Tomaree Mature Age Computer Club

Newsletter

Club Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday at

Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre, Salamander

10:00 AM

http://tmacc.users.nelsonbay.com/

club wiki at : http://tmacc.pbwiki.com/

Steering Committee

Bob Truscott 49821264

Noel Finch 49822797 Brom Crass 49283630

Next Meetings : 26 June 2019 then 10 July 2019

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If you attempt to fix something that isn't broken, it soon will be !

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What is a Pause key ? Why & when is it used ?

- The Windows Club 12/5/2019

If you have a full keyboard, I am sure you must have seen “Pause” key or “Pause Break” key. It is usually located around the control keys like Scroll Lock, Home and end button, and so on. The question is what is a Pause key doing on a keyboard. I have seen it, but I have hardly used it. In this post, I will try to answer the question —What is a Pause key and when is it used?

What is a Pause key

Here is a fact, the Pause Key in the modern world has no purpose. The key first came into the picture in the 19th century. The primary goal—Pause or break the running program or piece of code. Like I said earlier, the Pause key is accompanied by the Break key, and they are two different keys. The first one will pause the program, while the second will display the usual output, and resume the program from where it left.

When is the Pause/Break key used

These keys first came with IBM Model M 101 key keyboard in 1985. The primary function was to pause a game or pause a scrolling output, to interrupt a modem connection and so on. So where do we use it today? If you are a programmer or work with the continuous output or open up System Properties.

1] Use on Command Prompt to pause the output

Open Command Prompt and type ping thewindowsclub.com -t. The will result in continuous output on the screen.

Now press the Pause key, and you should the screen freezes.

Use CTRL + Break, and you should see the result of Ping command. The ping will start instantly after the conclusion.

If you want to resume without using Ctrl + Break, just hit any key. To terminate, use Ctrl+C.

2] Open System Properties

When you press Windows + Pause/Break, it will open the System Properties window. You should also see the Change settings highlighted.

3] Pause a POST screen

If you want to read what’s on the POST screen, press the Pause/Break key. Hit it again, and POST or Power On Self Test will continue.

Missing Pause/Break Key

On laptops or smaller keyboard, there is no dedicated key. Instead, the Fn key is used with some other key to replicate Pause key function.

Lenovo uses Ctrl + Fn + F11 or Ctrl + Fn + B or Fn + B. Samsung uses the same Fn+B combination while Dell uses Fn + Win + B. Baseline, it is there on your laptop or keyboard, make sure to ask about it with customer support or through their documentation.

Apart from these, here are some more use of the Pause Key

Ctrl+Alt+Break is a useful shortcut to toggle between full-screen and windowed remote desktop sessions.

Ctrl+Break is a useful shortcut for stopping a build in Visual Studio.

( I had to have a little grin when I read that the key has no purpose and then the article goes on to list the uses of that key. So you see even smart journalists have "senior moments". Brom )

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Microsoft May Move Beyond Windows

by John Lister on May, 30 2019

Microsoft says it is working on a "modern operating system" for the computers of the future. It avoided using the term "Windows" and the features and characteristics it describes share a lot with Google's Chrome operating system.

The details came in a talk by Microsoft executives at Computex, a conference in Taipei. They demonstrated some of the latest laptops that run Windows, but then discussed how future PCs will have continually evolving requirements.

The company's write-up of the talk says Microsoft is investing in "modern OS" experiences and uses that term eight times in a single paragraph, rather than refer to Windows as an evolving operating system. (Source: microsoft.com)

Eight Key Features

The talk was based around a set of eight characteristics that Microsoft describes as "enablers" and "delighters" but normal people would call features:

"Seamless updates" that install automatically in the background with little or no need to restart a computer.

"Secure by default", meaning clear security barriers between hardware, software and the operating system.

"Always connected" with support not just for WiFi but LTE 5G data coverage.

"Sustained performance", which appears to be a fancy way of saying battery life long enough that users don't need to worry about recharging during the day.

"Cloud-connected" to carry out remote processing and improve the computer experience without more demanding hardware requirements.

"AI" to do a better job of saving the user's time and effort by figuring out what they'll do next on the computer.

"Multi-sense" inputs that make touch, voice and other methods as easy as a keyboard or mouse.

"Form factor agility" meaning a system that works equally well on either a computer or mobile device.

'Windows Lite' Fails to Appear

It's certainly an ambitious set of requirements for an operating system and the talk raises questions about Microsoft's future strategy for Windows. Previous attempts to have a single version of Windows for PCs, tablets and phones have not exactly been met by overwhelming adoption on pocket devices.

