Troubleshooting Issues With Windows Update

One of the best methods that you can follow to keep your computer safe and secure is to update your computer at regular intervals. It is better that you configure your Windows operating system to download and install updates automatically. Since more and more threats are released to the industry day by day, you need to have the latest updates installed in the system for keeping it safe and secure from malicious programs and users. However, installing some updates might lead to malfunctioning of the computer. Here we discuss some simple instructions that anyone can follow to troubleshoot issues with Windows update.

Instructions

• First thing that you need to do is to review the updates installed with your system recently. This can be done by navigating to the Control Panel window and by choosing the System and Security option found in the window. From the options shown on the screen, click on the View Installed Updates found under the Windows Update heading. Now you will be able to view all the updates installed on your system. 

Now for removing an already installed update from your computer, Windows support team advises you to follow the simple instructions given below.

• Launch Control Panel and then select the System and Security option found in the window if you are using Windows 7 operating system. However, if you are using Windows Vista operating system, choose the option labeled as Security. 
• Click on the option named as View Installed Updates found under the Windows Update tab found in the window. The system will now show you all the installed updates as a list. You can sort the list according to the date of installation of update by clicking on the Installed On heading found at the right side of the list. 
• Now from the list of updates populated on the screen, select the update that you would like to remove from the system by clicking on it. When you select the update, a new button named Uninstall will appear on the screen, Windows support centre advises you to click on it to remove the installed update from your system. 
• Follow the instructions shows by the un-installation wizard to remove the update. When the removal process is completed, restart the computer to make the changes permanent. 

If you follow the simple instructions given above, you will be able to review and remove installed updates from your system with ease.

The Release Of New Chromebooks Poses Major Threat To Windows

Microsoft could soon find a tough competitor to its Windows operating systems, as we would see a new range of Chromebooks this summer. It is expected that the new Chromebooks will pose a major threat to the existing Windows dominance in the segment. The latest version of Chromebooks released boast of consuming lesser battery power and runs on Intel microprocessors. Most of the major PC manufacturers like ASUS, Acer, Dell, Lenovo and Toshiba will be releasing Chrome based desktops soon. The pricing for these PCs could be in the range of 300 to 400 dollars. It is interesting to note that most of the PC manufacturers getting ready to release Chromebooks have released numerous versions of Windows based PCs earlier.

Experts believe that one of the factors that might have tempted the PC makers to release new models with a different operating system could be the decline in PC sales, which in turn is attributed to the increasing popularity of other devices like tablets and Smartphones. Another factor could be the release of Surface tablets by Microsoft, which competes with the tablets from these manufacturers. Therefore, the new move by the PC makers can also be seen as a payback.

One of the worries for the software giant is that one of it’s major partners, Intel, is now expanding aggressively. The chipmaker is already building hardware for Smartphones and other technologies. Besides, the company is currently developing processors for 20 Chromebook designs. Keep in mind that this number was only 4 last September.

One of the drawbacks of Chromebooks was that there was no hard drive in it. This made Chromebooks look inferior to other PCs. On the other hand, Windows based PCs have this feature, according to Windows support. However, Google has been working rigorously to remove this perception form the users. There have been many additions in the new Chromebook so that it keeps the users entertained even if there is no internet connection.

Even though there has been a wide support for Chromebooks over the past few months, the number of PCs running on Chrome operating system is still very low. According to the reports, the number of Chrome books sold last year does not even account for one percent of PC shipment around the world. Windows is still running strong and about 80 percent of the PCs shipped had Windows operating systems installed in them. Windows support and its features still support the Windows operating systems. 

Microsoft Slashes Azure Cloud Service Fee To Take On The Competition

Cloud service is the latest emerging technology in the IT sector and already big companies like Microsoft and Amazon are trying to gain a stronghold in this field. However, as in the case with the latest operating system, the popularity of a cloud service platform would also depend on the number of compatible apps available for it.

About Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is the cloud service platform from Microsoft. It is an infrastructure as a service product. What this means is that companies can subscribe to this service as a storage solution and thus reduce their IT infrastructure needs.

The Azure platform includes online storage facilities as well as software applications that would help with the various needs of the organization. This meant that Microsoft needed the software developers out there to develop more apps for their Azure cloud service platform.

