Windows 101 : How to get the Windows 10 Creators Update

So you’ve been waiting and checking updates constantly to see if the Creators Update of Windows 10 is ready for you PC but until now you still don’t have it! Here’s how to force it in your PC.

1.  Download the Windows 10 Update Assistant HERE 

2.  Run the the Update Assistant to download the bits of the creators update and click Update Now

3.  The Update Assistant will check your hardware for compatibility.  If no issues found you may proceed with the update by clicking Next.

4. The Update Assistant will start downloading the Creators Update.  You may click minimize and continue other tasks that you are doing in your PC while waiting for the it to be completed.

5.  Once the download is complete the Update Assistant will notify you that the update is ready.  Save everything that you are working on and click Restart now.

Your PC will restart a couple f times to complete the update so be patient.  Have fun with the new creator’s update!

Download Windows Essentials 2012

As you all know the support of Windows Essentials ended in January 2017.  So if you are looking to download and reinstall it in your PC you won’t find it anymore in any Microsoft website.  If I remember it correctly, Windows Live Essentials was introduced as a FREE add-on during Windows 7 times after they removed some apps like Movie Maker.  Live Essentials added more apps, like Messenger (now Skype), Photo Gallery, Mail, and my personal favorite the Writer intended for blogging.

If you have downloaded the offline installer then you are lucky one, you can use and reinstall the app without any problems.  Two weeks ago a customer  called me asking where can he download Windows Live Mail.  Apparently his boss, a Jurassic lawyer, doesn’t want to adapt on what is current, he still wanted the nice and easy interface of the Live Mail.  Good thing I still have the offline installer, so I uploaded it in OneDrive and send him the link, which I also wanted to share with you should you still want to have these apps on your PC.  You can get it in the link below.

Download Windows Essentials 2012

Note:  Since Microsoft has retired this product and won’t get any patches and updates, there will be a risk in using it.  For more information you can go to the following link, Essentials 2012 Release Notes and FAQs

Windows 101: How to change the default start page in Edge

Someone posted a question in our user group, “How to change the default start page in Microsoft Edge?”

Here’s how:

1.  Click the ellipsis (...) on the upper right corner of your Microsoft Edge and click on Settings

 

2.  Navigate on the Settings menu and click on the drop down list under Open Microsoft Edge with and select A specific page or pages

3.  Key in the page or sites you wanted to open automatically when you launch Microsoft Edge.  In this example I added my blogsite, needlehandler.blogspot.com and windows.com.  Click the save button or simply hit enter in your keyboard and you’re done.

Restart Microsoft Edge to see the changes.

Windows 8.1 countdown!

Can’t wait for Windows 8.1? Just today, the Windows Blog announced the general availability of Windows 8.1 in the Windows Store.  Exactly 8 days before Windows 8 turns one year old, on October 18, 2013 the 8.1 update will be available worldwide.  Existing Windows 8 users can get this update for FREE.  It will also be available on retail and beginning October 18, newly shipped PCs will carry Windows 8.1.

This free update will give you more cloud integration with SkyDrive, better transition from desktop to start screen, four sizes of tiles, Internet Explorer 11, unified search across all your apps, workplace join for BYOD scenarios in the enterprise and more!

While waiting for the official update you may download the Windows 8.1 preview at www.preview.windows.com.

Installing Windows Developer Preview via VHD (Part 2)

Now that you have created a VHD, let me guide you as you install Windows Developer Preview in it.  To start with you need to have a bootable version of the Windows Developer Preview.  Using  the Windows 7 USB/DVD download tool, transfer the contents of the Windows Developer Preview ISO file in a removable media of your choice (DVD or USB).  After creating your bootable DVD or USB, you can now start the deployment / installation process.

First set your PC to boot from your removable media.  Some PCs has a hotkey to select where the PC  will boot up during boot up, otherwise you have to manually modify the boot sequence in the BIOS (if you’re new in this procedure I suggest you read this entry first http://www.whitecanyon.com/how-to-change-boot-order.php)  After modifying your BIOS your PC will restart and will automatically boot from your removable media.

