Microsoft launches Quick Machine Recovery to automatically fix your Windows 11 problems
When things go wrong with a Windows 11 device, downtime is not only frustrating but also expensive. In a bid to reduce the time lost to computer issues, Microsoft has launched Quick Machine Recovery, a new automated tool for addressing problems.
The tool is undergoing testing with Windows Insiders on the Beta Channel at the moment, so it probably won’t be long before it is promoted for general availability. Billed as a tool that “automatically detects, diagnoses, and resolves critical issues on your device”, Microsoft is looking to save users and sysadmins from having to delve into the Windows Recovery Environment.
Agentic AI might take years to transform security, but cyber defenders must prepare now
For the past two years, the world has been swept up in a rising tide of GenAI hype. The technology has evolved from a data science curiosity to a pervasive part of our everyday lives. ChatGPT alone has over 300 million weekly users worldwide -- and people use Large Language Models (LLMs) every day to generate text, images, music and more.
Despite GenAI’s widespread success, difficulty in developing robust applications that make use of trustworthy AI systems has proven difficult. This is most clear when noting the delta between consumer-facing GenAI applications relative to B2B integration of GenAI. But, with agentic AI this is about to change.
CachyOS March 2025 update adds new bootloader and updated hardware support to the Linux distribution
CachyOS is back with a fresh March 2025 release for the Linux distribution. The development team focused heavily on hardware support this time around, and it definitely shows. There’s a ton packed into this update, with improvements aimed at both desktop and handheld users.
Let’s start with something big: Limine. CachyOS now supports this bootloader, which works with both BIOS and UEFI setups. It even offers theming, similar to Grub. On top of that, if you’re using BTRFS as your filesystem, you’ll get automatic snapshot support right out of the box. That’s huge for anyone who wants an easy rollback option without extra configuration.
Elon Musk merges xAI with X to distract from Twitter debt disaster and Donald Trump backlash
Elon Musk just announced a wild move that might be less about innovation and more about survival. In a surprise announcement, Musk revealed that his AI company xAI has officially merged with X (formerly known as Twitter) in an all-stock transaction.
The Tesla CEO says the deal values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion after subtracting a massive $12 billion in debt. But when you peel back the layers, it starts to look like Musk is scrambling to fix a money pit while trying to dodge growing backlash over his cozy ties to Donald Trump.
Exploring the security risks underneath generative AI services
Artificial intelligence has claimed a huge share of the conversation over the past few years -- in the media, around boardroom tables, and even around dinner tables. While AI and its subset of machine learning (ML) have existed for decades, this recent surge in interest can be attributed to exciting advancements in generative AI, the class of AI that can create new text, images, and even videos. In the workplace, employees are turning to this technology to help them brainstorm ideas, research complex topics, kickstart writing projects, and more.
However, this increased adoption also comes with a slew of security challenges. For instance, what happens if an employee uses a generative AI service that hasn’t been vetted or authorized by their IT department? Or uploads sensitive content, like a product roadmap, into a service like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot? These are some of the many questions keeping security leaders up at night and prompting a need for more visibility and control over enterprise AI usage.
This mechanical keyboard is just $10 on Amazon -- but you need to act fast!
Let’s be honest, folks -- most inexpensive keyboards aren’t worth the hassle. But every now and then, one pops up that actually makes you do a double take. That’s exactly what we’ve got here with the Newmen GM611. It’s a compact USB-C mechanical keyboard with a 60 percent layout, red switches, and rainbow LED lighting. And yes, it looks a lot more expensive than it is.
This thing isn’t just small for the sake of being small. The 60 percent layout trims the fat while keeping the essentials. It’s a great choice if you’re tight on space or just want a cleaner, simpler desk. But don’t think it’s lacking in features.
The hidden cost of legacy systems: How they hinder ROI and digital transformation
At this point in time, it is essential for one’s company to transform digitally in order to stay competitive and work efficiently. Most organizations will pour money into new modern technologies to heavily improve ROI and operational performance while ensuring they stay relevant in the new digital world. However, there is a barrier that stands in the way of achieving the maximum benefits: legacy systems.
Outdated and old software, hardware, and technologies continue to slow down any organization's positive transformation. To make matters worse, legacy systems tend to derail digital transformation initiatives, leading to additional expenses, hidden costs, and delays.
