KB5006670 is the latest Window update to cause printer problems
You would be forgiven for thinking that printer problems go hand in hand with Windows update -- there have certainly been plenty of OS patches that that have caused such issues in recent times.
The recently released KB5006670 update is just the latest in a long string of updates that have led to problems for Windows 10 users. People whose systems have been negatively affected by the update report being unable to connect to network printers while seeing 0x00000709 and Element not found errors.
Microsoft is using Update Stack Packages to make Windows 11 updates less disruptive
The Windows updates released by Microsoft have been hitting the headlines for very much the wrong reasons for the last year or so. A seemingly endless string of problematic updates for Windows 10 did not, sadly, come to an end with the release of Windows 11.
But now Microsoft is making an important change to Windows updates. While it will not necessarily help to improve their quality and reliability, it will at least go some way to make them easier to download and install. The new approach kicks off with Windows 11 build 22478 and the arrival of Update Stack Packages.
Microsoft launches open source Linux version of system monitoring utility Sysmon
While Microsoft primarily produces apps and services designed for use with its own Windows operating system, over the years the company has embraced not only macOS but also Linux.
Having recently release Windows Subsystem for Linux to the Windows 11 store, there is a now another treat for Linux user coming out of Redmon. Microsoft has now released a Linux version of Sysmon, the Windows system monitoring tool.
Warning: Microsoft's first update for Windows 11 makes AMD system performance 'much worse'
Among the problems with Windows 11 is a worrying issue with reduced performance on some AMD processors. Both AMD and Microsoft are busy working on fixes, but if you were hoping that the first update for Windows 11 was going to help, think again.
With the release of KB5006674, Microsoft has addressed a known networking issue with Windows 11, but has failed to do anything about poor AMD performance. But things are even worse than that. Reports and benchmarks suggest that performance on AMD systems has been even further reduced by this update.
Despite the threats, Microsoft is delivering updates to Windows 11 on 'incompatible' hardware
Much has been made of the system requirements for Windows 11, and after initially making it seem as though it would not be possible to install the operating system on hardware that did not make the grade, Microsoft relented and said that people could do so at their own risk.
The permission to proceed came with something of a threat, however -- a warning that a computer that did not meet the minimum requirements would not receive updates. But this seems to have been an empty threat. We've just seen the first update for Windows 11 roll out, and KB5006674 was indeed delivered to computers that do not meet the requirements set out by Microsoft. What gives?
Documents show Amazon gaming search results to promote its brands while copying rival products in India
When it comes to accusations of fixing search results, it is usually the likes of Google in the firing line, but documents seen by Reuters show that Amazon has engaged in such activities.
The news agency obtained thousands of internal Amazon documents cited as evidence that the company not only "ran a systematic campaign of creating knockoffs", but also that it was "manipulating search results to boost its own product lines".
Hardware manufacturer recommends not upgrading to Windows 11 because of printer problems
There was a spate of printer problems affecting Windows over the last few months, and with the release of Windows 11 the situation does not seem to be improving. Microsoft has already acknowledged various issues with the latest version of the operating system, and now another problem has reared its head.
Some printer owners have found that that Windows 11 throws up an error message when they connect the peripheral via USB. While Microsoft is yet to say anything about the issue, there is advice from printer manufacturer Brother -- including avoiding Windows 11.
Microsoft releases KB5006674 update for Windows 11 to fix networking problems and more
It's now a week since Microsoft started the rollout of Windows 11, and the latest version of the operating system has just received its first cumulative patch.
With the release of the KB5006674 update, Microsoft is addressing one of the compatibility issues that was preventing some people from upgrading to Windows 11. Taking the Windows 11 version number up to 22000.258, the update fixes issues found between the operating system and some Intel networking software.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.47.1, fixing bugs in FancyZones and more
With the current PowerToys release cycle, Microsoft had vowed to work on stability and optimization, and the company is making good on this promise.
It is only a couple of weeks since the release of v0.47.0 of the utility collection, but now there is another update to install. This time around, there are fixes for PowerToys Run, FancyZones and Shortcut Guide.
Now you can ditch your irritating Twitter followers without blocking them
A problem that has long troubled social media users is the etiquette surrounding blocking people. While there are certainly some people you would have no qualms about blocking in a heartbeat, there are times when this could be, well... awkward.
And so Twitter has come up with a solution. Known as a "soft block", the option makes it possible to get rid of a follower without either blocking them or notifying them that you have done anything.
Download Windows Subsystem for Linux app from the Windows 11 Microsoft Store
Microsoft's embracing of Linux has been slow but steady, and nowhere is this more evident than with Window Subsystem for Linux -- or WSL. Now, a new WSL app has just been released to the Microsoft Store for Windows 11 users.
With this latest release, the company is bringing Windows Subsystem for Linux to a much wider audience. Previously only available as an optional component of Windows itself, in launching a separate WSL app, Microsoft is massively increasing the visibility of the much-loved tool.
Microsoft warns of new Windows 11 problems with apps using unusual registry keys
Microsoft has shared details of a new known issue with Windows 11. The company has confirmed that a problem exists with apps that use certain characters in registry keys.
As a result of the discovery, Microsoft has put a compatibility hold in place that means people with problematic apps installed will not be offered Windows 11 via Windows Update. The issue is under investigation.
This registry hack lets you restore the old right-click context menus in Windows 11
Microsoft has made many changes in the move from Windows 10 to Windows 11, and not all of them have proved popular. One of the more controversial changes -- at least aesthetically speaking -- is the new-look context menu.
The menu that appears when you right-click on files, folders and the desktop has been given a revamp in Windows 11 and not everyone is happy with it. If you prefer things the way they used to be, there’s a registry hack you can use to tame the context menu.
Firefox's address bar has become an ad-stuffed privacy nightmare
Mozilla has just released Firefox 93 and there is a big and controversial change to the address bar. Not content with making helpful suggestions from your browsing history as you type, Firefox Suggest now also includes "relevant suggestions" and "sponsored suggestions" from "trusted partners"; in other words, ads.
There are privacy concerns associated with making these suggestions. Mozilla may insist that it only deal with partners that meet its privacy standards for Firefox, but it still means that whatever is typed into the address bar is sent back to Mozilla and processed in order to deliver ads it hopes you will click on. The good news is that you can disable Firefox Suggest and hide ads in Firefox.
Speed up Windows 11 by disabling Virtualization-Based Security (VBS)
The roll-out of Windows 11 is now in full swing, and various problems are starting to emerge. There is a list of known issues that Microsoft acknowledges, but there have also been reports of problems with memory usage, performance issues with AMD processors, and reduced gaming performance.
Two of Windows 11's security features -- namely Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) and Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI) security -- have been blamed for some of the performance issues. Here's how to disable VBS so you can see if you can earn yourself a speed boost..