Articles about Microsoft

Six-hundred-twenty-eight in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.

The last week of December has been a slow news week, as usual. Reports suggest that some Path of Exile 2 players experience high CPU loads on Windows 11, but the issue has not been added to the official known issues list yet by Microsoft.

Continue reading →

Microsoft is vocal about the importance of ensuring that Windows users have all of the latest security updates installed, and rightly so. Now the company has warned that using certain installation media to install Windows 11 24H2 could result in not being able to receive any further security updates.

The root cause of the problem has not been revealed as Microsoft is still investigating, but the issue can occur when using media such as CDs or USB drives to install the latest version of Windows 11. While the cause is not known, and there is no specific fix, there is a workaround.

Continue reading →

The start of a new year is always a chance to reassess priorities, try to break old habits, and make lifestyle changes that bring us closer to the life we want to live. New Year’s resolutions typically center around health, career, or relationships, but there’s another area worth considering -- the software and tools we rely on daily.

If you’ve been thinking about leaving Microsoft Windows 11 behind and diving into the world of Linux, this could be the perfect time to do so. (Like all resolutions there’s no guarantee you’ll stick to it of course, but like that well-meaning health kick, it’s worth giving it a go.)

Continue reading →

Webcam users rejoice: the end of the “Another App Is Using the Camera Already” error message could be nigh.

People have been asking for the ability to use a single webcam in two or more apps at the same time for what feels likes forever. Built ostensibly as an accessibility feature, Microsoft is finally bringing what it is calling “Multi-app camera” to Windows 11.

Continue reading →

One of the changes in Windows 11 that continues to generate lots of complaining is the removal of a vertical taskbar option. Microsoft decided that it wanted everyone to have their taskbar anchored to the bottom of the screen, and that was the end of that.

But not anymore. Now there is a way to vertically align your taskbar in Windows 11, giving you the chance to make better use of a widescreen/ultra-widescreen monitor’s available space. It doesn’t matter whether your preference is for the left or the right -- both are possible.

Continue reading →

Introduced a couple of years ago, the Suggested Actions feature of Windows 11 was designed to make life easier, simplifying dealing with information encountered on websites, in documents and so on. Now the feature is being ditched.

Microsoft introduced Suggested Actions as a productivity-enhancer that worked across all aspects of Windows. While the company has said nothing about why it is killing off what is ostensibly a useful tool, the answer can probably be summed up in two letters: AI.

Continue reading →

Six-hundred-twenty-five in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.

Microsoft lifted several blockers that prevented earlier Windows 11 systems from upgrading to version 24h2. The company announced that the update will be offered to more devices going forward.

Continue reading →

There are still various obstacles in the way of updating to Windows 11 24H2, but Microsoft has just removed one of them. Until now, systems with a USB scanner that used the eSCL scan protocol were blocked from installing the update, but this block has now been lifted.

This is not all that is to be found in the update, of course. There is a somewhat controversial switch to a shortened date format in the taskbar as well as a batch of important security fixes.

Continue reading →

With millions of copies sold over 18 editions, Windows For Dummies is the all-time best selling tech reference -- and for good reason. Windows 11 For Dummies, 2nd Edition brings you up to speed on the latest version of Windows, so you can make your PC operate the way you need it to with no guesswork.

This straightforward and approachable resource helps you keep your PC or laptop humming, helping you do things like create user profiles, get connected to networks, find lost files, make your computer play nice with a printer, and fix the most common Windows hiccups.

Continue reading →

The number of roadblocks standing in the way of updating to the latest version of Windows 11 seems never-ending. The latest issue affects people using certain versions of Google Workspace Sync.

Following the appearance of error messages and problems between Outlook and Google Workspace Sync, Microsoft has taken the decision to block the availability of the Windows 11 2024 Update. There is good news, however. The fix is easy to implement, so updating to Windows 11 24H2 is far from being an impossibility.

Continue reading →

For many users, Windows 10 and 11 feel like missed opportunities in design evolution. The look is functional but unremarkable, dominated by flat icons and muted colors that lack character or charm. While simplicity can be effective, the current design comes across as a bit sterile, offering little of the warmth or personality that once defined Windows. The result is an OS that sadly feels more clinical than engaging.

Seelen UI is a free tool that reimagines what a Windows desktop can be, giving users the tools to break free from this monotony. With an array of customization features designed to prioritize both style and practicality, it allows users to craft a unique workspace.

Continue reading →

There are many barriers to running Windows 11, and even if you are using the operating system, you may find that you’re not able to run the very latest version. A variety of problems means that Microsoft has put update blocks in place for systems that meet certain criteria, but is gradually easing up on some of them.

Gamers are among those who have found themselves unable to update to Windows 11 24H2, especially fans of Ubisoft titles. With some of the issues having been resolved, Microsoft has now partially lifted the block on updating.

Continue reading →

For many computer users, the thought of moving away from Windows 10 or 11 can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. While frustrations with Microsoft's operating system -- whether it's updates at inconvenient times, performance slowdowns, or privacy concerns -- may drive them to consider alternatives, the leap to a Linux-based system often feels daunting.

It’s understandable. Linux has a reputation for being complex, requiring command-line knowledge, and catering to tech-savvy users. For those accustomed to the familiar Windows interface, the steep learning curve and potential compatibility issues with software and peripherals can be enough to deter them from making the switch. However, the gorgeous Oreon 10 could be about to change all that.

Continue reading →

0patch has revealed a 0day vulnerability that affects all desktop versions of Windows as well as Windows Server. In all, a staggering 21 different editions of Windows have the security issue which is described as a URL File NTLM Hash Disclosure vulnerability.

The security patching firm has reported the issue to Microsoft but -- as has been the case in the past -- the Windows-maker has yet to produce a fix. Stepping up to fill the void, 0patch has released free micropatches for all affected versions of Windows.

Continue reading →

If you’ve been waiting for Windows 11 24H2 (also known as the Windows 11 2024 Update) to roll out to your computer, you might be in luck.

For anyone who doesn’t want to go to the hassle of forcing the update, there is the option of sitting back until Microsoft takes care of things for you. And there is good news on this front. The company has announced that Windows 11 24H2 has “entered a new stage of availability” and is now more widely available.

Continue reading →