Windows may uninstall updates that cause startup problems

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Microsoft implemented a new troubleshooting step recently in Windows 10 that improves the operating system's handling of startup problems.

Windows 10 may uninstall recently installed operating system updates automatically to address startup issues as a last resort if all other steps to fix the issue fail.

Startup problems are one of the most frustrating issues that Windows users may experience. One of the big issues for users is that they have only a few options at their disposal to fix the issue: using built-in troubleshooting options, recovery disks or tools, or restoring backups of the system if they do exist.

Updates can be the source of startup problems. Updates may cause bluescreens or other startup related issues that prevent the system from booting.

To name just a few recent incidents:

• Microsoft releases AMD-specific Windows 7 and 8.1 updates to fix unbootable state issue
  
• New Windows 10 version 1809 woes: no audio, bluescreens
  
• How to fix Boot BCD startup errors on Windows PCs
  
• Fix Windows 7 BSOD 0x000000c4 after installing KB4056894
  

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Here are five things in technology that happened this past week and how they affect your business. Did you miss them?

1 — Microsoft: Windows 10 can now automatically uninstall buggy updates.

If you have automatically downloaded Windows 10 updates that aren’t compatible with your device, there’s no need to worry. The company says Windows 10 can now remove “problematic updates” without requiring user interaction—a feature that aims to address updates with more severe incompatibility issues, specifically ones that prevent a Windows 10 PC from starting up. The OS will try to address the failure by uninstalling recently installed updates, but this ‘last resort’ will only be taken when all other automatic recovery attempts have failed. (Source: ZDNet)
 
Why this is important for your business:
 
Sometimes we put off upgrading to the most recent version of Windows because…hey, if it isn’t broke, why fix it, right?  And let’s face it – sometimes those upgrades break more things than they fix. The fact is that upgrading whenever a new version is available is an important thing we need to do in order to protect against malware and data breaches. With this new feature I believe we can take more comfort in keeping current with our Windows upgrades. But…you try first, OK? Then let me know.  (My company, The Marks Group PC is a Microsoft Partner).

2 – A point of sale malware campaign targets hospitality and entertainment businesses.

There's a new malware going around and it set its sights on restaurants and other retailers, particularly those in the entertainment and hospitality industries that use point of sale software.  The idea is to steal credit card information from customers. It's called DMSniff and it's been around since 2016 but now it's caught the attention of more security firms and researchers. (Source: ZDNet)

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If you think you’re at risk, contact your point of sale provider and make sure they’ve upgraded their softwares to protect against this problem. According to ZDNet, DMSniff “scrapes information from the magnetic stripes on payment cards when it's swiped through a terminal — but before it's encrypted and sent to the payment processor.” Research firm Flashpoint – who uncovered the problem - recommends that organizations regularly update all attack surfaces — including POS machines. Researchers have also provided the indicators of compromise for DMSniff.

3 — Verizon launches 5G in Chicago, Minneapolis at $10 extra cost.

Verizon has beat AT&T and Sprint in the race to launch the first 5G mobile services in two U.S. cities at an additional cost of $10 for customers with existing unlimited plans. The company announced that users in Chicago and Minneapolis will be able to use the 5G wireless network from April 11 by using a Motorola Z3 mobile and a 5G ‘Moto Mod’—a physical magnet-like attachment for the phone. AT&T and Sprint are currently building their 5G networks and plan to release 5G smartphones with Samsung Electronics later this year. (Source: Reuters)

Why this is important for your business:

So should you pay the extra ten bucks a month? What, are you crazy? Of course you should. Anything that increases speed will increase productivity in your business
and an extra $120 a year sounds like a small price to pay for the performance benefits of 5G.

4 — Fairygodboss raises $10 million to match female job candidates with employers.

This week, Fairygodboss, a social network targeted specifically at the over 72 million career-minded women in the U.S. labor force, announced it has raised $10 million in series A financing. This is in addition to a $3 million venture capital round it raised in May 2018—funds it will use to ‘enhance’ its existing product suite and expand its team. Founded in 2015, the company hosts a personalized daily feed and crowdsourced databases for companies’ benefits, in addition to job listings and employer profiles. (Source: Venture Beat)

Why this is important for your business:

An interesting platform for both you and your female employees – current and potential. According to their website the company “helps women get hard-to-ask questions answered” and also helps job hungers get “the inside scoop on pay, corporate culture, benefits and work flexibility” by offering company ratings, job listings, discussion boards and career advice.

5— Poor customer experiences will destroy 30% of digital business projects -- Gartner.

Researchers at Gartner predict that, by 2020, poor customer experiences will destroy 30% of digital business projects. As a result, organizations need to be more customer-centric. The researchers note that, due to the pace of technology innovation, customers, users and employees expect more, complain more, are more willing to switch suppliers or employers— and share more about their experiences. (Source: IT News Africa)

Why this is important for your business:
 
According to Gartner, companies need to understand the unique problems and expectations of their customers as well as the context of those needs and consistently deliver products and services that meet those expectations. The takeaway for me is that we all need to continue our technology investments and leverage AI, bots, workflows, reminders and other automation make sure our customer service response times are minimal.

Source : https://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbett...44f18e4f3d