Category: 2019.07

Microsoft Releases KB4507437 and KB4507463 Windows Monthly Rollup Previews

Microsoft has released the normal previews from the Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 monthly rollups which will go live for all users included in the next Patch Tuesday cycle.

The Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 monthly rollup preview is KB4507437, while the Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 sibling is KB4507463.

These new updates don’t include too many changes, and the Windows 7 update, for instance, only brings updated time zone information for Brazil.

A similar improvement belongs to the Windows 8.1 monthly rollup preview as well, but this time, the patch also fixes a problem with the Workflow definition cache and increases the go through the Window-Eyes screen reader application.

No new known issues

There aren’t any new known issues during these updates, albeit those that haven’t been fixed in the previous monthly rollups are still there. The most notable is a problem affecting McAfee security products and causing some devices to become unresponsive after installing the updates.

“Microsoft and McAfee have identified an issue on devices with McAfee Endpoint Security (ENS) Threat Prevention 10.x or McAfee Host Intrusion Prevention (Host IPS) 8.0 or McAfee VirusScan Enterprise (VSE) 8.8 installed. You can get the machine to have slow startup or become unresponsive at restart after installing this update,” Microsoft explains.

These previews are available on Windows Update, the Microsoft Update Catalog, and also the Windows Server Update Services. However, when it comes to Windows Update, they’re only offered as optional and need to be manually selected for install.

As the monthly rollup previews are meant to help IT pros and administrators test the updates prior to the public release, individuals are recommended to hang about until Microsoft ships them via Windows Update as an automatic patch. This is projected to happen around the August Patch Tuesday.

Study Shows the World’s Not Ready to Let Windows 7 Go

Microsoft will retire Windows 7 in January 2020, but with around 35 % of the world’s computers still running it, there’s a good chance a significant quantity of devices could be left without security patches when the time comes.

Research conducted by Kollective reveals that while 96 percent of the businesses have already started the migration to Windows 10, most are unlikely to accomplish the process before the January 2020 deadline.

And it’s all due to a number of factors that could reduce the process, such as the typical compatibility issues that enterprises may need to deal with.

Earlier this year, Microsoft said that 99 % from the software running on Windows 7 also needs to fully support Windows 10, with the company offering assistance throughout 1 percent.

Companies not in a rush to update devices

What’s also worrying is the fact that according to the study, 79 percent of the organizations didn’t even install updates immediately, meaning they prefer to wait after Microsoft releases them. This may be caused by update reliability concerns, as some are worried that botched patches could be disruptive for their internal activities.

Additionally, 53 percent of the respondents said they wait a minimum of a month before their install operating system updates, even though these often include critical security patches.

Kollective says this is also one of the consequences of the migration to a new Windows approach.

“This new ‘Windows like a Service’ model includes a unique group of challenges. Monthly quality updates or bug fixes will normally be under 1GB; whereas bi-yearly feature updates could be up to 5GB. Due to the increased frequency and size these updates, IT teams will have limited time for testing and distribution,” it says in its research.

Microsoft will continue to offer custom support for Windows 7 following the January 2020 milestone, albeit this method will become more expensive every year. Companies will be necessary to pay $50 per Windows 7 device within the first year after EOL, using the pricing doubling to $100 in the second year.

Microsoft Confirms Surface dGPU Bug in Windows 10 May 2019 Update

Microsoft has recently discovered an insect in Windows 10 May 2019 Update affecting the Surface Book 2 equipped with Nvidia’s discrete graphics processing unit, also known as dGPU.

The software giant states that after installing this latest Windows 10 feature update, the graphics compatibility bug could cause some games or apps to crash on the Surface Book 2.

“Microsoft has identified a compatibility issue on some Surface Book 2 devices configured with Nvidia discrete graphics processing unit (dGPU). After updating to Window 10 version 1903 (May 2019 Feature Update), some apps or games that needs to perform graphics intensive operations may close or neglect to open,” the organization explains.

Surface Book 2 blocked from install version 1903

As a result, Microsoft will quickly set a new upgrade block on the Surface Book 2 using the said hardware, so these units would not be offered the upgrade to Windows 10 May 2019 Update.

“To safeguard your update experience, we have applied a compatibility hang on Surface Book 2 devices with Nvidia dGPUs from on offer Windows 10, version 1903, until this issue is resolved,” Microsoft says.

