Microsoft reminds Windows 10 21H2 users about imminent end of service... and forced upgrades
No operating system is supported forever, and this is true of Windows 10. In fact, anyone using Windows 10 21H2 has just one month of servicing left.
As such, Microsoft has issued a reminder about the approaching end of service, giving users time to prepare. The company has also confirmed that anyone still running this version of Windows should expect to be automatically updated to a supported version of Windows.
Microsoft will launch the huge Windows 11 Moment 3 update this summer, but you can have it now!
With Windows 11 Microsoft has made major changes to the approach it takes to updating the operating system, not least of which is the idea of "Moment" updates being used to introduce new features.
We've already seen the release of Moment 1 and Moment 2 for Windows 11, and Microsoft is planning to release the eagerly anticipated Moment 3 in June. If this seems like too long to wait, there's a way to get the update right now and enjoy an update File Explorer, Taskbar changes, an improved Task Manager and much more.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-forty-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 security updates for Windows 10 and 11 this week. The updates address several critical issues in the operating systems.
Microsoft releases KB5026372 update for Windows 11 with security fixes and faster update option
It is that time of the month again; Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 11, not only addressing security issues, but adding new options.
With the release of the KB5026372 update for Windows 11, Microsoft has addressed an issue with Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) as well as fixing numerous other security flaws, including three zero days. The update also adds the option for Windows 11 users to receive non-security updates faster in future.
Shell Frosting is a free tweaking tool to unlock hidden features of the Windows 11 taskbar
Complaints about Windows 11 center on various changes Microsoft has made to the Windows 10 successor, but the taskbar is something that crops up time and time again.
While there is some good news in that Microsoft is listening to feedback and working to implement some of the missing features users want, the bad news is that it is taking time. If you are impatient to see the return of taskbar labels and the option to never combine buttons, Shell Frosting is the tweaking tool you need.
Freespire closes the gap between Linux and Windows 10
If you've been using Windows for a while, you'll be very comfortable with how Microsoft's operating system looks and works. Although Windows 11 sports a centered taskbar, that OS isn't hugely different to its predecessor, Windows 10.
Familiarity with Windows makes it very difficult for users to switch to a non-Microsoft operating system, but Freespire's latest update aims to make users of Windows 10 or Windows 11 feel more at home using Linux.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-forty-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.
Windows 12 is still just a rumor, but that is not keeping users from creating Windows 12 wallpapers already. You can check out Wayne's article covering the latest batch of wallpapers here.
Microsoft has broken speech recognition and more with a Windows 11 update
Microsoft has acknowledged that a recent update for Windows 11 is causing "intermittent issues" with speech recognition for some users.
The company says that the problems come after installing the KB5022913 update or later for Windows 11 22H2. As well as affecting speech recognition, the update is also causing issues with expressive input and handwriting. Microsoft has provided details of a workaround, but there is no fix currently available.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 23451 with new looks for Windows Spotlight
Forget Windows 12, Nitrux is your next OS
Microsoft is slowly beginning to kill off Windows 10, stopping major feature updates for the operating system and hoping to persuade more users to move to Windows 11. While that’s the obvious upgrade path, some users will want to hang on for Windows 12, which is reported to be under development at the moment.
But if you’re happy to consider another option, then Nitrux might be the operating system for you.
Grab your free Windows 12 wallpapers here
While the release of Windows 12 may not be on the horizon anytime soon, this hasn't deterred designer Addy Visuals from showcasing his vision for Microsoft's future operating system.
For those who haven't seen it yet, you can check out his video in our previous post here. In addition, Addy has now made the wallpapers from his Windows 12 concept available for free download.
WingetUI update makes it even easier to use Windows Package Manage with a GUI
Linux users have long had access to package managers for downloading software; there are a huge number to choose from. Windows users have the option of using Microsoft's Winget (or Windows Package Manager as it is also known), but as this needs to be used via the Windows Terminal, PowerShell or the Command Prompt, it is not a tool for everyone.
And this is why WingetUI exists for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. It gives the text-based Winget a friendly, accessible user interface that makes it much, much easier to use. WingetUI 1.7.0 has just been released, improving on previous versions with a range of additions such as package skipping.
Microsoft is finished with big updates for Windows 10
Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will receive no more feature updates. This means that Windows 10 22H2 is the last version of the operating system.
The 22H2 feature update was made available back in October, and it will continue to receive security updates for some time. Microsoft is keen for people to move on, however, saying: "We highly encourage you to transition to Windows 11 now as there won't be any additional Windows 10 feature updates".
Experimental Windows 11 build comes with a new widget picker
Arriving just in time for the weekend, Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 build for Insiders in the Canary Channel.
From this flight, Microsoft has changed the name of the branch shown in the desktop watermark to ZN_RELEASE. The build also comes with new widget picker experience.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-forty 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 won't release any new feature updates for Windows 10 anymore going forward. The operating system reaches end of support in October 2025 and will receive security updates only up to that date.
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