How to Remove Edge Browser Tabs From Alt+Tab on Windows 10

Microsoft Windows 10 October 2020 Update is out today. The update isn’t a major one, but it does see some interesting tweaks. These include changes to the Start menu and the way the Alt Tab function works.

The Start Menu, Microsoft is doing away with the solid background behind app icons. This gives a cleaner look to the start menu, it’s overall still the same Start Menu, just that it looks a little cleaner.

As for the Alt Tab function, this is something that would only affect those who use Microsoft Edge. Just before this update, Alt Tab not only lets you switch between your open windows, but also any Edge browser tabs you have. With the update, you can turn this off so that you get the classic Alt Tab experience.

And finally, the Windows 10 October 2020 update, you’ll be able to switch to higher refresh rates from the settings menu. Before this, you’ll have to go to the app that manages your graphics cards.

While the Windows 10 October 2020 update rolls out today, you may not be able to get it immediately. Microsoft is throttling availability over the coming weeks so that the update experience is a smooth one for everyone. (courtesy: Link)

If you like to remove the Edge Browser Tabs on Windows 10, here is the link to the steps. 

1. In Settings, navigate to System > Multitasking.
2. In Multitasking settings, scroll down until you see “Pressing Alt+Tab shows” and click the drop-down menu beneath it.
3. In the menu that appears, select “Open Windows Only.”
4. After that, close Settings. The next time you use Alt+Tab, you will no longer see Edge tabs as separate entries in the task switcher. Instead, you’ll only see Edge windows listed.

Below is the link to show you with photos/screenshots as guide. 

https://www.howtogeek.com/696775/how-to-stop-alttab-from-showing-edge-browser-tabs/

:: NOTICE: Conditional Movement Control Order effective 22nd October 2020 until tentatively 28th October 2020.

Here is another COVID19 update. 

As of today, 22nd October 2020, with immediate effect, CMCO or Conditional Movement Control Order has been implemented around my area Kuala Lumpur, Petaling, Klang,  with some other states as well. Unfortunately, all my service areas are covered in the CMCO restriction zone. All travelling on-site services will be paused until CMCO has been lifted up. 

:: NOTICE: Recovery Movement Control Order as of 1st September 2020 until 31st December 2020

Sorry for the late post. As of 1st September 2020, the Recovery Movement Control Order has been extended again until end of this year 31st December 2020. As to previous post, no changes to my services. 

At this time, JEZ Consult can resume business such as onsite visit but again with conditions as well. The onsite place needs to have a temperature reading and the people in the office are required to wear facial mask. Social distancing is the new normal. So, please apologize if when we visit, we do not extend our hands to shake if you gestured so. Certain place also are still restricted depended on the Health Ministry chart zones. Currently any area that are placed as Extended Movement Control Order or EMCO and is deemed as Orange or Red zones, we do not provide onsite services. These restrictions is also on JEZ Consult not taking any Desktop or Laptop back to check for errors and repairs.

For those Desktops and Laptops that needs fixing, we will try to fix it on the spot as we currently still have the restrictions to bring back to office to check and repair. However, dependent on the complexity of the problem, we will consider to take back the unit for repair as well (For areas not under the Red zones). We will provide with the best solution possible and time taken to repair depending on the problem. 

For customers' which computers problems are non-related to connectivity of on-site network connection issues, are advised to send back to their respective Head office. This is because, we had previous issue of calling the engineer to onsite places which are still not mapped on Google Maps (especially construction sites still under development) with a permanent address location. Additional charges will be added if needed us to deliver their computers back to their head office. 

Also, currently not doing services to customer's at home or at their house. As there are no temperature checking and MySejahtera scan to houses. So, its better not venture to uncharted territories. 

UPDATE! Starting 9th October 2020, one district in Selangor has been placed under Conditional Movement Control Order. The area is Klang. I have a regular supplier for laptop and notebook repairs. So, for the mean time, no laptop repairs (major problems that involves motherboard, fan parts and laptop components) are possible. But for minor repairs such as hard disk, RAM, are still possible.  

Windows XP is still alive and how to keep using it

We are now in the year 2020. We all know that Microsoft no longer provides official support for Windows XP since 8th April 2014. Some of us are unfortunate and still have yet to make the big leap to the new systems. Mainly Microsoft Windows 10. Our PCs are still running smoothly with older versions especially Windows XP, Vista or the recent out of service Windows 7. Of course, there is some glitches here and there but its just for the sole purpose of using it for either writing, listening to music and doing everything offline or even if its online, its just to watch YouTube.

According to market share studies, there are a lot of users who are still using Windows XP on their laptops or desktops. In this post, I will try to point out some helpful feature in helping to keep your Windows XP running.