Recent reports have suggested Microsoft might introduce a special "Windows Lite" edition for small and low-spec devices. Now it appears possible this might be a completely new system that resembles the Chrome OS used on Chromebooks - or even incorporates the underlying open source code called Chromium. (Source: theverge.com)

( Does the promise of a "modern operating system" mean that Microsoft has admitted that Windows 10 is not a modern operating system ? Brom )

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5G in Australia: the future of mobile networks

finder.com.au 22 May 2019

What we know so far

5G is the next big thing in mobile network standards

It will be much, much faster than current 3G and 4G speeds (up to 20Gbps, maybe more)

Optus and Telstra have announced 5G for 2019

Phone manufacturers will release the first 5G compatible phones in mid-2019.

If you've purchased a mobile handset in the past couple of years, you'll have seen terms like 3G and 4G. Most phone plans these days operate on Australia's 4G networks, though 3G remains in use in some areas or for some high-data quota plans. The last of Australia's . 2G networks were switched off by 2018. The next big evolution in mobile networks is just around the corner in the fifth generation, usually referred to as 5G.

What is 5G ?

The next generation in mobile networks is for mass connectivity

It'll be much faster than 4G, and should limit peak time congestion too

At an exceptionally basic level, 5G networks will be the fifth generation of mobile network standards used worldwide. The initial generation of mobile networks was purely focused on calls, while 2G services added enough capacity to handle phone-to-phone text messaging.

The introduction of 3G networks improved data capabilities to handle internet usage, something that was greatly expanded with the birth of 4G networks, and especially the LTE (Long Term Evolution) and LTE-A (Long Term Evolution Advanced) enhancements of the basic 4G specification. Those specifications top out at a theoretical download rate of 1Gbps, which is part of where 5G comes in.

One of the key aspects of 5G connectivity that the new networks should bring is a radical upswing in data rates, both for download and upload. We’re never likely to see identical download and upload rates, but then the vast majority of usage online is in a download scenario (watching videos, installing apps).

5G networks should be able to handle data rates of up to 20Gbps down, possibly more as networks evolve. The current standards suggest that the minimum data rate for a 5G network should start at 100Mbps, which is seriously fast. Bear in mind that this is the lowest rate you should get, and you can see why so many people are excited about what 5G could bring to consumers.

Here in Australia, we’re sitting at the forefront of mobile network technologies and speed expectations, and as such, on the speed front, we’re quite likely to be cutting edge. We’re expecting to see networks that will start at 10Gbps download rates, and scale up markedly from there. As it has done with 4G networks, we can expect to see an evolution in 5G throughput as networks are optimised and new devices (both at a network and consumer end) come to market.

However, it’s not just about speeds. One factor that has led to a lot of consumer dissatisfaction with 4G networks has been the issues around congestion during peak times. 4G networks can handle huge quantities of data compared to their 3G predecessors, but even they have their limits.

The underlying design of 5G networks is for mass scale device connectivity, to also tie into an expected sharp rise in the number of connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This is everything from smart door sensors to fully intelligent home appliances, security services and monitoring stations, as well as more traditional networked IT equipment.

The core idea here is that every device, and especially those that require consistent connectivity, will be able to get it from 5G networks. In order to effectively handle thousands of clients from a single cell, radical network re-engineering is required from all three of Australia’s networks.

When can I get 5G ?

Limited access in 2019, and more in 2020

Access will depend largely on where you live

Telstra and Optus are both talking up their regional 5G plans

Optus has launched its 5G Home Broadband plans

Telstra's 5G goes live on 28 May 2019

The precise time when you'll be able to hook into 5G networks in Australia will depend in a large part on where you live, and then on how you actually want to connect. In short, if you're keen, be in or near the CBD of Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane (and possibly also Queensland's Gold Coast), but don't plan on being particularly mobile with your 5G connection depending on your choice of 5G carrier.

With the auction for 3.8GHz spectrum concluded, we've now got a wider picture of likely 5G availability.

While it's expected that capital cities will see most of the 5G action first -- if only because that's where a lot of Australia's population actually works and lives -- both Telstra and Optus have indicated plans to stretch out to regional areas as rapidly as possible.

Optus' spin on its 3.8GHz spectrum buy was entirely around how it plans to use it to service regional areas, with its existing 3.4GHz spectrum holdings doing the heavy lifting for metropolitan users.

Telstra for its part will launch its 5G services on 28 May 2019 in Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart and Perth, but it will also launch on the Gold Coast, Launceston and Toowomba.

Early estimates for 5G network availability tended to rest on the idea that they would be available in 2020, but here in Australia we'll see at least two 5G networks available in 2019.

Optus came out early stating that it would . commence 5G services in "early 2019", and it followed up with this by launching its 5G Home Broadband services... sort of.

Optus early 5G lab tests hit a claimed 35Gbps, although those speeds will almost certainly drop in real-world usage. However, Optus' early plans for 5G are all around providing fixed wireless broadband services to devices in a fixed location, rather than a 5G network for mobile devices.