Surface Book 2 units which have recently been upgraded to Windows 10 version 1903 and therefore are hitting this issue can turn to an extremely simple temporary workaround. Microsoft recommends users to reboot their devices or to head over to Device Manager and scan for hardware changes.

However, this only fixes the problem for any limited time. Microsoft does not recommend Surface Book 2 owners to manually update their devices to Windows 10 May 2019 Update while using Media Creation Tool or any other method.

Meanwhile, a fix has already been within the works, also it ought to be published within an upcoming release. An ETA hasn’t been provided just yet through the software giant.

Windows 10 review

Anyone that’s followed Windows 10 closely already knows that Microsoft isn’t releasing new versions of Windows enjoy it accustomed to. Instead of giving its operating-system (OS) a change every couple of years, Windows 10 was launched as a platform, where smaller, tangible semi-annual free updates have grown to be the custom.

This new approach is working out beautifully. Windows 10 has had Windows 7‘s mantle as the most popular OS. It’s exceeded 800 million users, and getting closer to that one billion mark with every passing day, thanks mainly towards the continual updates, the most recent of which is the Windows 10 May 2019 Update.

However, Windows 10 is much more than the sum of its updates these days. Right now, the OS is mutating into a number of different spin-offs, because both versions specifically target a different sort of hardware and user. For instance, Windows 10 S Mode locks down the OS, only allowing Microsoft Store apps to be installed. It’s restrictive, to be sure, but it’s also the best option for low-end hardware and inexperienced users. Another example is Windows 10 Lite, which can be Microsoft’s early attempt to compete with the very best Chromebooks and also the ChromeOS.

You will find rumblings that Microsoft is working on an even more pared down version of the OS – Windows 10 Lean Mode. We’ve also seen rumors of Windows 10 for foldable devices.

All of these spin-offs and updates have helped to make Windows 10 the most modern OS out there – getting features and support which go way past the traditional PC.

If this describes it’s in your sweet zone, and you want to get a Windows 10 license for your PC, you can get the Home Edition for $139 (£119, AU$199) and Windows 10 Pro for $199 (£219, AU$330). You can also find downloads of Windows 10 Home Edition just for $99 in america, should you look with enough contentration.

In this piece, we’ll help you determine if Windows 10 may be worth your time, money and difficult drive space. But first, let’s dive into all the major beats from the Windows 10 May 2019 Update.

Windows 10 May 2019 Update

The Windows 10 May 2019 Update is here, and with it are several impressive additional features and improvements – as well as, minor yet completely welcome additions – which make your desktop environment much more secure as well as more effective, giving users a much more seamless experience.

Bear in mind that there are also a couple of features that Microsoft is doing away with and a number of features that Microsoft may completely remove from the future update. However, what’s important to note listed here are the very best additional features of this latest update.

Windows Sandbox

We obtain it, and Microsoft gets it too. There’s always that uncertainty of running a new .exe file from the web, particularly if it’s not from a well-known software company. Users who’re very particular regarding their security would typically use a virtual machine in order to prevent harm to their computer when the file is actually infected or corrupt. The millions of users who’ve absolutely no idea how you can set up this virtual machine, however, would probably just risk it.

Well, with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, they won’t need to any longer. Everyone can simply employ this nifty Windows Sandbox feature, which essentially results in a temporary and disposable desktop environment in which they are able to run that .exe file and try out the app they’re installing. Doing so isolates it – and any potential harm it might cause.

With this update, Windows Sandbox is just available in Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise.

Removing built-in apps

The Windows 10 May 2019 Update is also adding more towards the listing of built-in apps you are able to remove, freeing up space inside your storage – or at the very least, letting you squeeze out every ounce of extra space you can get, should you don’t wish to shell out for a bigger hard disk or solid state drive.

The apps put into the roster include Mail and Calendar, Movies & TV, Groove Music, Calculator, Paint 3D and 3D Viewer.

Decoupling Cortana and check

Microsoft Search continues to have quite a distance to visit, but thanks to the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, a minimum of you won’t have suffer Cortana whenever your carrying out a search in the Windows 10 taskbar, if you’re not really a fan from the feature. This lets you perform text searches for your most commonly used apps, files and documents, and most recent activities separately from voice queries, providing you with the option to find the approach you’re preferred with and stick to it.