• Install an Anti Virus

Even though Microsoft no longer releases Windows XP security patches, you can still protect your computer. You can anytime download and install free or paid antivirus programs.

The free software is ok, but if you really want to secure your Windows XP system you should choose a paid version of antivirus. The best programs that you can use is Avast. I have tried downloading others such as AVG, Comodo, Clam Antivirus, McAfee and run on them even in search by other bloggers and websites saying, they are be used on Windows XP, the software installation says it doesn't support older operating system anymore. I may have chosen the wrong link to download but hope that's just my mistake.

In case you are asking about what happened to Microsoft Security Essentials, you should know that the software received the last updated in June 2015.

Anyway, even though Security Essential represents the official Microsoft security tool, we recommend using a better antivirus program.

• Stop using Internet Explorer

On your Windows XP you should use either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. I would suggest Mozilla Firefox as Google Chrome also no longer supports windows xp. However, you can choose to install a lower version of Google Chrome. But I would not advice on it as some features will not be able to work. All the major tech and security companies out there urge you to stop using Internet Explorer and for a good reason.

Why? Well mainly because Windows XP will no longer receive Internet Explorer official support which means that your web browser might not offer the security support you need.

So, the best way to avoid unpleasant situations will be in using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox, which will bring patches up to date. There are a lot other browsers as well, just do a search and you can find them. Or for the better, to protect your PC from malicious attacks on the internet...

• Use VPN

You may wonder what VPN is all about. A virtual private network (VPN) is a private data network that abstracts your Internet connection so as to maintain privacy through cryptographic security protocols. In addition, a VPN hides your IP address and makes you anonymous online. Such a service can be installed on a number of operating systems and devices to secure all network traffic.

Also, if you are already installed with the Avast free or paid yearly, Avast also has the VPN feature for an additional subscription. I have not tested on other VPN services, only Avast and corporate VPN services such as Sophos Cyberoam. I have however, tested on some free VPN but they can be rather annoying because it is filled with advertisements and also you need to verify captchas everytime you want to use the VPN.

Conclusion, if you still want to use older versions of Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 (End of Extended Support is on January 14, 2020) and even Windows 8/8.1 (End of Extended Support is on January 10, 2023), Update to its latest updates, have an antivirus and internet browser that supports the system and also for additional internet surfing security, use VPN. But do take note, you can't install some of the latest software that isn't compatible with the older versions anymore.

QR-Code is the Old-New Digital Business Card.

 QR-Code is the Old-New Digital Business Card.

Everyone knows that! What an old news! Now more than ever! Its more useful than the conventional physical Business cards that we hand out. Especially now, with the world wide pandemic crisis on our world map at hand. We now use the internet more as it is so important to our daily life. Work or leisure. We communicate with our smartphones, pay bills and transactions by scanning the payment QR-code instead of money notes from our wallet. You get the picture, I don't need to explain in detail.

Though we use QR-code for payment, little did we use it as our business card. With old conventional business cards, if we changed position, change address, or phone number or new information needed to be added, we have to publish new sets of name cards. And there goes the little plant of trees for a set of 100 name cards.

Now with some new regulations of social distancing, washing hands regularly, and not allowed to be in a crowded places, our name cards also needs to change. What better way is to use QR-Codes as our business card info. You can create one with a QR-code generator. You can search online. Well, I have a link that helps to generate for free and its for commercial use as well. https://www.qrcode-monkey.com/

:: NOTICE: Recovery Movement Control Order as of 10 June to 31 August 2020

Malaysia’s Movement Control Order (MCO) has been extended until 31st August 2020 and it is now entering the recovery phase which is now called the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO). Beginning 10th June, the government is lifting several restrictions as the country moves into a recovery phase, as part of its exit strategy for the MCO. This includes lifting restrictions on interstate travel and more economic sectors will be allowed to resume operations.

At this time, JEZ Consult can resume business such as onsite visit but again with conditions as well. The onsite place needs to have a temperature reading and the people in the office are required to wear facial mask. Social distancing is the new normal. So, please apologize if when we visit, we do not extend our hands to shake if you gestured so. Certain place also are still restricted depended on the Health Ministry chart zones. Currently any area that are placed as Extended Movement Control Order or EMCO and is deemed as Orange or Red zones, we do not provide onsite services. These restrictions is also on JEZ Consult not taking any Desktop or Laptop back to check for errors and repairs.

For those Desktops and Laptops that needs fixing, we will try to fix it on the spot as we currently still have the restrictions to bring back to office to check and repair. However, dependent on the complexity of the problem, we will consider to take back the unit for repair as well (For areas not under the Red zones). We will provide with the best solution possible and time taken to repair depending on the problem. 

