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this version of windows is nearing the end of support

Windows 8.1 is nearing the end of support

August 30, 2022September 26, 2024 by rhaskins, posted in Computer Help, Windows 11, Windows 8

Windows 8.1 is nearing the end of support – August 22

Support for windows 8.1 has ended – this is an old article for information purposes

Windows 8.1 is nearing the end of its support. If you own a Windows 8.1 machine you have probably seen this;

January 10, 2023, is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates and technical support for PCs that run Windows 8.1. We are reaching out now to thank you for your loyalty and help you prepare for what’s next.

What does this mean?

The reason Microsoft is doing this is to make people aware that the Windows 8.1 operating system will reach the end of its life in January 2023. That means the computer will still function but you will no longer receive the important security updates.

What can I do?

Your options are to upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 for free. Windows 10 end of life is not until 2025. You can upgrade to Windows 11 if your computer is capable of handling it. To find out more about windows 11 see my First Look at Windows 11. To find out if your Windows 8.1 computer is compatible with Windows 11 see here. However, the chances are it isn’t compatible as it won’t have a supported processor or the TPM.

Windows 8.1 is nearing the end of support.

So the options are, in 90% of cases either to upgrade to windows 10 or buy a new PC. If you are not sure what to do feel free to contact me to discuss your options. I’ll update this page as more information comes to light.

Windows 11 screenshot — What can I do? Windows 8.1 is nearing the end of support.

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Good evening Rob,

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for resolving our IT issues today.

Great service.

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Brilliant Rob

We were at a wine club with M and A last night, and we all agreed you know what you’re doing, much appreciated

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January 18, 2022

‘We bought a new laptop and were going to transfer files from our old laptop (which kept freezing) but were unable to. Rob sorted this problem out very efficiently.’

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December 14, 2019

Business and Personal Computers

I have been using Rob’s services for years now for my business and personal computers. Every problem I have set him, some big and some small, has been attended to in an efficient, friendly and business-like manner with a positive outcome. We wouldn’t hesitate in recommending him to anyone.

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November 5, 2019

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August 18, 2018

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I would like to thank RHCC for all their help with my computer. When I had a problem they were quick, courteous and extremely helpful, managing to restore all my data without loss and provide advice on the purchase of a new machine.
Being a single female, I am always a little wary of inviting strangers into my home, but I had nothing to worry about here, and the gentleman that visited always spoke in plain and simple English to me, so as not to confuse with computer jargon that I really do not understand.

R.S Hassocks

G.D.

May 18, 2018

Quick Response

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Thank you again for your help and quick response

Best Regards

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J.H.

February 6, 2017

Very Fair Invoice

Thank you so much for coming so promptly and for sorting out my ageing pc! Thank you too for your very fair invoice. It made the frustration of being locked out of my machine a little less frustrating.

JH, Hassocks

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October 20, 2014

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I just wanted to drop you a line to thank you for the wonderful job you did on my PC. When you took the hard drive away with you to fix I was convinced that I was going to lose all my data and that this was going to be a rather time-consuming and very costly job, which you proved to be false.
The PC runs very well now and I appreciate all the hard work and suggestions you have given me, and after having the spyware software installed this has made a big difference to us, and I believe we are more conscious when we are surfing the net.
I will be recommending you to anyone that needs advice or work done to their own computers.
Thank you again for the hard work and the efficient manner it was dealt with.

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March 14, 2010

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Personally, I will not be using any other service from now on and I am happy to recommend you to my friends and colleagues.
Thank you again.

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L.H.

May 3, 2006

Satisfied Customer

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Lancing

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Windows 8.1 is nearing the end of support

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How to Change the Start Button Position in Windows 11

October 12, 2021September 26, 2024 by rhaskins, posted in Windows 11

How to Change the Start Button Position in Windows 11.

The Start button is now in the centre! Yeah, a big change from other versions of Windows. This is how to Change the Start Button Position in Windows 11 if you don’t like it. The big thing you will notice when starting windows 11 is that the start button has migrated to the centre of the taskbar. Indeed, Windows 11 seems to be quite good at first glance but the change of position of the start button might be a deal-breaker for some. The start button has been in the same position for nearly 30 years and, likewise, people don’t like change. So what if I don’t like its new position? This is easily changed…

Firstly, right-click on a blank bit of the taskbar
Secondly, left-click the ‘Taskbar Settings’ that appears
Thirdly, in the Personalisation Taskbar box that appears go to Taskbar behaviours at the bottom
Click on the box and, then, the first option is Taskbar alignment
You can choose between the centre and left

It’s as simple as that. However, If learning by watching is your method you are in luck. I have created a little video on Youtube. Indeed, below on changing the Start Button Position in Windows 11.

As you can see there is nothing to it. Windows 11 seems to be not so much of a new upgrade, it is more like a rearranging of the furniture. It has a few new bits and, of course, more features to come. But mainly it works in the same way as previous versions of Windows. It just has a new look to get used to. And generally, human beings don’t like change! But personally, I like it!

