Microsoft Support & Discussions
Free PC Help Forum microsoft products support and discussions. If you need help with Microsoft Windows, Windows Server software, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure or any other Microsoft product you can post here. If you want to discuss Microsoft and their line of products you can do that here also.
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If you've put off upgrading to Windows 10, now is the time to do it. After July 29, 2016, it'll cost you $119 to upgrade to Windows 10 compared to the $0 it costs you right now if you're running Windows 7 or 8/8.1. If you've already upgraded to Windows 10, you won't be charged anything. You get to keep Windows 10 for free for being a good eary upgrader (insert bellyrub, headscratch). Why should you upgrade? There's very little to be worried about when upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 or 8/8.1. One of the best things about Windows 10 is that it looks like Windows with a refreshed modern design, and it works and feels pretty much the same as Windows 7, …
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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A man was murdered, and the police think there might be clues to who murdered him stored in his phone. But they can’t get access to the phone without his fingerprint or passcode. So instead of asking the company that made the phone to grant them access, they’re going another route: having the Jain lab create a 3D printed replica of the victim’s fingers. With them, they hope to unlock the phone. The numerous media reports I've read about this case don't mention what type of smartphone the police are trying to break into, but my hunch is that it's an Android. There are some big differences between how iOS and Android devices implement fingerprint authentication, and s…
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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Don’t miss the launch of Windows Server and System Center 2016 at Ignite
by Guest Microsoft Windows Server- 0 replies
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Recently we announced our plans to launch Windows Server 2016 and System Center 2016 at the Ignite Conference in Atlanta on September 26-30. We hope you can join us for the fun! We are working on a full set of sessions, including guest appearances by customers and MVP’s who have been working closely with our engineering team to test and refine a ton of new capabilities and innovation. The event is nearly sold out, so if you plan to join us please register for Ignite soon! In the meantime, check out the What’s new in Windows Server 2016 video on the Microsoft Virtual Academy. This is a free training resource to help customers and partners get an overview of the new capa…
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Viber now available on all Windows 10 devices
by Guest Elana Pidgeon- 0 replies
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We announced the release of Viber for Windows 10 beta last month and now, we’re excited to welcome the full version to the Windows Store. Viber for Windows 10, free to download on all your Windows 10 devices, now includes great new features such as video calls for mobile, Cortana support*, quick reply and more! Viber is the easy-to-use free app that lets you send messages and make HD-quality phone and video calls securely over WiFi and mobile networks from just about anywhere. Share photos, videos and voice messages, message groups of up to 200 people, and if you have second thoughts about a message you’ve sent, just delete it – even after it’s been delivered. L…
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Let’s be honest here: we probably mostly have a mental picture of the kind of entity that gets accused of software piracy, and that picture is probably someone in their late teens or early twenties. What it doesn’t look like in probably anyone’s head is “like a division of the U.S. military.” And yet that’s exactly who — or what — is being sued for copyright infringement on a massive scale. As TorrentFreak first spotted, a German company has filed a lawsuit against the Navy — yes, the entire U.S Navy — for allegedly installing their software on over a half million computers without paying for it. The company, Bitmanagement, makes a 3D virtual reality program called …
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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This past week we looked closely at Windows 10 Build 14393 when it was released and the remaining known issues in this build to determine if it was the final code Microsoft would be releasing publicly on 02 August as the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. When they moved build 14393 to the Slow Ring about 24 hours later and cleared up two of the remaining known issues, the odds of 14393 being the official Anniversary Update increased significantly. Then, on Friday afternoon, Microsoft issued the first cumulative update for Windows 10 build 14393 on PCs and Mobile devices and this gives us the best proof yet that this current testing build will be the final version for t…
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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We’re used to there being two kinds of cell phone plans. There’s the post-paid, where you get a bill every month that may go up or down depending on your usage. And there’s the pre-paid, where you pay your $40 and get your flat amount of data and airtime, and use it until it’s used up. But prepaid cable? That’s a new one. And yet, that’s exactly what Comcast is announcing. Their option, appropriately called Xfinity Prepaid Services, launches in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan this year and is supposed to be available in all Comcast markets nationwide by the end of 2017. (That said, take Comcast timelines with a grain of salt; their press releases o…
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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Grab it while you can: Microsoft's free upgrade to Windows 10 is coming to a close on July 29. In case you forgot, though, a new update nags Windows 7 and 8.1 users with notifications and a full-screen advert. In a last-ditch effort to get those running older versions of Windows to upgrade to Windows 10 before the free-upgrade deadline on July 29, Microsoft has added a countdown timer to the Windows 10 update panel. It’s even popped a yellow exclamation point by the update icon in the system tray. If you merrily breezed by the repeated attempts Microsoft has made in the past to try and encourage to upgrade, it’s hoping one last final nag will get the job done. If you’…
