Another Windows update and ... Yikes!!!

See for yourselves:


Chris Titus Tech: Windows 10 Keeps Getting Worse

-Post 1803 there is no registry backup
-Microsoft recently confirmed they did this to save space
-More Bloat on startup
-Candy Crush
-Forced Microsoft Accounts, They made offline accounts harder and more cumbersome to create
-Less Polish on each update, with some updates deleting files and blue screening computers
-Even more forced updates

... And forced updates... and more...!



All ever more difficult and silly... Until what breaking point?


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

The impossibility of Windows Licensing and Windows Activation?...


(A bit of a rant from a Windows expert for his everyday work...)

Why Does Linus Pirate Windows??

... Activate Windows. A surprisingly frequent appearance on Linus Tech Tips. But why would we pirate Windows? Will Microsoft sue us?...



Rather a fun piece of Windows illumination :-)

(Please excuse the sponsored Marketing!)


And I've been there and done that... (For far too much of a waste of time!!)

IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Windows 10 hits the tech news yet again for... Updates!


Microsoft's Latest Windows 10 Cumulative Update Is Here

By now we've reached the point where the words "Microsoft released a Windows 10 update" have us imagining what fun new technical issues the company's just introduced. We're kinda like Pavlov's dogs, except instead of drooling because someone rang a bell, we cringe because Windows Update notified us. But luckily...

... Some experiments involving the Pavlovian response showed that animals start responding to a stimuli pairing, like the chime of a bell rung when they're given food, after just one trial. We suspect that problems with one Windows 10 update were enough for many people to correlate a Windows Update notification with a bunch of technical issues they'd rather not deal with. Now the question is how long it'll take for that response to go away.


Report: Outdated Intel RST Driver Behind Windows 10 Update Woes

Figuring out when to install the Windows 10 May 2019 Update has been a bit of a crapshoot...

... This isn't a great look for the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, the release of which had been relatively tame compared to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. Hopefully...



How can that all be so impossibly hard?

Pavlov's dogs indeed?

Here's 'hoping'...

IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Serious question...

I've just had this email from a particularly desperate high stress user whose business depends on the software on his laptop running reliably... His Windows 7 laptop finally irreparably physically died... (At least we have the data on backups.)

He's now got a new laptop with Windows 10 and, direct to the point:

Hi Martin,
Do you/can you get rid of this Windows 10 on my PC and put Windows 7 on?

It is s****.

...

(Quote sanitized and a frustrated extreme "ps" removed!!)


So... All ok for 'downgrading' to Windows 8, but... What's the best route for jumping back to Windows 7?

(And I've not had any Windows 7 install media for years!)


Errrk?!
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

(And I've not had any Windows 7 install media for years!)


Errrk?!
Martin

I am pretty sure we can scare up media. The main problem with Win7 is not having drivers for the newest hardware. And then if you have all the correct drivers on a flashdrive, not being able to get them on to the laptop because the USB drivers aren't working. It is possible that with cd-rom drive you can get past that.

I believe there is a free thingy that will change most of the GUI to Win7. I know it worked for Win8. I don't know if it will work for Win10.

I think this is the trick. https://www.howtogeek.com/277448/how-to-make-windows-10-look-and-act-more-like-windows-7/

It probably is safer than actually trying to retro grade and failing on the driver issue.

Hope this helps.

Tom

---

A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association).

(And I've not had any Windows 7 install media for years!)


Errrk?!
Martin

I am pretty sure we can scare up media. The main problem with Win7 is not having drivers for the newest hardware. And then if you have all the correct drivers on a flashdrive, not being able to get them on to the laptop because the USB drivers aren't working. It is possible that with cd-rom drive you can get past that.

I believe there is a free thingy that will change most of the GUI to Win7. I know it worked for Win8. I don't know if it will work for Win10.

I think this is the trick. https://www.howtogeek.com/277448/how-to-make-windows-10-look-and-act-more-like-windows-7/

It probably is safer than actually trying to retro grade and failing on the driver issue.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Tom,

Thanks for that. Good idea thanks.

However, finding out more of the story, there's some old software in use that is not supported on Windows 10...

Currently looking at PlayOnLinux as a quick work-around to get things working... Fortunately, that does support the old software!

