How to remove bloatware from your Windows 10 PC
Bloatware is pre-installed software (that may or may not be malicious) that typically requires an unwarranted amount of disk space, slowing down your computer and exposing you to more cybersecurity risks. Superfish In mid-2014, Lenovo users noticed that something was awry with their web browsers: banner ads were breaking webpage layouts and pop-ups were making surfing unpleasant. A deep dive into the problem led to the discovery of pre-installed software called Superfish — malware in the form of an adware pusher. The app caused an uproar not only because of its disruptive ads, but also because it was found that Lenovo had essentially interrupted what’s known in the industry as the certificate chain — a chain of trust whereby companies that run machines that users visit as they traverse the internet provide certificates that prove they’re a legitimate party. With Superfish, Lenovo allegedly used self-signed certificates — as Lenovo is a known and trusted brand — making Superfish the root Certificate Authority (CA), meaning it can decide which encrypted communications to trust. This was bad news for data privacy because in theory, Lenovo could have used Superfish to generate a valid encryption certificate, giving them an opportunity to abuse this trust to spy on PC owners. It also meant that malicious hackers could simply use Superfish’s encryption methods and abuse them to intercept other people’s internet traffic. Bloatware everywhere Microsoft has developed and deployed its fair share of bloatware as well. The Windows 10 operating system, in particular, has plenty of them, such as: Quicktime CCleaner uTorrent Shockwave Player Microsoft Silverlight Browser toolbars Coupon printer for Windows WinRAR Apps by the hardware manufacturer (laptop brand) Some of these even run in the background and slow down computers without users knowing it. While some users find value in these add-ons, many prefer to start with a leaner operating system due to storage space and processing power concerns. If they want a particular software, they prefer to download it themselves so they can have greater control over their machines and how they experience their hardware and software. Like Superfish, other Windows 10 bloatware can also cause critical vulnerabilities. One ironic incident involved a pre-installed version of Keeper Password Manager. Instead of keeping passwords safe, it allowed malicious actors behind any website to steal passwords due to bloatware. While Windows 10 users needed to enable Keeper to store their passwords that exposed them to vulnerabilities, it makes you wonder why such a flawed password manager app was there in the first place. How to rid your PC of bloatware Removing inclusions you did not ask can be a hassle, but it’s actually fairly easy. Windows has been kind enough to include a robust bloatware removal tool so that you can remove all apps you don’t need. Here’s how: Click the Start menu and type Windows Security in the search bar. Go to the Device Performance & Health section. Scroll down and you’ll see a section with the header “Fresh start”. Click on the additional info link at the bottom. Click on Get Started and accept the user account control (UAC) prompt. The Fresh start interface should pop open. Click Next. The tool will present a list of Windows 10 bloatware that will be removed. Review the list and click Next. Click on Start. Bloatware not only clutters your laptops and PCs, but it can also render your business vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches. Save yourself from tons of headaches down the line; learn more about protecting your computers from bloatware. Call our team of IT experts today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Microsoft changes how it updates Windows 10
Before, whenever Microsoft’s hardware partners released updates on their drivers, those updates caused multiple problems for Windows 10 users. To resolve that, Microsoft revised the way it updates Windows 10. First, let’s distinguish between driver updates and operating system (OS) updates: Driver updates – A driver is software that allows your computer’s OS to communicate with various hardware devices connected to your computer. Without a driver, the devices you use — display, keyboard, mouse, modem, motherboard, etc. — will not work properly. Hardware manufacturers update their drivers similarly to any standard computer program. Updates are often enhancements to accommodate new software; for example, a new video game with state-of-the-art graphics will require driver updates for your display screen. OS updates – Windows 10 receives two kinds of regular updates: Security updates (every month) consist mostly of security fixes that are quickly installed. Feature updates (every six months) consist of upgrades to the latest Windows version with enhanced features, often requiring multiple reboots to install. Problems occur when Windows 10 updates are incompatible with a current driver, or when driver updates are released around the same time as Windows 10 updates. In both cases, compatibility issues result in automatic non-installation of updates and startup failures. To address this issue and improve user experience, Microsoft has changed the way it updates. #1 Microsoft now allows its hardware partners to request upgrade blocks Before, Microsoft put up an upgrade block when there were compatibility issues with certain drivers. But now the Redmond-based company is allowing their hardware partners like Intel, RealTek, and others, to request for upgrade blocks if they know their driver is not yet validated. This temporary Windows Update block period is between 30 and 60 days. Once the driver has been updated, then the Windows Update block will be removed. #2 Microsoft bans new driver releases during holidays and weekends To further improve driver update experiences, Microsoft has banned new driver releases during US public holidays and weekends. This is because Microsoft employees are not available to address compatibility issues that crop up after an update. And Microsoft aims to make driver release dates more predictable in the future. Do you encounter problems with your Windows 10 updates? If you constantly find it difficult to accomplish the updates for Windows 10 or for your drivers, then you should talk to our Windows experts — they’ll be more than happy to assist you. Call or email us right now. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Windows Hello simplifies logging in
You can now log in faster and more securely to your laptop, tablet, websites, or apps with Microsoft’s Windows Hello. You only have to use your camera to recognize your face or a fingerprint reader. Say hello to fingerprint, iris, and facial scans Windows Hello is an advanced biometric identity and access control feature in Windows 10. It allows you to log in to your computer without the need to enter a password. All you need is a fingerprint, iris, or facial scan. If you’re worried about your privacy, rest assured that your biometric data is only saved to your device, never on Microsoft’s servers. It’s still best to handle this technology with caution, but Microsoft assures users that third parties cannot access your biometric data. How to set up Windows Hello A laptop or desktop with Windows 10 and a compatible webcam are all you need to set up Windows Hello. There is a full list of supported hardware here. To get started with Hello, click the magnifying glass on your Start bar and open the Settings window. From there, choose Account, followed by Sign-in options. You should see setup options for face, iris, or fingerprint scans. Select which method you want to set up and follow the prompts to create a login profile. You can even save your biometric data or scan more than once to boost accuracy. The system collects more data every time you scan, so it’s better to complete a few scans before enabling the login feature. After setting up your account, you can start adding family members who share the same device. Each of them can set up their own biometric profile in a separate account. Passwords are still an option when using Windows Hello in case your camera isn’t working. There are several Windows features that can make your life easier. Our IT experts can help you get more out of your Windows devices. Contact us today! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Nasty malware can bypass Windows 10 security
Researchers have discovered a type of malware that can easily bypass the security protocols of Windows 10. This malware is a new variation of ransomware called Snatch, and it comes with an added data stealer component. Designed to target corporate networks rather than consumers, Snatch has been modified to reboot your PC in Safe Mode to disable any security programs from initiating. Who’s behind the Snatch ransomware? According to the report released by Sophos, the threat actors responsible for the Snatch ransomware call themselves the Snatch Team on dark web message forums. The researchers observed this team posting appeals for affiliate partners on Russian language message forums. The cybercriminal group is looking to purchase network access intelligence so they can launch automated brute force attacks against unsuspecting enterprises. What does Snatch do? When this malware infects your computer, it installs a Windows service called SuperBackupMan. The SuperBackupMan is then executed, allowing hackers to use administrator access to run the BCDEDIT tool and force your computer to restart in Safe Mode. After restarting, Snatch then uses the Windows command vssadmin.com to erase all the Volume Shadow Copies on your system. This prevents you from recovering the files locked by this ransomware. Aside from encrypting your data, Snatch is also capable of installing surveillance software, as well as stealing important business and personal information. How to protect yourself from Snatch Sophos offered several tips on how you can protect your business from this dangerous ransomware. Monitor your network – Be proactive when it comes to hunting for breaches and potential threats in your network. You can invest in the latest threat-hunting program, or, if you lack the resources to do so, you can employ the services of a reputable managed IT services provider (MSP) to assist you in identifying and stopping any malicious activity in your system. Use multifactor authentication (MFA) – In this day and age, having a strong password is not enough to protect you from cybercriminals. Set your network up with MFA to make it harder for hackers to brute force their way into your system. Check all your devices – Sophos stated in their report that the initial access points of Snatch attacks were unmonitored and unprotected devices. Your IT staff or MSP should run regular checkups on all your active devices to make sure no vulnerabilities exist. Protect remote access protocols – If your organization uses servers with remote access protocols, make sure they’re updated with the latest security patches and protected by endpoint protection software solutions. These access points should also be monitored regularly for abnormal activity and login attempts. Use a secure internet connection – Do not use your remote desktop interface on an unprotected internet connection. If remote access is needed, you should protect your computers by using a virtual private network (VPN). The severity of the risk posed by Snatch is something you should not ignore. Building a solid and secure network is not enough to protect your business from ransomware. Hackers are always looking for new ways to gain access to your system, which is why your security software solutions, backups, strategy, and training should adapt and keep up. If you want to learn more about how to step up your network security, contact us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
