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Macro Systems Blog

Macro Systems has been serving the Metro Washington, DC area since 1997, providing IT Support such as technical helpdesk support, computer support and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.

Microsoft PowerToys can Provide More Windows Functions

Microsoft PowerToys can Provide More Windows Functions

Since the Windows 95 operating system, Microsoft has been separately publishing 15 free utilities to add significant capabilities intended to help a user make some small tweaks and adjustments in a relatively safe way, as compared to what would otherwise be necessary to make these changes. Microsoft PowerToys are still available; what some of them can do and how you should go about getting these tools is listed below.

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How to Create a Windows Shortcut

How to Create a Windows Shortcut

Do you have a file or folder on your PC that you always seem to access, yet you have to dig through countless folders or files in your organizational hierarchy to find it? Windows makes it simple to add a new shortcut to your PC. How you can make a shortcut to a file, folder, or program on your Windows computer is listed below.

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Everything You Need to Know About the Command Prompt

Everything You Need to Know About the Command Prompt

While using your computer, you have probably seen a black box pop up with a blinking cursor in it. This is what is commonly known as the command prompt, which is a helpful tool for IT administrators to perform certain tasks, but you probably won’t use it much yourself. Having said that, it’s fun to know what it does and what it’s used for!

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A New Threat Involving the Windows 7 Calculator App

A New Threat Involving the Windows 7 Calculator App

You may be surprised by some of the security breaches and vulnerabilities out there, including some for apps that you would never suspect, like Windows’ Calculator application. Hackers are always searching for new ways to infect endpoints, and nothing exemplifies this better than this particular threat, one which utilizes the Windows 7 calculator app to launch attacks against Microsoft operating systems.

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Options for Turning Off Windows

Options for Turning Off Windows

While your attention is probably more dedicated to how you use your computer while it’s on, it is just as critical to consider the different ways that you can turn your computer off, in a manner of speaking. The varied options present in the Start menu will each have their own effect, so it is imperative to be aware of what these differences are. Listed below is review what each option does so that you’ll be able to use them more appropriately.

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Four Vital Elements of Successful Network Security

Four Vital Elements of Successful Network Security

A modern business’ network security needs to be amongst its top priorities if it is to have any chance of operating without undue risk of data breaches and other problems. Admittedly, managing this sounds like a Herculean task, but a few relatively easy implementations can help give your security a significant advantage as you lock down your business’ future. Listed below is a review of four key components for successful Network Security.

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An IT Medical Industry Vulnerability You Should Know About

An IT Medical Industry Vulnerability You Should Know About

Connected devices are undeniably convenient in the medical industry. Alas, recent news would suggest that connected devices should be avoided as the BlueKeep vulnerability is still able to attack medical systems… for an unfortunate reason. 

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Explaining Why Shutting Down Your Computer Takes A While

Explaining Why Shutting Down Your Computer Takes A While

There’s a significant difference between turning off some appliance, like a TV or a microwave, and turning off your computer. Why does the computer take so long to actually turn off, and is there any way to speed up the process? Let's give you a few ideas as to how to accelerate up the shutdown process.

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Reminder: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Period Ends July 29th

Reminder: Windows 10 Free Upgrade Period Ends July 29th

It’s been over two years since Microsoft officially cut the cord on Windows XP. As the most popular Windows operating system at the time, it was a huge blow to both businesses and consumers alike. Thankfully, a migration to Windows 10 isn’t nearly as difficult as one from XP. What lessons can be learned from Windows XP’s end of life event that can be applied to upgrading to Windows 10?

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Alert: Newfound Vulnerability Proves Windows to Not Be as Secure as Previously Thought

Alert: Newfound Vulnerability Proves Windows to Not Be as Secure as Previously Thought

A vulnerability has been uncovered in all Windows systems - one that’s described as “probably the widest impact in the history of Windows.” Coined BadTunnel, the vulnerability could provide attackers a route directly past the defenses of a system to set up a man-in-the-middle style attack.

