Monthly Archives: January 2025

• Intel reports fourth-quarter financial results

  Posted on January 31, 2025 at 03:00 CST by Will Fastie • Comment in the Forums

  Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) released its fourth-quarter and annual financial results yesterday. Details are available at Intel’s financial site.

  The year-to-year comparison looks bleak, but the real question is whether the results for the most recent quarter improved over preceding quarters. For Q3, the loss was $16.6 billion. For Q4, the loss is $0.1 billion. That is obviously a dramatic improvement, which may mean that the drastic cost-cutting measures that began in Q3 had an effect. (Free coffee was restored in November.)

  Given the sporadic results last year, it’s too soon to suggest that a positive trend has emerged. However, stemming the blood flow is essential so that the company has the resources to fund much-needed innovation.

  Intel Financial Performance, INTC, Quarterly results

• Previews are previews

  Posted on January 30, 2025 at 03:01 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  If you have set your machine to Get the latest updates when they are available in the Windows update settings, congratulations on being a beta tester. These updates are the preview updates of the nonsecurity changes that Microsoft releases in the “D” week, better known as the fourth week of the month. They will be included in the security releases installed next month.

  Given my reluctance to be on the cutting/bleeding edge when it comes to my production machines, and not be an unpaid beta tester, I do not recommend this setting unless you like being a beta tester.

  Microsoft has released the preview update for Windows 10 (KB5050081) and it includes “​​​​​​​New! You now have the new Outlook for Windows app. A new app icon appears in the Apps section on the Start menu, near classic Outlook. There are no changes to any settings or defaults. If you are an IT admin, learn how to manage this update at Control the installation and use of new Outlook.​​​​​​​”

  For Windows 11, KB5050094 has been released including some gradual rollout items and some regular rollout items.

  I do not recommend preview updates on machines unless you are in a beta-testing frame of mind.

  Windows Patches/Security KB5050081, KB5050094, Outlook, Patch Lady Posts

• We now have AI in our forums!

  Posted on January 29, 2025 at 03:00 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums
  

  AI-generated image of a computer chip

  We’ve added a new section in our forums for the topic Artificial Intelligence. But don’t worry — we haven’t added AI software to run our forum software, like nearly everyone else on the planet. We just want to provide a place to discuss its use — or reasons why we shouldn’t use it — in our welcoming community.

  Let me note that this new forum section is separate from other sections devoted to specific vendors. This will be a general-purpose section.

  I think there is a time and place to use artificial intelligence. For the moment, it’s showing up everywhere and seems like snake oil.

  The most annoying AI-related thing I’ve seen so far is Copilot in Word. It now makes its presence prominently known and interferes with what you really want to do — work on a document. Maybe it will be helpful in the future, but right now my suggestion is to disable it or download a Classic version of 365.

  AI AI, Artificial Intelligence, AskWoody forum, Patch Lady Posts

• MS-DEFCON 4: Microsoft begins a strong push for 24H2

  Posted on January 28, 2025 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 22.04.1 • 2025-01-28

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Last week, Microsoft announced that Windows 11 24H2 is now “broadly available.”

  This notice was contained in the Microsoft Learn post Windows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications.

  Except for my continuing recommendation not to install 24H2, I’m lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4. There are some problems, but they are manageable. Go ahead and patch.

  Microsoft’s language in the Learn post was more direct than usual and included Windows 10 in the mix.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (22.04.1, 2025-01-28).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Fortinet, KB5049235, KB5049981, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 4, Networking, Patch Lady Posts, SQL Server, SQL Server 2019, Windows 10 22H2, Windows 11, Windows 11 24H2

• Windows 11, or a Mac?

  Posted on January 27, 2025 at 02:45 CST by B. Livingston • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 22.04 • 2025-01-27

  PUBLIC DEFENDER

  

  By Brian Livingston

  Microsoft is ending all security and feature updates for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. (There are exceptions, but they require fees.) Some of my readers who resist upgrading to Windows 11 — which can require a whole new PC — are instead considering the previously unthinkable: buying a Mac.

  This kind of speculation has been spawned, in part, by Apple’s introduction of the new 2024 Mac mini last October. If you buy computers based on their cuteness factor, brace yourself. The latest mini is adorable. At only 5 inches (12.7cm) square and 2 inches (5cm) high, it’s a shiny little block of aluminum that you can fit into one hand.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.04.0, 2025-01-27).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Public Defender Apple, Apple M4, Mac mini, Newsletters, Windows 11

• What are we doing, and why?

  Posted on January 27, 2025 at 02:44 CST by Will Fastie • Comment in the Forums

  APPLE

  

  By Will Fastie

  Now you know what I alluded to a few weeks ago: Windows fanboy Brian Livingston is writing a comprehensive series about Macintosh — specifically, the Mac mini.

  No, we’re not changing course. This newsletter covers all things Microsoft and Windows and will continue to do so.

  But as I have noted in my news coverage of Apple over the last few years, there has been a seismic shift in personal computing as Apple transitioned into its own silicon. This cannot be ignored, especially because Microsoft has made strong efforts to make its software solutions available beyond Windows’ borders and into the Apple folds.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.04.0, 2025-01-27).

