Windows 10 version 1703 servicing ends in October, DaaS, Will you lease your next computer monthly?

Windows 10: Clock's ticking on upgrade, Microsoft warns Creators Update users

Microsoft has announced that it will no longer provide updates for Windows 10 version 1703 after October 9, 2018.  Version 1703, "Creators Update" was released in May 2017 followed by the "Fall Creators Update", ver. 1709 in October 2017.

The major version updates are large in size, often 1 GB and many people put off upgrading because of this and potential problems with incompatibilities that may arise.  Starting with version 1803 in April 2018, Microsoft allowed users to delay the decision to update.

What does it mean if you don't update?  You will no longer receive security updates to the latest threats from hackers and if your system is not currently under attack, it will be eventually.  When the Intel Meltdown and Spectre flaws were announced Microsoft was in the lead releasing patches to protect your computer.  After October 2018 users on version 1703 will no longer receive these or any other new security updates.

To find out which version of Windows 10 you're on, do the following,

Hold down the Windows key and press R, this will bring up the Run command.
Type cmd and press ENTER, Command Prompt Window will open,

At the prompt type WINVER and press ENTER.  You will receive a screen that provides your OS version.

Below is the full list of Windows 10 versions, courtesy Wikipedia.

Click here for the full story;

https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-clocks-ticking-on-upgrade-microsoft-warns-creators-update-users/

Windows 10: These two new builds deliver lots of bug fixes

https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-these-two-new-builds-deliver-lots-of-bug-fixes/

DaaS, Devices as a Service:  Microsoft bangs the 'devices as a service' drum ahead of Windows 7's end-of-support deadline

Windows 7 end of life January 14,2020.  Windows 10 protects against more than twice the malware threats.

According to Microsoft, there are 184 million commercial devices still on Windows 7 (excludes China), and the majority are more than 5 years old.

Microsoft is rapidly gearing up for a new model, DaaS, Devices as a Service.  The plan is to provide devices running Windows on a monthly subscription basis.  By 2020 when Windows 7 expires, they expect 30 percent of all PCs to be acquired via a monthly lease.


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Windows 10 update woes cont'd, Apple's update woes, Amazon Echo Dot

Arrrrgghhhh!  Microsoft, you killing me.

Sorry for the delayed response to my last post about upgrading my desktop to the latest version of Windows 10, Fall Creator's update, version 1709.  If you remember from my last post, after upgrading my PC I was presented with a black screen and flashing cursor with no available solution.  My only recourse after exhaustive searching for a solution was to restore my system to the previous version of Windows 10, version 1703.

Microsoft acknowledged the issue and released a couple of more updates that supposedly addressed the issue so last week I attempted to upgrade my system again.  This time was a complete disaster.  After the upgrade I once again was greeted with black screen and cursor.  Failing to resolve the issue  I tried to revert back to the previous version of Window 10 with no success.  I received a message stating that Windows encountered a problem and was unable to restore my previous version.

Great, right?  My only choices were to perform a recovery keeping my files and documents or recovery losing all my files.  Either way I was going to lose all my programs and settings.  Fortunately all my data/files are on a network drive and were safe.  I pulled the hard drive from my Core i7 desktop and connected it to a Core i5 desktop in hopes of it working there but the same black screen with cursor appeared on the new hardware.

Not wanting to be stuck with a machine that could not be upgraded, I downloaded the latest version Windows 10, Fall Creator's update, v1709, created a  USB boot installation drive and performed a fresh install of  Windows 10 successfully.

Windows 10 will notify you when the Fall Creators Update is available for your device. When the update is ready, you'll be asked to pick a time to install it if you're not ready.  To protect your data be sure to maintain a backup of your critical files in the event that something goes wrong.

If you are uncertain if the upgrade has occurred on PC yet, to check which version you are on please visit the following link,

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4028685/windows-10-get-the-fall-creators-update

If your computer has already been upgraded your version should be;

The issue with Windows machines is that there are so many available programs and options that no 2 machines are ever alike.  I'm sure there was some program or device driver or some combination of the two that was causing my black screen problem since I was able to successfully perform a clean install on the same hardware.

a bright note in all this, I discovered a free screen snapshot utility, Snip.  It works great and it's free.  Get it at; https://mix.office.com/snip


and don't gloat Apple users...

Apple's had a shockingly bad week of software problems

In the past week a massive security vulnerability was discovered in the latest macOS upgrade.  Anyone with access, either direct or remote could bypass administrator authentication and login without a password.

To make matters worse Apple then released a patch, followed by another upgrade which broke the patch and reintroduced the vulnerability.

https://news.google.com/news/search/section/q/apple%20problems/apple%20problems?hl=en&ned=us

Amazon's Echo Dot and my week with Alexa.

On a good note I purchased an Echo Dot during the Thanksgiving sales and I must say I am very impressed by it.  I interfaced it with my smartphone and in addition to providing me weather, music and news I use it as a speaker phone to place calls.  It is so easy, "Alexa", call so and so and she places the call, the audio is very good.  I tell Alexa to pair with my BlueTooth devices and she accomplishes this with ease.  I am just beginning to explore how Alexa can assist me in automating my house and will try to post updates as I explore the Dot's capability.

I purchased the Dot, regular price $49.95 for $29.95 on sale during the holidays.

https://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=9818047011&ref_=fs_ods_fs_aucc_cp

This push into home automation is being spear headed by Amazon with Goggle Home trying to play catch up.  Apple is also trying to move into this market but has missed the important holiday season with the release of their HomePod not schedule until 2018.  Of course in true Apple tradition it is priced at $349, much higher than Amazon Echo or Google Home.

https://www.cnet.com/products/apple-homepod/preview/


support your local blogger, buy a computer!  Happy Holidays!