update

Infopackets Reader Larry O. writes: " Dear Dennis, In regard to the free upgrade to Windows 10, I am confused as to which version of Windows 10 I will receive. I currently have Windows 8.1 Pro on my PC; will I get Windows 10 Pro? What is the ... difference between Windows 10 and Windows 10 Pro? " My response: This is a frequently asked question, so I will provide the answer for all PC users with Windows XP to 8. Windows 10 Home vs Pro First and foremost, there are two major consumer versions of Windows 10: Home and Pro. Windows 10 Home is targeted toward casual or "everyday" ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Rob B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I have a Dell D630 laptop and an Acer Aspire One D-150 that I managed to install Windows 7 on. The Dell laptop is Windows 7 64-bit, while the Acer is Windows 7 32-bit. So far neither of the computers ... have shown the 'Get Windows 10' app in the tray bar, while my main machine (an Asus with an Intel core i7) says it is ready for the Windows 10 upgrade. I was hoping to use one of the other laptops to put Windows 10 on, but I get the feeling that they are missing something necessary in their CPUs to allow installation. I should also ... (view more)

Lenovo computer users have been warned to immediately check that they have installed a security patch to plug a significant risk of malware. Ironically, the risk is related to the way that Lenovo's automated software update system is updated. ... Independent security researchers discovered a flaw in the protection that is meant to ensure that Lenovo computers only automatically download and install genuine updates. The flaw means that a hacker can remotely install malicious software on a Lenovo computer simply by being on the same unsecured wireless network. Within the security community, ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader 'Mike' writes: " Dear Dennis, Thanks for your helpful site. I enjoy reading your advice and keeping up with the news. My question relates to the KB3000850 patch , which is a major update for Windows 8.1 for x64-based systems. It ... is a whopping 775 MB download; it first appeared as an 'optional' download, and then later as 'important'. I've tried installing KB3000850, but it has failed to install on 4 separate occasions. Googling KB3000850 gets into stuff way beyond my understanding, but one page by Woody Leonhard said not to install it . I ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader 'Phil' writes: " Dear Dennis, I am using Windows 7 Home Edition and have been using CCleaner (crap cleaner) for a long time without any problem. However, I've been having difficulty with the last four updates to the program. Each ... update will download as usual, but the green installation progress bar stops after having moved about a quarter of an inch. It doesn't move any further, even if I leave the system on all day. Any ideas what might be causing it or how to resolve the issue? Your help would be most appreciated. " My response: Oftentimes if a program doesn't update ... (view more)

Microsoft has released a Windows 10 Preparation Tool designed to integrate Windows 7 and 8 computers for testing Windows 10 more easily. The tool also coincides with a big update to Windows 10 Technical Preview which is due January next year, and ... will include many features that are most important to home computer users. (Source: winbeta.org ) Currently, Windows 10 is in its Technical Preview stage. That means many features are new and being tested by thousands of people, and the operating system itself is not fully functional. In all likelihood, the Technical Preview is full of bugs and has ... (view more)

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DOHS) has warned that users should switch away from Internet Explorer until a serious bug has been fixed. It's the first big security scare since Microsoft stopped supporting Windows XP earlier this ... month. The bug doesn't have a glamorous nickname and is instead simply known as CVE-2014-1776. When triggered, the bug allows for remote code execution, which means a third party would have full control over a remote PC without the need for credentials or consent from the PC owner. By clicking on a malicious link or by visiting an infected ... (view more)

A leaked set of documents reveals some additional changes planned for Windows 8 due next month. The changes are aimed at making the operating system easier to use with a mouse and keyboard, but without returning to the traditional Windows desktop ... interface. The free Windows 8 update will be officially released in April through Microsoft's Windows Update system. It will be known as Windows 8.1 Update 1 , a sign that the changes won't be as major as the previous update from version 8 to 8.1 (which was released October 2013). The details became public as Microsoft briefly made the update ... (view more)

Microsoft has announced that it plans to release its first major update for Windows 8.1 this spring, and it's called "Update 1". The biggest improvement, according to the firm, is that Windows 8.1 will become easier to use with a mouse and keyboard. ... Microsoft's first significant update to Windows 8 was Windows 8.1, which was released last fall. Windows 8.1 Update 1 expands upon that, and has been rumored for a spring 2014 release for some time. To date, however, Microsoft has said very little about what's included in the package. Windows 8.1 Update 1: Easier for Mouse, ... (view more)