sakkmesterke - Fotolia
Windows Enterprise Desktop
A blog for IT professionals who work with Windows on large networks.
Recent Posts
-
MS Assistant Addresses Office Issues
10 Feb 2020 -
Windows 10 Blank Search Bites Production PC
07 Feb 2020 -
Win10 Outlook 365 Pro Crashes Prompt Timely Update
03 Feb 2020
A downloadable MS Assistant Addresses Office Issues of all kinds, including my weird Internet Calendar Subscriptions issue. Worth downloading for admins and power users tasked with Office upkeep.
When Windows 10 blank search bites production PC, I recognize this as a widely-reported and common issue. Fortunately, it's also quite easy to fix. Here's how...
When my rock-solid production PC Reliability Index drops dramatically, discovering a Win10 Outlook 365 Pro crashes prompt timely update. Hope it's fixed!
-
Cloud Download Reset Reappears in Build 19555.1001
31 Jan 2020 -
Firefox Tightens Web Security Clamps
30 Jan 2020 -
Windows 10 1909 Works Well
25 Jan 2020 -
Browser Updates Require Human Intervention
22 Jan 2020 -
Getting MS Mouse&Keyboard Center Version Info
20 Jan 2020 -
Odd KB4528760 Error 0X80073712 Gets Easy Fix
15 Jan 2020 -
Microsoft Changes WU Driver Inclusion Rules
13 Jan 2020
When I check, I learn that Cloud Download Reset reappears in Build 19555.1001. This lets users reset Win10 PCs using direct download from MS servers. Good stuff!
When my usual browser refuses to take me to a couple of sites I visit daily, I realize that Firefox tightens web security clamps by insisting on a valid certificate before it will connect. Interesting!
When I say Windows 10 1909 2orks well, I mean that from a Reliability Monitor standpoint 1909 shows little or nothing to complain/worry about. Good!
Right after I learn a new Edge version is out, I realize that browser updates require human intervention. Only users (or admins) can shoulder the awesome responsibility of restarting a browser.
Getting MS Mouse&Keyboard Center version info proves a bit more challenging and tricksy than I'd wish. Norton File Insight to the rescue.
On Patch Tuesday, 5 of 6 machines get through without issue. On machine 6, it turns out happily that KB4528760 error 0X80073712 gets easy fix.
In the way of well-reported issues with updated device drivers for Intel graphics and networking, Realtek audio and Bluetooth, and more in 2019, MS changes its rule for bundling unapproved drivers ...
-
Notepad RTL Reading Order Gotcha Has Easy Fix
10 Jan 2020 -
NirSoft DriveLetterView Shows Assigned Win10 Drive Letters
08 Jan 2020 -
NirSoft ShellExView Pinpoints Explorer Context Menu Problems
06 Jan 2020 -
2004 Gets New Network Status
26 Dec 2019 -
Missing Secunia PSI
24 Dec 2019 -
Windows 10 2004 Gets View Optional Updates
23 Dec 2019 -
Nirsoft USBLogView Monitors USB Events
20 Dec 2019 -
Is WU Slowing Down?
16 Dec 2019 -
MS Unveils New Win10 Icon and More
13 Dec 2019 -
MFA Offers Real Security Protection: Use It!
