button.

Consider this an “optional” task for the weekend for those that have a backup and are in a beta testing mood. If you find a key application needs it just go back through the steps above and this time click to add features and choose Internet Explorer 11. Reboot again and it’s back on your machine. Remember to not have the “metered connection” trick enabled otherwise the reinstallation will fail.

What would you suggest?

Patrick writes…..

At the present, I am running a desktop 11 year old Dell Studio 540 with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 at 2.50 gHz (purchased in 2009). The HDD is beginning to run less than quietly. It is running Windows 10 20H2 (OS Build 19042.964). I just took almost 2 days (not full time, but agonizing anyway) to get iCloud for Windows working again with my Outlook 2016 after a Windows Update.

When we recently got AT&T Fiber installed, I tried to connect with the Cat 5 cable installed in the house – to no effect, so I added a Mesh system. It works, but the signal is pretty low where the computer is installed.

Which would be the better choice for me – (1) replace the HDD (I’ve been using a Seagate Portable 2 Gig SCSI disk to image the internal drive which is partitioned into C:,H, and J), or just buy a new computer and start over?

So what would you do?  I’ll add my recommendation in the comments.

MS-DEFCON 4: Patching is approved

ISSUE 18.15.1 • 2021-04-30

By Susan Bradley

Proceed to update.

I’m separating my patching guidance into two categories — one for consumer or home users and one for business users. And I’m changing our MS-DEFCON level to 4. At this time, I’m not seeing major issues with updating.

Consumer and home users

The April updates have been much better behaved and I’m not seeing any major issues with the releases. Problems identified in 2004/20H2 as impacting performance in games have been automatically mitigated by Microsoft, using its Known issue rollback process. The April updates also resolved the lingering issues with printing triggered with the March updates. Importantly, the April updates install the new, Chromium-based Edge as the default browser and remove the old, “legacy” Edge. Be aware that this update will reset default programs, such as your PDF reader, to the new Edge; you’ll need to make manual adjustments to restore your preferences.

Note: Going forward, when AskWoody mentions “Edge,” you should assume we mean the new, Chromium-based Edge. Otherwise, we will refer to legacy Edge.

If you are still using Windows 10 Home or Pro 1909 you have only until May before that version is no longer supported. If you have not already upgraded to 20H2, I recommend taking this opportunity to do so. Remember, my favorite way to upgrade is to use the Update now button on the Software download page.

Business users

Coming with the preview releases for Windows 10, and included in the May Security releases, Microsoft will be including a new “News and Interests” taskbar item that will feature topics of interest to your users. If you want to proactively block it, use the Group Policy editor or adjust registry keys.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Alert 18.15.1 (2021-04-30).

21H1 is getting closer

You’ve probably seen the news that the release of 21H1 is getting closer.

You know how I feel about the initial release of feature releases. I prefer to hold back a bit. Remember we have ways now to better control when feature releases are installed. The good news is that even for “seekers” the 21H1 release won’t automatically install. You’ll have to approve it being installed.

The updated features included in it are underwhelming even for businesses. Windows Hello improvements and Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) performance improvements are the two often touted.  For me the big advantage is the  life cycle support.

But bottom line, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered and will let you know when it’s safe.

So can you fix line spacing please?

You can always tell when the Microsoft marketing department comes into full swing. There is something in the news that makes you raise an eyebrow.

Today’s edition is “Microsoft wants to know what font you prefer as the new default for Word”. You can even vote on it.

Seriously. You can read about it on the Thurrott blog or straight from their site.

I have always said that Word can take 10% of your time to compose a document and 90% of the time to get it formatted and printed. Here’s some things I’d love to have Microsoft work on before a new font:

Stop autocorrecting certain things like HSA into HAS. If I typed in HSA because it’s an accounting term for a Health savings account, I really meant HSA.  You need to be smarter about autocorrect. Many times you are not helpful.

My fellow peeps often fondly remember PFS write.  It allowed you to type and got out of the way. There needs to be a PFS write mode – something that would make it not autocorrect, not try to be helpful in formatting and numbering and just let us type.

Numbering: OMG the number of times I have to fix formatting of bulleted lists because things get indented in such weird ways that make no sense.

Line spacing: Sometimes Word is just possessed in how it things you want things spaced. Often we need things double spaced and oh no Word thinks I want instead EXACTLY  18.5PT stuff that pops up every now and then? The number of times I have to use the format paint (the paintbrush icon) to copy the format that works to a place where it’s not …. well just say I’ve done it a lot.

What about you? What drives you insane about Word?

New PC? Lost your Microsoft account password?

ISSUE 18.15 • 2021-04-26

MICROSOFT

By Ben Myers

If your dog ate your Microsoft account credentials, Microsoft will welcome you to the tenth circle of hell.

You probably don’t want to hear this, because you’ve been nagged this way before; but make sure you have a safe record of your user credentials for every online account you maintain. Just do it.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.15.0 (2021-04-26).
This story also appears in the AskWoody Free Newsletter 18.15.F (2021-04-26).

New M1 devices from Apple

APPLE NEWS

By Will Fastie

Last week Apple welcomed more models into its family of M1-powered devices, including two new iPads!

I listened to last Tuesday’s Apple event announcing a new iMac and the new iPads as well as several other less important products. I have a lot of thoughts not only about the products, but also about how Apple might interact with us in the future.

Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 18.15.0 (2021-04-26).
This story also appears in the AskWoody Free Newsletter 18.15.F (2021-04-26).