Windows 10 logo on a beach

Microsoft brings some of Windows 11 to Windows 10 users with the KB5029331 update

Windows 10 may be starting to get a little long in the tooth, but Microsoft -- like many, many users -- is not quite ready to abandon it yet.

And with the release of the KB5029331 update, the company is treating those who have chosen to stick with Windows 10 to one of the newest tools from Windows 11. We're talking, of course, about the new Windows Backup app -- and you can grab it right now.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Meta Messenger with security padlock

Meta is expanding WhatsApp-style end-to-end encryption to Messenger

Security is vital for digital communication, and that's why the likes of Telegram and WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is so important and popular. Meta has long been keen to expand this security feature to its various other messaging platforms, and now the Facebook-owner has announced that it is implementing E2EE for all Messenger users.

The company points out that this is currently a test phase, so while more and more people will see immediate security enhancements, the rollout will not be complete until the end of the year.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 11 tiles

Microsoft releases KB5029351 update for Windows 11, changing default app options, introducing optional update changes, improving search, and much more

Microsoft has released the latest batch of preview versions of its software updates, including the KB5029351 update for Windows 11 22H2. This is a non-security update, like all previews, but it includes a large number of bug fixes and an impressive number of a changes, additions and improvements.

The first highlight Microsoft draws attention to is a new hover behavior and options for Search, but there's much more to the KB5029351 update. There are numerous Group Policy changes, including the introduction of policy that can be used by administrators to enable optional updates.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Microsoft logo

Microsoft is willing to make massive cloud concessions to gain UK approval for Activision Blizzard deal

Microsoft's attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard has been a long, drawn-out affair with a seemingly endless series of obstacles along the way. Now the company has indicated a willingness to make major concessions as it submits a revised deal for approval.

Facing regulator opposition to the deal in the UK so far, Microsoft's latest proposal to the CMA (Competitions and Markets Authority) includes an offer to sell cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
WhatsApp text formatting options

WhatsApp is finally getting more text formatting tools

Although WhatsApp leads the way in many regards, there are plenty of areas in which it is lagging behind. The text formatting options in the message app are incredibly limited, for instance, but this is about to change.

The Meta-owned app is finally being given more formatting tools. The update means that WhatsApp users will no longer be limited to using bold, italics and strikethrough, and the need to find workarounds for the lack of common formatting options will soon be eliminated.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 10 laptop

Microsoft is treating Windows 10 users to more apps from Windows 11

Having already brought Windows 11's backup tool to Windows 10, Microsoft is porting more apps back to the older version of its operating system.

The latest Windows 11 app to be offered to Windows 10 users is the Photos app. But if you are wondering why Microsoft continues to eliminate reasons to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, the company has a few tricks up its sleeve.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
WinRAR logo

Update WinRAR right now to patch high-severity security flaw

Users of the archiving utility WinRAR are being advised to update their software as soon as possible following the discovery of a serious Remote Code Execution vulnerability.

Tracked as CVE-2023-40477, the security flaw was discovered back in June and it allows malicious code to run when opening a RAR archive. Two months on, the issue has been fixed, but users of the software will have to ensure that they have the latest update installed to guarantee protection.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Google Transparency Center

Google launches new Transparency Center as a central hub for policy information

Google has announced a new online hub called Transparency Center, where it will provide information about the policies that relate to its various products and services, including AI-related policies.

The company says that in the Transparency Center, visitors can find details about the decisions and processes that resulted in certain policies, access transparency reports and more. The hub can also be used to report policy violations to Google.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Weighing scales showing Trim The Fat message

Microsoft is giving Windows 11 users the option to remove some bloat

Few people would argue with the notion that Windows 11 comes with more than a little baggage. If you buy a computer with the operating system pre-installed, you can almost always expect the inclusion of bloatware from the manufacturer, but there are plenty of unwanted components even after a clean installation.

With the latest build of Windows 11, however, this is changing. Microsoft is apparently aware, and -- more importantly -- taking notice, of the fact that users are annoyed by having apps forced upon them without the option of uninstalling them. So the company is making it possible to remove more of Windows 11's built-in apps and components.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows 10 and Windows 11 desktops

Microsoft reveals a secret keyboard shortcut that makes Task Manager easier to manage

For power users, people troubleshooting problems, and anyone looking to kill a troublesome app, Windows' Task Manager is a seriously useful utility. Having been around for so many years, you might think there would be nothing new to learn about the tool. Think again!

Microsoft has just shared details of a keyboard shortcut that works in the Windows 10 and Windows 11 versions of Task Manager. For anyone who has been frustrated by the speed at which the list of processes changes, this tip is absolute gold.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Microsoft logo

Microsoft rolls back KB5028244 update and issues advice following ClickOnce issues in Windows 10

Windows 10 users who installed the recent KB5028244 update have been experiencing issues with apps deployed with ClickOnce. The problems have seemingly been widespread as Microsoft has been forced to implement a Known Issue Rollback (KIR).

No details about the cause or scale of the issues have been revealed but KIRs are relatively rare, pointing to serious concerns. Microsoft has also issued some advice to those who have run into problems.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
New PowerToys homepage dashboard

Microsoft is working on a big UI facelift for PowerToys

There can be few tech-heads out there -- particularly if they are readers of BetaNews -- that are not aware of PowerToys. This outrageously useful collection of Windows utilities has an avid following, and each new release is eagerly lapped up as new modules are added.

The latest project for the PowerToys team is to give the app a "new homepage experience". What this means in practice is an update to the app that introduces a central dashboard that provides an overview of which modules are currently enabled, also showing helpful information such as useful keyboard shortcuts for individual utilities.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Windows Backup app for Windows 10

Microsoft is bringing Windows 11's new backup tool to Windows 10

A few months back, we learned of Microsoft's new Windows Backup app. At the time it was only made available to users of Windows 11 signed up as Insiders on the Dev channel.

Now this handy utility is making its way to Windows 10 as well. For now, it is included in the build pushed to the Release Preview Channel last week, but this means it won't be long until Window 10 users have access to an official backup tool from Microsoft which is about more than just safeguarding files.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Firefox cubes

Browser extensions are making a comeback in Firefox for Android

Mozilla has issued a notice to developers, saying that it is preparing to launch support for an open ecosystem of extensions on Firefox for Android.

Pointing out that the move will make Firefox the only major Android browser to support such an ecosystem for extensions, Mozilla says everything sound be in place before the end of the year. The change means that it should not be long before Firefox users with Android handsets are able to use more than just the handful of extensions that are currently available.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
iOS 17 End Call button

People are mad at Apple for a crazy change to the End Call button in iOS 17

Change is often divisive, and with a UI tweak in iOS 17 Apple is certainly dividing opinion. In the latest beta version of the iPhone operating system, the company has made the decision to move the End Call button.

Shifting the button from the center of the screen -- where it has resided for many, many years -- is causing confusion and wails of discontent from beta testers. Having becomes use to the button being in a central position for well over a decade, users are complaining that the new location is a problem for muscle memory.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
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