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Windows XP AntiMalware Signatures Update Extended

Good News for Windows XP Users

Microsoft has announced that Windows XP end of support date is April 8, 2014, and that after this date it will no longer be supported.

Microsoft has changed their mind and decided to extend the antimalware signatures and engine updates for Windows XP users to July 14, 2015.
According to Microsoft, the reason why they're extending it is due to the request of some organizations. They said this extension is to help those organizations who's using Windows XP complete their migrations to Windows 7, or 8.

What will end this April 8, 2014 for XP?

Starting April 8, 2014, Windows XP users will no longer receive new security updates, hotfixes, free or paid support options, or technical content updates from Microsoft.

Why End Windows XP's Life?

Why did Microsoft have to end the life of Windows XP when in fact it was one of the most stable operating system ever? This is one of the questions I have as well. To answer that, Microsoft will be ending their support to this operating system to keep up with the latest technology. They have provided support for this operating system for past 12 years, and they felt it's now time to end the support and dedicate their resources to a more advance operating system to come up with the latest technological trends.
Read more about the Antimalware support for Windows XP http://blogs.technet.com/b/mmpc/archive/2014/01/15/microsoft-antimalware-support-for-windows-xp.aspx

Read more about the Support ending of Windows XP http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/end-support-help

Steps in Resetting Computer Bios Password

What is Bios Password?

Bios password is a specific feature for your computer's mother board. This is specifically helpful if you are running an internet cafe and you don't want anyone to make changes or format your computer. 

Downside

If you forget your BIOS password, then it's over. Specially if your computer won't boot into the operating system. 

How to reset BIOS Password?

There are 2 popular methods of resetting BIOS password. It can be by using a BIOS reset jumper, or taking out the CMOS battery for a few seconds. However, taking out the CMOS battery from  the motherboard would require you to open your computer tower. This might not be the best solution for you specially if you're on a laptop. "So what should I do?" keep reading...

There is of course a way to reset your BIOS password without the hassle of dissecting your computer. The software you need is the "CMOS De-Animator". 

"CMOS De-Animator" software allows you to reset and clear your system's BIOS settings and removing the BIOS Password.  It works by invalidating the checksum of your CMOS memory. It saves you from openning your computer and finding the reset jumper or CMOS battery. 

However, each software has a downside or cons. The downside for this software is you can only use it if you're login to the computer as an Administrator. So if you just got a computer and you don't know the user admin password and BIOS password, then you should keep looking for a different option.

How to use the CMOS-De Animator software? Follow the steps below;

1. Right click on the tool and run it as administrator.
2. Restart the computer.

When the computer starts, you will see a CMOS checksum error and then it will allow you to access the BIOS without a password. 

I cannot post the download link in this blog due to Ad policy so feel free to use our friend google.

Fixit Windows Issue With Uninstall and Reinstalling a Program

Just finished working on a Windows live mail installation issue. The problem was regarding the Windows live mail on a virus infected computer.

We can't send and received e-mail because every time we try to refresh the send and received it gives error message regarding the server configuration.

So we performed all the basic troubleshooting from uninstalling the Windows Essentials, re-installing, updating, uninstalling again, and re-installing...none of the troubleshooting worked. I even consulted one of the senior tech's but looking at the notes of troubleshooting I did, they suggested to repair install the operating system.

I don't want to do that because it would be a hassle in the customer's end. So what I did is used this fixit tool from Microsoft.

This Fix-it Tool tool will automatically repair issues that block programs from installation or removal due to corrupted registry keys.

I'm not really a fan of Microsoft fix-it tool because they rarely work, but for this specific tool. I give it a thumbs up... 

Tags: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and 8.1

Windows 8 Automatically Log on to "Kiosk" or "Other User"

Windows 8 Automaticall Log on to "Kiosk" or "Other User"

There are instances where Windows 8 automatically tries to log on to "Kiosk" or "Other User"‏ and won't allow you to select a specific user account in the computer.

This issue took me a while to get figured out. So here's the fix for that;

1. Log on as Administrator

2. Click start; on the search box type "regedit" without the qoute.

3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE >Microsoft >Windows NT >CurrentVersion > Winlogon

4. Double click on "AutoAdminLogon" and change the value to 0 (disabled).

5. Restart the computer

Windows 8.1 Apps/PC settings will not Launch [FIXED]

One of the most common issue you might experience after upgrading to Windows 8.1 is the Apps/PC settings will not launch. It will only flickers or will show bluescreen then goes back to the startscreen when you try openning an App from the Startscreen.

If you're experiencing these issue, you may follow the steps below to troubleshoot it. 


Troubleshooting steps:
 
1. Create a new user profile via CMD. First, you need to run the CMD as administrator and type the following;
 
net user /add test 1234
net localgroup administrators test /add
net share concfg*C:\/grant:test,full
 
legend:
test – username
1234 – password
 
Note: you can opt not to put a password, It’s up to you. Also make sure that the new user profile is an ADMINISTRATOR.
 
2. If you're signed in to a Microsoft Account you can sign out and sign in to the new user profile
 
3. Once logged in to the new profile you can delete your original user account(corrupted profile). MAKE SURE to select “KEEP FILES” when deleting the user profile, and then connect your Microsoft Account to the newly created user profile.
 
4. If you are logged in to a Local Account you can migrate the Corrupted user profile to the newly created user profile. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-corrupted-user-profile#1TC=windows-7
 
That's it!

Enabe Windows GodMode

What is Windows GodMode?


Windows GodMode allows you to access all the computer's control panel in one folder. The folder will contain dozens of all kinds of control for the operating system.

Note: This tricks will work with Windows Vista, 7, and 8.

Steps:

1. Right click on the blank portion of your desktop and select "Folder"

creating a godmode folder for Windows


2. Name the new folder GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}.

creating a godmode folder for Windows

3. The folder will automatically switch to a control panel icon. 

creating a godmode folder for Windows

4. That's it! Now your GodMode folder is enable.

creating a godmode folder for Windows