Newsletter Archives
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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).
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RemindMe — The digital spouse
FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT
By Deanna McElveen
My husband has always claimed that he doesn’t forget things.
His excuse is that he purges them from his brain to make room for more computer knowledge. You know, purging things like previous vacations, former pets … his momma’s birthday.
I went looking for a reminder program to assist with all of my husband’s new medical appointments and stuff. I found a great one by Dutch software engineer Stefan Gansevles. The program is called — simply enough — RemindMe, and it is an absolute breeze to use.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.51.0, 2022-12-19).
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Is it time to move to Windows 11?
ISSUE 19.50 • 2022-12-12 WINDOWS 11
By Lance Whitney
Microsoft is increasingly aiming its latest enhancements at Windows 11 instead of Windows 10. Does that mean it’s time to jump ship to the newest version of Windows?
I’m in the market for a new primary laptop and face a choice of outfitting it with Windows 10 or Windows 11. A few months ago, I might have gone with Windows 10, but now I’m shooting for Windows 11. The irony is that I’ve been critical of Windows 11, specifically because of the dumbing down and inflexibility of the Start menu, Taskbar, and certain other features. So why am I opting for Windows 11?
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.50.0, 2022-12-12).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
It’s time to install Windows 10 22H2
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
Unless you have a pressing need to stay on 21H2, Windows 10 22H2 has proven stable enough to be my new recommended version for Windows 10.
However, I can’t say the same for Windows 11 22H2. I’m still tracking numerous issues with it and thus do not recommend it.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.49.0, 2022-12-05).
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Windows 11 22H2: Which new features stand out?
WINDOWS 11
By Lance Whitney
Microsoft has beefed up Windows 11 with its first major update. Among all the changes, which ones are worth the upgrade?
Since its debut in October 2021, Windows 11 has proven to be a controversial addition to Microsoft’s lineup. Though it boasts several improvements over its predecessor, the new operating system has turned off many people with its strict hardware requirements, its dumbing-down of the Start menu, and its lack of flexibility and customization.
With Windows 11 finally sneaking past the one-year mark, Microsoft has released its first major update for the OS. Known as Windows 11 22H2, the annual update offers a bevy of incremental changes and enhancements. Though no single change is earth-shattering by itself, collectively the improvements beef up the new version in subtle but useful ways.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.46.0, 2022-11-14).
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22H2 not ready for consumers
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
I don’t like to be an alarmist. Nor do I like to base my technology decisions on one anecdote.
But when a friend of mine who owns a Windows 11 computer called to tell me about issues he experienced with Windows 11 22H2, I got concerned.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.46.0, 2022-11-14).
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How to get out of Windows’ Automatic Repair loop
SUPPORT
By Randy McElveen
There are hundreds of reasons why your PC might get stuck trying to repair itself, putting your PC into an Automatic Repair loop.
Many of these can be complicated software issues or hardware failures. But don’t bring your computer to me just yet. There are many very small issues that can cause a no-boot situation. In this article, I’m going to describe a few simple things you can try before calling a pro.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.41.0, 2022-10-10).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Will September updates behave?
ISSUE 19.36.1 • 2022-09-08 By Susan Bradley
Microsoft patches need to go back to school, too.
Summer vacation is over, which means it’s time for youngsters to return to school. After several years of computer-based, pandemic-induced remote learning, it’s back to the classrooms. Meanwhile, Microsoft is getting ready to roll out the 22H2 releases of Windows 10 and Windows 11.
I’m hoping that the engineers at Microsoft have had enough vacation, rest, and other downtime to ensure that September’s releases are nice, calm, and — well — boring. Unfortunately, August updates haven’t been quite so boring, and that’s not encouraging. Caution is my watchword, so I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (19.36.1, 2022-09-08).
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Windows 11’s unique bug
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
Whenever Microsoft releases a new version of Windows, it invariably introduces new bugs as a side effect.
KB5016629 includes a fix for a server message-block (file-sharing) bug that is unique to Windows 11. In a peer-to-peer network, an attacker could trick you by using web-based sharing links such as Azure or other data centers. Windows 10 and earlier are not affected.
This month’s Windows 11 updates also include fixes for issues where File Explorer fails to work when you use the Star menu’s context menu and an external monitor, or when you use the Play and Pause keyboard buttons.
Not to be outdone, the Windows 10 security update this month, KB5016616, includes fixes for an issue that affects printing. Let’s hope it fixes those problems we’ve been seeing with USB-based printers.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.33.0, 2022-08-15).
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What to do first with Windows 11
ISSUE 19.31 • 2022-08-01 WINDOWS 11
By Susan Bradley
You just decided that the deal at the local computer store was too great to pass up, and you took home a new Windows 11 computer.
Nevertheless, you’ve heard us complain about menus, taskbars, and other annoyances. Not quite sure what you’ve gotten yourself into? Never fear, it’s still a Windows computer that you can make behave as you like.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.31.0, 2022-08-01).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
Do we really want (or need) Windows 12?
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
The famous old idiom “moving the deckchairs around on the Titanic” is sometimes applied to technology.
Even though the saying usually implies the futility of a particular action, it often conjures up to me a technology company doing something — anything — to encourage us to purchase more of their product — or at least the latest, so-called greatest version. In my experience, it’s not what we really want but what the vendor thinks we need.
Case in point? Rumors are flying that Windows 12 is just around the corner.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.30.0, 2022-07-25).
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Choosing the right email program
SOFTWARE
By Lance Whitney
Whether you use a Windows PC, iPhone, iPad, or Android device, there are a number of options for email clients other than the usual suspects.
The email program you use depends to a large degree on the type of device or operating system you use. On a Windows PC, you may turn to the default Windows Mail client, or to Outlook if you subscribe to Microsoft 365. Those of you who own an iPhone or iPad will likely fire up the built-in Mail app. And most Android users probably stick with Gmail.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (19.28.0, 2022-07-11).