CompuClever Blog

Windows 8 Flavors – RT, Basic, and Pro

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Something new always brings an element of excitement thrown in with a bit of apprehension.  Windows 8 is now available and it comes in three flavors.  This article shines some light on the versions offered in an effort to make them a little more familiar.  The latest versions of Windows 8 are: RT, Windows 8 (Basic) and Windows 8 Pro.  Here is a little about each.

Windows 8 Versions (Credit: Microsoft Windows 8 Product Guide)

Windows RT

The “RT” stands for Runtime.  The first most important aspect anyone needs to know is that it is only available on tablets; in this case the thin and light PCs with extended battery life, designed for mobility, and are “touch enabled” (that is, they support touch screen functionality such as swipe, tap, pinch-and-stretch, and more).  As it is only available on tablets, this means it is not available as a separate download.  Instead, anyone interested will need to go to a retail store to try one out and test run the operating system.  The software that runs on Windows RT comes exclusively from the Windows App store.  It includes Windows Update to keep your system and apps up-to-date, and Windows Defender for virus and malware protection.

Features: Windows RT includes some different features than Windows 8 and some features that are not included. Read this official Windows RT FAQ for more information.

  • Windows Update and Windows Defender are always on and up to date.
  • Device encryption: advanced data protection to keep your information more secure.
  • The PC can turn on instantly with connected standby.
  • Microsoft Office Home & Student 2013 RT Preview with touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.

Features that are not include in Windows RT: Windows Media Player, Windows Media Center, HomeGroup creation (you can join an existing HomeGroup but you can’t create a new one), Remote Desktop, and Domain join.

One comfort for those who like to use peripherals… it is mouse and keyboard enabled.

Windows 8 (Basic)

Windows 8 is the basic edition of Windows – the standard edition.  This is targeted at the typically consumer and provides all of the basic new Windows 8 features.  This includes: the Start screen with semantic zoom, tiles, Windows Store, connected standby, Microsoft account integration, Internet Explorer 10, and the Windows desktop among others.

Terms explained:

  • Semantic zoom: touch-optimized technique used by Windows Store apps for presenting and navigating large sets of related data or content.
  • Tiles: numerous square tiles each of which is connected to a person, app, website, playlist, etc.  Tiles light up when there is new information available.
  • Windows Store:  The central repository and download centre for Microsoft applications.  It opened on October 25, 2012 with 7,873 applications.
  • Connected standby:  This is a power management feature similar to the way you use a mobile phone: when the screen is on, you have access to the full power and capabilities.  When the screen goes dark, the system is standby: a low-power mode designed to extend battery life.
  • Microsoft account integration:  this is a single web service that you can sign into which was developed by Microsoft to enable the ability to log into many websites with one account.
  • Windows desktop:  For those familiar with previous version of Microsoft, getting adjusted to the new Windows 8 Start screen will be an undertaking.  For some it will be comforting to know that the familiar Windows desktop is easily accessible as a tile on the Start screen.

Windows 8 Pro

Simply stated, the Pro version is for more advanced users that use their computer for both personal and business use.  First and foremost – you need to know that it includes all the Windows 8 standard features.  It also includes: Remote desktop connectivity, File system encryption, Hyper-V, Virtual Hard Disk booting, BitLocker, Group policy, and more.

Terms explained:

  • Remote desktop connectivity:  This involves the ability to access applications and data on a computer remotely through the use of a network connection.
  • File system encryption:  This technology involves having files transparently encrypted (encoded) to protect confidential data from attackers with access to the computer.
  • Hyper-V:  This relates to platform virtualization and is associated with Windows Server.  Microsoft states that these tools can assist organizations of all sizes to realize cost savings and operational efficiencies.
  • Virtual Hard Disk booting:  A file format which represents a virtual hard disk drive (HDD).  This enables the user to interact with a virtual representation of what is typically on a physical hard disk, partitions and a file system with files and folders.
  • BitLocker:  An encryption feature for the entire disk.
  • Group policy:  A feature from Windows NT.  It is designed to control the working environment of user accounts and computer accounts in a network.

