updates
Microsoft Is Cutting The Ribbon In Word, Excel & Outlook
Microsoft intends to simplify the ribbon in Outlook, Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. It’s possible that Microsoft will work thoughtfully and carefully and you will be happy with the result.
Oh, stop it. I hear you laughing. I’m serious. Microsoft is saying all the right words. They want to make the ribbons (the tabbed toolbars across the top) simpler and easier to use, but they say there will be an easy way to return to the way they look now for people with strong muscle memory who don’t want to change. […] continued
Read moreHow To Fix Low Disk Space Notifications After Installing Windows 10 April 2018 Update
This is why Microsoft doesn’t have any friends.
If you start seeing a barrage of notifications about “low disk space” on your Windows 10 computer, it is likely to be the result of a bug in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update. There’s an easy fix – all you have to do is run a short, dangerous command that could potentially kill your computer if you mistype it. […] continued
Read moreBeware Of The Scary Button! Microsoft Mucks Up Another Update
Let’s start with the thrilling conclusion for readers with limited attention spans.
• There are some problems with the latest major Windows 10 update. Don’t panic – the problems will likely be fixed before the update is installed on your computer. I hope.
• For now, though, don’t click the “Check for updates” button in Windows 10 Settings. […] continued
Read moreAnother Season, Another Windows Update
Microsoft will soon begin distributing the Spring Creators Update for Windows 10, likely starting on Patch Tuesday, April 10. The update will bring Windows 10 to version 1803.
Hey, calm down. Sure you’re excited. We’re all excited. But there’s no need for pushing and shoving. We’ll all get it eventually.
Here’s a recap in case you’re having trouble keeping up, then I’ll tell you about the exciting new features in the upcoming update. […] continued
Read moreMeltdown & Spectre: What You Need To Know About Intel’s Security Disaster
Nearly every modern processor has security flaws that potentially could allow hackers to steal data from any computer or server. The two related problems, code-named Meltdown and Spectre, have the technology industry in a tizzy and spilled over to the mainsteam press a few days ago. They are difficult to fix and alarming to read about. […] continued
Read moreThe Confusing Story Of OneDrive Files On-Demand
OneDrive Files On-Demand is a new feature being rolled out now to Windows 10 computers worldwide. It’s a valuable and welcome new feature that you should know about and that you might use. But this is from Microsoft, so you will not be surprised to find out that (1) it’s hard to predict when you’ll get the update that includes the new feature, (2) it’s confusing to set it up, and (3) it’s poorly documented. […] continued
Read moreOutlook And The Never-Ending Password Prompt
This is a frustrating story of a poorly-defined bug with no solution. Feel free to look away if this doesn’t apply to you.
Starting a month ago, Outlook began prompting a few of my clients for passwords. It has been prompting them a lot. At its worst, Outlook password prompts are popping up every ten or fifteen minutes. […] continued
Read moreThe Fast And The Slow Of Windows 10 Updates
A few months ago, Microsoft announced that there will be two major updates for Windows 10 every year, in March and September. These are the big updates that bring Exciting New Features™, in addition to the regular monthly or more-than-monthly security updates. Microsoft said it is committed to making the update process “predictable.” So you know we can count on it! […] continued
Read moreWhat’s The Matter With Office?
The programs in Microsoft’s Office suite should be as solid as a rock. Lately that phrase doesn’t seem to mean what it used to mean.
The core Office programs are mature. They’re downright elderly. Microsoft Word and Excel are more than thirty years old. The Outlook program for Windows is 20 years old. […] continued
Read moreWhat To Look For In The Next Major Windows 10 Update
Microsoft will release the next major update for Windows 10 – version 1703, nicknamed “Creators Update” – starting April 11. There’s something important that I want you to watch.
It’s not anything new in Windows 10. Nothing important is updated or changed by the April version 1703 update. It’s a collection of fit and finish improvements, nothing more. […] continued
Read moreWhat To Do When Outlook 2016 Is Stuck On “Processing”
Let me tell you about an infuriating bug. It is pointless and stupid and represents Microsoft carelessness at its worst. It has existed for at least six months. It only affects a few people, but those people have no good way to discover how to fix it. I can find no pattern to explain when it appears. […] continued
Read moreStart10 Is Your Friend – Install It And Keep It Up To Date
If your Windows 10 computer displays an update notice for a new version of Start10, go ahead and install it. It’s safe.
This is your Windows 10 Start menu with Start10.
Start10 is a five dollar program from Stardock Software that replaces the Windows 10 Start menu with a start menu that looks exactly like Windows 7. […] continued
Read moreHappy Holidays From Bruceb Consulting!
My goodness. Pause for a deep breath.
By every measure that truly matters – personal, family, friends, relationships, community – 2016 was a glorious year for me. I sincerely hope you are the same – happy, healthy, rooted, and all your dreams coming true for you and loved ones.
Breathe deeply because by almost every other measure, 2016 was quite an unpleasant piece of work and 2017 will be worse. […] continued
Read moreWhy Windows 10 Won’t Connect To The Internet (Another Day, Another Microsoft Update Disaster)
If your computer won’t connect to the Internet, you might have run into a new Windows bug. It’s got all the classic symptoms of Microsoft bugs.
• It’s affecting a large number of people but we don’t know how many. Microsoft has posted an extraordinary banner on its support pages, which suggests it might be a widespread problem. […] continued
Read moreSecurity Tip: Replace, Upgrade And Secure Your Router
Pity the poor forgotten router. You have one in your house or your business. It’s your closest approach to the Internet. The router is the first line of defense that you trust to keep your computers safe. If they do their job, routers do not call attention to themselves and they’re easily overlooked, but they’re crucial to your Internet connection and your security. […] continued
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