For customers' which computers problems are non-related to connectivity of on-site network connection issues, are advised to send back to their respective Head office. This is because, we had previous issue of calling the engineer to onsite places which are still not mapped on Google Maps (especially construction sites still under development) with a permanent address location. Additional charges will be added if needed us to deliver their computers back to their head office. 

Microphone not working on Laptops

Microphone not working on Laptops

With most of the people nowadays working from home during this Conditional Movement Control Order, the need to communicate with customers and co-workers is important. recently have a customer encounter problems getting the microphone on the their laptops to work.

Particularly on Microsoft Teams for this case. I'm not sure if other apps and software has this similar issue. But after searching for solutions on Google search, and also updating to the latest drivers, still could not get it to work. So, testing and troubleshooting it, I noticed that most of the laptop microphone and speaker shares the same functions. And sometimes the laptops have additional audio enhancement installed as well. Just need to disable the sound feature that is currently sharing with the microphone.

To perform this task, go to the Windows 10 Settings, System, Sound and Manage Sound Devices.

In this Manage Sound Devices, you will be able to see Output Devices and Input Devices. Output Devices will have speakers while Input Devices have the microphone and stereo mix.

Disable the stereo mix and the microphone should be working fine now.

Of course, if you are a music lover, don't forget to enable back the Stereo Mix for better sound quality when listening to your favorite radio station online or from your laptop playlist. However, when you need to use the microphone to communicate with work, then you need to disable the Stereo Mix.

That's it.

:: NOTICE: Conditional Movement Control Order as of 12 May to 9 June 2020

Malaysia Government has extended its Movement Control Order with Conditions some businesses can be open provided they follow the Standard Operating Procedure. This has started already since May 4, 2020. But the official kick off date is from May 12 to 9 June 2020. Its to be called as Conditional Movement Control Order or CMCO for short.

At this time, JEZ Consult can resume business such as onsite visit but again with conditions as well. The onsite place needs to have a temperature reading and the people in the office are required to wear facial mask. Social distancing is a must. So, please apologize if when we visit, we do not extend our hands to shake if you gestured so. Certain place also are still restricted depended on the Health Ministry chart zones. Currently any area that are placed as Extended Movement Control Order or EMCO and is deemed as Orange or Red zones, we do not provide onsite services. These restrictions is also on JEZ Consult not taking any Desktop or Laptop back to check for errors and repairs.

For those Desktops and Laptops that needs fixing, we will try to fix it on the spot as we currently have the restrictions to bring back to office to check and repair. This of course, we will see the conditions of the repair. It will take a longer time than the usual 2 to 3 days as we are fixing onsite. We will provide with the best solution possible and time taken to repair depending on the problem.

Please apologize for any inconvenience caused.

:: NOTICE: Movement Control Order as of 18th MARCH 2020

Following the recent events around the world regarding the outbreak of corona virus, Our Government's Prime Minister announced an immediate Movement Control Order with immediate effect on the 18th March 2020. Initially the MCO for short was until 28th March. But because of the severity of the cases of infection has increased tremendously, the MCO has extended to 28th April 2020.

During this time of MCO, companies are restricted to go to offices to work. Hence, we are all working from home. And have been forbidden to be out of our houses. We are instructed with only one person in the car and only one person per household to go out for groceries. We are not allowed to travel between states and we are also not allowed to travel more than 10KM within our premises. With that, our on-site services have been halted and we can only provide services via online.

With this restriction, we have the right to refuse business that could jeopardize our health due to the severity of the infection of corona virus (COVID19). Please do hope you understand our situation and if we have inconveniently been rude or refused to help a particular problem, we are solely making the decisions due to the nature of the infection of this corona virus. We apologize for any inconveniences especially denying of services which include picking up hardware laptop or desktop CPU.

Our services extension during this MCO includes hosting services, online software troubleshooting (this involves a currently working computer with internet access. This is usually done via remote access using either Teamviewer or AnyDesk. What we do is, we remote access to try to troubleshoot examples: for existing customers are renewal license for antivirus, third party email software configuration, problems installing software, to name a few. ) Renewal of hosting payments are all done via online payment. We are JomPAY biller since 2018.

During this time of Working from Home #workfromhome, we strongly advise our customer to secure their computer with original software especially antivirus and internet security software. Purchase a legitimate VPN software whenever performing online payment or online transaction for your bills. As more and more people are working form home, internet security is of utmost importance. We have received lots of customer's feedback regarding email Spamming and even recent's news on a test app that supposedly help in financing, but actually is a syndicate that robs your money.