Monthly Archives: November 2019

Why Is the First 2020 Windows 10 Update Called “2004”?

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Since Windows has migrated from the original concept to Windows like a Service, Microsoft’s desktop operating system is always a work-in-progress, and also the feature updates that the company releases each year come to add new capabilities and enhance the existing ones.

According to Microsoft’s release calendar, there’s two different feature updates which are pushed to Windows 10 each year. The first one typically comes to the spring, while the other one gets the go-ahead in the fall. Like a summary fundamental essentials expected release dates for Windows 10 feature update, according to Microsoft’s schedule:

Spring feature update: finalized in March or April, shipped in April or May

Fall feature: finalized in September or October, shipped in October or November

Windows 10 uses version numbers which are direct indicators of the dates mentioned previously. The version number typically consists of 4 digits, the first a couple of which represent the year once the update was created, while the other two indicate the month when it was finalized. Consequently:

Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 Update): finalized in September 2018

Windows 10 version 1903 (May 2019 Update): finalized in March 2019

Windows 10 version 1909 (November 2019 Update): finalized in September 2019

As you can tell, the product name indicates another date than the version number, only because this the first is supposed to point to the date when each feature update was launched.

For consumers, understanding the version number doesn’t necessarily help, albeit this might prove useful when requesting assistance for coping with specific bugs or trying to download updates manually (from other sources than Windows Update).

At this time, Microsoft is believed to be giving the finishing touches towards the first feature update of 2020. And of course, based on the information mentioned previously, it’s pretty clear this doesn’t align with the original schedule, and it’s all because Microsoft is attempting a different approach that would help it to buy more time for pre-launch testing. Codenamed Windows 10 20H1, this update is projected to be finalized in December after which released in April or May based on the previous calendar.

But at the same time, Microsoft is also embracing another version numbering with Windows 10 20H1 to be called version 2004. As a summary:

Spring feature update (2020): finalized in December, shipped in April or May

Windows 10 version 2004: finalized (RTM) in December

Although this approach may not make sense to many, there’s another bit that’s confusing for many users. Why isn’t Microsoft staying with the initial naming system and calling this release version 2003?

It’s all because Windows Server 2003.

Microsoft believes that launching Windows 10 20H1 as Windows 10 version 2003 could create more confusion when talking about Windows Server 2003, therefore the company just increased the version number by one digit to call it 2004.

However, it has nothing to use the month when the update was finalized, as indicated above. A more accurate version number that would include the completion date for Windows 10 20H1 would really be version 1912 (when the update is indeed finalized in December), but Microsoft wants to stick with a two-updates-per-year approach that makes more sense for Windows 10 moving forward.

When examining all these numbers, all the reasoning behind Windows 10 version numbers is getting pretty confusing, and this is why I asserted for consumers, using the product names is only the easier approach to take.

Microsoft hasn’t yet announced the official name from the first Windows 10 feature update due in 2020.

Microsoft Releases Windows 10 Version 2004 Preview Build 19033

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Microsoft has released Windows 10 preview build 19033, but this time it’s targeted at both Fast and also the Slow rings in the Insider program.

Although some think that it is really an indication that we’re getting nearer to the RTM build, Microsoft says that not even removing the watermark in the desktop is a confirmation this update is “done.”

Actually, Microsoft will continue to ship preview builds within the coming weeks, even though the RTM is definitely likely to be signed off at some stage in December.

Shipped as part of the Windows 10 20H1 channel, this new build lands as version 2004, that is a tiny bit surprising given that Microsoft was originally projected to ship the feature update as version 2003.

No additional features

Windows 10 versions really are a direct indicator from the date when each feature update was finalized – when it comes to Windows 10 version 1909, for instance, the very first two digits are a symbol of the year and the other two represent the month when the update was complete; in other words, Windows 10 version 1909 was finalized in September 2019.

According to Microsoft’s release schedule, there are two feature updates that come out every year, one out of the spring and the other one in the autumn. The spring update is typically finalized in March, so its version number ends in 03 (e.g. Windows 10 version 1803, Windows 10 version 1903), as the fall update utilizes a 09 ending (e.g. Windows 10 version 1709, Windows 10 version 1809, Windows 10 version 1909).

This time around, however, Microsoft says it picked version 2004 for this update to “eliminate confusion with any past product names, for example Windows Server 2003.”

Unsurprisingly, considering that we’re near to the RTM sign-off date, there aren’t any additional features within this build, but only bug fixes and performance improvements, and you can check out the full changelog in the box after the jump.

How’s Windows 10 Version 1909 To date?

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Microsoft released Windows 10 version 1909, or Windows 10 November 2019 Update, earlier this month, and most seekers can download it right away from Windows Update.

