Here's what you can expect from Windows 10 21H2
We may not have an exact release date for Windows 10 21H2 -- and interest may be focused on Windows 11 at the moment -- but details about what we can expect from the update are starting to creep out.
When the Windows 10 October 2021 Update rolls out in a few months' time, it introduces a number of new features that will be of interest to anyone who is sticking with Windows 10 rather than jumping to Windows 11 -- whether through choice or necessity. Information about just what there is to look forward to has been spotted on Microsoft's own support pages.
Microsoft issues emergency patches for critical PrintNightmare security flaw
Microsoft has released a series of out of-band security patches for the PrintNightmare bug that was recently exposed. The remote code execution vulnerability exits in the Windows Print Spooler; it affects all versions of Windows, and the company is even offering patches for the unsupported Windows 7.
Previously, Microsoft had only been able to suggest workarounds to mitigate against the security problems, so it was left to 0patch to help out with a free bug-fix. But now patches are available for this serious security issue (CVE-2021-34527) that leaves systems at risk of attack.
Audacity responds to concerns about its controversial privacy policy
Following yet another vocal backlash against a new privacy policy, the makers of open-source audio editor Audacity have responded to concerns, blaming "unclear phrasing" in its policy update.
While a previously proposed policy change was not implemented because of the negative response from users, it does not seem that this latest change will be halted. Instead, the developers say that it will be rectifying what it regards as poor wording, and goes to some lengths to explain the reasons for the changes in an attempt to justify them. While the type of data collected is nothing particularly out of the ordinary, the arrival of telemetry is not something that is welcomed by fans of open source software.
Audacity branded 'possible spyware' after controversial privacy policy update
Popular open source audio editor Audacity has become rather more familiar with controversy recently than it is probably comfortable with. Concerns built up following the software's acquisition by Muse Group and subsequent changes to telemetry and privacy settings. With the latest changes to its privacy policy page, the controversy continues.
Having already faced a fierce backlash and backing down a little in its plans, Audacity now finds itself hit with the label of "possible spyware" by an independent publisher covering open source software. FOSS Post even advises users to uninstall Audacity as soon as possible.
ASUS provides details of motherboards that support Windows 11
If you have been following news recently, you can't have missed the fact that there is confusion and annoyance about the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. As well as making some relatively recent processor effectively obsolete, the latest version of Windows's need for TPM 2.0 is standing in the way of many potential upgrades.
For system builders concerned about the compatibility of their hardware, ASUS has updated its support documents to provide details information about which of its motherboard are compatible with Windows 11.
This registry hack lets you bypass the TPM 2.0 requirement and install Windows 11
As excitement builds around the launch of Windows 11, eager computer users are scrambling to use utilities such as WhyNotWin11 and Win11SysCheck to see if their system is compatible and up to the job.
The biggest stumbling block is the requirement for TPM 2.0, and while Microsoft has indicated that some OEMs will -- with approval -- be able to bypass the need for TPM support. While this is not an option that will be available to the average user, it is possible to edit the registry to make it possible to install Windows 11 on a computer that does not have TPM 2.0.
Microsoft urges PowerShell users to upgrade to protect against critical vulnerability
Microsoft has issued a warning to users of PowerShell 7.0 and 7.1 to update their software to protect against a .NET Core remote code execution vulnerability.
Tracked as CVE-2021-26701, the vulnerability is described as critical and could affect Windows, macOS and Linux. The security issue has been known about for a little while, but Microsoft is only now urging users to install updates to ensure that they are protected.
0patch comes to the rescue with free micropatches for Windows PrintNightmare vulnerability
Micropatching specialist 0patch has stepped into help out with a fix for the PrintNightmare vulnerability that was recently accidentally leaked by security researchers.
While Microsoft has acknowledged that there is a security flaw in Windows Print Spooler that could lead to remotely compromised systems, the company has only offered workarounds rather than a patch. And so 0patch -- no stranger to helping out in such situations -- has stepped up to the plate and issued free micropatches of its own.
Microsoft suggests workarounds for critical, unpatched PrintNightmare exploit
When security researchers inadvertently published technical details of a remote execution vulnerability in Windows Print Spooler thinking (wrongly) that it had been patched, there was concern about the implications.
And rightly so. Microsoft has confirmed people's worst fears, saying that the PrintNightmare security flaw is already being exploited. There is a little good news, however. The company also suggests some workarounds that can be used to protect systems until a patch is produced.
Microsoft pushes out yet another PowerToys update with important fixes and changes
As if the arrival of an entirely new utility was not enough, Microsoft developers have now released yet another build of PowerToys.
In addition to making important changes to the new Awake tool, PowerToys v0.41.4 is the third release from the PowerToys team in less than a week. It also addresses a number of other key problems and includes a handful of changes.
Windows 11 could spell the end of the Blue Screen of Death
The Blue Screen of Death is iconic among Windows users -- although not necessarily in a good way. Indicative of something having gone terribly wrong, a BSoD (as it is often called) is not something you particularly want to see when you're using your computer.
And with the arrival of Windows 11, the Blue Screen of Death may indeed be no more. But before you get too excited, this is not quite the good news you're hoping for. Sadly, Microsoft has not found a way to stop Windows crashing.
Windows 11 Home will need a Microsoft account, but Pro won't
The release of Windows 11 is still a number of months away, and we're still learning a lot about Microsoft's latest operating system update. In addition to the confusion about hardware requirements, there have been questions about other necessities.
According to sources close to Microsoft, anyone opting for Windows 11 Home will be required to have a Microsoft account. The same is not true for Windows 11 Pro; users will be able to use local accounts if they want.
Parallels will do 'everything that's possible' to bring Windows 11 to macOS
There are many people who prefer to use a Mac, but need to use Windows. Thankfully, to eliminate the need for two systems, there are ways to run Windows in macOS, including using virtualization software.
Following Apple's shift to using its own silicon in Macs and Microsoft's announcement about the upcoming launch of Windows 10's successor -- complete with complex hardware requirements -- there have been questions about whether it will be possible to run Windows 11 on macOS. If Parallels has anything to do with it, Mac users will indeed be able to enjoy Microsoft's newest operating system, including in macOS Monterey.
Windows 11 is making important changes to the way system updates work
When Microsoft announced Windows 11, the company made a few references to the process of updating the operating system. Windows Updates will work in much the same way as for Windows 10, but steps have been taken to not only reduce the size of downloads to helps speed things up, but also to ensure they will cause less disruption thanks to background installation.
But this does not mean that you'll never need to restart Windows 11 after downloading an update, but Microsoft has made an important change that will help you to decide whether to restart immediately or save the reboot for later.
Security researchers accidentally leak PrintNightmare remote execution vulnerability in Windows print spooler
Security researchers have inadvertently leaked details of a critical Windows print spooler vulnerability, dubbed PrintNightmare, along with a proof-of-concept. The flaw -- said be a Stuxnet-style zero-day -- can be exploited to completely compromise a Windows system.
Microsoft issued a patch for CVE-2021-1675, described as a "Windows Print Spooler Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability" last Patch Tuesday, and this is when things went wrong. Having seen that this patch had been published, security researchers then released technical details of what they thought was the same vulnerability, along with a proof-of-concept. But they had in fact released information about a different -- albeit similar -- vulnerability.
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. She is currently training to be an LGBTQ+ affirmative psychotherapist. You can find her on Bluesky and Mastodon. If you like what you read, you can Buy her a Coffee!
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