Lenovo Smart Clock

Lenovo and Google Assistant are collaborating to get a smart clock for your bedroom. (Just in case you don’t have enough “smart” devices in your hand, car, house, kitchen, etc.)

Your morning alarm will automatically trigger the “smart” morning routine, telling you about today’s weather, what you are suppose to be doing and reminders of things you aren’t smart enough to remember. It can also display your commute to work, to pay for all the “smart” things you need.

What’s more, wouldn’t you want and now can have another convenient and affordable hub from which to control your world, without having to leave your bed? Set the Lenovo Smart Clock to automatically turn on your coffee maker³ in the kitchen or heater in the living room. Wonder if it can call into my office and let them know I’m staying in bed today.

Read on… Lenovo Smart Clock

Google Security Issue Email

In the past few days, Google has been busy sending me emails letting me know that they have found security issues on my email accounts.

 

The “2-minute checkup” is worth a look see for everyone, because there maybe some apps you gave access to that don’t need access anymore and/or you haven’t setup the 2 step verification for your Google accounts.

 

I do want to note, however, that if you use Outlook, DO NOT turn off less secure app access. That will turn off your GMAIL email use on Outlook.

Hide Update(s) on Windows 10

Microsoft has made Windows 10 updates automatic with no obvious way to prevent them from installing.  There is a tool to prevent problematic update(s) from reinstalling automatically the next time Windows Updates are installed.

To temporarily prevent the update from being reinstalled until an updated fix is available, a troubleshooter is available that provides a user interface for hiding and showing Windows Updates and drivers for Windows 10. You can obtain and run the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter by downloading it from the Microsoft Download Center:

Prevent a Windows 10 Update from Reinstalling

UPDATE: This tool may not work on the current 1709 Fall Creators update.

After the Meltdown Update

As always, the BETA testers that we are, the KB 4056892 was installed on a few primary system computers. This was to thwart off the zealous zero day that has everyone in a breathless state of “Oh My God”. MELTDOWN!

I know they want to alleviate the “zero day” attack, and we are not running any unknown configurations to conflict with the known antivirus issue, but it affected one of our systems.

After a System Restore we were back to normal.

I recommend anyone running Windows 10, pick up a flash-drive, with at least 8GB’s and then create a Windows 10 recovery USB drive.

Using the tool to create installation media
Select Download tool now, and select Run. You need to be an administrator to run this tool.
If you agree to the license terms, select Accept.
On the What do you want to do? page, select Create installation media for another PC, and then select Next.
Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit is typical) for Windows 10.

Select which media you want to use:
Attach a blank USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space. Any content on the flash drive will be deleted. After the installation media is created, keep the USB handy, in case you need it later.

 

 

Download Office 2007 – 2016

 

 

With most software digital these days, all you need is product key to download and reinstall.

If you have an earlier version of Office, 2007 – 2010 (Or Mac Office 2011), you can download and reinstall the software by visiting this site: Download Earlier Versions of Office

If you are using Office 2016 that came with your PC, visit this site: Office 2016 with your New PC

Office 2016 “stand-alone” version still requires you to log into a Microsoft account or just create one via Outlook.com.

Security Planner

Security Planner is an easy-to-use guide with expert-reviewed advice for staying safer online. It provides recommendations on implementing basic online practices, like enabling two-factor authentication on important accounts, making sure software stays updated, and using encrypted chats to protect private communications. More advanced users can receive advice on where to go for more help.

Answer a few simple questions to get personalized online safety recommendations. It’s confidential – no personal information is stored and they won’t access any of your online accounts.

via Schneier on Security

Pictures Folder Jumps Back To Top When Scrolling

Here is an odd issue that we had the other day. Windows 10.

Anytime the end user tried scrolling down in his Pictures folder, after about 6 seconds it would jump back to the top.

Very annoying.

Click on START (windows button, lower left side) Gear icon is right above it aka Settings
Click on SETTINGS
Click on Personalization
Click on COLORS
Then uncheck – Automatically pick an accent color from my background

Fixed it!

Spring Time Theme for Windows 10

It is my favorite time of the year, spring time! Enjoy my spring time theme with a clever sound scheme too!

Click on the link, download the Spring Time.themepack and then double click it to bring pretty flowers, an insect or two with some sounds of spring to your computer. Fun!

Last Day for Windows 10 Upgrade

Thank you Microsoft, for your free upgrade.

I upgraded as many as I could… Windows 8.1 users and took 2-3 year old Windows 7 (Pro) machines into the new technology.

And the upgrade worked as designed.

So, Thank you Microsoft, for that free upgrade.

If you have a Windows 8.1 or newer computer, backup your data first and then upgrade today. In 2-4 years from now, it will be time for a new computer with Windows 12, 13, 14… and new technology is still further ahead.

Best way to upgrade right now is: msn.com

The splash screen to upgrade makes it easy. However; the upgrade will take a long time. My Updating Windows 10 blog post has more details.

On the 1 and 5 chance the upgrade doesn’t go seamlessly, we can always roll it back, within 30 days. That’s handy.

 

Change Public Network to Private Network | Windows 10

Having upgraded numerous Windows 7 home based systems, I found the network seems to default to a “public network”.

That is hunky-dory if you are in a coffee shop or airport, but home based businesses should be set to a “private network”.

Let me show you how:

First, Click on the START button and then Click on Settings:

Click on Network & Internet:

Scroll down to Advanced options and Click on it. It will take you to this setting:

Turn ON – Make this PC discoverable.

This is the How – To for wireless connections.

Much better!