Author Archives: Kristin Willis

Microsoft Edge Kids Mode

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Last month, Microsoft announced a new experience for kids while they’re surfing the web. Introduced as Microsoft Edge Kids Mode, this browser can be regulated by parents to give their children a better and safer environment possible while they’re online.

Since the pandemic began last year, more and more children are utilizing the virtual learning opportunities available throughout the world. This means more available times to be online. Thankfully, with one less thing to worry about, parents can set up Kids Mode on their devices to avoid any possible viruses, attacks, or adult-related content. This puts more freedom into the parents’ hands to restrict what they feel is age-appropriate for their kids.

“As far as getting into Kids Mode, it really can’t get any easier. Simply click on your account profile in the upper right corner of Edge and select “Browse in Kids Mode.” From here, you’ll be asked to choose the appropriate age range for your child, either 5-8 or 9-12. And that’s it! Just like that, you’ll quickly “leave” Microsoft Edge and enter the beautiful world of Kids Mode.”

Source: Windows Blog

For any computer-related inquiries, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Arvada Computer Repair Service. If you need better SEO or computer repair in Arvada, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

High CPU Usage Causing Slower PC

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A number of factors could result in your PC running slower than usual. It could possibly be low on memory, too many programs opened, or even malware.

Just recently, the Microsoft Feedback Hub was filled with complaints about their PC’s high CPU (central processing unit) usage after updating the OS with Windows 10 patches. Thankfully, the latest patch remedied this particular issue.

“The tech site says that patch KB5001391 has cured this spiking processor usage problem, at least according to reports from some users, although little detail has been provided about what this bug actually was (save for being a ‘race condition’ where two running processes start grabbing an inordinate amount of system resources, slowing everything else down).”

Source: TechRadar

If you are having this same issue with your PC, simply head over to the ‘Check for Updates’ section of the Windows Update in the Settings app. The optional KB5001391 will show up under the “View optional updates” link.

For help updating, restoring or dealing with any Windows 10 issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Windows 10 Feature Gets Mixed Reviews

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The first ‘major’ Windows 10 update is right around the corner. Windows 10 KB5001391 cumulative update preview is released, giving you the option to download and install.

One feature brought from this preview is the new News and Interest feed on the taskbar. This gives you the option of personalize what you would like to keep up with, including weather and sports. Its AI fixates on the relevant topics you choose and dismisses others you would rather not see.

Since its release, users have been giving conflicting critiques on said feature. OnMSFT asked their Twitter followers to poll on it. It showed up like this, below:

While more than half of respondents replied in the negative side, less than half thought it was okay. There’s a possibility that this feature won’t last long and will be replaced in a future major update.

I suppose we’ll just have to see about that.

For inquiries with Windows 10 updates, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Apple Event Highlight: M1

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Today, Apple announced new iMacs and iPads set to be released by mid-May during their Apple Event. These new devices will incorporate Apple’s brand new M1 chip, which will replace Intel’s chip.

Before this, Apple had to involve several chips to do what the new M1 chip can do. This includes memory, security, and processing. But with this new innovative design, the M1 is all around powerful. The graph below, from Apple’s website, shows a 2x faster CPU performance in the M1. Also, the M1 only uses 25% performance of what a PC normally uses. This is mind-blowing!

Source: Apple

“The 8‑core CPU in M1 is by far the highest‑performance CPU we’ve ever built. Designed to crush tasks using the least amount of power, M1 features two types of cores: high performance and high efficiency. So from editing family photos to exporting iMovie videos for the web to managing huge RAW libraries in Lightroom to checking your email, M1 blazes right through it all — without blazing through battery life.”

Source: Apple

Learn more about this upcoming addition to Macs on the Apple website.

For any Apple brand inquiries, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Arvada Computer Repair Service. If you need better SEO or computer repair in Arvada, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Microsoft Paint Update

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Microsoft reported back in 2017 that Microsoft Paint (MS Paint) would have been censured and taken out in the following Creators Update. A considerable lot of us Microsoft Paint fans and clients have been concerned each time we open it since it posts a cautioning message each time you run the application.

Microsoft Paint is one of the most well-known Windows programs. Furthermore, despite the fact that it was announced in 2017 that Paint will be removed, Microsoft has decided to retain it and give it a minor upgrade. The news had a positive impact on the users.

With that said, Paint will be moved to the App store soon. This means it won’t be automatically downloaded into the OS.

“Providing Paint via the Microsoft Store is advantageous in terms of making upgrades regularly available (as opposed to them being delivered with Windows 10 feature upgrades), and it means the app won’t be in the operating system by default.”

Source: TechRadar

If you having a problem accessing or using Paint or any other computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Lakewood Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Lakewood, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Ransomware Refunding Payments

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This is something you don’t hear every day. The Ziggy Ransomware admin says that they’re giving victims their money back.

