Category Archives: 2020.08

2020.08

Ways to get to BIOS or UEFI in Windows 10 – Open BIOS or UEFI

To alter the boot order or other firmware settings, you need to access BIOS or UEFI. Here’re the exact steps to get to BIOS or UEFI from Windows 10.

To alter firmware settings like the boot order, secure boot, ram speed, voltage, etc., you need to open the BIOS or UEFI settings. For example, if you want to boot from the bootable USB drive, you have to first change the boot order within the BIOS settings. Otherwise, it’ll boot straight into Windows 10, let’s assume that you have it installed.

Generally, every motherboard or laptop manufacturer has their very own way to access BIOS or UEFI. This will make it very awkward to access the firmware. This is especially true for all those with little to no experience. However, to create this easier, you will get to BIOS or UEFI from Windows 10 using the advanced startup options. This eliminates the need to be aware of specific key combinations to press to access UEFI or BIOS.

So, in this quick and simple guide, allow me to show the steps to get at BIOS or UEFI in Windows 10.

Note: Before proceeding using the below steps, save your valuable act as you are going to restart the machine

How to Open BIOS or UEFI from Windows 10 Settings

The Windows 10 settings app and also the advanced startup options allow you to quickly open the BIOS or UEFI. All you’ve got do is choose the “UEFI Firmware Settings” option within the advanced restart menu. Listed here are the precise steps you should follow to do that.

Access the Settings app by pressing the “Win + I” key binding.
Go to the “Update & Security” page.
Now, choose the “Recovery” tab around the left panel.
Click the “Restart now” button “Advanced startup” section.
After restarting you will see the Advanced Startup screen. Here, select “Troubleshoot” option.
Select “Advanced Options” in the troubleshooting menu.
Now, select the “UEFI Firmware Settings” option.
Finally, click on the “Restart” button.

As soon as you click the restart button, Windows will restart the system and forces the computer to spread out the BIOS or UEFI firmware screen. Once you are here, you may make the required changes and restart the machine. Whenever you restart the system, it’ll automatically boot into Windows.

Press & Hold Power Button for 4 Seconds

The other simplest way to open the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings screen is to apply the system power button. When i state the system power button, I’m talking about the power button on your CPU tower or around the laptop. Follow the steps as directed below.

First, completely shut down the machine. It can be done by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting the “Shutdown or sign out → Shutdown” option.
After closing the machine, press and contain the power button for four seconds.
Your computer will automatically start and opens the BIOS or UEFI screen.

That is all. When you are here, you may make the required changes and restart the machine. Whenever you restart the machine, it’ll automatically boot into Windows.

Note: Do remember that though the above method creates most desktop computers and laptops, may possibly not meet your needs depending on the system manufacturer. In that case, stick to the first method or consult the manual to know the precise key you need to press to spread out the UEFI firmware settings.

2020.08

What’s New in Windows 10 Build 20201

Microsoft has just released a new Windows 10 preview build to users who are signed up for the Windows Insider program in the Dev Channel.

Windows 10 build 20201 doesn’t include any new features, in mind this time is exclusively on bug fixes. Quite simply, you won’t any new stuff here, as build 20201 is about increasing the performance fixing bugs that have been discovered within the OS.

There are five different improvements in this new build, and also the to begin them concerns the Microsoft Store.

As we’ve noted for a while, Microsoft has attempted to make the Microsoft Store the one place to go for everything, including for games. But more recently, some of the games which were offered with the Microsoft Store actually didn’t launch, and Microsoft says it’s due to a bug that affects only Easy Anti-Cheat titles. Even though the problem has been resolved, the organization explains that game developers themselves should develop an update for the entire thing.

“We’ve fixed a problem where some Microsoft Store games protected by Easy Anti-Cheat failed to launch. Some games may still need to release an update to completely resolve the problem,” Microsoft explains.

Additionally, Microsoft says it had added more IDE improvements in this update.

“We fixed a problem in which the IME mode indicator in the taskbar was indicating that the IME was enabled if this was actually in disabled state,” the company explains.