Upon seeing this dialogue box press Shift + F10 to call up your command prompt and to attach your VHD.

In your command prompt, type in diskpart and hit the Enter key.

Next you must select and attach the VHD where you want to install the Windows Developer Preview. (Please refer to the screenshot below.

Upon entering Diskpart type in select vdisk file e:\wdp.vhd (the file and the path may vary depending on the VHD name and its location)

Next, to attach the VHD type in attach vdisk and wait for the message that says “DiskPart successfully attached the virtual disk file.

After attaching / mounting your VHD type in exit to leave DiskPart.

Back to the X:\Sources> type in setup to begin the installation of your Windows Developer Preview.

Read and accept the license terms and click Next.

Select the Custom (advanced) type of installation.

Select the destination of your Windows Developer Preview (in this case the VHD that you have created) and click Next.

Your PC will restart after installation and you will see this new OS selection screen with a GUI (not the traditional one)

Hooray! You have now installed the Windows Developer Preview in your VHD. Enjoy and explore this preview of the next Windows operating system.

Post installation screenshots and personalization.

Finally after completing the configuration settings,  here’s the eye catchy Start menu of the Windows Developer Preview.

Microsoft S2B @ STI College Makati

Another invite from STI College-Makati for the fourth week of September to talk on their topic, “To Seek or to Create Employment.” Originally I tapped Ms. Mellie Valimento, the Academic Program Specialist from Microsoft to be the speaker of the said event but due to conflict of schedule the task was passed to me since I’m also a Microsoft Student Partner of the said school.

September 29, 2011, the day of event, I was just expecting around 40 attendees as mentioned by the student organizer during our last communication. I was surprised when they moved the venue to the school’s amphitheater since we have around 200 participants.

I gave my best to discuss the topic, on what the graduating students will expect after their graduation and what they can do to have good credentials in applying for their first job. After the talk I’m expecting questions that are related to the topic but the students asked me more on Microsoft technologies, like which is better OS, best antivirus and the likes.

Apparently, the most of the IT students doesn’t know yet what career path to pursue after graduation. The topic gave them lots of ideas on how they shall proceed after graduation.

*** Pictures will be uploaded later :)

Wishing for an Arc Mouse? Here is your chance!

I’ve been using my Microsoft Arc Mouse since I got it from Microsoft for FREE in one of their trivia contest in windows7ako.com (the official Philippines’ Windows 7 Facebook page).  The Arc Mouse is not just an ordinary mouse, I can describe it as sexy and sophisticated, not to mention a source of envy among my friends.  It’s unique and really designed for portability since you can fold it, not like the other mice which is bulky!

Now if you want to have one, here is your chance but it’s not for free!  Branches of Silicon Valley in SM North and SM Megamall has this Arc Mouse trade-in promo. Just swap your working or non-working mouse (any brand) and get 30% off from the original price of the Arc Mouse!  That’s less PhP 900.00 from the original PhP 3,000.00 price, so you’ll get to pay PhP 2,100.00 only.

PhP 2,100.00 is still a high price than that of it’s wireless mouse competitors but it’s a little bit tempting because of it’s sexy and sophisticated design! It’s good I already have one, or else I will have to go at SM North and get one!

This promo runs from June 23 to July 31, 2010 only!

Not convinced how cool the Arc Mouse is? You may click the picture below for product details and overview.

Windows XP Embedded? Hmmmm…

On our way to another MSDN session to be held at Microsoft Philippines head office, Christopher and I decided to drop by at Jollibee to have our snack first before going to the session.  We ordered a value meal, sat on a table, ate our meal while exchanging stories and opinions on anything that pops out into our mind. The suddenly something caught our attention.  A nearby flat screen monitor displays a log-on screen “Windows XP Embedded.” We were both intrigue, is there really a Windows XP Embedded edition? For all we know Windows XP has only Professional and Home editions, how come we are seeing here Embedded?  Is this legit or a cracked version?  This calls for an investigation.

