Windows 8.1 – End of Support
Not many people are still using Windows 8.1, but those who are should note that support ends on 10th January 2023. Users will start to see warning messages popping up in the near future. Windows 8.1 will still work after the January deadline, but there will be no further security updates, so it will gradually become less safe to use.
If a user wishes to continue using Windows 8.1, they should install an alternative anti-virus program, as Defender will cease to receive updates. They should also use an alternative browser rather than Edge – for example, Chrome, so that the browser receives updates.
Users can upgrade to Windows 10 for free by going to the Windows 10 download page then downloading and running the Media Creation Tool:-
https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
All documents, pictures and any other files should be backed up before doing the upgrade. The average user may need some technical assistance with the upgrade.
The free upgrade to Windows 10 is available on machines running either Windows 8.1 or Windows 7. It does not apply to Windows Vista or earlier.
As Dave pointed out, another alternative with an old PC is to install a version of Linux - Dave recommended Mint or Zorin as versions of Linux for this purpose. We discussed this back in May 2020 when John talked through the process of installing Linux Mint:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2020/05/
Windows 11
We had some discussion on the pros and cons of upgrading to Windows 11. There is no great advantage in moving to Windows 11, and Windows 10 is supported through to 14th October 2025. We talked about the upgrade to Windows 11 shortly after it was released at the July session last year:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2021/07/
The main difference you will notice with Windows 11 is the Start Menu. There is a program called Start 11 available from Stardock who have been producing Windows add-on software for many years. We discussed Start 11 in February:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2022/02/
You can try it free for 30 days.
George asked if Windows 11 improved touch-screen functionality, but I don't think it does.
iPhone – 15 Years Old
The original iPhone was first released on 29th June 2007 in the USA and later that year in the UK. So, it’s now been around for about 15 years.
Reporting Scams
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate and try to stop scams if sufficient people report them. So, if you have received or seen a suspicious email, text or web site, you can report it to the NCSC as follows:-
Scam Text (SMS)
Forward the suspicious text message to 7726 (this spells SPAM on the number pad of your phone).
Scam Email
Forward the suspicious email to report@phishing.gov.uk
Scam Website
To report a scam website, complete and submit this form:-
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/section/about-this-website/report-scam-website
If You Have Been A Victim of Fraud
If you have responded to any scams and lost money or been hacked, you should report this to the Police:-
www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040 (England, Wales, NI)
(In Scotland, report to Police Scotland by calling 101).
Scam Phone Calls
Tony asked about reporting scam phone calls. As far as I know, the NCSC do not offer any function for doing this. If it becomes a nuisance, you may be able to get assistance from your telecoms provider or use a call blocking device. If you receive a call claiming to be from your bank, you can hang up and call 159 - this will enable you to connect to your bank (note that not all banks are currently part of this service) - see this site for more:-
https://stopscamsuk.org.uk/159
Connecting An Old Drive to Your PC
If you have an old 3.5” or 2.5” Hard Drive or Solid State Drive, possibly one you removed from an old computer, how can you access the data? The simplest way is to use a Docking Station such as this one on Amazon:-
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Tccmebius-TCC-S862-UK-External-Docking-Station/dp/B075ZF845X/ref=sr_1_4?c=ts&keywords=Hard+Drive+Docking+Stations&qid=1657640627&s=computers&sr=1-4&ts_id=1480103031
This has 2 docking bays. One accepts the older IDE drives which have a large 40-pin connector. The other accepts the more modern SATA drives. The drives can either be 3.5”, as used in a desktop machine, or 2.5” usually found in a laptop.
You just slot the drive into the appropriate bay, connect the Docking Station to a USB port on your PC and access like any external drive.
Giving Stuff Away
While we re-started the meeting after the break, we briefly mentioned two sites you can use to give away items in your local area. Linda had a monitor to give away, but it could be furniture, household items, etc. The two sites are:-
https://www.ilovefreegle.org/, and
https://freecycle.org/
Chromebook AUE Date
All Chromebooks have an Auto Update Expiry (AUE) date. The site gives the AUE date for each make and model of Chromebook:-
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/6220366?hl=en
After the AUE date, the Chromebook will no longer receive updates from Google. You can continue to use the Chromebook after this date, but it will become less secure as time passes.
When buying a Chromebook, I would advise referring to the AUE date list to check its expiry to ensure you are buying one with a good few years before it reaches its expiry date.
You could install Linux on your expired Chromebook, but this may not be straight forward.
A better option could be to use LACROS – Linux And ChRome OS. This is a Linux version of the Chrome browser which will replace the in-built Chrome browser that is part of ChromeOS. This separate browser can be updated and receive security patches, even though the underlying ChromeOS will not be updated. This means that you can continue to browse safely on an AUE expired Chromebook – you just won’t get any new ChromeOS features going forward.
LACROS is still in beta, but is approaching a final release soon, so I feel it is safe to use. When finally released, Chrome and ChromeOS will be separate on all Chromebooks. For now, you can enable LACROS by using the Flags in Chrome by typing the following in the Address Bar:-
chrome://flags
Search for Lacros, then enable the following:-
Lacros Support
Ignore Lacros-availablity policy
Lacros as the primary browser
Then restart the browser. All extensions, etc should transfer over to the Lacros browser – this may take a few minutes.
Note, to switch the flags off again once you are in the Lacros browser, you need to enter the following into the Address Bar:-
os://flags
For more details, see this article:-
https://www.chromecomputing.com/the-dreaded-chrome-os-aue-date-and-why-lacros-will-fix-everything/
It is worth noting that you can also get a Chromebox, which is a small form-factor box to which you connect a screen, keyboard and monitor. Dave also mentioned an all-in-one machine from HP called a Chromebase, which you can see here:-
https://www.hp.com/uk-en/chrome/chromebase-all-in-one-desktop.html
Also, as Dave pointed out, you can also install Android apps on a Chromebook.
Cleaning PCs
Computers have cooling fans and they can suck in dust and dirt which will accumulate and cause over-heating and potential failure. It is usually fairly easy to open a desktop machine and vacuum or blow the dust out. It is more difficult to open a laptop, but a quick blast of compressed air through the vents should dislodge the dust.
Next Session
Wed 10th August 2022 at 2 pm by Zoom.
