👍 #847 – Should I Avoid Windows Update? It Burned Me

This week's articles & videos

Windows Update gets a bad rap.

Yes, it's not perfect, and it periodically makes headlines when it breaks something. The thing is, the headlines are out of proportion to the pragmatic impact: it works, and works well for the vast majority of people.

Nonetheless if you are one of those who's been burned by Windows Update it's understandable you might feel otherwise. Strongly.

Should I Avoid Windows Update? It Burned Me discusses the best way to protect yourself.

Also this week:

• A couple settings in Windows File Explorer, including one that I feel you MUST change from its default.
• You used to be able to get malware from just looking at an email. The key phrase there is "used to be".
• One of the applications I rely on changed and broke an important workflow. I had to take my own advice.

TEH Podcast

Well, this week's podcast was fun, for me at least. I got to talk about myself for 45 minutes! More specifically, I share my "origin story": how I stumbled into computing, my first and second jobs, and the odd path that lead me to where I am today. If that doesn't sound too boring you'll find it at TEH 126: Leo's Origin Story. (Next week, it's Gary's turn.)

•

Stay safe. Stay healthy. See you next week,

This Week's Featured Article

Should I Avoid Windows Update? It Burned Me
Only if you like living even more dangerously.

After a bad experience with Windows Update, it's tempting to bail on the idea completely. Unfortunately, that can leave your machine vulnerable to malware.

https://askleo.com/4489

Also This Week on Ask Leo!

How to Get File Explorer to Display Details by Default Plus the one setting you MUST change for security
Windows File Explorer defaults to a simple view of files on your machine that isn't secure. Changes these settings as soon as you can. https://askleo.com/4884

•

Can I Get a Virus By Looking at an Email? It used to be scary easy.
It used to be that simply viewing a malformed email could allow a virus to spread. Thankfully, that's no longer the case with modern mail programs. https://askleo.com/1931

•

How You Recover When Good Apps Go Bad Taking my own advice.
I frequently advise people what to do about unexpected and undesirable software changes. It's time for me to take my own advice. https://askleo.com/129145

Ask Leo! on YouTube

Subscribe to Ask Leo! on YouTube to get the latest on YouTube.com. Your subscription (and "Likes") help others find Ask Leo!, and the the answers they're looking for.

Should You Use the Free Backup Software that Came with Your External Drive Many external drives include free backup software that I never use. I'll explain why, and what I do instead. https://youtu.be/EdkbeMrE6fs

•

How You Recover When Good Apps Go Bad. Software change annoyances I frequently advise people what to do about an unexpected and undesirable software change. It's time for me to take my own advice. https://youtu.be/-nU25lmWINI

•

Can I Get a Virus From Looking at an Email? It used to be scary easy. It used to be that email programs automatically ran programs embedded in email messages when displayed. This is no longer the case, and you will not get a virus from looking at an email. It remains important to be skeptical with links and attachments, and to keep all software as up to date as possible. https://youtu.be/XEvDpK2RyHI

•

Should I Avoid Windows Update? It Burned Me. Avoid it only if you like living even more dangerously. After a bad experience with Windows Update, it's tempting to bail on the idea and try to avoid it. Unfortunately, that can leave your machine vulnerable to malware. https://youtu.be/PKJAlFvk89g

•

How to Get File Explorer to Display Details by Default Windows File Explorer does not display details by default but rather a simple view of files on your machine that is not secure. Change the display details settings as soon as you can. https://youtu.be/Pr9MPmnAl9U

Support Ask Leo!

Ask Leo! is supported in part by people just like you! For as little as $2/month you can help, and view askleo.com without ads. For $5/month you'll also get the The Ask Leo! Tip of the Day

Here are examples of tips published this week:

• Tip of the Day: Get to the Windows 10 Recovery Console Quicker
• Tip of the Day: Close Tabs to Speed Up Other Things
• Tip of the Day: There Are Other Recycle Bins
• Tip of the Day: View Your Network IP Configuration

Support Ask Leo! and become a patron for these and other exclusive benefits and discounts!

Share Confident Computing!

Share the confidence: forward this (without your unsubscribe link at the bottom) to your friends! They'll thank you! (And so will I!)

Did someone forward this to you?

to get your own copy each week. It's FREE!

Become a Patron
Ask Leo! Books

Social & more!

✓ Discord
✓ Facebook
✓ Twitter
✓ YouTube
More..