Category: Updating your computer

What The Windows XPocalypse Means For You

About Computers, Computer Operating Systems, Technology Updates, Updating your computer, Windows 7, Windows 8-8.1
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http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-the-windows-xpocalypse-means-for-you/

If there is one thing that Microsoft has an aptitude for, it’s pomp. Windows 95 launched to a soundtrack scored by none other than The Rolling Stones and Weezer. For Vista, Redmond made sure that those who turned up to the launch party were given enough worthless tat to fill a landfill. However, nothing quite topped the vainglorious fanfare of the launch of XP, which saw New York turned into a literal, honest-to-god fairground, which was scored with a performance by Geordie crooner, Sting.

Few technology products are quite as well loved as Windows XP was. In the first three years of its existence, it shifted around 400 million copies. It took ten years and three iterations of the Microsoft Windows operating system for it to be knocked off from the top spot, and even to this day it has a firm toe-hold in most businesses.

Yet, all good things come to an end, and Windows XP is no different. In April of 2014, Microsoft will stop offering security and performance updates for its elderly operating system. After almost thirteen years, this should come as a surprise to nobody. However, there are hundreds of millions of people who are still using an outdated Windows XP for their computing needs. What does this mean for them?

Running Windows XP means you are non-compliant and open to liability

About Computers, Computer Operating Systems, News and Events, Technology Updates, Updating your computer
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On April 8, 2014, Microsoft will not release any security patches for Windows XP, which will effectively make it non-compliant with HIPAA / HITECH.

 

By Jeffrey Brady

Information Technology Pros in the healthcare industry may want to get a head start on their spring cleaning. Microsoft extended support for Windows XP ends on April 8, 2014. After this date, Microsoft will not release any security patches or updates for Windows XP. This will effectively make Windows XP non-compliant with HIPAA / HITECHafter Microsoft support ends.

More information and the complete article.

Get the ISO you need to create your own Windows 8.1 DVD

About Computers, News and Events, Technology Updates, Updating your computer, Windows 8-8.1
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http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/get-the-iso-you-need-to-create-your-own-windows-81-dvd/

Chances are good that you have been to the Windows Store recently and have seen the Windows 8.1 download screen, shown in Figure A. If you read Microsoft’s detailed instructions and then downloaded the update, then you know that this operation performs what is essentially an in-place upgrade. In other words you download and run the update just like you would a Service Pack from Windows Update and there is no opportunity to download an ISO or order a DVD. If you have just one Windows 8 system, then this upgrade procedure is no problem at all. But what if you have two or more Windows 8 systems? Do you really want to sit and wait while the online update runs multiple times? I didn’t think so.

Windows 8 Upgrade ALERT

About Computers, News and Events, Updating your computer, Windows 8-8.1
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For those members who received the Windows 8 upgrade there is a possible problem.  I just discovered that due to our Volume License we are unable to do a normal update to Windows 8.1.  It may take another installation disk to accomplish the update.  I am trying to contact M/S to clarify how we proceed.

So, if you have not yet installed the Win 8 upgrade, please hold off untill I get a resolution.  If you have done the installation, do not try to find the 8.1 update.

I will get back as soon as I have some more definite answers.

Gary Bigger

A look at some Microsoft Windows 8.1 highlights

About Computers, News and Events, Updating your computer, Windows 8-8.1
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As of October 17, 2013, Microsoft Windows 8.1 is available as a downloadable update for Windows 8 users. The retail box version of the operating system hit the market on October 18, 2013. For those of us using Windows 8, the new features and subtle changes of 8.1 are very welcome. I can say unequivocally, if you have a computer running Windows 8, you want to upgrade to 8.1.

 

This article is also available as a TechRepublic Screenshot Gallery.

Before you begin your download

I know you will be tempted to start your Windows 8.1 download right away, but there are few things to do in preparation before you begin the process:

  • Make sure you have updated your copy of Windows 8 by running Windows Update.
  • Make sure you are logged in as the account administrator.
  • Make sure you have allocated a couple of hours to the project – it will likely take less time than that, but you can never be sure.
  • Just to be safe, you might have you activation code for Windows 8 close by.
  • Complete article

Windows Update: Everything You Need To Know

About Computers, Computer Questions, News and Events, Technology Updates, Updating your computer, Windows 7, Windows 8-8.1
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Is Windows Update enabled on your PC? If you don’t know the answer to that, you should — Windows Update keeps Windows, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office up-to-date with the latest security patches and bug fixes, ensuring your computer is as secure as possible. However, Windows Update can also cause problems — particularly by nagging you to reboot when you’re trying to use your computer and automatically restarting your computer overnight.

While Windows Update can be obnoxious, it keeps your computer secure and is well worth using. It can also be made less obnoxious with a few quick settings changes.

Complete article with images to explain.

How to restore a Windows XP Backup in Win 8.

About Computers, Member Contribution, News and Events, Technology Updates, Updating your computer, Windows 8-8.1
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How to restore a Windows XP Backup in Win8.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/windows-and-office/restore-a-windows-xp-backup-in-windows-8/?tag=nl.e101&s_cid=e101&ttag=e101&ftag=TRE684d531

“If you are using Windows XP and regularly backup your data to an external hard disk using Windows XP’s Backup Utility, chances are that you imagined that when it was time to move to a new Windows 8 computer, you would simply restore your backup into the new operating system. Or maybe you have found yourself with a completely dead Windows XP computer and all you have left is your trusty external hard disk containing a recent backup created with Windows XP’s Backup Utility.

Regardless of your situation, you will not be happy to learn that Windows 8’s backup and restore tools are completely different from the Backup Utility that came with Windows XP and as such the backup files are incompatible. You’ll also not be happy to learn that while Microsoft provided supplemental utilities that were designed to allow you to restore a Windows XP backup in Windows Vista and for Windows 7; they haven’t done so for Windows 8. And, to add insult to injury, neither of the previous supplemental utilities will work in Windows 8.

Fortunately, you will be very happy to learn there’s a way that you can make Windows XP’s Backup Utility run in Windows 8. Of course, I wouldn’t recommend using it on a regular basis, but this technique works perfectly fine to restore a Windows XP backup in Windows 8.

In this article, I’ll show you how to get Windows XP’s Backup Utility to run in Windows 8. I’ll then walk you through a restore operation and pass along some pointers as I do.”

More at link….

Bill Proffitt

Screen Shots