Best Windows apps this week


Five-hundred-and-sixty-nine 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 confirmed that Windows Copilot is coming to Windows 10. The AI promises combines Bing Chat functionality with Windows-specific functions.
Microsoft uses Windows 11 update to announce it is killing off Steps Recorder screen recording app


Microsoft is slowly but surely trimming the fat away from Windows 11. Over the course of recent months, the company has either removed or announced the future removal of numerous app components, including the Tips and WordPad apps.
Now a new victim has been added to the list. With the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23590 to the Dev Channel, Microsoft has revealed that screen recording stalwart Steps Recorder is no longer being updated and is lined up for removal further down the line.
Microsoft releases KB5032190 update bringing an abundance of new features to all Windows 11 users


It is that time of the month again; Microsoft has released a slew of updates including the KB5032190 update for Windows 11.
As this is a cumulative update that includes security fixes, it is therefore mandatory. But the security patches, while nice, are far from being the highlight. KB5032190 is the update with which Microsoft is giving all Windows 11 users access to the new features of Moment 4, including Taskbar changes and Windows Copilot.
Best Windows apps this week


Five-hundred-and-sixty-eight 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 announced plans to retire the Tips app on Windows. Three Windows services will also be removed because of security concerns.
Microsoft to stop giving users Tips for Windows 11


Microsoft is far from being a stranger to killing off features in Windows, and this even holds true for the latest version of the operating system, Windows 11. It is usually the case that things that are removed are old, broken, or pose a security risk -- such as recently removed services like WebDAV -- but not always.
The latest victim of Microsoft's deprecation drive is the Tips app that has been used for years to provide users with helpful information and advice about getting the best from Windows.
Microsoft is killing off three Windows services because of security concerns


It is usually the case that new versions of Windows see the arrival of new features and options, but Microsoft is also known to take things away. This month, Microsoft has taken the decision to deprecate three features and services, including WebDAV, in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Also for the chop are the Remote Mailslots protocol and the Computer Browser service. The reason for killing off the trio is security, with age meaning that there are now far better options available.
Delayed: Windows 11 23H2 is not available via the Media Creation Tool because Microsoft is busy with 'size optimization'


Microsoft recently made Windows 11 23H2 available to those who are willing to seek it out, with an automatic roll out due shortly. The company has also released Windows 11 23H2 (or Windows 11 2023 Update) as an ISO image so it is possible to create installation media manually.
But for anyone who has been hoping to use Microsoft's Media Creation Tool to create installation media automatically is in for some disappointment. The availability of Windows 11 23H2 though this route has been delayed.
Best Windows apps this week


Five-hundred-and-sixty-seven 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.
The Windows 11 2023 Update is now available. You can install it via Windows Update or download ISO images, if you prefer those.
Privacy tool DoNotSpy11 updated with Windows 11 23H2 support and the option to disable Windows Copilot


Microsoft is just one of many tech companies that people view with suspicion when it comes to privacy. Over the years, Windows has been infected with all manner of privacy-invading telemetry features and settings -- particularly in the case of Windows 11 -- and there has been a fightback from users and software developers alike.
DoNotSpy11 is a tool that empowers concerned users to protect their privacy by blocking telemetry and disabling features of Windows. Now the software has been updated, and DoNotSpy11 version 1.2.0.0 introduces full support for the latest Windows 11 23H2 and makes it possible to disable the AI-powered Copilot.
Forget Windows 12, Nitrux 3.1.0 Linux distribution should be your next OS


Today marks the unveiling of Nitrux 3.1.0, codenamed “fx,” a release that shows Linux is the future of personal computing -- not Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 12. With the primary focus on updated packages, this release bids to bring a refreshing user experience. The immediate availability of Nitrux 3.1.0 is indeed a call for enthusiasts to delve into the updated software packages, bug fixes, and performance enhancements.
The codename "fx" for this release, though seemingly not referring to anything in particular, adds a cool touch to the versioning. The Nitrux team remains modest in their claims, emphasizing that despite the advancements, Nitrux 3.1.0 doesn’t brand itself as impervious to security threats, hence welcoming suggestions on GitHub to fortify the distribution further.
Microsoft admits Copilot-enabling KB5031455 update is messing with desktop icons in Windows 11


There have been a number of notable updates for Windows 11 in recent weeks, not least of which is the KB5031455 update from last month. The update brought with it a higher number of new features, including the AI-powered Copilot; it also brought problems.
Microsoft acknowledges an issue that results in desktop icons moving around, and the finger of blame is being pointed at Copilot's interaction with multi-display setups.
Experimental Windows 11 build removes some unwanted bundled Microsoft apps from clean installs


Today, Microsoft rolls out new builds for Insiders on both the Dev and Canary channels.
Build 25987 for the Canary Channel adds an option to install previously downloaded drivers when installing Windows 11, so you won’t be stuck offline if you don’t have Wi-Fi drivers. It also does away with two Microsoft apps previously installed by default.
Windows 11 Build 23580 lets users with local accounts make a limited number of Copilot AI queries


Microsoft began its rollout of Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) yesterday, but development continues apace with both Beta Channel and Canary Channel builds arriving for Insiders today.
For those in the Dev Channel, Build 23580 makes it possible for users with local accounts to access Copilot in Windows for a limited number of queries before needing to sign in. Microsoft has also “significantly” improved the nearby share transfer speed for users on same network.
How to download the Windows 11 23H2 ISO


Microsoft has now officially launched Windows 11 23H2, and the company is also referring to this latest release as the Windows 11 2023 Update.
This update is due to roll out as an automatic update in the coming months, but it is currently available for those who manually seek it out. If you have multiple computers to update, if you want to install the latest version of Windows 11 in a virtual machine, or you just want to make sure you have the latest installation media, here's how to download the Windows 11 23H2 ISO -- or how to download the Windows 11 2023 Update ISO if you prefer this name.
Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) begins rolling out now -- here's how to get it


Microsoft has begun rolling out its Windows 11 2023 update (version 23H2), which makes Copilot AI available to more users, and introduces some new enhancements. This is the follow up to the AI preview release which came out last month.
Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) is a "scoped, cumulative release" and among the changes are that "Chat" is now "Microsoft Teams (free)" and it comes pinned by default to the taskbar. There are also some changes made to the way you manage applications.
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