Newsletter Archives
-
May’s messy updates
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
Although the May releases for both Windows and Apple have not introduced side effects or hiccups so far, they haven’t been as problem-free as they should have been.
Apple released the first of its “rapid response” updates, announced last June and supposedly allowing the company to deploy important security-only software updates without demanding a reboot.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.20.0, 2023-05-15).
-
MS-DEFCON 2: Settling down for a stable Windows 10
ISSUE 20.18.1 • 2023-05-04 By Susan Bradley
The order of the day is Windows 10 22H2.
With Patch Tuesday just around the corner, it’s time to defer updates. Therefore, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
However, there is one exception. If you are running Windows 10, update to release 22H2 as soon as possible. If you can’t get to it by Tuesday, defer — but be sure to get it done before the end of May.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.18.1, 2023-05-04).
-
Windows 11 erases Windows 10 digital-signature fix
ISSUE 20.16 • 2023-04-17 PUBLIC DEFENDER
By Brian Livingston
A Registry tweak recommended by Microsoft to guard against malware in digitally signed files is wiped out in Windows 10 if you upgrade to Windows 11. As if that weren’t bad enough, at least one major software company has distributed to 600,000 customers worldwide a Trojan horse hidden in an executable file that’s certified by Microsoft’s very own digital signature.
The fact that malware can be inserted into an executable file — without invalidating the file’s digital signature — casts doubt on the whole idea that you can trust digitally signed files.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.16.0, 2023-04-17).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
How do you install and patch your new computer?
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
I’m doing something vastly different this week.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice that this article is a bit shorter than I usually write. That’s because it describes the actual writing task to which I’ve set myself. I’ve prepared two checklist documents about setting up a Windows PC, one for Windows 10 and one for Windows 11.
Both of these documents are targeted at the ordinary consumer, the home user.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.15.0, 2023-04-10).
-
MS-DEFCON 2: Prepare for April showers
ISSUE 20.14.1 • 2023-04-06 By Susan Bradley
The next round of updates is coming soon and may be confusing.
For one thing, it now appears that Windows 10 and Windows 11 updates will diverge. That is reason enough for me to raise the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Any confusion instantly causes me to recommend deferring updates.
It does not appear that the forthcoming updates for Windows 10 will introduce any changes. They will include only security patches. Microsoft stated:
After March 2023, there are no more optional, non-security preview releases for the supported editions of Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 21H2. Only monthly security update releases will continue for these versions.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.14.1, 2023-04-06).
-
MS-DEFCON 4: Win11 22H2 not ready for prime time
ISSUE 20.13.1 • 2023-03-28 By Susan Bradley
March updates are ready. Windows 11 22H2, not so much.
It’s time to install the updates for the March releases, and that’s why I’m lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4. There are a few issues out there, but most appear to be plain old low-risk bugs — things that used to be caught in Microsoft’s beta testing. As usual, it seems we’re the beta testers.
I have several Windows 11 22H2 deployments in active use. If you are not an advanced user, are relatively new to the Windows platform, or are really into rounded corners and having to click several times to build shortcuts on your desktop, you might be tempted to forgive Microsoft for some of these cosmetic bugs.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.13.1, 2023-03-28).
-
Who controls our tech?
ON SECURITY
By Susan Bradley
The other day I spotted a USA Today article by Kim Komando about how to ensure Chinese tech wasn’t spying on you.
She wrote: “Know that there are plenty of allegations that the companies below have government ties, but it’s up for debate how much the Chinese government is genuinely involved in operations. I’m sharing this to help you make more informed decisions on what you purchase and use daily.”
I think her view is far too simplistic.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.13.0, 2023-03-27).
-
How to take screenshots in Windows 11
WINDOWS 11
By Lance Whitney
The ability to take a screenshot in Windows can come in handy, both for personal and professional reasons.
Maybe you’re documenting a certain process. Perhaps you need to share an image of an error message. Or maybe you’re making certain changes in Windows and want to capture the before and after. I take screenshots to supply images for the articles I write.
Whatever the reason, Windows 11 (and 10) provides several methods to take a screenshot of an app or window.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.08.0, 2023-02-20).
-
How to fix File Explorer folder views in Windows 10 and 11
ISSUE 20.06 • 2023-02-06 PUBLIC DEFENDER
By Brian Livingston
There’s a common complaint about the file manager in Windows 10 and 11. You change File Explorer’s “folder view” to show filenames, dates, file sizes, and so forth. You’ve got them exactly the way you want. You select View, Options and use the View tab to click “Apply to Folders.” Then File Explorer immediately forgets what you said and shows folders any damn way it wants.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. But the anguish from this problem arises so often that it’s a wonder Microsoft hasn’t fixed it by now.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.06.0, 2023-02-06).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
How to choose and use the best PowerToys for Windows 10/11
WINDOWS
By Lance Whitney
Microsoft packs a lot of cool tools into its free PowerToys offering. Here are some of the best.
Microsoft’s latest incarnation of PowerToys has been around for a few years. Geared for Windows 10 and 11, PowerToys aims to add more features and flexibility to Windows.
But now there are more than 15 individual tools in PowerToys. How do you know which ones are worth trying? Let’s check out what I think are the best of the bunch.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.05.0, 2023-01-30).
-
When is the right time to buy a Windows 11 computer?
HARDWARE
By Susan Bradley
The other day, I retired the last Windows 7 computer in our office, the one that had been used by our office manager.
She didn’t like change and rarely went online. She used the computer only for some key business applications. (She carried a flip phone.) In other words, this is a case in which I wanted to make the transition as smooth as possible.
So I took an older Windows 10 computer that wasn’t eligible for Windows 11, put the Start10 application on it, installed the Office classic menu, and ported her preferred background image to the “new” PC. I put the icons on the desktop in exactly the same place. I did everything possible to make the new computer look and behave as much like the old one as I could. And I didn’t tell her the computer had changed.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.04.0, 2023-01-23).
-
Windows Menu Editor — This is the last day I search for “Delete”!
FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT
By Deanna McElveen
I switch between versions of Windows a lot.
Most of the computers I repair are Windows 10, but most of the ones I build are Windows 11. Two of the desktops I use in the office are Windows 10, but my office laptop is Windows 11. I don’t know how many times a day I right-click to cut, copy, paste, rename, or delete something — but if it’s on Windows 11, it takes time for my brain to stop searching for the words “Cut,” “Copy,” “Paste,” “Rename,” or “Delete.”
I don’t have the time nor the will to adapt!
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.03.0, 2023-01-16).