Microsoft PowerToys 0.94 adds shortcut conflict detection, fuzzy search and more!
Microsoft has released PowerToys 0.94 with the joyous news that the v0.94 release cycle is “focused on new features, stability, optimization improvements, and automation”.
This is a big release – PowerToys 0.94 has a lot of new stuff in it, but there are two things that stand out. The first is a shortcut conflict detection feature which helps track down duplicated keyboard shortcuts. The second is fuzzy search within PowerToys Settings – which is important as the suite of tools is now a colossal collection. But, of course, there is more. Much more.
Windows 11 gains clipboard sharing with Android devices
Microsoft has gone all in with its embrace of Android and its various moves towards making Windows 11 play nicely with Google’s mobile operating system.
We’ve already seen the Link to Windows app get some serious attention, and most recently Microsoft added a very Apple-like option to resume using a mobile app in Windows. An as-yet unannounced feature is clipboard sharing, and this has been unearthed in a preview build of Windows 11.
Microsoft is rolling out Windows 11 25H2
Microsoft is of the opinion that Windows 11 25H2 – the next big update for Windows 11 – is ready for public consumption. Although the update has not yet been given a full, formal release, it is now available as a public preview.
This means that Windows Insiders signed up to the Release Preview channel. However, Microsoft is yet to confirm just when the update will be made available to everyone. At the moment the company is not being any more specific than referring to “general availability later this calendar year”.
This updated Windows 11 clone is Linux underneath and makes your old PC run faster -- get it now
Windows 10 is edging ever nearer towards the end of its support period, which means no more security patches or updates for millions of PCs. Users will either need to run their systems without protection or upgrade to Windows 11, which has more demanding hardware requirements.
For many older laptops and desktops, Windows 11 is not an option, and this is where Linuxfx comes in. Just updated to version 11.25.09 “NOBLE”, the latest version of the Windows-style Linux distribution offers a familiar environment that runs faster on aging machines.
Microsoft now saves all Word files to the cloud by default
Anyone who has used Microsoft Word for a number of years will remember the times they have been saved by the autosave feature. The move to the cloud complicated things slightly meaning that many people lost files when Microsoft changed the way the feature worked.
Now the company has announced a significant change to Word that will help to dramatically reduce the risk of documents being lost by accident or because of something like a power outage or hardware failure. All Word documents are now saved to the cloud by default.
Microsoft previews tool to convert virtual machines from VMware to Hyper-V
Microsoft has launched a public preview of a new tool to convert virtual machines between VMware to Hyper-V formats. The VM Conversion tool is available free of charge via the Windows Admin Center, with Microsoft claiming that the conversion process takes just five minutes.
The company says that the aim of the tool is to provide a simple, supported path for organizations to streamline VM conversion to Hyper-V virtualization environments.
0patch will keep Office 2016 and Office 2019 secure for years after Microsoft abandons them in October
Most people know by now that October will mark the end of free security updates for Windows 10, but that’s not the only Microsoft product that will stop receiving support. In the same month, the software giant will also pull the plug on Microsoft Office 2016 and Office 2019.
Millions of users still rely on these versions at home and in workplaces, but once support stops, they are left with the choice of upgrading or running software that will become increasingly unsafe. To address this, security firm 0patch has announced that it will provide ongoing security fixes for both abandoned Office versions.
Google is making it easier to switch your default browser to Chrome
Every company with a web browser wants you to choose it as your default. Google is no different with Chrome than Microsoft is with Edge or Mozilla is with Firefox.
Microsoft has received a lot of flak for the heavy-handed way in which it has prompted Edge and attempted to get users to switch to it. More than this the company has made it more difficult to set other browsers as default, although this has changed in recent times. Now Google is taking steps to promote Chrome, pushing a one-click-to-switch capability.
Microsoft slowly rolls out a button allowing Windows 10 users to refuse Windows 11
It is a drum that has almost been beaten to death, but the impending end of support for Windows 10 is not a story that is going to go away any time soon. Even when mid-October rolls around – the cut-off date – this is far from going to be the end of news, reminders, and more.
For now, however, there is some form of respite for Windows 10 users. Microsoft is rolling out a way to halt the constant pestering to upgrade to Windows 11. There is, of course, a catch.
Snipping Tool gets a handy window recording mode
What started off as a simple screen-grabbing tool has evolved into something powerful and impressive. The Snipping Tool goes from strength to strength, and for Windows Insiders Microsoft has a new option to play with.
The feature is an expansion of Snipping Tool’s screen recording capabilities, this time making it possible to limit recording to a specific window.
Microsoft adds ability to resume apps from Android phone on Windows 11
Microsoft has been slowly showing more and more love towards Android and its interoperability with Windows 11. This is something that is abundantly clear in the latest builds of Windows 11 released to Insiders on the Dev and Beta channels.
The latest feature to start rolling out is the ability to seamlessly resume apps from Android phones on PC. This is not something that works with all apps – indeed, it is not something you would want or need to work with all apps – but it is an interesting feature which has a lot of potential. For now, however, it is starting small.
Microsoft is still slowly chipping away at the Control Panel in Windows 11
The death of the Control Panel has been slow and painful. The long and drawn out move from the Control Panel to the Settings app started years ago, and it is still an ongoing process in Insider Builds of Windows 11.
It is not really clear why Microsoft is taking so long to migrate options across from the Control Panel to Settings, other than factoring in the idea that it is really not considered a priority. But with the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27928 to the Canary Channel this week, the Control Panel continues to be subjected to a death by a thousand cuts.
Microsoft gives Copilot on Windows another new look
Microsoft could be accused of many things in relation to Copilot on Windows, but standing still is not one of them.
Both in terms of functionality and design, the company seems to be constantly at work and this is something that is evident in the latest Insider build of Windows 11. Microsoft is rolling out new features such as Semantic Search, and also a completely redesign home page for Copilot on Windows.
Forget Windows 11, Windows 12.2 is the 'next evolution' of Microsoft's OS
Windows 10 is set to reach its end of life in just a couple of short months, which means Microsoft will stop providing free security updates and official support for the beloved operating system. Although extended security updates will be available for a fee, most users will soon be faced with a stark choice: upgrade to Windows 11, switch to Linux, or wait for the long-rumored Windows 12.
The retirement of Windows 10 unquestionably marks a major shift in the PC landscape. Microsoft is pushing its customer base towards a newer, AI-enhanced Windows experience -- whether they are fully ready for it or not.
Microsoft extends NFL partnership to bring AI to the sidelines and beyond
The National Football League and Microsoft announced today that their strategic partnership will run for at least several more years, with the goal of expanding the use of artificial intelligence across the sport
The collaboration brings Microsoft Copilot and Azure AI into areas that affect game day decisions, scouting, and stadium operations. With the league hosting hundreds of events each year, the aim is to improve both performance and the fan experience.
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