Wednesday 12^th June 2019

Updated 03/05/2023: The method of accessing the handout mentioned under Printers - Purchasing Considerations has been updated.

PUPs - Potentially Unwanted Programs

Linda asked about PUPs. As their name implies, these are unwanted programs rather than dangerous or malicious programs. They may slow your system and they could cause some unwanted activity such as pop-up ads, changes to default home or search pages in your browser(s), etc. Some anti-virus programs will detect and remove PUPs. Malwarebytes seems particularly good at doing this and can be downloaded from:-

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

I suggest that you download and run a scan with Malewarebytes and remove any PUPs that it may find. You should then un-install it so that your Windows 10 system reverts to using Windows Defender as its anti-virus.

PUPs usually get installed along with other software that you wanted - you have to look out for this trick and untick the relevant pre-ticked boxes during the install process.

Direct X

Margaret asked about this as a message had popped up about it. Direct X is essentially a framework particularly used by PC games to improve their graphical capabilities. It is not generally something the average PC user would encounter. If you want to read more about it, have a look at this article:-

https://www.howtogeek.com/221115/what-is-direct-x-12-and-why-is-it-important/

Downloads

We had a brief chat about 'downloads'. You often download files from the Internet using your web browser. The normal default location for storing downloads is:-

C:\users\username\Downloads

You can change this default location in the browser settings. You can find how to do this in Edge, Chrome or Firefox by referring to page 7 of my Browser Basics document:-

bit.ly/CE-BrowserBasics

Windows 10 1903 Update

This update was officially released on 21^st May 2019. It may take a while before systems auto-update to this new version.  You can expedite the process by manually checking for updates (Start, Settings, Update & Security, Windows Update) or by downloading it and creating installation media by going to:-

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10

The most noticeable difference in 1903 is that the Taskbar Search and Cortana icons have been separated. If you want a full run-down of all the new features in 1903, have a look at:-
https://pureinfotech.com/windows-10-1903-19h1-april-2019-update-features/

Known Issues

Microsoft have a status page which shows current issues affecting version 1903 and what action they are taking to resolve them:-

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-information/status-windows-10-1903#442msgdesc

I have updated my Windows 10-Introductory Guide and In-Depth Guide which you can find at:-

bit.ly/CE-Windows10

I've also updated my Edge document in line with this new version:-

bit.ly/CE-Edge

If you want more details on Windows 10, I would recommend you purchase the Windows 10 Field Guide which you can find at:-

https://leanpub.com/windows10fieldguide

It's a very comprehensive 500 page online book for about £10. It gets updated very frequently and these updates are free. In future, rather than updating my In-Depth Guide, I will simply recommend this book.

Windows 10 - Checking For Updates

If you manually check for Windows Updates by going to Start, Settings, Updates & Security, you will now find that a 'Feature Update' (e.g. 1903) is shown separately from the other updates. If a Feature Update is found, it will have a Download and install now link and will only install if/when you click this link. Having said that, it will eventually auto-install at some stage, so that you don't end up stuck with an out-of-date version of Windows

Printers – Purchasing Considerations

I issued this handout covers the main issues:-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AQpXTFs5GCi5rLDonL9HH2ep1E2B5Jk_/view?usp=sharing

It is probably worth emphasising that replacement ink cartridges (or toner, if it’s a laser printer) can be the biggest cost over the lifetime of the printer. So it’s worth checking the price of replacement cartridges before you purchase the printer. You can often save money by buying compatible cartridges (rather then originals from the printer manufacturer), although this may void the manufacturer’s warranty. There are many online suppliers, but my personal favourite is 7DayShop – their web site includes an “Ink Finder” to help identify the cartridges for your make and model:-

https://www.7dayshop.com/inkjet-cartridges

Next Session

Wed 10^th July 2019 1:30 to 3:30pm.