Windows – Disable the ‘Lock Screen’
Lock Screen KB ID 0000670 Problem Also See: Stop Windows Servers ‘Locking’ with Group Policy The Windows lock screen is all well and good if you have a slate/tablet, but I don’t see the point of it on a Desktop PC or Laptop, (it just adds to login time). Note: don’t get this confused with Stop Windows Asking For Password After Sleep / Standby Lock Screen: Solution 1. Bring up the Windows run command (Press Windows Key+R)....
Remote Wipe Windows Mail Accounts
KB ID 0000681 Problem We have had the ability to ‘Remote Wipe’ phones using Exchange ActiveSync since version 2007. But now you can remotely remove your email account from a mobile device running Windows 8 (When connecting to Exchange with Windows Mail). Note: This WILL NOT remove any settings in Microsoft Outlook on the remote machine! Solution 1. Log into Outlook WebApp from another machine > Options > See All...
Stop Windows Asking for a Password after it Locks Itself
KB ID 0000684 Problem By default after a while my Windows 8 laptop ‘Locks itself’ and afterwards it requires a password to unlock it. I don’t want it to do that, I do want to be able to lock it myself, and I don’t want it to log on without a password when I log on. To completely remove the lock screen see, Windows 8 – Disable the ‘Lock Screen’. Solution 1. Move the cursor to the right hand...
Windows and Cisco (IPSEC) VPN Client
KB ID 0000693 Problem I’d been running Windows 8 for a while now. But was the first time I needed to use my Cisco VPN Client software. So I was not happy when this happened. Note: Using VPN Client version 5.0.07.0440 Secure VPN Connection terminated locally by the Client. Reason 442: Failed to enable Virtual Adapter. Solution As it turns out this is a known problem with Windows 8, and there is a work-around. 1. Press Windows...
Windows 8 – Stopping ‘Sign in to your PC’ On Imaged Machines
KB ID 0000736 Problem When you have deployed Windows 8, you are presented with the option to sign in with a MICROSOFT ACCOUNT. That’s a good thing (generally), but that might be a leap to far for most IT departments at the minute! So you may want t stop your imaged machines asking in the first place. You may also want to stop the machine asking for a LOCAL ACCOUNT also. Solution 1. If you are using the System Image Manager to...
Windows 8 – Add Shutdown to the Start/Metro Menu
KB ID 0000744 Problem I wrote an article ages ago about ‘How to shut down Windows 8’ but what if you simply want a shortcut to save you the hassle, and have that on your start menu? Solution 1. Press Windows Key+R > In the run box type the following; %appdata%MicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms 2. In the window that opens > Right click > New > Shortcut. 3. Enter the following shutdown /t 00 /s 4. Call the...
Stop Windows Rebooting Due To Updates
KB ID 0000773 Problem I realise that updates are important, and Microsoft made updating easier by only releasing them once a month. But my laptop always wants to reboot at the point where I’m doing something critical! and Windows 8 unilaterally decides that its updates are far more important than my work. OK this will only happen once a month, (normally) and it will only happen a maximum of 72 hours after the update. It affects...
Windows 8 – RSAT Tools Will Not Install?
KB ID 0000827 Problem For newer versions of Windows see, Install RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) I wanted the RSAT tools installing on a Windows 8 machine today, I downloaded the RSAT update and ran it, but the tools did not appear? Also they were not available under ‘Turn Windows features on or off’. Solution As it turns out, even though it says ‘Installation complete’ that’s not the same as...
Windows 8 – Boot Straight to Desktop
KB ID 0000829 Problem Since its release it’s long been a gripe that you cannot boot Windows 8 straight to the desktop. Some people just don’t like the ‘Metro’ (or Modern UI) interface. I must admit I STILL use quicklaunch so I never really open it anyway. But with the release of Windows 8.1 Microsoft have finally done a ‘U turn’ and have given you the option to bypass it completely as the computer boots....
Windows 8 – ‘Network Connectivity Assistant service is stopped or not responding’
KB ID 0000841 Problem When attempting to check Direct Access connection status on a Windows 8 client machine with a Get-DaConnectionStatus command you see the following error; Get-DaConnectionStatus : Network Connectivity Assistant service is stopped or not responding. OK, so lets go and check the status of that service, if it starts great, but mine did not as you can see. And it logged an Event ID 7024 The Network Connectivity...