Optus 5G Home Broadband services are, as at January 2019 only available as an expression of interest in a service to actually launch around mid-2019, and only in selected suburbs of NSW, QLD, SA, ACT and WA. Sorry Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. No Optus 5G Home broadband for you, at least not yet. We've written up the full details of the Optus 5G Home Broadband service here if you're keen.

Telstra announced in late 2018 that it had already been granted access to its 3.6GHz spectrum holdings to roll out its 5G network, which at a technical level meant it was "live" at that point. That's largely a technical observation, however, as at that time nobody had access to actual 5G consumer devices anyway.

Telstra doesn't want to give Optus any head start in 5G, and has announced that it will launch both a wireless hotspot and the first 5G phone in Australia on 28 May 2019. That's the HTC 5G Hub and Samsung Galaxy S10 5G respectively .

Vodafone hasn't made any official statements around 5G network availability recently, but having lagged significantly on its own rollout of 4G services compared to Optus and particularly Telstra, it's unlikely to hang around to implement its own 5G network services. Vodafone has undertaken trials with 5G technologies hitting an impressive 5Gbps, so it's clearly working hard in this space.

The announcement that Vodafone and TPG are set to merge has implications for its 5G rollout as well.

One significant part of that merger announcement was that TPG and Vodafone would join together to bid on the vital spectrum holdings for 5G networks.

They're committed to sharing that spectrum once bid on, which means that any given 5G network that emerges will be (effectively) a TPG/Vodafone hybrid network. TPG/Vodafone spent up big in the 5G 3.6GHz network auction, giving it significant scope to roll out its 5G network.

However, the ACCC's decision to block the merger leaves Vodafone -- and for that matter TPG's -- 5G ambitions somewhat in the dark.

What if you're on a smaller mobile provider ? Historically speaking, Telstra's not keen on sharing its higher speed network goodies with its MVNO partners, so if you're with ALDI Mobile or Woolworths Mobile for example, 5G could be some time away.

Optus has been significantly more forward in opening its network up over time, and it currently has the widest swathe of mobile network partners in Australia. It's conceivable that Optus network based carriers could offer 5G sooner rather than later.

Vodafone doesn't actually have all that many MVNOs on its books, although it does provide the network services for Kogan Mobile, and if you're a customer there, it may be some time before you see 5G.

Will 5G be better than NBN ?

Theoretically, 5G is slated to be capable of faster speeds than the NBN

However, it's unlikely that it'll be a competitor due to congestion, interference & overall cost

At a strictly technical level, both 5G and the various technologies that make up Australia's National Broadband Network perform the same task. They're both intended for high speed data transport, with most of the NBN's footprint in fixed line technologies such as fibre to the node (FTTN) and fibre to the premises (FTTP). 5G is, of course, an entirely wireless data broadcast medium.

Right now for consumers, the fastest NBN plan tops out at speeds up to 100Mbps, while the top end of 5G is expected to hit 20GBps, some 200x faster at peak. Easy victory for 5G, right ?

Not so fast -- quite literally. Even the telcos rolling out 5G see it as a "complimentary" product to fixed line NBN services, because any broadband service that relies on over-the-air transmission is subject to significant variation in network speeds due to interference factors. Wireless networks are by definition shared spectrum, so if you're trying to do some fast data work on a heavily used 5G network, you'll have to struggle through everyone else's congestion too.

The current bands being rolled out (and the spectrum being sold) for 5G networks has some significant challenges in travelling over larger distances, where a fixed line connection only has concerns over the quality of the actual physical cable used. Some telcos have talked about using their NBN points of connection as routing points for 5G services, due to the greater reliability of the NBN network for data transfer.

If you're in the footprint of the NBN that uses fixed wireless, you're currently (effectively) using a 4G connection, and while it hasn't announced specific plans just yet, it's expected over time that NBN Co may transition those plans over to 5G technologies to give fixed wireless NBN consumers greater speeds.

Then there's the question of ongoing data costs. While we've seen the first unlimited data mobile plans emerge in Australia in 2018, these typically work off data quotas and speed shaping once those quotas are exhausted. Unlimited plans are still the minority, with most mobile broadband and mobile phone plans attracting excess data charges that can quickly rack up if you're not careful.

The only additional cost we know of for now comes via Telstra. It's indicated that 5G will be viewed as a "bolt-on" option for plans from the end of June 2019. It'll be a free inclusion for the first 12 months of any plan, but after that unless you're on the top two tiers of pricing for your device plan, it'll cost you an additional $15 a month to get access to 5G speeds.

The majority of NBN plans work off a simple unlimited data construct that can keep your overall data costs much lower. While it's likely that we'll see ever increasing data inclusions on mobile phone and mobile broadband plans as 5G rolls out, for now, economically speaking NBN connections are likely to be much cheaper for heavy data users.