What to expect from Windows 10’s November 2019 Update
Microsoft recently released the latest version of Windows 10, so it’s time to update your PC’s operating system. While it’s practically just a service pack, the update has some useful improvements to your computer’s performance. Here’s a list of the features the November 2019 Update brings. Also known as Windows 10 version 1909 or 19H2, the Windows 10 November 2019 Update can be installed by heading to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check Updates > Download and install now. Once the update is installed, that’s it — there are no long reboots and old Windows installation purges needed, unlike with previous updates. Just restart your PC and enjoy the small but helpful tweaks to your OS. Windows Search and File Explorer integration Previously, files on OneDrive were considered separate from those on your computer. Later versions of Windows 10 allowed file syncing between OneDrive and your PC. Doing a “This PC” search would show you a long list of the files stored on both OneDrive and your computer. With Windows 10’s latest update, Windows Search indexes your computer. As such, typing a filename into the search box in File Explorer brings up a dropdown menu with a list of suggested files on both your local drive and OneDrive cloud. You also have the option of right-clicking on one of the search results to open the file’s location. This means you don’t have to sort through all the files that come up during a search, saving you some precious time. You could still search non-indexed locations by pressing Enter after typing in the filename you’re looking for. Battery life and other performance improvements In general, some PCs will experience an improved battery life with the new update. This also means better power efficiency that leads to longer battery life for your laptop. The November 2019 Update also brings improvements to the scheduling on multicore CPUs, rotating work better among the cores to enhance performance and reliability. Also, if your computer has digital inking features, you’ll experience lower latency with the new update. This means fewer lag or delay issues when you’re drawing, so you can complete tasks much faster. Activate Alexa on the lock screen Cortana’s not the only digital assistant with access to your computer’s lock screen anymore. A tweak in the November 2019 Update now allows you to voice activate third-party digital assistants from the lock screen. Those “third-party digital assistants” actually mean just Amazon’s Alexa for now, but this change could pave the way for a future wherein you could use several digital assistants on a single device. In fact, earlier this year, Microsoft announced the Voice Interoperability Initiative (VII). This would enable users to use several wake words on a single desktop or laptop, including those running on Windows 10. For instance, you could use Spotify’s own voice-guided navigation directly if you want to play a specific song. This is opposed to how current AI assistants work; right now, if you want to play a song on Spotify, you’d have to direct your request through Cortana or Alexa. VII basically does away with this extra step. But again, the tech is limited to launching just Alexa from the lock screen — at least, for now. Add new events to your Calendar from the taskbar Windows 10’s calendar application is a nifty tool for staying organized and on top of tasks. The latest update makes it even easier to use by allowing you to create calendar events directly from the taskbar. Simply click the clock on the taskbar to open the Calendar. Click on a date and type in the name, time, and location of the event or task in the textbox that comes up. You can also view and edit any events or tasks you create here in the Calendar app. Other useful tweaks The Start menu has been made more user-friendly. Hovering over icons in the navigation pane on the left side of the menu shows what you’re about to click on, so it’s easier to understand what the icon does before you click on it. Also, Microsoft’s screen reader Narrator tells you where the Fn key is located on your keyboard and whether it’s locked or unlocked. This is especially helpful to users who can’t easily see the keys. Finally, before the November 2019 Update, you had to disable notification sounds separately for each app that shows notifications. But now you can easily mute all notification sounds by going to Settings > System Notifications > Notifications & Actions. Microsoft is always seeking ways to improve their products and, in turn, user experience and productivity. If you want to learn more about the different Microsoft products and devices, drop our experts a line today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Windows PC running slow? Just clean it
If you’re noticing a significant slowdown in your Windows PC’s performance, it may be because it’s bogged down by too many unnecessary files. Free up some disk space and revitalize your machine by using the Disk Cleanup tool.
