In the April 2018 Update of Windows 10, Microsoft deprecated (removed) the Homegroup feature. I call this out not because I liked this feature personally, but it was a semi-large feature loss for the OS. There are some old features being remove in this version of the OS, but nothing too major.
Deprecated features (and removed)
The FontSmoothing option in unattend.xml has been removed. Windows 10 now uses ClearType by default.
The Hologram app has been replaced with Mixed Reality Viewer.
The Phone Companion app, has been replaced by the Phone page in the Settings app to sync smartphones with the PC.
The Trusted Platform Module management console, has been replaced by the Device Security page in the Windows Defender Security Center.
Updates through Windows Embedded Developer Update, now require you to download updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Business Scanning, aka Distributed Scan Management (DSM)
limpet.exe: which is used to access TPM by Azure connectivity, has been released as open source.
Deprecated features (and NOT removed)
Paint has been deprecated since the April 2018 Update, but is made available for download in the Windows store for now. At some point in the future it might be officially removed.
There are some programming interfaces and GUI tools that are going to be replaced:
Companion device dynamic lock APIS is being replaced by Dynamic Lock
OneSync service is being replaced by the Outlook app syncing
The Snipping Tool is being replaced by the Snip & Sketch app
As of a few days ago, Microsoft has started deploying the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (aka version 1809). This is part of a regular feature roll-out that the company does about every six months for Windows 10. There are lots of new features, and some deprecated ones (such as the Phone Companion app).
Some of the new features include:
SwiftKey keyboard for touchscreen PCs
A better screenshot tool
The "Your Phone" app for iPhone and Android devices
Enhanced privacy controls
More intelligent, faster and efficient updates.
Note:
If possible, I would recommend holding off for a few weeks as Microsoft is working out some bugs right now with this update because of some hardware compatibility issues.
As always it is recommend that you backup your whole system including your important data before installing any major system upgrade like this one.
As always Microsoft distributes these updates a few different ways. Most people will pick it up through automatic updates, this can randomly happen to users over the next few weeks and months. If you want it faster you can manually check for the update and see if it is available for you. To do this, in the Search box in the taskbar, type “Check for updates.” Once there, simply press the "Check for updates" button to begin the download and installation process.
You can also manually download the software, by going to microsoft.com/software-download/windows10, then click the "Update now" button to begin the update. This will download the Windows 10 Update Assistant. Otherwise press the "Download the tool now" button to start building a bootable Windows Installation ISO or USB key.
Microsoft is making the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update [version 1803] available for download as of 4/30/2018. This update contains the latest Windows operating system features, improvements and applications,
If you don't want to manually download and install the update to your system, Microsoft will roll it out globally on May 8, 2018 to all users.
Notes:
All the installation methods require you to have a valid licensed to install the Windows 10 update.
As always, make sure you have a good backup of your data and system before proceeding. I have had these install fail and take out my OS so the computer doesn't boot. It is rare, but it can happen.
Method 1 (Windows Update): If you want to use Windows Update to download the update. Go to Settings app > select Update and security > then Windows Update, press the Check for updates button.
The new Feature update to Windows 10, version 1803 should be available to you.
After the install completes the system will want to reboot, and the setup will finish.
Method 2 (Update Assistant option): The update assistant will help you install the windows updated. Go to Download Windows 10 site, press the Update now button to download and run the Update Assistant.
Note: This tool will not work on Enterprise editions of Windows.
Let the application will walk you through installation process.
After the install completes the system will want to reboot, and the setup will finish.
Method 3 (Installation media option): Go to Download Windows 10 site, press the Download tool button to download and run the Media Creation Tool.
Note: This option requires a USB drive or blank DVD writer and media.
Let the application will walk you through installation process.
After the install completes the system will want to reboot, and the setup will finish.
In any organization, it is important to lock the computer when the user leaves it, this will prevent someone from abusing someone else’s network security access. By pressing the WinKey + L on the keyboard, the user can lock the computer screen. With this tip, the user can create a shortcut icon that does the same thing by clicking on it.
