Windows 10

Four-hundred-forty-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's upcoming Windows 11 operating system leaked online this week. You can download the wallpapers of the operating system already, in case you are interested.

Ahead of next month's Patch Tuesday, Microsoft has released a preview of the KB5003698 update for Windows 10. The patch takes the operating system up to build 18363.1645, and although it is a non-security update it still addresses numerous issues that users have been experiencing.

Key among the improvements is a fix for the blurry text issue introduced by the KB5001391 update earlier this month. Other changes include addressing a problem with AppLocker, VPN issues, and fixing a problem that caused playback issues with FLAC files after editing metadata.

When you need a true professional Windows laptop, I know there are many makes and models to consider, but I urge you to take a look at Dynabook. That company's Tecra line in particular is a well-balanced blend of power, durability, and elegance. These productivity workhorses never disappoint, and in my experience, they last a very long time.

Today, Dynabook unveils its 2021 Tecra A Windows 10 laptops -- the 14-inch Tecra A40-J and 15-inch Tecra A50-J. Other than screen and body size differences, the A40-J can be equipped with a touchscreen while the A50-J cannot. Meanwhile, the A50-J keyboard has a number pad, while the A40-J does not. They both have Wi-Fi 6, dual Thunderbolt 4, dual USB-A, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a micro SD card reader.

Yesterday, Microsoft’s successor to Windows 10 got leaked onto the web, revealing that it would indeed be called Windows 11, and showing off a new look that owes a lot to the cancelled Windows 10X.

The look of the new OS, with its centered taskbar and Start menu, is clearly going to be a bit divisive, but one thing most of us can agree on is the default wallpapers look great. And you can give your Windows 10 system a Windows 11 makeover by installing them now.

The tech world might be excitedly looking forward to the imminent release of Windows 11, but in the meantime we have to make do with Windows 10 and its various issues. This means having to contend with the problematic update Microsoft keeps pushing out, and the company has just confirmed an issue with a recent mandatory update.

Microsoft says that the KB5001391 update is causing some people's displays to show blurry text in the new News and Interests section of the taskbar. For some people, however, the problems spread wider.

Towards the end of the month, Microsoft is set to reveal the future of Windows. We already reported last week that Windows 10 is coming to an end, and its replacement might be Windows 11, or possibly Windows Sun Valley.

Earlier today, some screenshots from the new OS appeared at Baidu, and then an iSO of the full operating system leaked on the web, confirming that it is indeed called Windows 11.

Microsoft has issued an off-schedule update for Windows 10 that addresses 0x80073D26 and 0x8007139F errors in versions 20H1, 20H2 and 21H1 of the operating system.

The KB5004327 update is aimed at systems that have experienced problems installing or opening Xbox Games Pass Games. Anyone affected by the issue is redirected to the Microsoft Store page for Gaming Services when the errors occur.

Four-hundred-forty-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.

It appears that Microsoft will announce the next version of Windows this month. Whether it will be called Windows 11, Windows Sun Valley, or something entirely different is up for debate.

This month's Patch Tuesday updates are proving problematic once again. Yesterday we wrote about KB5003637 causing problems for apps accessing event logs, and now it appears that this very same update is causing problems with not only printing, but also the updated taskbar in Windows 10. Affected users complain of broken, vanishing and corrupt icons in the taskbar and notification area.

If all of this sounds a little familiar, it's because it is very much the same problem caused by KB5003214 last month. There's a key difference this time around, however. While KB5003214 was an optional update, KB5003637 is one that is automatically installed.

Want to know a secret computer manufacturers don't want you to know? Look, don't tell anybody this, but... most consumers don't need to spend $1,000 on a computer. Hell, most folks don't even need to spend $500. Because let's be honest, the majority of home users only open a web browser and do all their computing on the web. Yes, for most people, modern home computers largely exist as a way to run a web browser. If you don't think that is true, you are fooling yourself.

This is why Chromebooks are so popular these days. But what if you want an operating system a bit more capable than Chrome OS, such as Windows 10? Well, there are plenty of inexpensive laptops running that OS too. For example, earlier this month, we told you about the super-affordable Galaxy Book Go -- a low-cost ARM-powered laptop from Samsung. Well, as of today, you can finally buy it!

It’s not long now until Microsoft takes the wraps off the next version of Windows, and there’s a lot of debate going on already with regards to what it might be called. The smart money is on Windows 11, but Windows Sun Valley is also a popular choice.

If you’re excited for the grand reveal, Microsoft has come up with a way to keep you calm while you wait -- and that’s to listen to startup sounds from previous versions of Windows, slowed down by 4000 percent!

It is only a couple of days since Microsoft released KB5003637 update for Windows 10 on this month's Patch Tuesday. But the company has already issued a warning that after installing this particular update "apps accessing event logs on remote devices might be unable to connect".

The problem stems from apps that make use of legacy Event Logging APIs, and Microsoft says that the behavior is entirely expected. It also provides details of how to fix issues with accessing event logs.

We know that Microsoft is set to make a big announcement regarding the next generation of its Windows operating system in a couple of weeks.

What we don’t know for certain is if the successor will be called Windows 11, Windows Sun Valley, or something else entirely. However, what we do now know, is that Windows 10 is definitely on the way out.

While there is excitement building in many quarters about the impending announcement about Windows 11 (or whatever it ends up being called), Microsoft's updated operating system is not going to be of interest to everyone.

In fact, rather than looking to the future, many people prefer to look backwards. If you're feeling nostalgic and want a blast from the past, you can give Windows 10 something of an old-school makeover using RetroBar. This free and open-source utility lets you step back in time and give the taskbar the look of Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 or XP.

Minecraft isn't just a game -- it is a worldwide phenomenon. What is the secret to its success? Well, besides being fun to play, its cross-platform nature and low system requirements make it available to almost anyone. It can be played on Windows 10, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, and many video game consoles too.

If you have a person in your life that loves Minecraft, there is a new affordable laptop that should excite them greatly. The GeoBook 120 Minecraft Edition features a 12.5-inch display and a cool green paint job that is inspired by the game. The WASD keys even feature green letters. And yes, the game itself comes pre-installed. As an added bonus, Minecraft stickers can be found in the box, so you can decorate the laptop lid to your liking.