Newsletter Archives

• The state of Windows 11

  Posted on December 23, 2024 at 02:45 CST by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.52 • 2024-12-23

  WINDOWS 11

  

  By Lance Whitney

  With Windows 11 now three years old, where does it stand today?

  I’ve been running Windows 11 almost since its debut in 2021. At first, I limited it to just test environments. Slowly, I expanded its reach to my two main laptops and a couple of virtual machines. Only my desktop PC is still on Windows 10, mostly so that I can still easily access and use it. But when I replace my desktop next year, the new PC will be running Windows 11.

  Here’s my take, based on my own experiences with it — and how I think Microsoft has handled it.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.52.0, 2024-12-23).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Windows 11 Microsoft, Newsletters, Windows 10, Windows 10 End of Support, Windows 11, Windows 11 24H2, Windows Updates

• MS-DEFCON 2: ESU plans announced for Windows 10

  Posted on November 7, 2024 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.45.1 • 2024-11-07

  

  By Susan Bradley

  In the midst of Microsoft’s pushing Windows 11 24H2 and updates for Windows 10, caution is in order.

  As a result, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2. Keep 24H2 at bay, and give me a few weeks to understand and fully vet next week’s updates.

  We’ve known for some time that Extended Security Update (ESU) plans would be offered for Windows 10 in October 2025, when regular support ends. What we did not know until recently was the cost for consumers. Last week, on Halloween, Microsoft gave us a treat by announcing a price of $30 for one year. Exact details about obtaining these ESU plans will be disclosed later next year.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.45.1, 2024-11-07).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, CVE-2024-38094, iOS 18, KB5002606, KB5002615, KB5002618, macOS Sequoia, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10, Windows 10 ESU, Windows 11 24H2, Windows Server 2025

• A year and counting

  Posted on October 21, 2024 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  WINDOWS 10

  

  By Susan Bradley • Comment about this article

  We are a year away from the official end of the road for Windows 10.

  It’s pretty clear that you and I, and a lot of other individuals and companies, will be using Windows 10 after its end of life in October 2025. I want to assure you that I will continue to provide the best information available about how to keep Windows 10 PCs safe and secure.

  I have business systems that will need to stay on Windows 10 for compatibility reasons. I also have PCs that I will keep on Windows 10 because there is no reason to change — they work well and do their intended jobs. But we all must eventually decide when and how to take the next step, no matter what that may be.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.43.0, 2024-10-21).

  Windows 10 0patch, Copilot, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, uBlock Origin, Web Browsers, Windows 10, Windows 11 24H2

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

  Posted on September 16, 2024 at 02:43 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  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).

  OneDrive Newsletters, OneDrive, Personal Vault, Privacy, Security, Windows 10, Windows 11

• How I learned to use my PC with a broken wrist

  Posted on August 5, 2024 at 02:45 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.32 • 2024-08-05

  WINDOWS

  

  By Lance Whitney

  After fracturing my wrist in a recent fall, I had to figure out how to use the accessibility features built into Windows to work and write.

  Despite my writing about the Windows accessibility features in a host of articles over the years, it wasn’t until this accident that I actually had to use them every day.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.32.0, 2024-08-05).
  This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  Windows Accessibility, Dictation, Mouse Keys, Newsletters, Speech Recognition, Sticky Keys, Voice input, Windows 10, Windows 11

• Security information for an end-of-life operating system is lacking

  Posted on July 8, 2024 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Lately, I’ve been working on painting the trim on my house.

  We have old-fashioned caulked windows. To make sure that the caulk doesn’t crack with the weather, maintenance is required. That means painting.

  I like doing it because it gets me off the computer and thinking of other things. Painting the house is great for appearances and — more importantly — protects it from weather and other damage.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.28.0, 2024-07-08).

  On Security 0patch, CISA, Clickbait, CVE-2024-27867, CVE-2024-30078, Headlines, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Security, Windows 10, Windows 11

• MS-DEFCON 2: Continuous dribbles

  Posted on June 6, 2024 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.23.1 • 2024-06-06

  

  By Susan Bradley

  When will it stop raining?

  Remember the old Star Trek episode titled “The Trouble with Tribbles?” Well, we’ve got trouble with dribbles, leading me to raise the MS-DEFCON level to 2.

  Changes are coming to Windows, both 10 and 11, but not necessarily to everyone. I find this to be the most annoying part of recent updates to Windows. This “you may see it; you may not see it” is part of nearly all recent changes. If you want to trigger this after installing the June updates, you’ll just have to be patient.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.23.1, 2024-06-06).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON AI, Alerts, Dribbled updates, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Siri, Snipping Tool, Windows 10, Windows 11

• How to get through Microsoft’s sneaky Windows setup

  Posted on May 13, 2024 at 02:43 CDT by Lance Whitney • Comment in the Forums

  WINDOWS

  

  By Lance Whitney

  Trying to set up Windows 10 or 11? Microsoft steers you toward certain features and settings that will benefit itself more than you.

  Here’s how to make the right choices.

  In my job as a technology writer, I often must run through the Windows 10 or 11 setup to test and document the various steps. The process can be tricky because you have to make specific decisions along the way. And Microsoft likes to push you toward certain options that are in its best interests but not necessarily in yours. That’s why you have to be on guard during the entire process so you make the best choices for yourself.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.20.0, 2024-05-13).

  Windows Configuration, Game Pass, Newsletters, Windows, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows setup
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