Watch Microsoft's #MicrosoftEDU event livestream here
Today is a big day for Microsoft. At an event in New York City, the company promises we’ll "Learn what’s next" for Microsoft and education, even though thanks to leaks we already have a pretty good idea of what to expect.
The software giant is set to take on Google in the educational market with a new Surface laptop, and a new version of Windows 10 that only runs apps from the Windows Store, called Windows 10 S.
On the eve of Microsoft's education event, the Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S leaks
Tomorrow in New York City, Microsoft will be holding an event that seems to be geared towards education -- the Windows-maker has been sharing the #MicrosoftEDU hashtag. With Chromebooks gaining in popularity, especially in the school segment, it has been rumored that the company will be revealing a new version of Windows 10 that only runs apps from the Windows Store -- similar to the much-maligned Windows RT. This would, in theory, remove many malware threats, making it a safer platform -- similar to the benefit of Chrome OS.
On the eve of this event, a Twitter user named WalkingCat, using the handle @h0x0d, has leaked some images and details regarding what he/she alleges is the upcoming Surface Laptop that will be revealed tomorrow. The leaker alleges that the laptop will be 14.47mm at its thickest in the rear, and it will taper down to 9.9mm towards the front. It will reportedly be quite light at a mere 2.76 pounds. The 13.5 inch display will have 3.4 million pixels. Oh, and that new version of the operating system? It will be called Windows 10 S and not "Cloud."
Microsoft is replacing the password -- what's taking its place?
It was supposed to have died a long time ago, but, for a near-cadaver, the password has managed to hold onto its last breath for over two decades. Bill Gates declared passwords passé way back in 2004, but it was only late in April that the company he founded introduced a replacement for the outmoded authentication system.
For years, organizations have sought to educate employees about the importance of secure passwords and of resisting phishing attacks -- and both efforts have failed. A Verizon report indicates that 63 percent of confirmed data breaches involved leveraging weak/default/stolen passwords in 2016. Meanwhile, a new report from Proofpoint says that phishing and similar attacks using e-mail were up 45 percent in the last quarter of that year. Clearly, the constant haranguing by security teams of employees to change their passwords and make them more complicated, as well as their pleas not to click on suspicious links/attachments, are falling on deaf ears.
Dubai becomes the first city to get its own Microsoft-designed font, and you can download and use it now
When you think of Dubai, it’s likely several things spring to mind -- it’s home to the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa), and the amazing Palm Jumeirah artificial archipelago. It also has a less than stellar record when it comes to human rights.
You probably don’t give too much thought to the typefaces used there, but Dubai is hoping to change that as it has worked with Microsoft to create a unique font especially for the city.
Creators Update gives Windows 10 a much needed usage share boost
Windows 10 usage share has been suffering lately. According to NetMarketShare, in February, the new operating system lost share, and in March its gains were minimal.
With Windows 10 Creators Update rolling out in April -- even if Microsoft warns users against manually updating to it -- we were always likely to see the OS returning to growth, as users spend more time on it, finding out what’s new.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Redstone 3 Build 16184 for PC, introduces new My People app
Microsoft intended to include its new My People sharing and communication app in the Windows 10 Creators Update, but had to postpone it because it simply stood no chance of being ready in time.
The revised plan is to include it in the next major Windows 10 update, codenamed Redstone 3, and if you want to take it for a spin, the good news is it is now possible to do so as it makes an appearance in the latest Windows Insider release, Build 16184.
With little fanfare, Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update begins to roll out
Windows 10 Creators Update began to roll out to compatible PCs and tablets two weeks ago, and Microsoft announced its arrival with plenty of blog posts and new videos.
Today, the Creators Update for Windows 10 Mobile formally begins its roll out, with that announcement made in a simple tweet. It comes as no surprise that the arrival of such a noteworthy update should receive so little fanfare, seeing as Windows 10 Mobile doesn't have much of a market share as it is, and the Creators Update only works on 13 phones.
Microsoft will give you free Subway sandwiches -- here's how to score the yummy deal
As someone who lives in New York, I have access to many quality delicatessens. This means I have the ability to buy extremely good sandwiches. The problem? They can be expensive, easily exceeding $10. It is for this reason that I still go to Subway on occasion. With that said, some of the company's sandwiches are pretty tasty -- I do not go only to save money.