Tips and tricks to master Windows 10
Microsoft’s latest operating system is so full of features that it’s hard to learn them all. After countless hours answering questions and fixing issues related to Windows 10, we’ve put together a list of the most useful apps, settings, and features. See how many of our picks you already know! Night Light This feature lets you reduce the amount of blue light emitted from your screen, which reduces eye strain and boosts sleep efficiency. Night Light is disabled by default, so you need to enable it by following these steps: Click the Start Menu Open the Settings app (or press the Windows key + I to quickly open Settings) Select the System icon followed by the Display option in the left-hand pane Set Night light to “On” or “Off” Taskbar pin It takes only a few seconds to open a browser and enter a web address or choose a saved page from the bookmarks menu. However, Windows 10 makes the process even quicker with Edge browser’s “Pin this page to the taskbar” feature. This is an essential shortcut for anyone who relies on web-based apps such as email or company intranets. Pin your open windows Do you struggle to organize a screen cluttered with open windows? Holding the Windows key and pressing an arrow should solve most of your problems: Windows key + Left – Resize the current window’s width to half the size of the screen and align it to the left Windows key + Right – Resize the current window’s width to half the size of the screen and align it to the right Windows key + Up – Maximize the current window to fit the entire screen Windows key + Down – Downsize the current window When none of those keys are enough to set you straight, holding the Windows key and pressing the Tab button will show you all the apps you currently have open. Focus Assist Notifications are frustratingly distracting. Windows 10’s Focus Assist feature helps you tackle this issue by customizing which contacts and applications can interrupt you during predetermined periods of time. Try it out by: Opening the Settings window Clicking the System icon Selecting Focus Assist from the left-hand pane Adjusting the notifications settings based on your preference If you wish to disable it and receive all notifications, click “Off.” These are just a few of our favorites. For more software and productivity recommendations, give our experts a call today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Windows 10 makes backing up files easy
To any business, ransomware means trouble. From operational disruption and revenue loss to total shutdown, it spares no part of the company. That’s why it’s wise to regularly back up your business data in multiple locations, including the cloud. If your computer is running on Windows 10, you’re in luck because the operating system makes backing up and restoring your files as easy as pie. File History is back in Windows 10 Users will be glad to know that Windows brought the same functionality of File History from Windows 8 (and 8.1) to Windows 10. Apart from the slight design changes, there really isn’t much difference. Serving as the main backup utility, File History enables users to regularly schedule backing up of files on their PC and store them on an external drive. That means you can connect your PC to a network or USB drive and make backups as needed. However, be sure to regularly connect the external drive if you intend to use File History for backups. Otherwise, Windows will prompt you that your files have not been backed up every day. You can ignore this warning at your own risk. If you back up to a mapped network that is unavailable, File History will commence backup in the local disk until the network drive becomes available. Setting up File History Anyone can set up File History. After all, it was designed to make data backup and recovery easy for users. By default, File History backs up the main file folders, but you may also pick which folders you want to back up and bring in folders from other parts of the PC to do this. From the Start menu, click on Settings > Update & Security > Backup. Once in Backup, it’s time to connect an external drive. Click on Add a drive to see a list of external hard drives hooked up to your PC and choose one. When you return to the Backup section, you will see that the Add a drive option has changed to Automatically back up my files (by default). This allows backups to be created at periodic intervals, which you can set to anywhere from every 10 minutes to once a day (the default option is once every hour). You may also set how long to keep the backups (the default option is forever). Restoring files that have already been backed up is just as easy as setting up backups. Simply type “File History” in the search bar. Then, you will see the “Restore your files with File History” folder. When you select it, a new window showing the folders backed up onto your external drives will appear. Setting up OneDrive backup option If you have access to a network drive or the cloud, back up to it instead of locally. One such cloud option is OneDrive. You can prompt OneDrive to automatically back up your files. Just click on the cloud icon in the Windows notification area, then select More > Settings > Backup > Manage backup. Not only will selected folders sync in OneDrive, new and existing files will also be backed up to OneDrive, so they can be accessed on other