You will need to download many of Windows 11's 'pre-installed' apps in order to use them
Here's an odd one: when Windows 11 launches in a couple of weeks, it will include a number of pre-installed apps... except they won't really be pre-installed. Eh?
This slightly strange state of affair comes as a result of Microsoft taking steps to reduce the size of Windows 11's footprint to help improve performance. What it means in practice is that in order to use apps such as Microsoft To-Do, you'll click the shortcut -- which is really just a placeholder -- and the app will then be downloaded for you.
Check if your PC is Windows 11-compatible with Microsoft's updated PC Health Check app
Windows 11 starts to roll out as a free upgrade in just two weeks and there is still great confusion about the system requirements for the operating system. Microsoft had released a compatibility testing tool called PC Health Check, but the launch of this utility was fraught with issues.
Having released, pulled, updated and made the app Insider-only, Microsoft has now released a new version of the PC Health Check app -- and this time everyone can download it, regardless of whether they are an Insider or not. This means that you can now find out -- hopefully once and for all -- whether your computer can run Windows 11 or not.
Ubuntu Linux 21.10 'Impish Indri' official wallpapers now available for download
The next new version of Ubuntu will be designated as 21.10. Why? Well, the versioning scheme of that Linux-based operating system uses a two digit year followed by a period and then a two digit month (yy.mm). With October being the 10th month, Ubuntu Linux 21.10 is merely weeks away.
Besides knowing the version number of the next Ubuntu release, we also know the code-name -- "Impish Indri." We shared that detail with you back in April of this year. And now, the official artwork of Ubuntu Linux 21.10 "Impish Indri" becomes available for download.
This Ubuntu Linux version of 'Windows 11' is available to install now
Microsoft is set to start rolling out Windows 11 next month, but it will only be offered to newer, compatible systems at first, so even if you have a PC that fits the bill, and supports TPM 2.0, it might be the middle of next year before you have the chance to upgrade. And, of course, if you want to install the new OS on an older PC, the TPM requirement means you simply won’t be able to.
Windowsfx is a Linux OS that borrows its look from various flavors of Microsoft’s operating system, including Windows 7 and Windows 10, and now it’s offering a version that looks just like Windows 11.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the Windows 11 device of your dreams
Tom Warren over at The Verge really hates Windows 11, proclaiming he won't be upgrading to Microsoft's upcoming operating system. Why? He has several reasons, such as his inability to easily locate the date and time when using multiple monitors. Oh well. It is his loss, as Windows 11 is really good. In fact, it is definitely the best version of Windows ever.
Despite Warren's apparent hatred of Windows 11, today, he shares some leaked information about the upcoming Surface Pro 8. Sadly, Microsoft's big announcement is due in just a few days, meaning The Verge and other leakers (such as the one it sources) have largely ruined the big reveal. Warren's actions are arguably a huge sign of disrespect towards Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay. Sigh. Thankfully, the leaked information signals a very exciting Surface tablet is on the way.
Run Windows 11 in VirtualBox? Nope!
The curse of Windows 11's system requirements has struck, and this time the victims are users of VirtualBox. Anyone hoping to run the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system in Oracle’s virtualization software is out of luck.
It comes after Microsoft tightened up the requirements for running Windows 11 in virtualized environment. The recent change in policy means that virtual machines are subject to the same hardware requirements as physical computers -- including the need for TPM 2.0.
Microsoft even requires TPM 2.0 for Windows 11 virtual machines
If you were hoping to get around Windows 11’s TPM 2.0 requirement by running the operating system in a virtual machine, you're out of luck. People attempting to update to Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22000.194 in a virtual machine will have noticed a message warning them that "this PC does not currently meet Windows 11 system requirements".
More specifically, the message goes on to explain that "the PC must support TPM 2.0". But, as have been the case on more than one occasion with Windows 11 system requirements, confusion abound thanks to Microsoft's mixed messaging.
PowerToys is now available to download from the Microsoft Store for Windows 11
Microsoft recently started the process of giving PowerToys a Windows 11 makeover ahead of the launch of the operating system next month.
Now the company has released the latest version of the essential collection of utilities to the Windows 11 Microsoft Store. This means that PowerToys is now likely to gain a much bigger following as until now it has only been available to download from GitHub.
Best Windows apps this week
Four-hundred-fifty-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 released a passwordless sign-in option for Microsoft account this week. The feature requires Microsoft's Authenticator app for account verification during sign-ins, but removes the password from any sign-in that supports it (including Windows).
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22000.194, plus new Snipping Tool, Clock with Focus Sessions, and Calculator apps
Yesterday, Microsoft rolled out a new Windows 11 build for Insiders on the Dev Channel that offered new Start menu sign-in options.
Today, the software giant releases a new build to Insiders in the Beta Channel. Updates here are more representative of the version of Windows 11 set to start rolling out to non-Insiders next month. This build comes with a large number of fixes, and you can now enjoy playing around with some of apps that will be included in the new OS too.
AMD releases Radeon and Ryzen drivers for Windows 11 with new overclocking options
As computer users prepare for the launch of Windows 11 next month, so are hardware manufacturers. We are starting to see growing numbers of Windows 11 drivers being released, and the latest company to do so is AMD.
The company has released Windows 11 drivers for Ryzen processors and Radeon graphics. In addition to Windows 11 support, the new software also brings a new auto overclocking feature for some graphics cards and processors.
Microsoft releases refreshed Tips app for Windows 11 packed with dozens of hints and tips
Regardless of whether you're upgrading to Windows 11 from an older version, or if the latest version of Microsoft's operating system is your first foray into the world of Windows, there is a lot to learn.
To help with this, Microsoft has a Tips app that is filled with Windows 11 tips to not only help you get started, but also to learn about the new features. There is now a new version of the app with over 100 new tips in addition to a revamped acrylic look, and the company also says that Windows 11 will show you tips as you use it.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22458 with new Start menu sign-in options
Microsoft is set to begin the roll out of Windows 11 next month, but it’s currently hard at work developing features that will be introduced into future iterations of the new OS.
Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel are currently testing builds from the company’s development branch (RS_PRERELEASE) and today the software giant releases Windows 11 Preview Build 22458.
Microsoft's Windows marketing campaigns through history are unintentionally hilarious
Every generation of Windows -- well, from Windows 95 onwards at least -- has had a catchy slogan, designed, in some way, to encapsulate what the software giant hoped the OS would bring to users.
With Windows 95, for example, it was "Start me up", because that was the first time Microsoft’s operating system came with a Start button and menu.
Mozilla deconstructs Microsoft protections to make it easier to change the default browser in Windows 10 and Windows 11
One of the complaints people have about Windows 11 is just how difficult Microsoft has made it to change the default web browser. The process is slightly easier in Windows 10, but it is still far from intuitive for the average user.
This is, of course, because Microsoft really does not want people to move away from Edge -- but, having free will and personal preferences -- changing the default web browser is precisely what many people want to do. Eager to offer people an alternative (specifically its own browser), Mozilla has successfully reverse engineered the system Microsoft had put in place, making it possible to switch to Firefox in just one click.
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