Create a new shortcut (right-click the desktop, select New > Shortcut)
In the Type the location of the item field, type: RUNDLL32.EXE user32.dll LockWorkStation, and then press the Next button.
In the Type the name of the shortcut field, type: Lock Screen and then press the Finish button.
Use any of the additional commands below to create additional shortcuts:
If you are a Windows PowerShell scripter, then you might be excited about Microsoft announcing the release of PowerShell Core 6.0. For the first time in the scripting language’s ten-year history, it is now cross-platform (meaning the same script can run on Windows, MacOS, and Linux) and its open-source (so it is freely available to download or modify).
If you are a PowerShell scripter, this opens up new opportunities for managing heterogeneous environments (meaning multiple different types of OSs) with a single scripting language.
PowerShell is not the first or only open source cross-platform scripting environment that is currently available. Python is a very mature scripting language that has a huge following right now.
Windows PowerShell vs. PowerShell Core
Here is the interesting news. There are now two versions of PowerShell; there is the Windows and the Core version. Windows PowerShell, which is the current version of PowerShell that is shipping with the OS today, is now being dropped in favor of PowerShell Core.
What this means is now that PowerShell Core 6.0 has been released, Microsoft will not be developing any new releases of Windows PowerShell. All new development in the language will be done under PowerShell Core.
Downloading and Installing PowerShell Core
To download and install PowerShell Core, just select the link next to the OS you are using and follow the instructions on the page to install the software.
You have probably already heard about the Meltdown and Spectre flaws in the Intel CPUs. The flaw has existed in the chips since 1995. This flaw also effects any OS that uses the Intel chips that are effected, so it's not just Windows, this also effects Linux and the MacOS.
On January 3, 2018, Microsoft released an out-of-band Windows updates to address the Meltdown and Spectre flaws. It is worth noting that these patches should be tested on machines before deploying it to a full environment. There have been posts about incompatibilities found with AMD processors and some anti-malware packages.
Microsoft has four help pages of guidance for client and server:
Microsoft has instructed anti-malware vendors to modify their products and create a specific registry key on customers' computers to confirm that their products won't crash the PCs if the patches are installed.
"The compatibility issue arises when antivirus applications make unsupported calls into Windows kernel memory. These calls may cause stop errors (also known as blue screen errors) that make the device unable to boot. To help prevent stop errors that are caused by incompatible antivirus applications, Microsoft is only offering the Windows security updates that were released on January 3, 2018, to devices that are running antivirus software that is from partners who have confirmed that their software is compatible with the January 2018 Windows operating system security update."
Meltdown and Spectre Flaws Diagnostics
To check if you have the anti-malware compatible registry key:
If you want to test the state of a computer if it has been patched or not, you can use a PowerShell module/cmdlet that Microsoft has created to test for the existence of the flaw and patch.
Download and install a Powershell module: Install-Module SpeculationControl
Run the following PowerShell command: Get-SpeculationControlSettings
Note: If you can't run the commands, you might need to change the PowerShell security level: Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope Currentuser
If you travel domestically or internationally with you Windows 10 computer. There are features and apps in the operating system that can be leveraged to make it easier being away from home or the office. As well as working offline
When planning your trip, several great travel apps and web sites from other companies are available that can be used to help you. There are also several built-in Widows 10 apps and features, you can leverage to help you as well.
Use the following built-in functionality when traveling:
Make sure the Set time zone automatically option is enabled in the Settings app. This setting is located under Time and Language, Date & time. It is worth noting that two additional time zones can be added to the system clock in the lower right corner, just click Add clocks for different time zones.
In Windows Fall Creators edition, if you click on the date and time in the taskbar can see events from your calendar under Show agenda feature.
Use the Print to PDF feature to keep electronic copies of travel documents (i.e. airplane itinerary, hotel reservations, etc.). Otherwise take pictures of them with a smartphone, or scan them using another device and store them on the computer for easy access.