At the session we asked some of our friends in the windows7ako community about this Embedded edition.  They too are intrigued, is there really such edition?

When I arrived home I took the initiative to research.  Could there be really a Windows XP Embedded edition?  Well here’s the result of my query:

From Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_editions#Editions_for_embedded_systems)

Windows XP Embedded

Windows XP Embedded, commonly abbreviated "XPe", is a componentized version of the Professional edition of Windows XP. An original equipment manufacturer is free to choose only the components needed thereby reducing operating system footprint and also reducing attack area as compared with XP Professional. Unlike Windows CE, Microsoft's operating system for portable devices and consumer electronics, XP Embedded provides the full Windows API, and support for the full range of applications and device drivers written for Microsoft Windows. The system requirements state that XPe can run on devices with at least 32MB Compact Flash, 32MB RAM and a P-200 microprocessor. XPe was released on November 28, 2001. As of October 2008, the newest release is Windows XP Embedded Service Pack 3.

The devices targeted for XPe have included automatic teller machines, arcade games, slot machines, cash registers, industrial robotics, thin clients, set-top boxes, network attached storage (NAS), time clocks, navigation devices, railroad locomotives, etc.^[33] Custom versions of the OS can be deployed onto anything but a full-fledged PC; even though XPe supports the same hardware that XP Professional supports (x86 architecture), licensing restrictions prevent it from being deployed on to standard PCs. However, Microsoft has made some exceptions to this rule, allowing XPe alongside a standard OEM install of Windows. Some Dell notebooks contain an embedded XP installation as part of the MediaDirect 2.0 feature, and they were also found on some Acer ones.

Windows Embedded Standard 2009 succeeded XPe in 2H 2008. Windows Embedded Standard 2009 is derived from Windows XP Embedded since Microsoft at the time of its development did not have a componentized version of Windows Vista. ^[34] Windows Embedded Standard 2009 includes Silverlight, .NET Framework 3.5, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Media Player 11, RDP 6.1, Network Access Protection, Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and support for being managed by Windows Server Update Services and System Center Configuration Manager. ^[35]

Windows Embedded Standard 2011 will succeed Windows Embedded 2009 and will be a componentized version of Windows 7.

It appears that my investigation was a success for my question was answered in just a few clicks of my mouse!  Now I know that Embedded edition does exists! As weird as it sounds, my ignorance amuses me! hahaha Windows XP days is near to an end and yet here comes my new discovery :)  Admit it, this might be the first time that you hear about Windows XP Embedded Edition! :)

Post MS Visit

THE CONTINUATION OF THE STORY…

Just got home from our visit at Microsoft Philippines Head Office.  After we register our names in the 6750 building’s reception area, we rushed to the elevator and headed directly to the 16th floor where the office of MS is located.  Upon entering the the office premises we were greeted by windows7ako and Miss Chay.  We have a chit chat over coffee and some food to eat.  After eating windows7ako, Chay and Ralph told us that they will give us a tour at the 17th floor where the offices of MS people are situated.  By the way the 16th floor is intended for training rooms and event gathering only.  So it appears the we’ve seen nothing yet!

We then went to the elevator and head to the 17th floor! Upon entering the office no one said anything but WOW! The office is so colorful!  Maybe it’s the reason why people form MS are happy people! It’s a very nice environment to work! (I want to work here too hehehe)  There we met lots of people who gave us their very big welcoming smiles.  Some of them are  Mel, Isamu, and of course Ms.Liezl Milan! Miss Liezl was kinda surprised when she saw us.  We also presented a token of appreciation to windows7ako.  The token is a board made with plastic (courtesy of Rory).  Printed in the board are messages form selected windows7ako fans.  If you’ll just see their reactions upon opening the envelope, they are so surprised, amazed, thankful, teary eyed etc… windows7ako said ayyyyy naiiyak naman ako… During our tour I received text messages from other members of the community that they can’t come anymore.  Ervin, another member of the community texted me that he sent his messenger to deliver another surprise for Ms. Chay, Windows7ako, and Ms. Liezl.  We then finished their tour in their super yummy pantry.