12 Dec 2019 -
China Says No Mo Windows or PCs Starting 2022
09 Dec 2019 -
Customizing New Win10 Laptop
06 Dec 2019 -
Windows Graphics Card Reset Key Sequence
04 Dec 2019 -
1909 Gets Generic Keys
22 Nov 2019 -
Microsoft Teams Jumps to 20M Active Users
20 Nov 2019 -
Windows 10 1909 Is Here
13 Nov 2019 -
Nirsoft Releases Windows Update History Viewer
11 Nov 2019 -
Debugging Win10 Explorer Crashes
08 Nov 2019 -
Build 19018 Kills Disk Cleanup Downloads Item
06 Nov 2019 -
Autopilot Gets Oct 22 False Alarm Update
30 Oct 2019 -
More Odd USB-C Symptoms
28 Oct 2019 -
Multiple ISO Mount Strategies Prove Helpful
21 Oct 2019 -
Insider Preview 19002 Poses Peculiar Problems
18 Oct 2019 -
Fixing Surface Pro 3 USB Drive Drop
16 Oct 2019 -
No Windows 10 Sandbox Activation
11 Oct 2019 -
Learning Thunderbolt Technology & Connections
09 Oct 2019 -
Chasing Thunderbolt Drivers Down
07 Oct 2019 -
Mystery Error Code 0x80242016 Follows KB4524147
04 Oct 2019 -
MS Explains Machine Learning Role in Windows 10 Update Experience
01 Oct 2019 -
20H1 Gains Cloud Reset Capability
25 Sep 2019 -
Mystery Device Equals Moto Z Android Phone
22 Sep 2019 -
Latest Insider Preview Gets View Optional Updates Feature
18 Sep 2019 -
4 New 1903 Known Issues 9/13/2019
16 Sep 2019 -
Cycling Power Fixes Wireless Weirdness
12 Sep 2019 -
Pondering System Refresh Planning System Retirements
11 Sep 2019 -
1903 KB4512941 Garnering Numerous Issues
03 Sep 2019 -
Wonky Wi-Fi Forces Public Network Status
30 Aug 2019 -
Hello Face Yes Hello Face No
28 Aug 2019 -
Lenovo X380 Ethernet Extension Follies
26 Aug 2019 -
Partially Disconnected USB Cable Puts Mouse MIA
24 Aug 2019 -
Defender PowerShell Hash Mismatches Fix Coming
19 Aug 2019 -
1903 Hyper-V Networking Interference?
16 Aug 2019 -
Clean-up Cools Down T520 Laptop
12 Aug 2019 -
Post BIOS Upgrade Beeping Means Trouble
09 Aug 2019 -
Insider Preview 20H1 Upgrade Follies
07 Aug 2019 -
Intel RST Stymies 1903 Upgrade
05 Aug 2019 -
Old Trick Still Kills Persistent Windows.old
02 Aug 2019 -
KB4505903 Fixes DPC Latency Issue
29 Jul 2019 -
Identify Win10 Backup Version
26 Jul 2019 -
1809 MiniITX PC Gets 1903 Update Offer
24 Jul 2019 -
MS 19Q4 Financials Offer Interesting Insights
19 Jul 2019 -
Is Windows 10 19H2 Now Called Version Next?
15 Jul 2019 -
Accommodating WU Download and Install Now (KB4501375)
28 Jun 2019 -
Older Win10 Versions Facing Forced Updates
19 Jun 2019 -
Win10 Sleep Issues Make Sleepstudy Worthwhile
17 Jun 2019 -
Win10 May 2019 Update Features Recommended Troubleshooting
10 Jun 2019 -
May 2019 Update General Availability Still Leaves PCs Out
07 Jun 2019 -
Intel Driver Support Assistant Proves Helpful
05 Jun 2019 -
Perfect Win10 Relimon Score 10 Days Straight
20 May 2019 -
Install KB4494441 CU Twice
15 May 2019 -
Examining Windows 10 ETL files
13 May 2019 -
Nvidia Driver Update Frequency Musings
10 May 2019 -
Windows 10 Workaround Versus Fix
08 May 2019 -
19H1 Release Preview Bug Bites
03 May 2019 -
MS Valuation Hits Trillion Dollar Mark
01 May 2019 -
Win10 Minimum Hardware Requirements Get Interesting
24 Apr 2019 -
X1 Carbon Extreme 6-Core Really Flies
22 Apr 2019 -
Comet Offers Interesting Disk Cleanup Alternative
19 Apr 2019 -
MFTRCRD64 Shows More NTFS Timestamps
18 Apr 2019 -
MCT1903 Misnomer Not Available
14 Apr 2019 -
Dude, Where Is My SDXC Drive?
