Best Windows 10 apps this week
Three-hundred-and-forty-eight 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.
As always, if I've missed an app or game that has been released this week that you believe is particularly good, let me know in the comments below or notify me via email.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Three-hundred-and-forty-seven 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 new Windows 10 20H1 build this week. You can check out Wayne's article to find out what is new in the release if you have not done so already.
Microsoft announces Windows 10 20H1 Build 18956 with network and notification improvements
Last week, Microsoft released Build 18950 to Insiders on the Fast ring, and it’s fair to say it wasn’t the most exciting of releases with the headline addition covering Japanese IME improvements.
Today’s new flight, Build 18956, is much more interesting with a redesigned Network Status page, notification settings improvements, and Calculator and Cortana app updates.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Three-hundred-and-forty-six 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 new Windows 10 20H1 build this week that includes traces of a new cloud download feature. The feature adds an option to the PC reset troubleshooting process to download operating system files from Microsoft servers during resets. Windows 10 currently uses the Windows installation for that.
Users complain that Windows 10 is stuck in S mode
Windows 10 S mode is proving problematic for some people, with a number of users complaining that they are unable to get their computers out of the limited mode.
A number of laptops -- including the Surface Go and Surface Laptop -- come pre-configured to run in Windows 10 S mode, preventing users from changing their search engine in Edge, or from installing software from outside of the Microsoft Store. It is supposed to be possible to exit S mode, but the option has been broken for a number of days.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 20H1 Build 18950 and teases forthcoming 'Cloud download' feature
Microsoft released two Windows 10 20H1 builds to Insiders last week --18947, which was pushed out accidentally to all Insiders and sported an ugly revamped Start menu without Live titles, and 18945, which rolled out as expected and came with welcome improvements to Cortana, Windows Subsystem for Linux, and File Explorer.
Today we’re back to how things usually run, with a new build for Insiders on the Fast ring.
Users still aren't in any rush to install newer versions of Windows 10
AdDuplex monitors the state of adoption for the various Windows 10 versions. Its figures for June showed the October 2018 Update (1809) was only on 30 percent of systems (down from 31.3 percent in May), while the May 2019 Update (1903) was to be found on 6.3 percent of devices in the same time frame.
The monitoring firm has just released its figures for July and they show that the May 2019 Update has made its way on to more systems, but at a very cautious pace.
Windows 10's WSL 2 now lets you add a custom Linux kernel and enjoy localhost access
For Windows 10 users looking to install a Linux-based operating system within Windows, WSL -- Windows Subsystem for Linux -- was a blessing from Redmond. And things are just getting better and better.
The latest Insider build of Windows 10, Windows 10 20H1 build 18945 includes Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2) with a couple of key enhancements. Not only are you now able to gain localhost access to network resources, you can also make use of your preferred Linux kernel.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 20H1 Build 18945 -- on purpose! -- with improvements to Cortana, Windows Subsystem for Linux and File Explorer
Earlier in the week, Microsoft rolled out a new Windows 10 build on the 20H1 branch. Build 18947 arrived with a new retro Start menu without Live tiles, and a GIF search feature. There was just one problem -- it was released by accident.
Today the software giant rolls out Build 18945, and this one is intended for installation. It comes with a new Cortana experience, Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Improvements, and an updated File Explorer.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Three-hundred-and-forty-five 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 an internal build of Windows 10 accidentally to Insider devices; the new build featured a redesigned Start menu without live tiles.
Microsoft reveals what you need to do if you have rogue Windows 10 Build 18947
Yesterday, Microsoft accidentally released Build 18947 to all Windows Insiders. The build wasn’t intended for a wide release, and today the software giant reveals how it came to be released, and more importantly, what you need to do to avoid installing it.
If you have already installed the build, with its new ugly Start menu, you can easily remove it.
Microsoft accidentally releases internal Windows 10 preview build with new Start menu and no Live Tiles
Microsoft has unintentionally released Windows 10 Build 18947 to all Insiders, including those on the Slow and Release Preview rings. It was originally believed it was only rolling out to 32-bit devices, but that appears not to be the case. This build hasn’t undergone proper testing, so could cause problems if installed.
Microsoft says it is "looking into" the leak, but in the meantime, if you’re an Insider and you don’t want this build, be sure to reject it when it turns up. However, the new build, which was apparently meant for internal Xbox development, does have an interesting new feature that could tempt you into installing it -- a Start menu without Live Tiles.
Enterprises lagging behind on Windows 10 migration
Windows 7 support comes to an end six months from now, although businesses will be able to pay for Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) for a further three years -- at a ratcheted cost. Windows Enterprise customers can expect to pay $25 per device for the updates, rising to $100 in the third year. For Windows 7 Professional, the starting figure is $50 per device, rising to $200.
Aware that time is running out, many enterprises have already moved to Windows 10, but a large number remain significantly behind in completing the migration process, according to new findings from endpoint management and security company 1E.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Three-hundred-and-forty-four 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.
Windows 10 version 1903 had some upgrade blocks lifted this week paving the way for additional upgrades but Microsoft had to add new blocks in place, one even for the company's own Surface Book 2 device.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 20H1 Build 18941, but warns the installation may fail or cause your PC to get stuck in a boot loop
Windows Insiders like to be on the cutting edge, trying out new Windows 10 features well before regular users do. For that reason, most Insiders opt to be in the Fast ring, rather than the Slow or Release Preview rings.
It does mean they are more at risk from potential problems of course, but that’s often a risk worth taking. Often, but not always.
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