The new Windows 8 platform is heralded as the most profound shift the Windows platform has ever seen.  Being familiar with the features and functionality of each of these editions is fundamental in making an informed decision that suits your needs.  We hope this blog article has shed some light and will help you to be In-The-Know on recent technologies.

Is an Upgrade to Windows 8 the Right Choice?

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Microsoft Windows has now released its next operating system – Windows 8.  There are many sophisticated functions and features.  In a nutshell, it is safe to say that this new operating system (OS) is a profound shift from previous versions.   In this article, we at CompuClever strive to best present some of the more technical aspects in ways that make sense in order to get a perspective and an insight that our readers can grasp without being washed out in a storm of nuances and complex technologies.  After this brief feature description, we will provide the observations that our experienced staff and technicians have noted when trying out the new OS for the first time.  Finally, we will provide our recommendation.

Windows 8 screenshot (Credit: Microsoft Windows 8 Product Guide)

Quick Facts:

Here are some of the notable features:

  • Windows RT.  The “RT” stands for Runtime.  This is one distinct version of the new OS that is available and designed for mobility so that it can run on thin and light PCs like the Microsoft Tablet PC – Surface.
  • Tiles.  The Start screen has numerous tiles each of which is connected to a person, app, website, playlist, etc.  Tiles light up when there is new information available.
  • Built-in Apps from the Windows Store.  Each of these has a particular function (Mail, Video, People, Messaging, Photos, etc.), and tie together common elements.  For example, with the Photos app you can see images from Facebook, Flickr, and all your stored images.
  • Touch screen technology.  If you have the monitor technology to support it, you can swipe, tap, pinch-and-stretch, click, and more, directly on your screen.
  • Sky-Drive.  With this feature your files can be stored on your hard drive and in the cloud.  You can access them regardless of location and from multiple PCs or from your phone device.

Windows 8 comes in three flavors, Windows RT, Windows 8 Basic, and Windows 8 Pro. Read this blog article to learn more about the three versions.

Our Observations

While there are some appealing features to the new OS, our software developers and PC support specialists came up with some observations based on their first experiences.

  1. Learning curve.  First off, you need to be mindful that unlike any other upgrades, there are several new features that will take some adjustment if not a bit of learning and training.  As a result, navigation can be a challenge.  Without touch screen capability you will have to find how to navigate the old fashioned way – mouse and keyboard.
  2. Tile interface.  Right from the start, you will notice that there is no start button.  This means getting used to navigating in a whole new way.  For those users who find Windows Explorer an essential tool for file management, this can be a challenge.
  3. Overall feeling of disorientation.  As a result of the drastic changes to the operating system, it is easy to feel disoriented when operating the new Windows 8 platform.  For instance, you need to know about the “Charms” bar in order to perform a search, alter settings (for Windows 8 and any app), share content across apps, configure external devices, and more.   You need to know how to make visible the control/settings bars when hidden.  You also need to explore how moving your mouse will reveal various features.  Move to the lower-left corner and your Start screen is revealed; upper-left corner for the most recently visited app, alongside the left edge to display your other most recently used apps.  You definitely need either a good map or a general nature of exploration to get yourself around and back again.

Our Recommendation:

Switching to a brand new operating system can be enticing – there are a lot of new toys to explore and play with.  Another motivation for upgrading may be that you are unsatisfied with the performance of your PC and present operating system.  If this is your reasoning, we strongly recommend that you take a different course of action.  In time, and through daily use, any computer system can get bogged down and cluttered.

So with this in mind we recommend the following: Optimize, Organize, and Wait.

