windows 10

Microsoft has confirmed some Windows 10 computers may freeze up after the latest update. It says starting in Safe mode is one way to get round the problem while a permanent fix is developed. The problem comes with the Windows 10 "Anniversary Update" ... (Build 14393.51), which is the recently-released biggest set of changes since Windows 10 was released. In previous editions of Windows, this significant update might be considered the equivalent of a Service Pack. According to Microsoft, the Anniversary Update problem only affects computers with a specific set-up, namely that the ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Barry P. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just upgraded from Windows 8.1 to 10. Now, every time I boot the computer, I receive an error message that 'AMD Quick Stream Error: The license information to use this software is not found'. I ... have absolutely no idea what that means. Can you help? " My response: I asked Barry if he'd like me to connect to his machine and review this problem together using my remote desktop service, and he agreed. Sure enough, after every reboot the "AMD Quick Stream Error" message appeared on the desktop. I queried Google for the exact phrase: "AMD Quick ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Bryan B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I've read on a few websites that Windows 10 Anniversary Update was released on August 2nd (2016), yet when I check for Windows Updates on my machine, it says I'm up to date. I've also tried to ... upgrade to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update by downloading 'Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB3176929)' from the Windows Update catalog site, but the Windows Update Standalone Installer simply tells me that 'This update is not applicable to your computer.' How can I get the Windows 10 Anniversary Update to install ... (view more)

Just days after the deadline for free upgrades to Windows 10 passed (July 29, 2016), the first Windows 10 loophole has emerged. Reports suggest that users with disabilities can still claim the free Windows 10 upgrade, but proving eligibility appears ... to be nothing more than an honor check. For most users, the deadline for the free Windows 10 upgrade offer has passed and attempting to download and install Windows 10 from Microsoft's website now brings up only an option to buy the system, which costs $120 for the standard Home edition. However, Microsoft also has a separate page for people ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Bob T. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just upgraded to Windows 10; unfortunately the Windows 10 upgrade corrupted my Start menu and tray bar, so I decided to do a clean install - which also means I have to reinstall all my programs. I'm ... now trying to install MS Office 2010 on the machine, but the MS Office setup.exe program keeps telling me 'Error 1317: Setup Cannot Create Directory C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft Office', and then rolls back and cancels the installation. I have tried using my original MS Office disc, and have also downloaded MS ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader 'Davide' writes: " Dear Dennis, I have 7 of the exact same PCs with exact same displays: a Dell 2330 All-in-one (AIO). Some of the Dell 2330's upgraded to Windows 10 just fine; others would give me an error that 'Windows 10 will ... not work on this PC' because the display is not compatible with Windows 10 . Can you help me fix this error? " My response: I have been asked this question numerous times, though I have not have had the opportunity to connect remotely to someone's computer (via my remote desktop support service ) in order to troubleshoot this problem. That said, I ... (view more)

The Windows 10 "Anniversary Update" is out this week and those who've already tried it are generally impressed. However, it doesn't seem like enough to push skeptics over the edge. The update is scheduled to start rolling out next Tuesday, two days ... after the deadline to get a free upgrade to Windows 10, which is July 29, 2016. It's arguably the biggest set of updates since the system debuted last summer. There's only one significant feature that's completely new, named Windows Ink. It's designed mainly for use with stylus and pens on touchscreen devices. ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Frank C. writes: " Dear Dennis, Thanks so much for helping me fix my broken start menu and task bar [which required a complete reinstall of Windows 10 32-bit] using your remote desktop support service . After you reviewed my ... laptop's hardware, I am taking your advice and wish to upgrade my system to 8GB of RAM. I understand that once I upgrade to the 8 GB of RAM, I will also need to upgrade to Windows 10 64-bit, because Windows 10 32-bit can only see a maximum of 4GB on my system. My question is: how can I upgrade from Windows 10 32-bit to Windows 10 64-bit? I downloaded ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Mary L. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just installed Windows 10 on my laptop, but I'm having a problem with the screen fading so dark I can hardly see it. I've tried adjusting the screen brightness manually on the laptop by pressing ... the FN (function) key + up arrow key, but the screen brightness won't say - it keeps going dark automatically on its own. The screen goes dim whether or not I have the laptop plugged into the power outlet, or if it's running on battery. It also seems to happen immediately as soon as I login to Windows. I have tried changing the Power Settings (via ... (view more)

A research firm believes the free Windows 10 upgrade offer may have had a significant effect on new PC sales. It's part of an apparent pattern of users holding on to their old computers for longer. Speaking to The Register, Ranjit Atwal of Gartner ... said the company surveyed people who had taken advantage of the upgrade. It found that one in five of those questioned had decided against plans to get a new computer after trying out the new system on their existing machines. Atwal claims Microsoft did not expect that figure to be so high. (Source: theregister.co.uk ) In some ways the trend ... (view more)