Tag: windows 10

O&O ShutUp10++ review: tame Windows’ data hunger

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

O&O ShutUp10++ is a free tool for Microsoft’s Windows operating system to improve privacy. Designed initially for Windows 10, the program is now also available for Windows 11.

While its main focus is on blocking the operating system’s data hunger, it is also a helpful tool for managing other Windows settings.

First, the basics. You can download the free tool from the official project website. Just run the program after download, an installation is not required. Note that elevated privileges are required to modify settings on the system.

The main interface looks like this on start.

O&O ShutUp10++ interface

O&O ShutUp10++ groups settings for better recognition. You may disable that under View > Group by Categories if you prefer a long list. There is also a search to find settings that match search terms quickly.

Using O&O ShutUp10++ to improve Windows Privacy

All tweaks use a color coding to indicate whether a feature is enabled or disabled. Each setting has a toggle to turn a feature on or off. A short description and a recommendation is also displayed.

Note that you may hover over any description and click with the left mouse button to display additional information. Excellent if you need to know more about a setting.

Many options are self-explanatory, but some may require additional research. “Disable People icon in the taskbar” is quite clear, but “disable input personalization” or “disable automatic receipt of updates” may not.

You can modify individual options with a click on the switch next to a setting. The program prompts you to create a system restore point, which you should accept. It allows you to restore the system to the previous state. The settings do not have the capacity to break the system, but it is still better to have a restore option.

The Actions menu at the top lists bulk options for the most part. You may use them to apply all recommended settings among other things. These are safe changes that should not impact usability on the device.

Bulk Actions in O&O ShutUp 10++

Options to apply “somewhat recommended” or all settings are also available, but this is not recommended. It is better to go through the remaining settings manually to make changes.

The two other options let you reset everything to factory defaults and to create a system restore point manually.

Administrators may also switch between the user and machine tabs. User settings apply only to the logged-in user, machine to all users on the system.

Verdict

O&O ShutUp10++ is a useful tool for Windows users. It is easy to use, free for personal use and includes major privacy settings. The settings don’t have the capacity to break a system, but some of the advanced options may impact certain settings or features on the device. It is easy enough to restore these, should you ever run into any issues in this regard.

All in all, O&O ShutUp10++ is an excellent program that every Windows user should run after installation and major upgrades. O&O Software updates the program frequently to include new options, which is another major plus.

Spacedrive: cross-platform file manager with a twist

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Spacedrive is an open source cross-platform file explorer that is powered by a virtual distributed filesystem written in Rust.

Note: the software is alpha at this point. It may contain bugs and issues, and its main purpose is testing at this stage. I experienced some hangs and issues during the test.

All modern operating systems come with file managers. Windows has its File Explorer, macOS Finder and Linux lots of them.

These file managers provide basic functionality. While that is usually sufficient to find, run, move or delete files, they are also lacking in many areas.

Windows’ File Explorer, for example, only lists data from connected drives. Anything that is not connected at the time is not displayed. Other issues may include a lack of organization, a messy interface, search that works so-so only or a focus on folders.

Spacedrive is a different kind of file manager

Spacedrive interface

Spacedrive uses virtualization to display files from any location that you have added in the past. This can be folders and files from different local, removable or network locations, and even files from different systems.

This location-based approach changes a core characteristic of traditional file managers.

When you launch Spacedrive for the first time, you are greeted with emptiness. The file manager displays files only from locations that you add to its virtual filesystem. The first task, therefore, is to press the Add Location button to add a location to it.

The app supports local drives and partitions, folders, network drives as well as removable drives. Spacedrive indexes the content so that it remains visible in the app even after the storage location is disconnected.

The developers describe Spacedrive in the following way:

Organize files across many devices in one place. From cloud services to offline hard drives, Spacedrive combines the storage capacity and processing power of your devices into one personal distributed cloud, that is both secure and intuitive to use.

The Virtual Distributed Filesystem

At its core, Spacedrive’s virtual distributed filesystem (VDFS) is keeping a record of all storage locations that users added to the application. Record is another word for index. This index is not restricted to a single device or machine either, which is one of the main advantages of the technology.

