Newsletter Archives

• Woody’s Windows Watch: Sticking with Windows 7? You aren’t alone.

  Posted on May 13, 2019 at 02:55 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  If you plan on keeping Windows 7 beyond its expiry date, January of next year, you aren’t alone. Hundreds of millions of PCs will continue to use Win7, in spite of Microsoft’s exhortations to the contrary.

  Here’s a look at how the Win10 upgrade effort is proceeding – and what I’m doing with the Seven Semper Fi machine to keep the wolves at bay.

  In AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.17.0 — mailed out this morning to all AskWoody Plus members.

  Windows News AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Seven Semper Fi, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: Beware the crapware in Win10 version 1903

  Posted on May 6, 2019 at 02:10 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  When Microsoft releases Win10 version 1903 – expected any day now – it’s going to bring along a bumper crop of junk that you don’t want: Candy Crush, Forza something or another, “Seeker Notes,” Dragon Marsh, and a zillion other pieces of crapware that should make Microsoft embarrassed.

  

  Here’s what’s coming, and why — and what you can do about it.

  Out this morning in the AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.16.0.

  Windows News AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Win10 1903 crapware, Woody on Windows, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: More on April’s abysmal Win7 and 8.1 patches

  Posted on April 22, 2019 at 05:49 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  

  Six (seven?) patches. Four (five?) antivirus programs. Bluescreens. Slow-as-sludge systems. Conflicting advice. Delayed warnings. Hundreds of thousands of machines put through the wringer.

  The people who know what happened with this month’s conflicted patches aren’t talking.

  Here’s what we know, and why it’s important to you — even if (especially if!) you run Windows 10.

  Woody pokes at the mystery and throws some well-deserved shade in this week’s AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.15.0, out this morning to AskWoody Plus Members.

  Windows News April 2019 Black Tuesday, AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: Let the Windows Secrets merge begin

  Posted on April 15, 2019 at 05:30 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  

  Yes, I know the AskWoody site is slow as Matterhorn molasses. Believe me, those of us who work behind the scenes feel your pain.

  There’s a reason why we’re on the slow track. The main merge has begun. With about 180,000 Topics (mostly posted questions) and about a million Replies (answers and discussions) there’s an enormous amount of data moving over. Hang in there. It’ll be worth the wait.

  In this column I talk about what you need to know in order to make the leap from Windows Secrets to AskWoody. The steps are easy — but you have to initiate them!

  Details in this week’s AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.14.0, out this morning to AskWoody Plus Members.

  Other swallowed whale, Windows Secrest Newsletter, Windows Secrets, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: What we know for sure about changes in Win10 updating

  Posted on April 8, 2019 at 03:56 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

   

  

  I’ve seen a lot of breathless prose around the blogosphere about the way that the next version of Win10, version 1903, will give patching control back to Win10 Home users and make Pro users’ patching lives better.

  Hold on a minute there, bucko. Microsoft’s definitely headed in the right direction — if they ship the changes that have been promised, anyway — but there are some stumbling blocks and huge swaths of gray areas along the road to Shambala.

  Details in this week’s AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.13.0, out this morning to AskWoody Plus Members.

  Windows News AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Win10 1903, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: What to tell friends who use Windows 7

  Posted on April 1, 2019 at 04:06 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  

  No, the earth isn’t about to tear asunder and demons aren’t poised to pounce. But there are some very simple, common-sense admonitions that every Windows 7 customer should know. Even your sainted Aunt Mabel.

  With 40%-of-so of all Windows machines running Win7, there’s a lot of FUD, plenty of marketing, and little clear, unbiased thinking.

  We’re taking this trip to Win7 End of Life together. Here’s how to get started.

  Out this morning to Plus members in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.12.0.

  Windows News AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Win7 EOL, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: Seven Semper Fi – How to ride Win7 into the sunset

  Posted on March 18, 2019 at 05:36 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  

  Humbug. The Windows “experts” who say that you should throw away your Win7 machine because it’s too old are just out of touch. Ain’t broke, don’t fix. Yes, there are security reasons for moving to Win10, but if you’re careful, you may be able to beat the Grim Redmond Reaper.

  I’m going with you on the ride to Win7 not-so-planned obsolescence. Here’s the machine I’ve set up — my Seven Semper Fi — to weather the ride. Let’s see what slings and arrows Microsoft may cast.

  Details in this week’s AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.10.0, out this morning to AskWoody Plus Members.

  Windows News AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Seven Semper Fi, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: How to get real help with Windows, Office, and more

  Posted on February 25, 2019 at 04:08 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  

  Yer lookin’ at it. Welcome to the best unbiased source of advice and help for Windows, Office, and other tech things that go bump in the night. And it’s free. AskWoody Plus members — the folks with gold ribbons on their pictures — are the ones who pay for it.

  Here are the details you need to get set up with a “proper” AskWoody account. Ask questions wisely. Get (or give!) help. And it doesn’t cost a penny.

  So get your account going and jump in with both feet. Invite your friends, too. We’re here to help everybody in an environment that’s at the higher end of the gene pool.

  Out this morning in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.7.0.

  Other How to get help, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: Dispatches from the browser-war’s front lines

  Posted on February 18, 2019 at 05:38 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  

  Internet Explorer isn’t a web browser. According to Microsoft, it’s been demoted to a “compatibility solution.”

  Edge has some big fans, very few users — and it’s about to get a heart transplant.

  Chrome’s the crowd pleaser, but one hare-brained idea (recently rescinded) has to give you pause.

  Firefox keeps on foxing, but in terms of usage numbers, it can’t get a break.

  What should you do?

  Out this morning in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.6.0. Now available – yes, for free — on AskWoody.

  Windows News browsers, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: Where we’re headed with Windows Secrets

  Posted on February 11, 2019 at 05:21 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  

  The migration has begun. It’s just that… you can’t see it yet. Soon, the massive Windows Secrets Lounge will merge into the AskWoody Lounge. We’re gonna swallow that whale.

  Here’s what you need to know — and what you can do to prepare — to make the move.

  Short version: You don’t have to do anything, but it’ll be easier for Windows Secrets Loungers to register a new account here on AskWoody (if you don’t have one already) now, in preparation.

  Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes are never easy. But I think this one will be very worthwhile, for all of us.

  In the new AskWoody Plus Newsletter issue 16.5.0 – out this morning.

  Other whales, Windows Secrets, Woody's Windows Watch

• Woody’s Windows Watch: Phantom features and the Win10 treadmill

  Posted on February 4, 2019 at 04:22 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  So I get it. Microsoft’s version of “as a service” means we get to slog through brand new versions of Win10 every six months. I know the downside. First hand. But what’s the upside? What are we getting in return for all the churn?

  Take a look at the new feature lists and ask yourself if the gain is worth the pain.

  Out this morning in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.4.0.

  Windows News upgrade cycle, useless features, Windows as a Service, Woody's Windows Watch

• AskWoody Plus Newsletter 16.1.0 Woody’s Windows Watch: Would you pay to rent Windows?

  Posted on January 14, 2019 at 08:18 CST by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Before you jump in with a knee-jerk reaction, realize that there are some compelling arguments.

  What do you think?

  Windows Patches/Security AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Windows 365 Consumer, Woody's Windows Watch