Which 5G phones are available ?

The first 5G phone that will hit Australia will be the Samsung's Galaxy S10 5G.

It'll be an exclusive to Telstra at launch, but it won't be alone for long. Telstra also has announced plans to grab Oppo's upcoming 5G Reno phone, as has Optus. Optus hasn't announced any 5G mobile plans just yet, however. Telstra's also going to offer the the LG V50 ThinQ when it comes to market.

Huawei has its own 5G play in the the Huawei Mate X although it's not clear when (or if) that device will launch down under.

Even low-cost handset maker Alcatel is said to be working on 5G handsets for release in 2019 or 2020 as the market matures. Most will, or are expected to use Qualcomm's X50 5G modem as the base of their 5G phones.

If you're an Apple fan, however, the picture is much less distinct. None of Apple's 2018 output of iPhones feature 5G connectivity. Apple had flipped over to Intel for its modem chips as part of its legal spat with Qualcomm, but it's expected that now that this has been settled it'll be working quickly to bring 5G to market. That being said, most pundits tip 2020 as the earliest we'll see a 5G iPhone.

Will I be able to update my 4G handset to 5G ?

If you’re talking about a handset you’re currently holding, almost certainly not. It’s feasible that handsets that come to market in 2019 or 2020 may include the relevant radios and specifications for 5G upgrades via software, but for existing mobiles, the differences in the way 5G is proposed to work make a software upgrade path all but impossible.

While manufacturers have experimented with modular phones, whether it’s LG’s G5 or Google’s now-defunct Project ARA, it’s feasible that such a handset approach could include swappable radio modules that made some future handset hardware upgradeable. In the US, Motorola does sell a 5G Moto Mod for its Moto Mod compatible handsets (like the Motorola Moto Z3 Play), that's for US network Verizon only, with no planned Australian compatibility. It's feasible down the track that Motorola might offer a 5G mod of some kind for Australian audiences, but there's nothing like that announced just yet.

As a result, when 5G comes around, the most likely scenario is that you’re going to have to get a new handset to access the network if that's what you want.

However, you might want to hold off on that that plan. It’s entirely likely that your existing 4G handset will conk out long before 4G networks themselves are decommissioned.

Any handset you’ve got right now that connects to Australian 4G networks should be just fine through the early implementation phase of 5G. The telcos are in no way interested in dumping a huge swathe of customers simply because there’s a new technology in town. The frequencies for full 5G networks differ from existing 4G technology, and there will eventually be some reassigning of network resources over time. Nobody is likely to rush into that scenario if it means losing customers.

Consider, for example, that the first 3G phones started hitting Australia in 2003, but that wasn’t the death knell for 2G phones in any real way.

Telstra only switched off its 2G network (except on Christmas Island) in late 2016, Optus only dropped the standard in 2017, and Vodafone killed its own 2G network in early 2018.

That’s an effective 15 year gap between the new networks moving in and the old ones being decommissioned. The odds of your 4G phone lasting for 15 years alone seem low, and as such, the co-existence of 4G and 5G should see you through to a point where 5G phones are considerably more common at all price points.

Does 5G pose a health risk?

The increased quantity of towers and repeaters needed for 5G networks understandably has some worried about the health risks that 5G networks may pose. So far, however, the vast majority of the credible science suggests that there's no real risk in play. You can read more about 5G and health here.

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Malware-Laden Laptop Sold as Artwork May Fetch $1M

by John Lister on May, 22 2019

A laptop riddled with six of the most devastating computer viruses of recent years looks set to sell for more than a million dollars. It's part of a bizarre auction that positions the computer as "a work of art."

The laptop, dubbed "The Persistence of Chaos" is an ordinary Samsung netbook running Windows XP. What makes it unusual is that it is currently running six pieces of malware that are installed on the machine have caused an estimated $95 billion of damage worldwide.

It's a collaboration between cyber security company Deep Instinct and artists Guo O Dong, who says his work "critiques modern day extremely-online culture."

Laptop 'Airgapped' For Security

Once it's sold, the laptop will be "airgapped," meaning it will have no physical method of connecting to the Internet such as an Ethernet port or a wireless card. Of course, the buyer could change that by simply installing a wireless dongle, copying files to USB drive, or removing the hard drive to use in another machine.

The sellers point out that modifying the PC in this way would be illegal in the US due to the infections it contains. Indeed, the buyer is required to confirm they are buying the "exhibit" for artistic or academic reasons.

Four of the malware infections may be familiar to many computer users, including: ILOVEYOU, So Big, MyDoom and WannaCry. The last of these was a notorious piece of ransomware that put many hospital systems out of action in the UK. (Source: sky.com)

The other two pieces aren't as well known worldwide but still caused serious damage. DarkTequila was used to steal data such as bank details in Latin America, while BlackEnergy was used to shut down electricity supplies in Ukraine.

