Microsoft

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Experimental Windows 11 build gains a protected print mode

Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel today get one last build to install before 2024 rolls around, but those on the cutting edge shouldn’t feel left out.

Windows 11 Build 26016 for the Canary Channel is also here, and this one contains a new addition called 'Windows protected print mode'.

By Wayne Williams -
wsr-deprecation-dialog

Windows 11 Build 23606 rolls out -- the last Dev Channel release of the year

With the holidays fast approaching, Microsoft has found the time to release one more Windows 11 development build before 2024 arrives.

Build 23606, for insiders in the Dev Channel, fixes a number of problems but it also begins the process of transitioning from Windows Speech Recognition (which is being deprecated) to voice access.

By Wayne Williams -
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By Wayne Williams -
Windows 11 tiles

Microsoft releases KB5033375 update for Windows 11 fixing Copilot problems and more

With the release of the KB5033375 update, Microsoft has delivered not only a series of security patches to Windows 11, but also an important upgrade to Copilot.

The AI-powered digital assistant has proved problematic for many users, and now Microsoft has taken steps to fix things. There are also fixes for lots of non-Copilot related issues, and a power consumption reducing update for Dynamic Lighting.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Win12-4

Watch Windows 12 (2024) being installed

There's been a lot of talk about Windows 12, Microsoft's inevitable successor to Windows 11. Most recently, my colleague Sofia Wyciślik-Wilson reported that Microsoft plans to release the new operating system in June 2024, to ride the AI PC wave.

Two months ago, Intel let slip about Microsoft’s 'Windows refresh' plans, believed to refer to Windows 12. If you’re wondering what the new OS might look like, we have an idea.

By Wayne Williams -
HP logo

Microsoft finally confirms Windows bug that renames printers and forcibly installs the HP Smart app

If you have noticed that Windows suddenly thinks you have an HP LaserJet M101-M106, you are not alone. The same is true if you've spotted that the HP Smart app has installed itself on your computer.

These are issues that have been affecting users of Windows 10 and Windows 11 for a little while, but Microsoft has only just acknowledged that a problem exists.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Hand holding Windows 10 logo

Microsoft opens up Extended Security Updates to consumers so everyone can pay for Windows 10 support

With support for Windows 10 coming to an end in under two years, Microsoft has been trying to encourage everyone to upgrade to Windows 11. The reality is that this is not something that all Windows 10 users want to do, and it is not possible for many because of hardware requirements.

Now Microsoft has relented. The company has made a somewhat surprising move in giving all Windows 10 users the chance to pay for Extended Security Updates (ESU) when Windows 10 reaches end of service. Until now, the ESU program has only been available to larger organizations and enterprise customers. In opening it up to home users, Microsoft is effectively admitting that it foresees large numbers of people continuing to stick with Windows 10 -- so the company has decided to try to profit from this fact.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Artificial-Intelligence

Microsoft Bing's new Deep Search feature uses AI to 'disambiguate' complex search queries

Microsoft is introducing AI into most of its products and services, and its search engine, Bing, is one of the tools that benefits the most from this addition.

Today, the search giant takes things a step further still, with the introduction of a new AI-powered feature in Bing called, Deep Search. This addition aims to provide more relevant and comprehensive answers to complex search queries, boosting the existing web search rather than replacing it.

By Wayne Williams -
Mastering-Windows-365

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By Wayne Williams -
Windows Copilot on a laptop

Microsoft releases KB5032288 update for Windows to fix Copilot issues and more

This is the time of the month when Microsoft releases preview versions of Patch Tuesday updates, and the company has unleashed the KB5032288 update for Windows 11 in keeping with this.

While the KB5032288 update addresses a number of issues in Windows 11, it is primarily concerned with fixing problems in the recently added Copilot. With Copilot being described as being "in preview" and the update being a preview version, we're in the interesting position of seeing the release of a preview version of an update for preview software. Let's dive in.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Tiled PowerToys icons

Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.76.0 brings UI improvements, new features, new add-ons and more

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.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Purple Windows 12 logo

Report: Microsoft will release Windows 12 in June 2024 to ride the AI PC wave

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.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
samsung-internet

Best Windows apps this week

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.

By Martin Brinkmann -
Windows 10 laptop

KB5032278 update brings Copilot to Windows 10 and improves 'news and interests'

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.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
Samsung phone

Microsoft could soon let you use your Android phone as a webcam in Windows

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.

By Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson -
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