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Are You Prepared To Deal With These EOL Events?

Are You Prepared To Deal With These EOL Events?

Using the most up-to-date versions of your technology’s operating systems is one of the best ways to stay secure. Yet, some organizations forego the jump to more recent operating systems due to the immense up-front expense represented by upgrading multiple servers or workstations at once. Unfortunately, this can be detrimental to your organization’s security, and potentially even put your business’s future at risk.

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Tip of the Week: Bypass the Windows Password Screen By Disabling it Altogether

Tip of the Week: Bypass the Windows Password Screen By Disabling it Altogether

The Windows Login Password Screen serves a valuable purpose in keeping unwanted users from accessing your PC. Although, if your computer is located in a place where unwanted users don’t typically hang out (like your home office), then the Login Screen may feel like a nuisance. In such a scenario, you can go ahead and disable the Windows Password Screen.

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Tip of the Week: How to Set Your Windows Apps to Automatically Open in Full Screen

Tip of the Week: How to Set Your Windows Apps to Automatically Open in Full Screen

Here’s something that you might have noticed about opening Windows applications on your desktop; by default, they will generally open in a smaller window, giving you the ability to customize their size as you see fit. If you want a full size Window, it’s as easy as clicking on the maximize button in the top-right corner, but what if you didn’t want to go through this every time you open the app? There’s a solution for this, and we’ll help you find it.

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Ye Be Warned! Support for Windows Server 2003 Ends this July

b2ap3_thumbnail_no_more_windows_server_2003_support_400.jpgIf you’re the owner of a small or medium-sized business, mark your calendars for July 14th. This is when Microsoft will stop supporting the 12-year-old server operating system, Windows Server 2003. Any business that is still running this ancient OS needs to upgrade to a more recent one before the end-of-support date arrives.

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Tip of the Week: How to Sync Media From PC to Android Using Windows Media Player

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_media_player_400.jpgWhat’s the best way to transfer your media files from your Windows PC to your Android mobile device? There are many different ways to go about this. One of the most-efficient-yet-often-neglected ways to sync your music is Windows Media Player.

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Microsoft Fixes Vulnerability Going All the Way Back to Windows 95

b2ap3_thumbnail_vulverability_fixed_400.jpgWell, better late than never.
This is to be said of Microsoft after they recently patched a security flaw that’s come with every generation of its operating systems going all the way back to Windows 95.

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Should Windows Upgrades Be Free?

b2ap3_thumbnail_free_windows_updates_400.jpgAll operating systems change over time, and upgrades are eventually made available. But in light of Windows 10, Windows Threshold, or whatever their new OS’s final incarnation is going to be called, one has to wonder if Microsoft has ever considered free upgrades to the Windows operating system family tree.

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Sexy New Windows 9 Photos Leaked All Over the Web [VIDEO]

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_9_coming_400.jpgWell, now that we've got your attention, it's a good time to mention that leaked photos and a video of what may be Windows 9, currently called Threshold, have been leaked to the web. As the next entry in the Windows family of operating systems, it has been highly anticipated since the return of a Start menu was displayed in April 2014. Microsoft has a lot of ground to cover after Windows 8, but will Windows 9/Threshold deliver?

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Windows 7 End of Mainstream Support Looms on the Horizon

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_7_support_400.jpgIf you have yet to upgrade away from Windows XP for some reason, you might want to think twice about upgrading to Windows 7. Microsoft has cautioned users about the end of mainstream support for several of its products within the next six months, and the popular operating system is one of them.

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XP Support is Down, but Not Out

b2ap3_thumbnail_windows_xp_400.jpgThe news that Microsoft no longer supports Windows XP, one of its most successful operating systems, was a great blow to many who loved the software. The greatest blow, however, will likely prove to be hackers, who will be able to break into the system now that Microsoft is not providing security patches.

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