Articles about Microsoft

Today is just a typical boring Wednesday, with nothing of any note going on in the world, and certainly not in America.

Thankfully then, Microsoft has a new Windows 10 Insider Preview build on hand to brighten the days of those in the Dev Channel.

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Security issues are frequently exposed by Google's Project Zero; just days ago, security researchers revealed details of an actively exploited Windows Kernel Cryptography Driver security flaw.

Now Project Zero has released details of a serious security flaw in another Microsoft venture -- GitHub. The bug relates to GitHub Actions' workflow commands and is described as being high severity. It was discovered back in July but, as per the standard 90-day disclosure period, details are only just now being made public.

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We know that Microsoft is planning to give Windows 10 a makeover in the future, but it’s unlikely that the software giant will really go to town on the design, with the focus of its UI revamp -- codenamed Sun Valley -- being more on tweaking things and expanding on the Fluent Design language currently in use.

While some people are more than happy with how Windows 10 looks, it’s pretty bland when compared to macOS. But what if Apple and Microsoft joined forces to produce a Windows/macOS hybrid?

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The Start menu has evolved hugely since it was first introduced in Windows 95. While many of the changes that have been introduced over the years have been welcomed, this is not the case for everyone.

You might well be using Windows 10, but you may yearn for the Start menu that was to be found in Windows 7. There's no need to hack your system or resort to using virtualization software to run an ancient operating system, you can get a Windows 7-style Start menu in Windows 10 -- you can even customize the Start button. Here's how.

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Many technology pundits have been theorizing and discussing the possibility of Windows eventually becoming a Linux-based operating system. They cite the fact that Microsoft has become less dependent on Windows for revenue, making it silly to dedicate so many resources to it. Not to mention, Microsoft has certainly cozied up to both the Linux and open source communities nowadays.

Do I think Microsoft will make this move one day? Who knows. Years ago I'd say it was crazy, but in 2020, the company's flagship mobile device -- the Surface Duo -- runs the Linux-based Android. For now, Linux-based Windows remains pure conjecture. With that said, I think we can all agree on one thing -- Linux is the future of desktop computing, with Chrome OS leading the sea change.

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Google has shared details of a bug in the Windows Kernel Cryptography Driver (cng.sys) which is currently being exploited in the wild by hackers.

The Project Zero team had already privately shared details of the security flaw with Microsoft a little over a week ago, but now that it is being actively exploited the company has gone public. The zero-day flaw is being tracked as CVE-2020-117087, and it is not likely to be addressed by Microsoft for a couple of weeks.

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If you’re an Insider on the Dev Channel, you can today download a new Windows 10 build. This one is different from previous such releases however, as it comes from a new branch.

Windows 10 Build 20246, like future Dev Channel flights, will now come from the FE_RELEASE branch. That’s not all though. This release also removes various new features.

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Ignite 2020, Microsoft’s largest event of the year, was delivered as a digital experience this year. Aligned with COVID-19 responses across the world, Microsoft used this far-reaching platform as an ideal opportunity to showcase new and upcoming Microsoft technologies, which will directly enable organizations to meet the challenges of a changing world and rebuild for a better future.

Echoing CEO Satya Nadella’s opening keynote remarks focused on Microsoft’s defined emphasis on response, recovery and resilience in the face of the global pandemic, the company stands poised to pave the path forward for true digital transformation. Emphasizing customer engagement and optimized operations to meet the ever-changing landscape of our "new normal," Ignite 2020 highlighted newly updated and improved tools geared toward the new hybrid working normal, ever-increasing virtual landscapes and collaboration for both face-to-face and remote teams as key components to organizations’ success in the immediate future.

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It’s been reported today that Microsoft is planning on giving Windows 10 a fresh coat of paint next year, updating the Start menu, File Explorer, and the Action Center.

There’s no question that Windows 10 is long overdue a decent makeover, but will Microsoft take it far enough?

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Windows 10 is set to undergo a huge redesign next year, with sources saying that the likes of Explorer, the Action Center and the Start menu will be getting big overhauls.

The UI revamp has been codenamed Sun Valley, and it is due for a public release some time in the holiday season 2021. While the Windows 10 October 2020 Update introduced some changes to the Start menu, it is a while since Windows 10 received any significant updates to the user interface. With Sun Valley, however, Microsoft is said to be "reinvigorating" the operating system.

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Since the launch of the Chromium-based version of Edge, Microsoft has been on a mission to get more and more people using its web browser. This means not only trying to attract people who are currently using the likes of Chrome and Firefox, but also those who are doggedly hanging onto Internet Explorer.

Now the company is on the verge of forcing Internet Explorer users into Edge through the use of web page redirects. In addition to this, Windows 10 users who have installed the October 2020 Update (20H2) are seeing ads in the taskbar urging them to give the browser a try.

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After years of posing a security risk to millions of computers around the world, Flash is finally being killed off at the end of the year. Ahead of this, Microsoft has released a tool to help people remove Flash from Windows 8.x, Windows 10 and Windows Server.

The KB4577586 update not only purges systems of Adobe Flash Player, but also prevents the software from being installed again.

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The Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut is one of the most well-known and most useful in Windows. The shortcut has long made it possible to quickly switch between running programs and open windows, and in Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2) it has gained a useful new option.

With the latest feature update for Windows 10 installed, you can not only Alt-Tab your way between programs and windows, but also the tabs you have open in Microsoft Edge. Here's what you need to know.

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Since the arrival of Windows 10, Microsoft has made no secret of its desire to kill off the Control Panel. In moving everyone over to the Settings app, the company has been gradually chipping away, and the latest casualty in Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2) is the System applet.

Strangely, if you open the Control Panel, you will see that System is still present -- but when you open it you will be taken instead to the About section of Settings. But all is not lost; if you still want to access the classic System applet, here's how to do just that.

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Yesterday, Microsoft began rolling out the latest feature update for Windows 10. The long-awaited October 2020 Update -- or 20H2 if you prefer -- comes with a number of new features, such as improvements to Microsoft Edge, a refreshed Start menu, new Settings, and better notifications.

Today, the software giant releases a new Windows build for Insiders on the Dev Channel.

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