In addition, Windows 10 build 20201 includes improvements for HDR monitors, as a number of them appeared black in the previous builds whenever users enabled HDR. Today’s build also has a fix targeted at UWP apps, as Microsoft states that your window control buttons couldn’t stick to the window whenever users resized them.

And finally, this build fixes an issue causing SetInputScore to stop working whenever it was called after an application using it was started.

There are many known issues within this update, and some of them concern the brand new taskbar experience for pinned sites.

Microsoft explains the following:

“We’re investigating reports the new taskbar experience for pinned sites isn’t employed by some sites. We’re focusing on enabling the new taskbar experience for existing pinned sites. Meanwhile, you are able to unpin the site in the taskbar, remove it from the advantage://apps page, and then re-pin the site. We’re focusing on a fix for a problem where pinned sites don’t show all open tabs for a domain. In the meantime, you are able to fix this by pinning the site’s homepage as opposed to a specific page (e.g. pin microsoft.com instead of microsoft.com/windows).”

Additionally, the company says that it’s conscious of an element that causes Office documents to spread out blank whenever the launch is triggered by File Explorer. Quite simply, if you double-click a Microsoft Office document from File Explorer, there’s a strong possibility that it opens blank, what exactly you must do is just launch it with another app or right from Office itself.

Installing the brand new build may also prove to be a significant challenging process, as in some cases, the update process could appear to become hanging. This is something that the organization is already investigating, because the update experience obviously must be as quickly as possible.

Obviously, it’s pretty clear mtss is a bug-fixing build, and despite not coming with any new features, users within the Dev Channel should get it anyway, particularly if they previously encountered one of the bugs mentioned here.

2020.08

Microsoft Moves Another “Classic” Windows Feature towards the Modern Experience

The most recent Windows 10 preview build brings another big change for those who wanted to stick with the classic Windows experience for as long as possible.

Disk Management has become area of the modern Windows push after Microsoft bundled it with the Settings app in Windows 10 build 20197.

Still in preview stage, the new feature should really go love everyone inside a future update for Windows 10, possibly as soon as version 20H2, which is scheduled to launch in the fall.

The updated Disk Management experience can be obtained under Settings > System > Storage > Manage Disks and Volumes, but Microsoft says that the classic version remains available for a little bit longer.

Possibly launching in Windows 10 version 20H2

Needless to say, there’s a very good chance it might just be removed at some stage in the near future, albeit, for the time being, no specifics have been offered in connection with this.

“We mentioned we had more Settings focus on the way, and here’s the next – by today’s build you’ll now be able to manage your disks and volumes from within the Settings app. Including tasks for example viewing disk information, creating and formatting volumes, and assigning drive letters,” Microsoft explains in the release notes of the latest Windows 10 preview build.

“Unlike the present Disk Management MMC snap-in, this modern experience was constructed from the floor as much as with accessibility in mind. It also features better integration with features such as Storage Spaces and the Storage breakdown page.”

Changes that Microsoft currently makes in preview builds of Windows 10 don’t possess a specific ETA, as the company says it’ll ship them when they’re ready. The new disk management experience, however, shouldn’t remain in preview stage for too long, however, so expect it to visit reside in nov 2020 update.

2020.08

Windows Subsystem for Linux Launching on Older Windows 10 Versions

One of the greatest changes in Windows 10 version 2004, or Windows 10 May 2020 Update, may be the inclusion of the second-generation Windows Subsystem for Linux, also known as WSL 2.

Needless to say, WSL 2 includes massive improvements, and one of the most notable is a full Linux kernel. Furthermore, this new release will also support managed VMs and allows for full system call compatibility, something which wasn’t available on the first Windows Subsystem for Linux release.

At the same time, WSL 2 also provides faster performance, even though Microsoft recommends everyone to switch to this new release, the company explains that some might have to stick to the initial Windows Subsystem for Linux when the project files should be stored in the Windows file system.

However, the full Linux kernel that is available in WSL 2 is the reason why most people upgrade. Microsoft itself ships new updates for that kernel via Windows Update, therefore the whole experience is substantially improved for all those on Windows 10 version 2004.

