windows 10

Microsoft has confirmed it automatically uploads Windows 10 disk encryption keys to its servers. The company says it was a deliberate decision based on weighing up the worst case scenarios. The encryption key in question is not related to logging ... into and running Windows itself. Instead its an encryption of the entire hard drive of the device running Windows 10. This means that if somebody physically steals your computer, they can't make any sense of the data, even if it's been copied to another device (using a disk image backup, for example). Encryption Key Would Help Computer Thieves ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Leslie B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just recently upgraded to Windows 10 and now when I run iTunes, I receive error 54 - whatever that means. I am unable to access anything in iTunes. Can you help? " My response: From what I ... understand, iTunes error 54 refers to a general input/output (I/O) error. This means that iTunes is having trouble reading or writing to a file or folder on your hard drive. This can be caused by various things, including a corrupt file, locked or inaccessible files or folders, or if an .m4a file could not be converted to a lower bit rate. The latter ... (view more)

Microsoft has confirmed the latest Windows 10 update has messed up Word 2016 for some users. Fixing the mistake is possible but somewhat complicated. The problem comes with the latest cumulative update to the system, known as Windows 10 Cumulative ... Update KB3124200, released December 17, 2015. The component update that's causing the problem accidentally renames a file during the update, which then causes macros, autotext entries, and styles to no longer load. Autocomplete Among The Messed-Up Features The file in question (normal.dotm) stores all the template information for Microsoft Word 2016 ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Gale S. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just purchased a brand new Windows 10 laptop, and created a new Microsoft Account when I first logged in. The problem is however, I forgot my Microsoft Account password! Now I can't get back into ... Windows 10 because my password isn't working! I don't know what to do. Can you help? " My response: There are two ways you can reset your Windows 10 email password; one involves resetting your email password by phone (if enabled), or by computer. The other involves converting your resetting the password using a password reset trick using a USB or ... (view more)

Microsoft's latest change to the way it pushes users to upgrade to Windows 10 has been described as a "confusing new low." It's now using an on-screen message that appears to trick users into believing they must install the new operating system. The ... change is to the 'Get Windows 10' notification. That's the small white Windows logo that has appeared in the bottom right of the screen for most users of Windows 7 and 8.1 since a system update earlier in the year. Clicking on the logo brings up some promotional material for Windows 10 and a link to download the new operating ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Brian W. writes: " Dear Dennis, I was interested in your article about update KB3122947 . I am having the same experience with KB3116908 which has failed 9 or 10 times now, with the following error message: 'Some update files are ... missing or have problems. We'll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80070570).' This is yet another Cumulative update for Windows 10 Version 1511, dated December 2, 2015. Do you have a set of instructions on how to fix this one? " My response: As you've mentioned, KB3116908 is a cumulative update for Windows 10 - and is also ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Fred P. writes: " Dear Dennis, My Windows 10 computer rebooted yesterday because it downloaded some updates, however kb3116900 failed to install, with error code 0x80071A2D. I tried to find this update using the Windows Update ... Catalog but Firefox says it is an untrusted connection. I tried Internet Explorer and was able to connect. I downloaded the update, but it failed to install again. What can I do? This update says it's a Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (KB3116900). Can you help? " My response: I had the exact same problem on one of ... (view more)

A software engineer has accused Microsoft of going to extreme lengths to push users into upgrading to Windows 10. Josh Mayfield says Microsoft is in a cat and mouse game with users who are explicitly trying to avoid an upgrade. We've previously ... reported on Microsoft's tactics to make Windows 10 an automatic upgrade for many users . Microsoft went as far as to recently reclassify the operating system as an optional update to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, meaning it will automatically install for all users who have set their machines to trust Microsoft and accept all updates. As things ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Nigel S. writes: " Dear Dennis, Today my Windows 10 computer rebooted to finish installing updates, but then I received an error message that update KB3122947 'failed to install', with an error 0x80070643 - whatever that means. I ... clicked on the More Info link that didn't help me fix the problem. Can you help? " My response: Based on what I've read online, update KB3122947 has failed to install for many people - in fact, it failed to install on one of my systems. There is, however, a workaround and it involves using the administrative command line. Unfortunately the ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Steve C. writes: " Dear Dennis, Thanks again for your wonderful website and for the ongoing coverage on Windows 10. I was wondering if you could tell me where is the Solitaire and other games for Windows 10? I use to play ... Solitaire for Windows 7, including Hearts, Spider Solitaire, and Minesweeper but I cannot find them in Windows 10. The only alternative I've seen is to pay for them. Why would Microsoft get rid of Solitaire and these other great games after including them for so long? I hope you can help! " My response: In Windows 10 if you want to access the ... (view more)