Jan 21

Windows 10 Preview Build 11102 Released to the Fast Ring

Here’s what’s new:

New history menu in Microsoft Edge: A highly requested feature by Insiders, you can now right-click on the back and forward buttons in Microsoft Edge for quick access to your recently visited websites in the current tab. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

travel-log-edge

We made lots of little fixes for crashes, hangs, and slowness issues
•Favorites and reading list now roam/sync
•The setting to change the search provider is more discoverable.
•There is now a “save target as” option to the context menu for hyperlinks
•We allow import of IE favorites from a favorites location that uses folder redirection
•Drag and drop support is enabled (the ability to drag files to sites like OneDrive)
•There is a toolbar in PDF viewer with options to save, print, zoom, and see page numbers
•There is now an option to prevent rogue sites from spamming dialog boxes in infinite loop causing denial of service
•We restored the ability to open a new browser window when Microsoft Edge is already running, by choosing Microsoft Edge from Start Menu or by middle-clicking on Microsoft Edge in the taskbar
•We provided an “Open Folder” option to the download completion notification
•A menu is shown when you right click on the back button, allowing you to see history and skip back several pages

Known issues:

When we went live with last week’s PC build, Insiders discovered a bug where the cache for Insider Hub wasn’t properly refreshing – preventing new content from showing up in a timely manner. We’ll include known issues with our blog posts as well as in Insider Hub until the bug is resolved.

  • Some PC games will crash switching from windowed mode to full screen, upon game resolution change, or upon launch due to a bug in Windows graphics stack. We have observed this with The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, Tomb Raider, Assassin’s Creed, and Metal Gear Solid V but it may occur with other titles as well.
  • With this build (and with the last build), applications such as Narrator, Magnifier, and third-party assistive technologies may experience intermittent issues or crashes. If you rely on screen readers or other software, you should not use this build. This issue will be fixed with the next build.
  • You might see a WSClient.dll error dialog after logging in. We’re working on a fix for this but as a workaround, you can run the following in Command Prompt with administrative rights: schtasks /delete /TN “MicrosoftWindowsWSWSRefreshBannedAppsListTask” /F
  • While attempting to update to this build, your PC may show a message that your wireless card is not compatible with Windows 10. The workaround is to visit the support page for your PC or wireless card and install the newest driver that is available.
  • The Connect button does not show up in Action Center.

Enjoy upgrading!

 

 

 

Jan 13

Windows 10 Preview Build 11099 Released to the Fast Ring

1st new Insider Build of the year is here, release to the Fast Ring Insiders

As with the previous build, this build does not include big noticeable changes or new features yet. Our focus through the holidays was on structural improvements to OneCore, which is the shared core of Windows across devices. The code refactoring and other engineering work we’ve been doing to optimize OneCore is nearing the point where we will be ready for teams to begin checking in new features and improvements. It will still be a few builds before any really noticeable changes show up, depending on when teams begin lighting up new features in their areas. We’re excited for Insiders to use this build to validate the work we’ve been doing to OneCore, so give this build a try and let us know of any issues you run into via the Windows Feedback app.

source: Windows Blog – Gabriel Aul

Enjoy upgrading! It was a quick and smooth upgrade for my devices

Jan 12

January 12th 2016 end of support for Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9 & 10 and Windows 8.0

As of tomorrow only Internet Explorer 11 and Edge will be the only browser versions of Microsoft receiving further security updates. If you’re still running a previous version IE, an urgent upgrade is pending…

From the Microsoft Support Lifecycle page:

Beginning January 12, 2016, only the most current version of Internet Explorer available for a supported operating system will receive technical support and security updates. Please visit the Internet Explorer Support Lifecycle Policy FAQ here http://support.microsoft.com/gp/Microsoft-Internet-Explorer for list of supported operating systems and browser combinations.

 

If your browser is still on an old version because of a compatibility issue, IE11 has Enterprise mode build into it to enable you and your organization to enable backward compatibility (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn640687.aspx)

Also Windows 8.0 runs out of updates, Microsoft asks 8.0 users to upgrade to 8.1

From the Microsoft Support Lifecycle page:

Customers have 24 months to move to Windows 8.1 after General Availability in order to remain supported. See the Windows 8.1 FAQ for more information.

