CERN is moving away from expensive Microsoft software and embracing open source
CERN -- the European Organization for Nuclear Research best known for its particle smashing Large Hadron Collider -- has decided to eschew Microsoft in favor of open source software.
For many years, CERN benefited from hefty discounts on Microsoft products, but this is coming to an end. Rather than paying hugely increased licensing fees, the organization is instead implementing its own Microsoft Alternatives project, known as MAlt. CERN says it is "taking back control using open software".
Microsoft releases Windows 10 20H1 Build 18917 with Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2)
Windows Insiders are currently testing builds from the 20H1 branch due out a year from now.
The latest new flight, Build 18917, introduces download throttling and Windows Subsystem for Linux 2, as well as a whole host of other improvements.
Free up over 17GB of storage space by cleaning up after the Windows 10 May 2019 Update
Microsoft has released another big feature update for Windows 10. The May 2019 Update is rolling out to compatible systems now, although you can force the update if required.
Of course, a big update like this requires a big download, and the files that Microsoft places on your system don’t get removed immediately afterwards. In other words, the May 2019 Update -- Windows 10 1903 -- could be responsible for taking up tens of gigabytes on your hard drive. Fortunately it’s easy enough to reclaim this.
Apple makes Windows 10 less terrible with refreshed iCloud app in Microsoft Store
Most iPhone users do not own a Mac. If they did, Apple's desktop market share wouldn't be so low compared to Windows. That's historically not a big deal for Apple, since its Mac business was never really about volume -- the company make a fortune off the marked up machines as it is.
The problem, however, is the company is increasingly focusing on services. And as great as iCloud is, the Windows experience has been abysmal. Yes, iCloud on Windows is functional, but it is not even close to the elegance of macOS. So when an iOS user needed to use Windows 10 for iCloud, it made the OS seem sort of... terrible. While Microsoft's desktop OS has lots of problems, and some consider it to be quite bad, the iCloud deficiencies (slow, buggy, etc.) were not really the fault of the OS -- that was Apple's failure. Well, except that one time.
Microsoft reveals Project Scarlett, its powerful next-gen Xbox console with 8K graphics coming in 2020
At E3, Microsoft has revealed details of its next-generation Xbox, dubbed Project Scarlett, which is scheduled for release in late 2020.
It's not yet known what the follow-up to the Xbox One will be called, but among the launch titles is Halo Infinite. As for the console hardware, Project Scarlett will feature an AMD Zen 2 chip, Radeon RDNA graphics architecture, GDDR6 memory, SSD, and support for 120 fps, 8K graphics along with real-time ray tracing.
The ABCs of Microsoft Office 365's Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
When it comes to data breaches, it's not a matter of if a breach will occur, it’s a matter of when. And regardless of how substantial -- or how advanced -- you think your cybersecurity is, you’re still vulnerable.
The most recognizable data breaches for 2019 (so far) include:
How to rollback and uninstall the Windows 10 May 2019 Update
The Windows 10 May 2019 Update is currently rolling out to users. If you install it and encounter major problems, as some users doubtless will, you might want to go back to your previous version, and wait until the update is a bit less buggy.
The process is straightforward enough, although there are some downsides to be aware of.
Microsoft takes down huge MS-Celeb-1M facial recognition database
Microsoft has deleted a database containing around 10 million photographs that was being used to train facial recognition systems.
Known as MS-Celeb-1M, the database was created in 2016, and originally contained photos of celebrities. Over time, however, images of writers, journalists and others crept in, and ultimately 100,000 individuals were to be found in it. Microsoft has not made much noise about the deleted content, but has said that the database was wiped as the person maintaining it was no longer a company employee.
How to check the battery status of Bluetooth devices on Windows 10
Thanks to Bluetooth technology, people are able to connect several devices to their Windows 10 computer wirelessly. You can use it to transfer your files or to operate electronic devices, including wireless headsets, gaming consoles, and other computer peripherals. While Bluetooth has certain limitations, like lower bandwidth than Wi-Fi and a shorter range, it can still provide a reliable connection between your devices.
Now, if you are using Bluetooth devices like a keyboard, stylus, mouse, or headset, you'll likely need to know if their battery levels are still sufficient. If you’ve installed Windows 10 version 1809 -- also referred to as the October 2018 Update -- you will be able to check your Bluetooth peripherals' battery levels, using the Settings app. Keep in mind that you can only do this if your device supports the feature.
BlueKeep Windows vulnerability is so serious, even the NSA wants you to patch your system
It's around three weeks since Microsoft first urged Windows users to patch their systems against the BlueKeep (CVE-2019-0708) vulnerability. Concerned that not enough people were taking notice, the company then issued a further warning stressing the importance of installing a patch.
Now the NSA has got involved, joining Microsoft in begging users to secure their Windows XP and Windows 7 computers. The agency says that is "concerned that malicious cyber actors will use the vulnerability in ransomware and exploit kits containing other known exploits, increasing capabilities against other unpatched systems".
Microsoft releases Windows 10 20H1 Build 18912 to the Fast ring
While the Windows 10 May 2019 Update is slowly making its way to mainstream users, Microsoft is busy working on Insider builds from the 20H1 branch, the feature update set to be released in the first half of next year.
A week ago, Microsoft rolled out Build 18908 with more features for its Your Phone app, and today it follows it up with Build 18912.
Microsoft and Oracle connect their clouds
Two of the giants of enterprise cloud technology have today announced a cloud interoperability partnership, enabling customers to migrate and run mission-critical enterprise workloads across Microsoft Azure and Oracle Cloud.
Enterprises can now seamlessly connect Azure services, like Analytics and AI, to Oracle Cloud services, like Autonomous Database. By enabling customers to run one part of a workload within Azure and another part of the same workload within the Oracle Cloud, the partnership delivers a highly optimised, best-of-both-clouds experience.
Microsoft is closing all of its speciality stores in the US
Microsoft is refocusing its retail presence, taking the decision to close all of its remaining "speciality stores".
The last 17 in-mall kiosks have been closed with immediate effect, and Microsoft will now put its efforts into its growing chain of bricks-and-mortar retail stores around the world.
Microsoft's Bing celebrates a decade of mediocrity
Google is the best search engine; it is indisputable. Of course, the downside to Google is that it is a privacy nightmare, tracking you and logging your search history. While there are alternatives, such as DuckDuckGo and StartPage.com that focus on protecting your privacy, Google still provides the better search experience.
And then there is Bing -- the search engine people love to hate. Yes, it is fashionable to bash Microsoft's search engine, but the truth is, it's not that bad. In fact, it is fairly good. And that is the problem -- it is just mediocre, never really catching on with consumers. Google is just better. Despite Bing's lack of success, Microsoft has surprisingly stuck with it. As a result, today, Bing celebrates a 10th birthday -- a full decade of mediocrity. Huzzah!
Microsoft releases first preview of PowerShell 7 and sets out feature roadmap
Having already announced that PowerShell 7 will be the next version of PowerShell, Microsoft has released the first public preview. For the first time, PowerShell is based on .NET Core 3.0.
The command-line shell and scripting language is set to be updated on a monthly basis, so we can expect a few more preview versions before it hits general availability around a month after .NET Core 3.0. As well as releasing this first preview, Microsoft has also shared details of the PowerShell 7 roadmap.
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