Windows 10 Creators Update Build 15058 for PC arrives on the Fast ring

Windows-10 key

The Windows 10 Creators Update is only a matter of weeks away from launch now, and Microsoft is working hard to get the OS ready for release.

Preview Build 15055 rolled out to Insiders on the Fast ring last Friday, and today we have another new build for PC (a new Mobile build is expected to arrive later in the week).

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PSA: Time to leave Windows Vista behind -- extended support ends in April

Vista

Windows Vista is probably the least-liked version of Windows that Microsoft has ever released, but, fact of the matter is, the 10 year old operating system has its fans, as it still runs on many PCs today. And that's a problem if you're part of the crowd, because next month it will stop receiving any kind of official support, leaving you exposed.

Mainstream support for Windows Vista actually ended on April 10, 2012, but Microsoft has since continued to offer support options and updates as part of its extended support phase. That will come to an end in less than 30 days from now -- on April 11. Here's what happens after that.

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Microsoft is disgustingly sneaky: Windows 10 isn't an operating system, it's an advertising platform

windows-10-dvd

Don't believe what Microsoft tells you -- Windows 10 is not an operating system. Oh, sure, it has many features that make it look like an operating system, but in reality it is nothing more than a vehicle for advertisements. Since the launch of Windows 10, there have been numerous complaints about ads in various forms. They appear in the Start menu, in the taskbar, in the Action Center, in Explorer, in the Ink Workspace, on the Lock Screen, in the Share tool, in the Windows Store and even in File Explorer.

Microsoft has lost its grip on what is acceptable, and even goes as far as pretending that these ads serve users more than the company -- "these are suggestions", "this is a promoted app", "we thought you'd like to know that Edge uses less battery than Chrome", "playable ads let you try out apps without installing". But if we're honest, the company is doing nothing more than abusing its position, using Windows 10 to promote its own tools and services, or those with which it has marketing arrangements. Does Microsoft think we're stupid?

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Microsoft releases Windows 10 Creators Update Build 15055 for PC and Mobile to the Fast ring

Windows-10 key

Last week, Microsoft pushed out multiple Windows 10 Insider Preview updates -- Builds 15046 and 15048 for PC, and 15047 for Mobile. Yesterday, Mobile users got Build 15051, and today the software giant announces Build 15055 for both PC and Mobile.

The flurry of new builds shows we’re getting ever closer to the launch of the Creators Update which is due next month.

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Microsoft admits mistake, pulls problematic Windows 10 driver

Windows relief

Microsoft pushed out a mysterious driver to Windows users on Wednesday that caused big problems for some.

The driver, listed as "Microsoft -- WPD -- 2/22/2016 12:00:00 AM -- 5.2.5326.4762," wasn’t accompanied by any details, although we knew from the name that it related to Windows Portable Devices and affected users who had phones and tablets connected to the OS.

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Best Windows 10 apps this week

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Two-hundred-and-twenty-two in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Windows Store in the past seven days.

This week saw the release of several good paid games, and only a handful of apps.

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Oh joy -- playable ads arrive in Windows 10

Angry PC

Playable ads -- that is ads that mimic an app and let you interact with it -- aren’t new. I see them from time to time on my iPhone, and never interact with any of them. Because, why would you? However, Microsoft says that playable ads are not only better than regular ads, they are more profitable.

And now they are arriving on Windows 10. The Playable Ads preview goes live in the Windows Dev Center today, allowing developers to offer their own interactive adverts.

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Mysterious Windows driver causing problems for users

Angry PC user

If you’ve been experiencing weird problems with Windows over the past couple of days, the problem could be down to a mysterious driver that Microsoft has pushed out for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

The driver, called "Microsoft -- WPD -- 2/22/2016 12:00:00 AM -- 5.2.5326.4762" is causing a couple of problems for users, including failed installations, and Windows Phones and Android devices failing to connect to the target PC.

