iPad/iPhone SIG
Central Resource Library
9875 West 87th Street
Overland Park, KS 66212
Conference Room 01
Friday, August 21, 2026, 2:00 ~ 3:30 pm
The main goal of our special interest group (SIG) is to share our knowledge of all things iPad and iPhone. The group is open to all. We encourage your questions on general and specific Apple-related topics/issues. Bring your questions to the meeting, or email Ray before the meeting, and he’ll add them to the agenda.
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Ray Martinez convenes the iPad/iPhone SIG
rmartinez@kcsenior.net
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Do you have a computer that can’t be upgraded to Windows 11, and don’t know what to do with it?
Would you like to learn about a different Operating System called Linux?
If you’re a senior using a Windows 10 computer, now is a great time to consider switching to Linux. Windows 10 has reached the end of its support, which means no more security updates – leaving your system more vulnerable unless you enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates for one more year of support. Linux is a free, secure, and easy-to-use alternative that runs well on older machines, helping you avoid the cost and hassle of buying a new computer. Many versions of Linux, like Linux Mint or Zorin OS, are designed to feel familiar to Windows users, making the transition smoother. With Linux, you can continue browsing the internet, sending emails, watching videos, and more – without worrying about viruses or forced updates. It’s a smart, budget-friendly choice for staying safe and productive online. If everything you do on your computer is done inside a browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox, etc.), Linux can easily handle your needs.
Please let us know your interest! SenCom is considering holding workshops and developing classes on Linux. Contact either Joe Callison (jcallison@kcsenior.net) or Frank Mundt (fmundt@kcsenior.net).
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SenCom is on Facebook. See the access instructions below to find our Facebook Group page (SenComKC). Check it out! Share your favorite SenCom moment or interaction.
To access the group page:
- Log in to your Facebook account.
- On your computer, click “Search Facebook” in the left-hand corner (to the left of the home icon, or on your mobile device, in the middle of the screen at the top, then type SenComKC (not case-sensitive).
- Search results should give you “Groups,” and under that, you will see SenComKC. To the right of your search results, you should see a “Join” button. Click the button to request to be a member of this Facebook group.
* Volunteers Needed *
SOS! NEEDED NOW! — Volunteers to help our Board of Directors fill the board positions of Vice President, Program Director, and Hospitality Director. If interested, please email me (or another Board Member). Our email addresses are on the “Board of Directors” page under the “About Us” menu. Remember, this is your organization; please help us keep it healthy and growing!!
LITTLE OR NO COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED.
Lou Risley, 913-298-0575 or sencomprez@gmail.com
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GEEK FREE
By Joe Callison
4 June, 2026
Check Your Windows Secure Boot and Device Encryption Status!
Secure Boot:
Secure Boot is a UEFI firmware (modern version of BIOS) that was introduced with Windows 8 in 2012. It requires Secure Boot Certificates for any software that loads during the boot process, before the Windows operating system and other software are loaded. Some third-party drivers and antimalware processes may load during the boot process and would require these certificates. The certificate validation data is stored in the firmware and was published in 2011. The certificates begin expiring in June 2026, and new data needs to be updated for certificates published in 2023. This update process is being done beginning with the April 2026 Windows updates. Some computers are having issues with the updates, notably Lenovo Yoga and, more recently, many of the HP models. In trying to perform the necessary UEFI changes, the computers may boot up with a message to enter the BitLocker Recovery Key. Even after entering the valid key stored in the user’s Microsoft account, the computer may be stuck in a boot loop with the same message. The problem seems to be a difficulty in completing the UEFI firmware changes necessary for the new certificates. Other means of updating the firmware might be needed unless there is a Windows update fix for the affected models.
If your computer has not been affected, you can verify that the updated Secure Boot Certificates have been received by going to Settings, Privacy & Security, Windows Security, Device Security, and reading the Secure Boot description. It should indicate that the certificate updates have been completed and no further changes are needed.
If Secure Boot is not listed in Device Security, the feature may have been turned off in the firmware. Normally, it is on by default.
Device Encryption:
Device Encryption is provided for Windows Home users, similar to BitLocker Device Encryption for Windows Professional users, but limited to turning on or off for management, and only applicable for internal storage drives. It requires being signed into a Microsoft account, not a local account, and both the TPM Security and Secure Boot features must be turned on in the UEFI firmware. If the requirements were met when Windows was first set up, Device Encryption would have been turned on by default, and a BitLocker recovery key would have been stored in the online Microsoft Account. The internal drives would then be encrypted unless the toggle is later turned off in the Windows settings. Turning off encryption would begin the process of decrypting the drives, which could take considerable time to complete. If turned on again, the encryption process would begin, and a new BitLocker recovery key would be stored in the Microsoft Account. It is highly recommended to keep a copy of the current key stored in a safe place, as well as the Microsoft Account user name (typically an email address) and password.
For normal home use, unless you travel with your laptop or have very sensitive information stored on it, I would discourage encrypting your internal drives. I would instead keep sensitive information on an encrypted external drive.
Like Secure Boot, Device Encryption can be found on the Device Security settings page. A text link to manage the device encryption will open another settings page with a toggle to turn it on or off.
FOR~GO
(For Geeks Only)
By Joe Callison
8 August 2026
Enable SUDO for Windows Terminal
If you are familiar with using the “superuser do” sudo command in a Linux or MacOS terminal for administrative functions, then you might appreciate that it can also be enabled for the Windows Terminal without elevating the terminal to administrator privileges. Go to Windows Settings, System, Advanced, and under Terminal you will find Enable sudo. It has three options, of which the inline option is most like other operating system sudo commands. This capability is especially useful if you work from a standard user account, as recommended by many, including Microsoft, for enhanced security of your Windows computer from malware attempting system changes in an account with administrator privileges.
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SenCom gratefully acknowledges the following organizations for their support:
Google Fiber
City of Shawnee:
Parks & Recreation Department
Johnson County Library:
Central Resource, Oak Park
SENCOM IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT KANSAS CORPORATION
UNDER THE IRS 501(C)(3) RULES
