Articles about Microsoft

Microsoft enables JScript9Legacy scripting engine to improve Windows 11 security

Microsoft building

Microsoft has announced that it is moving away from Jscript in Windows 11 24H2 to make scripting more secure, and boost Windows 11 security overall.

The change sees the company enabling JScript9Legacy by default in the latest version of Windows 11. Despite stressing the important security implications of the change, Microsoft is not changing from Jscript to JScript9Legacy in operating system edition prior to Windows 11 24H2.

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Microsoft admits Windows Server Update Services sync is failing

Microsoft building logo

Following complaints from users about problems with Windows Server Update Services, Microsoft has spoken out. The company has confirmed that WSUS has suffered issues preventing synchronization and deployment of updates.

This is a serious headache for businesses and organizations that rely on WSUS to manage Windows updates across networks. Reports of errors have been popping up for a couple of days, with scheduled synchronization actions showing to have failed in event logs.

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Microsoft adds features and boosts Windows 11 security with KB5062553

Windows 11 laptop

Microsoft has released the KB5062553 update for Windows 11 24H2. Billed primarily as a security update for the operating system, it is actually more than that – much more.

As is the case with Microsoft’s monthly security updates, it also includes the non-security improvements, fixes and additions that were previewed last month. One of the key new arrivals here is the new PC-to-PC migration experience which uses the Windows Backup app to ease the process of moving to a new computer.

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Windows Restrictions Fixer 2.0 restores disabled features with ease

Thumbs up Windows user

Windows Restrictions Fixer is a lightweight tool that can detect disabled Windows features and give you the opportunity to re-enable them in just a few clicks.

While it's possible to manually reverse many restrictions through the registry or Group Policy Editor, this app offers a much simpler route for those who prefer not to dig around in system files, or just don’t know where to begin.

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Windows 11 is finally more popular than Windows 10

Windows 11 on convertible laptop

It took a long time, undoubtedly much longer than Microsoft would have liked, but Windows 11 is now more popular than Windows 10. The most recent version of Microsoft’s desktop operating system is now installed on more desktop computers than its predecessor.  

Is this a cause for celebration at Microsoft HQ? Probably not. While Windows 11 may finally have a larger install base than Windows 10, it took four long years for this landmark to be reached. In the world of software development, that is an age.

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Windows 11 25H2 has a new option to remove all unwanted Microsoft apps

Apps in Start Menu

It is not long until the next big update for Windows 11 is released. We don’t yet have an exact date for the availability of Windows 11 25H2 (although October looks likely a candidate) but we already know a lot about what to expect from it.

One of the changes that will be welcomed by many users, but business and enterprise users in particular, is the arrival of a new way to remove all unwanted Microsoft apps in one fell swoop. Via Group Policy, the new Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages policy helps to debloat Windows 11 in a flash.

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Microsoft will use the Windows 11 lock screen to recommend widgets

Windows 11 Lock Screen recommendations

It took Microsoft a long time to embrace widgets, but the company is now doing so wholeheartedly. While smartphone and tablet users – and, indeed, Mac owners – have developed a relationship with widgets, the same cannot be said of Windows 11 users.

But this is something Microsoft wants to change. In a move that will almost certainly prove to be popular and controversial in equal measure, the company is going to the Windows 11 lock screen to recommend widgets you might be interested in.

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Microsoft confirms KB5060829 update for Windows 11 causes worrying Firewall errors

Windows 11 screen with reflection

Microsoft has issued a warning about a recent update for Windows 11. The KB5060829 update was released late last month as a non-security preview update, and it has been found to be causing issues.

Available for Windows 11 24H2, the optional KB5060829 update has been causing Windows Firewall With Advanced Security errors to be logged by the operating system. While error message relating to a security feature are likely to result in concern and fear, Microsoft is at pains to reassure users that there is no need to panic.

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Microsoft finally removes PowerShell 2.0 from Windows 11

Colorful rainbow Microsoft building logo

Having previously announced the future deprecation of PowerShell 2.0, Microsoft has now released a version of Windows 11 that sees this command line shell removed.

The writing has been on the wall for this old version of PowerShell for some time, but Microsoft has – as is often the case with deprecated features – never been very clear about the precise schedule. But with the newly released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27891 on the Canary Channel dropping PowerShell 2.0, it is only a matter of time before other builds ditch the utility as well.

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Never mind Windows 11, Windows Classic Remastered is the nostalgic Microsoft operating system you didn't know you wanted

Windows Classic Remastered

With support for Windows 10 winding down, many users are weighing up their next move. Traditionally, upgrading to the newest version of Windows was a no-brainer, but Windows 11 has complicated that decision. Its strict hardware requirements, growing insistence on a Microsoft account, system bloat, unpredictable updates, and an expanding focus on AI have left many users looking for alternatives, or at least wondering what else is possible.

Enter Windows Classic Remastered (Windows CR for short), a retro-inspired OS that shows us a version of Windows from an alternate reality; one where simplicity, consistency, and user control rule, rather than complexity and bloat.

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Microsoft announces another round of layoffs as it plows money into AI

Microsoft logo

Microsoft plans to further reduce its global workforce, having already trimmed back on employee numbers several times this year.

The company is yet to provide exact details of the number of people affected by the latest round of layoffs, and it has also not revealed which divisions are to be hit. Microsoft has confirmed, however, that the cutbacks represent less than 4 percent of its workforce, leading to estimates of around 9,000 layoffs.

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Microsoft acknowledges Intune issue that wipes out security customizations

Microsoft Intune

Microsoft has published a warning about a problem in its Intune management software that stops customizations from being saved. Stemming from an issue in the security baseline policy update flow, an update can wipe out settings that have been put in place by administrators.

Although Microsoft has acknowledged the problem, the company is currently working on working out how to address it. In the meantime, Intune users are being told to use a workaround that could prove to be time-consuming for many.

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Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.92 with new features for many modules

PowerToys v0.92.0

If it feels as though it has been a while since PowerToys received an update, that’s because it has been a number of weeks. But now this changes. Microsoft has launched PowerToys v0.92.0 as part of a release cycle that focuses on new features, stability, optimization improvements, and automation.

Every PowerToys release causes fans of the utility suite to ask whether any new modules have been added. This time around there are no completely new utilities to play with, but there a so many modules that have gained new features and improvements that it’s hard to remain disappointed for long.

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OpenAI & Microsoft Partnership Is On Shaky Ground as Altman Admits ‘Points of Tension’

OpenAI and Microsoft logos in a white background

In a New York Times podcast released late Tuesday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed he had a private call with Microsoft chief Satya Nadella “on Monday” to hash out the future of their alliance, conceding there are “points of tension.”

Microsoft is OpenAI’s biggest investor. Back in 2019, Microsoft wrote a $1 billion check for OpenAI, and in return, gained preferred access to OpenAI’s models. That stake has since ballooned to an estimated $13 billion. 

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Windows Hello Facial Recognition Fails in the Dark After Update

Windows Hello Stopped Working

Microsoft’s latest Windows update has created a big confusion. Many users are actively complaining that Microsoft weakened the facial recognition feature, Windows Hello, and now they can’t sign in to their devices in the dark or low light conditions.

Windows Hello’s main advantage was its ability to instantly unlock devices with the help of facial recognition, regardless of the time of day, thanks to its camera technology. However, since a recent update, this feature has become unreliable when the lighting is poor, forcing users to manually enter pins and passwords instead.

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