Microsoft

One year to go until Microsoft ends extended support for Windows 7

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One year to go until Microsoft ends extended support for Windows 7

One of the Microsoft’s most loved operating systems, Windows 7, has extended support close to ending. On 14 January 2020, Microsoft will no longer issue security updates and will stop providing assistance those using Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

NetMarketShare (link opens in new window) reports that as of December 2018, 40.86% are still using Windows 7, with Windows 10 close behind on 36.37%. 5.07% are running Windows 8.1.

Introduced nearly 10 years ago, Windows 7 improved on existing versions of Windows including Windows XP and Windows Vista. Microsoft also added many new features we are now take for granted, including touch capabilities, and others we have become more comfortable with, including Libraries in File Explorer.

According to the Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet (link opens in new window), mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on 13 January 2015, with extended support ending 14 January 2020. For users running Windows 8.1, support ended on 9 January 2018 with extended support for 10 January 2023.

Over the coming year, we suggest all computers running Windows 7 are upgraded to Windows 10 or replaced with new computers depending on their age and purpose. We are happy to assist clients and advise the most appropriate requirements for their needs.

If we can be of assistance to upgrading you from Windows 7 to Windows 10, and in need of consulting, support or training to help you make the move to a modern desktop, please contact us.

Ribbon changes are coming to Microsoft Office

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Ribbon changes are coming to Microsoft Office

Ribbon changes are coming to Microsoft Office

After twenty years of faithful service the familiar Microsoft Office ribbon, containing your menus and commands, is going to change. As part of the latest round of updates, a new look is being rolled out progressively across the Office programs, beginning with Outlook. But don’t worry, you will have two choices of ribbon – the simplified ribbon or the classic ribbon.

If you have been using Office for a while, you will begin to notice some changes to the look and feel of the various products. Starting with Outlook, Microsoft is revising how the user interface appears. The simplified ribbon aims to help users “focus on their work and collaborate naturally with others”. The simplified ribbon will streamline the existing top section of the screen, reducing the space it takes up on the screen.

Here’s an example of how it looks in Outlook:

Ribbon changes are coming to Microsoft Office - Example of Ribbon changes - Microsoft Outlook
Example of Ribbon changes – Microsoft Outlook

You can switch between the simplified ribbon and the classic ribbon by using the switch icon, which is located near the top right of the window.

These changes will also follow on Word, Excel and PowerPoint. In addition, the ribbon has a new appearance with new colours and icons and has been designed to scale on screens of any size.

For more information on the simplified ribbon, please see the Use the Simplified Ribbon support page (link opens in new window) and reference guide (link opens in new window).

CyberGuru provides consulting, training and support in Office 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint as well as a range of other products. If you would like to know more or want to enhance your knowledge and skills, please contact us.

Coming in mid-2018 – Microsoft Office 2019!

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Coming in mid-2018 – Microsoft Office 2019!

Microsoft Office

Microsoft has announced the next perpetual edition of Microsoft Office, Office 2019. In keeping with Microsoft tradition, it will arrive in the middle of preceding year rather than the year of its name.

In breaking with tradition, Office 2019 will only run on devices using Windows 10 and not on older editions of Windows, namely Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.

Microsoft have also advised they will release Office 2019 with five years of mainstream support and approximately two years of extended support to align with the current version of Microsoft Office (Office 2016) which is expected to end on 14 October 2025. For more information, please see the Microsoft TechNet article.

While this seems harsh, we often still see computers running versions of Windows and Office well past their use by date. By the end of this year, Office 2007 will be nearly 12 years old, and Office 2010 not much younger. We strongly suggest that now is the time consider upgrading to Office 2013 or 2016, or transition to Microsoft Office 365.

It looks like the subscription model is becoming the increased focus from Microsoft, and purchasing Office 365 will be the way going forward to continue to keep getting the latest features. We expect Office 2019 will likely be the last version that Microsoft release, with future releases all being subscription-only.

CyberGuru is able to provide consulting, support and training in Microsoft Office applications, and able to support you in the transition from one version to another. If we can assist in any way, please contact us.

Ask CyberGuru: What is the difference between the desktop and web versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint?

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Ask CyberGuru: What is the difference between the desktop and web versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint?

Ask CyberGuru

In this month’s Ask CyberGuru, we are asked, “What is the difference between the desktop and web versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint?”.

Whilst Microsoft includes the desktop version of Office as part of both Office 2016 and most editions of Microsoft Office 365, if you are looking for an alternative, the web version may be a possible solution.

The web versions allow you to create documents in Word, Excel and PowerPoint and to save them in OneDrive. You can access these documents any time you wish to on practically any device and your work is saved automatically. You can also share and edit documents in real-time with others and they can see the changes you are making.

The web version is free if you have a Microsoft Account, although functionality is somewhat limited. Having an Office 365 licence gives you greater functionality and the feature set in the online versions is improving on a regular basis. However if you want the full functionality you have come to expect from Microsoft then the desktop versions of Office 2016 and Office 365 remain your best option.

If you need help with Microsoft Office 365 or Office 2016 products, please contact us.

Are you ready for the Windows 10 Creators Update?

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Are you ready for the Windows 10 Creators Update?

Are you ready for the Windows 10 Creators Update?

Since Windows 10 Creators Update was launched earlier this year, we have seen a number of computers being upgraded progressively and more recently larger numbers being upgraded. Following Microsoft’s announcements when Windows 10 was launched, regular updates are being introduced to provide new features as part of the product.

When you are about to receive the update, you will be prompted to review your security settings before it downloads and installs onto your computer automatically in most cases.

In addition to security and reliability enhancements as part of Windows 10 Creators Update, a number of new and improved features in Windows and the apps were introduced. These include:

  • Paint 3D – an app providing you with the ability to create 3D objects from scratch or modify another person’s.
  • Remix 3D – an online community for sharing, editing and remixing 3D models produced in Paint 3D.
  • Blue light reduction – reduces the “blue light” emitted from your screen during the evening.
  • Microsoft Edge, the successor to Internet Explorer web browser – adds the ability to review, group and save web page tabs.

For a full list of what’s new in Windows 10 Creators Update, please visit the Microsoft Windows features (link opens in new window) page.

Microsoft also removed some features and others are planned for potential removal in subsequent releases, as noted in this Microsoft Support article (link opens in new window).

To check whether Windows 10 Creators Update is installed on your computer, please follow the steps below:

  1. From the “Type here to search” or “Ask me anything” box, type winver and press Enter to run the command.
  2. The About Windows dialog box will be displayed.
  3. If it shows Version 1703, then you are on Windows 10 Creators Update.

(The notation of the version is signified by the year and month, for example 1703 which is March 2017 which was for the Windows 10 Creators Update).

If it hasn’t been installed, it is possible your computer is awaiting to receive the update or in some cases, or is incompatible with this update. Either way, CyberGuru are able to advise and assist you if you are eligible for an upgrade to Windows 10 Creators Update, you how you can so with minimal downtime. Please contact us if we can be of any assistance.