[edit] Despite the site/utility, nope, the old software are not games!! [/edit]


Thanks,
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

the feedback app is ties to the crash report app. last time i dig into it. unless they did something with it.

---

I got a warning that a Windows 10 1803 update is coming. I have chosen to install it at night after all running tasks have completed.
Tullio

---

However, finding out more of the story, there's some old software in use that is not supported on Windows 10...

Currently looking at PlayOnLinux as a quick work-around to get things working... Fortunately, that does support the old software!

[edit] Despite the site/utility, nope, the old software are not games!! [/edit]


Thanks,
Martin

If he is running Win10 professional it is possible (I think) to get a VM running that is suppose to run Win7 apps. Or something or other.
Here is an idea: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-make-old-desktop-apps-run-again-windows-10 Its something called compatibility mode. HIH's.

I have Win7 media. It just that it is a major pain to install (or fail to install) if your MB hardware is too new.

Tom

---

A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association).

Watch out for the 1609 build. There is a big problem that has shown up tin the last few days. Either of the following will end up in a BLUE SCREEN of DEATH!!
1) If you have either or both a wireless keyboard / mouse the system hangs on the lock screen if the battery is low in either of these. I took me over an hour to find out the problem.
2) If you have an external DVD ( in a caddy) that's connected via USB, beware that the OS may not recognize it if you manually shut it down. I had to use the power strip socket that it was plugged into temporary for another purpose. When I re-attached the DVD everything was normal until I re-cycled the machine and it froze again and went into a sort of Blue Screen of Death. Even a system restore didn't work. The only solution was to do a complete refresh, so I may be sown for a day or 2 while I attempt to reconstruct everything. Apologies to all my wing persons.

---

I don't buy computers, I build them!!

Watch out for the 1609 build. There is a big problem that has shown up tin the last few days. Either of the following will end up in a BLUE SCREEN of DEATH!!
1) If you have either or both a wireless keyboard / mouse the system hangs on the lock screen if the battery is low in either of these. I took me over an hour to find out the problem.
2) If you have an external DVD ( in a caddy) that's connected via USB, beware that the OS may not recognize it if you manually shut it down. I had to use the power strip socket that it was plugged into temporary for another purpose. When I re-attached the DVD everything was normal until I re-cycled the machine and it froze again and went into a sort of Blue Screen of Death. Even a system restore didn't work. The only solution was to do a complete refresh, so I may be sown for a day or 2 while I attempt to reconstruct everything. Apologies to all my wing persons.

Hi Cliff,

Where are you getting the "1609" build number from? Windows build numbers are xxxxx.xxx (5 digits dot 3 digits). The biannual version numbers are 4 digits. I'm currently running on v1903, build 18362.239. Just wondering. :)

Have a great day! :)

Siran

---

CAPT Siran d'Vel'nahr - L L & P _\\//
Winders 11 OS? "What a piece of junk!" - L. Skywalker
"Logic is the cement of our civilization with which we ascend from chaos using reason as our guide." - T'Plana-hath

Hi Cliff,

Where are you getting the "1609" build number from? Windows build numbers are xxxxx.xxx (5 digits dot 3 digits). The biannual version numbers are 4 digits. I'm currently running on v1903, build 18362.239. Just wondering. :)

Have a great day! :)

Siran

You're right as usual. I was so pi$$$ed that I couldn't even type right. Everything is somewhat back to normal again, but I still have a bunch of applications to install. At least I'm crunching again.

---

I don't buy computers, I build them!!

Hi Cliff,

Where are you getting the "1609" build number from? Windows build numbers are xxxxx.xxx (5 digits dot 3 digits). The biannual version numbers are 4 digits. I'm currently running on v1903, build 18362.239. Just wondering. :)

Have a great day! :)

Siran

You're right as usual. I was so pi$$$ed that I couldn't even type right. Everything is somewhat back to normal again, but I still have a bunch of applications to install. At least I'm crunching again.

Hi Cliff,

I'm not always right. I have been known to be wrong... once or twice. ;)

Glad to hear that things are running normal again :), for whatever "normal" is when it comes to Micro$oft stuff. ;)

Have a great day! :)

Siran

---

CAPT Siran d'Vel'nahr - L L & P _\\//
Winders 11 OS? "What a piece of junk!" - L. Skywalker
"Logic is the cement of our civilization with which we ascend from chaos using reason as our guide." - T'Plana-hath

Gird yourselves and your systems for these unstoppable Windows updates...