After today, those on Windows 8 will have to upgrade to either Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 to continue getting security updates from Microsoft.

 

Jan 09

Windows 10 Mobile 10586.63 released to the insider fast ring

Another release to the fast ring and it brings nice new stuff:

 

  • Reliability, battery and performance improvements
  • Typing on Polish keyboard in Outlook Mail
  • Turn by turn directions over Bluetooth in car
  • Battery usage improvements with Iris Recognition
  • Reliability of quick actions settings page
  • MS Band use with Cortana
Have fun upgrading!

 

Dec 21

1st Insider Preview of RedStone available to the Fast Ring and it’s running smooth!

RedStone

What’s Redstone?

RedStone (ref to Minecraft) is the codename of the next upgrade to Windows 10 which is to be released somewhere around March 2016

If you’re on the fast Insider ring and you check for updates you should get this

Windows 10 Build 11082

event though the build number has jumped from 10586 to 11082, no big list of interface-changes for now, as explained here by Gabe Aul on December 16th

Today we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 11082 to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring.

This includes the changes that have also been going out as cumulative updates through Windows Update on your PCs running the Windows 10 November Update as well as on phones running Windows 10 too. We’re also working on some structural improvements to OneCore, which is the shared core of Windows across devices. Essentially, OneCore is the heart of Windows, and these improvements to OneCore make building Windows across PC, tablet, phone, IoT, Hololens and Xbox more efficient. We’re doing some code refactoring and other engineering work to make sure OneCore is optimally structured for teams to start checking in new features and improvements in the new year.

Upgraded all my machines here, it’s running smooth only bug I found so far is the fingerprint feature in Hello that broke.

Dec 21

Windows 10 App

facebookWe have a Windows 10 App in the store for Phone & Desktop.

It will enable you to follow your blogs and updates more easily.

 

Check it out here:

https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9nblggh5cp77

 

Dec 18

Want to keep your 15GB Free Storage on OneDrive?

Microsoft is loweringOneDrive the free storage on the personal version of OneDrive from 15GB to 5GB, if you dan’t wat to be affected by the change, go here: https://preview.onedrive.com/bonus/

Keepyrstorage

 

Dec 12

What’s new in Windows 10 1511 (Build 10586)

Begin November Microsoft Released the first big update to Windows 10 to the current branch users of Windows 10 (the default update setting)

This upgrade brings you to the 10586 Build (original release was Build 10240) this is the first of the upgrades that will be released every four months, bringing new features and improvements to your operating system.

Am I running the new version?

to check your current build click start, type winver and select to run the winver command

start_winver_screenshot

this will give you this screen:

1511_winver_screenshot

If you don’t see Version 1511 but Version 10.0 (Build 10240) you’re still running the 1st release version

(the number after the point in the build number will increase with new updates installed)

What’s new in this Build?

  • Performance improvements
    • One of the core changes is more improved Memory Manager. With this build Windows 10 compresses pages during intense usage thereby reducing pressure on system memory. By reducing the amount of memory used per process, Windows 10 can effectively manage more active programs in the main memory.
    • Booting is now 30% faster on the same hardware then with Windows 7
  • Personalization
    • Colors: Now has the option to also update your windows title bars with your chosen color
    Colors
    • Lock screen: Windows Spotlight, changing images on your lock screen & option to disable the default background on the sign in screen

spotlight

  • Start Menu / Screen
    • Show more tiles

more tiles

    • ‘Occasionally show suggestions in start’ was added to all editions. (already in the home editions before)
  • Edge Browser
    • Updated from edge 20.10240 to 25.10586 with EdgeHTML13
    • Cast media to device, this great feature enables you to cast media from a site to any DLNA enabled TV on your network.
Cast_Media
    • Added preview tabs, hovering on a tab wil show a small preview it.

