Windows 10

[Morturn]

Eric, you should go back and have a chat with the engineer who fitted this additional hard drive and ask him/her how they configured it.

If you do not know this, then clarify for your own piece of mind what has been done. Speculation without facts is a race to the bottom.

I have a lot of photographs and documents on my computer that I would hate to lose. Therefore, I have additional hard drives that backs up my computer every hour automatically to a remote location.

 

[cookie273uk]

Thanks for your help, I followed old Mohawk's advice and it appears that the back up hard drive that the eng fitted has all my pic, doc and music files (up to date) and asks me if I wish to restore said files (whatever that means) I will have a word with the Engineer (PC PAL) a 2 man local company who I find very good. As OM said it is unlikely to crash and I also have my pics and doc files on CD and DVD which I regularly update. My main concern is I have 225 pics of my sold/donated paintings which I would be unable to replace apart from those on the Forum. Thanks again for your advice and help. Eric

 

[Smudger]

I had a 32Gb usb on which I installed a bootable Linux and when I decided to later use it as a normal usb I formatted it and found I had only got 2GB available! It had become partitioned and a normal format only acted on the 2Gb partition. I had to use a Disk Management tool to re-partition the usb to get my missing 30Gb back.

You could try the Disk Management to look at your drives and the usb

Right click on the Start
Scroll up to Disk Mangement
Click DM and have a look

My laptop shows as below
Disk 0 is the data HDD disk
Disk 1 is a SSD and has the operating system on it
Disk 2 is a removable USB I had just plugged in
View attachment 145278

Please note altering partition sizes and any formatting removes data on a usb so any files must be temporarily backed up somewhere else ...

It shows 25.8 unallocated, so, any idea how to allocate this before it runs out of space (999mb) left.

 

[oldMohawk]

It shows 25.8 unallocated, so, any idea how to allocate this before it runs out of space (999mb) left.

Data cannot be written to unallocated space so using the disk management tool you need to expand the current active partition or create a new partition and write data to that. It has been some time since I did this so I'll go back through my notes. I also might have used a DM called Easeus.

Google 'using unallocated space' and expanding partitions/volumes would probably show methods but try it on a spare USB not your back-up ...

edit .... I think I used a method like this to restore a usb after I had used it as a Linux boot disk

How to Restore USB Drive Back to Full Capacity [100% Working]

Formatting USB flash drive is the best way to restore USB flash drive to full capacity. Try it to reclaim the lost or unallocated space when the USB flash drive is not showing full capacity.

www.easeus.com

 

[guilbert53]

I have a 64gb usb to back up my files, but it only shows as 32gb. I have less than 1gb left for back up, so how do i access the other 32gb. Hope this makes sense!

I would not play around altering partitions etc on your USB memory stick in case you get it wrong and alter the partitions on your hard disks making them unusable (this is easier to do than you may think, I remember reading of one person who formatted their whole external hard drive containing priceless backups while doing a Windows reinstall as they left it plugged in while doing the Windows reinstall).

You can buy a 64GB memory stick for less than £10 off Amazon.

Here is one as an example (there are many others). Many large supermarkets also sell USB Memory sticks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Ultra-USB-Flash-Drive/dp/B00DQGBYDC/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=memory%2Bstick&qid=1590390477&sr=8-6&th=1

So I would buy one or more USB sticks (maybe larger ones like 128GB for only £15) and backup your files to them as well. Always best to have multiple backups.

Maybe get your engineer friends to sort of the missing space on your USB memory stick.

 

[Smudger]

Data cannot be written to unallocated space so using the disk management tool you need to expand the current active partition or create a new partition and write data to that. It has been some time since I did this so I'll go back through my notes. I also might have used a DM called Easeus.

Google 'using unallocated space' and expanding partitions/volumes would probably show methods but try it on a spare USB not your back-up ...

edit .... I think I used a method like this to restore a usb after I had used it as a Linux boot disk

How to Restore USB Drive Back to Full Capacity [100% Working]

Formatting USB flash drive is the best way to restore USB flash drive to full capacity. Try it to reclaim the lost or unallocated space when the USB flash drive is not showing full capacity.

www.easeus.com

Thanks oM, i don`t have a spare usb, so i may as well buy a larger size 128gb for my backup & then try using Easeus to sort out the missing 32gb on the one i`m using now.

