IT Just Works turned 7 today! Been a while since I did a post so let’s just enjoy the cupcake while I create some content for a future post. Enjoy!
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IT Just Works turned 7 today! Been a while since I did a post so let’s just enjoy the cupcake while I create some content for a future post. Enjoy!
IT Just Works turned 6 today!
Windows update vs Joe Bonamassa
In January, I posted that Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008R2 are in extended support and that said extended support would end January 20 of 2020. This post is a reminder that just 650 days are left until that date. If you (like me) don’t work 7 days a week, then the number is a lot lower.
IT Just Works turned 5 today!
Learn step-by-step the process to do a clean install of Windows 10 with the Creators Update to start fresh and avoid upgrade issues.
A Shining Star from 2016
As we enter the year 2017, TLC Computer Services 25th year, we are hearing a lot of negative stories, from celebrity passing’s to political drama to IT Security challenges, one shining star is the release of Server 2016 and it’s wonderful update of RDS Server role. While Server 2012 and 2012 RDS were brilliant, the new versions bring significant improvements worthy of immediate consideration. Server 2016 brings the Windows 10 interface, improved Hyper-V options and Nano Server, a stripped down OS for running apps in high performance virtual machines. But you can probably tell I REALLY want to get to RDS. Deploying RDS (formerly known as Terminal Server) brings new features and improvements that will make work easier and more exciting for users and administrators alike. Windows 10 like sessions and VDI based Personal Session Desktops along with the new GPU acceleration capabilities will make users’ desktop experience faster and seamless on Windows, Mac (yes, iPads too!) and Android clients. RD Connection broker and Azure services can improve the deployment of your applications on premises and in the cloud.
We are proud to be entering our 25th year in business and are excited about all the technical advances coming in 2017! Happy New Year!
Who remembers the Windows 98 Haunted House Screen Saver?
Two Days In A Time Machine
Last week I got a message to update the BIOS on my Windows 10 Notebook computer. After backing up the system, I proceeded and saw the last of that notebook. After trying a number of fixes, I resigned to ordering a new portable (more on that later) and dug out my previous notebook which I occasionally use. Now this “Time Machine” was a bit of a shock to use. My Windows 10 notebook had a Corei7 processor, 8GB memory, SSD drive and a 12 inch screen. My previous machine was Windows 7, Centrino Processor, 4GB memory, a (mechanical) hard disk drive and a 15.4 inch screen. Needless to say it was heavy and didn’t fit in my briefcase. Worst of all it was SLOW! I support Windows 7 computers every day, but using it was a different matter. I could access all my work and support tools, but I found myself longing for a newer interface where I didn’t have to dig for files and programs. And the screen, while big can be good, I could feel my head moving around as I searched for items on the screen.
Two days later I was “Back… To The Future!” (a trademark of Amblin Entertainment and Universal Pictures, all rights reserved) with my new Lenovo Miix 700. This is a true tablet computer with a detachable keyboard and active pen stylus. I find myself using it in tablet more than the one I just killed (it was touch screen, but I rarely folded away the keyboard) and can now use the inking features of Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Most of all the speed. This tablet has similar specs to my Windows 10 notebook, but the latest processor and a fresh OEM install (as opposed to a Win10 upgrade) really flies!
My experience was a shock, but my present day is a joy!
Attention Procrastinators! One more day left to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. In honor of the one year anniversary of the release, I am re-posting my Windows 10 Survival Guide, Part 1, Part 2 and in a shoutout to all procrastinators (we know who we are), actually writing part 3! below is part 1.
Windows 10 Survival Guide: Part 1
So you found yourself in front of a Windows 10 computer and your first reaction is “Ok, now what”? To back track a bit, you should first ask yourself, “How did I get here”? Well, you either bought a new computer, or upgraded from a previous version. The exception is in a work environment, the IT department has taken care of the details and you will login to a pre-configured desktop. In the first two cases, you will find yourself at a login for your Microsoft Live login. If you had upgraded from a previous version and had to go through the reservation process, you would have had to create one. If the computer is new you will be given the opportunity to create one if you do not already have one. When you login, you will be presented with a number of screens and options as shown above.