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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Windows Store Weekly: great offers and titles to check out
by Guest Elana Pidgeon- 0 replies
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Today’s roundup of what’s new in the Windows Store includes great offers and deals on games, movies, TV episodes and more! Countdown to Windows 10 Anniversary Update Special offers are available in the Windows Store starting through July 29, as we countdown to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update on August 2! Enjoy new features on favorite games, rent a movie for free, get up to four months of free music and more. Read the full blog post for details. Games Artifex Mundi Summer Sale Explore an undersea complex or take a ride on a gryphon! Save 50% off popular Artifex Mundi hidden object games from July 21 to 27. Check out the full collection on sale…
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One week from today, July 29, Microsoft will mark the one year anniversary of Windows 10 by ending the free upgrade program that has been in effect for Windows 7 and 8.1 users for the last 12 months. The end of the 12 month free upgrade offer means that the Get Windows 10 app which Microsoft has used to deliver the scheduling and upgrade of the OS will also be removed from Windows 7/8.1 systems around the world. Of course my tongue is firmly embedded in my cheek with the above statement because, as many of you know, Microsoft has been on the hot seat quite a bit this past year concerning their aggressive push to get users upgraded to Windows 10. If you're so inclined, …
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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A French regulatory body has blasted Microsoft over Windows 10's habit of hoovering up plentiful user data, giving Redmond a deadline in which the firm must do something about it. This warning comes from the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL), which has issued an ultimatum to Microsoft to clean up its act in the privacy stakes and comply with French data protection regulations. Redmond has three months to do so or the software giant risks being fined. The CNIL insists that Microsoft must "stop collecting excessive data and tracking browsing by users without their consent", and furthermore that the company must ensure "satisfactory measures…
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Let’s spin the Wheel of Credit Card Fraud and see which chain has had its payment systems compromised by malware today! Ah, this time it’s pizza buffet restaurant Cici’s, which announced this week a payment card breach that in some restaurants dates back to the beginning of 2015. You’ll want to check the list if you dined at a Cici’s in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The majority of affected locations were in Texas. The investigation began in March of this year, when, according to the company, some restaurants reporte…
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Victims can now recover their files for free Almost a month after security researchers first spotted the Bart ransomware, Jakub Kroustek, a security researcher for AVG, has created a free decrypter for recovering files locked by the Bart ransomware. In the crowded space of today's ransomware landscape, Bart stands apart from the competition for two reasons. First, the ransomware is distributed via one of the largest malware-spreading botnets in the world, the same network that spreads the Dridex banking trojan and the Locky ransomware. Secondly, Bart does not use encryption to lock your data, but merely takes all your files and places them inside a passwor…
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Microsoft last week continued its campaign to quash software pirates when it filed the fifth lawsuit in as many months accusing unidentified individuals with illegally activating more than 1,000 copies of Windows, including the newest Windows 10, and Office. The suit was filed in a Seattle court last Thursday. It was almost identical to others submitted since February, when Microsoft started a string of cases targeting numerous "John Does." Defendants have activated and attempted to active [sic] copies of Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Office 2013, Office 2010, and Windows Server 2008," Microsoft charged. As with the previ…
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404 - Webpage not found. I wanted to find the list of resources the FBI provide for reporting a data breach. So, naturally, I used a search engine. "FBI cybercrime", I googled. Watch my to see what happened next. Of course, it's unlikely that hackers have caused the FBI's main cybercrime page to disappear. It's much more likely that someone on the FBI web team has screwed up, and not put a redirect in place. It is embarrassing though, and hardly helpful for people - like me! - who were trying to legitimately find information on the FBI's website. Source: graham cluley
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14393 for PC and Mobile
by Guest Dona Sarkar- 0 replies
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Hello my Windows Insiders! I hope everyone had an awesome weekend. Many of you know that helping people learn tech is a deep passion of mine so I spent some time working on some UWP app ideas that the we can do with you all, both in-person and online. We are always looking to learn new things (such as IoT development) and what better way that alongside all of you. I’ll share some videos of the progress we make. In build news, today we are releasing Build 14393 for both PC and Mobile to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. This build includes a handful of new fixes to take note of: Improvements and fixes for PC We have improved the reliability of Start, Cortana,…
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Countdown to Windows 10 Anniversary Update with offers in the Windows Store
by Guest Mollie Ruiz-Hopper- 0 replies