Million Dollar Bid

The auction runs for around a week and at the time of writing the top bid was $1,130,500. The sellers say the reserve has been met, implying this is a genuine bid from a would-be buyer. (Source: thepersistenceofchaos.com)

They say anyone who places a bid must provide follow-up information within 24 hours, otherwise it will be cancelled. It's not clear if the current high bidder has been through this verification process.

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Windows Update error 0xC1900209: Incompatible software is blocking the upgrade process

- The Windows Club22/5/2019

There are various conditions in Windows 10 that are supposed to be fulfilled before one can get updates installed to a computer. Software compatibility stands to be one of the most important factors in this. If a software is not compatible with the new OS update, Windows 10 setup will not proceed and block the installation of the update. This applies to both cumulative updates and feature updates. Windows Update error code 0xC1900209 is related to software compatibility.

The error from Microsoft says-

0xC1900209, Incompatible software is blocking the upgrade process. Uninstall the application and try the upgrade again.

It comes under the umbrella of Windows 10 Pre-Upgrade Validation using Setup.exe.

Windows Update error code 0xC1900209

To identify the incompatible app, grab a Windows 10 install image (use Windows Media Creation Tool to download the appropriate version of Windows 10) and mount it. Then execute the file setup.exe located in the root folder of the Windows 10 install image. The upgrade wizard shall list incompatible apps.

We have the following working methods to fix the error 0xC1900209 for Windows Update:

Update the conflicting software.

Uninstall the conflicting software.

1] Update the conflicting software

In case you are using an older version of the conflicting software on your computer, you would need to update it to its latest version before attempting to apply updates to Windows 10. You can do that by visiting the official website or distribution sources of that software or just use the Check for updates feature of that software only if it is available.

2] Uninstall the conflicting software

The best action you can take is to get rid of the conflicting software.

You can either uninstall it using the built-in uninstaller on Windows 10 or can use uninstallers from third-party developers like Revo Uninstaller and more.

Make sure to backup all the user data of the software, if there is an option. Some game software saves game progress in a different folder, and saving them would be worth your time.

( So, if you update to Windows 10, expect a need to either update some of your application software or uninstall those that do not have a compatible version available. Brom )

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Adobe Users Shocked By Legal Warning

by John Lister on May, 16 2019

Adobe has warned users they could be in legal trouble if they carry on using older editions of software. But it seems to be more of a 'legal' technicality than a crackdown.

The company wrote to some users of its Creative Cloud applications. That's a series of software and services launched in 2011 that replaced the more traditional model of buying Adobe software outright. Instead users now pay a subscription fee and can use the software (and receive updates to the latest editions) for as long as the subscription is active.

Adobe recently wrote to some customers with the letter including the line "We have recently discontinued certain older versions of Creative Cloud applications and as a result, under the terms of our agreement you are no longer licensed to use them."

Third Parties 'Could Sue'

It went on to note that "should you continue to use the discontinued version(s) you may be at risk of potential claims of infringement by third parties." (Source: vice.com)

The letter initially sparked confusion and anger among users (and people who heard the story recounted) who believed they were being prevented from using software they had paid for. Some appeared to think they were no longer allowed to use old editions of Adobe software that they'd bought outright.

In fact, it appears the Creative Cloud subscription licensing only covers the latest edition of each app - it's just that this has never been an issue before as there was no obvious reason Adobe would have a problem with people not upgrading, other than not offering support.

Dolby Laboratories Deal Behind Move

The reference to third parties may explain what's behind the move. Some Adobe software licenses contain technology from Dolby Laboratories, which is sound technology often used in movies. Last year Dolby sued Apple for not accurately reporting how many customers use the relevant software, which had an impact on royalty payments. (Source: engadget.com)

While Adobe still disputes some part of the case, it may be trying to avoid paying royalties where its customers are using an "unlicensed" edition.

Whether third parties such as Dolby really could sue individual users for using such software is dubious at best, and it would certainly not look good on the company for doing so.

( This article highlights the fact that when you hand over money for "commercial" software, you are NOT purchasing the software but buying a license to use it. Not many people take the time to read the EULA agreement that is displayed when software is installed. The EULA letters stand for "End User Licensing Agreement", in it you agree that the software belongs to the developer and that you agree to use it within the terms that the developer has set. Brom )

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Best free Automation software for Windows 10

- The Windows Cllub 14/5/2019

Computers have changed the way we live our lives. They have found a place for themselves in every walk of our life. In the recent past, artificial intelligence and machine learning have given way to increased automation. Despite the development, most of the task we do on our PC is repetitive. Have you ever thought of automating these tasks and saving time?

