Is your software completely up to date?

You might like to try the new "Patch My PC Updater", a FREE software updater from 'LifeWire'.

Check out the Review(s) for it for yourself. I think it's excellent. More, including the download: HERE

If you do download this, don't forget to do it carefully and make sure as with all downloads, that you don't include for any crappy unwanted add-ons to also be installed with it. ie. Watch those ticky boxes!

That said, on launching the program it shows all your software by category in a list:

Anything that shows 'Green' is OK. Anything that shows 'Red' needs updating (these are automatically box ticked for you). And here's a thing, anything that shows 'Black' isn't even yet installed. The total of Green, Red and Black currently adds up to a total of 302 different programs. So that's quite nice.

If you check out LifeWire's web site, there's tons and tons of potentially useful stuff.

I have (at times) a very slow computer. CPU running at 90-100%

Have tried running Malwarebytes to speed it up, and it has indentified 32 PUPs, can I zap these without crashing the comp?

I did notice the list has on program(s) from Advance Systemcare, no less than 17 programs, which seems rather a lot.

ie: C:\program files (x86) IOBIT advancedsystemcare\ASC.EXE


Any ideas?

Thanks, clueless max

Personally I wouldn't let another program (3rd party software) delete PUP's.
If you want to do that, why not do it manually, so that you know what's going and what to keep?
Go through your programs (Control Panel, Programs & Features) and see which programs you don't want and uninstall them.

If you are on BT, you might well find that what's slowing your computer down are either or both of two things:

BT Virus Protect updating in the background or

BT Virus Protect deciding to do a scan of your machine in the background.

Either of these might take the CPU usage up to 100% and so if you want to do something else, the machine slows down to a crawl. Indeed, you might find that even the mouse pointer won't work and just stalls to a jerky stop.

Obviously, these need to be set to operate at more convenient times.

Thanks for the heads up Harry, EL.

I don't have the computer savvy to do more than tinker around the edges. So I deleted the advancesystemcare package's (all 17 of them) and the comp seems to be running a lot faster. Reason being, I can reinstall this in a couple of minutes if things go awry.

As for the rest of it, I'm going to have to be careful, as I don't really know what these programs do....rubbish or useful :-(

Know how you feel.

Three days ago my machine crashed after the last Windows 10 upgrade and I'm still messing with it trying to get it back to how it was before. Fortunately, I do have backups of all my data.

I have a superb HP 'all in one printer'. Getting it running is/was frustrated by HP persisting in wanting to sell me stuff I do not need and using about 23 different pushy ways to try to do so.

Hardware and software suppliers are so 'on the ball' with diverse ways of getting more $$$$$£££££ from you. Grrrrr.

Max.

If in doubt, make a restore point before you dump.

If you are using W10, run File history regularly.

May save your skin.

Gents you might like to try Macrium Reflect or similar program to create an image of your system (preferably on a different HD). If you also create a recovery disc (in the same program) you can boot from it and re-install the image to the original location. Particularly useful if your system has crashed and you can't access restore points.

iiwarm

An excellent tip.

Thanks.

The next Windows 10 update installment:

It was rumored it was going to be called 'Spring Creators Update' but in the last moments of release, it has been renamed 'Windows 10 April Update'.

It is the same 'Redstone Build 1803' with the only change: Name.

I also understand Microsoft will be dropping the word 'Redstone' too for its internal codename.

Here's what you will be able to do in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update that you couldn't do before:

Go Back in Time with Timeline
Block outside distractions with Focus Assist
Do more with Cortana, like continuing tasks on mobile or support for smart home devices.
Navigate the web more easily with Edge.
Share stuff easily with NearShare and much more...

The new Update should be rolled out to everyone soon.

Did you know you can get it early by opting for Windows Insiders Preview program?

Very eager people are actually doing this and then opting out of the WIP later.

Windows 10 April Update fix for freezing Chrome browsers is on the way
By Kevin Lee 17 hours ago Computing

If Google's Chrome browser is freezing on you after you install the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, you'll be please to know that Microsoft is on the case.

On its community message board, the Redmond company acknowledged that it's ”aware that some devices running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) may hang or freeze when using certain apps, such as ‘Hey Cortana’ or Chrome.” Microsoft says it's working on a solution, and aims to include the fix in the next regular Windows 10 monthly update, which is due on May 8.

In the meantime, though, a Microsoft spokesperson has suggested that users experiencing freezing should try inputting the following Windows key shortcut to wake the screen: Windows logo key + Ctrl + Shift + B.

Those on Windows tablets without a keyboard can trigger the same command by simultaneously pressing both the volume-up and volume-down buttons three times for two seconds.

If this solution works, users should hear a short beep and see their screen blink or dim while Windows attempts to refresh the display on their device. Alternatively, laptop owners can close and open their laptop screen.

If all else fails, users may have to force-shutdown and restart their device, but this may unfortunately lead to some loss of data. For all other Windows 10 April Update problems, we have a thorough troubleshooting guide for you.

(I haven't got a link to give you for either the Forum, that's mentioned above or similarly, the troubleshooting guide)

Windows 10 GodMode: What It Is And How To Enable It

If you like personalizing your PC here's the perfect treat for you: GodMode.