“The Linux kernel in WSL 2 is built by Microsoft from the latest stable branch, based on the source available at kernel.org. This kernel continues to be specially tuned for WSL 2, optimizing for size and performance to supply an amazing Linux experience on Windows. The kernel will be serviced by Windows updates, and that means you will get the latest security fixes and kernel improvements while not having to keep it in check yourself,” Microsoft says.

However the great news is that WSL 2 won’t remain a Windows 10 version 2004 exclusive, as Microsoft has announced support for that second-generation release on Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909 too. In other words, Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 will be available on three different Windows 10 versions, namely 1903, 1909, 2004.

The backport of WSL 2 to Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909 will be available via Windows Update, so users just need to manually check for updates. Only x64 devices will be able to understand it properly now, and Microsoft says that those running ARM64 need to upgrade to Windows 10 version 2004 to use WSL 2.

Obviously, you’ll need a fully up-to-date Windows installation to be able to run WSL 2 on version 1903 and 1909. Microsoft provides additional instructions in this regard:

“You can see if you have this backport by verifying the minor build number of your Windows build. To do this, right click on the start menu, click ‘Run’ and then type in ‘winver’ striking enter. The first number before the . is your major build number, so for version 1903 this will read 18362. The number following the . is your minor build number, and will also inform you whether you will find the backport on your machine. This backport has the minor build number: 1049. In summary, if your minor build number is 1049 or more on Windows builds 18362 or 18363, then you have the backport and also the capability to run WSL 2 distros,” the organization says.

It’s understandable that this new announcement can only be great news for Microsoft and Windows 10 users. With version 2004 still being rolled out in phases, some of the people on version 1903 and 1909 want to try WSL 2 without awaiting the update to become readily available for their devices. Not to mention that in some cases, upgrading towards the newest Windows 10 version isn’t always possible so fast, so bringing the new Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 to older Windows 10 releases is without a doubt a good Microsoft decision.

2020.08

What’s New in Windows Update KB4578013

Microsoft has released an out of band update for Windows users, and it is available today from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

KB4578013 is an out-of-band update that is specifically targeted at Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2, also it comes to resolve two different security vulnerabilities discovered in these os’s.

Windows 10 devices are not affected by these flaws, therefore if you’re running the most recent Windows version with up-to-date patches, you ought to be perfectly secure.

The 2 vulnerabilities this update targets are generally elevation of privilege bugs, as itFirst of all, let’s see what CVE-2020-1530 is all about. Microsoft explains the flaw, which wasn’t publicly disclosed and isn’t currently being exploited within the wild, could be triggered when Windows Remote Access improperly handles memory, which is exactly what the patch does. It corrects the way the event transpires with ensure the flaw can’t be exploited.

Microsoft says whoever were able to make use of the bug can become in a position to gain elevated rights on the device.

“To exploit this vulnerability, an assailant would first need to gain execution on the victim system. An assailant could then operate a specially crafted application to raise privileges,” the company explains.

What’s important to know is this fact vulnerability also exists in other Windows versions, including Windows 10, however this time it’s been corrected with the cumulative updates that have recently been published by the company included in this month’s Patch Tuesday cycle.

In other words, just be sure that the device is fully patched to prevent any potential exploit.

Windows 7 can also be vulnerable, Microsoft has confirmed, but because we know already, this OS version is not getting any security patches since January this season. This means the bug will just remain unpatched unless your device has been configured to receive extended security updates, that are around with a fee from Microsoft.

The 2nd vulnerability, which is documented in CVE-2020-1537, is definitely an elevation of privilege that can be exploited because of how Windows Remote Access handles file operations.

“To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would first need code execution on a victim system. An assailant could then run a specially crafted application,” Microsoft says.

Once more, the organization explains the bug hasn’t been publicly disclosed, and it’s not becoming exploited by malicious actors. This is actually the great news.

Unhealthy news is the fact that all the other Windows versions are subjected too, and once again, these have previously received patches included in this month’s Update Tuesday on August 11. This shows precisely how important it is for the device to become fully up to date, so even if you’re on Windows 10, it’s time for you to install the most recent updates to make sure the computer remains safe and secure.

