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How future-ready is your business’s IT?

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December 2nd 2024 By Matthew Phillips How future-ready is your business’s IT? How do you feel about the technology you use in your business? A recent study found that 90% of business leaders felt confident that their IT systems today are “best in class”. But how about tomorrow? The same study showed that: Only 39% of business leaders felt confident that their current IT system was future-ready 64% worry that their technology might be getting outdated Around half the tech used by businesses was at its end-of-life.   When technology is no longer supported by the manufacturer or software creator, it’s like driving a car that hasn’t had a service in years. Sure, it might run fine for now – but sooner or later, it’s going to break down (and it’ll probably happen at the worst possible moment). https://player.vimeo.com/video/1026963416? When it comes to business IT, cyber security is another big concern. The study found that 65% of business leaders worry about cyber-attacks, and 56% admit that they find it a challenge protecting their business from these attacks. Nobody can control whether their business comes under attack – but you can make sure your business is prepared. And the best way to do that is by keeping your IT systems up to date and investing in the right security tools. So, how can you make sure your business’s IT is future-ready? Take a good look at your current setup. Is your tech starting to slow down? Do you need to start replacing your hardware or software? If your business tech does need updating, don’t wait until things have stopped working. Think ahead and start planning for upgrades now. And while you’re at it, make sure your team is trained up on how to use the latest tools and systems. If you need help building a technology strategy for your business’s next few years, that’s what we do – get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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If it ain’t broke… Windows update makes signing out simple again

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November 11th 2024 By Matthew Phillips If it ain’t broke… Windows update makes signing out simple again Microsoft recently made changes to the Windows Start menu – and it caused a bit of an uproar. Here’s what happened: Microsoft tried to streamline the Start menu by grouping related settings together. But they tucked the sign out option behind a three-dot menu, creating confusion for people trying to log out of their accounts. Thankfully, Microsoft has listened to feedback and is now testing an update to put the sign out button back to where it was before. This is good news for teams that have multiple profiles set up on one computer, making it easier to switch between accounts again. These changes are part of a broader update to Windows 11 that’s currently being tested. The update will also bring in new features like media controls on the lock screen for when you’re playing music or videos, as well as the ability to share files directly from your search results. https://player.vimeo.com/video/1022986548? These updates are great examples of small changes that can have a really positive impact on how your team works. Is it time for you to move your business to Windows 11? We can help get you started, get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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You’re ready for the upgrade… what’s holding you back?

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September 23rd 2024 By Matthew Phillips You’re ready for the upgrade… what’s holding you back? With the end of support for Windows 10 just over a year away, many business owners are starting to wonder why they haven’t upgraded to Windows 11 yet. Are you one of them? Research shows that most businesses could make the switch, but a surprising number are still holding back. This despite the upgrade being free and easy. A recent survey of more than 750,000 Windows 10 systems found that 88% are on hardware that’s fully capable of moving to Windows 11. Yet, 82% of businesses haven’t taken the plunge. This is worrying, especially with the clock ticking down to the deadline in October 2025. After then, Windows 10 won’t get any more free updates, including all-important security patches. That could leave your business exposed to risks. So, what’s the hold-up? For many, it’s the fear of disrupting business operations. Upgrading an entire business’s operating system might sound like a hassle, with concerns about downtime or technical headaches. But the truth is, upgrading to Windows 11 can be a lot easier than you think, especially with expert assistance (contact us if we can help you with this). And there’s more to it than just avoiding the risks of sticking with an outdated system. Windows 11 comes with so many benefits: Better security to keep your business safe from modern threats Improved performance to boost productivity And a sleek, intuitive interface that makes work easier for your team   Plus, if you are using newer hardware, Windows 11 will let you make the most of it. https://player.vimeo.com/video/1008135917? The upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 is free if your devices meet the requirements. With so many advantages and the deadline fast approaching, there’s no reason to wait. We help make all upgrades as easy as possible. Let’s jump on a call and we’ll tell you about our extensive preparation, when we schedule upgrades, how we train your team – and answer all your questions. Our goal is to get you up and running on Windows 11 without disrupting your daily operations. Let’s talk. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Microsoft takes the pain out of updates

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September 2nd 2024 By Matthew Phillips Microsoft takes the pain out of updates If you’re like most people, you probably find system updates a hassle. They take ages and those big downloads eat up precious bandwidth and storage. Good news then: Microsoft is about to make your life a whole lot easier with the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 update. It’s introducing something called ‘checkpoint cumulative updates.’ That might sound a bit technical, but don’t worry – it’s simple and very beneficial. Normally, Windows gets its updates every month. These are known as cumulative updates, which bundle all the latest fixes and enhancements together. These bundles can be large and take a while to download and install. The new checkpoint cumulative updates change this process. Instead of downloading a big update every time, your system will now receive smaller updates more frequently. These are tweaks to the last major update or checkpoint. https://player.vimeo.com/video/996269510? So, what does this mean for your business? It’s great news… you’ll spend less time waiting for updates to finish so you can get back to work. And, if you have a limited internet connection, smaller updates are a blessing. They use less bandwidth, so less chance of interrupting someone else’s video call. The best part? All of this happens automatically through Windows Update. You don’t need to do anything differently. Your system will keep running smoothly, with most updates happening in the background. This seamless experience ensures that your work is not interrupted. This isn’t the first time Microsoft has streamlined updates. When Windows 11 was first launched, Microsoft used new compression technology to reduce the size of updates by 40%. With the 24H2 update, they’re taking it a step further to ensure that your experience is even more efficient. It’s also worth noting that while this new update system will be standard for Windows 11 and the upcoming Windows Server 2025, it’s less likely to be implemented for Windows 10, as that version is nearing its end of life. This means there’s even more incentive to upgrade your business to Windows 11 if you haven’t already. Want to migrate to Windows 11 with zero hassle? We’re the people to talk to. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Heads up: You need to update Windows 11 by this deadline

