A Note About Windows 10 Upgrades

Clients in San Diego are constantly asking me about Windows 10 and the upgrade process on their Windows computers and laptops.  It's been out for a few months now and this is based on dozens of experiences with the upgrade process and the OS itself we have experienced out in the field, in the shop and on our own devices.

Windows 10 is lovely, when installed clean.  It's free until June 2016.  Clean meaning ALL settings and data is pulled off, backed up and reconfigured.  However, so far only about 85% of the upgrades go through successfully without a hitch and nearly 100% of the time an upgrade does not make the computer run better.  My own laptop when I upgraded from Win 8 to 10 and it worked, but not better.  I then later wiped it all out and did Windows 10 clean and it's great now!  But, that comes at a multi-hour cost.  My advice is this:  Windows 10 will not revolutionize anything you do, if you want it, great, we'll help you do it the proper, but more time-consuming way.  I'm on the fence as the owner of the company to nearly forbid anyone here to 'upgrade' existing computers without doing a fresh/clean install.  Once again, the odds of it being 'better' are low to none.  Sorry to jump around there, but Windows 10 should only be used on a new PC or if you are will to have your existing 2011 or newer PC wiped clean.  Either way, data, settings and config need to be backed up and restoration is required.  For some this is an hour, for others it's a few hours.  I hope that helps guide you!

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office
San Diego Computer Repair

Microsoft Windows Update KB3097877 breaks Outlook

We have calls pouring in around the San Diego area on users running Windows PC's using Outlook.  Seems as though a Windows Update released Tuesday 11-11-15 breaks Outlook.  Specifically, it looks like KB3097877 is the problem.  Here's a link.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/482486ba-a378-4dcd-bd21-08ae19760b93/crashes-since-111115-updates-in-both-outlook-2010-and-2013-when-viewing-html-emails?forum=officeitproprevious

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office
San Diego Computer Repair

Sony's Notifying Vaio Owners NOT to upgrade to Windows 10!

Here in our San Diego office, we have had quite a few people wanting to upgrade to Windows 10! We agree to do so, (with a little help from us) BUT  if you have a Sony Vaio, be aware. Apparently there is a substantial delay in releasing drivers for their products. It is model specific but this is straight from their website so check it out!



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Debra Fisher

Mobile Computer Wizard

619 255 1215 or 858 345 0382
deb@mobilecomputerwizard.com

San Diego Computer Repair

Differences between a Sync and a Backup

 A file/data sync is a process of ensuring that files in two or more locations are the same among different devices (via certain rules).

Some examples of syncing programs are Google Photos, Dropbox, and Google Drive.

***Please Note: Be careful while using syncing programs. When you delete from one location, it will delete in the other location, as well.***

Data backup is the physical copying of data files to a removable storage device or the cloud, that allows the data to be stored in another location. You can always access or restore these backups if need be (via certain rules).

Some examples of data backup programs are Mozy and Crashplan (our personal favorites) or Carbonite.

If you have any questions, feel free to call our San Diego office and we'd be happy to help!

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Debra Fisher

Mobile Computer Wizard

619 255 1215 or 858 345 0382
deb@mobilecomputerwizard.com

San Diego Computer Repair

Edge Browser Hijack Fixed

Here in our San Diego office, a few customers have run into this issue since the Windows 10 release. We are still doing some testing to see if there are other ways around clearing malware out of the Edge browser, but for now, this is the way to go! 

1) Close Microsoft Edge Browser

2) Navigate to the following directory

3) C:\Users\

<users>\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_xxxxxx\AC\MicrosoftEdge\User\Default\Recovery\Active

4) Delete everything on that directory

5) Open Microsoft Edge

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Debra Fisher

Mobile Computer Wizard

619 255 1215 or 858 345 0382
deb@mobilecomputerwizard.com

San Deigo Computer Repair

Microsoft Fixit for Office 2013 and 2016 Office Install Problems

We ran into a glitch with a PC running Windows 10 in the San Diego area installing Office.  The PC seemed to be stuck on install and this utility really helped!

https://support.office.com/en-ca/article/Fix-Office-365-Office-2016-or-Office-2013-install-errors-54554BB8-AA94-43C7-A685-408DD9868C0B?ui=en-US&rs=en-CA&ad=CA

Kurt Rein
MobileComputerWizard.com
858-345-0382 Office
San Diego Computer Repair

AT&T now offers LTE for Surface 3 tablets!

For those who may have missed this:

A few of our customers here in our San Diego shop, have asked if there was any way yet to use a Surface 3 tablet without a wifi! connection? Well, here's something to look into if you have AT&T! Much more convenient and you do need to rely only on wifi any longer! 


http://www.engadget.com/2015/07/21/surface-3-lte-for-att/

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Debra Fisher

Mobile Computer Wizard

619 255 1215 or 858 345 0382
deb@mobilecomputerwizard.com

San Diego Computer Repair