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Windows

Win10 SCU Delayed?

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***ATM this is interesting, high school gossipy speculation. But, what’s a day without a little drama! Follow the links in the post below and watch it unfold.

AskWoody reports both Paul Thurrott (thurrott.com) and Zac Bowden (windowscentral.com) are hearing SCU/RS4 is delayed.

*update 1243hrs
Don’t know if this is related but BuildFeed has the updated the latest build to 10.0.17133.1009, dated today.

Win10 SCU Is Out Next Week

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Windows 10 Spring Creators Update is going to be released next week.
In My Humble Opinion:
– There is no reason to upgrade within 30 days of release. (Or at least until the following Patch Tuesday.)
– There are no new features worth upgrading for.

You can stick with the current release you are on and still get updates for at least 18 months:
1709 (Fall Creators Update) Expires April 9, 2109
1703 (Creators Update) Expires October 9, 2018
1607 (Anniversary Update) Expires April 10, 2018

I recommend blocking/delaying feature updates:
– You need to be running Win10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education.
There is no way to stop a feature update in Win10 Home without stopping security updates. You can officially upgrade from Home to Pro for $99 but there are MUCH, MUCH cheaper legit keys to be had out there. If you can’t find them, email me.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced options
Optional – Use the  > Semi-Annual Channel ( NOT Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) )
This channel used to be Current Branch for Business. This delays feature updates until they are ready for business, i.e. all the bugs are worked out. This was about 3 months for FCU (approx. Oct 17 – Jan. 11).
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced options >
In the box under A feature update includes new capabilities and improvements. It can be deferred for this many days:
Change days to desired amount. I recommend at least 31 but since SCU offers me nothing then up to 365 will not hurt. You can re-evaluate when the next feature update comes out and it looks to be a big one.

Windows Defender Vulnerability

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I’m in front of the boob tube last night and I get this email entitled “Microsoft Security Update Releases” (full email posted below).
CVE-2018-0986 | Microsoft Malware Protection Engine Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
The gist of the alert is that all versions of Windows Defender have a vulnerability.
If Windows Defender scans an infected file then a hacker could own your system.
Rephrased…
If the product that is supposed to protect your system just SCANS a bad file you could be OWNED.
Fortunately this has been patched. Windows Defender should update automatically but you can force an update.
Press the Windows + R keys > copy paste the following: “%ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe” -Update
[Read more…] about Windows Defender Vulnerability

You Too Microsoft?

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New report: Microsoft To Ban ‘Offensive Language’ & Monitor Your Private Account
“According to a new services agreement written by the company, the tech giant is planning to ban accounts that use “offensive language” and will go through your private data to “investigate” users.
In a March 1 release, Microsoft is warning customers using Office, Xbox, Skype, and other products that the company is prohibiting offensive language and inappropriate content starting on May 1. “Don’t publicly display or use the Services to share inappropriate content or material (involving, for example, nudity, bestiality, pornography, offensive language, graphic violence, or criminal activity),” Microsoft warns in a portion of their new codes of conduct.”
Sit back and break out the popcorn, this should get interesting. Wonder how long it takes for the fanbois to break out the, “everyone else is doing it” excuse?

Win10 Updated

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“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update.”
Remember, updates are cumulative.

For 1709 (Latest Build) – March 22, 2018—KB4089848 (OS Build 16299.334)

For 1703 – March 22, 2018—KB4088891 (OS Build 15063.994)

For 1607 – March 22, 2018—KB4088889 (OS Build 14393.2155)
*1607 is getting EoS next month.

1709 (Fall Creators Update)
1703 (Creators Update)
1607 (Anniversary Update)

See also:
Windows lifecycle fact sheet
Windows 10 release information

Patch Tuesday

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Updates available for all things Windows. I am still not updating my Windows 7 machines. The only Win10 machine I am updating is my main rig. I have switched that over to Windows Insider Fast Lane so I can get a head start on the Spring Creators Update that comes out next month. The things I do for you guys.

Full Windows Update info at the bottom of this post.
Win10 version 1709: March 13, 2018—KB4088776 (OS Build 16299.309)
“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update.”
Win10 version 1703: March 13, 2018—KB4088782 (OS Build 15063.966)
“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update.”

Firefox 59
Firefox 32-bit
Firefox 64-bit
All downloads
Release Notes. Be sure to check these out as there are a couple of new features you’ll want to know about.
Related: Tor Browser 7.5.1 released and Tails 3.6 too.

CCleaner 5.41
Release Announcement
Download (I use the portable version)
Thanks Arthur!

Adobe Flash Player 29.0.0.113
for Firefox, Opera
for Internet Explorer

[Read more…] about Patch Tuesday

Win10 Updated

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March 5, 2018—KB4090913 (OS Build 16299.251)
“This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update…Addresses an issue in which some USB devices and onboard devices, such as a built-in laptop camera, keyboard, or mouse, stop working.”
This update is a cumulative update. That means it will apply the Meltdown/Spectre patch from past months.