The developers point to a UC Berkeley research paper by Haoyuan Li, which offers information on the underlying VDFS concept. The focus of the paper was on cloud computing, but the developers of Spacedrive say that the concepts apply to consumer software as well.

The core idea is not new. Applications such as DiskCat for Windows index drives or disks and make the data available even while offline. These solutions are not as advanced as this one and often not open source, but the main idea is similar.

What you can do with Spacedrive right now

Media viewer in Spacedrive

The current version lets you add local and network locations to the virtual filesystem. Support for adding devices is coming in the future.

Select the add location option and pick a drive letter or folder on a connected drive. Spacedrive indexes the location so that it remains accessible, even if disconnected.

The app lists all indexed files in its interface. It supports three display modes currently: grid, list and media view. The first two modes list all files, the last only media files. Options to change the size of icons and sorting are also available already.

You may then browse individual locations or all data. A search is provided to find files across all locations quickly. Double-click on a file to launch it using the default file viewer or press the Space-key to display it in the program’s own quick viewer.

Options to edit files, e.g., rename or delete files, are also provided. You may add tags to files and create new tag categories. These may then be accessed in the sidebar directly.

A check of the preferences lists options to switch between light and dark mode, change display formats and even keybindings. There is a lot to explore already.

The future

The developers of Spacedrive have big plans for the app. The roadmap lists a key manager, to use encryption, an AirDrop-like feature and cloud integration as the next features in versions 0.2 and 0.3 of the file manager.

That is not all though. The roadmap reveals plans to add extensions supported, a media encoder, encrypted vaults, a timeline feature and much more.

Verdict

Spacedrive may not be ready for use in production environments, it is alpha software after all. It is one of those projects that you want to keep an eye on, as it is ambitious and could turn out to become an interesting app for many computer users.

Photographers or media archivers, for example, may use it to keep an always up-to-date index of all their media files, regardless of location.

Windows Backup is not a “real” backup solution

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Microsoft developed a new app for Windows 10 and 11, called Windows Backup, which is rolling out to systems that install the latest updates for these operating systems.

Previous backup options, such as File History, remain available for now.

The backup application uses Microsoft OneDrive to save some data. While that sounds like a good feature on paper, it is far away from that.

Windows Backup: the functionality

Windows Backup main interface

Windows users may run Windows Backup from the Start Menu. Open the Start Menu, type Windows Backup and select the result.

The application opens after a brief moment. It displays the “Let’s back up your PC” screen on start. The app lists the various backup elements in the middle, the estimated storage space on OneDrive, and back up and cancel buttons.

Apps, Settings, and Credentials are automatically transferred if the user is signed-in with a Microsoft account. Only the content listed under Folders is not.

Windows Backup lists just the special folders for backup there: Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Videos and Music. The app may omit some folders, especially if they don’t contain any user files. There is no option to select a custom folder for backup.

Each supported folder is listed with its size and a toggle to remove it from the task. A click on back up transfers the files to OneDrive.

The length of the process depends on the number of files in the selected folders. There is no option to restore files directly from the app. You need to open OneDrive, either on the local system or online, to access the files and restore them to the local system.

The “other” sources that backup uses

Windows Backup supports backing up information about apps, settings and credentials.

  • Remember installed apps and pinned app preferences.
  • Remember Windows settings and preferences: accessibility, language preferences and dictionary, other Windows settings, personalization.
  • Remember Wi-Fi networks and other passwords.

Here is what’s wrong with the Backup app

Windows users may only use the app if they sign-in with a Microsoft Account. Additionally, it can’t be used if Enterprise or Education accounts are used to sign-in.

If there is one point to criticize, it is the lack of backup options. Windows Backup supports backing up just the special folders. There is no option to select custom folders, let alone back up an entire drive.

Windows users who want to back up these folders can do so already using OneDrive, which is also available on Windows PCs.