'Screwed Drivers' Report Finds Intel, AMD and Nvidia Vulnerabilities (Among Others)

... severe vulnerabilities in drivers from "every major BIOS vendor" as well as the likes of Asus, Toshiba, Nvidia, Intel, AMD, and Huawei...

... "there is currently no universal mechanism to keep a Windows machine from loading one of these known bad drivers"...

"... To make matters worse, in this case, the very drivers and tools that would be used to update the firmware are themselves vulnerable and provide a potential avenue for attack."...



Ouch!

Really, stay disconnected for such systems??!!!


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

Gird yourselves and your systems for these unstoppable Windows updates...


'Screwed Drivers' Report Finds Intel, AMD and Nvidia Vulnerabilities (Among Others)

... severe vulnerabilities in drivers from "every major BIOS vendor" as well as the likes of Asus, Toshiba, Nvidia, Intel, AMD, and Huawei...

... "there is currently no universal mechanism to keep a Windows machine from loading one of these known bad drivers"...

"... To make matters worse, in this case, the very drivers and tools that would be used to update the firmware are themselves vulnerable and provide a potential avenue for attack."...



Ouch!

Really, stay disconnected for such systems??!!!


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

... "there is currently no universal mechanism to keep a Windows machine from loading one of these known bad drivers"...

If you have Win10 Pro or Enterprise, after the initial OS install you can prevent auto driver updates via the Group Policy editor.

1) Run Gpedit.msc
2) Navigate to Computer configuration > Administrative templates > Windows components > Windows Update policy
3) On the right side look for Do not include drivers with Windows Update;
4) Open by either double-click or right click and select ENABLE; click OK and exit.

Those with the home version have to use regedit and I don't have the details for that.

I've used this ever since I noticed that when Windoze updates Nvidia drivers, it doesn't include Open CL, which SETI needs.

---

I don't buy computers, I build them!!

W7 Pro was set to D/L but ask me before install, a update changed that to auto install and didn't ask permission to change the setting! So I found the box crashed this AM after update Tuesday. Watch out for this sneaky [redacted].

W7 Pro was set to D/L but ask me before install, a update changed that to auto install and didn't ask permission to change the setting! So I found the box crashed this AM after update Tuesday. Watch out for this sneaky [redacted].

I believe that the same policy lockout also works on W7 Pro.

Should have stated this in the initial post, but also noticed that I had to reinstitute the policy after each major upgrade thru 1903. I just put it on the list of things to do after each major upgrade, like changing the TcpWindowSize in the registry, and I still highly recommend it.

---

I don't buy computers, I build them!!

I've got Windows Update turned off on all my systems. Not even the present scare about major bugs in RDP (which is also default turned off) and DHCP will return me to allowing updates on.

---

Another Windows 10 snippet for what is yet to come:


Microsoft shares twin previews of Windows 10 with Insiders: Toys for some, coal for others

Windows Insiders were seeing double last night as Microsoft once again pushed out not one but two builds of October's Windows 10.

The 19H2 builds were again targeting the Slow Ring and continued the company's determination to confuse the heck out of its loyal army of unpaid testers with one that contains new toys and one that does not.

The dual test builds are aimed at trialling the strategy of shipping an update with features turned off then gradually turning them on via "controlled feature roll-outs".

The result is that if you were on build 18362.10012, you'll get 18362.10014 with the new toys turned off by default, while 18362.10013 users get 18362.10015 with stuff turned on.

And if you've just joined the Insider programme from the May 2019 Update to check out how things work ahead of time because that was the point of the programme in the first place, well, a virtual Dona Sarkar and Brandon LeBlanc will play rock/paper/scissors within your PC to decide if you're on the naughty or nice list.

Which is a shame because this release contains some new features...



To my jaundiced personal opinion, this all sounds like a lab-rat game of experimenting with the Windows faithful...

IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

---

See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

To my jaundiced personal opinion, this all sounds like a lab-rat game of experimenting with the Windows faithful...

Of course it is. Just a marketing department focus group. Features cost $ and may generate $$$. Fiduciary duty to the shareholder to determine which feature adds the most to the bottom line.