Articles about Microsoft

Are you in the market for a new copy of Windows 10? Perhaps you’re building a new PC from scratch or looking to move up from an older version of Windows. Maybe you’re looking to run a version of Windows alongside macOS or Linux? Whatever your reasons, a Windows 10 OEM license is a great choice.

OEM licenses are cheaper than full retail versions -- while they’re tied to a single PC and non-transferrable, they’re a great fit for many. Read on to discover why you should consider Windows 10 OEM and how to get a great deal on both Windows 10 Home OEM and Windows 10 Pro OEM.

Continue reading →

Internet Explorer may be a stalwart of the world of web browsers, but it has also been an object of ridicule and derision for pretty much its entire life. Since the emergence of the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, the writing has been on the wall for the browser just about everyone loves to hate, but IE has been lingering for longer than many people would have expected.

But now Microsoft is finally ready to pull the plug. Sort of. The company has announced that "the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10". But what does this mean in practice, and will you be affected?

Continue reading →

The Windows 10 May 2021 Update, aka Windows 10 21H1, is starting to roll out to users now.

As normal, it will be a phased rollout so not everyone will be offered it straightaway -- it could be months before it reaches your machine. But if previous major updates are anything to go by, you should avoid installing it for a while anyway as these releases typically come with issues and it could be more hassle than it’s worth.

Continue reading →

Earlier today, Microsoft pushed the big red (imaginary) button to start the roll out of the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (or Windows 10 21H1), and already some issues with it have been acknowledged by the software giant.

Since the roll out is only just beginning it’s perhaps not a huge surprise that there aren’t many known issues at the moment, but one in particular could be incredibly annoying for anyone who encounters it. Here's the list of issues Microsoft is admitting to so far.

Continue reading →

Microsoft began to roll out the latest big feature update for Windows 10 earlier today, and we explained what's new and how to get the update here.

With each new OS update, however, some existing features get dropped, or stop being actively developed. Here’s what’s missing in Windows 10 21H1, the May 2021 Update.

Continue reading →

A week ago we reported that Microsoft might have cancelled Windows 10X, its much-hyped Chrome OS competitor.

Although the software giant didn’t confirm this move at the time, it didn’t deny it either, and today the company admits that it has now pulled the plug on the spin off OS, so it can focus all of its attention on Windows 10 proper.

Continue reading →

Three weeks ago, Microsoft began preparing the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (21H1) for release, offering it initially to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel.

Today, the company makes the feature update available to non-Insiders, starting with those running Windows 10 version 2004 or later. As is the case these days, Microsoft is throttling availability so it may not be offered to you immediately, and compatibility issues could play a part in how long you have to wait.

Continue reading →

Microsoft finally stopped supporting Windows 7 at the start of last year, but the aging OS is still to be found on over 16 percent of Windows systems and many users prefer it to Windows 10 which seems to be plagued with a never-ending stream of buggy updates.

Although the software giant will be giving its new operating system a much needed makeover later this year with new icons, a scalable UI font, and other visual enhancements, it’s still unlikely to win over the hearts and minds of many of the Windows 7 faithful.

Continue reading →

It's only a week since Microsoft stopped supporting some older versions of Windows 10 -- specifically the Home and Pro editions of Windows 10 versions 1803, 1809 and 1909 -- but it won't be long before the effects are felt.

While Windows 10 version 1809 reaching "end of servicing" means there will be no more official patches and updates from Microsoft, the operating system will not be left completely unsupported. For anyone unwilling or unable to upgrade to a more recent build of Windows 10, micro-patch service 0patch has stepped up to the plate to lend a hand.

Continue reading →

The release of Windows 10 build 21382 yesterday came as a little bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one.

With this particular release there was not a huge amount for Microsoft to shout about in terms of new features. There are improvements to HDR support, improvements to the Start menu, new icons in Explorer, fonts changes and new options in Device Manager. But Microsoft also used the release to remind users that Windows Terminal is now installed by default.

Continue reading →

Just in time for the start of the weekend, a brand new Windows 10 build arrives for those Insiders in the Dev Channel.

The big new addition in this build is HDR support in color managed apps, but there are plenty of other changes, improvements and fixes to be found in the flight.

Continue reading →

If you’re a Mac owner, then you’ll be very familiar with macOS, Apple’s desktop operating system. Similarly, if you own a PC -- and it isn’t running a flavor of Linux -- then there’s a good chance it will have Windows 10 on it.

macOS and Windows 10, like other desktop operating systems, share lots of similarities, but they are also very different in their own ways. But what if they weren’t? What if Microsoft was making macOS instead of Apple?

Continue reading →

Earlier this week, Microsoft released the KB5003173 update for Windows 10. With no known issues, coupled with the fact it is a cumulative update rather than something brand new, we posited that it should be an update free from problems; it seems like we may have spoken too soon.

Growing numbers of people are experiencing failed installations with KB5003173 and are seeing an error 0x800f0922. While yet to be confirmed, it appears that the problem is related to the manual removal of the forcibly installed Chromium-based Microsoft Edge.

Continue reading →

Microsoft has announced a new Windows 10 Bug Bash for people taking part in the Insider program. The Bug Bash gives the company a chance to gather more information about problems with the operating system, and gives participants the opportunity to earn rewards.

The Bug Bash is available right now and runs until May 17. Microsoft has set up quests to check various elements of Windows 10 including using Desk Management to check storage, and testing the magnifier tool.

Continue reading →

Microsoft has announced that its Azure Blockchain Service is to close down this fall. The end date for the complete closure is September 10, but the company has already put a stop on new deployments and signups.

No big announcement has been made about the closure of the service which has been around since 2015 when Microsoft partnered with ConsenSys. The decision leaves existing users with just four months to find an alternative home for their ledgers.

Continue reading →