Problem solve

Problem solve

Get help with specific problems with your technologies, process and projects.

• What to do if Windows Defender updates don't work

  Without the latest Windows Defender updates, your users' desktops won't be completely protected. When update problems occur, there are several actions you can take to solve them. Continue Reading

• Reduce update-related downtime after a Windows 10 OS upgrade

  Windows 10 updates are a necessary evil, as they add new features and improve security, but also cause downtime for users. IT can downplay the negative effects of updates. Continue Reading

• 4 tips for handling the upgrade process to Windows 10

  To ensure a smooth upgrade to Windows 10, IT should take advantage of helpful tools such as the Microsoft Management Console to test Windows 10 application compatibility. Continue Reading

• Macrium Patches Skipahead Preview Reflect Win10 Bug

  Macrium patches Skipahead Preview Reflect Win10 bug in under 24 hours (on a weekend, no less). This is first-rate customer service that goes way beyond the ordinary call of duty. Continue Reading

• How to get the Windows 10 upgrade process right

  To install Windows 10 correctly, IT pros should alter the disk layout for a fresh installation of the OS to match Microsoft's recommended order rather than its default order. Continue Reading

• How to solve Windows 10 updates problems

  Nothing is more annoying than an OS update that breaks something or won't load right. Windows admins may need some tips and tools to manage Windows 10 updates now that they're automatic.Continue Reading

• How can IT fix Windows Update issues?

  Microsoft offers some built-in troubleshooting methods to resolve Windows Update problems. There are also some third-party options IT should be aware of.Continue Reading

• About Logitech Driver Interface Drivers

  As I dig into and learn more about Logitech Driver Interface Drivers, I quickly realize that they're essentially no-ops (not needed, not loaded, and not used). 'Nuff said!Continue Reading

• How to stop Windows 10 updates temporarily

  A poorly timed Windows 10 update can cause a major headache for an end user. Fortunately, users can pause updates or IT can take steps to halt updates using Group Policy.Continue Reading

• Fast Ring Win10 Builds 17728 and 17730 May Require Clean Install

  When numerous attempts with Windows Update, WUMT, and even an upgrade install from a mounted ISO all fail, I realize that Fast Ring Win10 Builds 17728 and 17730 may require clean install. To my ...Continue Reading

• Latest GeForce Driver 398.82 Bluescreens PC

  When the latest GeForce Driver 398.82 bluescreens PC this morning, I find myself on an unwanted nostalgia trip. Been here before, not eager to go back. Even so, I'm waiting to see if it happens one ...Continue Reading

• Surface Pro Boot Requires Minimum Charge

  When a tablet connected to A/C power absolutely, positively refuses to boot, I learn that Surface Pro boot requires minimum charge levels to succeed.Continue Reading

• Dell Venue Pro 11 7130 Strange Upgrade Issues

  When Dell Venue Pro 11 7130 strange upgrade issues manifest for recent Insider Preview builds, my usual troubleshooting ritual sets things right. No clean install this time, as I'd feared might be ...Continue Reading

• How can IT turn off Windows 10 automatic updates?

  In some cases, IT pros should disable Windows 10 updates to gain control over the process. They can use methods such as editing group policies and setting a metered connection.Continue Reading

• Why would IT manually upgrade to Windows 10?

  There are some instances where IT should manually upgrade to Windows 10, including when the desktop runs older software for which IT does not have the installation media.Continue Reading

• Get to know your Windows 10 security options

  Protecting Windows 10 takes a lot of juggling. IT must be sure to use all the tools at its disposal to create the strongest security approach possible.Continue Reading

• How to create a Windows 10 security program

  IT can get ahead of Windows 10 security problems by understanding its organizational needs and focusing on a few key areas, including patching and domain password policies.Continue Reading

• MS Answers Offers 1803 Networking Resolution

  MS Answers offers 1803 networking resolution for those seeking to make nodes or network resources visible or available using File Explorer and other tools.Continue Reading

• What can you do if a Windows 10 keyboard or mouse is not working?

