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Windows 8

UAC – Quick notes on why I disable it.

December 31, 2020, 13:34(EST) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

Original article: Windows 7 UAC – Quick notes on why I disable it. circa 2009

***31 December, 2020
As of today my original article is over eleven years old. Links to sources have disappeared. I updated the links today, mostly to the Internet Wayback Machine archive. I’ve also backed up these sources to PDF and have linked to those where appropriate.

Microsoft introduced User Account Control (UAC) with Windows Vista. Windows 7 has an “improved” version of UAC. The purpose of this short note is to explain why I do not like or use UAC on my own machines (because I get asked so much), it is not to start an argument or to try to convince others to disable UAC.
[Read more…] about UAC – Quick notes on why I disable it.

Tagged With: How-To's, Security, This Site, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista

Patch Tuesday

March 10, 2020, 15:31(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

windows security

Windows Updates
Windows 10
1909 – March 10, 2020—KB4540673 (OS Builds 18362.719 and 18363.719)
1903 – March 10, 2020—KB4540673 (OS Builds 18362.719 and 18363.719)
1809 – March 10, 2020—KB4538461 (OS Build 17763.1098)

Windows 8.1
March 10, 2020—KB4541509 (Monthly Rollup)
March 10, 2020—KB4541505 (Security-only update)

Windows 7
March 10, 2020—KB4540688 (Monthly Rollup)
March 10, 2020—KB4541500 (Security-only update)
***IMPORTANT***
READ THE SECTION “Before installing this update”
Prerequisite:
You must install the updates listed below and restart your device before installing the latest Rollup. Installing these updates improves the reliability of the update process and mitigates potential issues while installing the Rollup and applying Microsoft security fixes.

Tagged With: Security

Patch Tuesday

January 14, 2020, 13:24(EST) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

windows security

Windows 7 – 10 all have patches. 49 issues are addressed and eight of them are critical.
I don’t have time to do a proper post so see:
Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 update history
Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 update history
Windows 10 update history

Tagged With: Security

Patch Tuesday

November 12, 2019, 13:37(EST) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

windows security

Windows 10
1909 is out. What’s new in Windows 10, version 1909
See: How to get the Windows 10 November 2019 Update
More at the bottom of this post.
1903 – November 12, 2019—KB4524570 (OS Build 18362.476 and 18363.476)
“Updates to improve security when using Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.”
1809 – November 12, 2019—KB4523205 (OS Build 17763.864)
Updates to improve security when using Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.
Updates to improve security when using external devices (such as game controllers, printers, and web cameras) and input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, or stylus.
Updates to improve security when using Microsoft Office products.
1803 – End of Life

Windows 8.1
November 12, 2019—KB4525250 (Security-only update)
Includes 3 security updates.
November 12, 2019—KB4525243 (Monthly Rollup)
Includes 3 security updates and 4 fixes.

Windows 7
November 12, 2019—KB4525233 (Security-only update)
Includes 3 security updates.
November 12, 2019—KB4525235 (Monthly Rollup)
Includes 3 security updates and 2 fixes.

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready WHQL Driver 441.20
Download | Release Notes

What’s new for Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows 10, version 1903 release notes
Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909 share a common core operating system and an identical set of system files. As a result, the new features in Windows 10, version 1909 were included in the recent monthly quality update for Windows 10, version 1903 (released October 8, 2019), but are currently in a dormant state. These new features will remain dormant until they are turned on using an enablement package, which is a small, quick-to-install “master switch” that simply activates the Windows 10, version 1909 features.
To reflect this change, the release notes for Windows 10, version 1903 and Windows 10, version 1909 will share an update history page. Each release page will contain a list of addressed issues for both 1903 and 1909 versions. Note that the 1909 version will always contain the fixes for 1903; however, 1903 will not contain the fixes for 1909. This page will provide you with the build numbers for both 1909 and 1903 versions so that it will be easier for support to assist you if you encounter issues.

Feature Update via Windows 10, version 1909 Enablement Package
Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. Therefore, the new features in Windows 10, version 1909 were included in the latest monthly quality update for Windows 10, version 1903 (released October 8, 2019), but are in an inactive and dormant state. These new features will remain dormant until they are turned on through the “enablement package,” a small, quick-to-install “master switch” that activates the Windows 10, version 1909 features.
The enablement package is a great option for installing a scoped feature update like Windows 10, version 1909 as it enables an update from version 1903 to version 1909 with a single restart, reducing update downtime. This enables devices to take advantage of new features now. For version 1903 devices that receive updates directly from Windows Update, devices automatically get the enablement package by installing the feature update to Windows 10, version 1909.
If a device is updating from Windows 10, version 1809 or an earlier version, this feature update enablement package cannot be manually installed. Instead, it is bundled and automatically included with the feature update to Windows 10, version 1909. Note the installation time is not reduced in this scenario.

Tagged With: Security, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

Patch Tuesday

October 8, 2019, 13:35(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

windows security

Windows 10
1903 – October 8, 2019—KB4517389 (OS Build 18362.418)
1809 – October 8, 2019—KB4519338 (OS Build 17763.805)
Highlights
Updates to improve security when using Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge.
Updates for verifying user names and passwords.
Updates for storing and managing files.

Improvements and fixes
This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
Addresses an issue in security bulletin CVE-2019-1318 that may cause client or server computers that don’t support Extended Master Secret (EMS) RFC 7627 to have increased connection latency and CPU utilization. This issue occurs while performing full Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshakes from devices that don’t support EMS, especially on servers. EMS support has been available for all the supported versions of Windows since calendar year 2015 and is being incrementally enforced by the installation of the October 8, 2019 and later monthly updates.
Addresses an issue with applications and printer drivers that utilize the Windows JavaScript engine (jscript.dll) for processing print jobs.
Security updates to Windows Shell, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Cryptography, Windows Authentication, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Kernel, Microsoft Scripting Engine, and Windows Server.

Windows 8.1
October 8, 2019—KB4520005 (Monthly Rollup)
This security update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of update KB4516041 (released September 24, 2019) and addresses the following issues:
Addresses an issue with applications and printer drivers that utilize the Windows JavaScript engine (jscript.dll) for processing print jobs.
Security updates to Windows Cryptography, Windows Authentication, Windows Kernel, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Internet Information Services, the Microsoft Scripting Engine, and Windows Server.

October 8, 2019—KB4519990 (Security-only update)
This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
Security updates to Windows Cryptography, Windows Authentication, Windows Kernel, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Internet Information Services, and Windows Server.

Windows 7
October 8, 2019—KB4519976 (Monthly Rollup)
This security update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of update KB4516048 (released September 24, 2019) and addresses the following issues:
Addresses an issue that may fail to disable VBScript in Internet Explorer by default after installing KB4507437 (Preview of Monthly Rollup) or KB4511872 (Internet Explorer Cumulative Update) and later.
Addresses an issue with applications and printer drivers that utilize the Windows JavaScript engine (jscript.dll) for processing print jobs.
Security updates to Windows Authentication, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Windows Kernel, Internet Information Services, the Microsoft Scripting Engine, and Windows Server.

October 8, 2019—KB4520003 (Security-only update)
This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
Addresses an issue in security bulletin CVE-2019-1318 that may cause client or server computers that don’t support Extended Master Secret (EMS) RFC 7627 to have increased connection latency and CPU utilization. This issue occurs while performing full Transport Layer Security (TLS) handshakes from devices that don’t support EMS, especially on servers. EMS support has been available for all the supported versions of Windows since calendar year 2015 and is being incrementally enforced by the installation of the October 8, 2019 and later monthly updates.
Security updates to Windows Authentication, Microsoft JET Database Engine, Windows Kernel, Internet Information Services, and Windows Server.

Tagged With: Security, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

Patch Tuesday

May 14, 2019, 13:14(EDT) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

audacity

Windows 7-10 updated.
This may or may not be the last update before the May 2018 feature update.