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How to remove the 'Edit with Paint 3D' option from Windows 10 Creators Update context menus

edit-paint-3d

If you've been an avid installer of Insider builds of Windows 10 (or you're reading this after the release of Windows 10 Creators Update) you'll no doubt be aware of Paint 3D. Microsoft's foray into 3D design is interesting, but it's certainly not for everyone.

In reality very few people are likely to actually make serious use of Paint 3D, but despite this Microsoft has chosen to throw an Edit with Paint 3D option into the context menu that appears when you right click on an image file. You probably don’t want or need this, so here's how to get rid of it.

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Windows 10 Creators Update Preview Build 15051 for Mobile arrives on the Fast ring

Windows 10 mobile

With the Windows 10 Creators Update edging ever nearer to being ready for release, Microsoft is working hard to fix bugs and tidy things up.

Today sees a new build for Mobile (a new build for PC is expected in a day or so). Build 15051 offers a lot of changes, improvements and fixes including:

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How to disable ads in File Explorer in Windows 10

Windows 10 finger

Microsoft has used Windows 10 as a vehicle for advertising in a variety of ways over the months since its launch. We've seen ads in the Start menu, via taskbar popups and on the Lock screen; now you can find them in File Explorer.

Users have reported the appearance of advertisements for Microsoft's own OneDrive service as they browse the contents of their hard drive(s). You may well think that this is unacceptable, so we'll show you how to disable ads in File Explorer. Even if they haven’t shown up for you yet, there's no harm in taking preventative measures.

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HP introduces powerful Elite all-in-one and tower PCs

HP EliteDesk 800 G3 Desktop Mini

HP today expands the Elite line of devices, adding three new Windows 10 PCs to the fold: the EliteOne 800 G3 all-in-one, EliteDesk 800 G3 Tower and the EliteDesk 800 G3 Desktop Mini. Their claim to fame?

HP says that the EliteOne 800 G3 is the first device of its kind to feature dual-facing cameras and also the first all-in-one with a non-glare touchscreen. The EliteDesk 800 G3 Tower is said to be the most-configurable, most-powerful and first VR-certified commercial PC. The EliteDesk 800 G3 Desktop Mini is the world's most powerful and smallest business-grade desktop in its class.

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Here are all the features Microsoft removed or deprecated in Windows 10 Creators Update

Creators update

Windows 10 Creators Update is scheduled to arrive in April, and Microsoft is putting the finishing touches to things now, with not one, but two new builds arriving last week. The desktop watermark found on previous Windows Insider builds has been removed now, indicating just how close we’re getting to release.

While the Creators Update introduces a lot of new features, including 3D content, Game Mode, Game Broadcasting, Edge improvements, more Cortana functionality, and improved control over privacy and updates, Microsoft has also removed or deprecated some features from the OS. Here’s what’s missing.

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Windows Mixed Reality arrives in Windows 10 build 15048 with a demo you can try!

windows-mixed-reality-portal

From the look of the changelog for Windows 10 build 15048 that was released a few days ago to Insiders, it looked to be little more than a bug fixing release. But in fact Microsoft has already started to include references to -- and even a portal for -- Windows Mixed Reality.

We have seen reference to Windows Holographic in Windows 10 before, but this is the first time there has been anything to play with. It coincides nicely with Microsoft revealing that Windows Mixed Reality is the new name for Windows Holographic, and it gives Insiders the chance to not only see if their computer meets the recommended specs, but also to try out a Windows Mixed reality simulation.

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Surprise! Windows 10 Creators Update Build 15048 for PC and Build 15047 for Mobile arrive on the Fast ring

Surprise

Windows 10 Insider Preview builds have been coming thick and fast as Microsoft gears up to release the Creators Update next month.

Three days ago, Microsoft rolled out Build 15046 for PC, and today -- in time for the weekend -- the software giant releases Build 15048 for PC and Build 15047 for Mobile.

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