windows 10

Researchers have spotted new ransomware with a nasty new twist. "Clop," as it's called, doesn't just encrypt files, but deliberately attempts to screw up applications as well. The move is most likely intended to reduce the chances of the ransomware ... being blocked, but also means an attack could be even more disruptive and make it more likely a complete rebuild of the affected PC is necessary. Normally ransomware's main task is to encrypt as many files as possible on a computer. The idea here is to extort the user by forcing them to pay a ransom to regain access to the locked files. ... (view more)

Microsoft may be planning to change the way it issues updates for Windows 10. It could help break the cycle of updates fixing previous problems and introducing new ones. Windows 10 represents a shift in the way that Windows Updates are applied. In ... addition to frequent updates to fix bugs and add features, the biggest changes are saved for two major updates each year. The idea is that Windows 10 will be updated indefinitely, rather than introducing a totally new edition. This replaced the previous model of each edition of Windows getting a "Service Pack" of updates every year or two and then ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Jean P. writes: " Dear Dennis, Last week my PC tried to update, but now Windows 10 boots to a black screen. I read your article on Windows 10 boots to black screen with mouse , but was unsuccessful. I decided to format and ... reinstall Windows 10. Unfortunately, now the system reserved partition is on the second hard drive . This is a problem because when I do a disk image backup of my C drive, the system reserved partition is on the wrong drive . Do you know how I can move the system reserved partition to another disk? I want to move system reserved partition to C ." My ... (view more)

Microsoft is to fix some major problems with the Windows 10 File Explorer. But the delay has raised some serious questions about its testing process. The problem first arose with Windows 10 version 1909, otherwise known as the November 2019 update. ... That version added a new feature to the File Explorer's search tool, which meant you can now preview documents stored remotely on OneDrive (cloud storage), rather than just locally on the computer itself. (Source: techradar.com ) Somehow adding that feature managed to add three major glitches: Many users found using the search tool would freeze ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Hillary K. writes: " Dear Dennis, My main PC recently upgraded to Windows 10 1909 (November 2019 edition) and now it immediately boots into a black screen . I can move the mouse around, but I can't login because I have a black ... screen. I've tried CTRL + ALT + DEL on the keyboard to bring up Task Manager per Microsoft's website, but it doesn't work. I've also tried Windows Key + P to refresh my display but it doesn't work. I can see the hard drive light blinking, meaning that there is activity and the system appears to be loading and doing things, but that's it. All I get is ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Samuel P. writes: " Dear Dennis, I have two Windows 10 Pro machines, currently running Windows 10 1903. Both machines can't install KB4522355 (released October 24, 2019). This update would bring me to OS Build 18362.449. When I go ... to PC Settings -> Update and Security, it tells me that KB4522355 is pending, and when I click 'download and install', it tries to install but then fails repeatedly. I've tried clearing my Windows Update queue per your instructions but KB4522355 won't install . Can you please help? " My response: I asked Samuel if he would like me to connect to ... (view more)

Microsoft is working with PC makers to tackle malware that strikes before Windows is loaded into memory. It's adapting a technology currently used for the Xbox games console. The "Secured-core" initiative is designed to overcome a big limitation ... with most Windows security tools: they only work once Windows is already running. That doesn't tackle malware that targets the computer's firmware. This is software, usually called BIOS or UEFI, than runs immediately when a PC is switched on. Its main role is to check all the hardware is in place and connected, then load up the operating system such ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Shelby C. writes: " Dear Dennis, I am in a huge hurry to upgrade my machine to Windows 10 because there won't be any more security updates for Windows 7 in January 2020, when Windows 7 reaches its end of life. I have tried to ... upgrade using the Upgrade Assistant and Windows 10 media, but I keep getting ' SAFE_OS phase error during Replicate_OC operation ' error, whatever that means. Windows 10 simply won't install on my machine! I have looked at articles all over the Internet including one from the Windows Club and none of them work. I really need your help! Can you please ... (view more)

Users have highlighted two more problems with the latest Windows 10 Update, released September 10, 2019. It's messed up sound for some users, while others can no longer get online. For those keeping track, the problems are with the Windows 10 update ... KB4515384 , which has already given some users a broken Windows search tool and others a mysterious red or orange hue to their screen. Ironically, that update was designed partly to fix problems with a previous update ( KB4512941 ) which broke the Windows Search for some users, and also caused constant high processor demand for others. One of the ... (view more)

It's becoming something of a pattern that Microsoft issues a Windows 10 Update that causes a problem , then issues a follow-up that fixes it, but then introduces new problems. And it's happened again. Just last week Microsoft issued an update ( ... KB4512941 ) that fixed problems in the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (version 1903), but introduced new bugs with some users finding the Windows search tool didn't work at all, or their processors were under constant strain. Microsoft has since release a new bug fix (KB4515384) for the previous bug fix, but users are reporting new problems. At the time of ... (view more)