Microsoft releases new Windows 11 wallpaper for 'the holidays' but doesn't say which ones
Windows 11 is a great operating system, and if your computer is compatible, you should upgrade from Windows 10 immediately. It is an absolute joy to use, and I find it to be the prettiest version of Windows yet.
If you want to make it even prettier, today, Microsoft shares a beautiful new Windows 11 wallpaper from artist Kervin Brisseaux. The company says the background image "merges the updated design of Windows 11 with the magical, vibrant nature of the holidays." Oddly, Microsoft fails to disclose which holidays those actually are.
Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-sixty-four 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 released an out-of-band patch for Windows 11 this week, which addresses application startup issues.
Don't want to use Edge in Windows 11? Tough! Microsoft is taking away the option to open links in other browsers
It’s no secret that Microsoft wants people to use its Edge browser. It advertises it in Windows 10 and 11 and of course it’s the default in both of those operating systems too.
The Chromium version of Edge is very good, but plenty of users prefer a different browser, like Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. You can use any browser in Windows, but Edge will still spring into life if you click on a link from within the operating system.
How software descriptions can open the door to cyberattacks [Q&A]
The use of SaaS-based applications and systems has taken off in recent years, but that surge has highlighted a problem in the form of a lack of standardization for software descriptions across all types of systems.
This makes it much harder for IT teams to assess vulnerability levels across all the packages in an enterprise. But what risks does this pose and how can businesses tackle the problem? We spoke with Peter Lund, VP at operational technology cybersecurity company Industrial Defender, to discover more.
StarTech.com launches two USB to 4x HDMI video adapters for Microsoft Windows 11
A USB to HDMI dongle is pretty common nowadays and certainly nothing to get excited about. Amazon is littered with those adapters. Heck, even dongles that turn a single USB port into two video outputs can be found quite easily these days. But a USB adapter that offers four HDMI outputs? That's something worth noticing as it should be quite the useful tool.
And that, folks, is exactly what both the USB32HD4 and USBC2HD4 are -- USB adapters from StarTech.com that feature an impressive four HDMI ports. They are essentially the same, except the former uses USB-A, while the latter has USB-C. Both of these dongles can simultaneously output 1080p60 to a quartet of monitors. StarTech.com promises support for both Windows 10 and the all-new Windows 11; however, the company notes that neither dongle is compatible with macOS or Linux-based operating systems.
Facebook outage 2021: A simple mistake with global consequences
In October, the internet was shaken by the Facebook outage that affected dozens of big-name companies, as well as millions of brands and businesses that advertise on Facebook’s platform. Because of something as simple as a misconfigured Domain Name System (DNS) record, every device with the Facebook app integration started DDoS-ing recursive DNS resolvers -- DDoS meaning "Distributed Denial of Service." This, in turn, caused overloading in countless cases across the board.
You might be thinking to yourself, "So, what? A few sites were offline for a couple of hours." But the outage brought to light other issues. Communications for the very Facebook employees that could fix this issue were crippled. Some of these hindrances went so far that people were unable to enter buildings because the physical badge system wasn't even online.
Get 'Deep Learning from the Basics' ($27.99 value) FREE for a limited time
Deep learning is rapidly becoming the most preferred way of solving data problems. This is thanks, in part, to its huge variety of mathematical algorithms and their ability to find patterns that are otherwise invisible to us.
Deep Learning from the Basics begins with a fast-paced introduction to deep learning with Python, its definition, characteristics, and applications. You’ll learn how to use the Python interpreter and the script files in your applications, and utilize NumPy and Matplotlib in your deep learning models.
Employees struggle to find information when working from home
New research from enterprise search company Sinequa finds 46 percent of UK employees feel it should be much easier to find the information they need to do their jobs.
In addition 71 percent say it's harder to find information on work systems than it is to find information on search engines such as Google.
Three-quarters of IT departments face critical skills shortages
A new report from digital learning company Skillsoft finds that 76 percent of IT decision makers worldwide are facing critical skills gaps in their departments -- a 145 percent increase since 2016.
The report looks at the reasons for this and reveals that 38 percent cite the rate of technology change outpacing their existing skills development programs as the primary driver, followed by difficulty in attracting qualified candidates (35 percent) and lack of investment in training resources (32 percent).
Healthcare organizations face increased risk
Healthcare organizations and patients are facing greater risk as an increase in connected devices creates an expanded attack surface according to a new report.
The study from asset management and security platform Armis surveyed 2,000 patients and 400 healthcare IT professionals across the US and shows a disconnect between the concerns of the two groups.
Valve Steam Deck delay ruins Christmas for countless Linux gaming nerds
Do you hear that horrible sound? That's the combined screams and howls of countless Linux gaming nerds learning the devastating news -- the release of the Steam Deck video game console has been pushed to next year. In other words, anyone hoping to get the console under the Christmas tree this year will be left disappointed.
If you aren't familiar, the Steam Deck is a portable PC/gaming console hybrid that runs the Arch Linux-based "SteamOS" operating system which uses KDE Plasma. Similar to a Nintendo Switch Lite in design (but much bigger, heavier, and more powerful) it lets you play PC games in the palm of your hand. You can check out the specifications here.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22499 with new taskbar sharing feature
Wednesday isn’t typically the most exciting day of the week, but if you’re a Windows Insider on the Dev Channel you’ll know this is the day when -- baring a few rare exceptions -- Microsoft rolls out a new flight for Windows 11.
Last week the software giant added the ability to mute calls via the taskbar, and today in Windows 11 Build 22499 it takes things a step further, adding the ability to share content from open app windows on the taskbar to Teams meeting calls.
Embedded analytics is the future of analytics
Digital transformations have taken over corporate America. Over the last few years, businesses of all sizes have discovered much of their success now relies upon the ability to quickly interpret incredible amounts of data. While the business intelligence space grows exponentially, traditional BI tools still struggle to keep pace with the need for quick, decisive interpretation of this information surge.
Embedded analytics has inserted itself into this dilemma as the nimble, robust solution.
Apple Business Essentials launches in Beta
Do businesses use Apple products? Well, iPhone smartphones and iPad tablets without a doubt. Are Mac computers used in the business world though? Not so much. Typically, the only Mac you see in an office belongs to the resident artsy employee that works on designing things. For the most part, Microsoft Windows still reigns supreme in the Enterprise.
With that said, some companies are all-in on Apple hardware, forgoing Windows for computers running macOS instead. True, it is rare, but some businesses do it. And now, if a small business has 500 or fewer employees, Apple is making it easier than ever to manage iPhone, iPad, and Mac computers. Launching today in Beta, Apple Business Essentials is a seemingly elegant solution for setting up and managing Apple devices, but also, the service offers assistance with things like backing up data, security, repairs, and more.
85 percent of businesses adopted new security protocols due to COVID-19
New research from SecureAge Technology finds that 85 percent of US and UK employers have been forced to adopt new cybersecurity measures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to remote work.
Of those that adopted new cybersecurity defenses, both US (41 percent) and UK (38 percent) businesses note that 'technical implementation challenges' are the primary hurdle in getting their new COVID-driven cybersecurity protocols and strategies in place.
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Sitemap.