Microsoft is rolling out an energy-saving software update to Xbox consoles
Anyone with an Xbox Series X or S can expect to see a software update from Microsoft in the near future that will change the way their console uses energy-saving power modes.
The company has announced that it is rolling out an update that should dramatically reduce power consumption when an Xbox is not in use. The update will switch consoles to using Shutdown (energy saving) mode, which Microsoft says can cut power usage by up to 20 times.
Microsoft is launching Teams Premium and some features that are currently free will be paywalled
Back in October, Microsoft announced plans to launch Microsoft Teams Premium, a paid-for version of its meeting and collaboration software. Now we know that the Premium tier is due to launch next month, and that as of February some of the features and options that are currently available to everyone for free will only be available to Premium users.
Although a precise launch date has not yet been revealed, Microsoft has told partners that the current schedule has Microsoft Teams Premium launching in "early February 2023". The company has also said that "some Teams features will move from Teams licenses to Teams Premium licenses".
New Microsoft 365 Basic tier includes 100GB of cloud storage, ad-free Outlook, Windows 11 help and more for just $2 per month
Microsoft has announced a new low-cost Microsoft 365 tier, giving access to a cloud storage boost and more. Priced at just $1.99 per month, Microsoft 365 Basic includes 100GB of cloud storage, removes advertising from the mobile and web versions of Outlook, and also includes access to the free web-based versions of various Office components.
Microsoft 365 Basic is replacing the current OneDrive Standalone 100GB plan, with existing users being automatically migrated later this month. Microsoft is quick to point out that while there is no change to plan costs, there are now more benefits for the same price -- including technical support for Windows 11.
Leaked: Microsoft is planning a significant visual update for Windows 11
For anyone who has been put off upgrading to Windows 11 because of the way it looks, there could be some good news. While there is not a complete redesign of the operating system on the cards, there are supposedly plans to revamp the aesthetics of a key component -- File Explorer.
We have already seen Microsoft giving File Explorer some attention with the arrival of the somewhat polarizing tabbed interface. Now news has been leaked by reliable source FireCube Studios which says we can look forward to another major update as some point in the future.
The KB5022287 and KB5022303 updates feature important security fixes for Windows 11
Microsoft has released the KB5022287 update for Windows 11 21H2, as well as the KB5022303 update for Windows 11 22H2.
Both updates are mandatory and, like this month's updates for Windows 10, include fixes for Local Session Manager (LSM) and ODBC issues. There is also a fix for a blue screen 0xc000021a error and numerous security patches.
Microsoft releases security-boosting, bug-fixing KB5022282 and KB5022286 Windows 10 updates, the first of 2023
Less that two weeks into 2023, Microsoft has released the first cumulative updates of the year for Windows 10.
The KB5022282 and KB5022286 updates are available for Windows 10 versions 1809, 21H1, 21H2 and 22H2. Among the bugs addressed are an issue with the Local Session Manager (LSM) as well as fixing a Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) problem.
Microsoft unveils VALL-E, an advanced text-to-speech AI that can speak in anyone's voice based on a 3-second sample
Microsoft has revealed details of its latest foray into the world of artificial intelligence. Billed as a "neural codec language model", VALL-E is an advanced AI-driven text-to-speech (TTS) system that the developers say can be trained to speak like anyone's based on just a three-second sample of their voice.
The result is an incredibly natural-sounding TTS system that takes an entirely different approach to existing systems. Able to convey tone and emotion better than ever, VALL-E sounds realistically human, but there are concerns that it could be used for audio deepfakes.
Microsoft ends Windows 7 extended support today -- install all updates now to fix all known issues... and gain Secure Boot support
If you have been keeping up with Windows news, you will probably be aware that today is the day that Microsoft finally ends support for Windows 7. This means that after today there will be no further updates, even for anyone paying for Extended Support Updates -- but 0patch is willing to help out.