Automation software for Windows 10

In this article, we will guide you through some of the best apps that will help automate tasks on Windows 10. Please mind that some of the automation software offers a paid version too – however, the free versions are sufficient for home users like you and me.

Mini Mouse Macro

Macro Toolworks Free

Macro Recorder

AutoIT

Pullover’s Macro Creator

Let us take a closer look at some of the best free task automation software for Windows 10.

1] Mini Mouse Macro

Mini Mouse Macro is an open source software designed to record mouse and keyboard actions. The software is also capable of repeating the playback, and you get a simple editor to fine tune/edit the captured actions.

The mouse record feature will record the movement of your mouse and map it with respect to X and Y position. You can also define a loop count and automate the task for a predefined number of times. Mini Mouse Macro supports Script Builder, and this lets you create command lines. Download Mini Mouse Macro from the homepage.

2] Macro Toolworks Free

Macro Toolwork is aimed at power users and is a powerful all-in-one automation software for Windows. Needless to say, the tool lets you record macros and then edit them in a macro editor. As a user, you can choose each Macro to be triggered in multiple ways and assign it to text shortcuts, keyboard hotkeys, time scheduler, and mouse keys. Most importantly, the Macro Toolworks records both keyboard and mouse events simultaneously.

The software is pretty useful for automating repetitive tasks like file backups, editing registry, retrieve data from Excel files and other actions. The Macro Toolworks automation software is available in three editions Free, Standard, and Professional. Scroll down and download Macro Toolworks Free from the homepage.

3] Macro Recorder

Mouse Recorder is yet another freeware that helps automate tasks on Windows. Mouse Recorder records mouse movements, clicks and a feature that lets you playback repetitive procedures. Advanced features like pixel color detection will pause macro playback and wait for a certain pixel to change colors.

The best part is that unstable mouse movements are converted into smooth swipes and this is something that will come in handy while creating video tutorials. Furthermore, the advanced recording algorithm is capable of sensing a resized program, varying resolutions and offer accurate macros.

All said and done; the Macro Recorder ended up being one of the most accurate macro automation software. Download Macro Recorder Pro from the homepage. Macro Recorder productivity boost is free-of-charge to personal users.

4] AutoIT

AutoIT lets you create different types of automation and edit them to suit your requirement. As with all the other programs in this list you can automate repetitive tasks by recording mouse gestures and keystrokes. If you are an advanced user than the Auto Script Editor will help you integrate the automation with various coding tools.

That apart AutoIT can be used to change the registry entries, execute programs, automate keystrokes and create a new workflow for Windows. Download AutoIT from the homepage.

5] Pullover’s Macro Creator

Are you on a lookout for a free macro creator that doesn’t cut corners ? Pullover’s Macro Creator lets you write scripts, record functions and automate a wild array of tasks. The learning curve is not steep, and a normal pc user can easily understand the user interface. As a user you can set Loops, control commands, use pixel search and map it to specific functionality, devise ‘If Statements’ and map hotkey’s to the automation.

The highlight is definitely the Macro Creator. I would recommend Pullover’s Macro Creator to someone who prefers writing manual scripts rather than just recording the actions and creating automation. Download Pullover’s Macro Creator from the homepage.

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Windows 10 May 2019 Update Brings Triple Trouble

by John Lister on May, 29 2019

The latest Windows 10 update, which is rolling out now, has thrown up at least three highly reported problems for users. The most significant is that some computers are losing WiFi access.

The Windows 10 May 2019 update affects some computers which have a Qualcomm WiFi adaptor and don't yet have the latest driver for it. A driver is a small piece of software that helps a hardware device or component interact with an operating system.

Some users in this situation have suffered what Microsoft is calling an "intermittent loss of WiFi connectivity." It's responded by blocking the update from installing on machines that also have an outdated Qualcomm driver.

Microsoft says that all users have to do is get the latest driver from Qualcomm and then the automatic Windows update will run as normal. It warns against manually installing the Windows 10 May 2019 update before getting the new driver as this will likely cause the WiFi problems. (Source: betanews.com)

Update Doesn't Always Install

Meanwhile some users whose use AMD processors are finding the Windows 10 May 2019 update doesn't install at all, and instead freezes up before anything happens. Again, Microsoft says it's a driver problem and getting the latest system chipset drivers from AMD should get the update running smoothly.

The third problem isn't with the Windows 10 May 2019 update itself, but rather to a patch designed to fix the update. The patch is currently being tested with the Windows 10 Insider program, which is a select group of users willing to run Windows 10 beta software before it gets released to the general public.

