update Archives - Page 4 of 4

Why You Need Windows Updates

UncategorizedFixes, security, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

Jul 2014

Do you feel nagged for updates by Windows? As annoying as they may be, here are 3 reasons it’s necessary to keep your systems up to date.

Your reservations to install updates are understandable, especially when these updates can sometimes introduce glitches and even hijack your system for repeated restarts. However, no matter how annoying they can sometimes be, updates are essential for your Windows system to function optimally.

1. Most Windows updates address security issues

Neglecting updates is a surefire way to compromise your operating system with infections that can slow down your system and even allow remote users to steal your private information. Moreover, the main reason Windows PCs succumb to malware and other viruses is that users neglect installing updates. One particularly pernicious infection is the CryptoLocker virus that allows remote attackers to ransom your personal folders.

2. Updates can fix bugs that prevent Windows from functioning properly

These bugs can sometimes slow down your computer or cause your system to freeze. Windows updates often have hotfixes that address these bugs. Bypassing the installation of these hotfixes puts the stability and performance of your system in jeopardy.

3. Updates let you upgrade your existing Microsoft software or get new features

These features include Net Framework and Silverlight, which allow other programs, including non- Windows ones, to work properly. Software upgrades often add additional features to Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office, making them more user- friendly.

Note, that updates are no longer available for Windows XP. We therefore recommend upgrading to a newer version of Windows if you are running XP. Now that you know the importance of updates, do you have the latest ones installed?

For more about updates or other issues affecting your PC, please consult your local IT professional.

Should You Update Device Drivers?

Repairs and Upgrades, SoftwareDevice, driver, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

Jun 2014

Any number of computer issues could be a sign that it’s time to update your device drivers. Are you unable to access your printer? Is your display giving you problems? Are you unable to connect to your router with your wireless adapter?

The problem may be with the device’s driver. Sometimes updating the driver will restore full functionality to the device.

The easiest way to update the driver is by accessing the Device Manager. You can get to the Device Manager through the Control Panel. In Windows 7 and Vista, the Control Panel can be reached by clicking the Start button and selecting Control Panel.

In Windows 8, you can select Control Panel by dragging the mouse prompt to the bottom right of the screen and allowing the charms bar to appear.

Click Settings and then click Control Panel.

If you have Windows XP, you should upgrade to a newer version of Windows. This is because XP is extremely vulnerable to viruses, as it cannot get the latest security updates. Nonetheless, you can get to Control Panel in XP by clicking the Start button and selecting Settings -> Control Panel or simply Control Panel.

In Control Panel, choose System and Security.

Next select System.

If you have a different menu in Control Panel, you may be able to select System without going through System and Security. Under the Hardware tab, click Device Manager.

Enter a password or click to confirm that you wish to enter the Device Manager.

Click a + to expand a hardware category to find the device you want to update. Double click the device when you do find it.

Click the Driver tab, and click Update Driver. Follow the instructions. If you are prompted for a password or for confirmation, provide whichever is appropriate.

Sometimes this method fails to update the device driver. In this case, you will need to go to the device manufacturer’s website to find a driver to download and install.

Of course, not all hardware problems are caused by obsolete drivers. There could be physical problems with the device, configuration errors, or something else affecting the functionality.

For more information on this or other issues affecting your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

Microsoft Update Breaks Office 2013 – KB2971668

Office IT, Repairs and Upgrades, SoftwareAvoid, Office 2013, Uninstall, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

Jun 2014

Do you have Microsoft Office 2013? If so, read on before you install the latest Windows updates released on June 10, 2014 which could break your Office install.

Many users have been reporting this update has been causing stability issues in Office 2013. Some worst case scenarios involve having to completely re-install Office 2013 after the update.

All Onsite PC Solution managed services clients will be protected during their monthly routine maintenance.

If you haven’t installed the updates for June 10-11th

You can selectively filter out the updates for Office 2013 by following these steps:

First, if Windows is offering you updates, click the update prompt at the bottom of the screen shown above. This will bring you to the Update Center.

Do not summarily click the Install Updates box. Instead click the important updates that are available and review them.

Uncheck any updates that mention Microsoft Office 2013 or KB2971668. Click Install. When you are sent back to the Update Center, go through the same steps for the optional updates that you went through for the important updates. In the optional updates, we recommend not installing anything related to Bing as these are unnecessary and may slow your computer down. Finally, click Install to go back again to the Update Center, then click Install Updates.

This will give you all the latest updates for Windows without the problematic update that may corrupt your Office 2013 installation.

If you already installed the update and Office 2013 is broken

First uninstall the update. To do this, click the Start button and select Control Panel.

Next click either Uninstall a Program or Programs and Features.

In the Programs and Features window, click View installed updates.

From the list of installed updates, find any that involve Office 2013 dated June 10-11 2014 or KB2971668. Click to highlight them. Then, when given the prompt, uninstall them.

After you uninstall all the Office 2013 updates dated the week of June 10th 2014, you will need to completely remove Office using the steps in this article.

For more information, consult your local IT professionals.

What to do When Windows Won’t Update Properly

Company Updates, Office IT, Repairs and Upgrades, Security, SoftwareFail, Reboot, update, WindowsOphtek, LLC

May 2014

Does Windows keep telling you that the computer needs to restart to finish installing updates even after you have already restarted the computer repeatedly? Here’s how you can fix the problem.

It is paramount to install these updates correctly because getting the latest updates means getting the latest security fixes that prevent infections from compromising your system.

Before trying anything else, run a System Restore:

In Windows 7, click the Start button, click the Accessories folder, then System Tools, and select System Restore.

In Windows 8, use the mouse to swipe the right edge of the screen of the cursor, then click the Search Charm.

In the box that comes up, type restore point and click Create a restore point.

Choose the last date your computer worked correctly before the failed update. In the System Restore Wizard window, select the restore point that corresponds with that date. If the wizard doesn’t display the date in question, check Show more restore points.

After you have found the correctly dated restore point, click Next. Then select Finish to allow Windows to run the wizard and reboot.

After rebooting, run Windows Update again.

If Windows fails to update again, malware may be the culprit. Malwarebytes anti- malware is a useful tool that can remove these types of infections that block updates. For more information on how to remove malware, please refer to the following article.

If the failed updates are not the result of malware, try the Windows Update Troubleshooter. It is a free Microsoft diagnostic tool that can sort out update problems.

If all of the solutions mentioned above cannot rectify Windows update, try rebooting one more time. Sometimes temporary problems arise that prevent updates from installing. A simple reboot often clears Windows of these problems.

As a last resort, you can reset windows update. This is a very complicated process that involves precisely following the steps described in this Microsoft support article.

For more information on this or other issues with your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

Sony Exits PC Business, Support for VAIO May be Limited

General, Office IT, Repairs and Upgrades, Servicesdriver, sony, support, update, vaioOphtek, LLC

Feb 2014

Outside of Japan, the VAIO brand is no more.

Sony is ditching the PC business in an effort to restructure amidst a declining PC market. The Japanese tech-giant has been struggling in recent years to keep up with the evolving consumer tech segment, and this latest move away from the PC is just a small step forward for the company.

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Tag Archives: update

1. Most Windows updates address security issues

2. Updates can fix bugs that prevent Windows from functioning properly

3. Updates let you upgrade your existing Microsoft software or get new features

If you haven’t installed the updates for June 10-11th

If you already installed the update and Office 2013 is broken