New kaomoji face characters

Emoji fans will be giddy to understand the Windows 10 May 2019 Update also has a number of adorable kaomoji face characters, accessible through the emoji shortcut, to ensure that Windows 10 users won’t have to create them manually when sending cute messages for their family, friends and colleagues.

Pausing updates

Microsoft is giving control to its users, so far as updates are worried. Windows 10 users no more need to endure lengthy updates, particularly if their attention is required elsewhere, as well as choose when and just what they would like to update. When the windows are 10 May 2019 Update, users can now pause updates, choose when you should install the new update and even opt out of it, when they want to.

In addition, Microsoft has become allocating about 7GB of storage space especially for Windows Updates. By doing this, Windows 10 users won’t need to scramble to release space in order to get the newest updates.

Less cluttered Start Menu

One of the most frustrating – not that there’s a great deal – about the Windows 10 generally is the amount of clutter it’s. The good thing is that Microsoft is beginning to wash up its act, at least with regards to its Start Menu. With this particular update, all the bloatware are categorized in one section, fundamentally cutting the amount of pinned apps you’ll see within the Start Menu and giving it a cleaner look.

The bad news is this fact new menu design will only be open to new user accounts and newly setup Windows 10 computers.

Minor changes

Along with these six major changes, the Windows 10 May 2019 Update boasts minor ones that users might also appreciate. That includes a fresh brightness slider, better Windows Mixed Reality VR support, along with a passwordless Microsoft Account and Windows 10 login.

Microsoft Confirms New Bug in Windows 10 Cumulative Updates KB4503293, KB4503327

Microsoft just confirmed a new issue created by the June 11 cumulative updates for a series of Windows 10 versions.

The software giant says that installing these cumulative updates could cause devices using PXE from a WDS or SCCM server to neglect to start.

However, please note that this issue has no effect on consumer editions of Windows 10, but only server SKUs, as you can find in the table below. Microsoft explains the following:

“Devices that start up using Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) images from Windows Deployment Services (WDS) or System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) may fail to begin with the mistake “Status: 0xc0000001, Info: A required device isn’t connected or can not be accessed” after installing [June 11 cumulative updates] on the WDS server.”

Workaround already available

The affected Windows 10 versions are the ones listed below:
Windows Server 2008 SP2
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
Windows Server 2012
Windows Server 2012 R2
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server, version 1803
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server, version 1809
Windows Server, version 1903

Microsoft says a workaround already exists, and users can mitigate the issue on a SCCM server by checking when the Variable Window Extension is enable and setting the values of TFTP block size to 4096 and TFTP window size to 1.

“Try the default values for TFTP block size and TFTP window size first but depending on your environment and overall settings, you may want to adjust them for the setup. You can also try the Enable a PXE responder without Windows Deployment Service setting,” Microsoft adds.

The organization also explains that it’s already working on a treatment for this issue, which is projected to be included “in a future release.” No further specifics have been provided on when the fix should really land.

Windows 10 build 18362.10000 (19H2) releases in Slow ring

Microsoft has become rolling out Windows 10 build 18362.10000 as part of the 19H2 development, which is the 2nd preview releasing to testers for the next feature update arriving this fall.

Windows 10 build 18362.10000, according to the company, it’s a little update with undefined changes created for PC manufacturers, and it doesn’t include any visual improvements.

Also, unlike previous releases, Windows 10 build 18362.10000 is available as a cumulative update for devices signed up for the Slow ring of the Windows Insider Program already running the May 2019 Update.

While you won’t see any new significant changes, build 18362.10000 and future builds will eventually include new features for “select performance improvements, enterprise features, and quality enhancements.” Additionally, previews could also contain new features which are disabled by default before the company feels they’re ready for testing.

Based on Microsoft, the ultimate form of Windows 10 19H2 is anticipated to arrive later this year, and it’ll be delivered to compatible computers running the May 2019 Update like a quality update (just like a service pack).

Download Windows 10 build 18362.10000

Although there are no ISO files for Windows 10 build 18362.10000, the update can be obtained immediately with the Slow ring on devices already running the May 2019 Update. This preview update will download and install automatically in your device, however, you can invariably force the update from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and clicking the Look for updates button.

Windows 10’s April Update is making Chrome and Cortana freeze PCs

If you’ve experienced difficulties with Google’s Chrome browser freezing or becoming unresponsive after installing Microsoft’s Windows 10 April 2018 Update, you’re not by yourself. Microsoft has acknowledged the problem and it is working on a fix.

Certain apps, including Cortana and Google’s Chrome browser, may hang or freeze when using them, Microsoft acknowledged in a support post on Wednesday, as noted earlier through the Verge. A Reddit post, which became the unofficial repository for users complaining concerning the problem, also noted that users had had exactly the same problem while working within Visual Studio.

According to Microsoft, the organization is focusing on a patch it plans to ship on the next Patch Tuesday, currently scheduled for May 8.

If Chrome or Cortana makes your computer freeze, Microsoft stands out on the following workaround, according to its support post:

“Try a Windows key sequence to wake the screen. If you have a keyboard connected, simultaneously press the Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B. If you’re on a tablet, simultaneously press both volume-up and volume-down buttons, three times within 2 seconds. If Windows is responsive, a brief beep will sound and also the screen will blink or dim while Windows tries to refresh the screen.
If you’re using a laptop, close and open the laptop lid.”

Microsoft reportedly delayed the April 2018 Update because of “Blue Screens of Death” that the update triggered. There haven’t been widespread reports of other issues associated with the update besides the freezing difficulties with Chrome, Cortana, and Visual Studio.

Personally, I haven’t experienced any difficulties with Chrome, though I’ve discovered the thumbwheel on my mouse has occasionally stopped working within Google Chrome after downloading the update, giving the initial impression that Chrome wasn’t working.

How to avoid this problem: Despite the fact that a sizeable user base helps test Windows as part of the Windows Insider program, bugs do crop up. If you wish to steer clear of the worst of these, it’s often better to defer the Windows 10 feature update until a later time. Unfortunately, this option is just open to Windows 10 Pro users.

Windows 10 Timeline: Using Microsoft’s new organizational tool

Windows 10‘s Timeline feature helps answer the question: what was I focusing on? This handy, optional feature can track what documents and Web pages you’ve been focusing on in the last weeks and months, organizing them right into a assortment of documents you can quickly open to get where you left off.

Timeline is part of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, also referred to as Redstone 4. Then chances are you already know where it’s found, even when you’ve not used at all it: Down in the taskbar, near the Cortana search box, there’s a small icon called Task View inside the Fall Creators Update. A slightly different icon identifies Timeline within the latest version.

Part of the reason Timeline was added within Task View was because few users were using Task View. Task View hasn’t gone away; if you open Timeline, you’ll still begin to see the gigantic icons representing the windows that you actually have open in your screen. But beneath these, you’ll likely see a new subheading: Earlier Today, which marks the start of your Timeline.

How you can enable and disable Timeline

Windows assumes that you would like Timeline turned on. Should you don’t, or you’d like to manage how Microsoft uses your data, visit the Settings menu at Settings > Privacy > Activity History. There, you’ll have two options to check or uncheck: Let Windows collect my activities from this PC, and Let Windows sync my activities out of this PC to the cloud.

The first checkbox is straightforward enough: Whether it isn’t checked, Windows will essentially disable Timeline. Checking the very first box, though, collects your activities from only this PC. Should you check the first and also the second, your activities, and Timeline, will sync across devices. Should you sign in with the same account on another PC, you’ll have the ability to pick up in which you left off whichever PC you use.

How to use Timeline

If you’ve ever checked your browser history, you’ll have a very good idea of how Timeline works. But rather than just tracking which websites you visit, Timeline tracks the majority of the applications you utilize, and the documents that you simply opened and edited. Timeline will also collect those documents you used at a with time into what Microsoft calls Activities. The assumption is the fact that an Activity represents all of the documents you had been working on at any one time: a budget spreadsheet, say, along with a few supplementary webpages and perhaps a study authored within Word.

The problem with Timeline, unfortunately, is that’s its unquestionably Microsoft-centric. The majority of the productivity apps within Windows are owned by Microsoft, including Office. But I saw just one occasion where Microsoft tracked my browsing within Chrome or any other browser. Otherwise, Activities cover the standard Office apps (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and much more) in addition to Edge. If you opened a PDF, for instance, you’d better hope you opened it within Edge.

