Hello everyone,

The great majority of my customers live in a resort/retirement community here in central Tennessee. Since they are older, they don’t like change just for change’s sake. Most of them are quite happy with Windows 7 and have no need nor desire to update to Windows 10. Windows 7 will continue to be supported by Microsoft until 2020 so why change from something that is familiar and works great?
I have installed and re-installed Windows 7 dozens of times. The installation goes very smooth but many times the Windows 7 operating system will then not update properly. It will not download nor install any updates. Windows update just “hangs” on the “Checking for updates………” window and does nothing. The update mechanism is broken. I have literally waited hours for the updates to download but the “Checking for updates……….” progress bar window just keeps churning away without doing anything. Has it happened to you?
Here is the fix (it has worked for me every time). This fix is not only for new installations but also for any current installation that just won’t update.

1. 1. Start Windows Update and change the Setting to Never check for updates. Restart the machine.
   2. Click on the Windows start globe and type “services” into the text box. Click on Services in the list that pops up. In the window that then pops up (its alphabetic), find Windows Update. Right-click on it and choose Stop.
      Now, you are going to reset Windows Update components:
   3. Start> All Programs> Accessories> Right-click on Command prompt> Choose Run as administrator> OK. Type the following in the black box:
      net stop wuauserv
      net stop cryptSvc
      net stop bits
      net stop msiserver
      ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
      ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 catroot2.old
      net start wuauserv
      net start cryptSvc
      net start bits
      net start msiserver
      Exit
   4. Tip: Instead of typing each line, just copy and paste the above commands into the command prompt black box> Enter.
   5. If steps 5 or 6 do not allow the operation, go back and click on the Start globe and type services into the text box. Click on Services in the list that pops up. In the window that then pops up (its alphabetic), find Windows Update. Right-click on it and choose Stop. It may have re-started itself.
   6. You are now going to download and install either one or two updates manually. In most cases only the first (KB3172605) of these is needed. If that produces a result that says the update is not appropriate for you computer, you need to first install the 2nd of these (KB3020369), then install the first (KB3172605). Choose the one that is for your machine — 32 bit (X86) or 64 bit (X64).
      KB3172605:
      32 bit
      https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/D/5/CD5DE7B2-E857-4BD4-AA9C-6B30C3E1735A/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x86.msu
      64 bit
      https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/6/0/560504D4-F91A-4DEB-867F-C713F7821374/Windows6.1-KB3172605-x64.msu
      KB3020369:
      32 bit
      https://download.microsoft.com/download/C/0/8/C0823F43-BFE9-4147-9B0A-35769CBBE6B0/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x86.msu
      64 bit
      https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/D/0/5D0821EB-A92D-4CA2-9020-EC41D56B074F/Windows6.1-KB3020369-x64.msu
   7. After restarting your computer, wait about 10 minutes until Windows Update completes its tasks. Do not use the computer for any other purpose during this wait period.
   8. Start Windows Update. It will take only a few minutes to come up with a list and download the updates you select. The process is quite normal as it always was from this point onward. If your computer has not been updated for a long time, it may take longer.
   9. Enjoy your updated machine!

Best wishes,
Randy The Tech Professor

Hello everyone,

This month there are patches from Adobe, Google, and Mozilla. There have been zero reports of actively attacked vulnerabilities. Update Flash first as it is a top target for attacks and suffers several potentially exploitable code execution vulnerabilities. Follow this up with Chrome, Firefox, and Opera due to their prevalence in most environments and the quantity of vulnerabilities that are remedied this month.

Opera 46.0

28 June 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 46.0.2597.32. This update provides bug fixes.

Opera 46.0

23 June 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 46.0.2597.26. This update provides a range of visual changes, improved performance, enhanced stability, as well as security and bug fixes.

Chrome 59.0

21 June 2017

Google has released Version 59.0.3071.109 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Flash Player 26.0

17 June 2017

Adobe has released Version 26.0.0.131 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Update: This release fixes a bug with mouse interaction of Flash content.

