Articles about Microsoft

AMD releases patch and Microsoft releases KB5006746 update to fix Windows 11 performance issues

Windows 11 magnifying glass

One of the known issues with Windows 11 is reduced performance on some AMD systems, notably Ryzen chips. When Microsoft later released the KB5006674 update, things got even worse for some people.

But with the release of a new insider build last week, Microsoft addressed one of the problems, helping to get performance back to expected levels. Now not only has the company released this as the KB5006746 update for all Windows 11 users, but AMD has issued a patch of its own to fix the second of two performance problems.

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Microsoft now lets Windows 11 users set Windows Terminal as the default terminal application

Windows Terminal

Microsoft has just released Terminal Preview 1.12 and the company proudly proclaims that this release is "HUGE!".

As you would hope and, indeed, expect, the new version brings with it new features, not least of which is the ability to set it as the default terminal emulator. But this far from being the end of the story. There's also windows restoration, full transparency in Windows 11, and a host of fixes.

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Microsoft bringing a new Find My Mouse tool and more mouse utilities to PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys

Fans of Microsoft's PowerToys have something to look forward to -- there is at least one new utility in the pipeline, very probably several.

Developers are currently working on a Find My Mouse tool which will appear in an upcoming Mouse Utilities section of PowerToys. The new tool will make it easy to locate your mouse cursor on the screen, but there is also the promise of more mouse-related tools in the future.

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Microsoft preparing the Windows 10 November 2021 Update (21H2) for release

Windows-10 key

Although Windows 11 is getting most of the press these days, Windows 10 is still being actively developed and Microsoft is about to release the latest feature update for it.

The software giant believes that Build 19044.1288 is the final build for the Windows 10 November 2021 Update (21H2) and you can download and install it now.

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Windows 11 has a handy God Mode for power users

Windows 11 God Mode

Windows 11 is gradually making its way to more and more computers, giving an ever-growing userbase the chance to try out the latest features. But while Microsoft has used Windows 11 to introduce lots of changes and new options, it has also continued trend of moving away from some of the familiarity of Windows of old.

This includes a continuing move away from the Control Panel to the Settings app. This change is not to everyone's liking, but there is some good news. There is a special God Mode option that gives access to a huge number of Control Panel options in one place, giving power users the control they crave. Here's how to activate it.

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Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22483

Windows 11 laptop

Today, Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel have been given the chance to finally try out the promised Android apps feature on Windows 11.

Insiders in the Dev Channel also have a new Windows 11 flight to play around with -- Build 22483.

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Android apps are available to test on Windows 11 now! Here's how to get started

Android-Apps-WIndows-11

When Microsoft announced Windows 11 four months ago, one of the killer new features was the operating system’s ability to run Android apps. People were understandably upset when the OS arrived without this functionality, although we were promised it would surface soon.

Today the software giant is giving Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel the chance to try out the new feature, although there is a catch.

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Microsoft releases PowerToys Experimental v0.48.1 with fixes and new features

Microsoft PowerToys

It was entirely planned, but it does feel like a good while since there was an exciting PowerToys release with new things to play with. But now, with the release of PowerToys Experimental v0.48.1, this changes.

There are, of course, fixes and -- as this is an experimental release -- some known issues, but there is also the return of Video Conference Mute tool which has quickly turned into a fan-favorite.

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Microsoft releases KB5006744 update preview to address numerous issues with Windows 10

Windows 10 laptop

Microsoft has released the latest preview update for Windows 10 ahead of a proper release next Patch Tuesday -- the KB5006744 update preview.

While this is a non-security update, it does address a number of problems that have been plaguing Windows 10 users. Among the problems fixed by the KB5006744 update preview are issues with virtual machine load balancing, and a memory leak issue in lsass.exe.

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Microsoft tells sysadmins to update PowerShell 7 to fix flaw that could expose credentials in Linux

PowerShell

Microsoft has issued a stark warning to system administrators, advising them of the importance of updating PowerShell 7 as soon as possible.

Versions prior to PowerShell 7.0.8 and PowerShell 7.1.5 are vulnerable to a .NET Core Information Disclosure flaw that is being tracked as CVE-2021-41355. There is a degree of urgency to upgrading to a non-vulnerable version of PowerShell, as the flaw could expose credentials in plain text in Linux.

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Microsoft is using Update Stack Packages to make Windows 11 updates less disruptive

Windows 11 laptop on a pedestal

The Windows updates released by Microsoft have been hitting the headlines for very much the wrong reasons for the last year or so. A seemingly endless string of problematic updates for Windows 10 did not, sadly, come to an end with the release of Windows 11.

But now Microsoft is making an important change to Windows updates. While it will not necessarily help to improve their quality and reliability, it will at least go some way to make them easier to download and install. The new approach kicks off with Windows 11 build 22478 and the arrival of Update Stack Packages.

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Microsoft launches open source Linux version of system monitoring utility Sysmon

Microsoft sign

While Microsoft primarily produces apps and services designed for use with its own Windows operating system, over the years the company has embraced not only macOS but also Linux.

Having recently release Windows Subsystem for Linux to the Windows 11 store, there is a now another treat for Linux user coming out of Redmon. Microsoft has now released a Linux version of Sysmon, the Windows system monitoring tool.

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Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22000.282 with a long list of fixes, including addressing performance issues with AMD Ryzen processors

Windows relief

As soon as Windows 11 hit general availability and started to be downloaded in ever increasing numbers we began seeing reports of problems with the new OS surfacing.

These included slowdowns on some AMD processors. Earlier this week, Microsoft rolled out the first update for Windows 11 designed to fix a known networking issue, and this had the effect of making AMD system performance "much worse".

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Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22478 with new Fluent-emoji

Emoji

Microsoft rolled out the first update for Windows 11 earlier this week. Continuing the trend we saw with its Windows 10 patches, this one was designed to fix problems, but introduced new ones.

The company is hard at work on adding new features and improvements to its latest OS, and today releases Windows 11 Build 22478 to Insiders in the Dev Channel.

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Microsoft is shutting down LinkedIn… in China

Chinese flag keyboard

Microsoft launched a Chinese version of LinkedIn in 2014, having weighed up the pros and cons of operating under the scrutiny -- and restrictions -- of the Chinese government.

Today, the software giant announces it is pulling the plug on LinkedIn there, citing a lack of success with the social aspects of the site, and the difficulties it faced with complying with the government’s many demands. Microsoft isn’t pulling out of China's blossoming business market entirely though -- rather it’s changing its focus.

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