August Windows 10 Refresh Giving You Problems?

There was a major, almost-new-level-of-Windows update around August 16, 2016.  I have had two cases, including my own, where the install didn't work as usual.  I had to restart my computer twice before the install took.  Others have a number of system parameters reset to default, which sometimes makes their setups unusable (eg, laptop no longer stays alive forever, but reverts to sleep mode after the default amount of time, or laptop goes to sleep when the lid is closed).  Use the comment field below if you experience any problems.  Thanks

Is There Going to be a Monthly Charge for Windows in the Future?

The answer, as you might have guessed, is "yes and no" and "eventually."  For details, read http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2016/07/14/microsoft-confirms-windows-10-new-monthly-charge/#47f7d98fdfab.  For those who don't want to click on the link, copy and paste the address in your browser bar.  Be careful during the copy, because you might click close enough to the link part that it will go ahead and go to the link anyway.

Two "Must Have" Anti-Ransomware Tools

Ransomware is a program or web page that seems to take control of your computer, demanding money to release that control.  Or, as a variant, it holds your screen hostage and warns that you computer is infected or must have an immediate update, then gives a phone number to call to fix the problem.  I've talked about specific instances in other entries on this blog.

The Trend Micro company has two free programs you can use to defeat the ransomware.  They are:

• A program for ransomware that locks your computer:  https://esupport.trendmicro.com/en-us/home/pages/technical-support/1105975.aspx
• A program for ransomware that encrypts your files:  https://esupport.trendmicro.com/en-us/home/pages/technical-support/1114221.aspx