Any company that does still have Windows 7 and is paying for ESU should install today's cumulative update, as well as any others that may have been missed. And there's a nice surprise: Microsoft has added support for Secure Boot to Windows 7, but has kept quiet about it.
The latest Start menu change in Windows 11 shows Microsoft is finally listening
Many of the changes introduced by Microsoft in Windows 11 have been controversial. This is perhaps not entirely surprising as change has a tendency to upset, but some things have proved rather more unpopular than others -- in particular changes to the Start menu.
While users have long viewed the Start menu as a way to launch app and navigate Windows, in recent times Microsoft has used it as more of an advertising platform. The company has used the iconic feature of its operating system push (or "recommend", depending on your point of view) apps and websites, but now it has performed a U-turn and scrapped at least some of its recommendations.
0patch will keep releasing security updates for Microsoft Edge on Windows 7, Server 2008 and Server 2012
We've already written about Microsoft completely ending support -- even paid-for options -- for Windows 7 and Windows 8, and as part of this, the company will also stop releasing security update for its Edge browser on these platforms.
There are large numbers of both home users and businesses that are opting to stick with these operating systems, or have little choice for one reason for another. As far as Microsoft is concerned, Edge 109 is the last version of the browser that will be released for these OSes, and as of January there will be no more security update released. Thankfully, 0patch is here to save the day again, with the company announcing that it is "security-adopting" Microsoft Edge on Windows 7, Server 2008 and Server 2012.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.66.0 with self-contained .NET 7 and lots of fixes for 2023
We're less than a week into the new year, but Microsoft has already started to push out new software. Having released a new build of Windows 11, the company has also rolled out a significant PowerToys update.
With the release of PowerToys v0.66.0, Microsoft has added a self-contained .NET 7, eliminating the need to add .NET as part of the installer. In addition to a batch of significant fixes, this latest update also includes new options and settings for the Quick Accent and Text Extractor modules.
WhatsApp adds proxy support to help users bypass blocks
WhatsApp may be one of the most popular communications apps available, but it is not available everywhere. The very thing that makes it appealing to anyone concerned about privacy and security -- namely end-to-end encryption -- is the same thing that causes some countries to block access to it.
To help out people whose governments deny them access to WhatsApp, the app now offers proxy support. As well as being useful to anyone whose internet is censored or controlled, support for proxy connections can also prove helpful in case of internet shutdowns.
Windows 11 22H2 has introduced an irritating focus bug in File Explorer
The arrival of tabs in File Explorer with the release of Windows 11 22H2 was warmly welcomed after years of users requesting the feature. But it seems that in introducing a tabbed interface to Windows' file browser, Microsoft has also exposed users to a seriously annoying bug.
Growing numbers of people are complaining that the updated version of the app is stealing focus. Those affected by the problem report that the File Explorer window randomly jumps in front of other apps.
Just one more week of security updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8
In just a week's time, Microsoft will cease offering even critical security updates for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.x.
We wrote about Windows 7 Extended Security Update (ESU) coming to an end, and the termination of support for Windows 8.x just last month, but with a large number of people and businesses still unwilling -- or unable -- to move on from these aging operating systems it is a warning that bears repeating.
EA warns that most Madden NFL 23 save files corrupted by 'data storage issue' are lost forever
Players of Madden NFL 23 have had a poor start to the year. Over the festive period, game producer EA confirmed that users were "experiencing connection issues when trying to connect to CFM" (Connected Franchise Mode). The company put its game servers into maintenance mode while it addressed the issues and things started to go wrong when they came back on.
Many gamers who logged into their accounts between December 28 and 29 were hit by what EA has described as a "data storage issue". These problems resulted in the corruption of franchise save data, and the latest news from EA is bad.
Sofia Elizabella's Bio
Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson is a queer, transgender journalist based in Poland. She has been writing about technology for more than two decades, and after years working for magazines, her writing moved online. She is fueled by literature, music, nature, and vegetables. You can find her on Bluesky and Mastodon. If you like what you read, you can Buy her a Coffee!
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