Windows 7
May 14, 2019—KB4499175 (Security-only update)
May 14, 2019—KB4499164 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 8.1
May 14, 2019—KB4499165 (Security-only update)
May 14, 2019—KB4499151 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 10
1809 – May 14, 2019—KB4494441 (OS Build 17763.503)
1803 – May 14, 2019—KB4499167 (OS Build 17134.765)
1709 – May 14, 2019—KB4499179 (OS Build 16299.1146)

Other Software:

Audacity 2.3.2
Download | Release Notes | Home Page

CCleaner 5.57
A whole lotta ‘meh’. I’d skip it.
Download (I use portable) | Release Announcement
See also: Blocking A Programs Internet Access Via The Windows Firewall

Adobe Reader Updated
Download en-US | All Downloads | Security Bulletin | Release Notes

Tagged With: Computer News

Changing Your DNS Server

February 19, 2019, 10:45(EST) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

th

This guide will show you how to change your DNS Server. In addition it covers benchmarking DNS servers and if you should change your DNS server.
[Read more…] about Changing Your DNS Server

Tagged With: How-To's, This Site, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

Patch Tuesday

February 12, 2019, 13:20(EST) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

windows security

Updates available for all supported versions of Windows.
Office updates available too. (how to check for Office updates)

Win10 1809 – February 12, 2019—KB4487044 (OS Build 17763.316)
Win10 1803 – February 12, 2019—KB4487017 (OS Build 17134.590)
Win10 1709 – February 12, 2019—KB4486996 (OS Build 16299.967)

Windows 8.1 – February 12, 2019—KB4487028 (Security-only update)

Windows 7 – Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 update history

Office 365 11231.20174 and other versions

Note from Microsoft:
February 11, 2019 12:45 PM PST
Windows Update customers were recently affected by a network infrastructure event caused by an external DNS service provider’s global outage. A software update to the external provider’s DNS servers resulted in the distribution of corrupted DNS records that affected connectivity to the Windows Update service. The DNS records were restored by January 30, 2019 (00:10 UTC), but downstream effects continued. We believe the issue to be fully mitigated because the majority of local Internet Service Providers (ISP) have refreshed their DNS servers and customer services have been restored. If you are still encountering download failures, please contact your local ISP.
While this was not an issue with Microsoft’s services, we take any service disruption for our customers seriously. We will work with partners to better understand this so we can provide higher quality service in the future even across diverse global network providers.

Tagged With: Security, Windows 7, Windows 8

Patch Tuesday

January 8, 2019, 13:32(EST) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

windows security

Windows Update
Updates available for all currently supported versions of Windows. Updates for Flash and .Net available where applicable.

Windows 7
January 8, 2019—KB4480970 (Monthly Rollup)
January 8, 2019—KB4480960 (Security-only update)

Windows 8.1
January 8, 2019—KB4480963 (Monthly Rollup)
January 8, 2019—KB4480964 (Security-only update)

Windows 10
1809 – January 8, 2019—KB4480116 (OS Build 17763.253)
1803 – January 8, 2019—KB4480966 (OS Build 17134.523)
1709 – January 8, 2019—KB4480978 (OS Build 16299.904)

– – – – – –

Wise Disk Cleaner 10.1.5 Released
Download (I use portable) | Release Info

Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not:

Hey Apple, what happens on iPhones doesn’t stay there, and your ‘clever’ CES ad is promoting a dangerous illusion
That’s a cute ad you have in Las Vegas for the CES tech convention. “What happens on your iPhone, stays on your iPhone” is both a good dig at your rivals and a clever restating of Sin City’s popular catch phrase.
But it’s literally a lie. What happens on customers’ iPhones doesn’t stay on them — and you know it.
Preach

Survey: Americans Warming to Use of Facial Recognition Tech
I’m not sure I buy the results of the study. If it is even close to true then, well, SMH.

Came up in an email convo with a reader and friend:
SiriusXM stations I mostly listen to:
Hair Nation ’80s Hair Bands 
Ozzy’s Boneyard Ozzy’s Classic Hard Rock 
Classic Rewind ’70s/’80s Classic Rock 

Tagged With: Computer News, Security

Patch Tuesday

December 11, 2018, 14:52(EST) By Eric (a.k.a. TweakHound)

windows security

Windows Updates available. “Addresses an issue” as well as many security updates.
I recommend backing up and updating as soon as you can.

Windows 10
Build 1809 – December 11, 2018—KB4471332 (OS Build 17763.194)
Build 1803 – December 11, 2018—KB4471324 (OS Build 17134.471)
Build 1709 – December 11, 2018—KB4471329 (OS Build 16299.846)

Windows 8.1
December 11, 2018—KB4471322 (Security-only update)
December 11, 2018—KB4471320 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 7
December 11, 2018—KB4471328 (Security-only update)
December 11, 2018—KB4471318 (Monthly Rollup)

Tagged With: Security, Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8

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