Windows 11

Not sure about Windows 11? Of course, It is a bit different. But not that much. Most things, indeed, work the same way. My only wish would be to have kept the right-click menu the same as Windows 10. but alas, now we have little pictures and to get to rename, you have to click on ‘show more options’. A minor gripe to be sure. At the time of writing, I have been using windows 11 for a little over a month and I’ve not managed to break it! Yet!

Click a picture below

How to Change the Start Button Position in Windows 11

The website is full of tips, tricks and information with How to Change the Start Button Position in Windows 11 being just one of them. Any of the above articles are clickable and I add more all the time, so check back often. Click here to go to the homepage to find out more. If you would like a specific list of the services we offer click here.

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First look at Windows 11

October 7, 2021September 26, 2024 by rhaskins, posted in South Surrey area Computer repairs, west sussex area computer repairs, Windows 11

First look at Windows 11.

Okay, first look at Windows 11. I am always what is classed as an early adopter of technology and new things. Personally, I like discovering new things and playing about with new stuff. I think that why I use windows, it has the ability to more than say, a Mac. Don’t get me wrong, Macs are good at what they do, they just don’t do enough for ME. Anyhow, back to the first look at Windows 11.

The big difference is the start button in the middle of the task bar. It still works the same as before but just has a slightly different look. Your most commonly used apps are displayed there. Access it by clicking on it or by hitting the ‘Windows + S’ keys together.

If you click on the ‘all apps’ at the top, this below appears. An alphabetical list of all the apps (programs) appear. So pretty much works the same as before, just a different look. And with this particular release of Windows 11 that can be it’s mantra ‘works the same as before, just a different look’

Windows 11 start menu – First look at Windows 11

I say this particular release because all of the features have not been rolled out yet. Such as the running Android apps in Windows 11. We won’t see this feature until 2022 probably.

Windows 11 search box

The search box is still next to the start button but a feature I like is that when you hover over it it shows the last searches you performed. It saves having to type it in again. Computers are supposed to save you time!

Windows 11 folders look

The folder icons as you can see below have been jazed up a bit. Microsoft, like lots of people, go with fashions, and I think they are coming out of there ‘minimalist’ phase. So, we have little pictures on the folders and some colouring in of the Icons. Does it make a difference to the using of the machine? No, but it is a visual difference and some will like it and others hate it.

Widgets in Windows 11

By pressing Windows + W on the keyboard you can get the widgets box up. This isn’t Microsofts first attempt at sidebars and widgets. There is a weather app that is useful but an awful lot of click bait. To customise it, click on your account picture which brings up an additional box where you can customise the things that appear there.

Also you can also customise your interests. This takes you to a web page, below, where you can mark interests. I personally hope they expand the interests because there is not much for me here! But hey, I can’t see myself using this feature much.

When it’s all said and done Windows 11 is a free upgrade if you are running windows 10 and your hardware supports it. Check here for more info on that.

First look at Windows 11 – Conclusions

Yeah, it’s going to be a wait and see as all Microsoft releases are. For the average home user, I’d say give it a year for others to iron out the bugs…

Windows 11

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Compatibility Tool For Windows 11

October 3, 2021September 26, 2024 by rhaskins, posted in Favourite, Windows 11

Compatibility Tool For Windows 11.

The Compatibility Tool For Windows 11 is finally back. If you have been reading these posts in order you will know that when I posted here on the 14th of September 2021 the Compatibility Tool For Windows 11 had been removed because it was unreliable. The Compatibility Tool For Windows 11 is now back on Microsoft’s page here. Let’s walk you through it…

Click on the banner on the page above (it’s at the bottom of that Microsoft page) to initiate the download. Once it has downloaded, run the program and you are faced with the screen below

All you have to do is click on the check now button underneath the words ‘Introducing Windows 11’. There is no need to sign in with Microsoft as it suggests. You’ll only get that message if you are running a local account on your computer and not one where you have to sign in with your Microsoft username and password. Click the check now button and your results will be displayed after a short pause.

Compatibility Tool For Windows 11 – Results

As you can see, the PC I’m writing this on isn’t compatible with several things. The secure boot on this PC I have turned off but it would be easy to turn it back on again in the bios. The TPM is the thing I don’t have. For a full explanation of the TPM see my earlier post about it here. Also, the processor isn’t new enough. The latest processors are 11th generation, mine is only generation 3 (almost antique in computer terms). If you click on the ‘see all results’ button it will show you what is right with your computer in Windows 11 eyes. The initial results only show you what is wrong.

Compatibility Tool For Windows 11 – Different Opinions

As an aside, I had a chat with an employee at Currys/PC World today about this. The first chap I spoke to couldn’t tell me if the laptop I was looking at had a TPM in it! All the display machines can’t run the ‘TPM.MSC@ command to check as you need administrator rights to run it. The second chap was under the impression that on the day of release the requirements for running Windows 11 will be magically dropped to allow it to run on PCs that don’t meet these requirements. I am extremely dubious of this, to say the least… Anyway back to the Compatibility Tool For Windows 11

What is right about the PC – Compatibility Tool For Windows 11

This tells you the minimum specs – at least 4GB of RAM, well, no problem there. At least 64GB of disk space. Personally, I’d want at least 128GB just to run windows and deal with all the future updates. I see many disappointed people who have bought laptops with 32GB of storage that struggles to have enough room to run Windows 10!

