September slumber

APPLE

By Will Fastie

Apple’s annual late-summer event on September 9, primarily a means of introducing the next great iPhone, could be called humdrum this year.

It’s not that there were no interesting announcements. It’s just that most were incremental. And some expectations set by Apple’s event this past June were not met.

The recent event was about iPhones, Apple Watch, and AirPods. The most interesting part? Health.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.38.0, 2024-09-16).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

Microsoft’s new Copilot+ PCs don’t play nice with games

PUBLIC DEFENDER

By Brian Livingston

Microsoft is wreaking havoc in the virtual worlds of billion-dollar online gaming companies, with incompatibilities in its new Copilot+ machines.

These much-hyped PCs feature a new processor based on power-efficient Arm chips from Qualcomm. Redmond’s shift to non-Intel silicon gives the new Windows 11 PCs a modicum of built-in artificial intelligence and other features. No access to a central AI server is needed. (See Microsoft’s introduction of the new devices.)

But almost half of the more than 1,300 video games tested by an independent third party are running slowly, subjecting users to stuttering game play, or refusing to run at all. The worst incompatibilities affect the biggest names in multiplayer environments.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.38.0, 2024-09-16).

What is OneDrive Personal Vault, and should you use it?

ONEDRIVE

By Lance Whitney

Personal Vault offers an extra layer of security for sensitive or confidential files stored in OneDrive. Here’s why and how I use it.

I use Microsoft’s OneDrive. I know some people find fault with it, partly because it doesn’t always work properly and partly because it requires an intrusive Microsoft account. But as someone who has to juggle multiple computers and mobile devices, I rely on OneDrive not just for backing up my files but also for syncing them across all my devices.

Because my documents, photos, and other important files are housed in OneDrive, I need a way to secure them from unwanted access.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.38.0, 2024-09-16).

Windows 11 22H2 — one month left

PATCH WATCH

By Susan Bradley

On October 8, 2024, Microsoft will release the last round of security updates for Windows 11 version 22H2.

So right now, go to Settings | System | About to check your version of Windows 11. If your version is 22H2 and your edition is Home or Pro, security updates will cease less than a month from now.

Here’s what Microsoft had to say about this via the Windows Admin portal.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.38.0, 2024-09-16).

September 2024 Master Patch List

Once again I don’t recommend installing updates at this time.  I’ve updated the master patch list here.

So far, I’m not seeing anything trending but it’s too early right now. For now, I’ll urge you to ensure your browser is up to date and your devices and phones, but to hold off on Microsoft updates.

As always, thank you all for supporting the cause! Remember we use the “name your price” model where you can choose how much you will pay for  a membership . Plus membership gives you access and if you donate $50 or more you’ll get a special code to enable text messages sent to your phone each time the Master Patch List gets updated and when I change the MS-DEFCON level.

More details about these updates in Monday’s newsletter.  You are missing out if you don’t sign up. All content is human made with our own blood, sweat, tears, fingers and brain power and 100% AI free.  Therefore, if I’ve fat fingered any KB numbers or if you have any questions, as always post in the forums and I’ll follow up!

Sept 2024 updates are on us

…well for Microsoft anyway.  I’m keeping an eye out for both the 24H2 release and the Apple releases.  Yesterday’s Apple phone announcements were a bit ho hum.  If you have a working phone where the battery is good there really wasn’t enough compelling enticements.

Airpods pro 2 will be featuring a hearing aid enhancement that will come via a software update coming this fall. But it’s not out now. For now just make sure your existing Apple devices are up to date.

If you are in the Google Android ecosystem, the September android security bulletin fixed several zero days. Remember that while Google pixel has released patches, your specific device may not have the September updates yet. Remember to open your device settings app and navigate to the bottom, check  what Android version, security update and build number you have. You can also select system and software update from the settings app to initiate any available security updates.

Meanwhile back in the real world of actual hardware and released software updates, here is what we are facing from Mothership Microsoft today.

If you use Publisher (yes there are some still out there) there is a patch out today for vulnerabilities being used in active attacks.

Windows 10 22h2 gets KB5043064

Windows 11 23H2 gets KB5043076

Windows 11 22H2 drops out of support next month for Windows Home and Pro editions so make sure you are on 23H2.

The performance issues on Server 2019 triggered by the August updates are now fixed in the September updates.

Also Adobe is out with the following fixes:  APSB24-53 : Security update available for Adobe Media Encoder, APSB24-54 : Security update available for Adobe Audition, APSB24-55 : Security update available for Adobe After Effects, APSB24-58 : Security update available for Adobe Premiere Pro, APSB24-66 : Security update available for Adobe Illustrator, APSB24-70 : Security update available for Adobe Acrobat Reader, APSB24-71 : Security update available for Adobe ColdFusion, APSB24-72 : Security update available for Adobe Photoshop

A cheaper Microsoft Office

MICROSOFT 365

By Peter Deegan

Are you missing out on a less expensive edition of Microsoft 365?

There are three Microsoft programs offering up to 30% off Microsoft 365 plans. They are available to a surprisingly large number of people, including many employees, students, teachers, and anyone with a current or past connection with the US military.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.37.0, 2024-09-09).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

How to set up a local Windows account

WINDOWS 11

By Will Fastie

Microsoft is pushing Microsoft accounts for Windows, but there are good reasons to have a separate local account other than avoiding Redmond.

Susan discussed Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections in her On Security column last week. Setting up such a connection works only with a username/password credential. But if the PC to which a connection is desired has gone passwordless (perhaps because Windows Hello has been configured), how can RDP connect? More importantly, how can ordinary shares work?

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.37.0, 2024-09-09).