Manage

Windows 10 upgrades

• 3 Windows migration questions IT must answer

  Microsoft has stopped mainstream support for Windows 7, so organizations must have a plan to migrate to Windows 10 or extend Windows 7 support. Find out how to shape a Windows migration plan here. Continue Reading

• 3 ways to prepare for the Windows 7 deadline

  Organizations holding onto Windows 7 for dear life should reconsider because Microsoft stops supporting the OS in January. Here's how to make the transition to Windows 10 smoother. Continue Reading

• 1909 Gets Generic Keys

  1909 gets generic keys for all versions: these are helpful during installation because they allow it to proceed to completion without requiring activation (or a valid Windows 10 key). Continue Reading

• Post Upgrade Windows 10 Update Assistant Cleanup

  For those who use this tool, a post upgrade Windows 10 Update Assistant cleanup is a good idea. You'll free up 20+ MB of disk space, lose an unneeded root level folder, and be ready for next time. Continue Reading

• Latest Insider Preview Gets View Optional Updates Feature

  In Build 18980, Win10 Insider Preview Gets View Optional Updates Feature. So far, it presents a bunch of drivers. More capability is no doubt coming. Continue Reading

• 7 questions to ensure UEM supports a Windows 10 migration

  The right UEM platform will go a long way in streamlining a Windows 10 migration. Ask these questions to ensure your organization's product can support the process.Continue Reading

• 1809 MiniITX PC Gets 1903 Update Offer

  As an experiment, I left my wife's 2012 vintage PC at 1809 to see when it might get an upgrade offer. Today (July 24) her 1809 MiniITX PC gets 1903 update offer, and that upgrade succeeds!Continue Reading

• IT takes the good with the bad in Windows 10 1903 update

  Windows 10 updates have never been easy, but Microsoft is finally listening to its customers' woes. Here's what IT pros like and dislike about Microsoft's latest Windows 10 update.Continue Reading

• Safeguard Hold Blocks 1903 Upgrade For Some PCs

  If you're running Version 1809 or older and Windows Update isn't offering the upgrade, it's nearly certain that a safeguard hold blocks 1903 Upgrade on the target PC. Here is more info.Continue Reading

• May 2019 Update General Availability Still Leaves PCs Out

  Despite a May 6 claim of more-or-less general availability, so-called May 2019 Update general availability still leaves PCs out of the automatic upgrade proffer that clicking "Check for updates" is ...Continue Reading

• Production PC Gets 1903 Upgrade

  After waiting 10 days in vain for WU to offer, Production PC gets 1903 upgrade when I manually resort to the Update Assistant instead. Spoiler alert: the upgrade has a happy ending!Continue Reading

• Upcoming Insider Preview Changes 2020 Release Access Methods

  For the next little while, upcoming Insider Preview changes 2020 release access methods: to check the Release Preview and prep for the next 19H2 Fast Ring, go "Slow;" to get the 20H1 bits, pick ...Continue Reading

• So Long Venue Pro 11

  When it fails all attempts to install 1809 or newer Insider Previews, I realize it's time to say so long Dell Venue Pro. Fortunately my even older ThinkPad X200T takes over without a hitch.Continue Reading

• Windows 10 1809 versus 1901

  When it comes to version naming, Windows 10 1809 versus 1901 refers to putative release in September (October) 2018 that's now turned into January 2019. Go figure!Continue Reading

• Potential 1809 Admin Lockout Discovered

  Zounds. Japanese researchers find another 1809 upgrade gotcha. With a potential 1809 admin lockout discovered, workarounds or deferrals are necessary.Continue Reading

• Win10 1809 Publicly Available

  With Win10 1809 publicly available through Windows Update, admins should formulate a workable recovery strategy in case one or more such upgrades go sideways. Here's how.Continue Reading

• OSUninstallWindow DISM Difficulties

  Current versions of Windows 10 suffer from OSUninstallWindow DISM difficulties. Check yours to see if this affects your users (or you).Continue Reading

• Ready to build a custom Windows 10 image? Find out!

  With a customized Windows 10 image, IT can automate much of the installation process for users and deliver the exact configurations they need. Are you prepared?Continue Reading

• False Bug ID Causes 1809 Re-Release

  When Windows Central reports that a false bug ID causes 1809 re-release, it turns out that the real data losses for 1809 looked enough like illusory ones in earlier releases to fool MS engineers.Continue Reading

• Command-line Sequence Kills Resistant Windows.old Files

  When a specific set of folders defies normal clean-up techniques I learn a command-line sequence kills resistant Windows.old files and folders.Continue Reading

• Win10 1809 Is Re-released

  After a 40-day hiatus, Win10 1809 is re-released. You can get the latest version through Windows Update, or use the Windows 10 Download page to force the upgrade or build installation media.Continue Reading

• Print Scan Drivers Move to Windows Update

  Reducing the overall Win10 image size, print scan drivers move to Windows Update starting with Version 1809. Thus, WU must be available when adding new printers.Continue Reading

• SpiceWorld 2018 Confirms Win10 Migration Intelligence

  SpiceWorld 2018 confirms Win10 migration intelligence, as I interact with attendees, and learn about their migration progress, plans, and challenges.Continue Reading

• Check Those Win10 Installer UFDs

  To be absolutely, positively sure what you're about to install, here's how to check those Win10 installer UFDs for version info.Continue Reading

• Interesting 1809 Disk Layout Changes

  After I perform the 1809 upgrade on numerous PCs, I observe interesting 1809 disk layout changes on some machines, because WinRE partition size increases for this release.Continue Reading

• Get to know the Windows upgrade paths for different OSes

  When organizations upgrade to Windows 10, they must understand the Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8 upgrade paths, potential pitfalls and best practices.Continue Reading

• A Win10 Post-Upgrade Checklist

  With a well-crafted Win10 Post-Upgrade checklist, you can streamline the process of cleaning up and tweaking a new Windows 10 desktop once the upgrade is complete. Here's a good start!Continue Reading

• 7 features for managing Windows 10 updates and upgrades

  Managing updates and upgrades in Windows 10 is tough. Fortunately, Microsoft includes seven features in the OS, including SetupDiag, that IT pros can use to simplify both processes.Continue Reading

• Fixing Win10 Upgrade Stuck on Restart Issues

  When it comes to fixing Win10 Upgrade stuck on Restart, there are several techniques that can put things back to rights. I usually start with WUMT then move onto a full-blown WU reset maneuver. One ...Continue Reading

• Clean Install Fixes Long-Standing Win10 Restart Issue

  A clean install fixes long-standing Win10 Restart issue and thereby vindicates conventional wisdom that occasional or periodic clean Windows installs serve as a kind of OS maintenance technique or ...Continue Reading

• DISM Export-Image Grabs Selected Image Installer

  When I observe that a multi-image ISO file results in an installer for Windows 10 Home, I learn that DISM Export-Image grabs selected image installer for Pro instead. This lets me update my ...Continue Reading

• The Occasional Resurgence of Windows.old

  When it comes to post-upgrade cleanup in Windows 10, an occasional resurgence of Windows.old seems to pop up from time to time. Here's another one found and fixed!Continue Reading

• Check Current Win10 for In-place Upgrade Repair

  If you carefully check current Win10 for in-place upgrade repair, you'll be able to choose and download the proper ISO to attempt such repairs every time, without fail.Continue Reading