Cortana has many smarts around traveling and can help while abroad by answering your questions (such as what is the local time, weather, track lists, etc.) or make reservations.
The Mobile Hotspot feature (available under the Settings app) allows you to turn a wired connection into a wireless connection for your mobile device.
Sticky notes can help you track important information that you only need temporarily.
Use the Snipping tool or the print screen feature to copy information (i.e. pictures, maps, etc.) off the screen and paste it into OneNote for later use.
Use the following built-in apps when traveling:
Use Microsoft Edge for browsing web sites while you are while abroad. The browser also supports reading ebooks in PDF and ePUB format. In Windows Fall Creators edition, you can markup ebooks by highlighting information and writing notes.
The Maps app can help you plan getting around while traveling; do not forget it supports downloading maps locally for offline use.
The News app provides the latest local and world breaking news.
The Weather app displays current local and world forecast information.
The Calendar app can help you manage your time and itineraries.
Use the Mail app for managing your mail while you are on the road.
The Alarms and Clock app can provide alarms and world time.
The Calculator app has a built-in currency conversion feature.
The Photos app is great for managing pictures, and performing basic cleanup of photographs. In Windows Fall Creators edition, you can convert your photographs into movies or create augmented reality special effects to them.
OneNote is a great way to organize all notes and other information about the trip. A little known feature of OneNote is that it can index the text in a photo, so it can make it searchable.
An alternative to OneNote is the Notepad or WordPad and the Calculator app to provide basic note taking or the tracking of expenses.
The Movies and TV app can allow you to watched downloaded content while you are offline.
Use Groove Music for listening to your favorite music or podcasts.
Skype is great for staying in contact with your friends and family or making international calls while away from home.
Additional programs that can be downloaded from the Windows Store to help you while traveling.
Microsoft Translator can translate from on language to another.
One of the latest internet threats is some sites (legitimate and illegitimate) are Cryto-Mining Bitcoin (and possibly other crypto-currencies) in people's browser.
Some group of bad actors developed the ability to distribute and mine Bitcoin using JavaScript that can run in a browser. All of this is done just by visiting a web site in your browser. The JavaScript code will download and execute, it will bypass all the security protections you may have in place (i.e. firewall, anti-malware, etc.).
Technically, this is not malware in the classical sense, meaning it does not infect a computer or spread itself. What it does do is steal CPU cycles from your computer to mine Bitcoin. The way it works is by executing JavaScript code; which was designed to make web pages more intelligent by supporting a programming language. Cryto-Miners are not the first to exploit this technology for other things; it is exploited by advertisers all the time to try to get you to click on more ads by shoving more of them in front of you.
Update:
Cryto-Miners made their crypto-currency mining more stealth, so even when you close your browser windows the mining will still run. They updated their code to create a pop-under window sized to fit inside the taskbar and behind the clock after you visit a web site. If the taskbar set to be transparent, you might be able to see a tiny window. If not, resizing the taskbar can pop it into view. The code also tries to evade detection by limiting itself to just 50 percent of the CPU.
Fighting Back
There are a few ways of fighting back against this threat. As well as preventing these sites from stealing your CPU cycles.
Method 1. Install a browser extension. There are several of these out there for the different browsers. There are too many choices for me to make a recommendation. I would advise doing your own research and see what others recommend
Method 2. This method is more advanced. It requires more manual intervention and updating. It also requires knowledge of how to update your computer's HOST (C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\ETC\Hosts) file. By putting the Cryto-Mining domains and pointing, those to a bad IP address (i.e. 0.0.0.0). The HOST file will prevent the code from running because when the browser try to resolve the domain it cannot. The HOST file also runs at the system level meaning it would protect all the browsers installed on your system.
Note: The problem with this method is knowing which domains to block, and having to manually update the list on a regular basis.
3. This method is even more advanced. It requires more manual intervention and updating of the DNS. If you are a small, medium or large organization with your own DNS servers, it would be possible to put these domains in your DNS, and point them to a bogus address. This would help protect the clients in your organization from these type of attacks.
