Microsoft is pretty much giving up on 3D in Windows 10
With the release of Windows 10 Creators Update over 3 years ago, Microsoft was betting that 3D was the future. We're not talking Windows with a 3D interface or anything like that, but the company seemingly noted the increasing popularity of 3D printers and decided to jump on the bandwagon.
This saw the arrival of Paint3D in Windows 10 as well as a 3D viewer tool, but now Microsoft appears to have changed its mind about the third dimension. We recently wrote about the disappearance of the 3D Objects folder, and now Windows 10 users will no longer see other 3D-related components after a clean installation.
Microsoft releases KB5000802 and KB5000808 updates for Windows 10 -- and there are already problems
Yesterday was the second Tuesday of the month, and for users of Windows this means one thing -- Patch Tuesday. Sticking to its regular schedule, Microsoft released updates for Windows 10, specifically the KB5000802 and KB5000808 cumulative updates.
These updates fix literally dozens of issues, including actively exploited 0-days. But while the number of problems addressed is impressively large, there are also -- predictably, perhaps -- already reports of new problems being caused by the updates.
Apple releases important Big Sur and iOS updates to fix WebKit vulnerability
Apple has issued a couple of important security updates for its desktop and mobile operating systems. The company has released iOS 14.4.1 and macOS 11.2.3, both of which are described as being "recommended for all users".
The reason for this is simple -- these are important updates that patch a memory corruption bug that could be exploited by malicious websites. This is in addition to the vulnerabilities that have already been patched in another iOS update last month.
Google makes it easier to test experimental features in Chrome
Just as Microsoft's Insider program gives a sneaky insight into the future of Office and Windows 10, so many web browsers have various preview versions that let eager users try out new features before their official release.
Chrome is one such browser, and in addition to the main release version, there are also Beta, Dev and Canary builds which are updated far more frequently. While these all get new features and options well before the main build, many are locked behind flag settings. But now Google is making it easier than ever to access new features that are being developed and tested in Chrome Labs.
KB4601319 update is breaking File History backups in Windows 10
More complaints are starting to surface about the KB4601319 update for Windows 10. The cumulative update was released last month, and has already been found to cause problems with some webcams.
Now this same update has been found to lead to issues with File History backups. Windows 10 KB4601319 update was pushed to users of the May 2020 Update and October 2020 Update last Patch Tuesday, and it is causing backups to fail for a number of people with a 80070005 error.
Microsoft's new driver and firmware update deployment service is a sysadmin's dream
Microsoft has revealed a new deployment service for driver and firmware updates which will make it easier for administrators to keep enterprise systems up to date.
The company says that the new system will make it possible to see drivers hosted on Windows Update that match devices, as well as giving admins control over the selection and deployment of updates.
If you want to buy an iMac Pro, you'll need to move quickly
Anyone thinking about grabbing themselves a new iMac Pro needs to be fast in order to avoid disappointment. The much-loved system is only available to buy "while supplies last" as Apple is discontinuing the high-end computer.
As well as there only being limited numbers of units available, buyers are also only able to opt for the base model, and no personal configuration or upgrades are possible. What's more, it seems unlikely that there will be a replacement system once supplies run dry.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.33.1 with important plugin changes and new 'First time load' experience
It has been a little while since there was a PowerToys update, but Microsoft has today rectified this with the release of version 0.33.1 of the suite of Windows 10 utilities.
There are a number of notable changes in this particular release, including improvements to plugins in PowerToys Run, and the editor UX in FancyZones. PowerToys v0.33.1 also features a new 'First time load' experience which serves to introduce new users to what is available in the software.
With WSL Hello sudo, you can use Windows Hello in Windows Subsystem for Linux
Microsoft greatly simplified the user login and authentication process with the introduction of Windows Hello. The biometric security system for Windows 10 means laboriously typing out passwords has been replaced with facial or fingerprint recognition.
Taking this idea to the next level is a great open source Rust-based utility called WSL Hello sudo. This is a pluggable authentication module (PAM) that makes it possible to use Windows Hello authentication in Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Microsoft is using Known Issue Rollback (KIR) to fix problems caused by Windows 10 updates
These days, it is almost a given that an update for Windows 10 will not only fix bugs and introduce new options, it is also likely to cause additional problems. It is something that Windows users have been painfully aware of for some time, and Microsoft has been working on a solution.
And that solution is KIR, or Known Issue Rollback. The new system enables Microsoft to rollback changes introduced by problematic patches rolled out through Windows Update. KIR only applies to non-security updates.
Microsoft Power Fx is an open source, low-code programming language
Microsoft has announced Power Fx, a new open source programming language. The Windows-maker describes it as "a low-code general purpose programming language based on spreadsheet-like formulas".
The language can be used across Microsoft’s Power Platform, and the fact that it is based on Microsoft Excel means that it should be immediately accessible to large numbers of people, even if they would not necessarily consider themselves programmers.
Microsoft makes Power Automate Desktop tool for Windows 10 free to help optimize workflows
Whether you’re a system administrator or a Windows power user, the chances are that you spend lots of time performing the same tasks over and over again. To help with this, Microsoft has made its Power Automate Desktop tool for Windows 10 free for everyone.
This enterprise-quality macro-like utility can be put to endless uses, helping to optimize all manner of workflows by automating frequently performed tasks. Available to install free of charge right now, it will eventually be included in Windows 10 as standard.
Apple reveals poor repairability ratings for MacBooks and iPhones
To comply with "right to repair" laws in France, Apple has revealed repairability ratings for various models of MacBook and iPhone. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the ratings make for rather bleak reading.
The ratings are based on analysis of how easy it is to dismantle a device, how easy it is to get hold of spares, and the availability of repair manuals. The idea behind the ratings is to give people an idea of how likely it is that they will be able to fix problems themselves, and Apple's low scores show that at-home repairs can be pretty much ruled out across the board.
Microsoft patches serious NTFS drive corruption flaw in Windows 10... but there's a catch
Around a month and a half ago we reported about a serious flaw in Windows 10 that could be exploited to corrupt the contents of an NTFS drive. With Microsoft dawdling in its response, it was down to security researchers from OSR to produce a third-party patch.
But now Microsoft has stepped up to the plate and, finally, come up with an official fix for the flaw. Sadly, it's not all good news as the fix is not currently available for everyone.
Apple releases macOS Big Sur 11.2.2 to fix serious hub and dock issues
It may only be four months since macOS Big Sur launched, but already Apple has released its fourth significant update.
Big Sur 11.2.2 is here, and it's an important update for owners of certain MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops. There have been numerous reports of problems with third-party USB-C hubs and docks.
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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