Windows Unplugged

Windows 10 – Creators Update Rollout April 11

Posted: March 30, 2017 in Windows 10, Windows Insider Program
Tags: Help, Windows 10, Windows Insider

Summary: Microsoft will begin rolling out the Windows 10 Creators Update on April 11, 2017

Comments:

Microsoft will begin to deploy the Creators Update on April 11, 2017
The Creators Update will be deployed via Windows Update
Deployment will, as in the past for major o/s feature updates, be a measured/staged rollout
The Creators Update is Version 1703 with an expected Build.Sub-build Number of 15063.0
Installation of 1703 will most likely download additional fixes and patches(during or immediately after installation updating the Sub-build number e.g. 15063.11)
On or shortly after the April 11th rollout the Media Creation Tool should be updated to allow Windows 10 end-users to create USB/DVD installation media and/or an ISO file for creating DVD media or mounting
- Note: (1) If creating USB media use an 8 GB USB Flash drive; (2)if creating a DVD then Dual Layer DVD media will most likely be required
Notable new features included in the Creators Update are Paint 3D, improved Start Menu, Windows Defender Security Center, and additional Personalization options
Highly recommended to backup your operating system and data prior to installing the Creators Update

Additional Information:

Windows 10 Creators Update coming April 11 (Microsoft Windows Blog article)
Windows 10 partner devices bring Windows 10 Creators Update experiences to life (Microsoft Windows Blog article)
Microsoft confirms Windows 10 Creators Update rollout to begin April 11 (ZDNet, M.J.Foley)
Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Revisions:

March 30, 2017: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

April 1, 2017: Added comments on USB Flash drive size(8 GB)

Windows 10 – Media Creation Tool – Creating Installation Media

Posted: March 28, 2017 in Windows 10, Windows Insider Program
Tags: Help, How-To, Windows 10, Windows Insider

Summary: How to create Windows 10 installation media using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Comments:

This article provides a text and graphical overview of the steps to create Windows 10 USB installation media using the available (free) Microsoft Windows 10 Media Creation Tool
The information shown is for using the latest available Windows 10 Version 1607 Media Creation Tool
- The digital signature of the latest version is ‎Thursday, ‎December ‎8, ‎2016 1:14:04 AM
When creating Windows 10 Version 1607 media the following media capacities are required
- USB Flash Drive – 8 GB
- DVD disc – Dual Layer DVD – 8.5 GB
Windows 10 Version 1607 created media by design includes both Home and Pro editions
Direct link to download the Media Creation Tool (MediaCreationTool.exe)

Media Creation Process:

Download and save the Media Creation Tool executable file (MediaCreationTool.exe)
Right click the Media Creation Tool executable file and select ‘Run as Administrator’
Connect a USB Flash Drive – As noted above an 8 GB size drive is required
Accept the License Terms
Choose ‘Create Installation media for another pc’; Click Next
Choose a language, edition, and architecture; Click Next
Select ‘USB Flash Drive’ on the ‘Choose which media to use’ page; Click Next
Select and verify the correct USB Flash Drive; Click Next
The tool will proceed to download, verify and create Windows 10 Version 1607 media
Once Complete, the final screen will inform that your ‘USB Flash Drive ‘is Ready’

Graphical Overview of the Media Creation Process:

Additional Information:

Revisions:

August 3, 2016: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

October 31, 2016: Added more detail for clarification in the ‘Comments’ section

January 31, 2017: Added ‘Graphical Overview’ section

March 28, 2017: Rewrote entire article, added and updated information, deleted original from blog, republished

March 31, 2017: Corrected link about Downloading ISO file (Rhonda, Thanks for the ping)

April 6, 2017: Updated Publicize options

Windows Essentials 2012– Installer File Officially Removed from Microsoft Servers

Posted: March 26, 2017 in Windows Essentials
Tags: Help, Windows Essentials

Summary: Microsoft officially removed the ability to download the Windows Essentials 2012 Full Version installer file from their servers.

Comments:

Last week Microsoft officially discontinued the ability for end-users to obtain(download) the Full version installation file for Windows Essentials 2012. (The web version installer was removed some time ago)
The removal of the installer file has been expected since Microsoft ended all support for Windows Essentials 2012 in January 10, 2017. Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 installer files were removed and ceased support quite some time ago.

