Best Windows 10 apps this week
Four-hundred-thirty-three in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Microsoft Store in the past seven days.
Microsoft released a preview of the 64-bit version of the OneDrive sync client this week; it improves sync operations with large files and lots of files according to Microsoft.
How to add Windows 10 version information to your desktop
If you run an Insider version of Windows 10, you’ll see a watermark on the bottom right-hand side of the desktop showing the version of Windows you’re running and the current build number.
This makes it easy to see which build you’re on, so you’ll know whether or not you’re up to date.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build 21354 with new personalization options for 'News and interests'
Due to some issues, Microsoft didn’t roll out a Dev Channel build to Insiders last week, but the bugs have been overcome and today a new build arrives, and this one sees a branch name change in the watermark at the lower right corner of the desktop.
Build 21354 comes from the CO_RELEASE branch, and the first additions to this flight are new personalization options for the 'News and interests' feed on the taskbar.
Paint will soon be available to download from the Microsoft Store
Four years ago, Microsoft announced plans to kill off Paint, a fixture of Windows since the operating system’s first release back in 1985. There was a huge outcry at the news and Microsoft eventually backtracked, stating its simple graphics program would live on, but in the Microsoft Store.
Paint failed to materialize in the Store after the announcement however, and two years ago the app was given a stay of execution, with Microsoft stating it would continue to remain part of Windows for the foreseeable future.
How to change the default system font in Windows 10
Both Windows 7 and Windows 8.x let you set which font to use throughout the operating system. Windows 10 however, restricts users to Segoe UI. This is a nice typeface, and it gives the operating system a modern look, but if you would prefer to change the font to something else -- Comic Sans for example -- you can with a registry tweak.
To change the font, right-click on the desktop, select Personalize, and click Fonts on the left-hand side. Decide which font you want, and then Open Notepad. Paste in the following:
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Four-hundred-thirty-two in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Microsoft Store in the past seven days.
Microsoft released preview updates for Windows 10 this week that address a lot of issues. These updates will find their way into the April 2021 cumulative updates for Windows 10, which will be released on April 13, 2021.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.35.0 for Windows 10 with new features
It seems like it has been a while since there was a new version of PowerToys for Windows 10, but Microsoft has now pushed out a new release in time for Easter.
We've now made it up to PowerToys v0.35.0, and while this is not a major upgrade from the previous version, it is still significant thanks not only to the number of bug fixes and improvements, but also the number of new features. FancyZones, PowerToys Run and Color Picker are among those gaining new options.
Ubuntu on Windows Community Preview is a special sandboxed build for testing new features on Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)
You can’t have failed to have noticed that Microsoft has been showing a lot of love to Linux in recent years, with the most obvious example being the inclusion of Windows Subsystem for Linux in Windows 10. The company has been improving this and adding new functionality regularly. Most recently it made it possible to use Windows Hello in WSL.
Today, Ubuntu Linux maker Canonical releases Ubuntu on Windows Community Preview which is a special build of its OS for WSL 2 that lets users experiment with new features and functionality in a sandbox environment.
Kensington launches K62330WW VeriMark Desktop Fingerprint Key for Windows 10
Windows 10 is a great operating system for several reasons. For instance, it is stable, secure, and compatible with a ton of hardware. Microsoft has done a phenomenal job of making Windows 10 better year after year.
One of my favorite aspects of Windows 10 is Windows Hello -- the biometic security system that allows you to unlock your PC with your face or a fingerprint. Biometric unlocking on Linux is pretty much non-existent for typical desktop users, which is very annoying. Apple's macOS has Touch ID with compatible laptops, but it can't be used immediately after a boot like Window Hello can. You also can't add Touch ID to a Mac using USB like you can with Windows 10 and Windows Hello.
Microsoft releases optional KB5000842 update to fix lots of Windows 10 problems
For Microsoft, March was marred by a string of problematic Windows 10 updates that caused a series of problems with printing and more. As we reach the end of the month, the company has released an optional patch which it will almost certainly be hoping proves less problematic.
The optional KB5000842 update is available for Windows 10 version 2004, and Windows 10 20H2. This monthly "C" release preview update aims to address a number of issues with the operating systems including problems with dark screens and other monitor glitches, and as well as system crashes associated with OneDrive.
Microsoft releases KB5001205 update to fix Windows 10 Secure Boot vulnerability
Microsoft has released a new servicing stack update for Windows 10. The KB5001205 update is available for version 1909 of the operating system, and it addresses an issue with the Secure Boot feature.
The company says that the update fixes an issue that prevented another update installing. It also includes quality improvements to the servicing stack to help with the overall update experience in Windows 10.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Four-hundred-thirty-one in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Microsoft Store in the past seven days.
Microsoft released another Insider build this week; the new build included an updated look for the File Explorer application among other things.
Microsoft is making an important change to the implementation of the taskbar in Windows 10
Whatever you use your computer for, the taskbar is something you interact with to some extent every day. It's a component that lies at the heart of Windows 10, and Microsoft is finally making a key change that will be welcomed by many users.
With the release of Windows 10 build 21343 the other day, we have already seen some of the visual changes Microsoft is bringing to Explorer. But in Windows 10 21H2, the company is also freeing the taskbar from the explorer.exe process into its own library. It's a move that means the Sun Valley update for Windows 10 should help to improve stability and eliminate problems with Explorer resulting in taskbar crashes, as is so often the case currently.
Fix your Windows 10 printing problems with this PowerShell script
If the recent printing problems caused by a string of Windows 10 updates weren't so disruptive -- and if the poor quality of updates from Microsoft hadn't been an issue for so long -- the situation would almost be funny.
As it is, however, those who have been affected by the bug-riddled updates find themselves extraordinarily frustrated and losing trust in Microsoft's ability to deliver reliable software. With so many updates, patches, bug fixes and workarounds having been released in the last couple of weeks, keeping on top of problems has been difficult. This PowerShell script should get things sorted once and for all.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build 21343 with a new look for File Explorer
Microsoft is planning on giving Windows 10 a major design overhaul later in the year as part of its 'Sun Valley' refresh, and you can get a good idea of what it will look like here.
At the moment, new design tweaks are beginning to trickle through in Dev Channel Insider builds, and today, Microsoft gives us a look at how File Explorer will benefit from its design update.
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