Articles about Microsoft

The current release cycle of PowerToys sees the development team focusing on "new features, stability and improvements". While a boost to stability and general improvements are always welcome, it's the new features that are of the greatest interest.

And with the release of PowerToys v0.76.0, Microsoft does not disappoint. There are new features aplenty to be found here, with numerous modules benefitting from significant updates -- not least of which is the arrival of new add-ons for File Explorer. But there are also important UI changes across the suite, and a plethora of additions and improvements.

Continue reading →

There have been questions, hopes and rumors about Windows 12 for quite some time now, and as time goes by this is something that shows no signs of changing. We've already had hints about the successor to Windows 11 from Intel, and now Taiwanese business media has offered up more information.

According to a report in the Commercial Times, we don't have long to wait until Microsoft releases Windows 12. Timed to coincide with the rising interest in AI PCs, Windows 12 is said to be due to launch in June 2024.

Continue reading →

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

Microsoft is testing new features all the time. Windows 11 users may soon get more out of their device's battery thanks to the new Energy Saver tool that is currently in development. Another change moves the Copilot button from its center position on the taskbar to the very right of it.

Continue reading →

Microsoft has released the KB5032278 update for Windows 10 22H2, bringing a number of changes and improvements including the arrival of Copilot.

This is an optional update because it is a preview of next month's patch, and because it is a preview it is a non-security update. In addition to bringing Copilot to anyone outside of the EU, the KB5032278 update also includes numerous other changes, additions and fixes.

Continue reading →

An APK teardown of Microsoft's Link to Windows app for Android (also known as Phone Link and Your Phone) shows that the company is working to bring a handy feature to handsets -- webcam functionality.

Code shows that Microsoft appears to be working on a feature to rival Apple's Continuity Camera, the feature that makes it possible to use an iPhone as a webcam in conjunction with a Mac. Now it seems that Android users are going to get a similar option under Windows.

Continue reading →

When it was first released, Windows 10 famously spied on users and shared all sorts of information with Microsoft. Over the years, the software giant has reigned in this behavior and introduced a wealth of privacy controls to let you manage what you share.

That said, these controls are scattered throughout the OS and finding them isn’t always easy. This is where Win10Privacy can help.

Continue reading →

Microsoft has released a new Insider build for testers in the Canary Channel. Build 26002 includes changes to the taskbar and system tray, but the standout feature is a new Energy Saver tool.

This experimental inclusion offers an "easy way to extend battery life and reduce energy use by trading off some system performance."

Continue reading →

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Build 23595 for those Insiders in the Dev Channel. This new flight comes with the usual selection of changes, improvements and fixes, including shifting the location of the Copilot AI icon.

Microsoft has taken the wise decision to relocate the icon from its current position next to the search box, to the right side of the system tray on the taskbar. The reason for this it to "make the entry point to Copilot more clear and easily accessible by being closer to where the Copilot pane opens."

Continue reading →

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.2776 to the Beta Channel. Also known as the KB5032292 update, this fixes numerous issues from previous builds, and also introduces several new features and options.

There are big improvements to Windows Ink, so handwriting recognition is now more accurate and can be used with more languages. Significant changes to Windows Share make it possible to share directly to specific Microsoft Teams Channels and group chats. Beloved stalwart tool Task Manager has some improvements for power users too.

Continue reading →

Windows 11 is many things, but small it ain't. This is something that tiny11 exists to address, and we've covered this stripped-back version of Windows 11 before. Now it has been updated with new features and a smaller footprint than ever.

The latest version of tiny11 is based on Windows 11 23H2 and has been shrunk by a massive 20 percent from the previous version. There is a new naming system that makes much more sense (this is tiny11 2311), the software is updatable to future cumulative updates, and Copilot is available as an option. And that's just scratching the surface.

Continue reading →

This holiday season, Microsoft has gone back in time to create an "ugly sweater" based on its iconic Bliss wallpaper from Windows XP.

If you like the look of it, the software giant is making the sweater available to buy (in limited quantities) for $69.99. That’s not all though. The company has also produced four stylish Bliss wallpapers for phone, Teams background, or desktop.

Continue reading →

Every holiday season, Microsoft brings out an "ugly sweater" and this time it’s going way, way back with a special XP-themed Bliss design.

This sweater, which features the iconic Bliss backdrop from Windows XP, (originally a photo of a pretty blue sky and rolling green hills taken in Sonoma County, California) has been created in part to support The Nature Conservancy.

Continue reading →

It's easy enough to get Android games running on your PC. You can use third-party emulators like Bluestacks or NoxPlayer, or you can make use of the built-in Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11.

If you want to do the reverse and play Windows games on your Android device, that's a little harder, but it can be done. For this you'll need Winlator. We’ve covered this Android app before, but it’s just been updated to improve compatibility and performance, and fix a number of problems.

Continue reading →

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue with Windows 11 23H2 which causes the Narrator accessibility tool to fail.

The company warns that people using either physical media or ISO images to install Windows 11 2023 Update may find that Microsoft Narrator does not start. There is currently no fix for the problem.

Continue reading →

Microsoft has added yet another bug bounty program to its growing portfolio. With the launch of the Microsoft Defender Bounty Program, the company is offering financial rewards to researchers who "uncover significant vulnerabilities" in its range of security products and services.

The program is focused solely on vulnerabilities of Critical or Important severity, and Microsoft is putting up rewards of between $500 to $20,000 for eligible submissions. Starting off somewhat limited in focus, the aim is to open up the program to have a wider scope further down the line.

Continue reading →