End of support means no further updates(patches/fixes/compatibility), no security updates, no Junk Mail filter updates, and no support for use on current Microsoft supported operating systems(Windows 7/8.1/10)

The Windows Essential 2012 installer file may be available from other avenues(friends, third party sources) though caution is warranted from obtaining installation files from outside sources.

[Editor note: Not recommended and proceed at your own risk]

It would be prudent, if still using a Windows Essentials 2012 products(Mail, PhotoGallery/Movie Maker, Writer) to consider investigating and/or switching to an alternative program for your computing needs and experience.

Continued use of Photo Gallery(which is primarily a Photo Viewing application with some editing capability) may be acceptable from a risk standpoint
Open Live Writer, compliments of Microsoft, a replacement for Writer remains available as an open source program and has been since 2015
Windows Live Mail and its continued use as a mail/news client is feasible but do note that no future security updates will ever be released for the product(nor have any been released for some time) or definition updates for its built-in Junk Mail filter thus always practice safe computing when opening/previewing email and ensure a resident Anti-virus/Anti-malware client is running on your chosen operating system(e.g. Windows Defender on Windows 10)

It would also be a good idea to consider archiving any important data to an external source outside of Windows Essential application programs(e.g. email messages and Contacts exported/backed-up to an external thumb or hard drive).
FYI – The Windows Essentials suite of products (fka Windows Live Essentials) had a lifespan of just short of 10 years(first released in May 2007 as ‘Windows Live Installer’ comprising of the unified(web based) installers for Messenger, Mail, and Writer)

Revisions:

March 24, 2017: Initial Draft Date

March 26, 2017: Initial Publish Date

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)

Posted: February 2, 2017 in Windows 10
Tags: Help, Windows 10, Windows Update

Summary: Microsoft web site for the latest and past released feature and security updates

Comments:

Reference site for Windows 10 Version 1607(Anniversary Update) Build 14393 updates
Contains updates for each released KB(Knowledge Base) update by Build version.Subversion number
- e.g. Version 1607 Build 14393.10 (1607’s initial release)
Each KB contains(when applicable) a section describing:
- Information and Fixes
- Known issues
- How to obtain the update (including Update Replacement and File Information)

Additional Information:

Reference (Click on the link below to access the updates released for Windows 10 1607)

Revisions:

February 2, 2017: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1511 (November Update)

Posted: February 2, 2017 in Windows 10
Tags: Help, Windows 10, Windows Update

Summary: Microsoft web site for the latest and past released feature and security updates

Comments:

Reference site for Windows 10 Version 1511(November Update) Build 10586 updates
Contains updates for each released KB(Knowledge Base) update by Build version.Subversion number
- e.g. Version 1511 Build 10586.3 (1511’s initial release)
Each KB contains(when applicable) a section describing:
- Information and Fixes
- Known issues
- How to obtain the update (including Update Replacement and File Information)

Additional Information:

Reference (Click on the link below to access the updates released for Windows 10 1511)

Revisions:

February 1, 2017: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1507 (RTM, Initial Release)

Posted: January 31, 2017 in Windows 10
Tags: Help, Windows 10, Windows Update

Summary: Microsoft web site for the latest and past released feature and security updates

Comments:

Reference site for Windows 10 Version 1507(RTM, Initial Release) Build 10240 updates
Contains updates for each released KB(Knowledge Base) update by Build version.Subversion number
- e.g. Version 1507 Build 10240.16405 (1507’s RTM, Initial release – July 2015)
Each KB contains(when applicable) a section describing:
- Information and Fixes
- Known issues
- How to obtain the update (including Update Replacement and File Information)

Additional Information:

Reference (Click on the link below to access the updates released for Windows 10 1507)

Revisions:

January 31, 2017: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

Windows 10 – Release Information

Posted: January 15, 2017 in Windows 10
Tags: Help, Windows 10

Summary: Microsoft’s web site for current and past release information for all Windows 10 Versions and Builds

Comments:

Reference site for all released Windows 10 Versions and Build Numbers
- Applicable to the following:
  - October Update Version 1809 Build17763.xx
  - April Update Version 1803 Build 17134.xx
  - Fall Creators Update Version 1709 Build 16299.xx
  - Creators Update Version 1703 Build 15063.xxx
  - Anniversary Update Version 1607 Build 14393.xxx
  - November Update Version 1511 Build 10586.xxx
  - Initial Release RTM Version 1507 Build 10240.xxx
Contains historical information in table format in chronological order
Routinely updated to reflect the latest feature and quality updates
Resource to determine if your installed version of Windows 10 is up to date with the latest feature and quality updates

Additional Information:

Use the link below to access the Windows 10 Release Information web site/page
- Windows 10 Release Information

Revisions:

September 9, 2016: Initial Draft:

November 2, 2016: Initial Publish Date

January 15, 2017: Second Publish Date Deleted original, Rewrote article, added ‘Applicable to’ section

April 12, 2017: Added ‘Creators Update Version 1703 Build 15063.xxx’ to Comments section

November 18, 2017: Added ‘Fall Creators Update Version 1709 Build 16299.xxx’ to Comments section

May 1 2018: Added ‘April Update Version 1803 Build 17134.xx’ to Comments Section

October 5, 2018: Added ‘October Update Version 1809 Build 17763.xx’ to Comments Section

Outlook.com – Action Required Email Notice – Fact Check

Posted: December 29, 2016 in Microsoft Account, Outlook.com
Tags: Microsoft Account, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, Outlook.com

Summary: Fact Checking the Microsoft Action Required Email notice to reconnect Outlook.com accounts in Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016

Comments:

Microsoft recently sent an ‘Action Required’ email notice notifying users to reconnect their Outlook.com type accounts(Outlook/Live/Hotmail/Msn.com) in Outlook 2013 and 2016
The email noticed stated that reconnecting is necessary to ensure continued synchronization and non-interrupted email access between the server hosting your Outlook.com type account and Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016
The message notice is the result of migrating all Outlook.com type accounts to the new backend Office 365 platform server
- The new Office 365 platform supports the Exchange protocol format for sending, receiving and synchronization. The old server supported Exchange Active Sync(EAS) but did not support the full featured Exchange protocol
- The new Office 365 platform supports both Exchange and EAS though the latter may only be temporary(the underlying reason and real purpose of the notice) until all accounts are migrated. At that time, support for EAS may be(highly likely) discontinued.
The email notice includes a link to a web based article echoing the content of the email notice. The web based article furthermore states the following:
The email notice does not account for and ignores end users who use POP3 or IMAP protocols in Outlook 2013 and 2016 for sending and receiving mail and also(specifically for those using IMAP) synchronization of messages, folders, and subfolders between the Outlook.com account’s web interface and the local installed Outlook 2013 and 2016 application/programs.

Fact Check:

True – All accounts will be migrated to the new Office 365 backend server which supports Exchange
True – To take advantage of more features and synchronization provided by the new Office 365 server reconnecting your account to use the Exchange protocol instead of the Exchange Active Sync(EAS) protocol is necessary
True – Outlook.com type accounts using Exchange in Outlook 2013 and 2016 do not need to reconnect. The email notice, for accounts currently using Exchange, can be ignored.
True – The ability to send and receive email will cease when using Exchange Active Sync(EAS) in your desktop version of Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 until you reconnect
False – The ability to send and receive email will cease when using POP3 or IMAP in your desktop version of Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 until you reconnect (see below)
Partially True/Partially False: “If you do not reconnect your account your Outlook.com emails will soon stop syncing to Outlook 2016 and Outlook 2013”

Email Notice: (Dated Dec. 21, 2016)

Action Required: Reconnect Outlook 2016/Outlook 2013 to Outlook.com for uninterrupted email access

Dear Outlook.com customer,

Earlier this year, Microsoft introduced the new Outlook.com, which provides a business-class email experience to help you stay connected and get more done. Now that you have been upgraded to the new Outlook.com, it’s necessary that you reconnect Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 to your Outlook.com account. As someone who has an Outlook.com email account connected to a desktop version of Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013, you’re receiving this reminder because you have not yet reconnected your account.

What to do: Reconnect your desktop version of Outlook to your Outlook.com account to ensure uninterrupted email access. If you do not reconnect your account, your Outlook.com emails will soon stop syncing to Outlook 2016 and Outlook 2013. Once you reconnect, your Outlook.com emails will resume syncing to your desktop version of Outlook.

For detailed instructions and help on how to reconnect your account, please visit the official Microsoft support web site at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=837697.