Chrome 59.0

16 June 2017

Google has released Version 59.0.3071.104 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Firefox 54.0

14 June 2017

Mozilla has released Version 54.0 of the Firefox browser. This version adds support for multi content processes, simplifies the downloads interface, as well as providing security and bug fixes.

Flash Player 26.0

14 June 2017

Adobe has released Version 26.0.0.126 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Opera 45.0

14 June 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 45.0.2552.898. This update provides bug fixes.

Chrome 59.0

6 June 2017

Google has released Version 59.0.3071.86 of the Chrome browser. This version updates the design of the browser, provides improvements, as well as security and bug fixes.

Opera 45.0

1 June 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 45.0.2552.888. This update provides improvements and bug fixes.

Best wishes,
Randy The Tech Professor

Hello everyone,

I have a wonderful mid-2011 iMac that I really like. Two days ago we had severe thunderstorms here in Tennessee and there were several power outages. The following day I went to turn on the iMac and it would not power on. Nothing, zero, zilch, nada! Absolutely no signs of life. My first thought was a fried power supply and I was quite frustrated. Repairing an iMac is not the easiest thing to do. Getting the front glass and then screen off is tedious.
Turns out I didn’t have to. Here is the fix:

1) Unplug the iMac power cable from the back of the machine (not from the wall or power strip outlet)
2) Push in and hold the iMac power button for five seconds
3) Release the iMac power button
4) Plug the iMac power cable back into the back of the machine
5) Press the iMac power button normally. The machine will now startup
6) Be happy and breath a sigh of relief!

Best wishes,
Randy The Tech Professor

Hello everyone,

Malicious entities are trying to enter your computer. Vulnerabilities are everywhere. The best way to keep “the bad guys” out is to have an updated, patched system. Below are the non-Microsoft program patches for the month of May 2017. If you are not up to date then get it done! An unpatched program is open to attack and infection. It’s a cruel cyber world out there but you can “stay on top of it” by taking the appropriate security measures.

Opera 45.0

27 May 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 45.0.2552.881. This update provides bug fixes.

Firefox 53.0.3

20 May 2017

Mozilla has released Version 53.0.3 of the Firefox browser. This version provides bug fixes.

Opera 45.0

18 May 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 45.0.2552.812. This update provides bug fixes.

iTunes 12.6

16 May 2017

Apple has released a new Version 12.6.1 of the iTunes software. This version provides minor app and performance improvements.

Opera 45.0

11 May 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 45.0.2552.635. This major Reborn update incorporates a range of visual and feature changes from the Neon concept into mainstream Opera, as well as providing performance and security enhancements, and bug fixes.

Chrome 58.0

10 May 2017

Google has released Version 58.0.3029.110 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Flash Player 25.0

10 May 2017

Adobe has released Version 25.0.0.171 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Firefox 53.0.2

6 May 2017

Mozilla has released Version 53.0.2 of the Firefox browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Chrome 58.0

3 May 2017

Google has released Version 58.0.3029.96 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes. Note that all 32-bit Chrome users who have 4GB+ of RAM and are using Windows 64-bit will automatically be migrated to Chrome 64-bit.

Best wishes,

Randy Knowles

Hello everyone,

There are patches for Flash, iTunes, Chrome and Firefox this month. A zero day vulnerability was found in Firefox at the annual Pwn2Own hacking contest. The good news is that Mozilla was able to create a patch and make it available in short notice. Get updated as soon as possible!

Chrome 57.0

30 March 2017

Google has released Version 57.0.2987.133 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Firefox 52.0.2

29 March 2017

Mozilla has released Version 52.0.2 of the Firefox browser. This version provides bug fixes.

