One year from today Microsoft ends support of Windows 10. I was going to create an article to inform you, my customers, of what this means and your options. But instead I decided to give ChatGPT a chance.

So, I requested the following from ChatGPT:

“Write an article for me that explains the end of support for windows 10 and viable options for moving to windows 11”.

Within one second, I received the following response:

“End of Support for Windows 10: What It Means and How to Transition to Windows 11

Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will reach its end of support on October 14, 2025. This date marks the end of security updates, patches, and technical assistance for Windows 10, meaning that devices running the operating system (OS) will become increasingly vulnerable to security risks. If you’re currently using Windows 10, it’s time to consider your options for upgrading to Windows 11, which offers better security, new features, and long-term support.

What Does the End of Support Mean?

End of support for Windows 10 means that Microsoft will no longer provide:

• Security updates: Your computer will be more vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks.
• Bug fixes and patches: Any new issues that arise after the deadline will remain unresolved.
• Technical support: You will no longer receive help from Microsoft for issues related to Windows 10.

Without updates and support, using Windows 10 beyond 2025 poses significant security risks, especially for individuals and businesses that rely on the OS for day-to-day operations.

Why Upgrade to Windows 11?

Windows 11, released in 2021, is designed to be more secure, modern, and efficient. Here are the key reasons to consider upgrading:

1. Enhanced Security Features: Windows 11 builds upon the security framework of Windows 10 with features like hardware-based security, Windows Hello, and improved encryption. It also supports modern hardware that includes more robust protections against ransomware and viruses.
2. User Interface Improvements: Windows 11 introduces a redesigned interface with a more modern look. The Start menu has been centered, and window management has been made easier with the introduction of Snap Layouts, which allow you to quickly organize multiple windows on your screen.
3. Improved Performance: Windows 11 is optimized to work more efficiently with modern hardware, which means faster performance, better multitasking, and improved battery life on portable devices.
4. Gaming and Entertainment Features: Windows 11 supports DirectStorage, which allows games to load much faster on SSDs, and Auto HDR, which enhances the visuals in compatible games. The OS also has improved support for Android apps, making it a more versatile platform for entertainment.

Viable Options for Transitioning to Windows 11

1. Upgrade Your Current Device
If your current computer is relatively new, you may be able to upgrade directly from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Microsoft has outlined specific hardware requirements, including:

        • 64-bit processor with at least 1 GHz and two cores
        • 4 GB of RAM or more
        • 64 GB or larger storage device
        • UEFI, Secure Boot capable
        • TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0

To check if your computer meets these requirements, you can use the PC Health Check toolprovided by Microsoft. If your hardware is compatible, the upgrade process is simple and can be done through Windows Update.
2. Buy a New Windows 11 Device
If your current PC does not meet the minimum requirements for Windows 11, or if it’s an older machine, you may need to purchase a new device. Most new PCs come pre-installed with Windows 11, which guarantees full compatibility and support for future updates. This is an opportunity to upgrade your hardware and take full advantage of the new features and improvements.
3. Consider Extended Security for Windows 10
For organizations that are unable to transition immediately, Microsoft offers an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. This allows you to continue receiving security updates for a limited time after the official end-of-support date. However, this is a temporary solution, and eventually, migrating to a newer operating system will be necessary.
4. Explore Alternative Operating Systems
If you’re open to exploring alternatives, you could consider transitioning to a different OS like Linux or macOS, depending on your needs. Linux offers a variety of distributions that are lightweight and secure, while macOS provides a streamlined experience for those in the Apple ecosystem. Both options are viable but require some adjustment if you’ve been using Windows for a long time.

How to Prepare for the Upgrade

To ensure a smooth transition to Windows 11, take the following steps:

1. Back Up Your Data: Before upgrading, create a backup of all important files and data. Use cloud storage solutions like OneDrive, Google Drive, or an external hard drive.
2. Check Hardware Compatibility: Use Microsoft’s PC Health Check tool to verify whether your computer meets the system requirements for Windows 11.
3. Update Your Software: Make sure that all critical software applications you rely on are compatible with Windows 11. Some older applications might not work as expected and may require updates or replacements.
4. Perform a Clean Install (Optional): While you can upgrade in-place from Windows 10 to Windows 11, some users prefer performing a clean install. This involves wiping your hard drive and installing a fresh copy of the OS, which can improve performance and eliminate issues caused by legacy software or clutter.

Final Thoughts

While 2025 may seem distant, preparing for the end of support for Windows 10 sooner rather than later will help you avoid last-minute disruptions. Upgrading to Windows 11 provides better security, enhanced features, and a future-proof system that will receive updates for many years to come. Whether you choose to upgrade your existing device or invest in new hardware, making the transition to Windows 11 will ensure you remain protected and productive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”

Wow! I was hesitant to pass this on verbatim, so I asked ChatGPT whether I would be plagiarizing if I sent this out verbatim. ChatGPT was very comforting and responded with 

“No, you won’t be plagiarizing if you send this article to your customers. The content I created is original and specifically tailored for your needs. Since it’s not copied from any pre-existing source, you’re free to use it in your communications with customers without concerns about plagiarism.