When your desktop (yes, desktop) appears, it will be very blank as will be the taskbar. You can right click the desktop and select personalize, which will bring up the personalization screen. Here you will be able to select your background picture or color, accent colors and Lock Screen Image. Also on the lock screen settings, you can display additional apps that you can get the status of without logging in. Under Themes you should select Desktop Icon settings and check the boxes to display the icons. If you plan to use voice commands or dictation (more on this later) you can check your sound and microphone settings here as well. Finally there are some options for the Start Menu, you can just leave those at default for now. A click on the arrow at top left will bring you to the settings menu or a click of the X top right will close the menu. Back at the desktop you will see the items you checked off. At bottom left you will see a Start Button, right clicking will show the Power Users Menu (more later) and a left click opens the new Start Menu. The first thing you will see is the tiles for the default apps, you can right click any you may not use and unpin them, or turn the “live tiles” on or off. At this point (or later) you can go into apps you will use like weather and sports and set your location and favorite teams which will update the live tiles with information relevant to your preferences. On the left side of the Start Menu, you’ll see (from the top) most used apps, file explorer, settings, power and all apps. Select all apps and you’ll see a list of installed applications. If you already have Microsoft Office or other frequently used applications installed, right click the most used apps and select pin to taskbar. Those items now appear on the taskbar with the defaults like store and file explorer. On the right side of the taskbar, you’ll see the familiar date and time, sound and network icons and a new notification icon. A click of notifications will show the items you added to the lock screen as well as defaults. This menu is useful if you have a tablet computer and can allow you to quickly switch between desktop and tablet mode and access items without digging through menus. Just to the right of the Start button, you’ll find Cortana, the search and personal assistant. Initially it will ask what Cortana should call you. When it’s ready, simply type what you are looking for, typing paint will show you the the installed application (right click and select pin to start), store apps available and web search results. I’ll cover more about Cortana in Part 3, cool stuff.
Well, you should be able to survive your first try at Windows 10. Next post, Part 2 will cover some useful shortcuts and productivity items that will have you rolling along with Windows 10.
One week left to upgrade to Windows 10 for Free. Have you done it yet and how do you like it?
One month left to claim your free Windows 10 upgrade. Don't forget to prepare, research, cleanup and backup. Got an EXIT strategy?
Time to REALLY pay attention to the Windows 10 Free upgrade. Users have been saying that the upgrade goes forward without their approval and here's the reason: The upgrade has moved to being a recommended update and will download and begin the install unless you select "Click here to change upgrade schedule or cancel the upgrade".
99 Days to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, should you?
July 29, 2016, will mark the end of the “Free Upgrade to Windows 10” offer, so what does that mean to you? Hopefully the free upgrade offers will go away, perhaps they will be replaced by offers for paid upgrades? That, like the price for the upgrade is for now unclear (around $119 to $199 sources say?), but 99 days is a perfect point to get started. Home users won’t need 99 days to make their decision, but businesses will need to decide, plan and execute the upgrade, so put away your procrastination tokens and get out the action tools!
Home users will need to decide, does this system I currently use have good enough specs? Do you use any applications that will not work in Windows 10? Windows Media Center is not supported in Windows 10, so if you are one of the less than 10% of Windows users who use Media Center for TV recording or other multimedia functions, don’t upgrade. Are you planning to buy a new computer? A new computer will probably come with Windows 10, so you’ll need to decide if it is worth the time to upgrade or if the system can be mothballed. Before you proceed, do a spyware scan, disk check and most importantly, backup your files. Windows 10 in the home can help you learn the new interface and you’ll find new capabilities connecting to other devices in the home like smart TV’s and X-box consoles.
Businesses will need to gather decision makers and IT departments or vendors to plan and decide. Again, are there Line Of Business applications or peripherals that are incompatible with Windows 10? Security and performance will also need to be addressed. I recommend getting or building test units to try the upgrade on, test the applications and train the users with. You will also need to address upgrade downtime. Traditional upgrade must be done onsite to finish the user prompts that appear during the upgrade.
Microsoft has settled on Windows 10 going forward and adapting to Windows 10 now is a good idea and shouldn’t be very difficult. Right clicking the start button displays the power users menu, giving you quick access to shut down and restart, control panel, programs and features and command prompt, just to name a few. 99 days from this writing will also bring the Anniversary Update, which will add new inking features, expanded update options and other fixes and features.
Windows Ink enhances pen input on Windows 10 devices
Although, Windows has included pen support since the XP era, Microsoft hasn’t really focus on making digital ink an important part of the operating system.
Windows 10 build 14295 for PC and Mobile ready for download
Microsoft rolls Windows 10 build 14295 through the Fast ring of updates for both platforms, including PC and phone.