12 Apr 2019 -
MS Backs Off Forcing Updates
04 Apr 2019 -
Win10 KB4490481 Could Leave 6 Reclaimable Packages Behind
03 Apr 2019 -
Win10 1809 Designated for Broad Deployment
29 Mar 2019 -
AdDuplex Tells Interesting 1809 Story
27 Mar 2019 -
Win10 1903 Policy Handles Automatic Updates and Restarts
26 Mar 2019 -
KB4465065 Offers New Microcode Fixes
25 Mar 2019 -
Win10 ComputerName Generation
22 Mar 2019 -
Win10 Compact OS for Conventional HDs
14 Mar 2019 -
Academics Say MS Updates Confuse Win10 Home Users
04 Mar 2019 -
Knocking Out Norton Promo Pop-ups
27 Feb 2019 -
Nvidia LiveKernelEvent 141 Error Returns
25 Feb 2019 -
Win10 Hibernation Situation
22 Feb 2019 -
New MyOffice App Makes Office Ubiquitous
20 Feb 2019 -
Another Free Win7 Life Extension
17 Feb 2019 -
Win10 Alternate Update History Sources
12 Feb 2019 -
Meet PowerShell Core 6.0
11 Feb 2019 -
MS Store Offers Windows File Manager
01 Feb 2019 -
Win10 Safemode Trap Defeated
25 Jan 2019 -
Win10 1809 Update Unknown Device Works
24 Jan 2019
When text entry starts running in the opposite direction from usual, I learn that Notepad RTL reading order gotcha has easy fix. A simple right-click menu option inside the application does the trick!
NirSoft DriveLetterView shows assigned Win10 drive letters, both for active, mounted drives and removable drives previously installed but not currently present. Very handy!
After 8 days away, I find my production PC beset with 17 BEX64 faulting application events. I recall that NirSoft ShellExView pinpoints Explorer Context Menu problems. A quick fix ensues.
Windows 10 2004 gets new Network Status look and info, and shows how Settings continues to supplant the Control Panel widgets.
As I try one more time to find a reasonable replacement, once again I find myself missing Secunia PSI, the capable and comprehensive PC software scan-and-update utility that's been defunct since 2016.
With the latest 20H1/2004 release (Build 15636), Windows 10 2004 Gets View Optional Updates. Now users can see, select, and manage pending optional updates explicitly and directly.
In trying to track down a mysterious USB plug/unplug problem, I learn that Nirsoft USBLogView Monitors USB Events. Good stuff!
When I realize how slowly Windows Update responds on some older PCs, I ask: Is WU slowing down? Subsequent research shows the answer is "no." I'm glad!
In a blog post to medium.com, CVP Jon Friedman talks about MS unveils new Win10 icon and the general icon redesign effort behind it all. Great stuff!
A recent study for 2019 (Jan-Mar) finds 44 M re-used credential sets among Microsoft and Azure AD account holders. Because MFA offers real security protection, MS recommends its use whenever ...
China Says No Mo Windows or PCs Starting 2022, meaning that it won't use non-Chinese software or OSes after that date. Can the Communist Party order up a new OS that fast? We'll see.
After plunking down some hard-earned cash on Black Friday, I find myself customizing new Win10 laptop -- a Lenovo X390 Yoga -- for "the Boss" to replace her 2011/2012 mini-ITX desktop.
If all you see on your Windows PC is a black screen, possibly with a white cursor, it's always a good idea to try the Windows graphics card reset key sequence Ctrl+Shift+Win+B.
1909 gets generic keys for all versions: these are helpful during installation because they allow it to proceed to completion without requiring activation (or a valid Windows 10 key).
When MS Teams jumps to 20M active users monthly, that confirms my own personal experience: Teams is easy to learn, fun to use, and truly boosts productivity.
