Disabling WSUS in SBS2011 etc

To allow a client machine to get updates directly from Microsoft.

Just the basics...

In Group Policy Management
Under a GPO for Updates...Common
  = Update Services Common Setting Policy
  Right Click and select Edit
  Go to Computer Config
       Administrative Templates
           Windows Components
                Windows Update
Find entry for Specify Intranet...
   And edit it to Not Configured


Is a good idea to disable the WSUS service (optionally in IIS also).  but it is not recommended to remove WSUS as the SBS console breaks.

In services.msc, find Update Service, and set to Manual


..
Note on a workstation, say a laptop that doesn't get tot he office much, can delete a registry entry on the laptop.  Note, if the unit comes back to the office, a Group Policy will be reapplied and you would need to re-delete the key

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\

  Windows Update

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
Relevant Articles:

https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2086575-stop-using-wsus-for-workstations-on-sbs-2011
also
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/407a0a61-bd04-4f2d-9a41-51d33ac063c3/procedure-for-disabling-wsus-3x-and-enabling-microsoft-update-for-sbs2011-server-and-its-clients?forum=smallbusinessserver

https://www.thirdtier.net/introducing-windows-10-into-your-sbs-2011-standard-network/

Windows 7 SMB Error (can't access network folders), thanks Microsoft.

In January 2019, MS released some updates which blocked SMB access.  This post wil lbe out about Windows 7, but there could be other users/OS effected.

The problem update we found and blocked was KB4480970, but also MS says KB4480960 was a problem.

They released a fix for this, by udated later in the month called KB4487345.

This patch got rolled up into the February and then the March Rollups.  See KB4486563 and KB4489878 (for March).

A good guide to  te issues, and some links to search the MS catalog for standalone patches/updates is:

https://borncity.com/win/2019/01/12/fix-for-the-windows-7-smb-network-bug-caused-by-update-kb4480970-kb4480960/


Other details:
The offending update
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4480970/windows-7-update-kb4480970
Location to D/L
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=4489878

The Fix
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4487345
March Rollup
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4489878/windows-7-update-kb4489878
Location to D/L
http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4489878

First look writeups of the problem, from borncity
https://borncity.com/win/2019/01/09/netzwerk-issues-with-updates-kb4480970-and-kb4480960/

Windows 10 Updates and Problems

Resources:
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-creators-update-fails-install

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-10-version-1803-spring/617a37da-8fc0-4f33-a3eb-59fe9082f925

Note, how to still get Windows 10 upgrade 'free'
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/download-windows-10-free/

Allow Domain PC/Laptop to Get Updates Independently

Easiest is to change registry

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU]

Set
"UseWUServer"=dword:00000000

reference
https://superuser.com/questions/32340/how-to-enable-windows-update-over-the-internet-for-domain-computers-code-8024

Software Key (license) Finder

Similar to Magical Jellybean
  may be from different fork
  iirc, finds slightly newer version of Adobe or MS

https://davehope.co.uk/projects/product-key-finder/

Office 2013 - Colors, ugh

Of course, Office 2013 has 3 standard schemes, but they are pretty bland being white or 2 grays.

Can anything be done?  Not much

For Outlook:
https://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/outlook2013whiteandbright.htm

Perhaps personalize a few colors
https://forums.windowssecrets.com/showthread.php/152108-Why-is-the-Office-2013-color-scheme-so-bland

And, others comment here, and some calls to Microsoft...and for some, High Contrast Themes helped...
https://www.slipstick.com/outlook/2013/changing-office-2013s-color-scheme/

GMAIL Add Account notes

Generally, if setting this account as alternate to an account elsewhere, leave check for alias empty.

Then when adding account details,put in server as follows:
  smtp.gmail.com
  587
  username: just xxxyyyzzz (not @gmail.com)