Note: The problem with this method is knowing which domains to block, and having to manually update the list on a regular basis.
Check out the new edition of my book called "Power User Guide: Windows 10 Secrets (2018 Edition): The Ultimate Windows Tips and Tricks Guide for Everyone".
Book Description: Windows 10 is the latest Windows operating system from Microsoft. The new OS contains hundreds of new and updated features, applications, services and user interface changes.
This edition of the book series has been updated to discuss the latest release of Windows 10, the Fall Creators Edition. The content of the book has been doubled from the original version.
This book can help all levels of users (from beginner to IT Professional) to take full advantage of the operating system. Below are just some of the topics covered in the book:
Leveraging the power and features of the new OS and applications and services.
The book includes hundreds of power user notes, tips and tricks to utilize all the new features of the OS.
Learn the history and future of the Windows ecosystem, as well as what this means for the users.
Discover undocumented and little known features that can grant the user access to functionality that is only known to experts.
Understand the new privacy and security concerns that comes with using all the new applications and services.
Understand the different installation and upgrade options that are available to you. Including how to create your own installation media.
There is expanded technical content for IT professionals that provides basics like networking troubleshooting, more.
Including new and updated sections on getting started with Hyper-V, Docker, Linux, PowerShell and the upgraded command prompt.
There are two ways to utilize the app window Snap feature:
The first way, is with the mouse, by grabbing the title bar of any application window and moving it to the extreme left or right side of that monitor. That window should snap into using the left or right half of the screen (depending on where you drag it). You will then be presented with a list of other app windows that can be snapped into the half of the screen.
The second method is to use the Windows Shortcut keys:
WinKey + Up Arrow: Snaps the current application into the maximize position.
WinKey + Down Arrow: Snaps the current application into the minimize position.
WinKey + Left Arrow: Snaps the current application to the left half of the monitor.
WinKey + Right Arrow: Snaps the current application to the right half of the monitor.
Have you been hearing all the hype about the Windows Mixed Reality headset? This is not a review of a single headset, but an overview the technology and what you need to know to get started. Introduction to Microsoft Mixed Reality Technology
With the release of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. A new hardware market segment for Windows is now available.
It is called the Windows Mixed Reality headsets. These headsets integrate with Windows 10 and allow the user to experience virtual worlds in new ways that is not available using a traditional keyboard, mouse and monitor.
Mixed Reality Headset Hardware Overview
Below is an example of what the Mixed Reality hardware for Windows currently looks like. It is composed of two parts, the headset and the motion controllers. The headset is obvious what you are supposed to do with it, and the motion controller are for interacting with objects within the virtual world.
Prices for this hardware start at $299, and go up from there. It is going to require a computer that can run Windows 10 with the Fall Creators update, and has HDMI and USB 3.0 port. Microsoft designed their mixed reality technology to only need very basic specifications for the user to to get started.
My personal opinion is that the faster the computer and more system resources (i.e. CPU, RAM, storage, network) the better the virtual world experience will be.
Below are some of the generic specification and considerations for selecting a mixed reality headsets (these specs will all vary between manufactures and available models):
Two high-resolution LCDs displays builtin to the headset.
Resolutions of these displays will vary depending on the manufacture.
Front-hinged display for lifting the viewer up out of your way
Built-in 3.5mm jack for audio and microphone support
Consideration: Depending on the headset you buy will determine if it comes with a way of outputting and inputting audio. Otherwise you will need to purchase your headphone with a microphone.
A cable(s) for HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.0 for video and data.
Consideration: Make sure the cable is going to have adequate length to allow you to have enough freedom to movement.
To get an idea of what the what the hardware setup requires, check out the following video:
Quick Overview of the Windows Mixed Reality Experience
Since this is such a new technology, getting an idea of what you can do with it after buy it might be your first question. Since most people do not have point of reference on what to expect when it comes to buying this type of hardware.
The video below demonstrates what the average person can do with the technology (without all the marketing hype). I think the guy demoing the hardware does a good job of providing a quick overview of what he did with the technology.