Ready or not, Windows 10 1909 is here. It's a suprisingly fast and easy upgrade, more like a Cumulative Update (CU) than previous Feature Upgrades. Power users and admins alike should jump on this ...
Given that Nirsoft releases Windows Update History Viewer (free software), Windows 10 power users and admins alike will want to take this informative tool for a spin.
While debugging Win10 Explorer crashes on my production PC, I learn it's a mistake to double-click PowerToys. I should be right-clicking inside File Explorer instead. Sigh.
Insider Preview Build 19018 kills Disk Cleanup Downloads item, but there are still many ways to scratch that particular itch, if you want to. Me, I periodically sweep older downloads into my ...
MS Autopilot gets Oct 22 false alarm Update as it shows up on some Windows 10 Home and Enterprise PCs where Autopilot is not in play. The update fails with no negative side effects, thank goodness.
More odd USB-C symptoms manifest for a hinky device on a test PC: dwm.exe (Windows Desktop Windows Manager) crashes 9 times for each incident.
When an ISO on my brand-new, high-speed USB-C NVMe SSD-based external drive refuses to mount, I understand that multiple ISO mount strategies prove helpful -- downright essential, in fact.
The latest Insider Preview 19002 poses peculiar problems when it causes both of my test machines to hang at the first reboot. Removing the SDXC card fixes the newer PC, but I have to resort to ...
Weird behavior has me fixing Surface Pro 3 USB drive drop behavior. Turns out a single registry key knocks out a bunch of common Power Options, one of which fixes my problem.
As I determine there's no Windows 10 Sandbox activation it makes sense to assert that a throwaway one-time-use OS instance doesn't need activation anyway.
When Belkin sends me a miniature dock more or less out of the blue, I dig in and start learning Thunderbolt technology & connections. Good stuff, but occasionally puzzling.
Chasing Thunderbolt drivers down proves frustrating, until I remember that "Show hidden devices" shows drivers for removables that aren't physically connected to a PC. Doh!
When a mystery error code 0x80242016 follows KB4524147 -- it means unexpected state after reboot following update -- a second try succeeds. Thank goodness! Unexpected states can be surprisingly ...
In a recent Microsoft blog post, MS explains Machine Learning role in Windows 10 Update experience, particularly how safeguards (update holds) are identified and eventually, cleared.
Recent Insider Previews have it, and so will the next Feature Upgrade: 20H1 gains cloud reset capability as part of Windows 10's reworked "Reset this PC" facility.
In figuring out that a mystery device equals Moto Z Android phone, I learn that powering the device on lets it show properly in Windows 10. Otherwise, the mystery endures.
In Build 18980, Win10 Insider Preview Gets View Optional Updates Feature. So far, it presents a bunch of drivers. More capability is no doubt coming.
With 4 New 1903 Known Issues 9/13/2019 MS continues to do a bang-up job of keeping up with reports and issues "in the wild." Thanks very much!
It takes me a phone call to ASUS tech support to figure it out, but cycling power fixes wireless weirdness on my new ASUS wireless access device. Go figure!
An aging (and mostly old) collection of Win10 PCs has me pondering System Refresh planning System Retirements. Now I have to figure out how to pay for all this!
When I say 1903 KB4512941 Garnering Numerous Issues, I'm talking about three or more actual gotchas, one of which stymies successful installation. Be wary!
When a wonky Wi-Fi forces Public network status on what had been a private 5 GHz Wi-Fi channel, I finally recognize I need a new Wi-Fi router. It's on order. Sigh.
Comparing a new Lenovo X1 Extreme to the X380 Yoga, I notice Hello Face Yes Hello Face No. The X1 has a Hello Face compatible camera, and the X380 does not.
Instead of building RJ-45 ports into its newest ThinkPads, Lenovo has opted to use proprietary Ethernet extension ports. Alas for my 8th-gen laptop, this has led to Lenovo X380 Ethernet extension ...