Seekers are users who manually check for updates in Windows Update, although it’s important to know that update availability also depends upon the potential compatibility holds put in place by Microsoft.

Quite simply, if Microsoft discovered a possible problem that might affect your device, the update doesn’t show up in Windows Update, and also you have to watch for this problem to become resolved or repair it by yourself just in case it concerns outdated drivers or other software like antivirus programs.

Windows 10 version 1909 isn’t the most feature-packed release, but on the other hand, it does come with a number of improvements that make it worth installing. This really is one of the reasons so many users rushed to install it, even though no major additional features are included.

For example, probably the most notable changes concerns searching in Windows 10, with the built-in search feature offered in File Explorer generating previews as you type.

However, not everything appears to be working correctly in Windows 10 version 1909. You will find users already complaining about bugs wearing down certain features, including the search option described above. The search feature seems to be breaking down File Explorer completely, with a few claiming the app crashes every time they make an effort to search for files.

On my small devices, however, Windows 10 version 1909 appears to be working quite smoothly, without any issues whatsoever. What’s more, this update seems to have corrected a few of the problems that I encountered in Windows 10 version 1903 (May 2019 Update), including the taskbar icons going missing completely all of a sudden.

So initially, the knowledge with Windows 10 version 1909 is quite mixed, and while some criticize Microsoft for delivering an element update that accompany so many bugs, others notice a completely flawless update.

For the time being, however, it’s important to remember that Windows 10 version 1909 continues to be a part of a gradual rollout, meaning not everyone can download it right away. Of course, there are methods to bypass compatibility blocks, such as the Media Creation Oral appliance the Windows 10 ISO images, but Microsoft recommends from this because of the chance of problems after the update is installed.

The rollout of Windows 10 version 1909 continues, and more devices are supposed to have it soon, but the event depends upon a number of factors, including how fast Microsoft and it is partners resolve the found issues ¡§C some of the problems in Windows 10 do not really exist at operating-system level and therefore are more closely associated with drivers and other OS components.

Microsoft has already been dealing with partners to enhance compatibility for Windows 10 version 1909, and expect more news in connection with this in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Windows 10 November 2019 Update is still in its beginning, but because said earlier, preliminary data shows mixed opinions on devices where this selection update had been installed. It remains seen how everything improves in the coming weeks and months though, especially because the number of problems discovered could increase as more devices receive it.

And this is why I’m asking, the users who already installed Windows 10 version 1909 on their devices. How is your experience to date? Is it worth it? And if yes, would you recommend others to set up it as well or sticking with Windows 10 version 1903 is the better approach to take?

How to Put Microsoft Office into Touch-Friendly Mode

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The standard interface in Microsoft Office can be challenging use if you like tapping your touch-screen laptop or tablet instead of using a mouse. The buttons and menu merchandise is not big enough and close together to accurately target with a finger. Thankfully, Office enables you to switch to a far more spacious interface designed only for touch. Here’s how to enable touch mode in Office 2016 and Office 2013.

1. Click Customize Quick Access Toolbar. It is the down-arrow icon towards the top of Office program’s window.

2. Click Touch/Mouse Mode.

After carrying this out, the ribbon will immediately obtain a bit bigger and roomier, with larger sized menu icons and options. To change between touch and mouse mode, click on the touch icon within the Quick Access Toolbar at the very top.

That’s it! You need to find tapping a minimum of a little easier in Microsoft Office now.

Latest Windows 10 Vibranium Build Constitutes a Key Change Ahead of Public Launch

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Microsoft has released a brand new preview build of Windows 10 20H1, that is internally codenamed Vibranium, to users in the Fast ring.

And while there are no additional features in this build, the biggest change takes place on the desktop, where the preview build watermark is nowhere to be seen.

Microsoft removing the desktop watermark is a clear sign that Windows 10 20H1 is approaching the ultimate development stage, using the RTM expected when December.

While you can browse the full changelog in the box following the jump, it is important is that Windows 10 20H1 still comes with a total of 5 different known issues, which all need to be resolved before Microsoft pushes the go-ahead button for production devices.

Known issues to become resolved

For instance, Microsoft says it’s conscious of an issue causing updates to hold for longer amounts of time when installing new builds, but also of the issue causing the Settings app to only launch through the URI. Moreover, some external USB 3.0 drives are not responding when they’re connected.

Windows 10 20H1 is projected to go reside in the spring of 2020, but it’s believed that Microsoft really wants to finalize its rise in December.

With the RTM signed off the following month, Microsoft would make use of the remaining time until March or April to help polish the experience with the update, something that should ensure enhanced reliability for all devices.

Windows 10 20H1 is feature-complete because the summer, which is the main reason no additional features are included in the builds going live these days.

You can try out Windows 10 20H1 in front of the RTM sign-off date by enrolling in the Windows Insider enter in the Fast or the Slow rings, each of which are being supplied with early builds of this feature update.

