Month: February 2020

How to See Startup and Shutdown History in Windows 10

If you’re a system administrator or simply sharing your computer, there might be times when you need to know the startup and shutdown good reputation for the pc. Though Windows doesn’t display the history in the forefront, there are ways. Follow the below steps to see startup and shutdown history in Windows 10.

There are lots of ways to begin to see the time when the product is switched on and off. With this specific guide, we will use the built-in Windows tool called Event Viewer. In case you have no idea, Event Viewer is a straightforward yet highly versatile tool that logs all of the system and some application events.

Concerning will be some events have a tendency to happen when you startup or shutdown the machine, all you need to do is find a particular event and take a look at the timestamps to know the PC startup and shutdown history.

See Computer Startup History

1. First, open the beginning menu, look for “Event Viewer” and then click it. This action will open the big event Viewer.

2. In case Viewer application, visit the “Windows Logs” after which to “System” on the left panel. This is where all of the system events are logged.

3. Around the right panel, you will see a whole bunch of events that occur every day. To remove the system startup event, we can use filters. Click the “Filter Current Log” option appearing around the right panel.

4. Within the subsequent window, type “6005” within the “Event Sources” field and click on the “Ok” button. If you wish to, you can narrow the timeframe. To do that, pick a time period make up the “Logged” dropdown menu. In my case, I’m letting the defaults be.

5. As soon as you click the “Ok” button, the logs should be filtered and all sorts of you should see would be the startup events. Now, you will not specifically begin to see the event named as Startup. The events are named as “The event log service was started”. Because the event services are automatically started when you start the system, it’s the startup time.

Open the log and you will begin to see the date and time of the system startup.

As mentioned, if you are looking for events inside a specific range then narrowing the filtered results via “Logged” feature we talked about can help a good deal.

See Computer Shutdown History

Exactly like you can easily see laptop computer startup history, you can also see the PC shutdown history. Event Viewer automatically stops the Event service when you shut down the system. Since the event is logged with a different event ID, all we have to do is look for the event ID.

1. Open the Event Viewer and visit “Windows logs -> System”. Around the right panel, click the “Filter current log” option.

2. Within the filter window, enter “6006” in the “Event Sources” field and then click the “Ok” button. If you wish to narrow the quest for a particular period of time, make use of the “Logged” drop-down menu.

That is all. It’s that easy to find out laptop computer startup some time and PC shutdown amount of time in Windows 10.

How to Change Security Questions for Local Accounts on Windows 10

Within the April 2018 update, Microsoft introduced a new security feature where when establishing a local account, Windows will prompt you to select three security questions and answer them. This is not an optional feature, you need to choose and answer security questions when creating a local account.

Windows 10 users who are using Microsoft account to log in don’t have to deal with security questions.

Understandably, this selection is quite useful when you forget the Windows password. In previous versions of Windows, should you forget the password, you have to use the password reset disk. Which, let’s be frank, very little Windows user bothers to create one. Otherwise, you need to go through a variety of things like taking out the user account, removing the password, Command Prompt hacks, etc.

Using the introduction from the security questions, resetting Windows password is easy. All you need to do is click the Reset Password link on the Windows login screen.

Should you forgot the safety questions or you have to change them since they’re compromised, it is simple to change security questions about Windows 10 in the Settings app. Here’s how you can do it.

Change Security Questions about Windows 10

Like I said, security questions are only applied for Local accounts. To alter security questions you can use the Settings app.

1. Open Settings app on Windows 10 while using shortcut Win + I. You can also look for and open it from the Start Menu or in the Notification Center.

2. In the Settings app, go to “Accounts -> Sign-in Options.” Click the link “Update your security questions” under the “Password” section.

3. You will be prompted to enter your user account password. Go into the password and click on the “Ok” button.

4. Now, select questions from the drop-down menus, go into the answers and click “Finish” to alter security questions on Windows 10.

That’s about it. You’ve successfully changed security questions for local accounts on Windows 10.

Reset Local Password on Windows 10

In the event you forgot passwords, click on the “Reset Password” link around the login screen. The link can look after one failed login attempt. Now, enter all of the solutions to the security questions and press Enter to reset local password on Windows 10.

How to Download All Your Private data from Microsoft Account

If you work with Windows 10 or other Microsoft product or service, Microsoft collects a lot of data about you as well as your activity. Follow these steps to download everything Microsoft is aware of you. Essentially, you can download all your private data from the Microsoft account.