Edge_preview

  • Windows Update for Business
    • Introduces group policy settings to defer updates & upgrades for certain time to enable staging and testing of updates & upgrades without the need for a wsus server

WUBUS

  • Updated context menu’s
    • For more clear navigation

context

  • Skype Messaging & Skype Video App
    • These apps are now installed by default, enabling skype messaging and video calling without the need to install additional software

skype video Messaging

  • Apps can now be stored on other drives
    • Great for tablets with low storage to be able to store your apps on the SD-card

app storage

  • Snapped windows can now be resized to your convenience
    • With 2 windows snapped left & right dragging the middle line left or right now resizes both windows instead of only one.

snap drag

  • Cortana
    • inked reminders

    • missed call notification with text sending via your phone
      • Cortana shows missed calls from your phone on you pc, including the ability to reply with an sms

Conclusion:

The November Upgrade is loaded with great new added features, making Windows 10 even faster and better then it already was, I can’t wait to see what ‘ll be in the next upgrade which is to be released 4 months after this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec 12

How to get the Office Insider Build with Office 365 for business

If you’re an Office 365 for business customer, follow these steps to install the First Release build for the Office 365 client. This gives you early access to the new features of Office 2016 and is the same as the Office Insider build. While not required at this time, if you’re the Office 365 admin, we also recommend that you enable First Release for the users that have the First Release build. Important   If you’re an Office 365 Home, Office 365 Personal, or Office 365 University subscriber, don’t follow these steps. Instead, go to Office Insider to sign up and get the Office Insider build.

  1. Download the Office Deployment Tool (Office 2016 version) from the Microsoft Download Center.
  2. Double-click OfficeDeploymentTool.exe to extract the Setup.exe file and the sample configuration.xml file.
  3. Use a text editor (like Notepad) to edit the configuration.xml file like this: 
    <Configuration>
  <Add OfficeClientEdition="32" Branch="FirstReleaseCurrent">
    <Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
      <Language ID="en-us" />
    </Product>
  </Add>  
  <Updates Enabled="TRUE" /> 
  <Display Level="None" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />  
  <Logging Level="Standard" Path="%temp%" /> 
</Configuration>

    This installs a 32-bit version of Office 365 ProPlus in English from the Office Content Delivery Network (CDN) on the Internet. It also automatically gets updated from the CDN when available.

    Note   If you have the Office 365 Business or Office 365 Business Premium plan, use O365BusinessRetail, instead of O365ProPlusRetail, for the Product ID in the configuration.xml file.

    Learn more about configuration.xml settings in Reference for Click-to-Run configuration.xml file.

  4. Copy setup.exe and configuration.xml to the computer where you want Office 2016. An Internet connection is required.
  5. From an elevated command prompt, go to the folder where you copied the files and run the following command:Setup.exe /configure configuration.xml

This copies the Office files to the computer and starts the installation. If Office 2016 is already installed on your computer, these steps automatically update the version of Office installed on your computer.

source: support.office.com

Dec 08

With the release of Windows Server 2016, licensing to move from socket to core

Windows Server 2016

Microsoft has updated its licensing model for Windows Server, which will come into affect with the release of Windows Server 2016 sometime after the middle of next year.

Previously, Server licensing was based on the number of sockets in the host machine, with Windows Server 2012 and its two main editions, Standard and Datacenter, having identical features, and differing only in terms of the number of virtual operating system instances they supported. The Standard edition supported two VMs (in addition to the host OS); Datacenter was unlimited. Beyond that, they were identical. The licenses for both editions were sold in two socket units; one license was needed for each pair of sockets a system contained.

Windows Server 2016 licensing is less simple. First, the Standard and Datacenter editions are now fundamentally different. Datacenter includes additional storage replication capabilities, a new network stack with richer virtualization options, and shielded virtual machines that protect the content of a virtual machine from the administrator of the host operating system. These features are not included in the Standard edition.

Secondly, the licensing moves to a per core model. Instead of Windows Server 2012’s two socket license pack, Server 2016 will use a 2 core pack, with the license cost of each Server pack being 1/8th the price of the corresponding 2 socket pack for 2012. Each system running Windows Server 2016 must have a minimum of 8 cores (4 packs) per processor, and a minimum of 16 cores (8 packs) per system.

Those running the most basic system setups will most likely not see any changes in price. However, when you get to the other end of the spectrum, things start to look a little less appealing. For systems containing 2 or 4 processors with 10 cores per processor, it will cost 25 percent more to run Windows Server 2016 than it did Server 2012.

For the full licensing changes, check out the link to Microsoft’s PDF here.

Source: Neowin