Once more, Windows 7 is one of the Windows os’s that are susceptible to attacks but given no security updates are actually released with this OS version, only devices enrolled in Microsoft’s ESU program are patched.

As far as Windows 8.1 users are concerned, they are recommended to set up the brand new update as soon as possible, regardless of the said vulnerabilities not exploited in the wild at this time. But given additional information have surfaced lately, unpatched products are now subjected to more risks, so keeping all PCs within the fleet up to date is the greatest approach to take right now.

2020.08

How to locate Windows 10 Serial Number – License Key

If you lost your Windows 10 product key, use one of the methods shown in this post to find Windows 10 serial number or license key.

When you want to reinstall Windows 10 in order to get tech support team from OEMs, you should know the pc serial number. Generally, if you bought a desktop or laptop from OEMs like Dell, HP, etc, you will find it on a sticker on the machine itself. However, that may not be for other machines. In those cases, you need a different strategy for finding Windows 10 serial key. The issue is, Windows 10 doesn’t display the serial key directly for security reasons. Rather, it shows the merchandise key which is totally different from the license key.

Fortunately, there’s always a means. If needed, play one of the below methods to quickly find the serial number of a Windows computer.

Important Note: If you have upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to Windows 10 free of charge or if Windows 10 is activated while using digital license, you won’t have any license key. More specifically, you’ll have a generic Windows 10 serial number. It is because your Windows 10 machine is linked to your Microsoft account.

How to find Windows Serial Number from Command Prompt

With a single line command, you can find Windows 10 license type in the Command Prompt. Here’re the steps you need to follow.

Open the Start menu by pressing the “Windows Key” on your keyboard.
Type “Command Prompt” within the Start menu search bar.
Right-click on Command Prompt and choose the “Run as administrator” option.
After opening the Command Prompt window, execute the below command.
wmic bios get serialnumber
As soon while you execute the command, the Command Prompt window will show the serial number.
To copy the serial number, choose the serial key together with your mouse and right-click to copy it.
Once copied, you can paste it anywhere you would like.

That is all. It’s that easy to get Windows 10 serial number in Command Prompt.

How to find Windows License Key from PowerShell

PowerShell includes a dedicated command to obtain the serial key in Windows 10. Just execute the command and you will have the license key instantly. Fundamental essentials steps you should follow.

Press the Windows key to open the Start menu.
Type “PowerShell”, right-click onto it and selectas you execute the command, PowerShell can have the Windows 10 serial number.
Select the serial key and right-click to copy it to the clipboard.
Once copied, you can paste it anywhere you want.

That’s all. As you can tell, just as with Command Prompt, PowerShell supplies a simple command to obtain the Windows 10 license key.

How you can Export Serial Number to Text File

You are able to export the Windows 10 serial number to a text file in the Command Prompt. Here’s how.

Open the Command Prompt as admin.
After opening the command window, execute the below command.
wmic bios get SerialNumber > C:\Win10SerialNumber.txt
The above will save the serial number is a text file called “Win10SerialNumber.txt” in the cause of the C drive.
If you need to, you are able to alter the file name and destination by modifying the 2nd part of the command.

That’s all.

2020.08

How Microsoft Claims It Improves the Windows Update “Discoverability”

Killing from the classic Windows experience and moving everybody to the modern approach that’s available in Windows 10 belongs to a long-term Microsoft strategy, and this also includes retiring the standard User interface and replacing it with the Settings app.

Even though everything is really a operate in progress, the Redmond-based software giant has announced a big change that many may not like.

Once we reported last week, Microsoft is killing off a vital Device Manager feature, essentially no longer allowing users to turn to this screen to look for new drivers online.

While I personally never found this selection truly useful, due to the fact every time it just didn’t find a new driver in my computers, this is a change that lots of may not like, especially if they’re coming from Windows 7.

A primary reason Windows 7 users delay the switch to Windows 10 may be the modern experience it provides, and changes like the ones happening in Device Manager have feel lost on the desktop. Windows 7 no more receives security updates since January this year, so moving to Windows 10 has become a recommended move for everyone still running this year’s operating system.

And while some don’t like the online driver update feature disappearing from Device Manager, Microsoft states that this change is really “improving the update discoverability experience.” And it’s all happening based on feedback, the organization says.

“Based in your feedback, it’s now simpler for you to find out available Windows 10 feature updates, monthly non-security quality updates, and driver updates,” the organization announced recently.

“Beginning using the August 2020 security update for Windows 10, when optional updates are detected by your device, they will be displayed on a brand new page under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates. That means you don’t need to make use of Device Manager to search for updated drivers for particular devices.”

So technically, beginning with this recent change, if you want to look for drivers on the Windows 10 update, the only way to do it comes from Windows Update.

Personally, I think this can be a welcome change, as everything associated with updates just needs to be moved to the Windows Update screen, albeit grouping driver updates under optional updates might be confusing for many. Microsoft should create more straightforward choices for the updates that the PC receives, especially now that Windows Update becomes the one place where new versions of everything obtainable.

So while the change could in the end be considered a part of the best direction, additional polishing is still required for the Average Joe who may have a hard time figuring out which approach to take after installing Windows 10. For instance, an easy option called “Driver updates” in Windows Update could help a lot, although, at some level, it might result in the UI more cluttered overall.

Microsoft says that users could depend on Windows Update for updates, including for new drivers.

“Windows Update will, of course, still automatically keep the drivers updated, but installing optional drivers might help if you’re experiencing a problem. We look forward to your feedback about this enhancement to the update experience, and to providing you with continued improvements that enhance your experience with Windows 10 overall,” it says.

Whether it is one thing that users would eventually love remains to be seen, but it’s pretty clear that eventually the classic Windows experience would just go away to make room for its modern replacement.

2020.08

How to Fix Windows Defender Mistakenly Flagging Citrix Files as Malicious

Windows Defender is the built-in antivirus protection that comes with Windows 10, and as recent security tests show, it offers malware detection and removal performance that’s a minimum of using the certainly one of third parties.

Obviously, these massive improvements have convinced many individuals that it’s time to abandon other security software and merely stick to Windows Defender, especially because it’s the native solution bundled with the OS.

However, many of these running Windows Defender and Citrix apps have recently encounter an issue that results in some files mistakenly being flagged as malicious.

Specifically, a Windows Defender definition update which was shipped earlier this week caused the Windows 10 antivirus to incorrectly detect a number of Citrix services as dangerous after which quarantine them.

“Citrix understands a possible issue impacting the Citrix Broker and Citrix HighAvailability services around the Delivery Controllers and Citrix Cloud Connectors respectively with Microsoft Defender installed,” Citrix said within an advisory published on August 13.

The simplest way to find out if you were affected or otherwise would be to look into the Services console, because the Citrix Broker service would no longer be listed if Windows Defender blocked it. Furthermore, BrokerService.exe should be taken off the program’s installation folder because the file itself continues to be quarantined by Windows Defender.

There are many methods to fix everything, and what you should know prior to starting the repair is the fact that Microsoft has shipped a new virus definition update that brings things back to normal. In other words, you must be running definition package version 1.321.1341.0, and Citrix recommends users to just force an antivirus update to ensure they are running the most recent virus definitions.

To get this done, run the next commands in a command prompt window with administrator rights:

cd %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender
MpCmdRun.exe -removedefinitions -dynamicsignatures
MpCmdRun.exe -SignatureUpdate

You will find basically three workarounds for the bug, as explained by the parent company:

Restore the quarantined files and restart the service
Repair the broken Citrix installation utilizing an ISO image
Download Windows Defender and add Citrix exclusions

From these options, the first one is obviously the main one that’s the easiest to use, as restoring personal files that’s been quarantined mistakenly is something that doesn’t take more than a few seconds.

To see what files happen to be quarantined on your device, take this road:
Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Protection history > Quarantined items > Select file > Restore
When you do this, you have to also resume the Citrix services after which add exclusions to ensure everything is working properly. Eventually, just reboot the Citrix Delivery Controller and there you go, things are once ready to go.

Windows Defender has evolved to become full security hub in Windows 10, therefore it now packs not just the primary antivirus engine, but additionally a series of other security features, like parental controls and system health information.

So far as the antivirus is concerned, it comes with the typical feature package that you could find today within an advanced security product, including not only cloud analysis but additionally real-time protection and multiple scanning modes which help you detect threats in the locally-stored files.

Windows Defender is enabled by default on all devices where Windows 10 is installed, which is automatically disabled when third-party protection is deployed. If the third-party product is removed, however, Windows Defender is then re-enabled to ensure your device is always secure.

2020.08

How to Hide or Remove Search Bar in Windows 10

If the taskbar search bar is taking up too much space, stick to the steps the following to completely hide or remove search bar in Windows 10.

Microsoft did a significant redesign for the Start menu and also the taskbar in Windows 10. One of the major things is the availability of looking bar on the taskbar. The idea behind the big search box is it makes searching for things easy. With respect to the wallpaper and other settings, looking bar also looks nice.

Just like it is, the default search bar occupies too much space. If you have limited screen space, removing the search bar can provide you with more taskbar space for doing things without scrollbars. Also, most people make use of the Start menu to search for applications and files anyway. If so, the search bar is just a useless space-hogging widget on the taskbar. Personally, I love to take away the search bar in the taskbar just to have room in my pinned applications and taskbar widgets.

No matter the reason, if you don’t want to see looking bar around the taskbar, here the steps you should follow to remove looking bar in Windows 10.

1. Completely Remove Search Bar Windows 10

To hide or completely take away the search bar, we must the taskbar options. Stick to the steps below to know how to get it done.

Right-click around the taskbar.
Go to the "Search" option.
Select the "Hidden" option.

That is all. Once you choose the Hidden option, looking bar is going to be removed from the taskbar in Windows 10. AKA, the search bar is hidden from plain sight.

You may still search for files and applications from the beginning menu. Just press the Windows Key to open the beginning menu and begin typing to search for things.

2. Make Taskbar Search Bar Small

If you don’t want to remove the search engine completely, you may make it small , show only the search icon. This way, you’ll have the best of both worlds.

On the taskbar, right-click.
Select "Search → Show search icon".
This will replace the search bar with a search icon.

That is all. Once you choose the search icon option, Windows can have the search icon rather than the search bar. To search for something, click the search icon and begin typing. Obviously, like always, you can also search directly from the beginning menu.

3. Restore or Show Search Bar

If you want looking bar and want to restore it, you may make the taskbar show the search bar in Windows 10. Here’s how.

Right-click on the taskbar.
Select "Search → Show search box".
This action will restore the search box around the taskbar.

From now on, you can see the entire search bar around the taskbar. Like before, you can search directly by typing in it.

2020.08

Microsoft Announces a Post-Update Windows 10 Experience

Microsoft just announced a brand new post-update Windows 10 experience, because the company wants users to be provided with more information on what’s being changed inside a feature update.

More specifically, the software giant states that people who use a feature update will then be offered with a new first-run experience run by the Tips app and whose purpose would be to provide a closer look at the additional features that become available following a update.

The new post-update experience is included in Windows 10 build 20190, which is currently shipped to Windows Insiders in the Dev channel.

Microsoft hasn’t yet provided an ETA as to if this may go love production devices, but there’s an opportunity it might be part of Windows 10 version 20H2 when it ships later this fall.
No release date just yet

“We know that it doesn’t always feel clear what changed having a major update, or perhaps how you can learn about and check out out additional features and enhancements. This means that updates can seem to be time consuming without real help to you, and that we want to change that,” Microsoft says.

“We’re introducing a brand new first run experience through the Tips app that highlights the most exciting changes on your PC after a major Windows 10 feature update is installed. After installing this build, Insiders will see the guidelines app is launched highlight probably the most recent additional features in the latest Insider Preview builds in the Dev Channel.”

At this point, the brand new experience is just available for certain regions, like the UK and the US, and users can manually enable it from the Settings app.

Certainly, this is a welcome update, especially in the case of major releases such as the May 2020 Update. However, beginning with 2021, there’s an opportunity Microsoft switches to a one of the things update per year schedule, with your releases to happen in the fall.