Takes me a while to figure this out, but a partially disconnected USB cable puts Mouse MIA -- at least until I shove the two extension cables fully together.
Recently, SFC /scannow has been mis-reporting Defender PowerShell scripts as potentially corrupt. MS faults a new OOB signing mechanism, and says Defender PowerShell Hash mismatches fix coming soon.
After installing KB4512508 on my local Win10 PCs, I notice some 1903 Hyper-V networking interference (no Internet!). A quick uninstall/reinstall fixes the issue.
When my wife observes that a PC is running hot, a good, serious clean-up cools down T520 laptop by enabling built-in ventilation to do its job.
Anybody who works regularly with PCs knows post BIOS Upgrade beeping means trouble. I achieve a miraculous recovery, but explain what to do if a second reboot doesn't fix things by itself.
With the release of Build 18950 on July 31, I work through some Insider Preview 20H1 upgrade follies. The TLDR version is: watch out for cycling, and WiFi hijinks.
Sometimes, Intel RST Stymies 1903 Upgrade. This can continue even after obsolete drivers get updated. If that happens to you, here's an easy fix.
As I poke around on my production PC, I remember that an old trick still kills persistent Windows.old at the command line. It kills other root-level folders, too.
When Microsoft release Version 1903 of Win10 some users reported audio issues. MS Engineer Pete Brown tweets that KB4505903 fixes DPC Latency Issue. May users confirm this fix.
When looking into backup files, details information from ntoskrnl.exe can identify Win10 backup version. Here's where to find that file, and what to look for.
As an experiment, I left my wife's 2012 vintage PC at 1809 to see when it might get an upgrade offer. Today (July 24) her 1809 MiniITX PC gets 1903 update offer, and that upgrade succeeds!
The latest financials from MS are in for Q4 of its fiscal year. The company continues to thrive, with Azure leading the way, but other sectors -- including Windows OS -- contributing to the bottom ...
The label applied for the latest Slow Ring Insider Preview has me asking: Is Windows 10 19H2 Now Called Version Next? Only time will tell . . .
To my surprise, accommodating WU Download and Install Now for KB4501375 involves changes in my own update behaviors, and comes as a bit of a shock. Consider yourself warned.
By fiat Microsoft has older Win10 versions facing forced updates to the 1903 version (aka Windows 10 May 2019 Update). Here's what up, with a possible coping strategy.
Looking for information about system power states on a PC to resolve Win10 sleep issues make Sleepstudy worthwhile. The Powercfg command uses this option to produce an info-packed report.
The Win10 May 2019 Update features Recommended Troubleshooting. This lets the OS automate troubleshooting, and promises to increase Win10 stability and reliability.
Despite a May 6 claim of more-or-less general availability, so-called May 2019 Update general availability still leaves PCs out of the automatic upgrade proffer that clicking "Check for updates" is ...
When Reliability Monitor reports an error for Intel-related storage stuff, the Intel Driver Support Assistant proves helpful and quickly gets me to a new (and working) storage driver.
Current builds for Windows 10 1809 seem uncommonly stable. In fact, I see a perfect Win10 Relimon score 10 days straight through today, and for 21 of the past 30 days.
Possibly because a new servicing stack update (SSU) is required to make it work, users must invariably install KB4494441 CU twice to get to Build 17768.503. Very interesting!
When examining Windows 10 ETL files, you'll see a lot of them sometimes. If they take up a lot of (or too much) disk space, it's OK to whack them. Here's how . . .
Checking up on the number released so far in 2019, I find myself musing that Nvidia driver update frequency is too high for those who don't need bleeding/leading-edge game tweaks.
When I can't complete an RDP login on a Skip ahead Insider Preview PC I find myself pondering this dilemma: Windows 10 Workaround versus fix. For me, a workaround will do.
You'll know when the Windows 10 19H1 Release Preview bug bites, when you see an error message from Windows Update that reads "What needs your attention. . ." Turns out removing the SD card usually ...
On April 30, with a stock value at the market close of $130.60 per share, MS valuation hits trillion dollar mark. Now the question is: can MS stay there?
Careful examination of changes to CPU details show that with version 1903, Win10 minimum hardware requirements get interesting. Simply put, newer CPUs deliver more advanced features and functions.
If you're looking for a serious, capable road/travel laptop, be aware that the Lenovo X1 Carbon Extreme 6-Core really flies. For $2.5-3.0K you can get performance on par with a reasonably capable ...
A free, open source program named Comet offers interesting Disk Cleanup alternative for Windows 10. If MS should now decide to retire the original (which they may do), looks like we've got a usable ...
MFTRCRD64 Shows More NTFS Timestamps
Though some enterprising Windows-head found a file named MediaCreationTool1903.exe, it's a MCT1903 Misnomer not available to the public just yet, as a bit of DISM inspection shows. It will be ready ...
When I lose a device after a Release Preview upgrade, I raise the question "Dude, Where is my SDXC Drive?" A quick rollback leads me to suspect a driver issue, and a follow-up report to the MS ...
In a surprising but welcome move, MS Corporate VP for Windows Mike Fortin announces that, starting with the next feature upgrade, MS backs off forcing updates on users. All I can say is: "Hooray!"
The latest Cumulative Update Win10 KB4490481 leaves 6 reclaimable packages behind. That's 3 or 4 more than usual, and amounts to over 9 GB of obsolete material. Definitely worth cleaning up.
About one month before the next feature upgrade would typically appear, MS finally proclaims Win10 1809 designated for broad deployment. 'Bout time!
In publishing its latest release distribution numbers, Latvian software company AdDuplex tells interesting 1809 story -- namely, that for every 1809 user, there are 2.5+ users running 1803 or some ...
A new Win10 1903 policy handles Automatic Updates and Restarts. Here's how to find, enable, and manipulate its settings.
KB4465065 offers new microcode fixes for intel CPUs. The operative question is always "What's the performance hit?" For me, it's negligible across a broad range of CPUs.
When one of my PCs disappears from the network I realize I've fallen victim to Win10 ComputerName generation during a recent clean install. So, I research the rules whereby such names are made.
If you, or any of your users, boot from a conventional (spinning) hard disk, look into Win10 Compact OS capabilities. This can deliver space and performance gains on such PCs.
Based on a recent study, academics say MS Updates confuse Win10 Home users. Most of their observations apply to those who manage updates for other Windows 10 versions, too.
When the darn things won't close and start blocking the view of my workspace, I find myself knocking out Norton promo pop-ups. Here's how. . .
When Nvidia LiveKernelEvent 141 error returns to Reliability Monitor, I start troubleshooting my Nvidia drivers. I eliminate GeForce and the driver installer as the cause, but not the error.
For some users, the Win10 hibernation situation is such that normal defaults work just fine. For others -- especially those with restart or wake from sleep issues -- turning off hibernation can be ...
Starting 2/20/2019, a new MyOffice app makes Office ubiquitous. Works with local and remote executables, across multiple platforms and OSes.
In announcing a preview of its Microsoft Virtual Desktop Azure-based technology, MS sneakily offers another free Win7 life extension. Very interesting!
When an attempt to recover update history turns up zilch, I find two good Win10 alternate update history sources. They may come in handy if Win10 does you like it did me.
Meet PowerShell Core 6.0, it's got your scripting needs covered on Windows, modern macOS versions, and many important Linux distros, too. Check it out!
Those looking for a Windows nostalgia trip need not look too far. Right now, the MS Store offers Windows File Manager a la Windows 3.1.
If you only use an MS account to log in to Windows 10, you might get caught in a trap. Here, I show the Win10 Safemode trap defeated and disarmed.
To my surprise and delight, I find that Win10 1809 update Unknown Device works in Device Manager. At least it did for a couple of UART system devices yesterday. Cool!