May 2020 Windows Update Arriving This Week

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If you use Windows 10, be on the look out for the newest update occurring this week. Tech news outlets are stating that Microsoft is ready to release it. This has been months in the making, and lots of people are getting antsy.

The rumors have leaked that May 28th is the day. However, it could possibly be released at anytime this week. There are a plethora of features and changes for Windows 10, including Cortana and it’s new window app. Functionality is a big one as well, as it will help users who have continued using outdated hardware.

Also, don’t forget about the Passwordless feature Microsoft is encouraging users to utilize. We shared this fun feature back in March as part of Microsoft’s list of strengthening security.

They mentioned, “Microsoft states that, “this will strengthen your device sign-in by switching all Microsoft accounts on your device to modern multifactor authentication with Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or PIN, and eliminating passwords from Windows.”

For any Windows 10 feature 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.

Similar ‘Hot Corners’ Feature Off the Table for Google

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This past month, rumors flew around about Google working on a feature for the Chrome operating system, similar to MacOS’s ‘Hot Corners‘. This handy feature would allow work to move more fluidly, assigning your display corners for quicker access. According to Zac Hall from 9to5Mac.com, he states:

Hot Corners turn each of the four corners of your display into actions. Just move your cursor to the designated corner, then an action that you assign to that corner is launched.

I rely on Hot Corners to both quickly access Notification Center and reveal my desktop for accessing recently saved files. There are keyboard shortcuts, buttons, and gestures for doing both of these tasks, but neither method is as fast or natural for me than a cursor movement.

Zac Hall – 9to5Mac.com

However, this past Tuesday, it was shared that Google had decided to abandon the project, stating that they were “no longer moving forward with this project.”

I personally think this would have been a nice feature for Chrome OS. Who knows – maybe the project will be put back on the table in the future. Google has been known for mimicking other operating systems and adding similar features to their own OS.

For help updating, restoring or dealing with any PC 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.

Game Performance gets hit with Windows 10 Bug

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Many games, such as League of Legends, Call of Duty Lineup, and other various games are taking a major hit on performance.

According to Windows Latest, “Users are reporting that Windows 10 Game Mode could negatively impact gaming performance on some hardware. Gamers noted that their computer with both Nvidia and AMD configurations have been affected.”

It is possible that this bug was brought on in a Windows 10 update or a driver. Nvidia and AMD users have shared their recent gaming hiccups. If you open up Settings on Windows 10 and click on Gaming, you’ll find the Game Mode tab on the side. When you click on that, you’ll find a toggle for “Game Mode”, which enhances the gaming performance on your PC.

Source: Microsoft.com

If you are currently experiencing slower frame rates or low performance on your PC games, it is recommended to go to the Game Mode option and turn the toggle off. Once a new patch or update comes along, fixing the bug, turn it back on.

With all that said…

The Windows 10 May 2020 update is rumored to be released on May 28th, which will feature a handful of improvements for gamers. This will include DirectX Mesh Shader, raytracing support, performance, and more.

For help troubleshooting PC 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 by our staff at the Grapevine Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Grapevine, TX please call the local office at (817) 756-6008.

Phishing Scams for Office 365

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, around 75 million users have relied on Office 365 for work and school. Many of these users are first-time users, and sometimes don’t recognize phishing attacks. Last week, Abnormal Security came across a phishing scam looking to steal users’ Office 365 login credentials.

Reports came in that as many as 50,000 e-mails were received as part of this attack. Often, the sender’s e-mail address is an unrecognizable one, along with URL attachments with outrageous links.

We reported back in August of 2019 of similar phishing scams for Office 365. Hackers will make the e-mail look legit with company logos and information. It’s very important not to be clicking on any of the links in the e-mails. And if it’s in your junk folder, there’s a good reason why.

For inquiries with Microsoft 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 Frisco Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Frisco, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Windows Mixed Reality Bug in Windows 10 Update

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The VR platform in the Windows 10 May 2020 update unfortunately was hit with a few bugs, according to Windows Latest. Windows Mixed Reality includes over 2,500 VR games and experiences.

The bugs include the application not working properly, along with affecting the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) to improperly report issues.

Windows Latest states, “Microsoft says the DISM tool may help users fix Windows corruption errors, but the feature does not always report the correct status on systems running May 2020 Update (version 2004).”

Source: Windows

Microsoft plans to fix the overall experience for the new Windows 10 update, however it may take until the end of May. It is reported as a phase update, so it may not be available to everyone at that time. We shall see how well it goes.

For 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 by our staff at Irving Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Irving, TX please call the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Intel Announces Fastest Gaming Processor

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Today, Intel announced a brand new, incredibly fast gaming processor, called the 10th Gen Intel Core S-series. This “game-changing” improvement is anticipated to be acquired in new desktops in May 2020.

“Intel is committed to enabling the future of powerful desktop gaming by continuously pushing the performance boundary to deliver an amazing PC gaming experience. The 10th Gen Intel Core S-series for desktops, and the Intel Core i9-10900K processor, the world’s fastest gaming processor reinforces our commitment to the gaming and enthusiast communities.”