On our way to the elevator, we met the Managing Director of Microsoft Philippines, Mr. John Bessey! Windows7ako introduced us that we are from the community, a little chit chat and have a group photo taken before we part ways with Sir John.

Back at the 16th floor we met Ervin’s messenger in the reception area, handed a gold colored box to windows7ako, opened it, and surprise! It’s a cake, but not just an ordinary cake!  It has a Windows logo and written below it is “windows7ako.”  There you have it again the teary eyed moments of the three (windows7ako, Liezl, and Chay).  We then proceeded to one of the meeting rooms and Ms. Liezl has a surprise for us too, she ordered 3 gigantic Yellow Cab pizzas for our merienda.  While having our snacks, the serious talks has begun.  Ms. Liezl discussed to us some confidential matters (which is I’m not allowed to disclose hehehe di kayo nagpunta eh, you know who you are), planning of the next meet up, how to counteract piracy, and a lot more!  She assured us that whatever our plans for the community, they’re always they to back us up.  I forgot to mention that Robert Jayson Casanova made it! Better late than never right?

We left the office at around 6PM, head back to Glorieta to meet VP Resly, just a kamustahan with him cause his wife is going to be late na for her work.  Christopher, Jeffrey, Rory, Robert, and I  stayed for a couple of hours and part ways at around 9PM…

It was a great day indeed! Ang haba ng kwento! :) Yun lang pala ang gustong sabihin  “ It was a great day!” :)

The windows7ako cake! “This cake must be preserved” hehehe windows7ako ang Miss Liezl doesn’t want to slice it! haha

From left:  Chay Mondejar-Saputil, Ms. Liezl Milan, Rory Creeencia, Eufer Pasion, Mr. John Bessey, Jeffrey Lacatan, Christopher Ryan Abarry, and Cesar Antonio Cuaresma.

Note: For secrecy purposes windows7ako volunteered to take the photo… :)

My new Microsoft Life Cam VX-700

There’s an ongoing trivia contest at Microsoft Philippines called Internet Explorer 8 Trivia Mania and i just won a Microsoft Life Cam VX-700.  To join the contest you must register to this site and answer the trivia question regarding internet explore 8 and or any other IE versions.  Just this Sunday I participated in the game and luckily being the number 8th to answer the question I won the grand prize for that day which is the Microsoft Life Cam VX-700!  By the way clues for the trivia question are posted in windows7ako in twitter and trivia questions will be posted simultaneously at windows7ako facebook fanpage, windows7ako in twitter and in the IE8 Trivia Page.  Mechanics of the game is also posted in IE8 Trivia Page. The contest will last till February 17, 2010!

p.s.
To miss windows7ako (the facebook and twitter fanpage admin) I' still waiting for the email confirmation so that I can calim my new webcam! :D

Windows 7 Community Launch Party

After months of Beta testing and Release Candidate evaluation, on Thursday, October 22, 2009, Windows 7, the most anticipated Operating System of all time will be launched globally. Microsoft Philippines will join the celebration by holding a party at their headquarters located at 6750 Ayala Ave., Makati. They reserved 200 slots and exclusive invites for Technology Executives, IT Managers, Managers, CIO, CTO, Customer Management, IT Directors, Students, Technical Decision Makers, Consumers, Developers, and Information Workers to to see and evaluate the final version of the said operating system. There will be demos, presentations, discussions, Q&A for this newest operating Windows operating system.

I’ve been using Windows 7 since the Beta test and i found it very cool! It has the improved features of Windows Vista and the speed of Windows XP! It has almost the same system requirements of Windows Vista so it means that Vista users can easily upgrade to Windows 7 without hassles. Microsoft really did a good job in designing this operating system. To be honest I never used Vista as my operating system for I’ve seen the so many glitches and also the looks at the faces of my housemates and friends using it.

For those whore are invited to the launch party, see you there! For those who are not, the official launching of of Windows 7 in the Philippines is on November 7, 2009 at the Cyberzone SM City North EDSA!