  1. Optimize.  For the duration of time you use your current PC, keeping it running at optimal level is in your best interest.  By doing so you can make the right decision about whether to upgrade to Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro, or to buy a new PC down the road.  Use PC TuneUp Maestro’s Smart TuneUp feature to keep your PC optimized.
  2. Organize.  Whether you are doing a migration or upgrade, it will be to your great advantage to get your files and personal settings organized beforehand.  Uninstall programs that you rarely use, get rid of unwanted “junk” files to create more free disk space, and remove personal and security related information that could potentially expose your personal identity over the Internet.  You can easily achieve all of this with PC Clean Maestro.
  3. Wait.  When first launching a brand new OS with all the bells and whistles, there will be issues and difficulties that users face.  Microsoft will have to smooth out the bugs and maybe make enhancements along the way.

When you are ready… Microsoft will hopefully have all the kinks worked out for Windows 8 and you will have a smooth and efficient PC that meets your daily needs.

How to speed up your Internet connection

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Thanks to an increasing reliance on Internet to do everything from stream movies to facilitate Skype video calling, most of us wish we had a faster Internet connection.

In fact, as more and more people in our homes (such as teenagers!) are using more and more Internet-connected devices, including iPads and smartphones, and even Internet-connected televisions, we have to squeeze more speed out of home Internet connections that are often slowed down by bandwidth restrictions imposed by ISP’s.

Get faster Internet by upgrading hardware

Changing your ISP to get better Internet connection is usually not an option – most ISP’s have the same bandwidth restrictions, and they’re not interested in helping you get faster Internet. However, one way to get faster Internet is to upgrade your hardware – you can upgrade from ADSL to a cable broadband modem, for example.

You can also invest in a newer wireless router. If you’re experiencing slow internet speeds and you’re using a wireless home network to connect to the Internet, it’s also a good idea to see how many other wireless networks you are competing with.

Why?

The more wireless networks, the slower your Internet. A great tool to check out how many wireless networks are close by and potentially interfering with your wireless signal is inSSIDer.

A sluggish PC can also slow down Internet

But even if you manage speed up your Internet connection, it won’t make any difference if you have a sluggish or  ill-tuned PC – your computer itself will still prevent you from enjoying faster download times or seamless HD streaming.

In this case, you should look at tweaking your PC to squeeze as much Internet speed as it can out of your ISP.

3 steps for optimizing your PC and enjoying faster Internet

In order to optimize your PC and enjoy faster Internet, you need to look at three different areas:

1. System and Internet Settings

Take a look at the System and Internet Settings for your PC – there are ways to tune these settings to maximize both the system speed and the network speed.

As a shortcut to save time (and possibly save you from tweaking the wrong setting in your computer!), PC TuneUp Maestro provides tuning for both System and Internet Settings.

To adjust both settings and help speed up Internet, open the PC TuneUp Maestro, click Optimize, and Click System TuneUp to optimize your system settings and Internet TuneUp to optimize Internet and network settings.

2. TuneUp your hard drive by defragging it

“TuneUp” your hard drive by defragging it so that it reads and writes files much faster.

Defragmentation is a process that reduces the amount of fragmentation in file systems. It does this by physically organizing the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file close together and contiguously. The result is that your computer has optimal access to its files and programs, so your system and application response times are improved.

To defrag your hard drive, launch PC TuneUp Maestro, click Optimize and click Disk Defrag.

3. Optimize your web browser – reset Explorer to its factory state

Finally, you’ll need optimize the web browser itself if you want to enjoy faster Internet speeds.

Most of us tend to add a lot of toolbars, plugins and other addons to our browsers. Sometimes when we download a program these toolbars and plugins are added whether we like it or not.

Every single thing you add to your web browser slows down your Internet.

Luckily, if you are using Internet Explorer, PC TuneUp Maestro provides a fantastic feature to reset your Internet Explorer to its default factory clean and fast state.

To use this feature, open PC TuneUp Maestro, click Fix & Clean, choose Internet Explorer Repair, locate the entry labelled “Reset Internet Explorer” and and click the Reset button.

Enjoy faster internet without giving your ISP more money

While acquiring a faster Internet connection from your ISP may seem like a good idea, it really pays to take a look at your PC first to see if you can squeeze any more speed out of it before signing up for a new expensive plan.

Often there are Settings that can be adjusted, or ways to strip useless addons from your web browser to speed up your Internet. Defragging your hard disk can also provide some pleasantly surprising results.

