New Windows 9 rumors: Can the Charms, clone the desktop

But we’ve seen the virtual desktop before.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

It’s official: Windows 8.1 Update 2 is a dud

So why all the secrecy? Doesn’t make sense.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Satya Nadella at six months: Grading Microsoft’s new CEO

Do you agree?

InfoWorld

Mercifully toothless Windows 8.1 Update 2 due next week

And there’s an interesting question about free upgrades to Windows 9. Maybe.

Infworld Tech Watch.

MS-DEFCON 4: Time to get patched

I have a few caveats, but the bottom line is that you should get caught up on Microsoft patches. 

Last month, I advised you Windows 8.1 users to install Update 1, also known as KB 2919355. Now that we’re almost certain Update 2 (er, the “August Update” likely to appear August 12) won’t be a required update, it makes more sense than ever to move from 8.1 to 8.1 Update 1. Also last month, I suggested you hold off on the Office patches; those seem to be doing OK now. At least the decibel level of the screams has subsided.

I continue to recommend that you stick with IE 10, unless you see a huge reason to jump to IE 11 — and, as always, I recommend you use Chrome or Firefox as your day-to-day browser. 

So I’m moving us to MS-DEFCON 4: There are isolated problems with current patches, but they are well-known and documented here. Check this site to see if you’re affected and if things look OK, go ahead and patch.

And the usual fine print:

For those of you who are new to this game, keep in mind that… You should always use Windows Update to install patches; downloading and installing individual patches is a clear sign of impending insanity. I always install Windows Defender/Microsoft Security Essentials updates as soon as they’re available – same with spam filter updates. I never install drivers from Windows Update (in the rare case where I can actually see a problem with a driver, I go to the manufacturer’s web site and download it from the original source). I almost never install “Recommended” patches (reader Marty suggests that you uncheck the Windows Update box that says “Give me the recommended updates the same way I receive important updates”). If Windows Update has a patch but the box isn’t checked, DON’T CHECK THE BOX. It’s like spitting in the wind. I use Chrome and Firefox, and only pull out IE when I feel very inclined — but even if you don’t use IE, you need to keep up with its patches.

 Any suggestions, to add to the fine print? Stab me in the comments.

Microsoft comes clean on ‘weird things’ in Windows Server 2012 R2, Server 2003

Best Microsoft explanation I’ve seen online in years. Well done.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Top 25 free tools for every Windows desktop

Surprisingly, there are still many good free tools out there. Desktop users only..

InfoWorld

Another botched Microsoft patch: Office 365 ProPlus says ‘Something went wrong’

The second bad Office 365 patch in two months – and it locked out Office 365 customers for 12 days.

If you paid for Office 365, and couldn’t use it for 12 days, you should be steamed.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Surface Pro 3 problems linger despite three firmware patches in a month

Slow and dropped Wi-Fi, heating issues, and lockups persist, but a Surface Pro pro has published a manual driver installation procedure that may help.

Will Microsoft ever get Surface right?

InfoWorld Tech Watch

What we know about the next versions of Windows

Precious little.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Microsoft layoffs: What the bloodbath leaves behind

Yes, 18,000 employees get the heave-ho, but there’s much more to the announcement.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Java Update: Patch It or Pitch It

Another great, short column from Brian Krebs, for every Windows user.

Note that he’s talking about Java inside your browser, not standalone Java, which is working just fine on servers, in particular.

Krebs on Security.