Yes, the next cumulative update for Win10 version 1809 will fix the mapped drive and default program problems

Microsoft has announced that the Insider Preview Ring-only update to Win10 1809 — the one that’s still being baked — fixes these problems:

• Addresses an issue in Microsoft Edge with using the drag-and-drop feature to upload folders from the Windows desktop to a file hosting service website, such as Microsoft OneDrive. In some scenarios, files contained in the folders fail to upload, with possibly no error reported on the web page to the user.
• Addresses an issue that prevents some users from setting Win32 program defaults for certain app and file type combinations using the Open with… command or Settings > Apps > Default apps.
• Addresses an issue that may cause mapped drives to fail to reconnect after starting and logging onto a Windows device.

Most importantly, MS has NOT released the fix through the normal Windows Update channels.

If you’re curious, take a look at that list of bug fixes and marvel at how bad the original Win10 1809 must’ve been.

New cumulative updates for Win10 1803, 1709, 1703, and 1607 – but NOT for 1809

By Jove, I think somebody in Redmond has figured this stuff out.

Win10 version 1803 KB 4467682 brings the build up to 17134.441. Lots and lots of little bug fixes. Still shows two known issues: The SqlConnection exception in .NET, and the Seek Bar is broken in Windows Media Player.

Win10 version 1709 – KB 4467681 brings the build up to 16299.820. Another big list of bugs, same acknowledged problems.

Win7 Preview KB 4467108 is a real yawner – one bug fix for the Japanese date change, and two time zone updates, for Russia and Morocco.

Win8.1 Preview KB 4467695 also lays on the zzzz’s, with more Japanese calendar change bugs and more time zone updates.

Of course, you don’t want any of them.

As of this moment, there’s no Win10 version 1809 cumulative update. As I explained this morning, that’s a good thing.

Now let’s see how long Microsoft lets Win10 1809  build 17763.167 bake before it gets pushed. If we’re lucky, MS will wait until next Patch Tuesday — and fix all of the known bugs before we have to go through another patch cycle.

Using Office 365 and can’t log on? (Again?) Looks like multi-factor authentication is down again

For the second time in as many weeks, I’m seeing widespread reports that folks can’t log on to Office.

Mary Jo Foley reports on ZDNet:

Starting around 9:15 a.m. ET, a number of Office 365 customers began reporting on Twitter that they were unable to sign into that service because of an MFA issue. Office 365 is one of a number of Microsoft services that uses Azure Active Directory MFA to authenticate.

You can see the current status report here. At the moment we’re treated to this delightful ditty:

Starting at 14:25 UTC on 27 Nov 2018 a subset of customers using Multi-Factor Authentication may experience intermittent issues signing into Azure resources, such as Azure Active Directory, when Multi-Factor Authentication is required by policy. Impacted customers may encounter timeout errors. Engineers are aware of this issue and are actively investigating mitigation options. The next update will be provided in 60 minutes, or as events warrant.

Here we go again.

Surprise! Microsoft is using the Insider Release Preview Ring correctly for the latest test build of Win10 version 1809

I sure hope this is an indication Microsoft’s finally, finally figured out how to use the Insider Release Preview Ring.

Big question now is if we’re going to get hit with another half-baked cumulative update to Win10 1809, when there’s no reason at all to shovel it out this week.

Details in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

Patch Lady – what PC should I get?

So remember those old news shows that would do those Point/Counterpoint discussions?  I’m going to counter Woody’s recommendation to move to a Chromebook.

I’ve used Ubuntu, Chromebook, Windows and Mac and there are advantages and disadvantages to all.

The first step you have to ask yourself BEFORE you go shopping is how entrenched you are in the Windows ecosystem.  If you have older Windows software that you love (and probably will still work on Windows 10), older printers, and other Windows devices that you have in a peer to peer network Chromebook may not be for you.

I have a dear friend who had a child that she gave a Chromebook to.  She struggled to get school files off of the chromebook on to flash drives in order to turn in the project.  She struggled to get it to print on an older printer.  She was comfortable in Word and the Google docs was awkward for her.  For her she struggled with the Chromebook ecosystem.

Then I want you think about how much you use a browser.  Think about your daily use on your computer.  If you are pretty much in a browser all day long, then a Chromebook would work.  IF however you prefer a certain email client, or a certain desktop app, or a certain file structure, then Windows still may be the best computer for you.

