Business users can soon get a Surface Laptop 5G from Microsoft
Microsoft’s range of Surface devices quickly developed a following of business users, with Surface Laptop proving popular. But there were complaints about the absence of a key connectivity option; now with the Surface Laptop 5G this is being addressed.
As the name suggests, this is a 5G version of the Surface Laptop, and Microsoft says that it is “built for business”. While users will see the addition of 5G connectivity as a way to eliminate phone tethering, Microsoft is instead billing it as a way to “stay continuously connected to Microsoft 365 Copilot and other cloud tools”.
Windows Resiliency Initiative hits Windows 11 in KB5062660 update
Microsoft has released the KB5062660 preview update for Windows 11 ahead of next month’s Patch Tuesday. Being a preview update, it is optional and does not include security fixes, but it is packed with new features including the Windows Resiliency Initiative.
This initiative is something Microsoft spoke about back at Ignite 2024 and it aims to boost security and reliability. The update delivers two components of this. It sees the arrival of Quick machine recovery as well as the new Black Screen of Death.
The Windows 11 transfer tool is not as impressive as Microsoft made out
So keen is Microsoft for everyone to embrace Windows 11 that it has gone as far as developing a dedicated tool to simplify the process of getting a new PC. The company has not said as much, but the data transfer tool is a clear acknowledgement of the fact that when Windows 10 support end later this year, a large proportion of users will not be able to upgrade their current system to Windows 11 because of not meeting hardware requirements.
Which means there are going to be a lot of new PCs sold from this point forward, and Microsoft has made much of being there to hold the hands of those who fear losing data as they migrate to a new computer. But it seems that the transfer tool is not as impressive as has been suggested thus far.
Saying no to Windows 11 just got easier -- Operese automatically transfers your Windows 10 files and settings to Linux
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, leaving over 200 million devices unable to upgrade to Windows 11.
While some users may be considering buying a new computer or paying for extended support, one student developer is offering another path: switching to Linux with the help of a free migration tool called Operese.
Microsoft tests unifying gaming libraries across devices
Microsoft has new options for gamers signed up to the Xbox Insider program looking for more from their gaming libraries. In addition to a cross-device play history that can be accessed from Windows and Xbox, there is also a significant update to the Xbox PC app.
Following an earlier library update, Microsoft says that it remains committed to making it “the go-to destination for your games” by adding cloud-playable console titles to the Xbox PC app.
Microsoft will use snooping telemetry to help speed up Windows 11
Windows 11 users have something of a strained relationship with telemetry, with many people viewing Microsoft’s collection of data as invasive. This has not stopped the company from gathering more and more information from users, and in the most recent Insider builds of the operating system, things are being taken up a notch.
This time around, telemetry is not only optional, but its collection is for a good cause, one that just about everyone can get onside with – improving performance. In short, Microsoft is looking to speed up Windows 11.
Microsoft makes it easy to play Windows 11 audio through multiple devices
If you have ever wanted to output sound from Windows 11 to more than one set of speakers, you will be aware that it can be tricky. Yes, you can splice together cables, use various adaptors or fiddle with a confusing selection of settings – but it is not a quick and easy task by any means.
But this looks set to change. While some might think that using more than one set of speakers at a time is something of a niche thing, enough Windows 11 users appear to want it for Microsoft to start working on a way to achieve this simply.
Microsoft is no longer selling or renting movies and TV content
Out of the blue, Microsoft has killed off its digital storefront for movies and TV shows. The sudden change means that the Microsoft Store can no longer be used to buy or rent this type of content on Windows or Xbox.
There has been no big announcement about the decision to stop offering such content, but a support document makes Microsoft’s decision clear. The company stresses that anything that has been paid for will remain accessible.
Microsoft releases emergency fixes for actively exploited SharePoint security flaws
Microsoft has released emergency patches for two remote code execution vulnerabilities in SharePoint. The CVE-2025-53770 and CVE-2025-53771 security flaws are addressed by KB5002768 and KB5002754.
The issue was discovered by security researchers back in May, when it was found that the vulnerability allows for RCE attacks dubbed ToolShell. Microsoft had tried to plug the security holes earlier in the month with the July Security Update, but this only partly addressed the problem – hence the need for the emergency, out-of-band patches.
This new Windows 11 clone is actually Linux and runs faster on your old PC -- get it now
The latest long-term support release of Linuxfx, version 11.25.07 “NOBLE,” is now available.
Based on Ubuntu 24.04.2 and styled to look like Windows 11, the update offers a familiar yet open-source experience that skips many of the frustrations commonly associated with Microsoft’s OS.
CrowdStrike one year on -- what have we learned?
Tomorrow -- July 19th -- marks a year since the CrowdStrike outage, which saw major disruption to Microsoft systems around the world caused by a faulty security software update.
Whilst it made the headlines at the time what have been the long-term effects of the outage and what has the industry learned to prevent something similar happening in future?
Microsoft announces Extended Security Update programs for Exchange and Skype for Business
Support has ended, or is coming to an end, for a lot of Microsoft products at the moment. Perhaps the most notable or well-publicized is Windows 10, but this is far from being the end of the story.
In a move designed to push people towards Teams, killing off Skype and Skype for Business made a lot of sense. The same is true of the aging Exchange 2016 and 2019 losing support. But while this makes sense for Microsoft, it is also incredibly disruptive and expensive for businesses that rely on these tools – hence two newly announced Extended Security Update programs.
CrapFixer update fixes Windows 11 and turns it into the operating system you deserve -- download it now!
There are a number of great tools that you can use to improve Windows 10 and 11, but our new favorite is CrapFixer. The free program can remove bloat, ads, AI, unwelcome data collection, and more from the operating system.
Although it was originally created seven years ago it has been completely rewritten for Windows 11 and a new update makes it even better, with its own small, modern Policy Editor.
Matanbuchus 3.0 is a serious malware threat spread via Microsoft Teams
The Matanbuchus malware loader is not new – it has been around for at least 4 years – but it has evolved into something incredibly dangerous.
Matanbuchus 3.0 has been found targeting victims as part of a ransomware attack. Described as being “highly targeted”, the cyberattack campaign uses Microsoft Teams as a delivery method for the latest version of the malware loader. The highly sophisticated attack employs a Microsoft Teams call impersonating an IT helpdesk.
Ditch Windows 11: SparkyLinux 7.8 is the lightweight alternative to Microsoft's OS you've been looking for
SparkyLinux 7.8 is now available to download, bringing a welcome selection of updates to the “Orion Belt” stable release series. Based on Debian 12 “Bookworm,” this latest point release offers a modern Linux experience that’s a strong alternative for users looking to move away from Windows 11.
With Microsoft's OS continuing to introduce clunky AI features, bloat, slow performance and limited user control, SparkyLinux serves as a lighter, faster, and fully customizable alternative. Version 7.8 delivers updated software, improved desktop environments, and superior system performance.
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