Computer News

New Poll Up

August 7, 2016, 13:26(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

I’ve got a new poll up in the right sidebar.
“What is your opinion of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update?”
Please vote.
I stopped using polls because either they don’t support WordPress caching, or caching doesn’t support the widget, or something like that.
Anyhow we will see how it goes. It is more important to me that the site is fast for you than to have the polls.

Wednesday Random Stuff…

August 3, 2016, 16:07(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Win10 AnniUpdate Observations
I am 0-3 in having the AnniUpdate show up in Windows Update. This is across 3 different machines. One 1 machine I have done 3 installs.
1 – I have used the Media Creation Tool to download ISO, extracted, and install from that.
2 – I have used the Media Creation Tool and the “used install on this PC” option. (FAILED)
3 – I have used the link here to install the update too.
Every install was completely different. I later found out that I had to remove and reinstall my Creative Sound Blaster drivers on the 2 successful installs. None of the installs kept all my settings but option 1 kept more of them. The whole thing was just bizarre. Every install should have been exactly the same.

Google Chrome Updated
“The stable channel has been updated to 52.0.2743.116 for Windows, Mac, and Linux. This will roll out over the coming days/weeks.”
I’m really getting tired of “roll outs”.
Download

Classic Shell Hacked
See their forum post: The Classic Shell software got hacked [Aug 2 2016]
Thanks to reader Phil for letting me know!

Off Topic
iVerge: The Best Turntable You Can Buy

Pre-AnniUpdate News

August 2, 2016, 12:59(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Sitting here waiting for the Win10 AnniUpdate so I thought I would post a couple of quick things:

Firefox 48 Is Out
Download 32-bit(en-US)
Download 64-bit(en-US)
Download other systems and languages
Release Notes

Classic Shell 4.3.0 Released
WARNING…SEE COMMENT BELOW
Here’s what’s new:
-Improved support for Windows 10 Anniversary Update (AKA Redstone)
-Taskbar skinning – change background color, texture, and text color
-New Metallic skin with many new skin features
-etc.

Ready for Win10 AnniUpdate
All other app updates applied? Check!
Drivers updated? Check!
True Image backup? Check!
Start10 autostart off? Check!
10, 9, 8, 7…..

Help Me Find A New Site Theme

July 29, 2016, 07:24(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

This site runs on WordPress. I’ve used a theme called Suffusion for years.
A few days ago the theme’s creator announced that the theme would no longer be maintained. Though disappointed I understand his reasoning.
So, I am looking for a new theme and would like your suggestions. Here are the things I am looking for.
1 – Speed. I want fast loading. Our time is important.
2 – Simplicity. Obviously this site doesn’t need a fancified setup.
3 – Fully customizable colors, headers, fonts.
4 – 2 columns.
I am willing to pay for a theme if it is awesome.
Before someone suggests it, I’m not interested in creating my own.

Thursday Random Stuff…

July 28, 2016, 16:26(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

No, I haven’t gone anywhere. There has just been so little computer news I find interesting that I haven’t bothered to even sign in.

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
As every freakin’ tech site has constantly reminded you of for the last month, tomorrow is the last day for the free update to Win10.
Or not.
Some folks opine that Microsoft could extended the freebie indefinitely.

Win10 AnniUpdate
See that stupid name I just gave it? Yeah, that’s how bored I am.
The AnniUpdate will be released Aug 2nd.
Several tech sites claim Cortana will be more difficult to configure or turn off after the AnniUpdate. Although many sites claim otherwise, turning it off via regedit as you did before works just fine. I documented it in the Win10 Tweak Guide and showed you My Windows 10 Tweaks before that. The key is here:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search]
“AllowCortana”=dword:00000000

Speaking Of The Win10 Tweak Guide
I’m guessing an update will fall around Labor Day weekend.

Wednesday Random Stuff…

July 20, 2016, 16:24(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Back from vacation.

Google Chrome 52
Version 52.0.2743.82 is out.
Download

CCleaner Updated
“Improved…Optimized…bug fixes…”
Download v5.20

Star Trek Beyond
This gets released this week. Am I pumped for this? I’ve already got my tickets to the Thursday, 7:00 P.M. IMAX show. I didn’t know you could actually pick your seats now?! When did that happen?
Critic reviews seem to be good with Rotten Tomatoes having it at 94% as of this writing.

Time To Run Windows Update

July 12, 2016, 16:46(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Got Windows? Got Updates!
Microsoft Security Bulletin Summary for July 2016

Wednesday Random Stuff…

July 6, 2016, 18:42(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

New Nvidia Drivers
Nvidia GeForce Game Ready 368.69 WHQL Drivers. Available for XP-Win10.
Download

Autoruns Updated
Autoruns has been updated several times in a short while. The webpage states 13.52 but this is wrong. The current downloadable version is 13.61.
There is now a 64-bit version but it is broken (see forums). Just use the 32-bit version.
“This utility, which has the most comprehensive knowledge of auto-starting locations of any startup monitor, shows you what programs are configured to run during system bootup or login, and when you start various built-in Windows applications like Internet Explorer, Explorer and media players. These programs and drivers include ones in your startup folder, Run, RunOnce, and other Registry keys. Autoruns reports Explorer shell extensions, toolbars, browser helper objects, Winlogon notifications, auto-start services, and much more. Autoruns goes way beyond other autostart utilities.”

Introducing Windows Information Protection
“Windows Information Protection (WIP) – formerly referred to as enterprise data protection (EDP) – will ship in the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update.”

Happy Independence Day

July 3, 2016, 10:23(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”
United States Declaration of Independence at Wikipedia
Independence Day (United States) at Wikipedia

Beautiful rendition of the The Star-Spangled Banner at the Lincoln Memorial by an ordinary American with an extraordinary voice.

My Favorite National Anthem Renditions

2nd Fav

All-time Fav (sometimes it’s about timing)

Sad
Video: 4th of July Zombies – Americans Don’t Know Why We Celebrate Fourth of July!

Only Semi-Related
Apparently the movie Independence Day: Resurgence really sucks.
That’s too bad as I was looking forward to it.

A Day Early
I put this up a day early because I’m taking the full day off tomorrow.
I’ll be starting off by attending a special Independence Day reenactment of Patrick Henry’s immortal “Give me Liberty or Give me Death!” speech.
I’ll follow this up with the same things many of you are doing: Beer and Fireworks.
I hope you all have a happy and safe 4th!