Posts Tagged ‘Help’

Windows Essentials 2012 – Download (Last Chance)

Posted: July 1, 2016 in Windows Essentials
Tags: ,

Summary:  Windows Essentials 2012 Download Full Version Installer – Possibly Last Chance before being removed from the Microsoft Server

Note:  This Blog entry is now obsolete – Windows Essentials 2012 installer files are no longer available from Microsoft. 

For additional and later information see this ===>> Blog article

 

Comments:

  • Windows Essentials 2012 includes Windows Live Mail 2012, Photo Gallery/Movie Maker, and Windows Live Writer 2012
  • Ever since Windows 8.0 was released the possibility of the Windows Essentials 2012 suite of products no longer being available and/or not supported has been a valid concern.
  • Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 Full and unified web version installers are no longer available from Microsoft web site and servers.  Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 are no longer supported products.
  • Windows Essentials 2012 Full version installer remains available on the Microsoft server (How long = unknown)
  • If using one of more of the Widows Essentials 2012 suite of products, it is highly recommended to download the Full version installer for archive purposes in the event a reinstallation is necessary, clean installation on a new or different pc, and/or backup requirements.
  • It is safe to assume that Windows Essentials 2012 will not be supported in the future.  End of support does not always mean, no longer capable of being used but it does usually mean end of availability to obtain its installer files.

 

How to:

Note:  The Direct download link above is for the English language installer. For a different country specific version please replace the ‘en’  in the above link with the local language code.

Revisions:

July 1, 2016: Initial Draft and Publish Date

March 26, 2017:  Added Note on article obsolescence and link with further explanation

Windows 10 Update History Web Site

Posted: June 6, 2016 in Windows 10
Tags: , ,

Summary:  Microsoft Rolls-Out Windows 10 Update History site to the public

Comments:

  • Microsoft now provides a web site for Windows 10 Update History
  • The web site acts as a hub for the Release Notes that accompany each update
  • The web site will provide information on updates in a list format(chronological descending order)
  • The web site history includes the Windows 10 Version, KB number and Build number assigned to the update.
                • e.g May 2016 Update ==> Windows 10 Version 1511, KB3156421, 10586.318
  • Each line item in the list has a clickable link to its respective ‘Help article’ providing additional information
  • Each Help article also has a separate link to the respective update’s KB article. 
  • The Linked KB article in addition to details also contains a File Information section which provides a link to download a csv file containing a list of the updated files(File name, File version, File size, Date, Platform).  [Note: The csv file can be opened and viewed in Excel(recommended) or a standard Text editor]

How To:

Revisions:

February 14, 2016: Initial Draft Date

March 15, 2016: Final Draft Date – Updated Comment section noting web site provides chronological update history

June 6, 2016:  Initial Publish Date

July 1, 2016: Updated comment section to include information on KB article and File Information availability

July 2, 2016: Rearranged bullet-ized items in the Comments section and corrected typographical errors

Windows 10 – Media Creation Tool Updated with February 2016 Build bits

Posted: February 29, 2016 in Windows 10
Tags: , ,

Summary:   Windows 10 Media Creation Tool(MCT) for creating installation media(USB/DVD/ISO) now includes the latest February 2016 bits

Comments:

  • Microsoft updated the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 Version 1511 with the latest available ‘Build’ bits(February 2016)
  • Previous bits were November 2015 – Windows 10 1511 RTM Build 10.10586.0
  • February bits – Windows 10 Version 1511 – Build 10.10586.122
  • Media Creation Tool link
  • The downloadable Media Creation Tool filename is MediaCreationTool.exe
    • To create USB media – Run the executable file and when prompted choose the USB option
    • To create DVD media – Run the executable file and when prompted choose the ISO option and burn the ISO file to DVD with your preferred software (Note: Windows 10 has a built-in support to create the DVD from the ISO file)
    • Optionally, if desired, the ISO file can also be mounted
  • The created installation media(or mounted ISO file)  can be used to upgrade from Windows 10 Version 1507 or Windows 10 1511(pre-February bits) and also clean install Windows 10 Version 1511.