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August 19th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Heads up: You need to update Windows 11 by this deadline Microsoft has issued an important update: If you’re using Windows 11, you need to upgrade to version 23H2 before 8th October 2024. After this, older versions will no longer receive essential security updates, putting your systems at risk. Why is this important? Because Microsoft will stop supporting older Windows 11 versions for business accounts. This includes stopping security updates, which are vital for protecting your systems against the latest cyber threats. The latest version includes advanced security features to protect against new threats, making sure your business data remains safe. But updating to Windows 11 version 23H2 brings other benefits beyond security.  You’ll also notice performance improvements, making your systems run faster and more efficiently, which is great for productivity. Plus, new tools and features are continually added, helping streamline your workflows and improve overall efficiency. Staying updated ensures compatibility with new software and technologies, maintaining smooth business operations. Delaying the update could leave your business vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Without security updates, your systems will be exposed to potential exploits, risking data breaches and financial loss. Microsoft typically enforces updates post-deadline to keep people safe, especially for business devices not managed by IT departments. While this is helpful, it’s better to update proactively on your own schedule. https://player.vimeo.com/video/993531820? Updating to version 23H2 is straightforward. First, check your current version by going to Settings, then System, and selecting About. Before updating, make sure to back up all your important files to prevent data loss. Navigate to Settings, then Update & Security, and select Windows Update. Click on “Check for updates” and follow the prompts to install version 23H2. Once the update is complete, restart your computer and verify the new version in Settings, System, and About again.   Making sure your systems are up to date will keep your business secure and running efficiently. Don’t wait until the last minute… upgrade to Windows 11 version 23H2 now. Keeping businesses protected and productive is our top priority. So, if you need any help with that, get in touch.  Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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Here’s what’s in store for the last ever Windows ‘Moments’ update

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January 29th 2024 By Matthew Phillips Here’s what’s in store for the last ever Windows ‘Moments’ update Microsoft is soon going to release its latest update for Windows 11, known as “Moment 5” or the “February 24 Moment.” This update is expected to start rolling out in the next few weeks and it comes with some noteworthy changes that you’ll want to keep an eye on. But first, let’s address one thing: After this update, Microsoft is going back to its roots with annual updates for Windows 11. What does that mean for you? Well, it means you can expect more stability and fewer major overhauls to your operating system. It’s time to bid farewell to those frequent “moment” updates and embrace a more predictable schedule. https://player.vimeo.com/video/902305025 Now, let’s dive into what Moment 5 has in store for us… One of the standout features of this update is the enhancement of Windows 11’s built-in accessibility features. Microsoft is improving the user experience for those who rely on these. Voice Access now supports multiple monitors and additional languages. It introduces “voice shortcuts” for custom voice-activated commands. Narrator gains the ability to preview new natural voices and works alongside voice access for various tasks. One notable change is the ability to write directly into text boxes using a stylus across the operating system. This feature streamlines the use of digital pens, eliminating the need for a dedicated handwriting panel. For the first time ever, Microsoft is making some in-box apps uninstallable. Apps like Edge, Camera, and Photos can be removed if you don’t intend to use them. Microsoft is also making the Windows Search pane more flexible. This update allows third-party search providers like Google or Yahoo to create plugins for the Windows Search pane. So, if you prefer another search engine over Bing (and let’s face it, many of us do), you’ll have the option to switch. The Nearby Share feature (it’s like Apple’s AirDrop) gets a boost with “friendly name” support. You can give your PC a more readable name, making file sharing more user-friendly. Additionally, Windows Spotlight, which displays Bing’s background of the day, will become the default wallpaper setting. Copilot is getting better. It can now be “undocked,” making it more versatile and accessible. You’ll also find the Copilot interface in the Windows ALT+TAB menu for quick and easy access. And Microsoft is making changes to the Widgets Board. You’ll be able to disable Microsoft News integration, allowing for a widget-only layout if you prefer not to have news headlines in your Widgets Board. Plus, third-party news services can build plugins to integrate with the Widgets Board, providing more options for users. Notepad will include a character count feature and an “Edit with Notepad” shortcut in context menus for select file types. In a nutshell, Moment 5 brings a host of improvements and enhancements to Windows 11, making it more accessible, user-friendly, and versatile. For business owners, these updates can improve productivity and streamline workflows for you and your team. If you haven’t already made the move to Windows 11, now’s the time! We can help you with that – get in touch. Published with permission from Your Tech Updates.

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