Lockdown App for iOS

The firewall is free while the VPN is not.
https://www.theverge.com/21319817/facebook-ios-sdk-bug-fix-spotify-pinterest-tinder-crash-iphone-ios

source: https://www.askwoody.com/2020/are-your-iphone-apps-crashing-this-morning/

Checking your PC

Ways to check your PC, to ensure is it fine.

1. Device performance & health
2. Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T)
wmic diskdrive get status
3. chkdsk /f
chkdsk /r
4. dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
sfc /scannow

source: https://www.askwoody.com/newsletter/terabyte-update-the-hard-drive-price-advantage/#langalist-0

Checking if you have a clean IP Address

Use the follow web sites to see if the IP address you are using is “clean”.

CleanTalk: https://cleantalk.org/blacklists
What Is My IP: https://whatismyipaddress.com/blacklist-check

source: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/why-should-i-disable-my-vpn-to-view-here/

Windows 10 Upgrade Diagnostics

SetupDiag

read Windows Update logs using PowerShell or EventViewer
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/67283-read-windows-update-logs-windows-10-a.html
Extending the time to Uninstall Windows 10 Updates (uses DISM)
https://www.howtogeek.com/362090/how-to-give-yourself-more-time-to-uninstall-windows-10-updates/

source: https://www.askwoody.com/newsletter/coming-to-a-pc-near-you-win10-2004-the-may-2020-update/#upgrading-windows-0

Windows 10 Home, Install Group Policy

Although you can install registry keys by installing Group Policy (normally not available on Home versions), it does not mean Windows 10 will used its settings.

How to enable gpedit.msc (Group Policy) on Windows 10 Home devices

source: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/how-can-a-win10-1903-user-keep-2004-off-their-machine/#post-2284031

Installing Windows 7 ESU Updates

This is working for the July 2020 Windows 7 Updates.

Use W7ESUI.cmd from W7ESUI_0.2.zip to install the Monthly Cumulative Update.
Copy the cmd file and bin folder from dotNetFx4_ESU_Installer_r.zip to install the .Net Framework Updates. Download all the .Net Updates that apply for the month. The ones that do not apply, will not install and say they are not applicable to the installed version of Windows.

List of the .Net Updates can be found via here:
https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/
Example: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/dotnet/net-framework-august-2020-security-and-quality-rollup-updates/

 

General Instructions:

Download the Microsoft update into an unique folder. Copy the appropriate cmd into the unique folder. Run as Administrator to execute the cmd command.

Unsure how long this method will allow for the installation of ESU Updates.

 

sources: https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/standalone-installer-script-for-windows-7-esu-regardless-the-license/#post-2283523

Standalone installer script for Windows 7 ESU, regardless the license