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ISSUE NUMBER 166 THE TOWN CRIER APRIL 2017

Computing Info
By Tom King

Townville Computer Repairs

When you first set up a Windows 8 computer, and now a Windows 10 computer, you
are given a choice of "Express Settings or "Customize Settings. There is a huge dif-
ference between the two, so let's discuss them.

Express Settings - In Windows 10, Express Settings means all of Windows 10 Mi-
crosoft spyware is turned on, so Microsoft can monitor what you do on your computer. Worse, you are led
to log in to a Microsoft website, provide an email ID and password, and from then on, on your own com-
puter, your password is owned by Microsoft. Forget your password? You'll have to log in to Microsoft to re-
cover it, using some codes they provide you. So you are no longer in charge of your password on your own
computer. When you log on to your Windows 10 computer, if your user name is an email ID, such as, oh,
tom@hotmail.com, you have a Microsoft user account.

Customize Settings - If you select this, you are given an opportunity to turn everything off (recommended),
and then you are offered a standard setting to create your user name and a password (if you so choose).
No logging into Microsoft, and you own your password. With Customize Settings, if you forget your pass-
word, you can also bring your system into a local repair shop, and they can "hack" it for you.

Another important factor if you have a Microsoft user account is that you are given a four digit "Pin Num-
ber." For example, 2735 or 1163 and you can use this to log in to your computer. HOWEVER - This is not
your password. You cannot use your Pin Number to make certain changes to your computer, such as
changing your user account from a Microsoft account to just a regular user account (called a "Local User
Account"). If you have used a Pin Number for so long that you have forgotten your actual password, do a
web search using "forgot Windows 10 password", and follow the steps to log into Microsoft to recover it.

If you have a Microsoft user account, also do a web search using "change Windows 10 to local user ac-
count," to get rid of the silliness of having to ask Microsoft when you have password issues.
RICKY FLOYD
USED CARS & TRUCKS

8214 HWY 24
Townville, SC
864 287-0701

(will buy, sale or trade for anything)

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