Articles about Windows

0patch uncovers a security vulnerability in all versions of Windows -- and releases free fixes

0patch December 2024

0patch has revealed a 0day vulnerability that affects all desktop versions of Windows as well as Windows Server. In all, a staggering 21 different editions of Windows have the security issue which is described as a URL File NTLM Hash Disclosure vulnerability.

The security patching firm has reported the issue to Microsoft but -- as has been the case in the past -- the Windows-maker has yet to produce a fix. Stepping up to fill the void, 0patch has released free micropatches for all affected versions of Windows.

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This free app finally fixes one of Microsoft Windows' most annoying features

Explorer-Dialog-Path-Selector-happy-user

If you've ever tried to save a file in Windows and ended up playing a game of "hide and seek" with your own folders, you're not alone. It seems Microsoft has a grand vision for where our files should live, even if it has little to do with what we actually need.

Open the "Save As" dialog, and you'll find that Windows is practically begging you to save in its favorite spots -- like OneDrive, the Documents folder, or any other “default” that Microsoft has deemed worthy of your files.

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Get 'Practical Cyber Intelligence' for FREE and save $79!

Practical Cyber Intelligence provides a thorough and practical introduction to the different tactics, techniques, and procedures that exist in the field of cyber investigation and cyber forensics to collect, preserve, and analyze digital evidence, enabling readers to understand the digital landscape and analyze legacy devices, current models, and models that may be created in the future. Readers will learn how to determine what evidence exists and how to find it on a device, as well as what story it tells about the activities on the device.

Over 100 images and tables are included to aid in reader comprehension, and case studies are included at the end of the book to elucidate core concepts throughout the text.

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This Election Day vote for freedom and make a REAL change

This U.S. Election Day, the nation finds itself deeply divided, with a fierce battle between two prominent figures: former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Their clash of ideologies has captivated the public, as voters passionately debate the policies and visions of these candidates. Issues like healthcare, climate change, and economic reform dominate conversations.

Yet, as the polls open and citizens cast their votes, there’s another opportunity for change that many might overlook -- a shift that, while not political, could still have a lasting impact on our daily lives and sense of control. And that change? It’s switching from Windows to Linux.

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Belkin launches Connect USB-C 11-in-1 Pro GaN Dock with 150W power

Belkin has launched its new Connect USB-C 11-in-1 Pro GaN Dock. This compact docking station offers up to 150W of power, utilizing Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology to create a compact, efficient device.

The 11-in-1 dock includes a variety of ports, such as USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, SD and MicroSD slots, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It supports up to three external displays, offering resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz, and can handle fast data transfers with speeds of up to 10Gbps.

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The best Windows tweaking and customization tools on GitHub [Part 1]

XD-AntiSpy-Laptop

Windows has always allowed a decent degree of customization. You can tweak how the OS looks and behaves in a number of ways, but only within the limits set by Microsoft. The good news is that if you want to make more advanced changes, there is no shortage of third-party tools that will let you do exactly that -- from changing the Start menu and wallpaper to preventing Microsoft from tracking your activity and replacing default apps with better alternatives.

GitHub is home to a vast number of Windows tweaking tools, and we thought it would be fun to showcase the best of these in a new series.

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Watch a game of Minesweeper destroy Windows in real time

Minesweeper is a classic puzzle game that has been included in Windows operating systems for decades. The objective is to clear a grid of hidden mines using numerical clues to determine how many mines are adjacent to each square, requiring strategy and logical thinking to avoid detonating them.

But what if losing a game of Minesweeper actually destroyed your PC? That’s exactly what a new video shows.

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Google expands passkey support to desktop with Google Password Manager

Google has made a move toward a passwordless future by expanding its passkey support to desktop devices. Until now, passkeys could only be saved to Google Password Manager on Android devices, requiring users to scan a QR code from an Android phone to access them on other platforms. However, thanks to a new update, passkeys can now be saved and managed directly on desktop systems running Windows, macOS, and Linux. ChromeOS is also available for testing in the Beta channel.

Passkeys are designed to offer a more secure and user-friendly way of signing in to websites and apps by using biometric methods like fingerprints, facial recognition, or a screen lock instead of traditional passwords. This makes logging in as simple as unlocking your device.

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This shortcut will let you boot into the BIOS directly from Windows

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is like your computer's backstage manager, making sure the hardware and operating system can talk to each other smoothly and keeping everything running behind the scenes.

To access the BIOS, most people restart their computer and hit a specific key -- this can vary depending on the manufacturer and model. Common keys are F1, F2, F10, F12, Delete, or Esc, and a prompt will usually appear on the screen during startup to tell you which one to press. While this method is fairly simple, there's an even easier way to boot directly into the BIOS from Windows.

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With Workspaces, the best new PowerToys module yet, Microsoft is giving you a way to launch and arrange multiple apps in one click!

PowerToys Workspaces

Our love of PowerToys here at BetaNews is no secret. Like other users, we eagerly await each new update to see whether there is new module or a handy new feature for an existing utility.

But equally exciting are glimpses into the future, when we learn what the PowerToys developers are working on right now. The latest news from Microsoft reveals that PowerToys Workspaces is in the pipeline, a module that makes it possible to launch multiple apps from a single shortcut. More than that, these apps can be opened in saved arrangements for the best work experiences. Think virtual desktops on steroids.

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BSOD hits one in 200 devices daily

Blue Screen of Death

New analysis of system crashes shows that, without preventative IT in place, one in every 200 devices falls victim to the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD) per day, even under 'good' operating conditions.

The research from Nexthink shows the recent CrowdStrike outage pushed the number as high as one in 10.

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CrowdStrike -- what went wrong?

This time last week businesses around the world were rocked by major disruption as a faulty update to the CrowdStrike security software brought down Windows systems.

The company has now issued a preliminary report into the incident which reveals that a 'Rapid Response Content' configuration update caused the problem.

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Amusing BSoDs from around the world following CrowdStrike's disastrous Windows outage

When CrowdStrike issued a faulty security update on Friday, the impact was nothing less than catastrophic, causing a global IT outage that made Windows computers crash, impacting an estimated 8.5 million systems around the world.

"We understand the profound impact this has had on everyone. We know our customers, partners, and their IT teams are working tirelessly, and we’re profoundly grateful. We apologize for the disruption this has created,” CrowdStrike said on LinkedIn.

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Sabrent launches HB-C4WP USB-C 3-Port Hub with USB PD 3.0 for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Today, Sabrent launches the HB-C4WP USB-C 3-Port Hub with USB PD 3.0. This hub features one high-speed 5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1x1) USB-A port specifically designed to handle power-intensive devices like external storage drives. Additionally, it includes two 480Mbps (USB 2.0) USB-A ports, perfect for connecting essential peripherals such as keyboards and mice.

Beyond simple connectivity, this hub excels with its power delivery capabilities. The USB-C port on the HB-C4WP supports power delivery (PD 3.0) up to 100W, allowing it to charge high-power devices like laptops, ultrabooks, and gaming systems such as the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, alongside smartphones and tablets. This feature is particularly useful for users looking to charge their devices and expand their connectivity at the same time.

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Microsoft announces deprecation of DirectAccess networking feature in favor of Always On VPN

Women remote working from sofa

Somewhat out of the blue, Microsoft has announced that DirectAccess is to be deprecated. This feature is used by remote workers to access company networks, but it has been superseded and is now considered outdated.

As is so often the case with the deprecation of Windows features, there is currently no precise timeline for removal, but Microsoft is advising users to make the move to Always On VPN. The company has also provided detailed instructions for how to migrate from DirectAccess to Always On VPN.

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