I C WHY Consulting Ltd

26/06/2026

Around a year ago, Microsoft extended support for all Win 10 devices until Oct 2026 (as long as you enrolled with a Microsoft account). It seems they have extended it again for another year until Oct 2027. I have yet to see the reasoning, which could be a mixture of lack of confidence in Win 11 to a lack of desire for many to replace older Win 10 devices, which are working perfectly. One wonders this time whether the extended support will only apply to devices not able to upgrade to Win 11 or ALL devices still running Win 10, to force those with Win 11 compliant devices to finally make the upgrade?

Use Windows 10 securely with the Extended Security Updates programme See how it helps protect your PC and find out how to get it.

19/03/2025

2025 is likely to be a busy year in the IT industry. The main feature being the retirement of Windows 10 in October.

The internet abounds with replacement 'cheap' Windows 11 machines. Be very careful as Windows 11 can be installed on many 'incompatible' machines and the chances are they will not install future Windows 11 updates. Although, technically, there are few reasons to Microsoft's restriction on Windows 11 compatibility that make any sense. This has allowed the tech industry to install Win 11 on machines that would fail the normal compatibility tests. But, those tests could be made more restrictive causing those machines to fail. Check carefully before purchasing. The easiest way is to check the CPU listed against this page:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/supported/windows-11-22h2-supported-intel-processors

However, Microsoft are also creating issues within the Office365 suite:

Microsoft Publisher will be removed from the suite in October 2026 and you should all look to 'Save As' your publisher documents in another format to maintain them.

Microsoft have also be 'playing' with Outlook. I understand the reason to co-ordinate the look and feel of the products and retire Windows Mail (horrible product in my opinion) and create Outlook (New) as an upgrade (much better than Mail). But, where was the sense to 'force' Outlook365 users to use it. I have used the word 'force' as it is not exactly that, but users are offered to try 'New Outlook' which is not a replacement for the professional Outlook application and is simply the upgraded version of Windows Mail. Do not be tempted to 'upgrade'.

Read the response by Zachary.W in the post below for confirmation:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/new-outlook-always-going-to-be-online-only/cbf649e5-e637-47f7-ad4b-e5db79e564fc

I will try to post more updates as this will be an eventful year.

27/03/2024

This message is for users of Outlook via the Microsoft Office suite. It doesn't matter whether your are on an Office365 subscription or have purchased your copy of MS Office.

Microsoft have released an update to the Windows 'Mail & Calendar' App. And, while I applaud this as this App was awful, they have replaced it with 'Outlook (New)'.

If you were not an MS Office user, then this is a step upward and brings the Outlook (Web) version to the App on your device. This enables much needed continuity.

However, and here's the kicker, if you have a full version of Outlook via the MS Office suite, the 'Mail & Calendar' update to 'Outlook (New)' ignores this and changes the default App to 'Outlook (New)' and throws messages for you to use it. It leads you to believe this is an update to your full version of Outlook, it is not! The installer fails to register that the better version of their own product is already there and upgrades you to the lesser version.

My advice as a full Office suite Outlook user, go to Settings, Apps & Features and uninstall 'Mail & Calendar' and 'Outlook (New)'.

Then go to 'Default Apps' and make sure 'Outlook' is your default Email App.

End of rant.

25/01/2024

Many of you will now be looking at changes to your internet and telephone service due to the phasing out of the old BT PSTN telephone network.

You should not be worried as most service providers will seamlessly upgrade you and you will see little or no difference. But, please let your supplier know if you have any specialist emergency call alert systems that use the old telephone network when they first contact you.

However, some of you will be either asked to change to another service supplier completely or manually port your telephone number.

This is because your old broadband contract was in two parts; a telephone number and an internet connection.

Some suppliers are able to continue to supply the internet part but will not supply a telephone number to go with it. This service is called SoGEA (Single order Generic Ethernet Access).

This is not an upgrade and may simply involve you losing your telephone number but keeping your broadband connection speed and service.

To keep your telephone, you will need to port your number to another service provider.

There are many providers but I recommend Freeola as they supply a good service at a reasonable price. Also, their staff are both efficient and knowledgeable.

If you have any queries, please contact me and I will be glad to help.