Articles about Windows 10

Four-hundred-thirty-nine 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 the May 2021 Update, aka Windows 10 version 21H1, to the public. It is a small update if installed on devices running Windows 10 version 2004 or later.

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Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 10 version 1909, around a week-and-a-half after this edition of the operating system reached end of service.

KB5003212 is a preview version of a cumulative update that's currently available as an optional install ahead of a wider release. Although a non-security patch, this is still a key update that includes a number of important fixes.

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The Windows 10 May 2021 Update is here! Microsoft has started rolling out the update via its Windows Update tool, plus made the latest Windows 10 ISO available to download for system builders and those looking to take advantage of the update to reinstall a clean, pristine version of the operating system.

What’s new in the May 2021 Update, codenamed Windows 10, version 21H1? It’s not as major as past spring updates, which is highlighted by how quickly it installs on those updating from either last year’s 2004 or 20H2 updates.

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Are you in the market for a new copy of Windows 10? Perhaps you’re building a new PC from scratch or looking to move up from an older version of Windows. Maybe you’re looking to run a version of Windows alongside macOS or Linux? Whatever your reasons, a Windows 10 OEM license is a great choice.

OEM licenses are cheaper than full retail versions -- while they’re tied to a single PC and non-transferrable, they’re a great fit for many. Read on to discover why you should consider Windows 10 OEM and how to get a great deal on both Windows 10 Home OEM and Windows 10 Pro OEM.

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Internet Explorer may be a stalwart of the world of web browsers, but it has also been an object of ridicule and derision for pretty much its entire life. Since the emergence of the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, the writing has been on the wall for the browser just about everyone loves to hate, but IE has been lingering for longer than many people would have expected.

But now Microsoft is finally ready to pull the plug. Sort of. The company has announced that "the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on June 15, 2022, for certain versions of Windows 10". But what does this mean in practice, and will you be affected?

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When I first encountered computers in the 1990s, they were all large grey boxes that took up enormous amounts of space. In fact, when you added in a large CRT monitor and printer, many families had to dedicate an entire room in their home to the PC. Seriously, folks, a "computer room" was actually a thing.

Nowadays, thanks to inexpensive laptops and tablets, many families no longer need dedicated rooms for a PC -- a kitchen table can be sufficient. Even if you prefer a desktop, they no longer have to be monstrous either. There are many small desktops on the market these days, including the excellent Apple Mac mini.

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The Windows 10 May 2021 Update, aka Windows 10 21H1, is starting to roll out to users now.

As normal, it will be a phased rollout so not everyone will be offered it straightaway -- it could be months before it reaches your machine. But if previous major updates are anything to go by, you should avoid installing it for a while anyway as these releases typically come with issues and it could be more hassle than it’s worth.

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Earlier today, Microsoft pushed the big red (imaginary) button to start the roll out of the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (or Windows 10 21H1), and already some issues with it have been acknowledged by the software giant.

Since the roll out is only just beginning it’s perhaps not a huge surprise that there aren’t many known issues at the moment, but one in particular could be incredibly annoying for anyone who encounters it. Here's the list of issues Microsoft is admitting to so far.

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Microsoft began to roll out the latest big feature update for Windows 10 earlier today, and we explained what's new and how to get the update here.

With each new OS update, however, some existing features get dropped, or stop being actively developed. Here’s what’s missing in Windows 10 21H1, the May 2021 Update.

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A week ago we reported that Microsoft might have cancelled Windows 10X, its much-hyped Chrome OS competitor.

Although the software giant didn’t confirm this move at the time, it didn’t deny it either, and today the company admits that it has now pulled the plug on the spin off OS, so it can focus all of its attention on Windows 10 proper.

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Three weeks ago, Microsoft began preparing the Windows 10 May 2021 Update (21H1) for release, offering it initially to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel.

Today, the company makes the feature update available to non-Insiders, starting with those running Windows 10 version 2004 or later. As is the case these days, Microsoft is throttling availability so it may not be offered to you immediately, and compatibility issues could play a part in how long you have to wait.

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Microsoft finally stopped supporting Windows 7 at the start of last year, but the aging OS is still to be found on over 16 percent of Windows systems and many users prefer it to Windows 10 which seems to be plagued with a never-ending stream of buggy updates.

Although the software giant will be giving its new operating system a much needed makeover later this year with new icons, a scalable UI font, and other visual enhancements, it’s still unlikely to win over the hearts and minds of many of the Windows 7 faithful.

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It's only a week since Microsoft stopped supporting some older versions of Windows 10 -- specifically the Home and Pro editions of Windows 10 versions 1803, 1809 and 1909 -- but it won't be long before the effects are felt.

While Windows 10 version 1809 reaching "end of servicing" means there will be no more official patches and updates from Microsoft, the operating system will not be left completely unsupported. For anyone unwilling or unable to upgrade to a more recent build of Windows 10, micro-patch service 0patch has stepped up to the plate to lend a hand.

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It is a few weeks since Microsoft released the KB5000842 update for Windows 10, and it wasn't long before the optional patch was linked to problems with game performance. These particular issues have been -- mostly -- resolved, but KB5000842 remains problematic with users of some 5.1 audio setups complaining that it has results in their computers emitting high-pitched noises.

For now, there is no proper fix, but Microsoft is investigating the problem and say that an update will be provided in a future release. In the meantime, the company offers up a workaround.

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The release of Windows 10 build 21382 yesterday came as a little bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one.

With this particular release there was not a huge amount for Microsoft to shout about in terms of new features. There are improvements to HDR support, improvements to the Start menu, new icons in Explorer, fonts changes and new options in Device Manager. But Microsoft also used the release to remind users that Windows Terminal is now installed by default.

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