Opera 44.0

23 March 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 44.0.2510.857. This version updates Chromium, adding support for WebAssembly, CSS Grid Layout, improved battery life as well as security and bug fixes.

iTunes 12.6

23 March 2017

Apple has released a new Version 12.6 of the iTunes software. This version adds support for the Rent once, watch anywhere feature in iOS 10.3, as well as providing minor app and performance improvements.

Firefox 52.0.1

18 March 2017

Mozilla has released Version 52.0.1 of the Firefox browser. This version provides security fixes.

Chrome 57.0

17 March 2017

Google has released Version 57.0.2987.110 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Flash Player 25.0

15 March 2017

Adobe has released Version 25.0.0.127 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Chrome 57.0

10 March 2017

Google has released Version 57.0.2987.98 of the Chrome browser. This version provides improvements, as well as security and bug fixes.

Firefox 52.0

8 March 2017

Mozilla has released Version 52.0 of the Firefox browser. The changes in this version include removing NPAPI plugin support except for Flash, enabling multiprocess support for touch screen users, WebAssembly support, warnings for non-secure HTTP pages with logins, stricter cookie security, as well as security fixes.

Foxit Reader 8.2.1

2 March 2017

The free Foxit PDF Reader has been updated to Version 8.2.1.6871. Changes in this version include new options when creating PDF files, as well as bug fixes.

Opera 43.0

1 March 2017

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 43.0.2442.1144. This version provides bug fixes.

Best wishes,
Randy The Tech Professor

Hello everyone,

Your antivirus will not prevent you from malicious attacks. Much more important is maintaining an updated and patched computer. Microsoft Update will keep you safe from attacks to the operating system, but what about all of those third party programs that don’t update themselves? Here are the latest third party program updates for the month of December 2016. Update now and be safe out there! Happy New Year.

Opera 42.0

21 December 2016

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 42.0.2393.94. This version updates Chromium.

iTunes 12.5.4

14 December 2016

Apple has released a new Version 12.5.4 of the iTunes software. This version adds support for the new TV app, enhances the Touch Bar when using the scrubber, and provides minor app and performance improvements.

Opera 42.0

14 December 2016

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 42.0.2393.85. This version adds a built-in currency converter, improves startup time, improves the news feeder, and provides security and bug fixes.

Firefox 50.1.0

14 December 2016

Mozilla has released Version 50.1.0 of the Firefox browser. This version provides security fixes.

Flash Player 24.0

13 December 2016

Adobe has released Version 24.0.0.186 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Chrome 55.0

10 December 2016

Google has released Version 55.0.2883.87 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Chrome 55.0

3 December 2016

Google has released Version 55.0.2883.75 of the Chrome browser. This version provides improvements, as well as security and bug fixes.

Firefox 50.0.2

2 December 2016

Mozilla has released Version 50.0.2 of the Firefox browser. This version provides security fixes.

Best wishes,
Randy Knowles

Hello everyone,

Maintaining an updated and patched computer is the most important thing that you can do in order to prevent malicious attacks. Many of my clients think that their antivirus will save them in the case of a malicious download, but not so. Microsoft Update will keep you safe from attacks to the operating system, but what about all of those third party programs that don’t update themselves? Here are the latest third party program updates for the month of November 2016 (and a couple for December 2016). Sorry to be a bit late on posting but I’ve been really busy working on peoples computers. Update now and be safe out there!

Chrome 55.0

3 December 2016

Google has released Version 55.0.2883.75 of the Chrome browser. This version provides improvements, as well as security and bug fixes.

Firefox 50.0.2

2 December 2016

Mozilla has released Version 50.0.2 of the Firefox browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Firefox 50.0.1

29 November 2016

Mozilla has released Version 50.0.1 of the Firefox browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Firefox 50.0

16 November 2016

Mozilla has released Version 50.0 of the Firefox browser. The changes in this version include improved performance for SDK extensions,video playback without plugins on more sites, additional options for search and keyboard shortcuts, as well as security and bug fixes.