Even File History, which remains available, supports backing up any folder to local drives or network drives.

The Windows Backup app lacks any option to restore files using it in addition. While Windows uses the backups on new PC setups or resets, it is the extent of the feature.

Not surprisingly is the focus on OneDrive as the only backup location, at least currently. All Microsoft account users get some OneDrive storage free of charge, but it is only 5 gigabytes. Microsoft charges a monthly subscription fee if users require more storage. Since OneDrive is the only option, there is little that users can do about that.

Manage Backups

Windows users may open Start > Settings Accounts > Windows Backup to control the backups. There, they may deselect the syncing of preferences and also add or remove folders from the backup process.

Note that these settings are specific to the active PC. There is no option to manage the backups of other Windows PCs from the Settings.

How to remove Windows Backup

Windows Backup is a system component. As such, it is not possible to remove it from the Windows device according to Microsoft.

A better backup alternative

There are quite a few free backup solutions available for Windows. The one that I use is Paragon Backup & Recovery, which ticks all the right boxes. Free, lets you back up files, folders, disks and the operating system, schedule backups and includes recovery options.

It is a full backup solution for Windows. You do need a second hard drive or optical disk device for the backups though, as cloud backups are not supported by it.

Now You: which backup application do you use?

Cloud Content Search: disable it in Windows 11

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system runs local and remote searches when users use the search functionality. A relative recent addition is the ability to find cloud files. Windows Search may return content from OneDrive, Outlook and other Microsoft services alongside local results.

Some Windows users may find cloud search functionality useful, especially if they use OneDrive or Outlook. Others may want to disable the feature, as they may have no need for it or are concerned about privacy.

The operating system’s search uses connected Microsoft, work or school accounts, automatically when users sign-in with those.

Windows 11 users may connect personal or school/work accounts independently of that in the Settings:

  1. Select Start and select Settings, or use the keyboard shortcut Windows-I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Accounts > Email & accounts.
  3. Locate “Accounts used by other apps”.
  4. Select “Add a Microsoft account” to add a personal account.
  5. Select “Add a work or school account” to add an organizational account.

You are asked to provide the username and password for the account to add it.

Here is what happens when Cloud Content Search is enabled

Users who use a personal Microsoft account will see items from OneDrive, Outlook and other Microsoft services in Windows Search. A search for a filename may, for example, return files found on OneDrive.

Additionally, results will be personalized when searching the web or getting web search suggestions in Windows Search. Bing searches in the Windows search box will earn users Microsoft Rewards points.

Work or school accounts connected to Windows 11 may see organizational content returned in Windows searches. This may include content from OneDrive for Business, Outlook, SharePoint and other Microsoft services.

Disabling cloud-based searches in Windows

Cloud Content Search settings in Windows 11

Windows 11 includes options to disable cloud content search functionality. The functionality is enabled by default and users need to become active to turn it off.

The following guide provides step by step instructions on disabling cloud content search in Windows.

  1. Open Start and select Settings, or use the shortcut Windows-I to open Settings.
  2. Select Privacy & Security from the sidebar on the left.
  3. Click on Search permissions.
  4. Two Cloud Content Search options are available:
    • Microsoft account — handles personal account content.
    • Work or School account — for users signed-in with these types of accounts.
  5. Toggle one or both of the options to the Off state.

Windows 11 won’t pull data from remote Microsoft services, such as OneDrive, Bing or Outlook anymore, when turned off.

Windows 10 also includes options to turn off the feature. Here is how that is done on Windows 10 devices:

  1. Select Start and then Settings to open the Settings application.
  2. Select Search from the available categories in the Settings app.
  3. Find Cloud content search.
  4. Toggle Microsoft account and/or Work or School account to Off to disable the feature.

Turning off cloud searches with the Group Policy Editor

Administrators may use the Group Policy Editor to turn off Cloud Content Search for all users of the operating system.

Note: The Group Policy Editor is only available in professional and enterprise / education editions of Windows 11. Windows 11 Home systems need to make the change in the Registry; this is explained further down below.

