Microsoft releases emergency patches to fix Kerberos authentication issues on multiple versions of Windows
It is just a few days since Microsoft acknowledged problems with Kerberos authentication. Affecting Windows Servers with the Domain Controller role, the issues mean that domain user sign in could fail, Remote Desktop connection could fail to connect, and more.
Now the company has released a series of emergency updates to resolve the issues. A total of six out-of-band updates are available (KB5021652, KB5021653, KB5021654, KB5021655, KB5021656 and KB5021657), and they must be manually installed.
Microsoft releases huge Xbox November update adding Discord voice chat and improved capturing
Microsoft has started the roll out of the Xbox November update, and this time around it is big news.
Among the new features added with this latest release is the ability to connect to Discord voice channels directly from a console, eliminating the need for a mobile for setup. Other additions include better power options, a new Captures app, and the option to start your live stream directly from your Xbox with Twitch, Lightstream and Streamlabs.
Netflix launches Manage Access and Devices feature to let you kick devices from your account
Netflix has announced a new feature that makes it possible to log out of any logged-in devices from Account Settings.
While the company is suggesting that is something that would be useful for things such as forgetting to log out of your Netflix account on a hotel TV, it is also likely to be used to give freeloaders the boot. Additionally, it serves as a helpful security feature, giving Netflix subscribers a way to remotely log out of unrecognized devices.
Microsoft is working on a dark mode toggle for Windows 11 Quick Settings
Whether for reasons of aesthetics, or to be a little kinder to the eyes, the introduction of a dark mode option to Windows was real blessing. But there are times when dark mode is not appropriate, and it is a surprisingly lengthy process to temporarily disable it. Thankfully, Microsoft is working on a solution.
The company has been spotted experimenting with a dark mode toggle that reduces switching between light and dark mode to a couple of clicks.
Microsoft releases KB5019157 update for Windows 11 21H2 to fix Start menu issues and adding Quick Assist app
After November's Patch Tuesday releases, and ahead of the latest batch of updates for 2022, Microsoft has released a preview of the KB5019157 update.
The company draws attention to three particular highlights of this update including fixing an issue that saw Microsoft Store Update failing. Also highlighted are fixes for daylight savings problems as well as an issue with pinned apps in the Start menu.
Microsoft acknowledges Kerberos authentication issues caused by November updates
The torrent of problematic updates for Windows shows no signs of drying up. Since Patch Tuesday this month, Microsoft has already confirmed a Direct Access connectivity issue in various versions of Windows (which it sort of fixed by rolling back the update), now the company has issued a warning that this month's updates are also causing problems with Kerberos authentication.
Despite the fact the issue can lead to sign-in problems, failed Remote Desktop connections and printing not working, Microsoft is yet to offer either a fix or a workaround. Virtually every version of Windows is affected.
Microsoft warns of Direct Access connectivity issues after installing KB5019509 update
Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 that may result in Direct Access connectivity problems.
The problem can arise after installing KB5019509 or later updates, and as a result of the discovery, Microsoft has performed yet another Known Issue Rollback (KIR) -- one of a growing number. The company has also published details of a workaround for those affected.
Microsoft is becoming less generous with OneDrive storage if you use Outlook.com
For many people cloud storage is now pretty much essential. There's no shortage of services to choose from, but Google Drive and Microsoft's OneDrive are among the most popular. For users of Microsoft's cloud storage, there is some bad news -- and we're not talking about unwanted ads for OneDrive in the Windows 11 Start menu.
The company has announced that, as of next year, it is consolidating cloud storage across Microsoft 365 apps. What this means in practice is that users of Outlook.com will effectively end up with less storage space for personal files as email attachments will count soon eat into OneDrive quotas.
Windows 11 2022 Update is bad news for gamers
The uptake of Windows 11 may have been far lower than Microsoft would have hoped, but upgrades to the Windows 11 2022 Update are even smaller in number. While some people have been eager to jump on the 22H2 update, for many users it is not advisable or simply not possible.
There are numerous compatibility holds in place that block automatic upgrading to Windows 11 2022 Update. The latest issue sees Microsoft confirming poor game performance under Windows 11 22H2, with the company putting a block in place to help eliminate disappointment.
Google announces long-overdue desktop VPN apps for Windows and macOS
Google has just offered an incentive to subscribe to Google One. The company is launching a desktop client that makes it possible to use its VPN service on Windows and macOS -- something that was previously only possible on iOS and Android devices.
While Google's VPN service and the associated apps are free, you need to be signed up to Google One Premium in order to access it.
Microsoft updates PowerToys with stability-boosting v0.64.1 patch release
The last update to PowerToys was a hugely significant one, adding two great new utilities in the form of a HOSTS file editor and the File Locksmith tool. Just a week on, it is time for another update.
The newly launched PowerToys v0.64.1 is described as a patch release and it includes a number of updates for several utilities. Among the tools receiving attention are FancyZones, Color Picker and File Locksmith.
Microsoft releases important KB5019961 and KB5019980 updates for Windows 11
It is the time of the month when Microsoft publishes its Patch Tuesday updates, and as part of this, the company has just released two significant security updates for Windows 11 -- KB5019961 and KB5019980.
Available for Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 respectively, the KB5019961 and KB5019980 updates not only address key security issues, but also add new features and options, as well as fixing non-security related bugs.
How to backup PowerToys settings and transfer them to another PC
For Windows users of a certain age, the name PowerToys summons to mind utilities such as TweakUI. In the age of Windows 11, Microsoft saw fit to resurrect and update the much-loved utility collection, and the suite of tools goes from strength to strength as it is developed and updated.
The have been a number of incredible utilities added to PowerToys in recent months, as well as some handy new settings, and you may well have spent some considerable time setting things up to your liking. To save having to do all of that hard work again, here's how to backup and restore your PowerToys settings, and how to transfer settings to another PC.
Microsoft is showing ads in the Windows 11 Start menu
If you're someone who has previously been irritated by Microsoft displaying ads in Windows, prepare to roll your eyes, gnash your teeth and howl in anguish. Windows 11 users are finding that the company is now showing advertisements in the Start menu.
As has been the case in the past, Microsoft is using Start menu ads to promote its own products and services -- specifically OneDrive and Microsoft accounts. Unsurprisingly, the reaction from users who have seen the ads has been less than positive.
Disabling Windows 11 security settings gives a major speed boost to Intel GPUs
Cast your mind back a month, and you may recall that Microsoft shared something of a surprising tip for gamers -- by disabling some security features of Window 11, it is possible to boost game performance. Well, it seems there is more to this tip than this.
People with systems featuring Intel's Arc discrete GPUs found that disabling the same security settings increased performance quite dramatically. And we are talking about measurable increases of thousands of points in benchmarking tool 3DMark.
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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