Timeline struggles when it can’t actually open the document it records, such as a photo within Photos that apparently hadn’t yet been backed up to OneDrive. In that case, you’ll see an obscure URL or string of characters, rather than the actual photo or object inn question. Theoretically, Timeline will go back weeks, months, or even years?abut we’ll simply be in a position to make sure as the months go by.

If you work on multiple projects at once, Timeline could be a valuable tool, allowing you to shuttle between them. In this, it’s much like Task View, where various desktops of apps might be slid backwards and forwards and exchanged for another workspace. I can see it offering reassurance towards the worker who can’t quite get everything accomplished before a business trip or illness, and must recreate their work environment.

But Timeline could are a symbol of improvement, too: better, intelligent archiving of third-party apps and documents; one-click opportunities to open all of the documents within an activity, possibly even organizing them using Snap. Microsoft originally designed Timeline in harmony with the new tabbed Spaces UI, in the end.

Timeline doesn’t touch base, shake you through the collar, and demand that you use it. Like other areas of Windows, it hides shyly inside your taskbar, awaiting you to take notice and introduce yourself. But expect areas of Timeline to appear in unexpected places: when you change to another PC, search for a website on Edge making use of your phone, and more. Microsoft sees Timeline as a fundamental method to boost your productivity, as well as keep you nestled within its app ecosystem. It’s the marquee feature from the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, and it’s worth a tryout to discover whether or not this works for you.

Microsoft Brings a Search Box on the Windows 10 Lock Screen Because Why Not

Microsoft is tinkering with all sorts of changes as part of the Windows Insider program, and also the preview builds of Windows 10 that it ships to testers often reveal quite some interesting ideas.

This isn’t the situation today, because the latest Windows 10 20H1 preview build does include such a feature idea, but it’s something which few individuals will probably find useful.

Twitter user Albacore discovered that Windows 10 build 18932 comes with a search engine on the lock screen, by the looks of products, it looks looking experience that you can access once the system is unlocked and also you click the search engine within the taskbar.

Windows 10 20H1 due in the spring

Needless to say, it’s confusing why Microsoft thinks it’s smart to enable the search experience around the lock screen because conducting a search without unlocking the unit shouldn’t be considered a feature in the first place.

Although some may think that enabling looking on a locked device could be quite a neat touch, this kind of implementation could create additional security risks, possibly exposing laptop computer even without unlocking it.

It’s understandable this is simply a test, so it remains seen if Microsoft does need to make this search feature obtainable in a production build of Windows 10.

For the time being, however, a passionate option in Settings isn’t available to enable this search experience, but if Microsoft decides to visit forward with this particular idea, it might appear in a future preview build.

Windows 10 20H1 is projected to produce early in the year of 2020, so Microsoft still has a lot of time to experience with this type of experiments before finalizing the introduction of the update.

Microsoft Brings a Search Box around the Windows 10 Lock Screen Because Why Not

Microsoft is experimenting with all sorts of changes as part of the Windows Insider program, and the preview builds of Windows 10 that it ships to testers often reveal quite some interesting ideas.

This isn’t the situation today, as the latest Windows 10 20H1 preview build does include this type of feature idea, but it’s something which few individuals will probably find useful.

Twitter user Albacore learned that Windows 10 build 18932 comes with a search engine on the lock screen, and by the looks of things, it appears to be looking experience that you could access when the device is unlocked and also you click the search box within the taskbar.

Windows 10 20H1 due in the spring

Obviously, it’s confusing why Microsoft thinks it’s a good idea to enable the search experience on the lock screen because conducting a search without unlocking the device shouldn’t be a feature in the first place.

Although some may think that enabling the search on the locked device might be quite a neat touch, this kind of implementation could create additional security risks, possibly exposing the PC even without unlocking it.

It goes without saying this is just an experiment, therefore it remains seen if Microsoft does need to make this search feature available in a production build of Windows 10.

For the time being, however, a dedicated option in Settings isn’t open to enable this search experience, but if Microsoft decides to visit forward with this idea, it might show up in a future preview build.

Windows 10 20H1 is projected to produce in the spring of 2020, so Microsoft still has considerable time to play with this particular type of experiments before finalizing the development of the update.