In case you don’t know, Microsoft tracks and logs a lot of data much like your voice recordings, precise location information, opened/used applications in Windows 10 PC, app data, search data, browsing history, etc.

To put it simply, there’s a lot of data that Microsoft logs which is best to download the information every now and then and see what you are sharing. Thankfully, Microsoft made it really simple to download all of your data. You just click a button, watch for some time, and download the archive. Allow me to show you how.

Download Your private data from Microsoft Account

As I said, it is easy to download everything Microsoft knows about you.

1. First, go to the Microsoft Account Privacy page. For the security, you might be prompted for that password even if you’re logged in. So, log into your account and then the next step.

2. Within this page, click the “Download Your Data” link appearing around the navigation bar.

3. Your data isn’t available instantly. Rather, you need to request it. So, when you are here, click on the “Create New Archive” button. This can trigger the download process.

4. You’ll now be inspired to select what data you want to download. Select all of the checkboxes and then click the “Create Archive” button.

4. Once you click on the button, Microsoft begins to consolidate all of the data in their different services, bundle it into a ZIP file, after which supply you with a download link. All this can take some time to complete. In my case, it took around five minutes. Your mileage can vary depending on various factors.

5. Once the data is gathered and zipped, you will notice a download link. Click the “Download” button.

6. After downloading, open the ZIP file and you’ll see multiple JSON files.

7. Extract and open those files with Notepad or any code editor, like VS Code, to determine the contents.

For instance, to visit your Windows 10 and other application activity, open the ProductAndServiceUsage.json file. To see your media consumption activity, open the ContentConsumption.json file.

If you’re a developer, you will soon create a simple javascript program to higher read the content.

Overall

That is it. It is possible to download your computer data from Microsoft. Once you are done checking the data, either delete the file or store it somewhere safe. Don’t ever share the information archive or files within the archive with anyone. Those files contain sensitive information about both you and your activities.

AMD Makes Available New Radeon Pro Graphics Update – Get Version 20.Q1.1

AMD has announced the availability of the latest version for the Radeon Pro Graphics driver, namely the 20.Q1.1 (19.40.01.39), making sure the Foundry Nuke app image quality is consistent even if while using blur effect.

Moreover, AMD promises to deliver more quality, performance, security, and ease to content creators when using workstation applications for example Autodesk AutoCAD, Adobe Premiere Pro, Autodesk Maya, and many more.

In terms of compatibility, besides a supported GPU model (check the Release Notes below), AMD’s release does apply on configurations running Windows 7 or Windows 10 platforms, a treadmill from the 64-bit variants of Microsoft’s Windows Server 2016 or Windows Server 2019.

Now, if your hardware is supported, save and run the downloadable executable, watch for it to extract all required files with this installation, and close all programs and processes that might interfere with the upgrade.

Afterward, follow all instructions shown on the screen, and once completed, make sure to perform a system reboot to permit all changes to take effect properly. If not requested automatically, it would be smart to carry it out manually to prevent any unwanted problems.

With this in mind, download AMD FirePro/Radeon Pro Enterprise Graphics Driver 20.Q1.1, put it on on your device and enjoy the changes brought by this release. Also, check back around as frequently as possible to stay informed if the newer version can be obtained for download.

Using Windows 10 With no Microsoft Account Is Getting Harder for Everyone

Installing Windows 10 with no Microsoft account seems to be getting harder, as Microsoft has allowed an extremely controversial choice for more users across the world.

A change that was discovered in Windows 10 this past year made setting up the operating system having a local account a lot more difficult, as Microsoft just wants everyone to use a Microsoft account to log in.

A Windows 10 device that’s attached to the Internet would no more show the local account option when setting up the operating-system, instead insisting for users to sign in with or produce a Microsoft account.

Using a Microsoft account in Windows 10 has a series of benefits, for example sync options, but however, not everybody really wants to use this method. Consequently, a nearby account makes much more sense, although starting this past year, setting one up isn’t necessarily a really straightforward experience.

Just disconnect the PC from the Internet

Because devices by having an active Web connection were only supplied with an option to configure Windows 10 having a Microsoft account, the workaround here ended up being to just disconnect the computers from the web. If no Internet connection is detected, then the Windows 10 setup experience also displays a nearby account option, in which case users can continue setting up the OS with no Microsoft account.