Chrome 54.0

10 November 2016

Google has released Version 54.0.2840.99 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Opera 41.0

9 November 2016

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 41.0.2353.56. This version updates Chromium, as well as providing security and bug fixes.

Flash Player 23.0

8 November 2016

Adobe has released Version 23.0.0.207 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Chrome 54.0

2 November 2016

Google has released Version 54.0.2840.87 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes

Best wishes,
Randy The Tech Professor

Hello everyone,

Sorry that I’m a bit late this month. Below are your most important third party updates for July 2016. Safari and iTunes were also patched in July so you may be interested in those updates. Get patched as soon as possible!

Chrome 52.0
21 July 2016
Google has released Version 52.0.2743.82 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Flash Player 22.0
20 July 2016
Adobe has released Version 22.0.0.210 of the Flash Player plugin for Internet Explorer only. To download the full offline installer, use this link: Internet Explorer.

Java Runtime Environment 8.101
20 July 2016
Oracle has released an Update 101 to the Java Runtime Environment 8.

Flash Player 22.0
13 July 2016
Adobe has released Version 22.0.0.209 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. Download the full offline installers, depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Acrobat Reader DC 2015
13 July 2016
Adobe has released a new Version 2015.017.20050 of its free software for viewing PDF documents, now known as Acrobat Reader DC. This update contains security and bug fixes.

Best wishes,
Randy Knowles

Hello everyone,

This month there are 6 patch releases from Adobe and 1 for both Chrome and Firefox. A security advisory for Adobe Flash was released this month stating that there are active attacks exploiting CVE-2016-4171. Apply the patch for Adobe Flash as soon as possible since attackers are using spearphishing emails with malicious links to exploit this vulnerability. Chrome and Firefox both resolve numerous vulnerabilities in their newest release. Finish off this month of non-Microsoft patches by reviewing the remaining Adobe patches for Air, ColdFusion, DNG, Brackets, and Creative Cloud.

Best wishes,
Randy Knowles

Hello everyone,

This month (May 2016), patches are available for Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat/Reader, Apple iTunes, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox. The top priority this month is Adobe Flash due to a report of an exploit for CVE-2016-4117. The Microsoft Patch Tuesday bulletin addresses this particular CVE (Common Vulnerability and Exposure), but there are several additional vulnerabilities that are remedied by this Flash patch that Microsoft did not originally address. Chrome, Mozilla or Opera should be next and prioritized based on their prevalence within the environment.

Chrome 51.0
26 May 2016
Google has released Version 51.0.2704.63 of the Chrome browser. This version improves password management, optimizes page rendering, and provides security and bug fixes.

iTunes 12.4.0
18 May 2016

Apple has released a new Version 12.4.0 of the iTunes software. This version updates the interface design, with changes to menus, navigation, media picker and sidebar, as well as providing bug fixes.

Flash Player 21.0
12 May 2016

Adobe has released Version 21.0.0.242 of the Flash Player plugin for browsers. To download the full offline installer, use these links depending upon your browser: Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera. Use Windows Update to update the built-in Flash Player in IE11 under Windows 8 and 10, and Edge under Windows 10. Update to the latest version of Chrome to update its built-in Flash Player.

Chrome 50.012
12 May 2016

Google has released Version 50.0.2661.102 of the Chrome browser. This version provides security and bug fixes.

Acrobat Reader DC 2015 11
11 May 2016

Adobe has released a new Version 2015.016.20039 of its free software for viewing PDF documents, now known as Acrobat Reader DC. This update contains security and bug fixes.

Opera 37.011
5 May 2016

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 37.0.2178.43. This update provides security and bug fixes.
Opera 37.05 May 2016

The Opera browser has been updated to Version 37.0.2178.32. Changes in this update include a built-in ad blocker, a video pop-out feature, a Chromium update, as well as security and bug fixes.

Firefox 46.0.14
4 May 2016

Mozilla has released Version 46.0.1 of the Firefox browser. This update contains bug fixes.

Best wishes,
Randy The Tech Professor