 

[Smudger]

I would not play around altering partitions etc on your USB memory stick in case you get it wrong and alter the partitions on your hard disks making them unusable (this is easier to do than you may think, I remember reading of one person who formatted their whole external hard drive containing priceless backups while doing a Windows reinstall as they left it plugged in while doing the Windows reinstall).

You can buy a 64GB memory stick for less than £10 off Amazon.

Here is one as an example (there are many others). Many large supermarkets also sell USB Memory sticks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Ultra-USB-Flash-Drive/dp/B00DQGBYDC/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=memory%2Bstick&qid=1590390477&sr=8-6&th=1

So I would buy one or more USB sticks (maybe larger ones like 128GB for only £15) and backup your files to them as well. Always best to have multiple backups.

Maybe get your engineer friends to sort of the missing space on your USB memory stick.

guilbert53, I`m going to buy a 128gb usb for my back ups, & maybe try easeus to restore my other usb to full 64gb. Thanks.

 

[guilbert53]

guilbert53, I`m going to buy a 128gb usb for my back ups, & maybe try easeus to restore my other usb to full 64gb. Thanks.

If you are going to try to sort out your 64GB using Easeus try to do it on a spare PC and not your main one.

So easy to get confused with various disks and USBs on a computer and it is easy to make a mistake.

Maybe do it on a spare laptop or other PC, or get your PC engineer friend to have a look at it.

 

[oldMohawk]

On Friday 29th I let Microsoft upgrade/update my Dell laptop and Acer desktop to Version 2004 OS build 19041.264. It took 40 minutes and all running well ...

Only problem is 'I can't see anything really different' ... they must be running out of new features to add !

 

[Eric Gibson]

My desktop died yesterday so it's all in bits waiting for a new power supply unit, got out this beautiful laptop but keep hitting the wrong keys

 

[Bob Davis]

Windows updated mine as well and I could not see what was different, at the moment I have the networked works computer (Windows 7 Professional) piggybacked on my laptop and the line keeps going down and I also keep hitting the wrong keys so working is a game of hope the action I have just carried out is not affected buy a cut out etc. I use the works computer as my daytime BHF connection, but note that on the laptop where I had my family tree, although the programme still shows, all my family tree entries have disappeared, that occurred just after the big update.


BOB

 

[oldMohawk]

Hi Bob,
Hopefully you had your important data files backed up to a separate drive before updating. W10 upgrade/update offers the choice of retaining all data or putting in a clean installation. Your set-up appears complicated.

You could check whether your Family Tree app is compatible with the latest W10 version. Most apps have not been affected as far as I know. I have an old app from 15 years ago in my laptop and it runs ok.

Everyone has 10 days to roll back to the previous Windows version using Recovery but first check that you definitely have Version 2004. Microsoft are not presently issuing 2004, you have to load the Upgrade Assistant and ask for it. This is what I did.

 

[Bob Davis]

Hi Bob,
Hopefully you had your important data files backed up to a separate drive before updating. W10 upgrade/update offers the choice of retaining all data or putting in a clean installation. Your set-up appears complicated.

You could check whether your Family Tree app is compatible with the latest W10 version. Most apps have not been affected as far as I know. I have an old app from 15 years ago in my laptop and it runs ok.

Everyone has 10 days to roll back to the previous Windows version using Recovery but first check that you definitely have Version 2004. Microsoft are not presently issuing 2004, you have to load the Upgrade Assistant and ask for it. This is what I did.

Thank You OM, we'll give it a try.

Bob

 

[guilbert53]

W10 upgrade/update offers the choice of retaining all data or putting in a clean installation.

I updated one of my PCs to Windows 10 build 2004 (from build 1909) a couple of days ago but was not asked about retaining all data or clean installation. I never am during a major Windows update.

It did the update but it kept all my apps and data and basically put the machine back as it was before the update.

