A recent Windows 11 update is breaking the Start menu -- but Microsoft is shifting the blame
Earlier this week, Microsoft released a preview of next month's KB5028254 update for Windows 11 22H2. While this cumulative update fixes a lot of bugs, a large number of people who have installed it are complaining of Start menu issues.
Although Microsoft concedes that there is a problem, acknowledging that some users may find that the Start menu simply does not open, the company insists that it is not at fault, instead pointing the finger of blame at third parties.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23511 with improvements for Windows Spotlight
Today is a big day for Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel as the software giant releases a new test flight, Build 23511. The main highlight in this release is a big improvement to Windows Spotlight.
Microsoft has previously tried out various treatments for Spotlight and has now settled on a single experience that the company says "includes previewing images at full screen, multiple opportunities to learn more about each image and a minimized experience."
Running Windows 11 22H2? Microsoft has the bug-bashing, brightness-fixing KB5028254 update for you
As part of this month's batch of update previews, we've already seen the KB5028245 update for Windows 11 21H2. For those who are running the more recent Windows 11 22H2, however, there is now the KB5028254 update.
There are many, many similarities between the KB5028245 and KB5028254 updates, and this should come as little surprise. The cumulative update for Windows 11 22H2 does have differences, though, including boosting the accuracy of brightness settings.
Microsoft releases KB5028245 update to fix wide-ranging bugs in Windows 11 21H2
As we approach the end of the month, we reach the time when Microsoft releases preview versions of the updates that will get official launches next Patch Tuesday. This time around, it is the KB5028245 update for Windows 11.
With this cumulative update, Microsoft addresses a series of problems in Windows 11 21H2, including a VPN issue that could lead to excessive ARP requests to the network gateway. Also fixed are a bug that causes incorrect reporting of the L2 cache, and another that prevents the Windows Notification Platform from issuing notifications from apps.
Microsoft releases new virtual machines so you can download Windows 11 for free
Microsoft has updated the free virtual machines it makes available for download as Windows 11 development environments.
In addition to Windows 11, the virtual machines also include various other developer-centric tools such as Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition and Ubuntu pre-installed in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2. In a nod to the fact that people work with different virtualization platforms, Microsoft has produced VMWare, Hyper-V (Gen2), VirtualBox and Parallels versions of the free VMs.
Microsoft to drop Mail and Calendar apps and force users to switch to Outlook for Windows
Microsoft has been somewhat indecisive with regards to the Mail and Calendar apps for Windows 10 and Windows 11, changing the deadline for a switching to Outlook for Windows more than once.
But now the company has confirmed that it plans to go ahead with its plans to kill off Mail and Calendar -- and it has also revealed that users will be forcibly switched to Outlook for Windows. The timescale for the switch is still slightly hazy, but it is definitely coming... starting later this year.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-fifty-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.
The upcoming Windows 11 version 23H2 feature update will be a smaller update that will install quickly on Windows 11 version 22H2 devices.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23506 with Windows Copilot Preview, new passwordless experience, and local file sharing improvements
Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel have a new test flight to install today, and Build 23506 comes with a good number of fixes and improvements, as well as some new features.
Chief among the new additions is a passwordless experience with Windows Hello for Business (WHFB). This, Microsoft says, "provides organizations with a strong, phish-resistant credential, helping customers move to a passwordless future", and it's available to try now.
Microsoft rolls out updated dark mode toting Paint app to more Windows 11 users
It is several weeks since Microsoft finally gave Windows Insiders on the Canary and Dev channels access to an updated version of its Paint app. Now the company is making the new edition of the beloved graphics tool available to more people.
The big news in this latest release is that, at long last, Paint supports dark mode. But there are other additions and improvements includes new keyboard shortcuts and a wider adoption of the Windows 11 look.
Microsoft is working on a new reinstall feature to let you fix Windows 11 without losing files, apps or settings
Windows 11 is getting a new recovery feature lets you repair with losing files, apps or settings. Microsoft is currently testing the "Fix problems using Windows Update" option in preview builds of Windows 11.
The feature is an alternative to completely reinstalling Windows 11 from scratch and having to reconfigure all of your software and settings. It is also more advanced than a typical in-place reinstallation of the operating system and is -- in theory, at least -- more likely to fix issues. Here's everything we know about the upcoming "Fix problems using Windows Update" recovery feature.
Microsoft reveals everything you need to know about Windows 11 23H2
The rollout of Windows 11's Moment 3 update may only just have made its way to most users, but Microsoft already has other updates in the pipeline. Coming up later this year is Windows 11 23H2. We've come to expect that this will not be an update that's packed with new features, but that's not to say that it is not significant -- expect to see the update enabling Windows Copilot as Windows 11 enters the AI era.
Microsoft has now revealed more information about the upcoming release, including the fact that it is scheduled to rollout to users in the fourth quarter of the year -- effectively making it Windows 11 23Q4. What's important, though, is that users have to prepare for the launch.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-fifty-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 released cumulative security updates for Windows 10 and 11 this week. The Windows 11 update adds the long-awaited features of the Moment 3 update to the operating system.
Microsoft is testing a Windows 11 TPM Troubleshooter
The latest Windows 11 development build includes a new TPM Troubleshooter tool designed to help administrators fix TPM related issues. The tool may help fix TPM related issues automatically and it may also be used to reset TPM.
Microsoft made TPM a requirement when it released Windows 11. The company claims that it improves overall security and ensures that certain features are supported on all Windows 11 devices.
Unlock the new features of Windows 11 Moment 3 with the newly released KB5028185 update
As part of its software updates for July, Microsoft has released the KB5028185 update for Windows 11. The update not only addresses a large number of problems and security issues, it is also being used to give users access to the new features of the Moment 3 update.
The scores of security fixes to be found in the KB5028185 update are reason enough to install it as soon as possible, but the raft of new features and options serves as an added incentive.
Microsoft warns that some versions of Windows 11 are approaching end of servicing
Microsoft is always eager for as many people as possible to be using the very latest versions of Windows. This not only means encouraging users to upgrade to Windows 11, but also ensuring that the majority are running the most recent version of Windows 11.
To promote this idea, Microsoft gives each edition of Windows a product lifecycle during which it will be fully supported. One such period is coming to an end, and the company has issued a reminder to users of Windows 11 21H2 that they need to update very soon.
Recent Headlines
Most Commented Stories
© 1998-2024 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.