However, if you plan to incorporate additional information from external sources, just ensure you properly credit them. For this article as is, you’re in the clear!”

Pretty amazing, wouldn’t you say? But let me emphasize that for many of you, you will not be able to upgrade to Windows 11 because your current hardware, although perfectly fine, will not meet the somewhat stringent Microsoft requirements.  With all the hackers out there, running an unsupported Windows operating system is not a good idea. So if you can’t upgrade, the best plan is to replace your current computer with a brand new Windows 11 computer, before October 14, 2025. You can certainly wait until that date, but it is unknown given the number of people this will impact what pricing and availability will be like. So I asked ChatGPT this question, and the response was:

“For customers who need a new PC and can find a good deal in 2023 (especially during the holiday sales), buying sooner could be a good option to ensure availability, save on costs, and secure a machine without having to wait.

However, for those who can wait, it might make sense to hold off until early or mid-2024 when next-gen models arrive and potentially offer better value for the long term. It’s important to weigh the potential savings now against the benefits of future-proofing and ensuring customers can get what they need without stress later on.”​

I’m often hired to set up a computer backup system, however, unfortunately I also find that once backups are set up, they frequently are not checked to make sure they are still working. There are several things that can stop previously working backups:

• Backup drive not connected or online
• Backup storage device having inadequate free space
• Backup drive assigned different (Windows) drive letter than what was set in the backup configuration
• Computer password is changed, preventing the automated backup task from running
• Backup configuration file deleted
• Scheduled task deleted or task scheduler broken (occasionally seen in Windows 7 systems)
• Computer not running at scheduled backup time (this includes being in sleep or hibernate mode)
• Verification of backup data failed

The basic job of any backup system is to create a copy of either specific files, folders, or the entire system on permanent storage other than the source storage media. Therefore, the best way to see if backups are actually being made is to look on the backup storage media for timely backups! It is also a good idea to attempt to recover one or more files from the backup storage media to confirm that when the day comes that you need to recover data, that you will know how to do it and that it will actually work!

Backups are like insurance policies: you don’t need them until you need them, and then they better pay off!

This is a repeat of a blog I published two years ago.  I am repeating it because I continue to get calls from customers who either have fallen for this scam or are about to.

Here is the blog:
Over the past two weeks, I’ve had two customers hacked in very similar ways. Both involved the hacker gaining access to my customers’ email accounts and then sending emails out to all of their contacts. One was a sbcglobal.net account and the other was an att.net account. Both these email systems are actually implemented by Yahoo, so really they were both hacks of Yahoo accounts.

In the first case, my customer was pretty sure that she fell for a phishing attack in which she thought she was entering her email password for a legitimate reason (securing her account), but really she was entering her password on a forged website made to look legitimate. In the second case, my customer had no idea how the hacker got her email password. Yahoo has had several massive attacks where accounts and passwords were stolen, so perhaps that is how it happened. 

In the first case, this is the email the hacker sent out from my customer’s account:

Subject: Favor…..<customer’s name>

Hi there,

I need a favor from you. I’d appreciate if you could email me back asap.

Thanks
<customer’s name>

If replied to, this was followed by:

I need to get a Nordstrom Gift Card for my Nephew, Its his birthday but i can't do this now because I'm currently traveling. Can you get it from any store around you? I'll pay back as soon as i am back.

Kindly let me know if you can handle this.

 <customer’s name>

In the second case, this is the email the hacker sent out:

Subject: Help…...<customer’s name>

I hope your week is going great? Actually, Please I need to get an eBay Gift Card for my niece, its her birthday but I can’t do this now because I’m currently traveling, Can you help get it from any store around you? I’ll pay back as soon as I am back. Kindly let me know if you can handle this so I can tell you how much to get.

Thank you so much,

<customer’s name>

If the victim (i.e, the person receiving the email) falls for this, the hacker will then ask for the gift card numbers after which they can easily drain the gift card of it’s cash value.

Upon being contacted by my customers, here is what I did and what you should do should this happen to you:

1) Via any web browser, log into your email account
2) Change the password. If you used the same or similar password on other accounts, change them there too. Pick great passwords!
3) Check all your email settings to make sure they are correct. In particular:
. Check the reply to field to make sure it is your email address
. Check if an automatic forward or automatic reply has been set (if you can’t find these settings, you may need to change your email view to basic; this is the case on Yahoo)
. Check email rules and filters to make sure none have been set
. Check your signature if you have one
. Check your account recovery information
. Add two factor authentication
. Change the answers to your security questions so that they are false. You should do this here and everywhere. It can simply be done by adding another word to the end of your security question answer.
4) Email all your contacts and let them know you have been hacked and to ignore any emails asking for gift cards or looking unusual in any way. Encourage them to call you if they receive a strange email from you before replying to make sure it really came from you.

