Microsoft ‘rationalizes’ Windows Search settings in latest Windows 11 build
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27919 to Windows Insiders signed up for the Canary channel. While not a release that is jam-packed with new treats, it does include important changes to Windows Search.
Describing the changes, Microsoft uses very curious language saying that it has taken steps to “rationalize and organize Windows Search settings”. What this means in practice is that things are being made more logical, with the company apparently taking time to focus on user experience a little more.
Extended Windows 10 support means ditching your local account for a Microsoft Account
The drum heralding the end of support for Windows 10 has been beaten almost to death, but even at this late stage there is more news about the death of the operating system.
With the mid-October date for mainstream support fast-approaching, there are still plenty of people using Windows 10. Some have opted to take up Microsoft on its last-minute offer of extended support – but a new catch has just been revealed.
Microsoft Lens is the latest victim of AI
Users of Microsoft Lens – originally launched several years ago as Office Lens – have just a few short weeks left to use the tool.
Microsoft has announced that the incredibly popular iOS and Android app is to be “retired” (translation: killed off). Having started life under a different name over a decade ago, the app provides a way to convert images to PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files and much more. But not for very much longer.
Microsoft warns of serious vulnerability in hybrid Exchange deployments
Microsoft has issued a warning about a high-severity vulnerability in hybrid Microsoft Exchange Server deployments.
Tracked as CVE-2025-53786, the vulnerability could allow for privilege escalation by cyber threat actors with administrative access to an on-premise Microsoft Exchange server. Although there is not currently any indication of active exploitation, the issue is considered extremely serious and requires immediate attention.
Microsoft brings AI to the Game Bar with Gaming Copilot
It seems that nothing is immune to being injected with AI – certainly not if Microsoft is involved. Now the company is bringing Gaming Copilot to the Game Bar.
Currently in beta testing, Gaming Copilot is now available in Game Bar for Windows PC for Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview. The arrival of Copilot in another Microsoft tool is far from being surprising, but just what does this mean for gamers?
Microsoft says that it will make WinUI ‘truly’ open source
Microsoft has announced that it has plans to “truly open sourcing” WinUI, the user interface framework that is embedded in Windows. Although no specific timeframe has been mentioned, the company is “actively working toward it”.
Pointing out that making the WinUI repository open source is not just a “flip-the-switch moment” but a “deliberate process”, Microsoft lead software engineer Beth Pan says that the process is a complicated one. This is part of the reason for not being willing to commit to a specific end date for any particular milestone.
Microsoft to disable features in outdated Office apps
Microsoft is always keen for people to use the latest versions of its software, and things are no different with Office. The company has just announced that if users of Microsoft 365 Office apps will need to be fully updated or they will lose access to some key features.
The announcement indicates that Microsoft is upgrading backend services that power some features and that as a result of this, older versions of apps will no longer be supported. But just what does this mean and when will users be affected?
Microsoft Recall is bad at filtering sensitive information
Whenever there are privacy concerns voiced about software, they are almost always downplayed. But fears about Microsoft Recall appear to be well justified.
Announced and previewed last year, Microsoft Recall is a feature of Windows 11 which Microsoft says enables users to retrace their steps. It does this by capturing screenshots of computing activity, which can then be analyzed and searched using AI to home in on data, return to a project, and much more. But there have been lots of vocal protests about the potential for invasions of privacy.
Microsoft announces end of support for Windows 11 SE
It is not just Windows 10 that Microsoft is ready to forget – the company is adding Windows 11 SE to the list as well.
In a quiet announcement, Microsoft says that in a little over a year, Windows 11 SE will no longer be supported and will no longer receive updates of any description. But what does this mean for users, and where does it leave them?
Opera files antitrust complaint against Microsoft in Brazil, alleging unfair browser restrictions on Windows
Opera has submitted a formal complaint to Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) alleging that Microsoft’s practices unfairly restrict browser choice on Windows devices.
The Norwegian company argues that Microsoft’s dominance in the operating system market allows it to give an artificial edge to its Edge browser, at the expense of competitors, such as Opera (naturally), and Brazilian users.
Microsoft launches Copilot Mode in Edge – is it heaven or hell?
Microsoft has a new experiment for its web browser. Copilot Mode in Edge is an AI-powered mode which is perfect for anyone who wants to completely embrace artificial intelligence when browsing the web.
For anyone who feels that AI is already difficult to avoid, there is good news. Copilot Mode in Edge is optional, so you are not obliged to use it even if you have made Microsoft Edge your browser of choice.
Microsoft and KnowBe4 bring real-time security coaching to the browser
KnowBe4 has announced a new integration between its SecurityCoach platform and Microsoft Edge for Business, aiming to reduce risky user behavior online by offering in-the-moment security guidance.
The feature is available globally now and is designed to give organizations better control over human-centered security threats without disrupting productivity.
UpDownTool lets you move from Windows 11 to Windows 10 in just 5 clicks -- without losing any data
A new app called UpDownTool lets users revert from Windows 11 to Windows 10 for free, without losing any programs, files, drivers, or settings.
It's designed to provide a more flexible alternative to traditional rollback or clean install methods, which either require you to take action within a short window or wipe everything on your system.
Oreon 11 could be the Linux OS that helps you leave Microsoft Windows for good
If you are considering moving away from Windows 10 or 11 but haven’t yet found a long-term option that feels right, Oreon Linux may offer a solution worth watching.
When Oreon 10 launched back in December 2024, I declared it had arrived to replace Microsoft Windows. Built with simplicity and familiarity in mind, it bridges the gap between the ease of use people expect from Windows and the power and flexibility of Linux. Now the team behind the OS has revealed its plans for the successor, which (to the surprise of no one) will be called Oreon 11.
Brave browser blocks Microsoft Recall to protect your browsing activity
The Brave Privacy Team has announced that its web browser will block Microsoft Recall from taking screenshots.
The privacy measure comes after Microsoft started the rollout of the controversial feature, having been forced to make significant changes to the way it works. While Recall is now an opt-in feature, Brave’s announcement caters for those who would like not only more privacy, but more control.
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