Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-ninety-six 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 is working on a new privacy feature that lists the recent access history of sensitive devices, such as the microphone or camera.
Microsoft releases KB5014668 update to fix game crashes and failed Windows 11 upgrades
It is the time of the month when Microsoft releases preview versions of the updates that will be released for Windows on the next Patch Tuesday. As such, the company has unleashed a non-security preview release (or "C" release) of the KB5014668 update for Windows 11.
The list of changes and fixes in this non-security update is pretty lengthy, but there are two major inclusions that are especially noteworthy. As well as addressing an issue that prevented some users from upgrading to Windows 11, there is also a fix for game crashes caused by the use of certain audio technology.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 25145 with new features and fixes
Sometimes new Windows 11 builds released to the Dev Channel introduce new features, and other times the focus is just on fixing problems. Today’s new Insider release, Build 25145, comes with both a selection of new features and also some important fixes.
In particular, this release comes with a fix for an annoying problem that caused Surface Pro X devices to hit a black screen when attempting to resume from hibernation.
Sun Valley 2's tabbed Explorer could help to speed up Windows 11
While there are many complaints about Windows 11, there are also many things to look forward to. There are, of course, plenty of things in development that we know nothing about, but there are also many that we are aware of -- including the arrival of a much-requested tabbed option in Explorer.
But in addition to making life easier for people who need to be able to access several folders at the same time, there could be a somewhat unexpected side effect to the upcoming change: it could boost the performance of Windows 11.
Microsoft issues emergency KB5016138 and KB5016139 patches for Windows 11 and Windows 10 to fix problems caused by Patch Tuesday updates
Microsoft has released two out-of-band updates, one for Windows 10 and one for Windows 11. The KB5016138 and KB5016139 updates address a problem caused by the June 2022 update released on the most recent Patch Tuesday.
The problem prevents some users from signing in with Azure Active Directory, with knock-on problems for various apps and services such as Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams and VPNs.
Microsoft is bringing an amazing new Privacy Auditing feature to Windows 11
Microsoft has long been accused of using Windows 11 -- and, for that matter, earlier versions of the operating system -- to spy on users by gathering telemetry. Accusations of invading privacy could also be levelled at many apps too, and Microsoft is introducing a new feature that places users in control.
Having apps secretly spying on users, or making use of cameras and microphones, is something that tends to be thought of in relation to mobile apps, but it can also be a problem on the desktop. With this in mind, Microsoft is testing a new Privacy Auditing feature that will make it possible to see which apps have been accessing such devices.
Microsoft acknowledges that a Windows 11 update is causing serious connection issues
June's Patch Tuesday update releases for Windows 11 have once gain proved to be problematic. Microsoft has acknowledged a new known issue with the operating system following the installation of the KB5014697 update.
The KB5014697 update was supposed to address a number of security flaws in Windows 11, but it also introduced connectivity issues for some users, Microsoft is currently investigating the problem which affects Windows 11's Wi-Fi hotspot feature.
Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-ninety-five 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 all supported versions of the Windows operating system this week. Check out Sofia's coverage of KB5014697 for Windows 11.
Microsoft Defender for individuals now available for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android
Microsoft has been working on a new security tool for a while now to help protect you and your family’s data and devices against online threats, such as malware and phishing attacks.
Three months ago it made a preview build of Microsoft Defender available for Windows Insiders to try out, and today it announces the tool's official availability for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 25140 with ISOs for a clean install
Wednesday isn't typically the most exciting day of the week, unless you happen to be a Windows Insider in the Dev Channel, as that’s when -- provided everything goes according to plan -- Microsoft rolls out a new Windows 11 build.
Today’s release, Build 25140, comes with another good set of fixes designed to improve the overall Windows 11 experience. There are also ISOs available for this flight, which can downloaded here, that can be used for a clean install.
Microsoft releases KB5014697 update for Windows 11 with Spotlight on the desktop, and dozens of bug and security fixes
Microsoft has released a series of new updates for Windows as part of this month's Patch Tuesday, including the KB5014697 update for Windows 11.
The KB5014697 update takes Windows 11 up to build 22000.739, and it includes numerous bug and security fixes. Additionally, it brings Windows spotlight on the desktop to anyone who has not yet received it through previous updates.
Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-ninety-four 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 a public preview of Windows Autopatch this week. The service aims to improve the updating of Windows machines with patches, drivers and firmware, and is available for Windows Enterprise E3 (and up) customers only.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 25136 with File Explorer tabs
Earlier today, Microsoft launched new updates for two Windows 11 apps -- Notepad and Media Centre -- for Insiders in the Dev Channel.
Following that, the company announces a new Windows 11 Insider build which, along with the usual raft of fixes, brings tabs to File Explorer and updates to the Widgets feature.
New updates for Notepad and Media Player arrive for Windows 11
Microsoft has been steadily updating its apps for Windows 11, and today the software giant announces major updates for both Notepad and Windows Media Player.
Both updated apps benefit from improved performance, but there’s more to the new releases than just that.
Windows 11 22H2 is complete and you can grab the upcoming feature update right now!
Microsoft is due to release a big update for Windows 11 later this year, known variously as the 22H2 update and Sun Valley 2. While an official release date is yet to be announced, we already know that the feature update is complete and was made available to developers some weeks ago.
We are expecting the official launch to come in the next few months, but you can grab it right now if you're keen to try out new options such as Start menu folders and regain drag-and-drop in the taskbar. The good news is that getting hold of this important build of Windows 11 is incredibly simple -- and there's no need to be a developer.
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