Competition (in conclusion)
There are several players in this market; and Microsoft is just one platform among several competitors. Ultimately, only market execution by the company, great apps created by its developers, and how well customers will buy the technology and content will determine who succeeds and who will lose.
If you're a Microsoft Windows IT professional and support Windows 10, then you should spend 5 minutes to watch this video. This will explain the changes that are being made to Windows Update service model.
Video Description: "With Windows 10, there is a shift to delivering Windows as a service. Catch up on the new way Microsoft builds, deploys and services Windows. Michael Niehaus, Director, Windows Commercial, defines the core components of the Windows as a service model and recent updates Microsoft announced. He will also review the build release process and update cadence, upcoming enhancements to further streamline the model, and how the model also applies to Office 365 ProPlus and Windows Server."
If you use Microsoft Edge, and want to change the default search engine (which is the Bing search engine). Follow the instructions below:
Open Microsoft Edge, and go to the search engine that you want to use (in this example we will use http://www.google.com/).
Open the Settings menu under the ellipsis (…), press the View advanced settings button.
Scroll down to Search in the address bar with, and then press the Change search engine button; select the search engine, then press the Set as default button.
Below is a list of taskbar keyboard shortcuts that work in Windows 10 (and previous versions of the operating system, such as Window 7 or even earlier):
Shift + Click a taskbar icon – Opens an app or opens another instance of it.
Ctrl + Shift + Click a taskbar icon – Opens an application as a local administrator.
Shift + Right-click a taskbar icon – Shows the window menu for the app
Shift + Right-click a grouped taskbar icon – Shows the window menu for the group
Ctrl + Click a grouped taskbar icon – Cycles through the windows of the group
On October 17, 2017, Microsoft released the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. The video below from Microsoft gives an overview of the new features that are included in this update to the Operating System.
Some of the new features include, Mixed reality support (i.e. blending the virtual and real world together using a headset like a HoloLens), updates to the photo app to create movies from your photographs. The update also includes several enhancements to Cortana and Microsoft Edge.
The operating system includes new security features to make your system more secure, such as the Windows Defender Security Center. Which includes new features Windows Defender Exploit Guard. That helps protect files from unauthorized changes by malware (and ransomware).
Another new feature is the Continue on PC. When you visit websites, do searches, or read articles online that are on your iPhone or Android smartphone. They can be forward to your PC where they can be instantly opened.
The video is a Microsoft promotion for their products, but it includes a lot of useful information about the new Windows OS update. It also includes examples of the available mixed reality hardware and an overview of the new Surface Book computer.
Need to do some basic network exploration, use the one-liners below to see what device are on your network (Note: only setup for Class C, IPv4 networks).
Example 1: Less Detail 0..255|%{$a="192.168.0.$_";$b=Test-Connection -count 1 -ComputerName $a -quiet;If($b){Write-Host $a}} Example 2: More Detail 0..255|%{$a="192.168.0.$_";$b=Test-Connection -count 1 -ComputerName $a -quiet;If($b){Test-NetConnection -ComputerName $a}}
Looking for PowerShell equivalents for older console network commands such as PING. The PING command is used for checking connectivity and to measure network latency between two devices.
Warning: Use this trick at your own risk, uninstalling the wrong hot fixes on your system can cause problems.
There are several ways to find the hotfixes from the GUI tools on your system, such as the Windows Update GUI. I generally like to use PowerShell only tricks, but this one is a hybrid. It uses a utility called WUSA to uninstall the hotfix.
To uninstall a hotfix on your system, you need to know its KB number. You can use this technique to test if it exists and then uninstall it. All you have to do is change the KB number in the $A variable.
Looking for PowerShell equivalents for older console network commands such as IPCONFIG. The IPCONFIG command is used for displaying IP address information (including the subnet mask, and gateway) for the local NIC adapter attached to the computer.
PowerShell: Get-NetIPConfiguration or Get-NetIPAddress Examples:
