Tag Archives: Windows 10

Microsoft Adding Features to Taskbar

Features will include weather, stock, and newsfeed

Windows Insiders are testing out the new widgets that will be added to the Windows 10 taskbar in a future update. It’s been a while since any new features had been added to the taskbar, so it will be interesting to see how users respond to it.

Tom Warren from The Verge writes on their blog, “The taskbar feature will pop out into a mini feed of content that can be personalized with the latest sports news, headlines, and weather information. Microsoft is using its Microsoft News network to surface news and content from more than 4,500 sources. The company has been curating this through artificial intelligence in recent months, and this particular feature will also learn what news is relevant to you when you dismiss or like stories in the feed.”

Source: Microsoft

It’s also shared that Microsoft Edge browser would be installed. So, if you click on a link on the newsfeed, it will open up the Edge browser for you to read it. You will have the ability to disable the feature, if you would rather.

Note for Windows Insiders: The preview may carry bugs that can affect your device. To become part of the Windows Insiders Program and try out upcoming features before anyone else, sign up here! Be sure to read the Important Notice before agreeing to join, as it adds a variety of risks to your computer.

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 from our staff at the Tucson Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Tucson, AZ, please call the local office at (520) 526-9940.

Use Cortana to Find Files on Your Computer

Another Windows 10 update will be released soon, but for now the devs are having some fun. Windows Insiders are getting a sneak peek at the new Cortana feature, which will extend its skills.

According to Tech Radar, “Windows Insiders that have updated to the latest build of Windows 10 can now use Cortana to translate their thoughts into direct actions to find and open files which helps save time spent navigating around the operating system.”

Source: Windows Blog

Cortana became a separate app for Windows 10 in the May 2020 update. The option to disable Cortana was available to users as well. But it seems like maybe users will want to enable it to give this new, upcoming feature a try.

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.

Thunderbolt Connection Issues with Windows Update

Microsoft Support shared an issue with the Windows 10 October update.

According to the Support team, a problem with the Thunderbolt NVMe SSD had occurred with the newest Windows 10 update, relating to a confliction in the system.

It stated, “If you are trying to update to or install Windows 10, version 2004 or Windows 10, version 20H2, you might encounter an update compatibility hold and receive the message, “Your PC has hardware that isn’t ready for this version of Windows 10. Windows Update will automatically offer you this version of Windows 10 once the issue has been resolved.”

This may cause a BSOD or other error pop-ups. Microsoft and Intel are currently in the works for a solution and is expected to be resolved in a November update.

If you ever have an issue with any macOS updates, 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 was brought to you from our staff at the Garland Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Garland, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.

Bugs in Windows 10 Cause Connection Issues

There has been confirmation with Microsoft that there are a couple bugs in Windows 10.

Many of the users have shared problems with internet connection when attempting to use the Microsoft App Store and Spotify. Others have said that the VPN might be the culprit in all this, but it is unclear.

There have been resolutions in place, however. WindowsLatest stated on their blog, “In the changelog of Windows 10 KB4580364, Microsoft confirmed that it has resolved an issue with certain virtual private network (VPN) connections where an authentication dialog box incorrectly prompts for credentials and network disruption is observed.”

Despite these bugs, Microsoft has acknowledged them and are currently working on the fixes. It is unsure as to when the issues will be mended, however.

Bugs happen all the time in Windows 10, and they’re all quite nuisances. If you would like to report a bug, go to the Feedback Hub in the Start menu.

If you’re having software 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.

New Feature for Windows 10 and Android Phones

Windows 10 is focusing more and more on Android lately. With their Your Phone application, they’re working to include the brand new “sent from phone” feature.

This feature will allow links, photos, and notes from your phone to your PC with ease. And while their main focus is Android, they’re hoping future updates will include the iPhone as well.

Source: WindowsLatest.com

The Windows 10 update is not available just yet, as it is in beta testing with the Windows Insiders Program.

WindowsLatest shares that although it’s only for a few selected beta testing members, when it comes available, it’ll be easy to utilize. They state on their blog, “To use “sent from phone” screen, Microsoft says you’ll need to access the share menu on your phone.

In the share menu of Android, simply select ‘Your Phone companion’ option and shared contents will appear under ‘sent from phone’ screen, as shown in the screenshot below.”

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.

Skype Gets Icon on Windows Taskbar

Because of the pandemic, tech software companies are searching for the best ways to keep communities safe by enhancing features used most at home.

Only released for testing for now, Microsoft and Skype are working together to bring a “Meet Now” button to the Windows 10 taskbar. This will allow users to video call with just a couple clicks, making remote chatting as simplistic as possible.

According to Gadgets 360, “The new development comes over six months after the Redmond company introduced the Meet Now feature on Skype to let people start a virtual group conversation without requiring any app or sign up. Emerging players including Zoom have seen a significant increase in their adoption during the pandemic. However, Skype hasn’t received any major growth. Microsoft’s latest move is, thus, a strategy to boost Skype usage.”

This feature will also be free and won’t require registration or downloading anything.

It is unsure when this feature will become available, but if the testing is successful, it should come out in a near future update. If you’re in the Windows Insiders Program, you can get involved in the beta testing of this handy feature.

For inquiries about Microsoft, 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.

Install Bulk Apps with Winstall

If you just recently purchased a PC with the new Windows 10 OS, you’ll want to know about this nifty feature.

The Windows Package Manager from Microsoft is a handy software tool to make your life easier. It includes its new Winstall, a GUI (graphic user interface) tool. This allows users to download apps in bulk, and gives them a fast and secure way of acquiring what is needed with their featured selection. Included in their list are gaming, home, entertainment, and more!

To install, Winstall explains it on their website:

To use winstall, you can search for apps on the homepage. Additionally, you can also view all the apps available via Windows Package Manager on this page.

Simply select the apps you want to download and click on the “Generate Script” button at the bottom of the screen. You will then be presented with a command that you can copy and paste into any Windows command-line. Input that into a command line app of your choice, and hit enter to start installing the apps one-by-one using Windows Package Manager. You can also generate a PowerShell script by toggling the “Show Powershell script” option.

Alternatively, you can click on the “Download .bat/.ps1” button which will download a batch file. However, you will likely get a security warning from your browser. In that case, ignore the warning as the batch file is completely secure. Once downloaded, you can double-click the .bat/ file to install the apps using the Windows Package Manager.

Source: Winstall

Windows Package Manager can be downloaded, if you don’t have it yet. It’s open-sourced and part of the GitHub repository.

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.

Disable Bing Search with Windows Update

There’s a new Windows 10 update available, which allows users the ability to disable Bing Search.

Bing is owned by Microsoft, and was the rebrand of Live Search in 2009. It’s one of the highest search engines worldwide. By disabling it, however, therein lies a perk.

According to Tech Radar, “While the feature provides quick access to a search engine, disabling Bing (and thereby eliminating web pages from the search results) can improve the speed and quality of local searches dramatically – so it’s an important option to have.”

To disable Bing, users will have to the Registry Editor. And while it may improve speed, there’s a possibility that it could add high CPU usage. This, in turn, could destroy the CPU. It’s important to remember that utilizing the Registery Editor is quite risky. Creating a registry backup is highly encouraged to ensure the best way to undo any issues.

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 Denver Computer Repair Service, if you need computer repair in Denver, CO please call or text the local office at (720) 441-6460.

Warning to Those Using Windows 7

If you are a Windows 7 user still, you need to hear this.

Apparently, there’s an e-mail scam going around, stating a free Windows 10 upgrade. These e-mails too often look legit, as they utilize the same logos and signatures. They include a handful of links for the user to click, claiming when you put in your e-mail and password, you’ll be given a free upgrade.

According to Tom’s Guide, “Cofense says that once you input your credentials, the scam site bounces you to a real Microsoft page informing you that, yes indeed, “Support for Windows 7 has ended.” (It ended in January 2020.)”

These e-mail scams are created by hackers to sneak into your credentials to steal any and all personal information.

photo source: Cofense

While there are ways of getting a free Windows 10 upgrade, Microsoft will not e-mail you links randomly. Always check the Sender e-mail by clicking on the name. Also, don’t click on links sent by people you do not know.

When in doubt, throw it out.

If you have any questions regarding Windows 10, 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 Phoenix Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Phoenix, AZ please call our local office at (602) 445-9862.

Malicious Emails Could Cause Admin Issues

Microsoft Office’s years old defect has allowed hackers to create e-mails which could potentially wreak havoc. If you use Microsoft Office, keep reading!

According to NIST, “Microsoft Office 2007 Service Pack 3, Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1, and Microsoft Office 2016 allow an attacker to run arbitrary code in the context of the current user by failing to properly handle objects in memory, aka “Microsoft Office Memory Corruption Vulnerability”. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2017-11884.”

If a certain account has the high admin control, and the hacker receive the privileges, it could be troublesome. That could potentially allow them to delete information, install just about anything, and give them access to any and all private information.

Make sure your antivirus is up to date on your computer to avoid any and all malicious cyber attacks. Also, remember that Windows 10 updates are only pushed through its operating system and not through e-mails.

If you ever have an issue with any Windows 10 updates, 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 was brought to you from our staff at the Garland Computer Repair Service. If you need computer repair in Garland, TX please call or text the local office at (469) 299-9005.