Dodgy Windows 11 update? Microsoft suggests you use the ‘Fix problems using Windows Update’ option
There can be few Windows 11 users who are unfamiliar with having their computer borked by a bad update from Microsoft. Every month, the regular release of updates is followed by the acknowledgement of the issues caused and then, perhaps some time later, workarounds and fixes.
Microsoft’s latest advice is to use Windows Update to fix problems that may well have been caused by updates installed by Windows Update. Confused? While not a new option, Microsoft is now pushing and explaining the “Fix problems using Windows Update” feature more, having updated it for Windows 11.
Microsoft refuses to ease Windows 11’s strict hardware requirements, despite the ditching of Windows 10
With official support for Windows 10 coming to an end next year, those who are still using the operating system are faced with a difficult choice. They can stick with using Windows 10 as an unsupported OS, perhaps turning to a third-party patching service to plug security holes.
Or they can look to upgrade to Windows 11. But this presents a problem. A lot of computers that run Windows 10 are not able to run Windows 11 because of the TPM 2.0 requirement of the newer OS. For anyone hoping Microsoft might finally relent and ease up on this requirement, Microsoft has restated its position, making it clear that it will not be backing down.
Today is the day! Say goodbye to Microsoft Windows 11 -- Nitrux Linux 3.8.0 is the OS you've been waiting for
Let’s be honest: Windows 11 gets the job done, but for many of us, it feels more like a routine than a revelation. It’s the dependable choice we stick with because it’s what we’re used to, even when its frequent problematic updates, resource demands, and occasional hiccups make us wonder if there’s a better option out there. If you’ve been quietly considering a change but haven’t found the right fit, there’s a promising alternative worth exploring.
Nitrux offers a fresh perspective on what an operating system can be. Designed for speed and simplicity, it delivers a streamlined experience with its unique NX Desktop and lightweight foundation. It feels modern, responsive, and uncluttered -- an ideal choice for those who value efficiency and aesthetics.
Windows 12 is everything Windows 11 should be -- and the Microsoft OS we deserve!
Microsoft is preparing to end free support for Windows 10 next year, although users will have the option to pay for continued security updates if they choose. While it’s possible to keep using the popular operating system safely, most people will face two choices: upgrade to Windows 11 or wait for the eagerly anticipated next-generation OS, widely expected to be called Windows 12.
Although Microsoft has yet to officially reveal its plans for the future of Windows, we have an idea of what it could look like.
Best Windows apps this week
Six-hundred-twenty-three in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
Microsoft confirmed several issues this week that affect Windows 11, version 24H2. One plagues Ubisoft gamers in particular.
Windows 11 24H2 update is a nightmare for many gamers
A Windows update without problems is a rare thing indeed, and the bigger the update, the bigger the problems. This is certainly true of the most recent major update to Windows 11, the Windows 11 24H2 update.
The release has been plagued with issues, and the most recent to be confirmed by Microsoft affects gamers. Windows 11 24H2 has been found to be so problematic with various Ubisoft titles that the update has been blocked on devices that have these games installed.
Forget bloated Windows 11, Windows 12 Lite is the Microsoft operating system we need!
Windows 11, despite its modern design and advanced features, has been criticized for its bloated nature. The operating system demands substantial hardware resources, leaving many users with sluggish performance -- even on newer machines -- and Microsoft is jamming AI features into almost every corner of the OS, including the likes of Notepad and Paint, which doesn't help.
Perhaps it’s time to get back to basics, trim the fat, and give users the lightweight operating system they crave without sacrificing any modern functionality? Perhaps it's time for Windows 12 Lite.
Best Windows apps this week
Six-hundred-twenty-two in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
Microsoft released Bing Wallpaper to the Microsoft Store this week. It is not in our list of recommendations though, as Microsoft added lots of PUP -- potentially unwanted programs -- functions to it, including auto-installation of other software, options to decode cookies in non-Microsoft browsers, prompts to make Bing the default search and homepage, and more. I have added an alternative to the list of apps below.
Microsoft brings hotpatch updates to Windows 11
Having already tested the waters with Windows Server for the last couple of years, Microsoft is bringing hotpatch updates to Windows 11 24H2.
The key advantage to hotpatching is that it allows for security updates to be installed without the need for a restart. This is something which is important for businesses, so it is perhaps not surprising that Microsoft is previewing hotpatch updates in Windows 11 Enterprise.
Forget Windows 11: Windows Moon Valley reaches a key milestone -- get it now!
You’ve likely noticed that Windows 11, much like Windows 10, is plagued by various design inconsistencies, ranging from outdated interface elements to uneven system-wide aesthetics. Frustrated with Microsoft, a number of third-party developers have even created tools to address and fix some of these issues.
Windows Moon Valley takes a different approach. Drawing from the streamlined concept of Windows 10X and building on the framework of Windows 11, the OS is designed to address persistent design inconsistencies and improve overall functionality.
'One of the most secure experiences we have ever built' -- Microsoft overhauls controversial Recall feature with enhanced privacy and security controls
It’s fair to say Microsoft’s Recall feature for Copilot+ PCs proved to be incredibly divisive when the company announced it earlier this year. The tool is designed to retrieve and summarize relevant information from your past interactions, documents, and apps, providing quick context and insights.
Recall works by taking “snapshots” of your screen at regular intervals and storing them either locally on your device or synced through Microsoft 365. Users can search these snapshots using natural language to locate specific content, such as images or text they've viewed on their PC. While some users praise the feature's convenience, others have raised concerns about privacy and data security due to the extensive integration required for Recall to function effectively. Companies concerned with safeguarding sensitive data are understandably the most wary.
Microsoft brings AI-powered Copilot features to Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and more
At its Ignite 2024 conference, Microsoft today introduced a raft of new features for Copilot, its AI assistant. These include AI agents in Microsoft 365 that can take on unique roles, and Copilot Actions that let users delegate repetitive tasks.
For many people, however, the most exciting updates will likely be the new AI tools for creating custom content and managing tasks more efficiently in Microsoft 365 which are being introduced to Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.
Tiny11core maker updated to support Windows 11 24H2
For fans of debloating Windows, Tiny11 has been a godsend. The free utility has made it possible to debloat Windows 11 and shrink the installation footprint of the operating system far beyond what many people thought possible.
Now there is a new version of the decrapifier available, updated with full support for the recently released Windows 11 24H2.
Best Windows apps this week
Six-hundred-twenty-one in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
Microsoft removed Actions from the Microsoft Store. Actions replicated the instant gaming feature of mobile operating systems. In other words, it allowed you to play some games directly without installation.
You can now easily download Windows 11 ISOs for Arm-based PCs
Showing its continuing, and growing, love of Arm-based systems, Microsoft has now released an ISO image of the Arm edition of Windows 11.
In making the ISO available, Microsoft has just made life a whole lot easier for those who have embraced Arm. While it was not impossible to obtain Windows 11 for Arm previously, there were off-putting hoops to jump through, but the direct download is very welcome.
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