Ransomware, in shortest terms, is a form of an affected virus to your computer. It encrypts all of your files and instructs you to contact the hacker for payment negotiations. Ergo: RANSOMware!

Ransomware fact: Phishing is responsible for 65 percent of ransomware attacks.

Last month, after operations shut down, an announcement was made by the ransomware “to publish all decryption keys.” It was stated that because they lived in a third-world country, the hackers designed the virus for monetary gain.

On March 19th, the group made the decision to refund those who were affected by the ransomware.

Bleeping Computer reported, “Victims should contact the admin at a given email address ([email protected]) with the proof of their payment in bitcoin and the computer ID, and the money would be returned to the victim’s bitcoin wallet in about two weeks.”

Source: Twitter

Make sure your antivirus is up to date on your computer to avoid any and all malicious cyber attacks. It’s highly advised that you do not open any documents through e-mails unless you know exactly who it is from. Be sure to double check the address it was sent from as well. Many times, the name will show up legit, but the email address itself does not match.

For help with any computer issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Denver Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

November 2019 Update End of Support

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“Your version of Windows 10 will reach end of service soon. Click to download a newer version of Windows 10 to stay supported.”

Source: Windows Notification

Microsoft is encouraging users who are still utilizing Windows 10 Update version 1909 to upgrade to the newest version. This should be done by May of 2021. The November 2019 update will no longer offer support after that.

Updating to the latest version is of great importance for continued security from Microsoft. According to Microsoft Docs, end of support begins in Mid-May.

“Windows 10, version 1909 will reach the end of servicing on May 11, 2021. This applies to the following editions of Windows 10 released in November of 2019:

  • Windows 10 Home, version 1909
  • Windows 10 Pro, version 1909
  • Windows 10 Pro Education, version 1909
  • Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, version 1909

These editions will no longer receive security updates after May 11, 2021.”

Some users may see an error in the Update application. This states that the May 2020 update is not available to download and install. However, when it’s ready, the update will show up. Hopefully, Microsoft will sort that issue out before end of servicing occurs in the coming months.

For inquiries, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Update on SolarWinds Breach

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Back in December, we shared a statement on the SolarWinds Breach on our blog. Thankfully, the SolarWinds software that we provide to our clients was not a part of the corporate scale Orion system and our systems and the software we use was not subject to any data loss or breach.

SolarWinds recently reported a $3.5 million (pre-tax) loss, after paying for legal and other services to remedy the breach. And unfortunately, the company is still dealing with legality issues.

They’re hoping that security knowledge will heighten to avoid this destructive incident from happening again. MarketScreener shared statements and information by SolarWinds:

“Through our investigations into the Cyber Incident, we hope to understand it better, apply our findings to further adapt and enhance our security measures across our systems and our software development and build environments and share our findings and adaptations with our customers, government officials and the technology industry more broadly to help them better understand and protect against these types of attacks in the future. We refer to these adaptations and enhancements as “Secure by Design.”

Source: MarketScreener

If you have any questions regarding this incident, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

macOS Update to Fix USB-C Hub Issues

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Apple issued an update on macOS to fix a USB-C problem with MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.

According to Apple Support, it states, “macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 prevents MacBook Pro (2019 or later) and MacBook Air (2020 or later) models from incurring damage when they are connected to certain third-party, non-compliant powered USB-C hubs and docks.”

Newer MacBooks are seemingly becoming unresponsive when third-party USB-C hubs are connected to the laptop. This particular Big Sur OS update will improve this case.

It’s encouraged to download and install this update to be safe. You can find the the Software Update under System Preferences.

If you are needing help with computer issues, please give us a call at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities.  This blog post is brought to you by our staff at the Summerlin Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Summerlin, NV, please call the local office at (702) 800-7850.

New Floating Start Menu on Windows 10

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Microsoft developers are currently working hard on some new designs for Windows 10, specifically its user interface.

Named “Sun Valley”, this project began back last year, in hopes for it to be released later in 2021. One specific feature they are currently revamping is the Start Menu. To modernize, the Start Menu will float unattached, just above the taskbar. Windows Central shared a recreation of the floating Start Menu design.

Source; WindowsCentral

“Regarding the Start menu, I know that Microsoft is working to round off “sharp” elements of its UI, such as the corners around live tiles and the Start menu itself. Context menus and Jump Lists in the Start menu and Taskbar are also expected to get the rounded corner treatment, along with most modern in-box apps.”

Source: Zac Bowden, WindowsCentral

In addition to the Start Menu, Microsoft planned to update the operating system, adding new features, and fixing up animations. Sun Valley is expected to be released in October 2021.

If you need help with Windows 10 issues, call us at 1-800-620-5285.  Karls Technology is a nationwide computer service company with offices in many major cities. This blog post was brought to you from our staff at the Arvada Computer Repair Service. If you need better SEO or computer repair in Arvada, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.