Articles about Microsoft

Microsoft’s answer to Apple Intelligence may be Windows Intelligence

Colorful rainbow Microsoft building logo

Branding is important, and this is something we’ve already seen with digital assistants like Siri. Moving into the artificial intelligence era, companies have been falling over themselves to get their own stamp on their version of AI.

Apple has opted for the reasonably predictable “Apple Intelligence”, while Microsoft’s approach has been a little more haphazard. But now there are clues that suggest the company has finally come to understand the importance of giving people an overarching term to cover all of its AI-related offerings. Say hello to Windows Intelligence.

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Best Windows apps this week

Six-hundred-twenty 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.

The core Windows apps Notepad and Paint are getting more AI features. Some of them are reserved for Copilot+ PCs, others are available for all Windows 11 devices.

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Microsoft shoves AI features into even more Windows 11 apps including Paint and Notepad

Microsoft Paint Generative Erase

It seems that even legacy apps are not immune to artificial intelligence. Microsoft has just rolled out a new Insider build of Windows 11 that sees the arrival of AI-powered features in Paint and Notepad.

While these are both stalwarts of the Windows app arena, they also feel like unusual targets for updating with such cutting-edge features. But this is precisely what Microsoft is doing, furnishing Notepad with a handy AI-driven Rewrite feature, and Paint with clever fill and erase options.

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The first new PowerToys release in some time adds a raft of new features

PowerToys

Microsoft developers have pushed out PowerToys v0.86.0. To answer the first question that follows the release of a new version of this utility collection -- no, there are no new modules this time around.

There are, however, numerous new features to justify getting excited, including various new capabilities for the Advanced Paste utility. But there’s more, much more, to this release.

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Fix Windows 11 and enjoy the OS as it was meant to be

Stunned-at-Windows-11-as-it-should-be

Despite Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to improve Windows 11 with updates and new features, the operating system still has issues. Users often report glitches, usability problems, and design inconsistencies that combine modern elements with outdated visuals.

To bridge this gap, many turn to tweaks, customization tools, and third-party projects for a smoother Windows experience.

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This Election Day vote for freedom and make a REAL change

This U.S. Election Day, the nation finds itself deeply divided, with a fierce battle between two prominent figures: former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Their clash of ideologies has captivated the public, as voters passionately debate the policies and visions of these candidates. Issues like healthcare, climate change, and economic reform dominate conversations.

Yet, as the polls open and citizens cast their votes, there’s another opportunity for change that many might overlook -- a shift that, while not political, could still have a lasting impact on our daily lives and sense of control. And that change? It’s switching from Windows to Linux.

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Transform Linux into Windows 95 with Chicago95 3.0 -- bringing Microsoft's old-school cool to modern machines

Missing the days of Windows 95, but not the endless dial-up tones or the struggle of fitting everything on a floppy disk? Today’s tech may move faster, but there was something magical about those simpler, pixelated beginnings. Chicago95 is a nostalgic Linux theme that gives your modern desktop environment the classic look of Microsoft’s nearly three-decade-old Windows 95.

Developed by grassmunk on GitHub, this theme offers an accurate recreation of the Win95 aesthetic, complete with the familiar icons, colors, and fonts that defined the classic interface style.

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UnattendedWinstall 2.0 uses Microsoft answer files to simplify and customize Windows 10 and 11 installations -- download it now

UnattendedWinstall is a simple tool for automating and customizing Windows 10 and 11 installations. It uses Microsoft’s answer files, to allow users to modify Windows settings and packages directly during setup. It's ideal for deploying Windows efficiently across multiple devices, saving time that would otherwise be spent on repetitive installations.

The tool defaults to installing Windows Pro, bypasses Windows 11 system requirements, and can disable Windows Defender and User Account Control (with options to re-enable them after installation). It also skips Microsoft account setup, removes unnecessary apps (keeping essential tools like Edge, Notepad, and Calculator), and includes privacy-focused registry tweaks to reduce telemetry. For smooth operation, UnattendedWinstall limits updates to security patches for the first year.

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Frustrated with Windows 11? The stunning Nitrux Linux 3.7.1 is the OS you deserve

If you’re ready to break free from the familiar but uninspiring confines of Windows 11, it’s time to consider a different approach. Many of us stick with Microsoft’s OS because it’s what we know, not because it’s the best option out there, but imagine an operating system that prioritizes speed, simplicity, and style, all while keeping your workflow seamless and frustration-free.

Enter Nitrux -- a sleek, modern Linux OS designed to offer exactly that. Unlike Windows, Nitrux keeps things light and nimble by being built on a minimalist foundation that ditches unnecessary extras. Its NX Desktop provides a fresh, visually polished interface that feels intuitive and responsive, ideal for anyone seeking a fast, adaptable, and aesthetically pleasing computing experience without the sluggish updates and system bloat Windows users know all too well.

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Windows 10: Microsoft reveals how much you'll need to pay to keep receiving updates

Earlier this year, Microsoft confirmed that it would be resurrecting its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10. The company had good news this time for home users too, as it promised that ESU would become available for practically everyone and not just businesses and organizations.

What Microsoft did not reveal back then was the price that home users would have to pay to keep their precious Windows 10 devices secured with updates.

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Best Windows apps this week

Six-hundred-nineteen 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 has finally announced the price that home users have to pay to extend support for Windows 10.

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Ditch Microsoft Windows 11 and switch to the Ubuntu-based Linux Lite 7.2 -- you won't regret it

Linux Lite 7.2 has arrived, giving disillusioned Windows users the chance to explore a streamlined, user-friendly OS. Renowned for its lightweight design, Linux Lite aims to ease the transition from Windows 10 and 11, and is perfect for first time Linux users. This latest release introduces AI-powered support options and fresh customization features, offering a unique experience beyond typical Windows capabilities.

Yes, Linux Lite utilizes AI to simplify the support experience, making it easier for users to find solutions to issues quickly. It’s a massive addition to Linux Lite’s overall quest to remain accessible, particularly for those new to Linux.

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Best Windows apps this week

Six-hundred-eighteen 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.

Several new issues were added to the list of known issues of Windows 11 version 24H2 this week. Some of these have been mitigated by now, including the BlueScreen crash that plagued users of certain Western Digital storage devices.

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Microsoft creates a new reason to buy an AI-powered Copilot+ PC -- image upscaling in Microsoft Photos

Microsoft Photos Super Resolution

Image upscaling has existed as a technology for a number of years, but the results for both videos and still images have proved somewhat mixed. But with the continuous creeping development of AI, Microsoft has just added a preview of super resolution for Copilot+ PCs to its Photos app.

While there are updates and new features for both the Windows 10 and Windows 11 versions of Microsoft Photos, image upscaling is only available to Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs with Windows 11, version 24H2 and higher in the Canary, Dev, and Release Preview Channels. A powerful new OCR feature is available to everyone, however.

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Microsoft releases Windows 11 update with revamped Start menu, printer fixes, and new Copilot button remapping

Windows 11 screen with reflection

Microsoft has released the KB5044380 update for Windows 11, a preview version of the update that will roll out to everyone next Patch Tuesday. There is quite a lot to be found in this particular release including the previously announced ability to remap the Copilot key on a keyboard if you don’t like its default function.

As this is a preview update there are no security fixes, but problems with multi-function printers, Microsoft Teams, and high battery usage have all been addressed. There are numerous tweaks, fixes and additions that are available immediately to anyone installing the KB5044380 update, but there are also some that are subject to a more gradual rollout.

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