Author Topic: Earlier versions of Windows 10 are reaching their end  (Read 138 times)

Offline riso

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Earlier versions of Windows 10 are reaching their end
« on: February 07, 2017, 02:59:19 PM »
Microsoft has updated to new versions several times since the availability in 2015, and often without your knowledge.
These new versions of Windows 10 are known as 1507, 1511 and 1607 (the anniversary edition). Microsoft is indicating that the end-of-life date for versions 1507 and 1510 are happening shortly – meaning that support for problems in these two versions will end. Microsoft is also advising all users should be updating to version 1607 as soon as possible.
Version 1607 was released in August 2016, and contains many new features and massive updates to the original release of Windows 10. The current OS Build number is 14393.693. Your current OS Build can be found in Settings – System – About panel.
Why is all of this important? A new major build is about to be released, and there is a strong recommendation that users should be on version 1607.
I have been running this new OS build for several weeks and there are many new features that are enhancing Windows 10. One of them is the ability to control when system updates are applied. I will be covering some of these new features in the coming weeks.
For those users that have not migrated to Windows 10, here are some helpful features that might convince you to make the switch:
Window snapping
This feature was introduced in Windows 7 and has been expanded here. Now when you drag an open window to either side, you can choose the program you want to appear on the opposite side. Additionally, you can now snap windows to the corners and be able to look at four separate windows at the same time!
Virtual desktops
Window snapping is great, but if you have got a smaller screen, virtual desktops are better. This new addition in Windows 10 lets you create multiple desktops to streamline productivity. That way if you need to have your emails open full screen at all times, for example, you can put that on a whole separate screen, so you do not have to worry about accidentally closing it!
Phone companion
Windows 10 introduced a phone companion feature that helps you better sync your phone with your PC. Whether you have an Android, iPhone or Windows phone, you can effortlessly set it up to sync with your machine and transfer all your important contacts, emails and files effortlessly. You can download Cortana to your phone -- even if it is not a Windows phone!
Cortana
Speaking of Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant is integrated with Windows 10. You can speak directly to her, or just click the Cortana icon in the taskbar. She will look up local information like weather and traffic conditions, as well as tell you almost anything you want to know.
The best way to set up a Windows 10 machine
Ah, the joys of setting up a new computer. A blank canvas, there is nothing like starting fresh with a clean slate and experiencing a Windows 10 machine like it is straight out of its box.
But with the wealth of tweakable options you now have on a new PC or after a fresh install, it can get overwhelming just to get it going the way you want it. I have been there before with users, and these are the basics I found to be absolutely essential for personalization and privacy.
Set up a Microsoft account
Right off the bat, Windows 10 will ask you to link a Microsoft account either by signing in with an existing one or by creating a new one. If you are creating a new account, you can use any email address, even a non-Microsoft email address, as long as it is a valid one.
Linking a Microsoft account with your Windows 10 machine has a range of benefits. It syncs your data across Microsoft services such as OneDrive files, apps from the Windows Store, Skype accounts, Bing and Cortana personalized data, Office files, email, activation data, etc. It is the way Microsoft intended Windows 10 to be experienced -- a system that utilizes the cloud for convenience.  However, this may not be what you want to do.
Typically, going with "Express settings" upon setup and linking a Microsoft account is the fastest way to get your Windows 10 machine up and running. However, since this relies on personalization data, it also sends a myriad of information back to Microsoft.
If you are concerned about your privacy, you can choose the "Customize settings" option instead. This lets you turn off location tracking, Wi-Fi sharing, personalization data, advertiser information collection and more right from the start.
You can also sign in to your Windows 10 machine for a local account instead of a Microsoft Account. This will keep Windows from sharing as much with Microsoft, but this will disable some of Windows 10's convenient cloud-based features.  Many users choose this option.
To summarize, if you want to use Windows 10 for convenience and personalization, the way Microsoft intended it to be experienced, choose Express settings then link a Microsoft account.
On the other extreme, if you want more control of your privacy, you can choose "Customize settings," review your options and go with a local account instead. You can always change these settings later anyway.
To learn more about these privacy settings, check out next week’s article about the Windows 10 settings you may need to change.
Stay protected!
George Cox is owner of Computer Diagnostics and Repair in Mesquite.
Via thespectrum.com