Revisions:

February 29, 2016:  Initial Draft and Publish Date

March 2, 2016:  Added comment for ISO file mounting

March 15, 2016:  Added comment for include Media Creation Tool filename

March 16, 2016: Rearranged comments for flow

Windows 10 – DISM Tool for Checking and Repairing a Windows System Image

Posted: January 6, 2016 in Windows 10, Windows 8.1
Tags: , , ,

Summary: 

  • How to use the Microsoft DISM Tool to Check, Scan and Restore Windows 10 System Image Health

 

Comments:

  • DISM(Deployment Image Servicing and Management [DISM.exe]) is a command-line tool that can be used to determine the status[Health] of the Windows operating System Image’s Component Store.  The tool can also be used to Repair a Windows System Image
  • DISM’s command-line tool is run in an elevated command prompt
  • DISM is also available via PowerShell.  (Note: This article will not cover using DISM’ with PowerShell)
  • This article covers three(3) of the command line switches available for use with the DISM command
    • /CheckHealth  – Scans and reports if the System Image is healthy, corrupted, repairable, or non-repairable
        • Informative Only, Doesn’t Fix, Repair or Change
    • /ScanHealth – Scans and reports if corruption exists
        • Informative, Doesn’t Fix, Repair or Change (This scan will take several minutes and will provide a progress bar showing % progress – Do not interrupt)
    • /RestoreHealth – scan the Windows Image for component store corruption and automatically perform repairs
  • Use the DISM tool to determine the health of the Windows System Image if the built-in Windows System File Checker can not repair Windows file corruption.
  • If the DISM tool’s CheckHealth and ScanHealth options report the image (a) corruption **and** (b) is repairable, then use the DISM tools /Restore Health option.

 

How To: 

  • Using DISM’s /CheckHealth or /ScanHealth  option
  1. Open an Elevated Command Prompt => Press Windows key + X ] then select the ‘Command Prompt (Admin) option
  2. At the command line prompt enter one of the following
              • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
              • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
        • Note: A healthy system, i.e. no component store corruption will report findings as shown in the two pictures shown below

W10_DISM-CH_01

 W10_DISM-SH_01

  • Using DISM’s Restore Health option (Note: Always perform a /CheckHealth and /ScanHealth prior to attempting a repair of the Windows System Image and ensure that the /CheckHealth option reports the image as repairable)
              • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

 

 

 

Additional Information:

 

Revisions:

January 6, 2016: Initial Draft and Publish Date

May 8th, 2016:  Updated and revised Comments section description of the command line switches

August 15, 2016:  Replaced example pictures for better view-ability

September 9, 2016: Added reference to using DISM for Windows Update errors caused by component corruption

Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Posted: October 30, 2015 in Windows 10
Tags: , ,

Summary:   Microsoft tool to create Windows 10 installation media (DVD or USB) or ISO file

Comments: 

  • The Microsoft Media Creation Tool is free downloadable software(*.exe file) that can be run and used by end-users to:
        • Create Windows 10 installation media on a DVD disc, USB Thumb Drive or an ISO file for mounting
        • Upgrade the PC to Windows 10
  • Where to obtain – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
        • Click on the above link to load the Microsoft web site and the option to download the Media Creation Tool
        • Scroll down and click on the box ‘Download tool now’(see below)

W10_MCT_01

        • Save the *.exe file (MediaCreationTool.exe) to your local storage(hard drive, usb thumb drive)
        • Run the exe file to create Windows 10 installation media or upgrade to Windows 10

 

Additional Information:

 

  • Also, another good resource on clean installing Windows 10 can be found in Microsoft MVP(Greg Carmack) WIKI

 

Revisions:

October 29, 2015: Initial Draft and Publish Date

October 31, 2015: Added Additional Information section and links

Skype Desktop replaces Windows 8 Modern UI App

Posted: June 21, 2015 in Skype, Windows 10, Windows 8.1
Tags: , , , ,

Summary:

The Skype for modern Windows App(Windows 8 and later) will be replaced by Skype for Windows Desktop

Information:

1. On July 7, 2015 Microsoft will turn off Skype for modern Windows

2. To continue using Skype on Windows 8 and later Windows operating systems it will be necessary to use ‘Skype for Windows Desktop’

