Wednesday 9th December 2015

Windows 10 - November Update
The recently released 'November Update' to Windows 10 (i.e. version 1511) takes less time to install than I suggested last time.  It will probably take around 20 to 30 minutes, rather than the 1 to 2 hours I suggested before.

Q - Should I Upgrade to W10 and What are the Problems?
W10 is generally thought to be a good operating system and a significant improvement over Windows 8.  The upgrade seems to work smoothly for most people, but there is always the possibility of problems, particularly with device drivers.  If any device (e.g. a printer) is not working correctly, check the manufacturer's web site for an updated driver.  Microsoft have announced that W10 is already running on over 110 million devices, a large proportion of which must be upgraded PCs and most seem to be running OK.

Q - Do You Need a Microsoft Account to Use W10?
No.  You can sign into W8 or W10 with a 'Local Account' rather than a Microsoft Account if you wish.  Using a Microsoft Account gives easier access to Microsoft services such as the Store and OneDrive.  A single Microsoft Account, which consists of an email address and password, gives you access to all Microsoft's services.  Microsoft Accounts used to be known as Windows Live accounts, and before that, as Hotmail accounts.

Q - How Long Does the W10 Upgrade Take?
This depends on the processor speed etc.  If the download has already happened in the background, the full upgrade from W7 or W8 to W10 could take about 2 hours.

Quick W10 Demo
Showed W10 and the Start Menu.  Modern apps are launched from the Tiles.  Any app can be launched from the All Apps options.  The Start Menu can be customised, e.g. by unpinning some or all the tiles and then re-sizing the Start Menu.  See the W10 Guide for more information (see Computer Club Documents on the right for this session). 

Microsoft to Take More Aggressive Approach With W10 Upgrade
It has recently been reported that Microsoft will be more aggressive in their approach to updating W7 and W8 systems to W10.  Currently, you need to click the option to reserve or request the W10 update.  This will first become an 'optional update' which will only be seen by someone who does a manual Windows Update and they would have to select this particular update.  Early next year (2016), it will become a 'recommended update', so anyone set to receive recommended updates automatically will get it.  The W10 upgrade is about a 3GB update which will download in the background.  I believe it will still give you the choice to install it or not.

Don't Want Windows 10?
If you are happy with W7 and don't want to upgrade to W10, you may already find the 'Get Windows 10' (GWX) icon and it's associated pop-ups annoying.  And, going forward, you would not want to be downloading 3GB of stuff that you have no intention of installing.  A developer called Josh Mayfield has produced a program to help those who are trying to avoid the W10 upgrade.  The program is called "GWX Control Panel" and is available from Josh Mayfield's web site at http://ultimateoutsider.com/downloads/.  The program has a button to link you to the User Guide for more details on its operation.  The program is free, but if you like it, you might consider using the link to make a donation.

Q - Do You Need a Special Printer To Print on CDs?
Yes.  You need 'printable CDs' which have a coating that will accept inkjet print.  You also need a printer which is designed to print on CDs.  The printer will have a special tray into which you place the CD.  You will also need suitable software to design and print your CD labels.

Q - How To Align Print On Labels?
If you want to print your Christmas card addresses out on labels, you will need a suitable template. Avery is the big name in labels and they have templates for all of their products. Other label manufacturers often indicate which Avery product they are compatible with, e.g Avery template L7163.  Go to the Avery web site at www.avery.co.uk and click on Templates, Avery Templates and enter the product number in the search box and click the button.  Click on 'Download' next to the required template - you will have to enter your name and email address, but the templates are free.  You will then be able to download a ".doc" file with a table designed to fit your labels.

Discussion of Apps and Platforms
We spent a little time discussing the Operating Systems (or platforms) used on mobile devices and how this affects apps.  Windows is a tiny player in the mobile phone market with only about 3%, compared to Android with around 60% and Apple (iOS) with 35%. Apps are written for a particular platform, so not many developers are producing apps for W10 because its market share is so small.  Microsoft have introduced the concept of 'universal apps' for W10, meaning that developers can produce one app which will work on phones, tablets, PCs and Xbox and they hope this will make the Windows platform more attractive. You cannot transfer apps from, for example, Android to iOS.  So, if you change from a Samsung Android phone to an Apple iPhone, you have to start over with apps, so even if you bought apps on Android, you will have to buy then again from the Apple App Store.

Q - How to Transfer Everything To New Hard Drive?
Given that the HD is still working, create an image backup - in this case with Acronis.  Then make an Acronis Recovery Disk.  Take out and replace the HD with the new one.  Boot from the Recovery Disk and launch the Restore function to copy the image back onto the new HD.

On Windows 7, 8 or 10, you can perform a System Image Backup - see the documents section for more on this topic.  This document does not specifically cover W10, but this works the same as W8.

Microsoft Edge
We had a quick look at Edge, the new browser in W10.  This is covered in more detail in a separate document which I have also loaded into the documents section for this session.

Accessibility Options
Handed out the document - see Computer Club Documents on the right of this blog.  We covered the first 2 pages and will continue at the next Club.

Next Session
The next session will be on Wednesday 13th January 2016 at 1:30 to 3:30 pm.