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We’re excited to share some great offers hitting the Windows Store beginning tomorrow through July 29 as we countdown to the Windows 10 Anniversary Update on August 2*. Enjoy new features on your favorite games, rent a movie for free and get up to four months of free music. Vote for your favorite titles in the Store for the chance to win one of 10 $50 Windows Store digital gift cards! Here’s a run through of just some of the top offers you can enjoy beginning tomorrow through July 29 in the Windows Store: Minecraft: Story Mode – Free Episode Enjoy the Adventure of a lifetime in the world of Minecraft with Minecraft: Story Mode – A Telltale Games Series. In …
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Xbox One S Arrives August 2
by Guest Mollie Ruiz-Hopper- 0 replies
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Last month at E3, Xbox revealed a new member of the Xbox One family, the Xbox One S. Today, Matt Lapsen, General Manager, Xbox Devices Marketing announced that the highly-anticipated 2TB Xbox One S launch edition will begin hitting shelves in select regions on August 2. The Xbox One S is 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, Xbox One S is the most compact Xbox yet and includes a built-in power supply and comes bundled with the new Xbox Wireless Controller. It’s also the first and only console that allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and stream video in stunning 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR). That means you’ll get to enjoy your favorite shows and m…
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1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye. 2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 80. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?" 3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse a…
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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Back in April 2015, Microsoft made the bold claim that its new operating system, Windows 10, would be running on 1 billion devices by 2018. Today, the company is revising the timeline. In a statement obtained by ZDNet, Windows marketed head Yusef Medhi says the poor performance of its mobile division means it won't likely hit its original milestone within three years after release. "Windows 10 is off to the hottest start in history with over 350 million monthly active devices, with record customer satisfaction and engagement," he said. "We're pleased with our progress to date, but due to the focusing of our phone hardware business, it will take longer than FY18 for us …
Last reply by allheart55 Cindy E, -
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Windows Store Weekly: five titles to check out this week
by Guest Elana Pidgeon- 0 replies
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Today’s roundup of what’s new in the Windows Store includes a new movie, an optical illusion puzzle game and an exclusive free trial for Windows 10 and Xbox customers! Movies & TV The Boss – Buy for $14.99 Fresh off a prison stint for insider trading, dethroned industry titan Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) moves in with her long-suffering former assistant (Kristen Bell) and sets out to rebrand herself and rebuild her empire. Watch the hilarious unrated cut of The Boss, available in the Movies & TV section of the Windows Store two weeks before Blu-ray and DVD. Suits Season 6 – Buy from $29.99 Having signed a plea deal to spare his coll…
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Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14390 for PC and Mobile
by Guest Dona Sarkar- 0 replies
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Hello my Windows Insiders! I spent a few days this week at our Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto this week and one of the most exciting things for me was how much people are talking about the Windows Insider Program. We got multiple shout-outs during the keynotes (by Satya on Monday, by Bryan Roper and his Bridgestone Tire on Tuesday) as well as a segment on Windows Weekly and the whole SurfaceSmiths podcast. The photo below is of the local Windows Insiders dinner where we got to know an incredibly diverse group of Insiders who are leading in the Toronto area. We can’t wait to do more of these types of things globally. It’s pretty cool to see people who have been…
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Microsoft Edge, the Windows 10-only successor to web browser Internet Explorer, has already shared test results showing it to be a more power-efficient browser than its competitors. Now, say Jerry Smith, Jatinder Mann and John Simmons, the browser is also better at processing video than other Web browsers. How? According to the Microsoft Edge team: It does this by offloading CPU intensive video processing operations to power efficient peripheral hardware found in modern PCs and mobile devices. This starts with the use of Microsoft DirectX video acceleration (DXVA) to offload decoding of compressed video. For rendering, Microsoft Edge also works with Multiplane over…
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Is there such a thing as good malware? The FBI would argue that there is, if they are the ones who created it. The origins of the case date back to February 2015, when the FBI seized control of a child sexual abuse website called Playpen. You might have expected the FBI to shut down the site immediately. But instead, rather sneakily, they chose to continue to make the site available from a government server, planting code that could grab identifying information about computers – such as IP addresses – used by the site’s users, as well as downloading malware to their computers. What makes that particularly interesting is that Playpen was on the dark web, and it…
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Get better quality video with Microsoft Edge
by Guest Jerry Smith, Jatinder- 0 replies
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When it comes to video, the closer to the hardware, the better. From video hardware acceleration to PlayReady Content Protection and the Protected Media Path, Windows 10 is designed to provide the highest quality, most secure, and most power-efficient video playback available on any version of Windows. Microsoft Edge has been engineered to optimize for and take advantage of these Windows 10 built-in media capabilities, providing the best video experience of any browser on Windows 10 based on our data and testing. So go ahead, binge watch your favorite shows on Microsoft Edge! Most Power Efficient Video Playback As we recently blogged, you get more out of your batt…