Note that this change only affects any Outlook.com accounts you are accessing via Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013; you do not need to reconnect to your other email accounts, such as Office 365, Exchange, or other third party email accounts. You can also continue to send, receive, and access email from your Outlook.com account on the web via any popular web browser.

We recognize that reconnecting your account is inconvenient, but this step will ensure that you are able to take full advantage of the new Outlook.com over a more secure and reliable infrastructure. If you have any questions not answered by the support article above, please contact customer support at: https://support.office.com/home/chat.

Thank you for being an Outlook.com customer,

The Outlook.com team

FAQ:

Q. What happens if I don’t reconnect Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 to Outlook.com?

A. Your Outlook.com emails will soon stop syncing to Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 until you reconnect your account. You will still be able to access your Outlook.com emails via a web browser at any time.

Q. Do I need to reconnect Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 to any non-Outlook.com accounts (Exchange, Office 365, Gmail, etc.)?

A. No, you only need to reconnect Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 to your Outlook.com accounts.

Q. Will I lose any emails when I reconnect my account?

A. No, you will not lose any Outlook.com emails when you reconnect your account. Your email and calendar data remain accessible via the web. Once you reconnect, your Outlook.com emails and calendar data will resume syncing to your desktop version of Outlook.

Q. Where can I get help if I have trouble reconnecting Outlook 2016 or Outlook 2013 to my Outlook.com account?

A. For detailed step-by-step instructions, please refer to the help article at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=837697. If you have any questions not answered by the support article above, please contact customer support at https://support.office.com/home/chat.

Additional Information:

Revisions:

December 28, 2016: Initial Draft and Publish Date

March 1, 2017: ‘Editor Note’ in ‘Comments’ – Support for EAS discontinued February 2017

March 15, 2017: Added comment that accounts using Exchange do not need to reconnect

Outlook.com – Keyboard Shortcuts

Posted: December 9, 2016 in Outlook.com
Tags: Help, How-To, Outlook.com

Summary: Keyboard Shortcuts for use in the Outlook.com Mail user interface

Comments:

Article covers the keystroke(s) combinations/shortcuts for use in the Outlook.com Mail web-based user interface
Shortcuts are provided in a table format for the Outlook.com ‘List Pane’ and the ‘Preview Pane’

How To:

Outlook.com Mail ‘List Pane’ Shortcuts

Outlook.com Mail ‘Preview Pane’ Keyboard Shortcuts

Additional Information:

Reference: Support.office.com – Keyboard Shortcuts in Outlook.com

Revisions:

December 8, 2016: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

December 29, 2016: Revised ‘How-To’ section to a table format; added table format comment

Microsoft Surface update history

Posted: November 22, 2016 in Windows 10, Windows 8.1
Tags: Help, How-To, Surface, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Update

Summary: Microsoft Surface web site for the latest and past released software and firmware updates

Comments:

Microsoft’s Surface Update History (Software and Firmware) web site for Surface devices
Applies to the following Surface devices

Surface, Surface Pro
Surface 2, Surface Pro 2
Surface 3, Surface Pro 3
Surface Pro 4
Surface Book, Surface Book with Performance Base
Surface Studio

Direct links to obtain update history for the above Surface devices
Surface Updates are automatically installed via Windows Update
Note: Surface Updates files can also be downloaded and installed manually for most Surface devices

The file name format is the Surface version, followed by the operating system, followed by the release number.
To obtain, download and install Surface Updates manually follow the steps in this procedure

Download and install Surface updates manually

As an example here are the updates available for the Surface 3 which contain all current software, firmware, and drivers for the Surface 3 and also includes the optional WinTab drivers.

Additional Information:

Revisions:

November 22, 2016: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

December 8, 2016: Revised Comment section; Added ‘Applies to’ comment

January 14, 2017: Added example picture to better explain the multiple files available for download and installation.

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Windows 10 – Creators Update Rollout April 11

Windows 10 – Media Creation Tool – Creating Installation Media

Windows Essentials 2012– Installer File Officially Removed from Microsoft Servers

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1511 (November Update)

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1507 (RTM, Initial Release)

Windows 10 – Release Information

Outlook.com – Action Required Email Notice – Fact Check

Outlook.com – Keyboard Shortcuts

Microsoft Surface update history