Sandbox Feature Blocked

In this case the patch has caused a particularly embarrassing problem by stopping Windows Sandbox from working. That's a recently added feature in the Windows 10 May 2019 update that lets users run software in a completely isolated way so that any bugs or security problems don't affect the rest of the machine. This could be a very beneficial feature if testing software from an unknown source to see if it contained malware. (Source: theinquirer.net)

Taken individually, none of these are dramatically disastrous problems, but it's building up into a pattern of failings with the updates. In particular, Microsoft seems to be repeatedly thrown by discovering many users don't always have the latest drivers installed. While this would be the case in an ideal world, Microsoft may have to find a way of dealing with this reality.

In some cases, users have opted to block Windows 10 May 2019 update altogether, and wait a while until any major bugs have been dealt with.

How to Fix: Block Windows 10 May 2019 Update

by Dennis Faas on May, 13 2019

I understand that Microsoft has started releasing the Windows 10 May 2019 update. These updates align with the twice-a-year large updates and require the computer to restart several times during the update process. I have had problems with Windows 10 feature updates in the past and want to block the Windows 10 May update from installing on my machine in case there are major issues being reported. What do I need to do to block the Windows 10 May update ?

Generally speaking I don't advise blocking any Windows Updates (even feature updates) as they help to keep your system protected against evolving threats.

To ensure that the system runs smoothly I advise that you make disk image backups of the system on a regular basis. I personally use Macrium Reflect for this type of backup. If you have any issues with an update that breaks something, you can restore the backup and everything will be as if nothing ever happened. If you need help setting this up on your machine, you can contact me for remote support and I will do it for you.

How to Fix: Block Windows 10 May 2019 Update

I understand a lot of folks are wary of feature update, especially if they've had issues in the past. Based on my experience, this usually happens if Windows is already corrupt (prior to the update); once the feature update installs, that's when things really go screwy. This case is different from a feature update that has many users complaining of the same widely reported bug issue, for example.

If you wish to block the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, you can do the following:

Click Start, then click PC Settings (the cog wheel icon).

The "Windows Settings" window will appear. Click the "Updates and Security" option.

A new window will appear; under the "Windows Update" heading, click the "Advanced options" link.

The "Advanced Options" window will appear.
For Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise users: scroll down and look for the heading "Choose when updates are installed" and ensure that "Semi-annual (Targeted)" is selected. Directly underneath that, you will see an option that says "Choose the branch readiness level to determine when feature updates are installed". There will be a down arrow box; select 365 (days). This will defer any feature updates for 365 days.
For Windows 10 Home Users: Under the "Update options" heading, ensure that the following option is turned off: "Automatically download updates, even over metered data connections (charges may apply)". This should defer any feature updates indefinitely (which is not recommended). At some point you will need to manually update your Windows 10 branch to ensure you are receiving the latest security features, improvements and bug fixes.

Note: if you do not see any of these options mentioned above, then you are likely running a very old and outdated version of Windows 10 that does not allow you to block Windows 10 feature updates. In that case you will have to download a newer branch of Windows 10 in order to apply these setting

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How to stop Windows 7 End of Support Notifications

- The Windows Club 22/3/2019

Windows 7 is indeed a great operating system. Even after 3 years of Windows 10 release, it has been giving it a tough competition in terms of the market share it acquired. But everything good has an end. And with a better choice of Windows 10 available from the same company, Windows 7 is definitely supposed to go.

The life cycle of the Windows 7 operating system is ending in January of 2020. After that, enterprises need to buy the support for security updates from Microsoft. The best solution here is for them to update to Windows 10. But to do this, Microsoft is actively promoting users about Windows 7 End of Support just like the Get Windows 10 pop up.

Stop Windows 7 End of Support Notifications

While a checkbox saying Do not remind me again is offered, there are workarounds that will make Windows 7 completely stop notifying you about the End of Support:

Uninstall the KB4493132 Windows Update.

Exclude an update from the list of WSUS Offline Update list.

1] Uninstall Windows Update KB4493132

Windows Update KB4493132 is rolling out for the devices running Windows 7. This update enables reminders about Windows 7 end of support. You need to either avoid downloading and installing this update or if by any chances, it has already been installed, uninstall it.

2] Exclude an update from the list of WSUS Offline Update list

In case, you use WSUS Offline Update to update your Windows 7 computer; you need to blacklist the KB4493132 Update.

For that, navigate to the following location under WSUS: exclude\custom and open the following files-

ExcludeList.txt

ExcludeListForce-all.txt

Now, enter the following two lines in both of those files-

KB4493132

<A blank line>

Save those files and close them.

Now you should not be worrying about this notification now and then.

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Symantec: Popular Microsoft Apps Hijack PCs

by John Lister on February, 21 2019

At least eight apps in the official Microsoft Store were secretly designed to use a computer's resources without permission. It undermines Microsoft's efforts to promote the store as a "safe source of software."

In the past few years, Microsoft has heavily pushed the idea of Windows users getting software from an app store - similar to the way mobile devices work - rather than the more traditional method of getting programs from a third-party sources and installing them directly to the PC or smartphone / tablet.