  If users encounter problems with a Windows 10 mouse or keyboard, IT pros can follow these steps to troubleshoot the connectivity issue quickly and easily.Continue Reading

• Fixing Win10 Restart PC to Finish Installing Drivers Issue

  Evidence I compiled helped me with fixing Win10 Restart PC to Finish Installing Drivers issue by leading me to the device involved, and possible fixes.Continue Reading

• HID Woes Cause Overkill Win10 Repair

  When HID woes cause overkill Win10 repair, it's because I try a software fix for what turns out to be a purely hardware problem. Sigh.Continue Reading

• How can you change Windows 10 update settings?

  Windows 10 updates can disrupt your workflow and cause frustration. With the right settings, however, you can minimize the risk of an update getting in the way of productivity.Continue Reading

• Create an effective email phishing test in 7 steps

  The best way for IT to improve email phishing security is through comprehensive testing, which helps identify which users are susceptible and what type of fake email is most effective.Continue Reading

• Bring Back PING in Win10 1803

  As I troubleshoot an inexplicable inability to remote into one of my office PCs, I figure out how to bring back PING in Win10 1803. In short, my recent spate of networking issues continue!Continue Reading

• Why Windows Machine Names Are Case-Sensitive in RDP

  When the certificate warning shows up, I finally figure out why Windows machine names are case-sensitive in RDP. The machine name isn't case-sensitive, but the certificate name most certainly is!Continue Reading

• 1803 May Drop Spectre Patches on Some PCs

  According to some usually reliable observers and experts, Windows 10 Version 1803 may drop Spectre Patches on some PCs. Here's how to check if any of your PCs are affected.Continue Reading

• How can IT convince users of the benefits of Windows 10?

  Users may not see the Windows 10 improvements as an upgrade from their current OS. As a result, IT must highlight relevant new features to gain user support.Continue Reading

• Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities show haste makes waste

  When the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities came to light, everyone scrambled to find a fix. As a result, the patching process has been anything but smooth.Continue Reading

• God Mode Causes Win10 Office URL Insert Fail

  If God Mode Causes Win10 Office URL Insert Fail and pasting URLs causes Word, Excel and so forth to crash, delete the God Mode parent folder to fix this problem.Continue Reading

• When USB Hub Gets Weird Win-RAID Provides Fix

  When USB hub gets weird Win-RAID provides fix for MIA Asmedia device. It's got modded drivers for Intel, and most other USB hubs and controllers, too. Worth checking out!Continue Reading

• Macrium Reflect Upgrade Cancels Backup Schedules

  As I follow my twice-monthly drive cleanup routine, I realize that Macrium Reflect upgrade cancels backup schedules. Can't have that!Continue Reading

• How to transition to Windows 10 without the headaches

  IT pros should take a step back and decide if an upgrade to Windows 10 is right for their organizations, or they may encounter problems during the process.Continue Reading

• Post Build 17115 Driver Fix Routine Still Works

  Even post Build 17115 Driver Fix routine still works to fix most common driver issues and difficulties. Try this 3-step sequence and see!Continue Reading

• Top six Windows 10 migration problems and how to avoid them

  Users and IT professionals sometimes have issues after a Windows 10 migration. Careful planning can mitigate these issues before IT undertakes a full-scale migration.Continue Reading

• Fixing Missing Mouse or Keyboard

  When it comes to fixing missing mouse or keyboard in Win10 you can either try different hardware, or boot from a different Windows, to effect repairs.Continue Reading

• Win10 Upgrade Repair Install Tips

  When it comes to fixing misbehaving or flaky Windows PCs, here are some hopefully useful Win10 upgrade repair install tips.Continue Reading

• Win10 Safe Mode Breakout Technique

  If you get stuck in a boot loop while in safe mode, you'll need a Win10 Safe Mode breakout technique. Here's one that works from the command line.Continue Reading

• Bootrec Fixes Win10 Boot Problems

  When boot-up goes wonky, remember this: Bootrec fixes Win10 boot problems! Here, you'll learn how to launch and run this boot repair tool, and what it can do to help.Continue Reading

• Can IT make the transition to Windows 10 smooth for users?