I agree though that everyone should do a backup of ALL their personal files as a machine can easily crash during a Windows 10 update and you could lose ALL your personal files (unlikely but it could happen).

One useful new feature is that you can now re-install Windows 10 from the "cloud". See article here (though screen shots are not in English)

Homepage – Infinite Scroll | Time24 News

www.time24.news

 

[jmadone]

Can someone please advise me as to how to post a short video from my camera to the forum. When posting photographs I open them in Paint and reduce the size. However I don't seem to have the option with a video can someone advise?

 

[oldMohawk]

As far as I know the forum software won't accept video files. You need to upload it to Youtube and then post a link to it. Some years ago I did it by placing the video file on my Google drive and linking to it there but special commands were needed. I also used that method to upload a music mp3 file.

 

[RobT]

As far as I know the forum software won't accept video files. You need to upload it to Youtube and then post a link to it. Some years ago I did it by placing the video file on my Google drive and linking to it there but special commands were needed. I also used that method to upload a music mp3 file.

Yes agree with oldMohawk, upload to Youtube, and post the link to it here.

 

[devonjim]

Anyone else noticed that the facility to save any web site for retrieval to the "Start Screen" seems to have disappeared, now offering to pin to "Task Bar"

 

[oldMohawk]

Anyone else noticed that the facility to save any web site for retrieval to the "Start Screen" seems to have disappeared, now offering to pin to "Task Bar"

I presume you are referring to the Edge browser. If so the way to do it now is ...
Settings
Apps
Install site as an app
Manage apps
Select 'Pin to ...'
Choose 'Pin to Start'

The method is different for Chrome but can be done ...
My current start below with the BHF just added as a test ....

 

[devonjim]

I presume you are referring to the Edge browser. If so the way to do it now is ...
Settings
Apps
Install site as an app
Manage apps
Select 'Pin to ...'
Choose 'Pin to Start'

The method is different for Chrome but can be done ...
My current start below with the BHF just added as a test ....
View attachment 145885

Thanks Phil, yes I was referring to the Edge browser. Why would MS mess with a useful tool? I've tried your suggestion but I'm afraid I can't find the "install site as an app" step.

Jim.

 

[oldMohawk]

Thanks Phil, yes I was referring to the Edge browser. Why would MS mess with a useful tool? I've tried your suggestion but I'm afraid I can't find the "install site as an app" step.
View attachment 145887
Jim.

Hi Jim,
It does seem strange that Microsoft removed the feature.
I suppose we all use our computers differently but on mine

I click the dots top right and follow sequence.


This appears after clicking 'install this site as an app'


Then in the 'All Apps List' right click the app and then 'Pin to Start'


I actually use bookmarks (favourites) in cascading folders to whizz around the BHF ...

 

[devonjim]

Hi Jim,
It does seem strange that Microsoft removed the feature.
I suppose we all use our computers differently but on mine

Thanks for your patience! It's not too bad when someone shows you how.

 

[RobT]

Old Mohawk thank you for your informative replies Re: Windows 10

When I am about to close my computer down late at night, I often see update messages
Update and close down, update & restart - so really I have to follow one of these options
Can you please tell me how to set it so I can update it when I am ready for it?
As sometimes it is better to see if updates have problems sorted first.
I mainly use Chrome but have just looked at Edge because of your recent postings.
Regards RobT

 

[Eric Gibson]

I just click on the update and close down, never gives me a problem, at the next start up it configures the new updates and away you go.

 

[oldMohawk]

When I am about to close my computer down late at night, I often see update messages
Update and close down, update & restart - so really I have to follow one of these options
Can you please tell me how to set it so I can update it when I am ready for it?
Regards RobT

Hi Rob,
The problem with Windows we can all run things slightly differently so what works for one does not work the same for someone else.

My number 1 browser is Chrome but now Edge has changed to the same Chromium system it is so like Chrome I run it in dark mode to remind me which browser I'm using. It easily imports bookmarks from Chrome and actually uses Google Chrome extensions.

I generally use the 'Hibernation' close down on my computers. On my Dell laptop I simply close the lid and on my Acer desktop I click 'Start' - 'Power' - 'Hibernation'. This method saves everything I am doing, keeps Apps loaded, and then switches off the computer. Start-up from 'hibernation' is quick and everything I was doing is there just as it was when the computers hibernated.