In my customers’ cases, I found the following settings:
. Every email was automatically forwarded. In one case, a gmail account had been created in the customer’s name to receive the forwarded emails
. A rule with the name of “.” was created to move every received email into either the Archive folder or the Trash folder
These settings meant that every email my customer received would be sent to the hacker and deleted from my customer’s inbox.​

This hack can happen to anyone. Be vigilant in case it happens to you!

The latest macOS operating system is now available. It is called Ventura or macOS 13. Like all new major operating system releases, it has many new features and is free to install on existing hardware. In this blog, I will tell you how to prepare your Mac for installation.

Let me begin by recommending that you do NOT install Ventura – at least not yet. A new major operating system release is a big deal and I always recommend that you wait until one or two bug releases have been made available. 

Supported Macs

These are the computers that you can install Ventura on if and when you are ready to proceed:

• 2017 iMac/iMac Pro and later
  
• 2018 MacBook Air and later
  
• 2017 MacBook Pro and later
  
• 2019 Mac Pro and later
  
• 2018 Mac mini and later
  
• 2017 MacBook and later
  
• 2022 Mac Studio and later
  

If your Mac is older than the above models, know that Apple still releases security updates and new Safari updates for Big Sur (macOS 11) and Monterey (macOS 12) and large app developers such as Google and Microsoft usually support even older versions, at least for a year or two. But be aware that if you are running the latest version of iOS on your iPhone or iPad, you might run into some compatibility issues if you fall behind on your Mac.
Storage
You can check on your storage situation by going to About This Mac and selecting the Storage tab. Ventura requires about 35gb of free storage. So, if you don’t have at least that much free, you need to get busy deleting.
Backup
Before beginning the installation process, make sure you have a current backup. Use of Apple’s Time Machine and an external hard drive is the simplest way to create a robust backup.
Installation
The simplest way to install Ventura is to either go to System Preferences and select “Software Update” or go to the Apple Store and find it there.
There are many new features in Ventura you will find interesting. Just Google “macOS Ventura features” to learn all about them.
Finally a word about Windows 11: if you are being nagged to install Windows 11, that means your computer is compatible with Windows 11 and you certainly good go ahead and upgrade. However, there is no rush since Windows 10 will be supported until October 14, 2025. There are many things different about the Windows 11 user interface, so if you don’t like change, I would stay with Windows 10 for now. However, if you like the challenge of learning new things, then Windows 11 might be just for you. If you do decide to upgrade to Windows 11, be sure to back up your files first. And if you do upgrade and decide you don’t like Windows 11, you have 10 days in which you can roll back to Windows 10.
Good luck!

This is a repeat of a blog I published two years ago.  I am repeating it because I continue to get calls from customers who either have fallen for this scam or are about to.  In particular, the pop-up warning approach (the second bullet below) seems to be particularly prevalent.  If you experience the pop-up, simply restart your computer (by if necessary holding down the power button until the computer shuts down and then starting it up again) and it should disappear.  

Here is the blog:
At least once a quarter one or more of my customers fall for a tech support scam. These scammers want you to believe your computer is full of viruses and that you need to hire them to resolve these issues. They get you to allow them to remotely connect to your computer and they ask for hundreds of dollars for services or products you don’t need. They might also take the opportunity to steal your passwords, upload other personal data, and install their own viruses.

These scams typically occur in one of three ways:

• Phone Calls: your phone rings and the callers state they are from Dell, Microsoft, Apple, or some other well known company. They say they have detected a serious problem with your computer and they need to access your computer to run a diagnostic test.
  
• Pop-up Warnings: a window suddenly appears typically while surfing the internet, often with blaring background sounds, stating that a serious issue has been detected and that you must call a provided telephone number immediately.
  
• Online Ads and Search Results: you are searching for help and the resulting ads or search results lead you to the scammer instead of a legitimate company.
  

Legitimate tech companies will never contact you by phone, email or text message to tell you there is a problem with your computer, and security pop-up warnings will never ask you to call a phone number.

If you are scammed to the point where you allowed the scammer to remotely connect to your computer, then you should assume that the scammer now has all of your online passwords and that your computer is now compromised. Your should immediately do the following:

• Power off your computer. On another computer, change all your online passwords and take the opportunity to create very strong passwords.
  
• If you paid the tech support scammer with a credit or debit card, call the credit card company or bank and try and stop the payment and cancel the card. If you paid with a gift card, contact the company that issued the gift card and see if you can get a refund.
  
• If you have a backup system image prior to the scam, restore the computer from that system image. If you don’t have a system image, then reinstall the operating system and all the apps (of course backing up your data first).
  

These scammers are really convincing and experts at what they do. Falling for a tech support scam is extremely frustrating, costly, disruptive, and time consuming. Don’t give away your passwords, credit card info, social security number, driver’s license number, or any other personal information to a stranger over the phone. Don’t let this happen to you!!!!!