Windows/Network

Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

With Windows 10, Microsoft has added new keyboard shortcuts to give you easier access to the new Action Center, Cortana, Task View, and virtual desktops.

Listed below are a few of the most common Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts:

  • Press Windows key: Open/close the Start menu
  • Press Windows key + A: Open the Action Center
  • Press Windows key + C: Launch Cortana in listening mode (for voice commands)
  • Press Windows key + E (Windows 7 and up): Launch File Explorer
  • Press Windows key + I: Open the Settings app
  • Press Windows key + S: Launch Cortana
  • Press Windows key + Tab: Open Task View
  • Press Windows key + Ctrl + D: Create a new virtual desktop
  • Press Windows key + Ctrl + F4: Close the current desktop
  • Press Windows key + Ctrl + left or right arrow: switch between virtual desktops

 

 

Battery Saver Settings

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

If you are utilizing a laptop and the battery is starting to run low, Windows 10 will begin to cut back on background services and other threads so you can squeeze more out of your battery life.

To enable Battery Saver:

  • Click on the Start menu
  • Click on Settings
  • Choose Systems
  • Choose Battery Saver

Battery Saver

 

The screen also shows how much battery life and estimated time you have remaining.

Stopping Your Network Account from Locking Up Constantly

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

Scenario: You recently changed your network password, consistent with county policy. However, the account keeps locking up on you (as though you have keyed in the wrong password three times). Why does this keep happening?

Occasionally, we all set up e-mail accounts on various devices and forget about them. Have you recently used a different device? Your own? A friend’s/spouse’s/partner’s? In this scenario, you probably set it up at some point over the last three months and then didn’t use it again. You changed your password on the primary device you often use (computer/tablet/phone) and now the old device is trying to access mail with the wrong password. It tries three times and locks up the account.

What to do?

Delete the account setup on those old devices. Reset your password using the Reset Password link on ePortal (instead of signing in). Log in with the new password.

Resetting Your Network Password

Posted on by Jeff Feiertag

Did you forget your county network password and you need to access e-mail, MCtime and/or the increasing list of county applications tied to the all important single sign-on (SSO)?

You should not need to call the helpdesk. Instead:

  • Go to Quicklinks — have someone else log into the county computer, use your personal tablet, use your phone, etc. — and click ePortal/MCtime.
  • Look below the username and password input boxes and you’ll see a link for changing your password (among others). Click it.
  • Answer the few security questions you should have set up long ago and you’ll be able to change your password.

A reminder about restrictions — your new password must be a minimum of eight (8) characters, it must not have been your password in the last nine passwords and it must meet several criteria, as shown in the picture below. (Remember your password will be case-sensitive, by the way.)

  • At least one number but not more than six numbers.
  • At least one symbol character but not more than six of them.
  • Cannot repeat any character more than six times.
  • Cannot repeat any character sequentially more than four times.
  • Not the words test or password.
  • Cannot include part or all of your username or real name.
  • At least three of four of the following criteria:
    • UPPER CASE
    • lower case
    • Number (0-9)
    • Symbol (!@#$%^, etc.)

Given the restrictions, here are some easy-to-remember examples:

  • Sta14:SleepHappens!
  • 1’mTiredZZZ
  • VogonPoetry4Insomnia?