Newsletter Archives
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Are you ready for Windows 11 24H2?
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
If you are like many others, the answer is no. And for good reasons.
24H2 is a big, disruptive update — a complete operating system swap. That’s both good and bad. For the good, if a PC is throwing off any Windows Update errors, allowing 24H2 to install should clear those up by fixing any corrupted files.
But for the bad — aside from the disruption — installing 24H2 is a long process, taking at least 30 to 60 minutes, perhaps longer. It’s not quick, like running the 23H2 enablement package.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.42.0, 2024-10-14).
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Get Office Copilot now — without paying
MICROSOFT 365
By Peter Deegan
It’s possible to get many of the AI features promoted for Copilot without paying Microsoft $30 per month.
What you’ll get is less streamlined than in the paid product, but it’s still approachable. Besides, the paid version isn’t yet anywhere nearly as good as the hype.
In this article, I’ll explain some of the ways you can use free Copilot with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. You’ll be able to experiment and thus gain an appreciation for whether paid Copilot Pro or Copilot for Microsoft 365 are worth the cost.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.36.0, 2024-09-02).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Never install previews
ISSUE 21.27.1 • 2024-07-03 By Susan Bradley
Microsoft regularly releases updates. Previews are betas.
In the first week of each month, Microsoft issues the non-security Office releases that PKCano documents in the AskWoody blog. In the second week of each month, Microsoft releases its main security patches. Finally, in the last week, Microsoft releases previews of the following month’s non-security fixes.
Previews do not go through the same rigorous testing as the security updates. (Credit where it is due: Microsoft does perform basic testing of its main security updates.) As a result, issues can occur. This is why I strongly recommend that you do not install preview updates when offered for Windows 11 23H2 and Windows 10 22H2. In addition, pause all updates now while I test, vet, and approve. This is the reason I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.27.1, 2024-07-03).
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MS-DEFCON 4: May updates ready to go
ISSUE 21.22.1 • 2024-05-28 By Susan Bradley
The May releases are once again a bit of a mixed bag, relatively quiet for consumers but a little bumpy for businesses.
For three days last week, Microsoft hosted its developer conference, BUILD. It’s an important event for developers, but the headlines are always about things to come.
On the other hand, I keep an eye on the now — what’s already been released — and how those patches, updates, and new features affect our everyday use of Microsoft’s technology. For example, Microsoft announced the Recall feature of its new line of Copilot+ PCs. That last part is important, because Recall requires AI support built into the hardware, and it will be available only with Windows 11.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.22.1, 2024-05-28).
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Microsoft is not fixing its mess
ISSUE 21.18.1 • 2024-05-03 By Susan Bradley
Microsoft has now made it official. It does not plan to fix the mess it made with KB5034441.
As you may recall, I was not pleased with how Microsoft handled this vulnerability. It took a sledgehammer to a problem that should have been handled with a precision tool. Instead of explaining the risks and letting business patchers make their own deployment calls, it shoved out an update that to this day is blocked on my sister’s Windows 10 PC due to the lack of sufficient space in the recovery partition.
Read the full Plus Alert (21.18.1, 2024-05-03).
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Controlling the Moments
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
Microsoft releases more changes to Windows 10 and 11.
Last year, Microsoft announced that 22H2 would be the last version of Windows 10 and hinted that no more changes would be rolled out. The reality is vastly different.
Included in the preview updates for Windows 10 22H2, and therefore in the April updates, are the following changes for Windows 10.
- Windows Spotlight is added to your desktop background.
- More content is added to your lock screen, such as weather, sports, traffic, and finance.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.15.0, 2024-04-08).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Slow the rush to Copilot
ISSUE 21.10.1 • 2024-03-07 By Susan Bradley
Because of the ongoing rollout of Copilot enhancements, I recommend deferring or pausing updates.
That’s why I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
I continue to test and evaluate all updates on my test PCs and will provide my analysis and recommendations as soon possible. Meanwhile, defer. And while you’re doing that, those of you in North America should prepare to lose an hour of sleep this weekend.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.10.1, 2024-03-07).
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Get ready for AI
ISSUE 21.09 • 2024-02-26 ON SECURITY
By Susan Bradley
Not a day goes by that we don’t hear about some new technology using AI.
Whether we like it or not, vendors are going to be slapping a coat of AI on just about everything to ensure it gets in front of us.
We already know that many in our readership do not want AI in their technology. But what if you do want to embrace it? What are some things you need to concern yourself about, or at least be aware of before you start using it?
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.09.0, 2024-02-26).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter. -
Microsoft’s groundhog — Copilot
PATCH WATCH
By Susan Bradley
Will you see it, or won’t you?
In the United States and Canada, on a day in early February, a certain rodent is observed emerging from its burrow. Based upon an old Pennsylvania Dutch superstition, if the groundhog sees its shadow, it retreats into the ground for six more weeks, signaling that much more wintry weather.
I feel a bit like this with Microsoft’s release of Copilot — I never know whether a machine is going to see it or not.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.08.0, 2024-02-19).
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Use Copilot now — and for free
MICROSOFT 365
By Peter Deegan
There’s no need to pay for Microsoft’s Copilot when there are now various ways to use it together with Microsoft Office (any version) — and without paying a cent.
I’m urging everyone to try out the five main and relatively simple uses of AI: writing, rewriting, summarizing, making images, and research. I’ll focus on Microsoft’s Copilot. However, much the same features are available in other AI products such as ChatGPT/Dall-E (which is the basis for Copilot), Google Bard, and other smaller services.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.05.0, 2024-01-29).
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Bing Chat is sorry
COMMENTARY
By Will Fastie
I thought it had no emotions.
It took only one sentence for Bing Chat to annoy me.
More importantly, that one sentence was so loaded that it begs for comment. And it raises serious questions about AI.
Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.04.0, 2024-01-22).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Preparing for the new year
ISSUE 21.01.1 • 2024-01-04 By Susan Bradley
It’s time to prepare for the upcoming patching month, and that means it’s time for MS-DEFCON level 2.
If you’re groggy from holiday reveling, here are my reminders: back up your system, install all the December updates, and confirm that your system is operating smoothly.
Then defer updates, using whichever method you’re comfortable with — Registry keys, Windows Settings, or BlockAPatch.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.01.1, 2024-01-04).