  IT can take a few steps to make the move to Windows 10 easier on users, including considering an in-place upgrade and holding off on any other major changes.Continue Reading

• Update 7-ZIP to 18.01 NOW

  Because of some recently-discovered and somewhat nasty vulnerabilities, you really, really want to update 7-ZIP to 18.01 NOW!!Continue Reading

• KB4058258 Install Fail Fix

  Those who try, and fail, to install KB4058258 should try this simple recipe for a KB4058258 install fail fix. It takes a little while but works pretty well.Continue Reading

• Three PC lifecycle management options IT should consider

  IT pros can use PCs and laptops until they stop working, or they can set up a lifecycle management plan that retires them after a certain period of time.Continue Reading

• Timely Firmware Update Rescues Surface Pro 3

  After my PC gets caught in an ongoing crash loop, a timely firmware update rescues Surface Pro 3, thanks in large part to the Windows Update MiniTool.Continue Reading

• MS Issues Spectre Reversal Update (Catalog Only)

  Because Intel is taking its sweet time fixing microcode, and reboot and stability problems continue, MS issues Spectre reversal update (Catalog Only).Continue Reading

• Can IT save user settings, files in the move to Windows 10?

  IT can help users maintain their personal settings and files when moving to Windows 10 through an in-place upgrade or through manual or automated processes during a clean upgrade.Continue Reading

• A Windows vulnerability scan should leave no stones unturned

  When it comes to scanning for vulnerabilities in Windows, IT pros need to run both authenticated and unauthenticated scans so they can see the deployment from every angle.Continue Reading

• 17074.1002 Introduces Involuntary Upgrade Repair Install

  The latest Win10 Insider Preview build 17074.1002 introduces involuntary upgrade repair install. What looks like an update is a major version upgrade!Continue Reading

• Operator Error Explains 4TB Drive Mystery

  When I compared the PSU (brick) I'd been using on my dual drive dock to the one I'd just purchased, I realized that operator error explains 4TB drive mystery. Sheesh!Continue Reading

• More Details on KB4056892 Wintel Vulnerabilities

  More details on KB4056892 Wintel vulnerabilities tell us their names, and reveal that vendor hardware support is needed to fix one of this pair of critical items.Continue Reading

• RegHack Fixes Unwanted Win10 Thumbnail Deletions

  A simple RegHack fixes unwanted Win10 thumbnail deletions that make preview images disappear from File Explorer.Continue Reading

• Can you create a dynamically expanding virtual hard disk?

  If you build a dynamically expanding VHD it is important to remember to set the size to match the maximum possible storage space it will use.Continue Reading

• How to create a snapshot of your custom Windows 10 image

  Once you finish creating your custom Windows 10 image, the time is right to take a snapshot of it so you can deliver it to your users.Continue Reading

• Top Windows 10 backup and restore utilities

  The key to a good backup and restore tool is reliability. Look into third-party utilities such as Reflect or OneKey for Windows 10 restore and backup.Continue Reading

• KB4057291 Fixes Win10 AMD GPU Issues

  To address widely-reported issues with black screens, multiple monitors, and resolution settings, KB4057291 fixes Win10 AMD GPU issues.Continue Reading

• Five Windows 10 2018 resolutions to follow

  IT pros who emphasize these resolutions in 2018, including a focus on the easy-to-overlook security holes in Windows 10, will have a great year ahead.Continue Reading

• When should IT consider an outsourced help desk?