There's even a special 'S' mode for Windows 10 that only allows the computer to run software from the Microsoft Store. The company specifically says this mode is "streamlined for security and performance." It also says applications in the store are "Microsoft-verified for security."

Battery and Video Download Apps Compromised

Now security firm Symantec says eight apps that were in the store at some point in 2018 pose a risk, namely:

Battery Optimizer (Tutorials)

Clean Master+ (Tutorials)

Downloader for YouTube Videos

Fast-search Lite

FastTube

Findoo Browser 2019

Findoo Mobile & Desktop Search

VPN Browser+

While the apps appear to carry out their stated purpose, they are also running code in the background that carries out cryptomining.

Cryptomining means using the computer's (or smartphone / tablet) resources to try to verify transactions made with virtual currencies such as Bitcoin. That might seem like an odd thing to hijack a computer for, but the way such "cryptocurrencies" work is that whoever wins a race to verify a batch of transactions is rewarded with a unit of the currency.

The currency can then be sold for "real world" currencies such as dollars. Combining the power of hijacked computers greatly increases the chances of winning the race as the calculations are often split up among multiple systems, making it much more efficient.

Batteries Could Heat Up

Cryptomining on hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of devices simultaneously is great news for the hijackers - but bad news for users. It can mean slower device performance and potentially overheating batteries on laptops as their machines run consistently at full power.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was no mention of the 'behind-the-scenes activity' in the privacy policies of the apps in question via their Microsoft Store listings.

The apps are no longer in the store and users should remove them from their machines if they have them. The big question now is how they were able to bypass Microsoft's security checks and get into the store.

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Is Bluetooth Radiation harmful to humans or is it safe ?

- The Windows Club 21/1/2019

When writing about cell phone radiation, we said that it is better to use a wired or Bluetooth device so that you are not affected by cellphone radiation. Questions arise that since Bluetooth communication too, is a form of radio communication, shouldn’t there be something called Bluetooth radiation. Is Bluetooth radiation also bad for humans ? Is it as worse as in the case of cellphones ?

Is Bluetooth Radiation harmful or safe

When speaking of cellphone radiation, we are talking about high-frequency radio waves that start from your cellphone and have to go through a maze of cellphone towers before your voice actually reaches the person whom you called on the phone.

In case of Bluetooth radiation, the waves start from one of your devices that is directly connected to another Bluetooth device. The good thing about Bluetooth is that its range (distance) is small. Working on extremely high frequencies, these waves cannot penetrate a concrete wall. It is usually a few meters in case of Bluetooth radio waves. Thus, the danger of Bluetooth radiation, if any, is reduced to a small area.

This is in contrast to a cellphone. When you make a call, the radio frequencies should be powerful enough to reach a cellphone tower. With cellphones, you need one or more cellphone towers for making a call or sending data over the cellphone Internet. Thus, cellphone radiation is riskier compared to Bluetooth. For knowing how radio waves affect humans, read our article on the dangers of cellphone radiation.

Much has been studied about the potential of a different range of radio waves to ascertain health problems. A cellphone-in-use is dangerous. The study on Bluetooth radiation has so far, given varying results. But if you apply logic, Bluetooth cannot be much harmful as it works in a small area, doesn’t require powerful radio antennas, and thus reduce the radiation. The studies conducted by Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) mark Bluetooth as no-danger.

“The majority of studies published have failed to show an association between exposure to radiofrequency from a cell phone and health problems”, says FDA on Bluetooth radiation

“Headsets can substantially reduce exposure since the phone is held away from the head in the user’s hand or in approved body-worn accessories.”, – FDA

The same studies have shown that Bluetooth radiation effects would be a thousand times less than talking into cell phone directly. In the former case (where you are using a Bluetooth earphone), your phone is not directly touching any body part. Of course, wired earphones will be safer than Bluetooth data transfer, but I do not recommend them as they would block out external sounds that are necessary when driving and doing similar things.

Bluetooth Radiation: Summary

There is no proof that Bluetooth radiation can be dangerous to humans. Most Disease Control Centres mark Bluetooth as safe. The main reason is that though riding on high frequencies, the amplitude of Bluetooth waves don’t have much strength to pass through objects, walls, and other similar obstacles. So one can generally say that using Bluetooth headphones or speakers is safe if used within limits. But long-term exposure could potentially cause health issues.

We’re living in a world where pretty much everything is dependent on radio waves – from baby monitors to communications to entertainment to GPS and more. We can’t – as of now – replace radio waves with any other medium of communication. Bluetooth radiation health effects are much lower compared to other forms. While the future may see some alternatives, I believe that human bodies will adapt to the world full of radio waves – or react to it!

Read next: Dangers of WiFi Radiation

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