Applies to: Anyone with Windows 10 – Creators Update.
How-To Level: Medium / Advanced.
There was some crazy reporting over the weekend from a well-known newspaper. It said “Windows 10 is SHARING YOUR FILES online”.
Well, I mean, let’s stop for a moment and think about that.
What do they mean by “Your Files” do they mean personal private letters and photos you sent to the family? Or does this newspaper mean files that Windows uses to perform updates are shared with other computers?
The way the headline and first paragraph read it would lead you to believe that Windows was sharing all your personal photos and letters with the whole world.
But.
What it went on to say was that actually, Windows is sharing Windows Update files with the world. And this is much less sinister and actually (for most people) desirable.
Rant over, let’s check some stuff
To open Windows 10 settings for Windows Update open the start menu and type in “Windows Update” then click on “Check for Updates”
Then you get this screen which lists any updates happening now, or a “check” button to check for updates, plus some advanced options, which is what I’m going to talk about here
To see the advanced options you sometimes need to scroll down the screen.
Here is my checklist:
Where to check | Settings to set | Why Mike thinks this |
Windows Update | Click the “check” button to check for updates | It’s just good practice if you happen to open this screen to click the button. Generally, Windows 10 does all this its self. |
Windows Update > Advanced Options | Tick the box that says “Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows. | Why not, it’s free, best to have all the updates you can get |
Windows Update > Advanced Options | Tick the box that says “Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device” | When you click “Restart and Update” from the start menu it will finish the install for you and lock your computer securely after it’s finished. |
Windows Update > Advanced Options > “Choose how updates are delivered” | Click the “Choose how updates are delivered” button, then make sure the “Downloads Windows updates from other PCs” is set to ON | This setting just helps everyone, especially you to get the updates faster. Turn this feature off if you don’t have unlimited bandwidth on your internet connection, most people will have unlimited, if you are unsure you can call your broadband provider to check, but most are unlimited. |
Windows Update > Advanced Options > “Choose how updates are delivered” | Select “PCs on my local network and PCs on the Internet” option | Again this helps everyone, especially you, get updates faster. |
Windows Update > Active Hours | Set your Active hours for your PC, mine is between 8am and 6pm but yours might be different. | This helps WIndows not do updates when you are actually using your PC |
Windows Update > Restart Options | Some computers (not mine) allow you to schedule a time to install updates, this only works if you leave your PC on 24/7 so maybe best to leave this off | Or set it to ON if you know you always have dinner between 1200 and 1300 and want your PC to update then |
Windows Update > Restart Options | Turn ON “Show more notifications” | Why not, it gives you a little more warning when updates are going to happen. |
“Fast Startup” | Turn off “Fast Startup” – Read how here | I can’t tell you how much time this has saved me, it seems to fix a load of problems… |
April 28, 2018 at 10:50 am
Two years too late but I have authorised most of his!
August 17, 2017 at 10:59 am
Hi Mike, I have a laptop running windows 10, a couple of days ago windows did an update,
since then I can not get edge. When I click on the icon it opens in edge but nothing hapens.
Any ideas. Regards Tony.
August 18, 2017 at 12:51 pm
Hi Tony
It could be that you need to do a restart (not shutdown or sleep) to kick Windows into action. Give this a try, If that doesn’t work then we might need to load in SafeMode but let me know before you do that as there are some things we need to do first .
Let me know how a restart works.
Thanks
Mike
August 9, 2017 at 11:08 am
Hi Mike
Many thanks for info. Very helpful. I am now friends with my PC again tho it doesn’t take much to frustrate me. I suppose its a case of tempus fugit – i.e. I really am getting old now.
Anyway now I have access to Inner Circle I try not to get stressed. Just think to myself. -Email Club Room – they have an answer for everything
Thanks again – please don’t change your job!!
Regards
Maureen Hughes
August 10, 2017 at 9:11 am
Ahhh Maureen thank you so much! We do try our best to help as much as we can here 🙂
I will certainly make sure Tim sees this post 😉
Thanks
Mike 🙂
August 7, 2017 at 8:15 pm
Hi Tim/Mike. I have downloaded Windows 10 Update and ever since it takes ages for my Laptop to open, I sit staring at a blank screen for ages watching the little wheel go round. It was not like this before. I have cleaned my Laptop and Disk. I had Windows 7 previously and I have been told that this is the cause of the trouble and nothing can be done! Help me Guys. Thanks.
August 8, 2017 at 11:59 am
Hi James
Has this always been slow since you updated to Windows 10 from Windows 7? Or has it just slowed down since a recent Windows 10 update?
Hopefully, we can talk through a few options for you to try.
The first thing I would suggest is for you to follow this tip: https://www.pcinnercircle.co.uk/index.php/2016/09/how-to-turn-off-fast-startup-w10/
I know it sounds silly to turn off something called “fast” but in general it has helped my computer perform much better.
Give that a try and let me know when it started being slow and hopefully we can do something to help.
Thanks
Mike 🙂
August 4, 2017 at 6:51 pm
Hiya
I think Windows 10 creator sneaked onto my computer without telling me (I probably clicked on it by mistake with my fat fingers.
I attached a document I had typed to an email but when I checked it at the end of my email to ensure it was the right attachment it came up in a small box as follows” . It will open outside of protected mode putting your computer at risk.
A website wants to open web content using this programme on your computer. It does not have a valid digital signature that verifies its publisher.”
Then had Microsoft office rootoffice16winword.exe – then allow or don’t allow.
I don’t understand what it means. please advise.
Thank you. I also had another problem but cannot remember the wording so next time it happens will write it out and trouble you again.
Regards
August 7, 2017 at 11:02 am
Hi Maureen
We have had a few reports of problems like this after the Creators Update.
The fix appears to be to stop using Internet Explorer (IE) as your web browser. This is because Microsoft has put extra security around IE as it hasn’t had any (major) updates for a few years.
I would suggest you try a different web browser and see if this fixes your problem. Try Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Firefox.
I wrote a Journal Post about it the other day: https://www.pcinnercircle.co.uk/index.php/2017/07/its-time-to-stop-using-internet-explorer/
And let me know if that helps.
If you want a hand setting up the new browser (it should automatically import settings from IE when you install it) then let me know.
Thanks
Mike 🙂