Windows

Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607: August 31, 2016

August 31, 2016 — KB3176938 (OS Build 14393.105)
This update includes quality improvements. No new operating system features are being introduced in this update. Key changes include:
-Improved reliability of Windows Ink Workspace, Microsoft Edge, File Server, Windows kernel, Microsoft Component Object Model (COM), Cluster Health Service, Hyper-V, multi-factor authentication (MFA), NTFS file system, PowerShell, Internet Explorer 11, facial recognition, graphics, Windows Store, and Windows Shell.
-Improved performance related to purchasing Windows Store apps.
-Improved battery life of wearable devices (such as the Microsoft Band) while Bluetooth is connected and idle.
-Improved compatibility of using Xbox One controllers with various games.
-Addressed issue with incorrect character mapping between Japanese and Unicode for the question mark.
-Addressed issue that prevents the download and initialization of .NET objects in Internet Explorer 11.
-Improved support of new near-field communication (NFC) chips for Windows 10 Mobile.
-Addressed issue with game or app audio not resuming after ending a call on Windows 10 Mobile.
-Addressed additional issues with compatibility, remote desktop, BitLocker, PowerShell, Direct3D, networking policies, Dynamic Access Control (DAC) rules, Microsoft Edge, Connected Standby, mobile device management (MDM), printing, Fingerprint logon, and Cortana.

This did not fix my freezing issue. Win10 AnniUpdate is still unusable on my main rig. Ridiculous.
Are you guys at Microsoft trying to drive me to go to Linux full time?

Win10 AnniUpdate removed the ability to disable the lock screen via Group Policy.
I’ve been getting lots of questions on this issue and in my search for answers I cannot see where anyone has come up with a solution that works for everyone.
I’m having an issue helping with this because I never see the lock screen.
– My desktop is set to auto login ( bottom of page: https://www.tweakhound.com/2015/12/09/tweaking-windows-10/4/ )
– All my power plans disable all power saving when plugged in.
– If I’m going to be away from my computer for more than 10-15 minutes I shut it down. So. even unplugged it never hits the Sleep threshold.

As I said above. I’ve not seen a single solution that seems to work for everyone and survives reboots.
Well, there seems to be one. BUT, I am unsure of the cost of this tweak (aside from the obvious error logs). It is:
Rename the folder C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.LockApp_cw5n1h2txyewy .
I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. I haven’t had time to research it.
***Update – Reader Koos says this did not work. Can anyone confirm this?

 
Has anyone found a solution?

I’m not a big fan of the Microsoft Community or Microsoft MVP’s but occasionally someone in that group stands out. Andre Da Costa is one of them and he has just published 2 excellent Wiki articles. Read’em and bookmark’em for tomorrow.
How to download official Windows 10 ISO files
How to Upgrade to Windows 10 Anniversary Update version 1607 using ISO File

Woody Leonhard wrote Windows patch KB 3139929: When a security update is not a security update. In it he discusses that Microsoft included a GWX non-security update in security update KB3139929. That non-security update is KB3146449 and is uninstallable. Here is the breakdown:
Updated Internet Explorer 11 capabilities to upgrade Windows 8.1 and Windows 7
About this update
This update adds functionality to Internet Explorer 11 on some computers that lets users learn about Windows 10 or start an upgrade to Windows 10. Before you install this update, see the Prerequisites section. For more information about Windows 10, see Windows 10.

So yes this doesn’t sound good. In fact it sounds like yet another low-down, underhanded, sneaky, dirty-rotten trick by Microsoft. A giant middle finger to Windows 7 users if you will.

But the thing is sites around the web parroted the fact that this update produced a “blue banner” promoting Win10 when using IE despite the fact that none of them are able to reproduce the issue.

I’ve poked around on a couple of my Windows 7 machines and I can’t find anything nefarious related to this update. The only thing I can find is the picture below when you go to MSN:

 
On its face this seems outrageous. I really can’t believe that MS would pull this kind of stunt again? And, there seems no proof of egregious behavior this time. At least not yet.
So, I dunno. I wonder if Microsoft is trolling Windows 7 Geeks?

Installing Windows 7 has received a much needed overhaul.
Remove And Block GWX In Windows 7 updated with a trimmed down script.
Comments and suggestions welcome.