Here are some definite do and do NOTs for choosing a Windows machine:

DO not consider ANY computer less than 150 gigs to 200 gigs of hard drive.  Anything less and you will be fighting windows bloat.

DO not consider ANY laptop or computer without a SSD drive.  Windows 10 is just happier (and you are too) with a SSD drive.

DO not consider ANY laptop or computer with less than 8 gigs, 16 gigs preferably.

DO be prepared to buy a computer with Windows 10 pro or upgrade to it to be able to control and push off updates.

DO be prepared to NOT use registry cleaners, minimize the use of third party antivirus software.

Now I’m not saying you should get a Surface device, but certainly if you need to have a Windows PC, you need to invest in one.

(Get the idea I’m not talking budget computer here?)

I don’t think it’s as mandatory to purchase Word or Outlook unless you are married to those platforms.  Libre Office is honestly so close to Word to be easily moved to.

I’ve even had good luck over the years in purchasing refurbished computers.  You get a similar warranty and it’s cheaper.

Bottom line you have to ask yourself how married you are to Windows or if you want to start the divorce proceedings.  It will be messy.  Things will be different.  Prepare yourself for yelling at your computer.  (I do realize you may be doing that to your Windows computer now)

But don’t just jump into a new relationship without thinking hard about you’ve invested into the current relationship and the impact.  We are moving to a browser based world, but…. but…. I’m still not convinced that we’re all ready for it in the same way and levels yet.

Gradual move to the Twitter handle @AskWoody

After using @woodyleonhard as my main Twitter handle for almost a decade, I recently picked up the username @AskWoody.

Don’t worry. For the foreseeable future, I’ll be posting on both id’s. But I’d like to make the transition.

Long term, I’d love to move everything from @woodyleonhard to @AskWoody. Tweets. Followers. All of it.

Anybody have experience with that? Suggestions?

Big changes are afoot with AskWoody v2. Much more to follow.

Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft’s self-analysis of what caused the multi-factor authentication meltdown

Remember the bug on November 19 that brought down everybody who was using two factor authorization on Microsoft sites?

We just got an explanation. Per Mary Jo:

Actually, Microsoft unearthed three independent root causes, along with monitoring gaps that resulted in Azure, Office 365, Dynamics and other Microsoft users not being able to authenticate for much of that day.

In a different, but sort-of-related glitch, lots of people are reporting problems today with Exchange Online, Office 365 and Outlook.

https://twitter.com/MSFT365Status/status/1067101513242169344

Which PC should I get?

I’ve heard this question a whole lot over the past few days:

My uncle has a year old HP laptop that’s had issues and he’s just out of warranty. So he wants to get a new Windows laptop, general mid-range to “nice” but not absolute top end. He’s not a gamer. Any advice on a manufacturer generally considered reliable not stratospherically pricey?

My #1 recommendation: DON’T GET WINDOWS. Get a Chromebook. They’re much more stable, easier to use, and basically immune to all of the woes besetting Windows machines right now — infection, blue screens, bad updates, long waits for patches.

I’ve been writing books about Windows for 26 years now, and Windows is in horrible shape. Frankly, Apple isn’t doing much better.

If he absolutely has to have a Windows machine, in my experience, all of the major manufacturers have similar track records: Dell, Lenovo, HP, Asus, and now Microsoft all have good and bad points. The problem is that it’s almost impossible to know in advance how well a particular machine will work.

In general, physically go to someplace with a wide selection. Look at “real” stuff on the screen — things that match what you’ll be doing — and try the keyboard and trackpad. Those are the most important considerations. Brand doesn’t matter much. Speed doesn’t matter much (although a solid state drive definitely speeds things up) unless you’re editing videos. Battery life doesn’t vary much, in spite of what you read. Get 8 GB of memory and at least 256 GB of storage (assuming you use a service like Dropbox to store most of your data).

Avoid Windows 10 S. Spend extra to get Windows 10 Pro, if only to be able to hold off on updates.

Right now’s a good time to get a new machine. I’m checking Costco, Amazon, Best Buy and Newegg for a new monitor. Prices vary from site to site, so once you’ve settled on a machine, be sure to check prices.