German site Dr. Windows says this approach is now getting used far away too, after Microsoft originally rolled it in the United States only. Despite the criticism, Microsoft somehow chose to stick to this idea, probably as it wants more people to start using Windows 10 having a Microsoft account.

For the time being, the simplest way to configure a nearby account when establishing Windows 10 is to just disconnect the unit from the Internet, although I wouldn’t necessarily be amazed if the software giant finds a way to make it this method less convenient too.

The Lack of a Refresh Button in Windows 10 Frustrates Way Too Many Users

Microsoft has substantially improved Windows 10 during these almost five years since its launch, but exactly what the company hasn’t added is really a refresh button in the Wi-Fi selection flyout.

Quite simply, whenever you make an effort to connect with a Wi-Fi and click on the network icon within the system tray to launch the said flyout, Windows 10 automatically scans for the available networks. Following a short scan, it waits for input, and therefore you need to just pick a network for connecting to.

This flyout posseses an auto-refresh time, therefore it automatically re-scans for brand new networks at a pre-defined time. Why no refresh button that would allow users to restart the scanning faster without waiting?

This is the thing that’s apparently super-frustrating for so many users, so a request a refresh button within the Wi-Fi selection screen went viral this week on reddit, with lots of users with Microsoft to simply make it happen.

A refresh button for Wi-Fi networks? Not too fast

More than 1,000 users upvoted this feature request, and many of them say that in the meantime, they simply stick to clicking the network icon again to relaunch the Wi-Fi flyout, which apparently triggers the rescan faster.

Redditor TehFrozenYogurt, however, says a refresh button wouldn’t make any sense, due to the fact this isn’t how Wi-Fi networks work. Neither Android nor iOS come with a refresh option in the Wi-Fi selection screen because wireless access point broadcast the SSID everybody shortly, they are saying, so operating systems just scan for networks and lists them as available when they’re detected.

“Since the way it works has Windows listening for WiFi access points, using a refresh button doesn’t make sense, right? Using a refresh button means giving the user some placebo button to click. Yes, refresh buttons make sense from the UX point of view, but it doesn’t match the WiFi protocol,” they are saying, adding more complex approaches do exist, awaiting a specific timeout is the greatest way to go.

If there’s anything Microsoft could increase resolve this problem, it’s probably a note to tell users Windows 10 is trying to find Wi-Fi networks, rather than having them wait without knowing something’s happening without anyone’s knowledge.

This Windows 10 Theme for Android Includes a Start Menu, Live Tiles, along with a Taskbar

One of the best things about Android is it enables you to customize every little detail, so using the proper tweaks, Google’s operating-system can wind up looking totally different from the stock version that ships pre-installed on our phones.

This person, for instance, is working on a Windows 10 theme for Android, along with a screenshot he posted the 2009 week reveals a glance that reminds much more of Microsoft’s operating-system rather than Google’s.

This theme, that is still a piece in progress so you can’t apply it now, features the essential aspects of a Windows 10 desktop, together with a Start menu with live tiles, a taskbar, and desktop icons.

A piece in progress

The two things it lacks are Cortana along with a search engine, albeit it’s understandable you can include both – Cortana really is already available on Android, if you want to use Microsoft’s digital assistant, you are able to very well do the installation.

Apart from that, however, this Android theme looks pretty, and the redditor who made it says he used Nova launcher paired with

Whicons and KLWP icons. You’ll find these within the Google Play Store if you’re thinking about an identical project.

A relevant video showing how this Windows 10 theme works on Android is on its way, the designer promises, but given the event continues to be a piece happening, certain features could be further refined when it’s finalized.

Meanwhile, if you’re still in love with Windows on the phone, someone is focusing on a real Windows phone with Android app support. The device is projected to operate Windows 10 on ARM and offer native Android app support without the need for an emulator or booting another operating-system. No ETA can be obtained at this point, but it should launch in Europe later this year.

Kaspersky Says Its Virus-Removal Tool Away from Fault for Bugs in Windows 10 Update

Microsoft has pulled a Windows 10 security update after discovering issues causing the installation to fail or breaking down certain features when the installation was successful.

The update, which landed on Windows 10 as KB4524244, was supposed to resolve a security vulnerability that was discovered in Kaspersky Rescue Disk and which was publicly disclosed in April 2019. While Kaspersky itself resolved it in August, Microsoft implemented additional patches to safeguard users running older versions of the software.