So, rather than signing up for an expensive plan, learn more about your computer, and get some satisfaction optimizing it yourself and improve Internet speeds.

 

How to install Windows Update KB2712808

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Back in August, Microsoft issued an update for Windows 7 64-bit that many, many people all over the world had problems installing on their computers.

Windows Update KB2712808 was defined as a security patch for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems. Typically, Windows Automatic Updates will automatically check for, download, and install updates, usually at a set time each day (some people may schedule Windows updates for once a week).

However, KB2712808 quite often fails to install automatically using Windows Automatic Updates. And if KB2712808 does not install, no other Windows updates can install.

Failure to install KB2712808 results in a serious security risk

Because regular Windows updates are needed to patch your computer against always-evolving threats that appear daily, a failure to install KB2712808 will result in a serious security risk for your computer.

Manually installing KB2712808 often does not work

Generally speaking, if Automatic Updates don’t work, Microsoft recommends manually installing the update. You can do this by searching for it on the Internet, such as searching for the terms Windows Update KB2712808 manual download.

The first result is the update itself, Security Update for Windows 7 (KB2712808), hosted on the Microsoft site.

Genuinecheck.exe is no longer supported

However, manually downloading the KB2712808 update often does not work. Why? “Windows validation” is required when you try to download the KB2712808 update, and the actual download link for the windows activation tool (genuinecheck.exe) often provides this notice:

“Genuinecheck.exe is no longer supported. please download the newest version and ensure that your system clock is accurate”.

The simple solution: use the latest version of Internet Explorer

Although Microsoft doesn’t mention it, the reason why the Genuinecheck (the program that validates your version of Windows) often won’t work, is because it needs something called “ActiveX” to function. ActiveX was developed by Microsoft in the 1990’s to make it easier to run programs from webpages.

However, ActiveX has been shown to very easily transmit malware and viruses, so it has been effectively discarded as a web development tool. Other popular web browsers such as Firefox and Google Chrome do not rely on Active X.

However, Microsoft still relies on ActiveX on its company webpages, including the download page for KB2712808.

Chrome and Firefox cannot download Windows Updates

If you are using a web browser such as Firefox or Chrome to download and manually install Windows Updates, it won’t work. As Chrome and Firefox can’t handle ActiveX, the best thing to do is to use the most current (and safe) version of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer can be downloaded here. After that, download Security Update for Windows 7 (KB2712808), hosted on the Microsoft site, follow the prompts, and restart your computer.

Once you have successfully installed the KB2712808 update, you can use Windows Automatic Update again to automatically install everything else. Be warned, installing the backlog of Windows updates will take about 20 minutes.

 

Looking to speed up your computer? Be careful of these guys

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pecon software india crtcLooking to speed up your computer? Be careful of these guys!

As mentioned in a previous blog post about speeding up your computer, many people in North America have been receiving telephone calls (sometimes on a daily basis) from people advertising themselves as security experts.

Victims would get a call from someone claiming to be a computer repairman (and this person will most likely have a heavy accent). Once you pick up, there will be a slight pause as they connect you with a “technician”, who will then start asking you to run various system programs.

The end result is this company will fool you into downloading a computer program, and then making you pay for it.

The bright side? This company has been fined in Canada for violating something called the “Do Not Call List”.

In Canada, anyone can ask their telephone provider to be placed on a “Do Not Call List.” This means that telemarketers are not allowed to call you.

If they do call you, the can be fined.

The federal regulator in Canada says two software companies based in India were making unsolicited telemarketing calls from Canadian numbers to Canadians who had registered their phone numbers on the national do-not-call list.

One of the companies has been fined $495,000, while the other has been fined $12,000.

Victory! Or is it?

The problem is that both companies are located in India (the Canadian regulator is located in, of course, Canada). However Interpol and the local Indian regulator have promised to work together to ensure both companies pay the Canadian fine.

If you want speed up your computer, try giving PC TuneUp Maestro a try.