Microsoft - Tuesday October 2010: 16 Updates Correcting 49 Security Related Issues

This month's Patch Tuesday is a big one - 16 individual updates correcting a total of 49 security issues across several operating systems and other Microsoft software.

Many of these issues could allow a remote attacker to take completely control of your system. The attacker could then perform tasks on the computer like an administrator could including viewing, changing, and deleting information.

What these updates do:

These patches from Microsoft update several individual files involved in making the affected operating system or software work.

These updates may apply to you if: you're running any of Microsoft's supported operating systems including Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2008 R2, 2008, and 2003. Several updates also apply to those running certain versions of MS Office and Internet Explorer.

More Information:

These are serious issues with Windows and other software and you should apply all updates that affect your specific software or version of Windows. Most of these issues are categorized as Critical and some others as Important or Moderate.

In most cases, both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the above Windows operating systems and software programs are affected.

Some updates will require that you restart your computer but some will not. If you use Windows Update to install these updates simultaneously, chances are you will need to restart.

Automatically install: via Windows Update.

Windows shortcut keys

What are Windows shortcut keys?

Windows shortcut keys are keys on your keyboard that you can press to make things happen. Sometimes you might have to press one key on the keyboard, however usually it will be a combination of keys together. For example  you can press the WINKEY and the letter D on your keyboard to minimize all open applications and show your computers desktop.

When will you need to use Windows Shortcut keys?

A perfect example when you will need to know a few Windows shortcut keys is when your mouse decides to not work. The rest of the time, Windows Shortcut keys are just there to make life easier and help you get your tasks done quicker.

Short keys	What they do
Alt + F	File menu options in current program.
Alt + E	Edit options in current program
F1	Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
Ctrl + A	Select all text.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected item.
Shift + Del	Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C	Copy selected item.
Ctrl + Ins	Copy selected item
Ctrl + V	Paste
Shift + Ins	Paste
Home	Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home	Goes to beginning of document.
End	Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End	Goes to end of document.
Shift + Home	Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
Shift + End	Highlights from current position to end of line.
Ctrl + Left arrow	Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow	Moves one word to the right at a time.
Alt + Tab	Switch between open applications.
Alt + Shift + Tab	Switch backwards between open applications.
Alt + Print Screen	Create a screen shot only for the program you are currently in.
Ctrl + Alt + Del	Bring up the Windows task manager.
Ctrl + Esc	Bring Up start menu.
Alt + Esc	Switch Between open applications on taskbar.
F2	Renames selected Icon.
F3	Starts find from desktop.
F4	Opens the drive selection when browsing.
F5	Refresh Contents.
Alt + F4	Closes Current open program.
Ctrl + F4	Closes Window in Program.
Ctrl + (the ‘+’ key on the keypad)	Automatically adjust the widths of all the columns in Windows explorer
Alt + Enter	Opens properties window of selected icon or program.
Shift + F10	Simulates right-click on selected item.
Shift + Del	Delete programs/files without throwing into the recycle bin.
Holding Shift	Boot safe mode or by pass system files.
Holding Shift	When putting in an audio CD, will prevent CD Player from playing.
Windows key Shortcuts	These are my favourites
Windows + D	Brings the desktop to the top of all other windows.
Windows + M	Minimizes all windows.
Windows + SHIFT + M	Undo the minimize done the above 2
Windows + E	Open Microsoft Explorer.
Windows + Tab	Cycle through open programs through the taskbar
Windows + F	Display the Windows Search / Find feature.
Windows + CTRL + F	Display the search for computers window.
Windows + F1	Display the Microsoft Windows help.
Windows + R	Open the run window.
Windows + Pause / Break key	Open the system properties window.
Windows + L	Lock the computer (Windows XP and above only).