Some Windows 11 updates may soon install without reboots
A reboot is required after the installation of many updates for Windows. This is definitely the case for the monthly cumulative security updates, but also for other updates. Windows 11 displays popups to the user when a restart is required, which can be disruptive.
Sometimes, Windows may even restart the computer automatically, which can lead to data loss and other unwanted outcomes. At other times, it may not give the user a choice to reboot without installing the update.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-eighty-three 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.
If you still run older versions of Windows 11, you may be upgraded automatically and without any say in the matter. It is still a mystery why Microsoft is not revealing the name of the next feature update for Windows 11. It could be the Windows 11 2024 Update.
Windows 11 gains support for Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT), is the next generation of wireless technology. It builds on the innovations of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E and promises “unprecedented speed, reliability, and efficiency for wireless devices”.
Starting today, Microsoft has introduced support for Wi-Fi 7 to the latest Windows 11 Insider build on the Canary Channel.
Forget Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft confirms the next big release is Windows 11 2024 Update
If you were waiting for Microsoft to release Windows 11 24H2, Microsoft has just made it clear that the official name is slightly different.
Continuing the trend from previous years in which Windows 11 22H2 was actually known as the 2022 Update, and Windows 11 23H2 the 2023 Update, Windows 11 24H2 will be released as Windows 11 2024 Update.
Microsoft starts forced upgrades of older Windows 11 versions to Windows 11 23H2
Devices that still run older versions of Microsoft's Windows 11 operating system will be upgraded to Windows 11 version 23H2 automatically, according to Microsoft.
The announcement was posted on the official Windows 11 version 23H2 release health website. There, Microsoft notes that the latest version of its Windows 11 operating system is entering a new rollout phase.
Windows 12 Mobile is everything a phone operating system should be
Microsoft made a significant investment in Windows 10 Mobile, including acquiring Nokia to produce its own handsets. Despite the strengths of the tiled mobile operating system, it was unable to compete with the dominant iOS and Android platforms. While Windows 10 went on to become a hugely successful operating system for PCs and tablets, Microsoft was eventually to abandon its mobile ambitions.
Although the tech giant has yet to announce Windows 12, if you’re wondering how that OS would look and perform in the mobile space, we have an answer.
Microsoft fixes accidental import of Chrome Tabs in Edge
Microsoft has fixed a puzzling issue in the latest version of its Edge web browser. Some users reported that Microsoft Edge was importing open tabs from Google Chrome automatically on their devices about two weeks ago.
While Microsoft Edge does have a preference to do so, the users claimed that the preference was set to off on their devices.
Microsoft pushes KB5034848 update so more people can try Windows 11 Moment 5
Anyone signed up to the Release Preview Channel has a little treat from Microsoft. The company has just released the KB5034848 update to Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 giving the first proper look at what appears to be the Moment 5 update which is due for release later this year.
KB5034848 is a big update, bringing a host of new features to Windows 11. As well as fixing a series of problems with the operating system, the update also includes major improvements and additions to Voice Access, the arrival of WhatsApp support for sharing, and new suggestions in Snap Layouts.
Windows 11 users complain of taskbar, Start menu, and performance issues with KB5034765 update
If you were waiting for another problematic Windows update to brighten up your week, Microsoft has come up with the goods again.
The KB5034765 update was released for Windows 11 earlier this week and it seems to be causing more than its fair share of issues for a lot of people who have installed it. Microsoft is yet to acknowledge any problems, but users on Reddit have a litany of complaints.
RIP DTP: Microsoft Publisher support is ending
After decades of service, Microsoft Publisher is reaching end of life and will be dropped from Microsoft 365. For fans of the desktop publishing tool, there's still time left on the clock.
And there is more good news. Microsoft says that it is "exploring modern ways to achieve other common Publisher scenarios across applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Designer".
Microsoft Build 2024 confirmed for May, with 'AI, Copilots, and more' for developers
Microsoft has confirmed the dates and location of this year's Build conference for developers. The event will be held from May 21 to 23 in the Seattle Convention Center's Summit building, and it may be a chance for everyone to learn more about not only the future of Windows 11, but also the upcoming Windows 12.
Like last year, Microsoft Build 2024 is an in-person event, although online attendance is also possible. So far, Microsoft is promising "AI, Copilots, and more for Developers" and while there are no firm details of precisely what to expect, it is possible to sign up to be notified when registration opens.
Microsoft releases KB5034765 update for Windows 11, moving the Copilot button and fixing the Start menu
If you've been irritated by the positioning of the Copilot button in Windows 11, the newly released KB5034765 update is for you.
This month’s patch for Windows 11 not only boosts security and fixes numerous bugs, it also sees the button for accessing Microsoft's AI-powered assistant moving. It effectively replaces the "show desktop" button in the taskbar.
SwiftKey: After Bing Chat AI comes Copilot
Less than a year after adding Bing Chat AI to SwiftKey, Microsoft is now in the process of replacing the implementation with Copilot. SwiftKey is a popular virtual keyboard solution for Android and iOS.
Microsoft acquired SwiftKey more than eight years ago. The third-party keyboard solution had over 300 million users on Android and iOS at the time.
Microsoft warns of data loss risk in Windows 11 for Dev Drive users
With the supposedly stable build of Windows 11 being problematic for many people, it is hardly surprising that there are more issues to be found in the Insider builds; it's pretty much a given. But not all problems are equal, and Microsoft has issued a warning about the latest release that could cause users to lose data.
The issue affects Windows 11 build 26052 which is available on both the Dev and Canary channels. Details of the cause of the problem have not been revealed, but Microsoft has released important information for anyone with a Dev Drive.
Windows 11: Even Notepad gets AI support
If you thought that Microsoft was done adding AI to its products then you are mistaken. It appears that the company is just getting started. The latest program to get AI support is the plain text editor Notepad.
Microsoft has improved Notepad significantly since the release of Windows 11. Recent updates introduced automatic saving of text, word counts, and tabs to the plain text editor. All of these features were welcome by Notepad users, as they improved the text editor.
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