Windows updates can download but generally can't install with hibernation and need a restart or proper shutdown. In Settings - Update & Security- Avanced options, I set it to put a notification icon bottom right which when clicked offers the update and if don't want it I can delay it for 7 days on a rolling basis for up to 35 days.

Win 10 now offers the option to uninstall the updates and I once did this because an update in Sept 2019 (post#1042) started to seriously overheat my laptop !

oldmohawk

 

[guilbert53]

Note the option to delay updates varies between different versions of Windows 10.

Windows 10 Home (which I guess most of us run) has limited ability to stop or delay updates.

Windows 10 Pro (for "Professionals") has more ability to stop or delay updates

Windows 10 Enterprise (for large companies) has a lot of capability to stop updates. Large companies want to control updates until they have done testing to make sure all their applications and programs work.

Generally Microsoft roll out updates on a gradual basis, they don't offer them to everyone in one go.

They first offer them to "testers" and "early adopters".

They then offer them to PCs they are pretty sure will have no problems, then gradually to everyone, but this may be over many weeks or even months.

I know there have been problems in the past but by the time Microsoft offer it to you you can hope that most problems have been fixed.

Also note that often after a "large" update (such as we are having now to Windows 10 level 2004) there will be a small update that will fix some of the known problems (this takes you to level 2004 19041.329)

Anyone can check which Windows 10 level they are on by going to Settings (right click on the Windows icon in bottom left), then choose "System", then choose the About option. At the bottom of the window, in the "Windows specifications" area it shows your OS version and build.

This web site below is a useful one to see what the latest "pubilic" build for Windows 10 is:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4555932

.

 

[jukebox]

Anyone can check which Windows 10 level they are on by going to Settings (right click on the Windows icon in bottom left), then choose "System", then choose the About option. At the bottom of the window, in the "Windows specifications" area it shows your OS version and build.

Or press Windows Key + R and type winver

 

[Richard Dye]

Hi Rob,
The problem with Windows we can all run things slightly differently so what works for one does not work the same for someone else.

My number 1 browser is Chrome but now Edge has changed to the same Chromium system it is so like Chrome I run it in dark mode to remind me which browser I'm using. It easily imports bookmarks from Chrome and actually uses Google Chrome extensions.

I generally use the 'Hibernation' close down on my computers. On my Dell laptop I simply close the lid and on my Acer desktop I click 'Start' - 'Power' - 'Hibernation'. This method saves everything I am doing, keeps Apps loaded, and then switches off the computer. Start-up from 'hibernation' is quick and everything I was doing is there just as it was when the computers hibernated.

Windows updates can download but generally can't install with hibernation and need a restart or proper shutdown. In Settings - Update & Security- Avanced options, I set it to put a notification icon bottom right which when clicked offers the update and if don't want it I can delay it for 7 days on a rolling basis for up to 35 days.

Win 10 now offers the option to uninstall the updates and I once did this because an update in Sept 2019 (post#1042) started to seriously overheat my laptop !

oldmohawk

oldmohawk, I changed over to Edge about a month and a half ago.....Held my breath a bit because I an not patient with this stuff. So far I am very pleased and the more I use it the more I like it!

 

[oldMohawk]

oldmohawk, I changed over to Edge about a month and a half ago.....Held my breath a bit because I an not patient with this stuff. So far I am very pleased and the more I use it the more I like it!

Hi Richard, yes it seems Edge is now a very usable browser and it's Settings page is very well laid out and easy to use but I suppose most of us simply use the browser which works for them.

One Windows 10 feature I do use in Settings - Display - Scale and Layout is having system text set to 150% to make it more readable on my 1920 x 1080 screen resolution. I generally run Edge/Chrome browser zoom at 125% when looking at the BHF.

 

[Smudger]

I have a 64gb usb stick which was only sowing as 32gb. I followed some advice from google to fix this problem & now the usb drive (f) is showing as "the directory name is invalid" I`ve tried changing the directory name but nothing happened. Have i killed this usb?