Windows 10 For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Chapter 19

Strange Messages: What You Did Does Not Compute

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding notifications

Deciphering security messages

Responding to messages on the desktop

Error messages in real life are fairly easy to understand. A blinking digital clock means you need to set the time. A parked car’s beep means that you’ve left your keys in the ignition. A spouse’s stern glance means that you’ve forgotten something important.

But Windows error messages may have been written by a Senate subcommittee, if only the messages weren’t so brief. The error messages rarely describe what you did to cause the event or, even worse, how to fix the problem.

In this chapter, I’ve collected some of the most common Windows error messages, notifications, and just plain confusing attempts at conversation. Find a message that matches what you’re experiencing and then read how to handle the situation as gracefully as Windows will allow.

Add Your Microsoft Account

Meaning: You must sign in with a Microsoft account to perform several tasks in Windows. If you don’t have a Microsoft account, you see the message in Figure 19-1. As described in Chapter 2, Microsoft accounts let you reap the most benefits ...