Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson

The system requirements for Windows 11 include the need for TPM 2.0, and this has prevented many people from upgrading -- unless they are willing to try a TPM-bypass workaround. While the release of the latest version of Microsoft's operating system brought TPM into the spotlight, it is not exclusive to Windows 11 by any means, and nor are the problems it can cause.

Illustrating this, AMD has acknowledged an issue affecting Windows 10 and Windows 11 Ryzen systems. With Firmware Trusted Platform Module (fTPM) enabled, owners of such systems have experienced intermittent performance stutters. In a support article entitled "Intermittent System Stutter Experienced with fTPM Enabled on Windows 10 and 11", AMD has now not only confirmed the existence of the problem, but offered a workaround while it produces a fix which will be released soon.

Microsoft is increasing the support it offers to startups by reducing the eligibility criteria for the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub as the platform is made generally available. With the move, the company is looking to eliminate the boundaries that stand in the way of getting ideas off the ground.

Now billed as being "open to anyone with an idea", the Founders Hub is a startup ecosystem can be used by innovators regardless of whether they have funding or not. The platform gives users access to up to $150,000 in free Azure credits, free access to GitHub and Microsoft 365 as well as potential for mentorship and guidance from experts. There is also $1,000 of credit and more available with OpenAI.

We are, slowly but surely, moving towards the release of Windows 11 Version 22H2, also known as Sun Valley 2, and this is very evident to Windows Insiders. We very recently saw the release of Windows 11 Preview Build 22567 to Insiders and then there was the KB5012427 update for testing the servicing pipeline.

Now Microsoft has released a second Cumulative Update Build of Windows 11 for Windows Insiders signed up for the Dev Channel. The KB5012432 update takes Windows 11 up to build 22567.200, but this time Microsoft is not making it available to everyone -- not even all Insiders.

While there have been dozens of PowerToys releases since Microsoft revived the much-loved utilities collection for the Windows 11 era, the software is still in preview.

Usually, it is the new sub-1.x versions that Microsoft pushes out which give cause for excitement, but there is also much to be learned about the future direction of the software from data on GitHub. Recent Pull Requests in the repository shows that Microsoft is working on not only new add-ons for existing PowerToys, but also completely new utilities. So, what can we expect to see? Is TweakUI for Windows 11 on the horizon?

It would appear that the current build of Windows 11 available to Insiders on the Dev Channel is the feature complete version of the upcoming Sun Valley 2 update -- also known as Windows 11 Version 22H2.

Last week, Microsoft released Windows 11 Preview Build 22567 to Insiders, and this was followed shortly after by the KB5012427 update. Billed as an update to "test our servicing pipeline", Microsoft did not add any new features, but it did confirm that the update will be called Version 22H2 -- and this also serves as an indication of the release date.

Smallpdf, the online PDF editing and management toolbox, has announced that it is acquiring document processing technology provider PDF Tools for $30 million.

Both companies are based in Switzerland and have a history of working together -- PDF Tools products have been used by Smallpdf for a number of years -- so the acquisition is not a complete surprise. It sees Smallpdf spreading further into the document management market, boosting its professional offerings thanks in part to the PDF and PDF/A arciving support provided by PDF Tools.

Samsung appears to have fallen victim to a serious security breach if the leaks from data extortion group Lapsus$ are anything to go by.

Amounting to a colossal 190GB of data, the group says it has in its possession Samsung source code and other confidential company data. It is just days since the Lapsus$ claimed responsibility for a hack that resulted in data being stolen and leaked from data stolen from GPU chipmaker NVIDIA.

It is only a few days since Microsoft released a new build of Windows 11 in the form of Preview Build 22567, and already the company has pushed out a cumulative update for it.

With the release of the KB5012427 update, Microsoft takes the current build of the operating system available to Insiders signed up for the Dev channel to Windows 11 build 22567.100. So, what can you expect from this update?

Some laptop owners upgrading to Windows 11 are reporting that a utility from HP is consuming huge amounts of RAM, to the point that systems are rendered unusable.

The utility in question is the HP Hotkey UWP Service which is used to control the Fn key on HP laptops. While the software functioned well under Windows 10, upgrading to Windows 11 results in huge resource usage. Affected users are asking whether there is a problem with Windows 11, or with their laptop, but it would seem more likely that a memory leak is to blame.

Four of the biggest browser developers have joined forces to participate in the Interop 2022 initiative. Apple, Google, Microsoft and Mozilla are working together to improve interoperability between web platforms, make lives easier for developers, and enhance the experience of internet users.  

Interop 2022 is a series of tests, a set of benchmarks that are at heart a way to measure whether individual browsers meet various web standards, working with web developers to discover problems and find solutions. The ultimate aim is to eliminate inconsistencies between browsers, and it gives a reason for companies who are usually competitors to work together on a shared vision.

Microsoft has reminded business and enterprise users about its App Assure program and how it can help with the process of upgrading to Windows 11.

The program has been running for a while, and was expanded to cover Windows 11 back in October to coincide with the release of the latest version of the operating system. Available at no cost, App Assure gives users a chance to work with Microsoft engineers to ensure app compatibility, and to gain assistance in addressing issues.

For time immemorial (almost), when you double click a file in Windows, it will open in the default app that it is associated with. It has long been possible to open files in something other than its default app, using the Open with option; but as anyone who has used this cumbersome menu can attest, this is far from being an elegant solution.

And so with the latest build of Windows 11, Microsoft is making some changes. As well as giving the menu a new look and support for light and dark modes, it is now easier than ever to change the default app associated with a particular file type. Here we show you how to enable it.

Microsoft is in the process of rolling out a dramatic redesign of the web version of the Microsoft Store, heavily inspired by Windows 11.

The Fluent design makeover brings the Microsoft Store website more closely in line with the look and feel of Windows 11. This means rounded corners, updated typography and new icons, but the app installation process has also been revamped.

Google's president of global affairs, Kent Walker, has detailed the various ways in which the company is offering support to the people of Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

The announcement comes after Microsoft made a public declaration of support for the Ukrainian nation and condemned the actions of Russia. Google is offering not only financial support, but also helping to improve security, safety and the dissemination of trustworthy information about the unfolding situation in the country.

Elon Musk has taken steps to help ensure that the people of Ukraine have internet access while their country is under attack from Russia, but he is far from being the only member of the tech community reaching out to assist.

Microsoft is also doing its part to help those in need during the crisis, including fighting off cyberattacks carried out by Russia. The company's president and vice chair, Brad Smith, has penned a blog post outlining just what it is that Microsoft is doing to help with humanitarian appeals, blocking state-sponsored disinformation, as well as keeping its own employees safe.