How to Use Word 2016’s Researcher Feature

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Certainly one of Word 2016‘s latest features, Researcher allows you to learn more for any school assignment, dissertation or other project without leaving your word processor. Students can certainly browse web-based articles in a small pane that sits right of the documents, highlight text they wish to use in their projects, and insert it along with the appropriate citation style (MLA, APA, etc).

Available to Office Insiders at this time and all sorts of Office 365 users in the near future, Researcher can be handy, but it includes a handful of caveats. First, if you use the “cite” function to insert an immediate quote from the source, the tool doesn’t put speech marks round the text, that is absolutely necessary to avoid plagiarism. So make sure to add those manually. Second, the tool gives high priority to results from Wikipedia, which many teachers don’t consider a valid source for serious research.

Here’s how to use Word 2016 Researcher:

1. Click on the References tab in Word.

2. Select a citation style from the style menu. Based on what school or organization you’re employed for, you will need to pick MLA, APA, Chicago Style or another type out there.

3. Click Bibliography and select one of the choices (Bibliography, References or Works Cited).

A header can look inside your document.

4. Click on the Researcher button.

A brand new window pane opens.

5. Enter a question in the search box (ex: revolutionary war).

You will get a list of sub topics you can either enter as subheads inside your document (later on research) or open up to view individual articles.

6. Click the plus sign alongside topics to produce them as subheads.

You are able to further research these subtopics later if you want.

7. Double click a subtopic to find out more.

You will probably see an introduction to the subtopic and you can click on the “Research” tab to see more articles.

8. Open articles to read it.

9. Highlight text you wish to insert in your article, right click and select “Add and Cite.”

The quote appears in your body copy and as a citation in your bibliography.

10. Add speech marks and an attribution to any text you’ve inserted word-for-word. Should you include a direct quote inside your paper without having to put quotation marks around it and crediting the author, that’s plagiarism.

How to Change Username and Profile Picture in Chromium Microsoft Edge

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Microsoft’s new Chromium-based browser is approaching the ultimate development stage, and the closer we get to this moment, the greater polished the knowledge with the current builds should really get.

Since it’s a browser produced by Microsoft, the new Microsoft Edge includes built-in Microsoft account support, which means users can make profiles that can then roam across devices.

Profiles are useful in a browser for a wide variety of reasons, including not just further personalization, but also synchronization. When you sign in to Microsoft Edge with an account, you can then have certain data automatically synced to other devices where the same account is used.

And given that Microsoft Edge is available cross platform, including on mobile, you should be able to take your data wherever you’re, in the office as well as on a tight schedule.

Going back to profiles, Microsoft provides users with a few rather basic customization options, even though more might be put in the coming updates, you can already rename a profile and change the used profile picture.

Carrying this out isn’t at all difficult, albeit it’s certainly not as straightforward you’d expect so that it is.

Just like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge automatically adds a person profile icon in the toolbar towards the top of the screen, and clicking it, even if not logged in, enables you to do stuff like manage profiles, add an account, and browse as guest.

On the other hand, you simply need a number of clicks to do this:

Microsoft Edge > Menu > Settings > Profiles > More actions > Edit

This straightforward UI enables you to not only rename your profile, but additionally choose a different picture in the ones that are pre-loaded by Microsoft. If you’re not logged along with a Microsoft account, you are able to only select from some Microsoft-designed profile pictures; however, if you do log in having a Microsoft account, the profile picture is the one that you configured inside your Microsoft account.

Microsoft Edge is really a work-in-progress, so additional settings in connection with this could be added in the approaching months prior to the go-ahead is offered towards the production version.

According to previous leaks, Microsoft Edge is projected to finish beta to stable in early 2020 before it might be the new default browser in Windows 10 20H1.

Microsoft’s typical feature update release calendar indicates that the following update for Windows 10 is due early in the year, most likely in April or May. Codenamed 20H1 and now available for users in the Fast ring, this update could be the one replacing the current version of Microsoft Edge with the Chromium sibling, albeit it’s important to realize that the overhauled browser may also be released on other platforms.

The migration to Chromium allows Microsoft to bring Edge with other operating systems too, so in addition to Windows 10, it will likewise launch on older Windows and on macOS. A Linux version of Edge will also launch.

The steps mentioned above are valid for those versions of Microsoft Edge regardless of operating-system, so that you can also follow these to replace the profile picture and rename the account on macOS, for example.

Similar choices are also available in the search engines Chrome, which obviously make sense given both browsers are powered by the Chromium engine. Google Chrome, however, comes with a different set of pre-loaded profile pictures, as Microsoft has created its own for Microsoft Edge. You can follow almost exactly the same steps to change the consumer name and also the profile picture in Google Chrome.

Windows 10 Cumulative Updates Blamed for Poor Surface Pro 7 Battery Life

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A few of the latest cumulative updates released by Microsoft for Windows 10 will be to blame for poor life of the battery experienced around the brand-new Surface Pro 7 that the software giant launched recently.

An increased number of customers who buy the Surface Pro 7 say they are disappointed with the battery life from the device, along with a discussion on Microsoft’s forums indicate that one or more cumulative updates shipped to Windows 10 may be the culprit.

Specifically, several users claim that after removing updates KB4522355, KB4517389, KB4524100, and KB4522741 the battery life per charge of the top Pro 7 is a lot improved. However, others explain that the November cumulative updates have actually improved the battery performance.

Firmware updates refining performance

According to a study from MSPU, there are many complaints regarding the battery life from the Surface Pro 7 all over the WWW, including on reddit where some say they expected the new model do to better than its successor.

“I’m very close to send back mine over the life of the battery…. at this point I don’t determine if my unit is faulty or if battery is simply bad,” one user explains.

Others believe the battery struggles come from the hardware upgrade that happened at first glance Pro 7.

“It’s a mix of different power optimization profile with Icelake and also the instant on feature. drivers may not be fully optimized for icelake yet either… this really is like the SP4 again, lots of new stuff and changes in the previous system. a lot of it should work out over time,” one user explains.

Microsoft is yet to understand any battery issues hitting the Surface Pro 7, however the new firmware updates expected in the coming months should further refine the performance and possibly improve the life of the battery per charge.

Microsoft Really wants to Fix Windows 10 on ARM’s Biggest Problem by 2021

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Microsoft is betting big on Windows 10 on ARM within the long-term, but so far, this new platform has pretty much failed to make an impact because of several reasons.

Probably the most important is the insufficient 64-bit app compatibility, making a substantial quantity of potential customers stick with Intel for the time being.

But according to a report from Neowin, Microsoft really wants to resolve this setback by 2021, as the company is already focusing on 64-bit app emulation for Windows 10 on ARM, using the target of bringing it to production devices in the first 1 / 2 of 2021.

At this point, Windows 10 on ARM already features 32-bit app emulation, but this of course tackles just area of the problem that accompany a leg chip. But at the same time, additionally, it highlights a few of the things that Microsoft needs to take care of before bringing 64-bit app emulation to the market, also it all begins with app performance.

Performance struggles

Windows 10 on ARM is indeed in a position to run 32-bit apps, but however, there’s so much to improve when it comes to performance. Actually, this really is another reason why some people just don’t need to make the change to Windows 10 on ARM, and this in turns has caused little interest from device manufacturers.

Microsoft thus needs to make sure that 64-bit apps will run as smoothly as possible when the emulation system is ready, but this of course might be less of a headache two years from today thanks to the new chips that’ll be readied by the first half of 2021.

After the day, however, it’s pretty clear that Microsoft is fully dedicated to Windows 10 on ARM, and also the Surface Pro X running this platform is living proof. Using the right improvements from a software perspective, Windows 10 on ARM has got the opportunity to become a more serious contender within the PC market.

5 Microsoft Word 2013 Tricks and tips You Need to Know

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Give a column. Insert clip art. Track changes. Perform mail merge. Those are just a some of the classic tools available across the many generations of Microsoft Word. The world’s most popular document editor has been the document-editing standard for many years, but i am not saying it’s rusty or dusty. Microsoft Word 2013 has lots of tricks to spice up your docs — perhaps you’ll embed an online video right into a report, or replace hokey clip art with pictures out of your personal SkyDrive album. Here are five cool stuff you did not know you could do this with docs in Microsoft Word 2013.

Disable Smart Quotes

Automatically, Microsoft Word changes all of your single and double quotes into smart quotes (curly-style quotations), which can create problems when you try to copy and paste them into other programs or online forms.Here’s how to disable smart quotes in Microsoft Word 2013 or Word 2010.

Recover Documents in Word 2013

Word 2013 saves a brief copy of your unsaved work that you could recover in a matter of seconds. Just follow these easy steps to get exactly where you left off.

Edit PDFs

Microsoft makes it easier than ever to edit PDFs within the latest edition of Word. We offer step-by-step instructions for editing – and saving – PDFs from Word 2013.

Add Online Video to some Document

If you’ve added movies for your Word documents, you’re fortunate – Microsoft Word 2013 now lets you embed videos in your documents having a minimum of hassle. Adopt these measures to begin adding videos to your documents.

Add Pictures from SkyDrive to a Document

Microsoft Word 2013 now boasts integration with SkyDrive, meaning that you can snatch documents and pictures straight from the cloud. These instructions can help you get started adding pictures out of your SkyDrive account straight into your Word 2013 documents.