windows 10

Infopackets Reader Gale S. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just purchased a brand new Windows 10 laptop, and created a new Microsoft Account when I first logged in. The problem is however, I forgot my Microsoft Account password! Now I can't get back into ... Windows 10 because my password isn't working! I don't know what to do. Can you help? " My response: There are two ways you can reset your Windows 10 email password; one involves resetting your email password by phone (if enabled), or by computer. The other involves converting your resetting the password using a password reset trick using a USB or ... (view more)

Microsoft's latest change to the way it pushes users to upgrade to Windows 10 has been described as a "confusing new low." It's now using an on-screen message that appears to trick users into believing they must install the new operating system. The ... change is to the 'Get Windows 10' notification. That's the small white Windows logo that has appeared in the bottom right of the screen for most users of Windows 7 and 8.1 since a system update earlier in the year. Clicking on the logo brings up some promotional material for Windows 10 and a link to download the new operating ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Brian W. writes: " Dear Dennis, I was interested in your article about update KB3122947 . I am having the same experience with KB3116908 which has failed 9 or 10 times now, with the following error message: 'Some update files are ... missing or have problems. We'll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80070570).' This is yet another Cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1511, dated December 2, 2015. Do you have a set of instructions on how to fix this one? " My response: As you've mentioned, KB3116908 is a cumulative update for Windows 10 - and is also ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Fred P. writes: " Dear Dennis, My Windows 10 computer rebooted yesterday because it downloaded some updates, however kb3116900 failed to install, with error code 0x80071A2D. I tried to find this update using the Windows Update ... Catalog but Firefox says it is an untrusted connection. I tried Internet Explorer and was able to connect. I downloaded the update, but it failed to install again. What can I do? This update says it's a Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (KB3116900). Can you help? " My response: I had the exact same problem on one of ... (view more)

A software engineer has accused Microsoft of going to extreme lengths to push users into upgrading to Windows 10. Josh Mayfield says Microsoft is in a cat and mouse game with users who are explicitly trying to avoid an upgrade. We've previously ... reported on Microsoft's tactics to make Windows 10 an automatic upgrade for many users . Microsoft went as far as to recently reclassify the operating system as an optional update to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, meaning it will automatically install for all users who have set their machines to trust Microsoft and accept all updates. As things ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Nigel S. writes: " Dear Dennis, Today my Windows 10 computer rebooted to finish installing updates, but then I received an error message that update KB3122947 'failed to install', with an error 0x80070643 - whatever that means. I ... clicked on the More Info link that didn't help me fix the problem. Can you help? " My response: Based on what I've read online, update KB3122947 has failed to install for many people - in fact, it failed to install on one of my systems. There is, however, a workaround and it involves using the administrative command line. Unfortunately the ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Steve C. writes: " Dear Dennis, Thanks again for your wonderful website and for the ongoing coverage on Windows 10. I was wondering if you could tell me where is the Solitaire and other games for Windows 10? I use to play ... Solitaire for Windows 7, including Hearts, Spider Solitaire, and Minesweeper but I cannot find them in Windows 10. The only alternative I've seen is to pay for them. Why would Microsoft get rid of Solitaire and these other great games after including them for so long? I hope you can help! " My response: In Windows 10 if you want to access the ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Tom H. writes: " Dear Dennis, I'm currently running Windows 7 and would like to upgrade to Windows 10. However, the one thing I'm greatly concerned about is how Windows 10 will track and share my information online. In your ... opinion is Windows 10 worth it or should I stick with Windows 7? " My response: That's a good question, and there a number of things to consider. Updates for the Life of the Machine In my opinion, it's definitely worth the upgrade to go from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 simply for the fact that you will be running the latest operating system from ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Frank T. writes: " Dear Dennis, Thanks for your ongoing coverage on Windows 10. My question is: how can I download the Windows 10 Fall Update (version 10586) to my machine? It downloaded automatically onto my laptop, but not my ... main PC. I searched online on how to download Windows 10 Fall Update but came across conflicting reports, some of which worked and some that don't. Can you help? " My response: I also did some research on this as I was having the same issue. My server PC downloaded Windows 10 Fall Update but none of my other PCs did, even though everything was ... (view more)

Windows 10's first major public update is getting mixed, but generally positive reviews. Several small but potentially useful changes have also been spotted. The change, known as "Threshold 2" or simply "Fall Update" is the first big update that's ... been rolled out to general users. It brings together a series of smaller sets of tweaks that have previously been delivered to people in Microsoft test programs. In effect the update is the closest thing to the old-school Service Packs, though such updates should come far more frequently with Windows 10. Boot Time Reduced ... (view more)