Microsoft removes Windows 11 upgrade block relating to VirtualBox
Since the launch of Windows 11, there has been a compatibility issue between the operating system and VirtualBox. People attempting to use Oracle virtualization software found they were unable to start virtual machines and saw error messages with Hyper-V or Windows Hypervisor installed.
As a result of this problem, Microsoft introduced a safeguard block which prevented people with VirtualBox installed from upgrading to Windows 11. But following work by Oracle developers to address the issue, Microsoft has now lifted the block.
Microsoft is bringing ads to File Explorer in Windows 11
Over the years Microsoft has found various ways to squeeze advertising into Windows. We've seen the addition of "recommended" apps in the Start menu, aggressive pushing of Microsoft Edge and Office, and more. Now Microsoft is experimenting with ads in File Explorer.
This is not the first time the file browser has been used for advertising purposes; five years or so ago, the Windows 10 version of File Explorer was used as a platform for OneDrive ads. Now ads have been spotted by some users in the latest builds of Windows 11, with Microsoft again using banners to promote its own products and services.
Windows 12 is everything Windows 11 should be -- and the Microsoft operating system we need!
Three weeks ago, rumors began to surface that despite Microsoft having only released Windows 11 late last year, the software giant was already beginning work on its successor, Windows 12.
Windows 11 market share is growing rapidly but at the moment it’s only on about 20 percent of systems, so Microsoft won’t be in any rush to debut that operating system's replacement.
Is Microsoft to blame for DuckDuckGo 'censoring' Russian search results?
We recently reported that privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo had taken the decision to downrate sites that publish Russian propaganda and disinformation. At the time, CEO Gabriel Weinberg said that the move came because the company was "sickened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the gigantic humanitarian crisis it continues to create"... but this may not be the whole story
The announcement by DuckDuckGo caused upset on the left and right of the political spectrum, but it seems that the ire and claims of censorship might have been misplaced. It is actually Microsoft that is to blame. Or maybe the EU.
Microsoft is adding the appallingly named Clipchamp video editor to Windows 11
It is about six months since Microsoft acquired the video editor Clipchamp, and many people hoped that this could signal the return of the much-missed Windows Movie Maker. And this is -- almost -- what is happening.
In the latest preview build of Windows 11, Microsoft has integrated the video editor into the operating system, taking the unfortunate decision to retain the terrible name. Appalling moniker aside, the arrival of Clipchamp is something to be welcomed as it's a great, user-friendly editor that will keep beginners (and beyond) more than happy.
Microsoft is finally bringing tabs to Explorer in Windows 11
There are lots of ways that people think Microsoft could improve Windows, and one request that has cropped up for years is that Explorer be given a tabbed interface. So popular has the idea been, that over the years there have been numerous third-party tools that bring tabs to Explorer.
But now Windows 11 users can look forward to something more official. Microsoft has, at long, long last, decided that it is time to give Explorer users the tabs they have been requesting for so long. Signs that the feature is on the way have been spotted hidden in Windows 11. More importantly, while not officially launched yet, you can enable the feature now.
New 'Search highlights' feature coming to Windows 11 next week
Microsoft rolled out a new Windows 11 build to Insiders in the Dev Channel today and took the opportunity to announce a new search feature arriving early next week.
The upcoming 'Search highlights' feature will show "interesting moments in time" each day in the Windows 11 search window, including major holidays and anniversaries.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22572 with new inbox apps
Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel know that Wednesday is typically the day when Microsoft rolls out new Windows 11 builds. Today sees the arrival of Build 22572, and this one comes with two new inbox apps and a good number of improvements and fixes.
From this build, Microsoft Family -- the software giant's parental control toolkit -- is now available as a inbox app (that is, an app included with the OS), as is Clipchamp, the company’s new video creation tool.
Microsoft releases KB5011493 update for Windows 11 to fix data wiping bug and more
Last month, Microsoft confirmed an issue affecting Windows 10 and Windows 11 that means data was left behind after a system wipe. With the Patch Tuesday updates for March, the company has addressed this problem and more.
The fix comes in the KB5011493 update which also includes a number of other fixes as well as new features and options. The new features -- including multiple monitor support for taskbar clocks, weather widget updates and more -- were seen last month, and this time around it is a mandatory update thanks to the inclusion of security patches.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.56.2 with bug fixes and new settings
There have been a lot of updates for PowerToys released so far this year, and the pace shows no sign of slowing. It is only a week or so since the last release, but already there is another update to install.
While PowerToys v0.56.2 does not yet include any of the new utilities we have seen glimpses of, it is an important bug-fixing release. But more than just addressing problems with the likes of FancyZones this latest release also introduces new settings for other PowerToys utilities.
Microsoft releases KB5012432 update for Windows 11 -- but not for everyone
We are, slowly but surely, moving towards the release of Windows 11 Version 22H2, also known as Sun Valley 2, and this is very evident to Windows Insiders. We very recently saw the release of Windows 11 Preview Build 22567 to Insiders and then there was the KB5012427 update for testing the servicing pipeline.
Now Microsoft has released a second Cumulative Update Build of Windows 11 for Windows Insiders signed up for the Dev Channel. The KB5012432 update takes Windows 11 up to build 22567.200, but this time Microsoft is not making it available to everyone -- not even all Insiders.
Microsoft is working on some amazing new PowerToys for Windows 11
While there have been dozens of PowerToys releases since Microsoft revived the much-loved utilities collection for the Windows 11 era, the software is still in preview.
Usually, it is the new sub-1.x versions that Microsoft pushes out which give cause for excitement, but there is also much to be learned about the future direction of the software from data on GitHub. Recent Pull Requests in the repository shows that Microsoft is working on not only new add-ons for existing PowerToys, but also completely new utilities. So, what can we expect to see? Is TweakUI for Windows 11 on the horizon?
The latest update from Microsoft shows that Windows 11 Version 22H2 is feature complete
It would appear that the current build of Windows 11 available to Insiders on the Dev Channel is the feature complete version of the upcoming Sun Valley 2 update -- also known as Windows 11 Version 22H2.
Last week, Microsoft released Windows 11 Preview Build 22567 to Insiders, and this was followed shortly after by the KB5012427 update. Billed as an update to "test our servicing pipeline", Microsoft did not add any new features, but it did confirm that the update will be called Version 22H2 -- and this also serves as an indication of the release date.
Microsoft is using the KB5012427 update to test the servicing pipeline for Windows 11
It is only a few days since Microsoft released a new build of Windows 11 in the form of Preview Build 22567, and already the company has pushed out a cumulative update for it.
With the release of the KB5012427 update, Microsoft takes the current build of the operating system available to Insiders signed up for the Dev channel to Windows 11 build 22567.100. So, what can you expect from this update?
Microsoft suspends sales of new products and services in Russia
It’s hard to imagine that Vladimir Putin expected quite the response his invasion of Ukraine generated. In addition to hard hitting sanctions, Russia has seen its media censored across the world, sporting events pulled, and hacktivist collective Anonymous has been knocking many state-sponsored sites offline, and much more.
Tech firms have also shown their anger towards Russia in a number of ways, and now Microsoft -- which previously revealed what it was doing to help the people of Ukraine -- has taken the decision to suspend all new sales over there.
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