“Microsoft have updated a unique database of revoked UEFI signatures (UEFI Revocation List File) in February 2020. This has been completed to prevent attacks against Secure Boot using doctored previous versions of Kaspersky Rescue Disk,” Kaspersky explains.

Microsoft says update wouldn’t be reissued

The safety vendor says its software is not at fault for the issues caused by the update, because the company performed a thorough investigation to determine whether the Rescue Disk tool causes any compatibility bug after KB4524244 is a component of Windows 10.

“Microsoft has not reached out to Kaspersky in regards to the update issue. After detailed internal analysis, our experts concluded that Kaspersky products haven’t been a cause of this problem,” Kaspersky says.

However, if the update installed correctly with no issues are encountered whatsoever, Kaspersky says no action is needed in your corner.

“You don’t need to remove the update and may use your operating system as always. It is not vulnerable to the aforementioned issues. Vulnerable bootloaders will not run if your product is protected by Secure Boot. You will need to ensure you make use of a recent form of Kaspersky Rescue Disk should the need for this product arise,” the vendor says.

Microsoft says the update wouldn’t be re-issued, albeit fixes for the discovered bugs take presctiption their way.

Microsoft Pulls Security Update Breaking Down Windows 10

Microsoft has pulled a security update for Windows 10 because of issues caused on devices where it was installed. All Windows 10 versions may take a hit, and Microsoft says the update won’t be re-offered to users.

KB4524244 was published by Microsoft on Patch Tuesday to solve vulnerabilities in Windows 10 and other OS components. All Windows 10 versions received it, including version 1607, 1703, 1709, 1803, 1809, 1903 and 1909.

However, this update not only that fails to install on some devices, but also causes other issues, including breaking down the “Reset this PC” option on devices where it’s successfully installed.

“Using the “Reset this PC” feature, also called “Push Button Reset” or PBR, might fail. You might restart into recovery with “Choose an option” at the top of the screen with assorted options or you will restart to desktop and get the error ‘There was a problem resetting your PC,'” Microsoft explains, adding that some could also “encounter issues trying to install or after installing” this update.

Update already removed

While Microsoft has removed the update and devices can no longer install it, this decision doesn’t affect computers where the update has already been running, the organization explains. If no issues are experienced on your computer with KB4524244 installed, then you’re just good to go.

“This standalone security update continues to be removed due to a problem affecting a sub-set of devices. It won’t be re-offered from Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Microsoft Update Catalog. Note: Elimination of this standalone security update does not affect successful installation or any changes within every other February 11, 2020 security updates, including Latest Cumulative Update (LCU), Monthly Rollup or Security Only update,” Microsoft says.

However, users whose devices encounter various issues after installing this security update are recommended to get rid of it in the Update history screen in Windows Update.

Hack Allows Windows 7 to carry on Receiving Updates Despite End of Support

Windows 7 no more receives security updates as of January 14, so technically, users whose devices are still running this operating system have no other option than to upgrade to Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 to continue to receive patches.

In theory, this is also the road that lots of Windows 7 users adopt anyway, however, many stick to the 2009 operating-system simply because of its familiar desktop, as both Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 embrace a far more modern experience with an application store and a digital assistant.

Microsoft continues to release security updates for Windows 7 as part of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, that is available for companies with a fee – it’s thought that in the newbie after Windows 7 end-of-support, businesses be forced to pay $25 per each device still running Windows 7 and requiring security updates; the cost then doubles every year to $50 after which $100.

But while extended security updates are for sale to enterprises, they aren’t for home users, as Microsoft isn’t giving end users any option to continue running Windows 7 securely.

ESU for everyone

And yet, a bypass that’s now available online allows any Windows 7 device to obtain the security updates that Microsoft releases included in the ESU program, technically keeping them fully patched regardless of the January 14 end-of-support. The February Patch Tuesday would be a key milestone for this hack, so that as as it happens, it still works flawlessly, with all updates landing normally on devices where it was used.

In other words, the updates still show up on Windows Update normally, allowing users to patch the known vulnerabilities much like before the January 14 deadline.

It goes without saying that at some point in the near future Microsoft could easily block this hack, and it’s probably just a matter of time until it happens anyway. The following Patch Tuesday when Microsoft will release new security updates for Windows 7 takes place on March 10.