Windows 10: Switching from Windows 10 Home to Pro

Having used Windows versions for many years and Windows 10 since it was first introduced I recently decided to purchase a new laptop with Windows 10 Pro. Apart from the delight in having newer faster hardware, my main interest was improving my data privacy and security. I chose it because of bitlocker and I have no idea Windows 10 Pro has any other new features of interest to me.


My laptop is fitted with TPM and I immediately initialised it using bitlocker for the full size of internal drive. My previous new PCs always requested creation of local user accounts for system management. I was surprised to find that this setup effectively forced me to use a Microsoft account as my user name. I initially assumed it would give me additional security but I soon found out it was the contrary. As soon as I had copied in all my personal data, and without asking my permission, I discovered the PC started to upload all my private and personal data files to OneDrive. This made me very unhappy. Fortunately, with the help of someone in this community I was shown how to ditch this method of grabbing my personal data, remove the Microsoft account and restore my laptop back to privacy using only local accounts.


My first question is, when initialising a Windows PC why does Microsoft now insist that we use a Microsoft account and risk having our personal data uploaded to OneDrive? In my case I already have all my data securely backed up on encrypted external drives so have no wish for my personal data to be uploaded to a third party webstore.


My next question is about bitlocker. On initialisation of my laptop it offered me some important recovery data to retain in case of any future problems and I have of course done that. As a regular user of Veracrypt I had assumed that bitlocker would similarly expect me after logging in to my local account, to provide a specific password to unlock the encrypted C: data. Yet it seems that it only requires me to log on to my local account to get full access to my C drive. Am I missing a trick here: maybe someone can explain how the user interface to bitlocker works?


Next question: Once in a while as I'm working on my laptop a small box flashes up on the screen saying something to the effect that some parameter on my C drive has changed and it displays some lengthy code looking similar to a recovery code. Unfortunately it disappears of the screen so quickly, preventing me from reading it properly. My laptop then carries on working normally as if nothing has changed. Can someone explain what this lightning fast screen box is all about and what, if anything, I need to do?


Final question: On my previous Windows PCs, when I first used them, there was on the home screen some form of "about" icon which, when opened, gave details of the PC hardware and software. This included stuff such as fitted RAM, fitted drive size, installed operating system version and similar information. I can't find a similar thing on the new PC. I'm especially interesting in finding the software licence number and related information. Where can I find it?

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

As you may already know, Windows 10 (as well as Windows 8) allow you to log in with a valid Microsoft account, instead of creating a local account that only works on your machine. However, you may prefer to keep a local account for privacy reasons. If you do, though, some Windows 10 features—like Cortana—may not work. Despite the default behavior, the Windows 10 Store is not one of them. You can still log in to your Microsoft account for just the Store without switching to a full Microsoft account. The process, however, is not terribly obvious. To do so, follow these steps:

• Launch the Store from your Start menu.
• Click the user icon next to the search box.
• Click “Sign-in” from the menu that appears.
• Choose “Microsoft account” and log in like normal.
• When the “Make it yours” box appears do not enter your password. Instead, click “Sign in to just this app instead.”

from Lifehacker

 

Unlocked Realtek HD Audio Drivers Windows 7 & 8 (With Dolby Digital Live and DTS Interactive)

Sir is this for Windows 10 Pro?
2.73 worked great on Windows 8.1 but ever since I have switched to Win 10 it's not working.