– Brandt Guttridge, Intel senior director of the Desktop Products Group

Enhancements include a 31% game performance boost, compared to a 3 year old PC, and 63% more fps (frames per second). If you video edit, you’ll see anywhere between 12-35% boost in speed. Their new Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology includes involuntary quality improvements for the best gaming experience.

In April 2020, Intel announces new desktop processors as part of the 10th Gen Intel Core processor family, including Intel’s flagship Core i9-10900K processor, the world’s fastest gaming processor. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

MacRumors stated on their blog that only a select few of these processors will be showing up in iMacs. This comes along with the news about a possible 23″ iMac future announcement. I suppose we’ll see if this actually comes into play later on this year.

For more information on the latest Intel processors, be sure to visit their Newsroom!

For inquiries with PC 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.

COVID-19 Tracker Apps Available

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Many people in the US are still concerned about the pandemic, especially since starting next month, nonessential businesses will begin to open back up. Federal and local governments are working to ensure transparency with the Coronavirus, along with large tech corporations.

Google and Apple are currently in the works for a Bluetooth-based app to trace COVID-19 exposures. And there are apps included in the iOS App Store for worldwide coronavirus exposure data. According to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, or EFF, they are, “undertaking an unprecedented team effort to build a system for Androids and iPhones to interoperate in the name of technology-assisted COVID-19 contact tracing.”

Bing also brings a COVID-19 tracker to the Microsoft App Store. This app shares news about the coronavirus along with dependable information from your local Department of Health. It includes an overview of cases in multiple regions and shares Testing Centers in your local counties.

For help troubleshooting PC 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 Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

Apple’s New iPhone SE – Cheaper, But Worth It

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This month, Apple announced a brand new iPhone SE to their line of devices. This one comes at a low cost of $399, but the features behind it are outstanding. Its definitely worth looking into if you still have an earlier model.

According to MacRumors, “iPhone users who have held on to their iPhone 6, 6s, 7, 8, or even an earlier phone for size preference or cost purposes should take a good look at the iPhone SE because it offers solid hardware at an affordable price, and it is a significant upgrade over older iPhones.”

The new iPhone SE looks identical to the iPhone 8 and has a glass casing. The display is 4.7 inches, comes with a 12 mp camera, and the Home button is solid but has haptic feedback. This technology is similarly seen in earlier versions of iPhones with Touch ID.

There is no headphone jack on the new iPhone SE, so blue-tooth earbuds are a necessity if you choose to upgrade. Or you can use an adapter to connect to the lightning port if you prefer wired earbuds.

Source: Apple.com Newsroom
Other features include:
  • Water-Resistant
  • A13 bionic chip
  • Quick charging
  • Long battery life
  • 4 year iOS support

So, long story short, this iPhone is a great upgrade if you have an older device. It has plenty of storage options (though you may just a little bit more for larger storage), has plenty of useful features, and is affordable.

For help with any Apple 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.

End of Support Put Off for Older Windows 10 Versions

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On April 14, Microsoft Support shared an announcement about the end of support for older versions of Windows 10. Due to the Coronavirus, the end of support was delayed for at least 6 months.

According to Microsoft Support, “Microsoft has been deeply engaged with customers around the world who are impacted by the current public health situation. As a member of the global community, we want to contribute to reducing the stress our customers face right now.”

The versions below are being delayed from the End of Support:
  • Windows 10 1809
  • Windows 10 1709
  • Windows Server 1809
  • Dynamics 365 cloud service
  • Configuration Manager 1810
  • SharePoint Server, Foundation and Project Server 2010
  • Basic Authentication
However, it was also stated that other versions are not included in this delay:
  • Office 2016 for Mac
  • Project 2010
  • Office 2010
  • Office 2013 connectivity to Office 365
  • Exchange Server 2010

Here’s to hoping that this helps those who are still using the older versions.

For 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 Mesa Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Mesa, AZ please call the local office at (480) 240-2950.

MacOS New Battery Life Feature

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MacBooks are getting a game-changer with their battery life. Apple is currently in the works with Catalina 10.15.5. This update will include an awesome feature called Battery Health Management.

According to SixColors, this particular feature will be available on 2016 MacBook Pros, along with Retina MacBook Airs.

The feature works by analyzing the temperature of the battery over time, as well as the charging pattern the laptop has experienced—in other words, does the laptop frequently get drained most of the way and then recharged fully, or is it mostly kept full and plugged in? In the latter case, Battery Health Management is more likely to stop a bit short of full capacity in order to extend the battery’s long-term lifespan. (All charging data is kept private on the MacBook unless the Mac has been opted in to share anonymous analytics data with Apple.)

Source: SixColors.com

Leaving your Macbook, or any other laptop for that matter, on the charger after it’s hit 100% can dramatically harm the battery life. Apple continues to work its magic on extending its batteries as long as possible. This upcoming feature will be the default option to all Macbooks. However, this will also be an option. You’ll have the ability to select which battery life option according to your liking.

It’s possible to get anywhere from 8-13 hours of battery life on a single use, depending on what you do on your laptop.

If you are needing assistance with any MacOS 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 from our staff at the Arlington Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Arlington, TX please call the local office at (817) 756-6008.