Comments:

  • Skype for modern Windows is the app included with Windows 8 and 8.1 operating systems.
  • Skype for Windows Desktop is a stand-alone downloadable and installable program
  • In the past Windows 8.0 and 8.1 allowed both versions (Modern app and Desktop program) to co-exist thus this change effective July 7, 2015 eliminates that possibility and makes Skype for Windows Desktop the sole Skype application for use on Windows 8 and 8.1 (and most likely Windows 10).
  • Skype for Windows Desktop can be downloaded here => Skype for Windows Desktop
  • Skype for modern Windows (the included Windows operating system App) should be uninstalled before installing Skype for Windows Desktop

  Notes:

  • If Skype for Windows Desktop is already installed, it may only be necessary to remove/uninstall the Skype modern Windows app and update Skype (manually using the latest downloadable installer file or updating via the Skype Desktop program ‘Update’ option)
  • When updating Skype for Windows Desktop it may also be preferable to download and use the Skype for Windows Desktop manual installer since the Skype program’s built-in updater has been known (and proven) to lag version(s) behind the latest available download version
  • Do pay attention (when upgrading/installing Skype) to the screen prompts for optional services. Ensure you accept or uncheck any supplemental plug-ins or other offerings (e.g. Skype Click to Call; Making Bing the default browser Search engine, etc.)

 

Official Notifications:

Two separate notices are available – email and web article. Both notices are shown below

SkypeDesk_EmailNotice_01

 

SkypeDesk_WebNotice_02

 

How To:

  • Note: The recommend method to upgrade from Skype for modern Windows to Skype for Windows Desktop Perform the following in the sequence shown below (Download Skype Desktop, remove Skype modern Windows app, install Skype for Windows Desktop)

Download Skype for Windows Desktop

 

Uninstall the Skype modern Windows app

– Close Skype by pressing Alt+F4 on your keyboard,
or by swiping from the top edge of the screen
– In the Start screen, right click or tap and hold the Skype tile.
The Options menu appears at the bottom of the screen.
– Select Uninstall from the Options menu

Install Skype for Windows Desktop

– Double click the Skype for Windows Desktop *.exe installer file
and follow the instructions to install
– When it’s installed, go to the Apps view
– Slide up from the middle of the Start screen with your finger,
or click the arrow near the lower left corner of the Start screen.
– Navigate and find the Skype for Windows Desktop app icon
(you may have to scroll past the modern apps first)
– Right click or tap and hold the app icon and select Pin to Start
– The app icon will appear at the end of your Start screen
but you can drag and drop it to wherever you like
– Click the Skype for Windows Desktop app icon to load and run Skype and configure to your preferences

 

Revisions:

June 19, 2015: Original Draft

June 21, 2015:  Updated ‘Comments’ and ‘How To’ section

Windows 10 – Free Upgrade Information

Posted: June 1, 2015 in Windows 10
Tags: , , ,

Summary:

Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 upgrade options for Windows 10

Comments:

Upgrade options:

  • Reserve a free upgrade for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update devices via the ‘Get Windows 10’ upgrade app icon in the lower right side of the Windows Task Bar.
  • Buy a new Windows 8.1 device and upgrade it for free to Windows 10
  • Note: Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 users have until July 29, 2016 to take advantage of the free Windows 10 Upgrade offer
  •  Get Windows 10 Upgrade app (graphic)

Win10_GetApp_01

Additional Information:

1.  Upgrade to Windows 10 For Free

– https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-upgrade

2.  Windows 10 Questions and Answers (FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions)

– https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-faq

3. Windows 10 upgrade via Windows Update is expected to be a download about 3 GB in size.

4.  Reserving Windows 10 via the ‘ Get Windows 10’ app will generate a compatibility report for devices and applications indicating if the device and installed applications are compatible with Windows 10

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-compatiblity-report-means

5. The ‘Get Windows 10 app’ will place an icon in the lower right of the Windows Task Bar

6.  Reserving will place your device in a Microsoft Windows 10 upgrade queue for later download and install.

Revisions:

June 1, 2015: Original Draft and Publish Date

June 9, 2015: Added link for ‘What Compatibility Report Means’

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