If you are going to buy a new PC to run Windows 11, make sure it has enough disk space or at least the option to have more storage added. There is a range of cheap laptops out there with ‘eMMC’ storage. The E stands for embedded, it is soldered directly onto the motherboard and more often than not cannot be upgraded. Some of the cheap windows 10 laptops only have 32GB eMMC storage so will not run windows 11.

Clicking on the last box ‘ Device Specifications’ is nothing to get excited about, it just takes you to the notice below.

But, when you run it on a compatible machine, you get this.

Conclusions

So there you have it, the Compatibility Tool For Windows 11 is now been released. As I write this on the 3rd of October 2021 with the Windows 11 release only 2 days away. I wonder how it will go for Microsoft. If they follow the usual pattern of releases, in my humble opinion it’ll be a duffer. I hope I’m wrong as running native Android phone apps on my PC is something I’d like, but we’ll have to wait and see. If you are an early adopter you’ll go for it anyway. But, I think most of my customers will be like the chap I was talking to the other day ‘I’ll give it a year and let other people iron out all the bugs’ wise words methinks…

Windows 11

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Windows 11 Release Date

September 21, 2021September 9, 2024 by rhaskins, posted in Favourite, Windows 11

Windows 11 Release Date.

So, we have a date, the Windows 11 Release Date is October 5th 2021. For other bits of windows 11 I have covered, see Windows 11 and Windows 11 news so far. Microsoft still seems to be looking at the TPM ( mentioned in Windows 11 news so far ). But the news is it will be a free update on compatible devices. But with the Microsoft compatibility checker not working at the time of writing, it’s a bit difficult to know if your machine will be compatible.

That said, early adopters will go for it as soon as they can but if you are not desperate, I’d say hang fire for a while and let other people work out the bugs first.

The video below, from the Microsoft youtube channel, doesn’t really tell us much. As will all advertising these days, it’s heavy on selling you a lifestyle but for specifics of Windows 11, you’ll have to dig a bit deeper.

I’ve added a link below to the 2021 Microsoft Windows event. It’s 44 minutes long and it’s a heavy sell. I’ve been around in computing for a while now and while all new windows operating systems are released with heavy fanfare, but only time will tell if they are any good. Obviously, some people are resistant to change. Some, of course, embrace change. But there have been notable successes and some notable duffers. Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 10 have proved very popular. Indeed, Windows Vista and Windows 8 were not universally loved to say the least.

Windows 11 Release Date – Will it be any good?

Will Windows 11 be any good? Really, the only way is to try it. Some will love it and some will hate it. Some won’t change because their brother’s aunties dog tried it and didn’t like it. But ultimately, it is what works for you and what you find comfortable to work with.

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Windows 11 – News So Far

September 14, 2021September 9, 2024 by rhaskins, posted in Favourite, Windows 11

Windows 11 – News So Far.

A few bits of news scoured from around the web about Windows 11 – News So Far. This follows on from my original article about Windows 11

Well, there used to be a download from Microsoft, called the Windows 11 compatibility tool. Microsoft launched the tool to help see if your PC was compatible with Windows 11 but they have since pulled it from use after complaints that it was inaccurate. They are promising a new tool and it should be available here when it comes.

Windows 11 and TPM

Some older PCs will not be able to run windows 11. This one I’m typing on will not be able to run it due to not having a TPM chip (Trusted Platform Module 2.0). Yeah, what’s that? I didn’t know either so I looked it up. The TPM chip, it turns out, is a good thing to have! It stores login information that is, allegedly, impossible to hack. Checking to see if you have this is not straightforward.

Press the Windows and R keys together

This brings up this box below,

Type in the box tpm.msc

tpm check -Windows 11 - News So Far — TPM check

Then press ok.

Another box will appear

tpm check 2 Windows 11 - News So Far — tpm check 2

TPM is not found?

This is the box you will get if you have no TPM chip or the TPM is not found. Confusingly, this is also the box you will get if you have the TPM turned off in the BIOS. To check this you need to restart your PC and get into the UEFI BIOS settings. This process is different on every PC so refer to your documentation or the manufacturer’s website.. Common ways to get into it are pressing F2 or Del key when the computer starts up. Look through all the settings in the bios to see whether there is a reference to TPM or Trusted Platform Support and enable it.

There, told you it wasn’t straightforward.

If you do have one, you’ll get this box;

TPM OK Windows 11 - News So Far — TPM OK

If you get this box it is one of the signs that Windows 11 can run on your PC but until Microsoft release their tool again, you won’t know if you can run the rest. Keep Checking the Windows 11 website for when it is released again. You can click on the picture below which will take you to the website.

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