If you use windows live mail and have a Microsoft-hosted email – Not for much longer

Microsoft says users who access their Outlook.com addresses with Windows Live Mail 2012 will soon be cut off from sending and receiving mail

Microsoft says that the support termination is due to planned updates to the outlook.com service itself that won’t be compatible with the aging mail client.

“The Windows Live 2012 email application does not support the modern synchronization technologies used by the new Outlook.com, so once your account is upgraded to the new Outlook.com, you will no longer be able to send or receive Outlook.com email from Windows Live Mail 2012,” Microsoft explained.

In the coming weeks, it is advised that users running Live Mail 2012 find another client for their mailboxes. Microsoft recommends updating to the Mail app for Windows 8.1 or 10, getting an Outlook 2016 account via Office 365, or simply switching over to the outlook.com browser client

If you are still using Windows Live Mail for some reason, Microsoft will not start your Outlook.com upgrade until June 30, 2016, so you have some time to plan for the change.

The good news is that this does not, however, mean that Windows Live Mail 2012 itself is being killed. Microsoft notes that the client will continue to work as normal with accounts not hosted on outlook.com, such as Gmail and Yahoo Mail addresses.

Windows 10 upgrade not wanted to go back you have 28 days to do so

If you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 by mistake all is not lost

You have 28 Days to go back

To do so:

Start menu / Settings / Update and Security / Recovery

You’ll have an option for 28 days to go back

Windows 10 is pretty good and once its tweaked a little I see no reason to not use it

But upgrading to it is not always the right option

So many things can go wrong

So is it worth the risk

My answer is no

If it aint broke don’t fix it

Its a free upgrade and if it works and all goes to plan well yes it is free

But if it doesn’t work for you and you miss the 28 day time limit to go back easily

Well guess what it is isn’t free any more

Plus lots of software require you to update to the latest versions

Many are not free to do so

So it can be a costly upgrade

MYOB is one for starters

Microsoft are offering this information to stop the update

This software also seems to do the job for you

They have a user guide here

I’m testing it out now

Use with caution

If unsure on any of the issues raised in this blog please drop me an email or ring me for honest advice

Beware of Scams

I’ve had a lot of jobs recently due to scam emails infecting computers and laptop due to this threat

‘Locky’ ransomware scam hits tens of thousands of Australian computers

Please beware of any links in emails

If in doubt don’t open them

Never give out passwords over the phone or in an email

Always question why they need this information

Don’t forget they’re good at what they do and will sound very convincing

Hang up is the simple solution

Aus post scams:

There’s a variety of ways online attackers may attempt to gain your personal or financial information, or exploit you for financial gain.

Please be aware that Australia Post will never:

• Ask you to click on an email link to print off a label to redeem your package
• Email or call you to ask for personal or financial information including password, credit card details or account information
• Send you an email asking you to click on an attachment
• Email you to reconfirm your physical mailing address by clicking on a link
• Call or email you out of the blue to request payment

If you receive any suspicious emails, please:

• Delete them immediately
• Do not click on any links or attachments

How to protect yourself

The tips below can help to protect your personal and financial security from fraud and scams.

Emails

• Do not open suspicious or unsolicited emails – delete them straight away.
• Do not click on any links in a suspicious email, or open any attached files.
• Don’t rush in. Resist the urge to “act now” despite the tempting offer. Once you turn over your money, it’s unlikely you’ll see it (or the product or service you’ve paid for) again.
• Be careful when clicking unsubscribe on an email. Spammers may use the ‘unsubscribe’ button to validate your email address, resulting in even more spam.
• Never pay for a “free” gift. If you receive an offer asking you to pay for a free gift or prize, put it in the trash – “free” means free.
• Use up to date and comprehensive antivirus software.

Mail

• Secure your mailbox with a lock and make sure your mail is regularly collected.
• Shred or destroy personal and financial mail before you throw it away.
• When going away on holidays, arrange for someone to clear your letterbox or arrange a mail hold. (For added security, we recommend the use of a private post office box.)
• If you’re moving home, advise your bank and other important organisations immediately and organise a mail redirection to make sure letters still find you at your new address.
• If you suspect your mail is being stolen or a mail redirection application has been made without your permission, contact Australia Post immediately.

Personal details

• Never enter personal, credit card or bank account details on a website if you’re not certain it is genuine. Always check the website address as scammers create URLs that look remarkably similar.
• Never send your personal, credit card or bank account details through an email.
• Keep your passwords and PINs safe and don’t share them with anyone.
• Check your credit card and/or bank statements regularly for suspicious transactions.
• If you accidentally provide account or banking details to someone suspicious, you should contact your bank or financial institution immediately.

Phone calls

• If you are in doubt about the authenticity of a call, don’t commit to anything. Instead, hang up and call the company directly. Never use contact details provided by the caller – find the number through their website or the White Pages.
• If a bank or any other organisation phones you, don’t provide your personal details or any account or credit card numbers. Instead ask for their name and a contact number. Check with the organisation in question before calling back.

Financial

• Only send money to people you know and trust.
• If money has been transferred into your bank account from an unknown source with instructions to send it overseas, call your bank immediately. It’s possible this money has been stolen from another bank account.
• If you receive a request via email from a friend or family member who says they’re stranded while on holiday and need you to transfer money to them, call or contact them to verify the request is genuine.
• Shred all documents containing personal information, such as credit card applications and bank statements.

If something sounds too good to be true

It most likely is

Please be careful

If in doubt ask someone you know or contact me

I’m happy to offer advice and keep you safe on the internet

howard@home-computing.com.au or 0457585540

270 million active Windows 10 devices

Build 2016 – Windows 10 Anniversary Update brings New Experiences

In the eight months since launch, Windows 10 is off to the fastest start in Windows history, with over 270 million active devices, outpacing Windows 7 in the same timeframe by 145%. People are spending more time on Windows than ever before – over 75 billion hours – with the highest customer satisfaction of any version of Windows. We are on track to reach our ambitious goal of one billion Windows 10 devices in the next few years. We welcome everyone to Windows 10, whether you have a new PC, a five-year-old PC, or a brand new Mac – we are building the most secure, productive, and fun platform for you.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update coming to PCs, tablets, phones, Xbox One, Microsoft HoloLens and IOT

Today we announced that we will be releasing the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer, for free, to all Windows 10 customers.

Key innovations include:

1. Windows Hello Brings Biometric Security to Apps and Microsoft Edge

Windows Hello enables you to easily sign into your device with enterprise-grade security. Yet, studies show over 80% of people use the same password across multiple web sites, managing around 20-30 different accounts requiring passwords. So with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update we’ve made it possible for you to use the same easy, yet strong, security of Windows Hello* with Windows apps and Microsoft Edge, the first and only browser to natively support biometrics, with supporting sites.

2. Windows Ink Brings the Power of Windows to the Tip of Your Pen

More than 70% of us spend more than one hour a day using a pen. We lose notes in our notebooks, take pictures of whiteboards, and can’t do equations or music composition with a keyboard. Windows Ink is an all-new experience, putting the power of Windows in the tip of your pen, enabling you to write on your device as you do on paper, creating sticky notes, drawing on a whiteboard, and easily sharing your analog thoughts in the digital world. Windows Ink is integrated into apps like Maps, Microsoft Edge, and Office. And today, we demonstrated how developers can incorporate Windows Ink into their apps with as little as 2 lines of code!

3. Cortana, Now More Helpful than Ever, with over 1,000 apps

Windows 10 is the best place to have a conversation with Cortana, with nearly 1,000 Cortana-enabled apps already available. Today, we’re launching a new Cortana Collection in the Windows Store to make it easy for you to find great apps with Cortana. And in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, Cortana** has learned how to proactively make suggestions for you through-out your day, like offering to buy you lunch or arrange transportation. Cortana will be available above the lock screen, giving you quicker access to your personal assistant for common tasks across all types of devices without unlocking your PC. And only Cortana works across your devices – you can complete certain notification-based tasks on your Windows or Android phone, such as receiving and sending text messages, on your PC. Developers now have full access to Cortana’s proactive intelligence through proactive actions, allowing your apps to perform tasks based on user context by linking existing actions in your deep-link enabled apps and websites.

4. UWP apps come to Xbox through a Unified Windows Store and every Xbox One can become a dev kit

Gaming gets better with the Windows 10 Anniversary update, including background music and Cortana coming to Xbox One. Cortana can become your personal gaming assistant and help you find great new games, new challenges or tips and tricks. On Windows 10, we’re continuing to deliver on top fan-requested features like support for multiple GPUs and the ability to turn off v-sync. Game developers have access to a fully open ecosystem with the Universal Windows Platform, making it easy to bring the games people love to both Xbox One and other Windows 10 devices. With the Anniversary Update, any Xbox One can be a developer kit with Xbox Dev Mode, enabling anyone to develop for the living room. And, the Windows Store will offer a unified store experience for all developers, creating new opportunities to reach millions of new customers.

Easter – Hours as usual

Happy Easter all

I’ll be available all over the Easter break

Please get in touch if you need help

New Build PC – Smaller Case

I was asked to build a PC but in a smaller case to save on space so here is my New Build PC – Smaller Case

This is what I came up with   

Very easy to operate & 2 x USB 3 ports on the side which are a bonus

  New Build PC – Smaller Case

I never liked the shop bought ones because of the lack of good cooling

This one has plenty of space for adding parts but also great cooling

It runs very quietly with the 2 stock case fans

I added a 500W Thermaltake PSUNew

It has plenty of space for hard drives and it’ll even take a full size graphics card

I sell Computers and Laptops and also offer a New Computer Setup service to transfer your data, programs and emails. I can recover data via Data Recovery. I provide Virus Removal and PC Health Checks. All Networks Setup including wireless, ethernet or a mix of both. I keep a various mix of supplies and Parts in stock so no waiting.

Offering a 7 days service

Christmas and New Year Opening Hours

Christmas and New Year Opening Hours

Being self employed and running any business by yourself as its ups and downs

But customers come first in any business

But I will always try and keep my family and my customers happy

So if you have a problem over the holidays please do email or ring me and I’ll do my best to help as soon as is possible

So don’t be stressed out this Christmas with a computer problemContact Howard from Home-Computing

Happy Christmas to All

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2016

I’d like to take this time to wish all my customers past, present and future

A wonderful Christmas and a very Prosperous 2016

I will be working as usual to keep my customers computers working over the holiday period

Please get in touch as I can’t help if you don’t contact me

Unfortunately Computers don’t know it’s Christmas

I’m sure they’ll be lots of new viruses and scams out so be aware

If unsure about an email, a phone call please contact me for advice

If it sounds to be too good to be true it probably is