Headphones on Spotify logo

Audiobooks are coming to Spotify in 2022

For many people, Spotify is the go-to service for streaming music, but the platform is about more than just accessing a massive collection of tracks spanning endless genres. In addition to music, there are also podcasts, and next year there are plans to further extend the audio offerings.

With the acquisition of audiobook platform Findaway, Spotify is continuing on its journey to become "the world’s leading audio platform". Just as with its music and podcast offerings, the company plans to provide opportunities for both creators and consumers alike.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Colorful Microsoft logo

Microsoft releases out-of-band updates to fix Windows Server authentication problems

Microsoft has released a slew of emergency updates for various editions of Windows Server following the discovery of an authentication issue caused by this month's Patch Tuesday updates.

The updates (KB5008601, KB5008602, KB5008603, KB5008604, KB5008605 and KB5008606) are available for Windows Server 2008 SP2 up to Windows Server 2019. Although these are emergency, out-of-band updates, system administrators will still need to manually download and install them on affected domain controllers as Microsoft is not making them available via Windows Update.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows Subsystem for Linux

Microsoft gives Windows Subsystem for Linux a new icon, fixes issues and updates kernel

Microsoft has just released the latest preview version of Windows Subsystem for Linux, bringing with it a lengthy changelog.

With the launch of Windows Subsystem for Linux Pre-release 0.50.2.0, Microsoft has introduced a new icon (featuring, of course, a penguin), but there's far more to this release than just this visual update. The latest version fixes various WSL issues, updates the Linux kernel, and includes numerous other changes and additions.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Microsoft building logo

Microsoft launches .NET 6 and 64-bit Visual Studio 2022 complete with Hot Reload feature

Microsoft has pushed out two releases that will delight developers. In addition to the performance-boosted .NET 6, there is also Visual Studio 2022 in its first 64-bit iteration.

Entering the 64-bit world means that Visual Studio is now capable of handling more complex projects easily, and the much-anticipated Hot Reload feature makes it possible to edit source code while apps are running and see immediate results. .NET 6 is a Long-Term Support release that introduces native support for Apple Arm64 Silicon in addition to improved Windows Arm64 support.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 11 laptop

Microsoft releases KB5007215 update to fix Windows 11 problems and boost security

Patch Tuesday has rolled round again, and Microsoft has released a cumulative update for Windows 11.

The KB5007215 update addresses security issues that have been found in the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system, and also fixes other problems. Among the issues patched are a screen rendering problem affecting various apps. Microsoft has also released a video including some Windows 11 tips.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
PowerShell

Microsoft announces General Availability of PowerShell 7.2

After a series of a preview builds and a recent release candidate, Microsoft's PowerShell 7.2 has now hit General Availability.

Based on the newly released .NET 6, this is a Long Term Support (LTS) version that will enjoy support from Microsoft for three years. In addition to bug fixes and performance improvements, PowerShell 7.2 boasts numerous new features including new APIs to use in scripts.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 11

How to block Windows 11 if you want to stick with Windows 10

There is a lot to like -- love, even -- about Windows 11, but it is not to everyone's taste. Microsoft would have to pull off an incredible feat to produce an operating system that made everyone happy, and it is little surprise that Windows 11 falls short for many people.

Microsoft is, of course, eager for as many users as possible to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11. The company has not gone as far as forcing installations, but it is still offering upgrades that could be installed by another user of your computer. Don't want Windows 11? Here's how to block it.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Microsoft Office icons

Microsoft is bringing font syncing and more to Word

Users of Microsoft Office are in line for an interesting font-related upgrade that will make it easier to manage typefaces across multiple devices,

Microsoft is introducing an updated font picker in Word (and, presumably, other Office apps) and there are a number of improvements to look forward to. Key additions include the ability to sync fonts between devices and an easy means of seeing which fonts are used in a document.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 11 laptop

Microsoft releases KB5008295 update to all Windows 11 users as an out-of-band patch

It recently came to light that a series of problems with Windows 11 -- including apps such as Snipping Tool not working -- were caused by an expired certificate.

Having determined the cause of the issues, Microsoft released a fix; the bad news being that it was only made available to Windows Insiders. Now the patch has been given a wider release and can be downloaded by all Windows 11 users as an out-of-band update.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
OneDrive

Still using Windows 7 or Windows 8? OneDrive will stop working soon

While there are plenty of people who do not feel the need to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, there is still a surprising number of people who decided to stick with even older versions.

There are, of course, many implicated associated with using Windows 7 or Windows 8, most of them security related. But there is also the matter of software support, and Microsoft is now trying to push hangers-on to upgrade to the latest version of its operating system by cutting Windows 7 and 8.x out of using OneDrive.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Laptop battery charge

Windows 11 has a weird bug that 'overcharges' laptop batteries

Everyone likes the idea of squeezing as much life out of their laptop as possible, and every new iteration of Windows has made great promises about prolonging battery life.

But a strange bug in Windows 11 means you might get more than you bargained for. Over on Reddit, one user shared screenshots of their laptop battery charging to beyond 100 percent. So, what's going on?

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Instagram and Twitter icons

Instagram previews make a comeback on Twitter

Almost a decade after killing off support for previews of Instagram posts within tweets, Twitter and Instagram have finally made friends, relented and decided to bring the feature back.

The reappearance of Twitter Card previews is something that will be welcomed by people who cross-post between Instagram and Twitter. It comes as great news for anyone who was irritated by Instagram's decision to stop displaying previews of tweeted content back in 2012.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 11

Microsoft releases KB5008295 update for Windows 11 to fix app problems

Just yesterday we wrote about a series of issues with apps in Windows 11. Users found that the Snipping Tools and various Windows settings did not work, something Microsoft has blamed on an expired certificate.

Now the company has released the KB5008295 update to address the problems, but not everyone is going to be able to install it just yet.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 11 magnifying glass

Microsoft warns of problems with several of Windows 11's built-in apps

If you have been experiencing problems in Windows 11, particularly with the Snipping Tool, you are not alone.

An issue with an expired certificate means that the Snipping Tool app, as well as other apps and settings in Windows 11, do not work properly -- or at all in some cases. Microsoft has workarounds and fixes for some of the problems, but not all of them.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 11 centered Start menu

Microsoft is bringing drag and drop back to the Windows 11 taskbar... but you'll have to wait

There are many complaints about Windows 11, mainly focused on the features and capabilities that were removed.

One change that has proved controversial and frustrating relates to the taskbar. If you try to drag and drop an app to the taskbar to create a shortcut, or drop a document on an existing shortcut to the associated app to open the file, you will find that you can't. Microsoft is planning to bring this functionality back to Windows 11, but not immediately.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
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