Electronics

[Deree]

On another forum that I'm on, someone posted the following about an issue of concern with Windows 10:

"Our IT Department sent out a notice today that something invasive is going on with Windows 10. We were advised to update today and when we return on Tuesday. I just updated my personal computer.  Make sure to update Windows 10 if you use it."

Does anyone know anything about this?  When I asked for clarification, the poster said she's not a tech person and doesn't know exactly.  

I did notice that my laptop has been quite slow today.

[SilleeMee]

No problems with mine. I check everyday for updates and today there were none.

[Deree]

@SilleeMee  I also googled and wasn't able to find any issues or alerts.  I'm thinking this woman's company was hacked and she didn't understand when she posted to all Win10 users.   

[Caffeina]

Do a search for PrintNightmare. That's the name of the vulnerability.

[Deree]

@Caffeina   Thanks.  I googled and read an article on PrintNightmare by PC Mag, but being a non-tech person, I didn't understand much of it or what the consequences would be to me as a home user and what I'm supposed to do about it.  I'll keep reading.  Perhaps other articles will make more sense to me.

ETA:  According to another article, all Win10 users should disable Windows Print Spooler (have no idea what this is) to avoid being hacked until Microsoft comes up with a patch in the near future.  It involves running Powershell, accessed from the Win Start button, then disabling.  I tried following the steps, but the steps don't coincide on my laptop at all.  Don't really know what to do now.

[Deree]

Okay, here are easy instructions on how to disable Windows Print Spoolers until Microsoft comes up with a patch for PrintNightmare.  I went ahead and did it.  Not really sure why no one else is talking about this.  It sounds pretty important to me.

1: How to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Service - Services

Press the Windows Key + R, type in services.msc, and press Enter. Double-click on Print Spooler. Click on Start or Stop.

[CatsyCline]

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@Deree wrote:

Okay, here are easy instructions on how to disable Windows Print Spoolers until Microsoft comes up with a patch for PrintNightmare.  I went ahead and did it.  Not really sure why no one else is talking about this.  It sounds pretty important to me.

1: How to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Service - Services

Press the Windows Key + R, type in services.msc, and press Enter. Double-click on Print Spooler. Click on Start or Stop.

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@Deree   Start Or Stop?  which one?  mine was running. i hit STOP

[Deree]

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@CatsyCline wrote:

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@Deree wrote:

Okay, here are easy instructions on how to disable Windows Print Spoolers until Microsoft comes up with a patch for PrintNightmare.  I went ahead and did it.  Not really sure why no one else is talking about this.  It sounds pretty important to me.

1: How to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Service - Services

Press the Windows Key + R, type in services.msc, and press Enter. Double-click on Print Spooler. Click on Start or Stop.

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@Deree   Start Or Stop?  which one?  mine was running. i hit STOP

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@MIMOSA   Yes, I hit STOP.  That disables the Win Print Spoolers according to the instructions.

Now I'm not advising anyone to do this.  I did it, but I'm not a tech person.  Also, these instructions may not hold after a Restart of your computer, so next time you Restart, go through the instructions again to make sure you're still on STOP.

[chickenbutt]

I tried searching the computer for this print spooler and nothing matches.

Never mind.  I found it doing it another way.  But it says if you disable it then your printers won't work.

[Deree]

@chickenbutt  Did you follow these instructions:

1: How to Enable or Disable Print Spooler Service - Services

Press the Windows Key + R

Type in services.msc

Press Enter

Double-click on Print Spooler

Click on Start or Stop.

If you still don't find it, google "how to disable Windows Print Spooler".  I think there's more than one way.

@chickenbutt  Yes, you will not be able to use your printers.  I use mine infrequently.  Hopefully, Microsoft is supposed to create a patch for this vulnerability in the next few days.  I'm going to check for one every day.  After they do, you can enable your Print Spooler again.