Over 60 percent of malicious traffic targets retailers ahead of PCI DSS 4.0 deadline
As we approach the 31st March deadline for compliance with the new PCI DSS 4.0 payment security standard, new data from Cequence Security shows automated fraud is increasing with retailers facing 66.5 percent of all malicious traffic.
Using data from real transactions and attack data from Cequence's Unified API Protection (UAP) platform, the report highlights the growing attack surface cybercriminals exploit in payment infrastructure, loyalty programs, and product pricing systems.
Beyond traditional metrics: How to redefine AI success
In the past year, AI made great strides in moving past hype, so much so, that it’s hard to recall the early days of AI when the initial value of the technology was questioned. Today, as AI initiatives start to deliver widespread returns, enterprise CIOs are faced with competing forces of driving down core IT costs, while investing heavily in AI to drive business transformation.
A recent study of 2,400 IT decision makers, commissioned by IBM and developed with Lopez Research, underscores this optimism. The findings reveal that the vast majority of companies are making headway on their AI strategies, with nearly half already reporting positive financial returns from their deployments. The cost benefits have been especially pronounced for organizations using open-source AI tools -- 51 percent of surveyed companies harnessing open-source solutions reported seeing positive ROI, compared to just 41 percent of those that are not.
Best Windows apps this week
Six-hundred-forty in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
Microsoft has fixed a Windows update bug that caused some printers to print random text and data. The issue, affecting USB dual-mode printers, began in January 2025. A proper fix arrived in March via preview updates KB5053643 and KB5053657.
Navigating Linux security and management in a multi-OS landscape [Q&A]
While Windows remains the most targeted operating system, Linux, once regarded as 'secure by default', has now emerged as the second-most infected OS, according to the 2024 Elastic Global Threat Report.
Linux's expanding use beyond servers has broadened its attack surface. Plus, its open-source nature, while great for developers, can also lead to mistakes and security holes. We spoke to Apu Pavithran, founder and CEO of Hexnode, to find out more about why Linux is being targeted and how it can be defended.
Microsoft launches new Windows 11 roadmap page so you can see what it has planned for the operating system
Billed as a way of increasing transparency, Microsoft has launched a new Windows Roadmap hub which is home to everything you could ever want to know about the new and upcoming features of Windows 11.
The page is designed with different types of Windows 11 users in mind. For anyone signed up for a Windows Insider channel, it’s a handy way to keep track of the rollout and availability of new features. For others, it provides a relatively reliable way to monitor what Microsoft is working on. And for Microsoft, it is a way to gather feedback.
Facebook is ditching its recommendation algorithm with a huge Friends tab update
Life online, particularly on social media platforms, is driven by algorithms that make constant recommendations to users in an attempt to keep them engaged for longer. While algorithms have their place, there has been a massive backlash against their incessant use on the likes of Facebook, partly because they gobble up personal data, but also because the recommendations are often rubbish.
This is something that apparently even Facebook is aware of. The social media giant has just announced that it is going back to its roots with a massive update to the Friends tab. Here, users are promised that they will be shown only content from their friends and no recommended content at all.
Microsoft is introducing Startup Boost to speed up Office applications like Word and Excel
There is definitely some truth to the old adage that time is money, but it is probably more relatable to say that waiting for things to happen is annoying. And just like the time spent wanting for a bus or train to arrive feels never-ending, when you need to get some work done, slow app start times are frustrating beyond description.
So, Microsoft has decided to do something about it. The company is not looking to speed up all apps, just its own Office apps. In the next few weeks, users of Microsoft Office will be able to use a new Startup Boost task to improve “performance and load-time of experiences" within the office suite.
Would AI super agents mean goodbye to apps as we know them?
In the Western world, we now have an app for everything. Shopping, banking, gaming, and even controlling the temperature in your home - you name it, there’s an app for it. The iOS app store began in 2008 with 500 apps, yet, now there are over four million apps available across iOS and Android platforms. Each of these apps serve individual needs and consumers have learnt to ignore the digital clutter in favor of app loyalty.
Asia went the opposite way. Instead of narrow-purpose-built apps, they built the 'everything app' long before Elon started dreaming about it with platforms like Paytm, Grab and WeChat. But what would it take for the West to catch up? AI super agents might be the answer to that one.
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