  Help desk services can be a drain on IT. Organizations that need new options can partially or completely outsource help desk services to make life easier.Continue Reading

• Mosquito Rescues GPU Upgrade

  As my son and I swap an old Nvidia card for a new one, I observe that a mosquito rescues GPU upgrade.Continue Reading

• Relaxed security lets email phishing sink an organization

  Email phishing attacks are often the result of incomplete security. IT pros must follow a strict security protocol to protect organizations from these types of vulnerabilities.Continue Reading

• HomeGroup Trick Fixes Win10 Public Network Reset

  When recent updates switch networks from Private to Public, a HomeGroup trick fixes Win10 Public network reset more quickly than Network settings.Continue Reading

• Failing WiFi Gets Driver Fix

  When I switch a desktop PC from wired GbE to wireless following the Win10 Fall Creators Upgrade, failing WiFi gets driver fix as a consequence.Continue Reading

• Restore Win10 Private Network Status

  Be forewarned: After upgrading or clean installing Fall Creators Update, admins may need to sestore Win10 Private Network status, too.Continue Reading

• Realtek HD Audio Driver Tips

  In figuring out why an ostensibly proper driver won't install in Device Manager, I compile a list of Realtek HD Audio Driver Tips.Continue Reading

• Targeted attacks make desktop browser security a must

  IT can fight browser-based attacks by separating browsers from the OS itself. Get to know tools such as Citrix Secure Browser Service and Windows Defender Application Guard.Continue Reading

• Can you use Sysprep to install a custom Windows 10 image?

  With the right know-how, IT can create and install a custom Windows 10 image using Microsoft's System Preparation tool.Continue Reading

• Bad RAM Nixes 1709 Upgrade

  When bad RAM nixes 1709 upgrade, finding and removing the failed memory module sets things back to rights.Continue Reading

• Fixing Win10 Volsnap.sys Issues

  With the right ingredients, fixing Win10 Volsnap.sys issues turns out to be both quick and simple.Continue Reading

• How can IT create the most efficient help desk possible?

  When users run into issues that make them turn to the IT help desk, they expect quick, efficient service that gets them back to work. That starts with easy access to IT resources.Continue Reading

• Wonky Win10 Colors Require Registry Edits

  When wonky Win10 colors require registry edits, a set of handy .reg files to restore normal defaults comes in handy.Continue Reading

• End-user computing strategy bears these top challenges

  With a great end-user computing strategy comes great responsibility. IT pros must deal with app delivery challenges, user expectations and plenty more.Continue Reading

• Why IT needs a standard application install package

  IT pros lose time delivering apps differently to users based on the OS and OS versions they use. A standard app format would go a long way toward fixing this problem.Continue Reading

• Windows 10 VDI, third-party tools help boost the OS

  Not everything IT needs is necessarily built into Windows 10. IT pros share the technologies and third-party tools they use to make their deployments run smoothly.Continue Reading

• Unravel the truth with end-user experience monitoring tools

  User experience monitoring helps IT pros be more precise and accurate when they work to resolve users' day-to-day and long-term problems.Continue Reading

• Put problems to bed with end-user experience monitoring tools

  There is plenty of data available for IT pros to use to get to the bottom of problems. With user experience monitoring tools they can harness that data for deeper insight.Continue Reading

• MS Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (DaRT) 10

  The Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset, aka DaRT, is an invaluable toolset for admins seeking remedies for Windows 10 boot or startup issues.Continue Reading

• Clear cached credentials with the cmdkey and PowerShell

  Cached credentials make users' lives easier, but they can be a security issue in Windows if a device falls into the wrong hands. IT can manage them on a large scale with PowerShell.Continue Reading

• Win10 Post-Repair-Install Issues Appear

  When Win10 post-repair-install issues appear on a recently-fixed PC, I start to understand what leaving the prior install "mostly intact" means.Continue Reading

• KB4032188 Causes Win10 Confusion

  When the latest cumulate update KB4032188 causes Win10 confusion, I turn to my bin full of USB flash drives for a solution. Problem solved!Continue Reading

• WUMT Rescues Win10 Release Preview 15063.483

  When Windows Update not only hangs but resists repair, WUMT rescues Win10 Release Preview (and other) installations.Continue Reading

• Top five Windows 10 problems and how to solve them

  Windows 10 problems persist, despite all the updates Microsoft sends out. Make sure you know the common issues for IT and end users, as well as how to solve them.Continue Reading

• How to approach and resolve Windows 10 update problems

  When users run into Windows 10 update problems, admins must identify the causes, which can include connectivity disruptions and mishaps with the System Reserved partition.Continue Reading

• How can you access Windows 10 advanced repair options?