To facilitate this Microsoft provided the developers special discounts and Windows support tools to encourage them to develop more application for the Microsoft Azure platform. And, so far, this has been going well.

Microsoft Azure faces more competition

Microsoft has always assumed that with their operating systems and MS Office products all linked to and available through the Azure cloud platform, they would have an edge over the other cloud service providers online. However, with more and more tech firms joining the cloud service bandwagon these days, Microsoft is facing stiff competition.

Many cloud service providers like Amazon and HP are now upgrading their service from just online storage facilities to that of IT infrastructure platforms and thereby, competing directly with Windows Azure. This has led to a situation where each of them is trying to reduce their prices as much as possible in an attempt to outcompete the others.

Recently, Microsoft announced that they are going to reduce their Windows Azure storage prices to match the low fee offered by the Amazon cloud services. So far, Amazon cloud service has maintained an advantage over its competitors by providing the lowest prices in the country.

This has forced Microsoft to slash the prices for its Windows Azure cloud services. Recent surveys show that when taken in to account the different cloud service subscription package fees, Microsoft’ Azure and Amazon EC2 now offer pretty much the same price.

However, when you take in to the excellent Windows support services as well as the MS Office applications, clearly Windows Azure is the best cloud service platform available.

Tips For Logging In To Windows If The Password Is Forgotten

If you have forgotten the password for your user account in Windows, you will not be able to access the files and programs in it. Follow the simple tips given below for resetting the password and start using the computer again.

Instructions

If you have the password recovery disk with you, then take the disk and insert it in the optical disk drive of your PC. When the reset disk loads, it will open a small on-screen dialog box. Follow the instructions given in the dialog box for logging in to the account and then reset the password that you have forgotten.

If you have forgotten the password of one of your user accounts, then log in to the administrator account for changing the user password if you know the administrator login details. The procedure for accessing the administrator account may vary in different versions of Windows operating systems. Sometimes you will need to login using the Safe Mode option for accessing the administrator menus.

One of the best methods for resetting and recovering your lost password is to use password recover software. You will be able to find lots of recovery programs that are either free or need payment from the Windows support sites. If you do not have a password recovery program with you, download it from the internet and then move it to a CD or an external thumb drive. Now move the recovery program to your locked computer, run the program, and follow the onscreen instruction shown by the recovery program for recovering the password you have forgotten.

If any of the above methods do not work for you, then the Windows support site advices you to reinstall your operating system using the Windows setup disk for resetting the forgotten password. Remember not to overwrite the already present OS installation in your system so that if you remember the password of the account in the future, you can login to the account and access the data in the account. You will be able to use your computer if you install a new operating system in your computer, you will be able to use your computer without having to reset your password.

If you follow the simple tips given above, you will be able to use the computer even if you have forgotten your login password.

Tutorial For Opening Application Windows In Full Screen

Most of the programs in the Windows operating system open in the Windowed mode by default to save space and to do multitasking. However, some of the users would prefer the applications to open in the full screen mode so that they can view the application options and tools more clearly in the whole screen. If you are one of those who prefer to use the applications in full screen mode, then there is good news for you, you can easily change the application to run in full screen using the simple tricks from the Windows support site given below.

Tips And Tricks 

• To make the application window run in full screen, try pressing the Alt key and the Enter key simultaneously. This keyboard shortcut will work in almost all games and media players in the Windows operating system. You can use the same keys to bring the window back to the windowed mode. 
• To make the web browsers like Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Firefox to work in the full screen mode, press the F11 key in the keyboard. To return to the windowed mode, press the F11 key.
• To make the Microsoft Office suite programs like Word, Excel, and other office applications, hit the Alt and the V keys in the keyboard simultaneously and then press the U key. To exit from the full screen mode in Office suite applications, click on the Esc button found at the top left corner of the keyboard.
• If for some application, none of the above shortcuts work, then right click on the shortcut icon of the application found in the desktop of your computer and then click on the Properties option found at the bottom of the drop down menu. Then click on the dropdown menu found next to the Run option and then select the Maximized option. Now click on the OK button to the run the program. Now when the application launches, you can see that the application occupies the full screen, although you can see that there is a bar at the top of the window.

If you follow the above instructions carefully, you will be able to make the applications in your Windows operating system based computer run in the full screen mode. If you need any more clarifications or tips regarding the applications in the Windows OS, just visit the Windows support website.