You know what's better than an inexpensive sandwich? A free one! You see, Microsoft is giving away free meals from Subway -- a sandwich, drink, and either cookie or chips. The offer is not for individuals, however. The Windows-maker will cater your event as long as it has at least one Microsoft related topic and meets the other criteria.
Microsoft recommends you don't install the Windows 10 Creators Update
Before Microsoft began the Windows 10 Creators Update rollout two weeks ago, I wrote about why users shouldn’t rush to install it.
Today, in a post on the Windows blog, John Cable, Director of Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery, says much the same thing, and recommends that users don’t manually install the Creators Update, but rather wait until it’s automatically offered. But why? Because the update is causing problems for users.
How to free up disk space via Settings in Windows 10 Creators Update
If you want to free up disk space in Windows 10, you can use the Disk Cleanup tool, or a third-party program like CCleaner.
However, the Windows 10 Creators Update offers a third choice, which is to go through the Settings app. You can free up space, and also have the operating system automatically remove junk for you.
Need a graduation gift? Look no further than the Microsoft Store to save up to $200
Graduation is almost here for many high school and college students. With that comes both fun and scary aspects. The enjoyable part is finally achieving the diploma and having a party with friends and family. The scary part? Being thrust into the real world. It can be a good scary, however, as it means the world is a blank canvas -- full of possibilities.
If you need to buy a gift for a graduate in your life, you can always give them cash, but that is so impersonal. If you want to set them up for success, a Windows 10 PC is a wise choice -- especially when paired with an Office 365 subscription. If you want to go that route, and save some money, the Microsoft Store has you covered. The store is offering up to $200 in savings during a limited-time special gradation sale.
Microsoft's LinkedIn surpasses 500 million users
When searching for a job nowadays, you will find that Microsoft's LinkedIn has largely disrupted the process. Long gone are the days of emailing or faxing a resume -- you can both find and apply for a job directly through the service. Even if you are not actively searching for a new career, LinkedIn is a great place to network and meet other professionals.
To show just how popular LinkedIn has become, the service today makes an impressive announcement -- it has achieved more than 500 million users in 200 countries. With a half a billion users, maybe Microsoft's $26.2 billion purchase price wasn't so crazy after all!
How to get the classic Windows Defender back on Windows 10 Creators Update
Change can be good, but not always. While Windows 10 is a great operating system, many people would prefer to stay with Windows 7. Stick with what they know and like.
Microsoft now views Windows as a service, which means Windows 10 gets updated and changed a couple of times a year. In the latest iteration of the new operating system, Microsoft replaced the old Windows Defender with a new Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app version. But if you don’t like this change, the good news is it’s easy to restore the classic version of Windows Defender.
Leaked specs: Windows 10 Cloud is ready to take on Chromebook
Microsoft is due to hold an event in NYC on May 2, and it's widely expected that the company will unveil Windows 10 Cloud -- although it may not be until Build slightly later in the month. On paper, Windows 10 Cloud sounds very much like Microsoft's answer to Google's Chromebook, and leaks suggest this is precisely the market that Microsoft is targeting.
As the May event has an education focus, it's apparent that any low-cost Chromebook-like Windows devices will be aimed at the education sector -- but that's not to say that there won’t be interest from other people looking for cheap hardware. And thanks to the latest leak, we know the recommended minimum hardware spec to run Windows 10 Cloud.
Redstone 3 will launch in September as Microsoft commits to twice-yearly feature releases for Windows 10
We're already seeing preview builds of Windows 10 Redstone 3 creeping out after the launch of Windows 10 Creators Update, and we now know that the final release date is scheduled for September.
The revelation comes as Microsoft announces plans to align its feature releases of Windows and Office, primarily to make things easier for enterprise users. Releases will come in March and September, and the next big update for Windows 10 (i.e. Redstone 3) "will be targeted for September 2017."
Recent Headlines
Most Commented Stories
BetaNews, your source for breaking tech news, reviews, and in-depth reporting since 1998.
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. About Us - Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy - Sitemap.