  1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-R to open the run box.
  2. Type gpedit.msc and press the Enter-key to start the Group Policy Editor.
  3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search.
  4. Locate Allow Cloud Search on the right-side and double-click on the policy.
  5. Change the state from “Not Configured” to “Enabled.
  6. Use the menu under Options to select “Disable Cloud Search” to turn it off.
  7. Select OK to apply the change.
  8. Close the Group Policy Editor.
  9. Restart the PC.

Disabling Cloud Search in the Registry

Home edition users need to make the change in the Registry directly. It applies the same policy.

  1. Open the Start Menu, type regedit.exe and press the Enter-key to launch the Registry Editor.
  2. Confirm the security prompt that Windows displays.
  3. Use the hierarchical structure on the left to go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policies > Microsoft > Windows > Windows Search
    • If one of the keys is not available, right-click on the previous key and select New > Key. Name it accordingly to create the path.
  4. Search for the Dword AllowCloudSearch on the right side.
    • If it is not there, right-click on Windows Search and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
    • Name it AllowCloudSearch.
  5. Double-click on AllowCloudSearch.
  6. Set its value to 0 to turn off Cloud Search for all users.

After 7 years, Microsoft ends free Windows 7 and 8 upgrades to Windows 10 and 11

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

When Microsoft released the initial version of Windows 10 in 2015 it allowed users to upgrade from Windows 7 and 8 devices to the operating system for free.

Windows 7 and 8 product keys carried over during setup. Upgrades to Windows 10 accepted the key as well.

Microsoft did end the free upgrade option officially in 2016 but the company never made the change on the backend; this meant, that customers could still use their Windows 7 or 8 product keys to install Windows 10 or upgrade to the system without running into licensing issues.

The release of Windows 11 in 2021 did not change that. Customers could use their Windows 7 or 8 product keys to install Windows 11 and activate the operating system. Similarly, those with compatible systems, could also upgrade to Windows 11 from these older versions of Windows.

Microsoft ended support for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 in January 2023. The end of servicing did not affect the ability to use the product keys of these older versions of Windows to install Windows 10 or 11, or to upgrade to these systems.

The free upgrade ride ends

The situation changed this week. German site Deskmodder was the first to report about the change. Microsoft published new information on its Device Partner Center website that confirms that the company has stopped the free upgrade path.

Microsoft writes:

Microsoft’s free upgrade offer for Windows 10 / 11 ended July 29, 2016. The installation path to obtain the Windows 7 / 8 free upgrade is now removed as well. Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 are still free.

In other words: Windows 7 and 8 systems upgrades to Windows 10 or 11 are still permitted and not blocked. Product keys of these older systems may not be accepted, however.

Windows users need to purchase a new product key for Windows 10 or 11 to activate the operating systems in this case.

Neowin ran a quick test and discovered that the product keys could be used to activate Windows 11 version 22H2 or earlier, but not newer versions of Windows 11 anymore. The situation is likely similar on Windows 10.

Affected users might try and upgrade their devices to these earlier versions of Windows 10 or 11, as it still seems to work at the time of writing. Microsoft could end this option at any time in the future though.

Microsoft notes that upgrades from Windows 10 to 11 continue to remain free. It is likely that the company will change this after Windows 10 reaches end of servicing in October 2025.

Buying a Windows 10 or 11 license

Microsoft charges $139 for Windows 11 Home and $199 for Windows 11 Professional on its Store. Windows 10 is no longer sold there.

Retail stores may offer licenses for cheaper, but usually not by much. Another option is to buy product keys from key resellers. Keys cost around $20 when bought from these.

You can check out eBay and other marketplaces. Key reselling may not be allowed in all regions and markets though.

Checking the activation status

Multiple options exist to check the activation status of a Windows device. One of the easiest options is the following one:

  1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows+R to open the Run box.
  2. Type slmgr.vbs –xpr.
  3. Activate the Enter-key on the keyboard.

Windows returns the activation status in a small popup window. You may also run this command from Terminal or Command Prompt windows.