Wednesday 14th August 2019
Google
Photos & Google Drive Syncing
Following
on from last month’s Club, we briefly discussed the ending of automatic syncing between Google Photos and Google Drive. Previously, Photos on Google Photos could be synced with the Photos folder on Google drive. This option was discontinued in July. All existing photos on Drive or Photos will stay exactly as they were. A more thorough explanation can be found here:-
Note that this does NOT change the Backup and Sync app for Windows 10. This can still be used to sync photos on your PC with Google Photos and to backup other folders to Google Drive. If you want to download this app, go to:-
(if you are not already signed in to Google, click on Go To Google Photos and sign in)
Click on the 3-bar menu icon (top left) and select App downloads.
Click on the 3-bar menu icon (top left) and select App downloads.
If you don't want to use the Backup and Sync app on Windows 10, you can go to Google Photos in your web browser and click on the Upload button to select the photos you wish to upload to Google Photos.
Windows
1903
Windows
10 is now 4 years old – it was released on 29th July 2015. Since its release, there have been 7 feature
updates, the most recent of which (1903) was released on 21st May
this year. 1903 is gradually being installed on more and more PCs.
According
to the latest report from AdDuplex, based on data collected on 25th
July, these are the percentages of the various versions of Windows 10
worldwide:-
1903
– 11.4%
1809
– 29.7%
1803
– 53.7%
1709
– 2.4%
1703
and earlier – 2.7%
For
more detail, see:-
Note
that version 1803 reaches the end of support on 12th November 2019,
so after that date, it will not receive security or bug-fix updates.
Although
Microsoft looks like sticking to the twice-yearly update schedule for Windows
10, the indications are that the autumn updates will be relatively minor,
leaving the spring updates to introduce the bigger changes.
You can use the Media Creation Tool to create the Windows 10 installation software on a USB stick, and then use this to perform the update. If you are updating a working PC, boot that PC normally, then insert the Installation USB stick and run the setup.exe file.
If you have replaced or completely wiped the hard drive, you can boot from the Installation USB stick and re-install Windows from scratch. Provided the PC previously had an activated version of Windows 10 installed, the new installation should automatically re-activate.
See our previous discussion at the September 2017 Computer Club where you will find a link to a web site explaining how to use the Media Creation Tool.
Brian had an error message while trying to install the 1903 update - I suggested he try removing the AVG anti-virus.
Snip & Sketch
Linda asked me to re-visit the Snip & Sketch app. We briefly covered this at the May Club. This is a Microsoft app and can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store if you do not already have it. It replaces the previous Snipping Tool app. Its purpose is to capture portions of the screen, optionally add annotations, and then paste the resulting image into any other app (e.g. Microsoft Word).
You can also use the PrtScn (Print Screen) key on the keyboard to capture screen images:-
You can also use the PrtScn (Print Screen) key on the keyboard to capture screen images:-
- Pressing PrtScn will copy the whole screen to the clipboard.
- Pressing Alt + PrtScn will copy the currently active window to the clipboard.
- Pressing Windows Key + PrtScn will copy the whole screen to a file in Pictures\Screenshots on you hard drive.
Having copied an image to the clipboard, you can then insert it into any program using the Paste function.
The Snip & Sketch app allows you to capture any area of the screen, either a rectangle or an irregular shape. The delay function (either 3 or 10 seconds) allows you to capture things such as drop-down menus which would otherwise disappear as soon as you clicked on anything else. The Highlight, Pen and Pencil functions allow you to mark and annotate the image. For more explanation, see:-
Backup
Brian asked about the Windows 7 Backup and Restore on Windows 10. The simplest backup system on Windows 10 is File History which will automatically backup any changed files every hour, although this needs an external hard drive to be connected most of the time.
However the Windows 7 Backup and Restore is still available on Windows 10. This is described in my document, Backup in Windows 10 which can be found here:-
A further explanation of the Windows 7 Backup and Restore in Windows 10 can be found here:-
There was some discussion of the recent horrendous fire at the Beechmere residential care home in Crewe. While everyone's first thoughts are for the safety of the residents, who I understand were all evacuated, many of them will have lost all there possessions. This could include their computers etc. It could also include the password list they use to access all their online services. Perhaps we should all think about whether we have adequate off-site backups and password records.
Next Session
Wed
11th September 2019 1:30 to 3:30pm.