  Apple Apple, Apple M4, Apple Mac, Mac mini, Newsletters, Windows 11

• PC or Mac — any legal difference?

  Posted on January 27, 2025 at 02:43 CST by Max Stul Oppenheimer • Comment in the Forums

  LEGAL BRIEF

  

  By Max Stul Oppenheimer, Esq.

  If you are trying to decide whether to buy a Windows-based PC or a Mac, one of the factors you will certainly consider is a comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of their respective license agreements.

  We’ve previously reviewed the Microsoft Terms of Service. Today, we look at the license terms for the Mac.

  Do not be discouraged when you look at the terms of Apple’s 726-page Software License Agreement online. We’ll whittle that down for you. How, you may ask?

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.04.0, 2025-01-27).

  Legal Brief Apple, Legal, Macintosh, Newsletters, Terms of Service

• TextWorx — Writing or coding will never be the same

  Posted on January 27, 2025 at 02:42 CST by Deanna McElveen • Comment in the Forums

  FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

  

  By Deanna McElveen

  I am lightning.

  No, not fast — but I like to take the path of least resistance. If there is an easier way to do something, that’s the way for me! I do a lot of writing. Randy, the other Older Geek, does his fair share of coding. So when he told me he’d been using a program he had tested a while back that made both of these easier, I perked up.

  TextWorx is a free program by fellow Missourian BGMCoder. TextWorx works with pretty much any program and makes writing or coding so much easier. I’ve been using it for only a week, and I can’t imagine writing without it. I’m using it right now.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.04.0, 2025-01-27).

  Freeware Spotlight Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, TextWorx

• Understanding CVE

  Posted on January 27, 2025 at 02:21 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Vendors track issues using the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database.

  Maintenance of the database is handled by the MITRE Corporation under the sponsorship of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the US Department of Homeland Security. It has been operating since 1999. In 2021, MITRE launched a new website with the domain cve.org and with new features and capabilities.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.04.0, 2025-01-27).

  Patch Watch CISA, CVE, CVE-2025-21309, Documentation, Newsletters, Outlook, Outlook (classic), Outlook (new), Patch Lady Posts, Windows Mail

• When is a good time to replace?

  Posted on January 24, 2025 at 03:00 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  My sister has a guideline — never replace a device before you’ve paid it off. The phone companies will gladly let you trade in your phone for a new phone even if you haven’t fully paid off the old phone. But when should you replace a device?

  There are a few hard and fast rules:

  1. When the vendor stops supporting it or giving you updates, it’s time to seriously consider replacing it. Devices are app-driven and thus app vendors are bound by the restrictions the phone and device vendors put in place. Often older apps will no longer work. Not just unsupported, but flat out won’t work.
  2. When the device’s storage space is getting too full. If an iPhone’s free space gets too tight, updates won’t install. Patching devices that don’t have enough free space is a real hassle (ask me how I know).
  3. When the device can no longer hold a charge. For this you can opt for third-party solutions, available at local firms in the battery business.
  4. When it won’t support the application you are trying to download. This is typically related to number 1.

  For me, the most common reason is power. Batteries tend to go bad before the support for the operating system lapses.

  Apple Batteries, Patch Lady Posts, Phones, Support, updates

• Clean installs for 24H2?

  Posted on January 23, 2025 at 03:00 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums
  

  Microsoft’s notice regarding 24H2

  On Tuesday, Microsoft announced that eligible devices on both Windows 10 and 11 will be offered the 24H2 release. As you know, I’m still not recommending 24H2 and do not expect to do so until after April. Just another reminder: you can use InControl to keep your computer on Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10 22H2.

  I chatted with my local computer firm, which says it is getting the best results when doing a clean install of 24H2. Ick. I’m not willing to do that, especially not going into busy season.

  Remember that the 24H2 release is a full install — not an incremental one — so it’s back to creating a Windows.old  folder and swapping out the operating system. 24H2 is not ready for prime time.

  Windows 11 Patch Lady Posts, Windows 11 24H2

• Have you tried out Strict?

  Posted on January 22, 2025 at 03:00 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums
  

  Example of standard security (click for larger)

  The other day I was on someone’s computer downloading a tool that I’ve downloaded from my own PC and saw a ton of banner ads on the website. I thought it odd that I never saw these same banners when I went to the site.

  In a business environment, I don’t like to install a lot of extensions because of the interaction with some business websites. But I do turn on Strict browsing. Of course, I then forget that I’ve turned it on my browsers until I go to another computer for someone and wonder why their website experience is so ghastly.

  The primary side effect I see with the Strict setting — which you can find under security in just about any browser — is that websites will complain about an ad blocker being enabled. Let them complain, I say.

  Most browsers ship with Standard privacy as the default.

  My recommendation? Try Strict mode. See what issues — if any — occur. Remember: you can always add exclusions as needed. You can also designate one of your browsers as more open, with the defaults, and use that browser when a site doesn’t like how your main browser is set up.

  Yes, I said “browsers,” plural. Everyone should have multiple browsers. Use one for your main browser and others as backups.

  Browsers Patch Lady Posts
• « Older Entries