devices in case something happens to your PC. Making system image backups A system image is an exact replica of your entire operating system, along with all the programs, settings, and files. If you created a system image backup using the Windows 7 Backup and Restore tool in Windows 7, it will still work in Windows 10. To use this feature, access the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) option from the Control Panel. Click on Create a system image, choose where to store the backup (external hard drive, network drive, or DVD), and which drives or files to back up. You will then be asked to make a system repair disc, which you can use to start a PC and restore the image backup. Never worry about losing files in Windows 10. For more tips on how to successfully backup and restore data, contact us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
An introduction to Microsoft 365
Are you bothered that Office 365 and Windows 10 are sold separately? If so, you’re not the only one, and thankfully, Microsoft has devised a solution to streamline your purchases. Here’s everything you need to know about Microsoft 365. Microsoft 365 caters to the workplace by combining Office 365 and Windows 10 into one solution, which is available in two plans: Microsoft 365 Business and Microsoft 365 Enterprise. Microsoft 365 Business Designed for small- to medium-sized companies, this bundle includes some of the best productivity tools, security, and device management capabilities that Microsoft has to offer. Productivity apps: Access, Publisher, OneNote, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, OneDrive, and Exchange Business tools from the Office suite (Microsoft Invoicing, MileIQ, Outlook Customer Manager, and Bookings) Enterprise-grade security and device management capabilities: Intune App Protection for Office and other mobile apps Exchange Online Archiving to back up, preserve, and protect your data Windows Defender Exploit Guard and Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection to keep your system safe from sophisticated malware and external threats like phishing Additional services: Regular updates for Windows 10 and the Office 365 apps Automatic installation of Office apps on all Windows 10 devices An admin console for managing and setting up devices and users Microsoft 365 Business is available in three pricing plans: Office 365 Business Essentials, Office 365 Business Premium, and Microsoft 365 Business. Microsoft 365 Enterprise Microsoft 365 Enterprise is designed for larger companies. Productivity cloud-based and local apps: Office 365 ProPlus, including apps like Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word for your Mac or PC Online services for meetings, collaboration, file storage, email, and more Windows 10 Enterprise, which includes app and device management features, providing users with the most secure version of the operating system yet You can subscribe to Microsoft 365 Enterprise through three plans: E3, E5, and F1. By choosing the right subscription model, you’ll be able to make the most out of Microsoft’s growing number of service offerings. If you’re looking to upgrade to Windows 10 and have any questions about the operating system, or are wondering which of the two plans to choose, give us a call today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Free your File Explorer of ads
Surprised that ads have taken over your Windows 10 PC, laptop, or Surface Pro? You can still have an ad-free experience with Windows 10 In this tutorial, we will show you how to turn off ads that Microsoft sends in File Explorer. Who are getting these ads? With ads being displayed in different parts of Windows 10 — the start menu, on the lock screen, from the taskbar, and in other Microsoft apps — overwhelming negative reactions to this Microsoft practice have been popping up online. However, the company doesn’t consider them ads. They call it “suggestions.” These suggestions promote Microsoft products and services and third-party apps in the Windows Store. The tech giant may be doing users a favor by reminding them they can easily grab apps in the store that can benefit them. But to many, the presence of ads is less a favor and more a nuisance. How do I turn them off? Fortunately, there’s a simple way to turn them off. In fact, you could disable these ads right now by doing the following: Open your File Explorer. Select View from the ribbon along the top of any File Explorer window. Click Options on the far right hand side. From the drop down arrow below Options, select Change folder and search options. Once in the Folder options window, go to the View tab. In the Advanced Settings window pane, scroll down and deselect ‘Show sync provider notifications’. Click Apply and close the Folder Options window. That’s all it takes! Keep in mind that we highly recommend the services Microsoft suggests. Office 365, OneDrive, and others are all great cloud platforms for safely working and collaborating from any device in any location — we just don’t want to see advertisements for them when we’re hunting down sales records. If you’re looking for Windows tips and tricks, this is the best blog on the web. If you’re looking for something a little more robust however, our managed services are second to none. Get in touch with us today to learn more! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.