GodMode is a hidden folder that makes available a range of handy customisations for your PC. The best part is that it is easy to install and not complicated.

The hidden tweak, which not many know about, was available for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 and still works for Windows 10. Some of you will have enabled it before.

The GodMode feature basically offers users easy access to the innumerable features on Windows, as well as the customization options, all in a single interface. It also sorts them into categories, such as Administrative Tools and Display, to make life a lot easier.

If you're looking to change the resolution of your monitor or alter the taskbar's notification space, it's all available at a single click thanks to GodMode.

As Windows 10 has shifted maximum features to the Settings screen (and is phasing out the traditional Control Panel slowly), you will be able to access the settings on your PC that exist in the latest OS but are not visible in the new UI or the Settings screen.

Here's what you do to enable the hidden feature for Windows 10:

Step 1: Right-click on your desktop and make a new folder. For the folder's name, paste the string given below:

GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

Do not forget to insert the period after "GodMode." You can also alter the name of the folder (even though the hack is called GodMode). To do so, simply alter the "GodMode" part of the string to the name you want.

Step 2: Once you have inserted the string, hit Enter and the icon you will now see on your Desktop will resemble the Control Panel.

Step 3: Open the folder with the usual 'double click' to see the available customization options/configuration settings now at your disposal.

It is pretty easy to shift around GodMode on your system the same manner in which you can shift any traditional folder.

In the event you change your mind and want to remove the customization, just click on the GodMode icon on your system and simply delete it. Re-enabling it is easy too and can be done using any of the above-mentioned steps.

Well, had to buy a new phone due to charging problems.
Have changed from Nexus 5 to Pixel 2.
And.....I thought that would be it!
But.....the cable connectors have changed (USB Type C), so all of my current charging and data transfer cables are now defunct (house, car etc).
The chargers (house & car) are all now defunct as the connectors are wrong, but more importantly the specification has changed.
But to add to my woes, the SIM card, being a Micro won't fit into a Nano slot, so new SIM card needed.
That's all before I have even booted up the phone!.......No doubt Cortana is going to give me yet more grief!

Thus proveth what a lack of prior research on this/these purchases......

;-)

In my defense, I did a huge amount of research on the capabilities of the various phones offered. Many of the functions are not required by me, so didn't want to pay huge money for functions which would never be used. Nowhere did I find the details of SIM or connectors. It would seem that all phones, regardless of make, are now manufactured using the USB Type C connectors, so am just going to have to bring everything I have up to date.....as will everyone else who is upgrading. The annoying thing is that anyone in the house still using the conventional mini USB connectors will have to take care and not use / force my cables into their devices.
The last thing I have noticed is that the instructions say that I can transfer data from my old phone to my new one by connecting them with a cable (mini USB to Type C USB) which of course is not supplied (though has to be specific amperage output and support certain data transfer speed)! Maybe I might be able to do it via Bluetooth??? ....when the new Nano SIM arrives of course!!! And......it seems the 3.5mm jack plug for headphones is now obsolete, so yet another adaptor required to convert to USB-C!
Lots of chat on the Forums about the new type chargers as well.....with fast charge capability.....though the tech stuff is a bit of a grind to comprehend. Old chargers may bu**er up the new battery....apparently.

On the subject of Windows 10 updates...

Don’t Click “Check for Updates” Unless You Want Unstable Windows 10 Updates

As Microsoft revealed, only people who clicked “Check for Updates” got bitten by Windows 10’s file deletion bug.

"Bitten" means problems such as losing files, no PC sound any more (this can be fixed) and other hassle for you to have to deal with.

When you click the “Check for Updates” button, Microsoft gives you updates early, skipping a normal part of the testing process. If you let Microsoft control when you get these updates, things should go a lot better.

Apparently, there are some dodgy Chrome versions out there. One of them includes a PUP (a potentially unwanted program) which gives you intrusive infuriating pop-ups from an American news source which appear to the bottom RHS of your open PC window.

Chrome Version 70.0.3538.102 (Official Build) (64-bit) - is the one you should be using. Check the downloads carefully to see this is what you are actually getting.

To check what version you have actually got:

Left click on the 'three little dots'.
Left click on Help.
Left click on About Google Chrome

Chrome is a 'Google browser' and you can Register your usage of it when you sign in to your Google account. This allows you to 'synchronise' your usage of Chrome for when you use other machines, simply by signing in to your Google account on those other machines. This allows you to have identical browser settings for Chrome on each one.

About 60% of users now use Chrome, basically because of its excellent 'app add-ons'.

eg. Last Pass; Adblock Plus; Show Password; Coupert; Speedtest; etc.

All of your Bookmarks (Favorites) stay in the same positions on the Chrome browser bar too.

Latest Chrome version is now:

Chrome 70.0.3538.110 (64-bit)

You might need to check your own version of Windows to see if it might actually have an expiry date.

(If it does have an expiry date and then does start to expire on you, well, the experience is not going to be pleasant)

Type 'winver' in the Search Box at the bottom LHS of the screen: