Just one more week of security updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8
In just a week's time, Microsoft will cease offering even critical security updates for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.x.
We wrote about Windows 7 Extended Security Update (ESU) coming to an end, and the termination of support for Windows 8.x just last month, but with a large number of people and businesses still unwilling -- or unable -- to move on from these aging operating systems it is a warning that bears repeating.
Windows 11's share continues its slow rise
Although Windows 10 is comfortably the most popular desktop operating system out there, its successor, Windows 11, is slowly gaining on it.
And 'slowly' is definitely the word to use here -- a situation not helped by the new operating system's stricter system requirements which mean it's much harder for users to upgrade older systems to it.
Microsoft is going to let you get rid of the ridiculous Windows 11 context menu
There are many reasons for the slow uptake of Windows 11, but fairly high on the list of what puts off many potential users is the number of frankly bizarre design changes Microsoft decided to make. A good example is the context menu that appears when right clicking on files and folder which the company saw fit to tweak the menu so there are far fewer options available.
It is possible to access the old style, classic context menu by Shift-right-clicking, but in a future update to Windows 11 Microsoft is planning to introduce a way to make this the default.
Adaptive wallpapers could bring the Windows 12 desktop to life
Although Windows 10 is the leading desktop operating system by some way, Microsoft will be praying that Windows 11 starts to gain more users throughout 2023.
While the new OS does have some features that set it apart from its predecessor, most notably a centered taskbar, for many users the differences don’t go for enough, and they’ll be hoping that Windows 12 will step things up significantly.
Leaked: Microsoft is bringing tabs to more apps in Windows 11
Having revolutionized the way we browse the web, tabs made their way to File Explorer in Windows 11. Now, thanks to a premature -- and now-deleted -- tweet, we also know that Microsoft is looking to do the same with other apps.
A Microsoft employee shared a screenshot on Twitter that depicts an updated version of the Notepad app, complete with two open tabs. It is not known if the addition of tabs will come in the next Moment update for Windows 11, but it is something that is undergoing internal testing.
Modern Auth's impact on Exchange Online migrations and what steps to take
Microsoft has turned off Basic Authentication (Basic Auth) for specific protocols in Exchange Online as the company implements Modern Authentication (Modern Auth) for increased protection and user security.
However, the transition to Modern Auth brings several changes, including its impact on Exchange Online migrations. From which migration tools to use to the best migration practices, there are a number of questions IT professionals should consider to execute efficient Exchange Online migrations during this transitional period.
Microsoft issues emergency patches for Windows Hyper-V problems
Earlier this month, Microsoft released the KB5021237 and KB5021249 updates which it later confirmed were causing Hyper-V issues for some users.
Now the company has now released a pair of out-of-band patches to address the virtual machine problems. The KB5022553 and KB5022554 updates have been issued as emergency fixes for affected systems.
Apple fixes Gatekeeper-bypass vulnerability after Microsoft discovers macOS security flaw
A Microsoft security researcher has unearthed a security vulnerability in macOS which has been named Achilles.
Tracked as CVE-2022-42821, Jonathan Bar Or found that the flaw could be used to bypass the Gatekeeper security feature of macOS in order to execute malicious apps. Apple has now fixed the vulnerability in Big Sur, Monterey and Ventura versions of macOS.
Microsoft confirms KB5021233 update is causing 0xc000021a errors and blue screens in Windows 10
The curse of the problematic Windows update strikes again! Following the release of the KB5021233 update for Windows 10 last week, Microsoft has acknowledged that the cumulative security update is causing blue screens for some users.
The company is now investigating the cause the issue that leads to a BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) and a 0xc000021a error. The problem affects Windows 10 versions 20H2, 21H1, 21H2 and 22H2, and Microsoft has a workaround for users to try until a fix is developed.
Microsoft is finally killing off Internet Explorer 11 with an Edge update
Internet Explorer has been in its death throes for quite some time, and now Microsoft is finally ready to put the browser out of its misery.
In less than two months, the company will release an update for Microsoft Edge, and this will permanently disabled Internet Explorer 11 "on certain versions of Windows 10 devices". The big day is February 14, 2023 -- Valentine's Day -- and is a different approach to the one Microsoft had previously said it would be using.
Microsoft teams up with Amazon, Meta, Linux Foundation and TomTom to create Google Maps alternative
Some of the biggest names in tech are joining forces to create the Overture Maps Foundation and develop interoperable open map data, and help build a rival to Google Maps.
The group is headed by the Linux Foundation and also included Microsoft, Amazon Web Service, TomTom and Facebook-owner Meta. The aim is to allow companies to contribute their own data to help compile up-to-date map data that "is complete, accurate, and refreshed as the physical world changes".
Microsoft slaps cryptomining ban on Azure users
Microsoft has updated the Universal License Terms for Online Services that apply to Azure to indicate that the service cannot be used to mine cryptocurrency.
The change appears in the Acceptable Use Policy section of the license terms that apply to all Microsoft Online Services, but the ban is not an outright one. While the criteria have not been revealed, it seems that there are circumstances in which the company may be willing to lift the ban on cryptomining.
Microsoft is bringing another big update to Windows 11 in May
With Windows 11, Microsoft changed the way it releases updates for the operating system with its "Moment" updates. So far, there has only been one Moment released, but it was a significant one that saw the addition of tabs in File Explorer and more.
We've already heard rumors that the Moment 2 update is scheduled for release in March next year, but now there are also suggestions that yet another update is due in May. What is not clear, however, it whether this will be Moment 3, or what has been referred to as a Continuous Innovations update.
Microsoft releases updated OneDrive app with a new Windows 11 aesthetic
Users of Microsoft's cloud storage have a new version of the OneDrive desktop client to install, compete with an updated look and feel.
After a period of testing during which the refreshed app was available to Insiders only, Microsoft has now released the new OneDrive app to everyone. The latest update gives the app a Windows 11-style makeover, including support for light and dark modes.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 25267 -- the last test release of 2022
Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel have a new Windows 11 Build to play with today, and it’s the last one of the year. The next new builds will begin to arrive in January 2023.
Build 25267 comes with a good selection of improvements and fixes, as well as an improvement to how search looks on the taskbar.
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