  To resolve Windows 10 boot problems you can access a few repair options by entering the OS through the back door. Here's how to do it.Continue Reading

• Pondering Build 16215 Plus Good Backup

  Recent gotchas, three failed installs and a wounded clean install leave me pondering Build 16215 plus good backup.Continue Reading

• Windows 10 security tools to have handy

  Cyberthreats lurk around every corner, so it's always a good time to fortify Windows 10 defenses. These top security tools can help make that happen.Continue Reading

• How to diagnose and resolve Windows 10 Wi-Fi connectivity problems

  Wi-Fi connectivity in Windows 10 is a persistent problem for IT. Use the network troubleshooter or reset the device configuration to solve this issue fast.Continue Reading

• Hyper-V vSwitch Set-up Snafu

  For four months I thought I was fighting a Hyper-V vSwitch set-up snafu. But the joke's on me: I was actually fighting my own mistake!Continue Reading

• The go-to Windows PowerShell guide

  Solidify a strong foundation with this PowerShell guide that includes tips on automating tasks, using WMI and CMI standards and handling security threats.Continue Reading

• MiniTool Power Data Recovery Rocks

  In the wake of the accidental repartitioning and formatting of a vital data drive, I learn that MiniTool Power Data Recovery rocks!Continue Reading

• Study up on Windows 10 performance issues

  When it comes to Windows 10 performance issues, there is a lot to cover. Use this quiz to refresh your knowledge on the top problems and how to solve them.Continue Reading

• Fix CCleaner Install Hang

  A locked-up install sends me searching for solutions, but it turns out that the best way to fix CCleaner install hang is simple and easy.Continue Reading

• Troubleshooting Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

  Troubleshooting Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) issues can be vexing, but a couple of useful references can help provide useful fixes.Continue Reading

• Balky Mobo Caused Insider Boot Woes

  When faced with frequent upgrades trashing a dual-boot setup, I learn that my balky Mobo caused Insider boot woes by replacing it with a new one.Continue Reading

• Build 15063 DISM Fix Available

  Some Win10 Current Branch installs will manifest spurious health-related issues, but with a Build 15063 DISM fix available, there's no need to live with them.Continue Reading

• Creators Update Image Integrity Gotcha

  In checking on Win10 1703, I find a Creators Update image integrity gotcha. Fortunately, it's a driver issue and up to Microsoft and Nvidia to solve.Continue Reading

• Harness the power behind Microsoft's PowerShell framework

  IT admins can use PowerShell cmdlets in addition to other Windows features to simplify administrative tasks, as well as to discover, install and manage software.Continue Reading

• Apparent Win10 Defender Update Issues Illusory

  Recent cumulative updates have led to reports of Windows Defender update errors. Fortunately, these apparent Win10 Defender Update issues are illusory.Continue Reading

• Are you up on the latest Windows OS security measures?

  Windows 10 combines the old and the new with security. Lock down a good grade in this quiz covering Windows security, including how to use two-factor authentication.Continue Reading

• Powering Thru Windows 10 Dual Boot Mishaps

  After installing 15063 Insider Preview, I found myself powering through Windows 10 dual boot mishaps after using EasyBCD to restore boot menu entries.Continue Reading

• Workspace management hype vs. reality

  Workspaces promise to make users' lives easier by bringing all of their corporate resources into one place. For IT, new workspace management tools from large vendors aim to ease the administrative burden as well -- allowing management of physical ...Continue Reading

• Windows 10 Wi-Fi class is in session

  Windows 10 upgrades come with some new adjustments IT has to make around Wi-Fi connectivity. Learn about the new tools and tricks to the trade.Continue Reading

• Taskkill Terminates Hung Processes

  When Windows processes go south, remember that Taskkill terminates hung processes at the command line. Very handy!Continue Reading