Microsoft is giving more PowerToys a Windows 11 revamp


With Windows 11 comes a new look, a new visual language. It is central to the operating system and the way it feels, and software developers are preparing to embrace this new aesthetic in their products.
Not surprisingly, Microsoft has embarked on a mission to update the look of many of its products and services to match that of Windows 11, and one area in which this can be seen is in PowerToys. There have already been some changes introduced to the collection of utilities, and now the team behind the much-loved Windows enhancement suite has given a glimpse of further updates to comes.
Microsoft opens up about Windows 11 on Apple M1 chips


It can hardly have escaped your attention that Windows 11 is just around the corner. If you have been following the news about the latest version of Microsoft's operating system, you'll be only too aware of the confusion surrounding hardware requirements, the need for TPM 2.0 in particular.
But while PC owners have been busy checking to see whether their system makes the grade or if its time to invest in a new computer, many Mac users have been wondering about the possibility of running Windows 11 on Apple hardware. Now Microsoft has spoken out about Windows 11 on M1 chips, and the news is less than ideal.
Best Windows apps this week


Four-hundred-fifty-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 launched Microsoft Start this week to bring a personalized news feed to Android, iOS and the Web. The news feed powers the news part of Windows Widgets on Windows 11 and the News and Interests app on Windows 10 as well.
Microsoft explains how to enable TPM 2.0 for Windows 11


There is often criticism leveled at Microsoft, frequently unjustified. But when it comes to explaining the system requirements for Windows 11, the company did an appalling job and thoroughly deserves the condemnation and vitriol the poor communications caused -- particularly when it comes to the requirement for TPM 2.0.
Now, with just weeks until Windows 11 starts to roll out, Microsoft has decided it is time to be a little more helpful. In a support document, the company explains in approachable language what TPM 2.0 is. But more importantly, the document also reveals how to check whether your computer has TPM 2.0 and how to enable it.
Microsoft launches Windows 11 ad campaign with stunning video


With less a month to go until the rollout of Windows 11 gets underway, Microsoft has launched a new ad campaign to promote the operating system.
The publicity kicks off with a 60-second video ad that showcases how Windows 11 "brings you closer to what you love". Featuring Halo's Master Chief and music by Odessa featuring Tim Myers, the ad is a stunning preview of what's to come from the immersive experience Windows 11 offers.
Windows 11 Build 22454 brings a new, modern context menu to the Recycle Bin


Windows 11 Preview builds are like buses. You wait a while for one, and two arrive at once. Today the software giant releases two separate builds -- one for the Beta and Release Preview Channels, and another for those on the Dev Channel.
Dev Channel flights, like Build 22454, deliver new features and changes separate from the version of Windows 11 which is set to begin rolling out next month.
Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22000.184 for Beta and Release Preview Insiders


With Windows 11 set to start rolling out to compatible PCs from next month, Microsoft is hard at work identifying bugs and other problems with the new OS, as well as adding some further polish.
Windows 11 Build 22000.184 adds some improvements to the first version of the operating system, and it’s different from the new build released to Dev Insiders today.
Windows 11 will feel faster than Windows 10... Microsoft explains why


Windows 11 is just around the corner, and the question on everyone's lips (apart from, of course, "is my computer able to run it?") is "how fast is it compared to Windows 10?". There has been a lot of attention focused on the aesthetic side of Windows 11, but performance is what matters the most to a large proportion of users.
If you are a Windows Insider, you may have tried out the Dev or Beta builds to find out for yourself, but now Microsoft has shared a video that explains to everyone that Windows 11 is faster -- or at least feels it.
Microsoft gives a first look at Windows 11's Photos app


People who have signed up for the Windows Insider program are among the first to be able to get hands on with Windows 11, but the preview builds that have been released so far are not complete. Microsoft is still working away on the operating system ahead of next month's rollout, and CPO Panos Panay has given us a glimpse of the new Photos app that is coming.
In typically dramatic style, a "pumped" Panay describes the updated app as being "beautifully redesigned" -- and this is something you can judge for yourself thanks to the video he has shared.
StartIsBack can replace the Windows 11 Start menu and taskbar with classic versions


Windows 11 is here, and it brings a whole new look. While the new aesthetic is largely loved, change is always divisive and there are plenty of users who are less then enamored with the new Start menu and yearn for the way things used to be.
And this is precisely where StartIsBack can help you out. In a few steps, it gives you a way to customize and personalize not only the Start menu but also the taskbar in Windows 11. You can bring the look of Windows 10 or Windows 7 to Windows 11, including changing the appearance of Explorer.
Microsoft bolsters Windows 11 with Clipchamp video editor acquisition


Seriously, y'all, I can't believe how great Windows 11 already is -- and the operating system is still only in beta! The developers over at Microsoft are clearly firing on all cylinders, preparing to deliver the most cohesive user experience in years. Not only is Windows 11 beautiful and fast, but it improves my mood while I use it. No, I am not exaggerating -- I feel happier when using Windows 11.
Today, Microsoft announces it is acquiring Clipchamp, and it is clearly an attempt to bolster the upcoming Windows 11 operating system. If you aren't familiar, Clipchamp is a free web-based video editing app. Apparently, the Windows-maker seems keen on integrating its newly-acquired video editor into its Microsoft 365 subscription service. In other words, Clipchamp's days of being a free video editor may be numbered.
Microsoft Start is a personalized news feed for Windows 11, Android, iOS and the web


We live in a world where there’s so much information that keeping on top of it all can be nearly impossible. According to research commissioned by Microsoft, people "spend seven hours a day online, use six different feeds on a regular basis and check their feeds five times a day".
To help combat this, the software giant is introducing a personalized news feed called Microsoft Start, with news from premium publishers that’s tailored to your interests.
MINISFORUM EliteMini X500 is an AMD Ryzen 7 5700G-powered Windows 11-ready tiny PC


MINISFORUM is a computer manufacturer that has been gaining many fans lately. Its tiny PCs are looked upon favorably by many consumers that like the diminutive desktop form factor. Not only are its computers well-made and small, but often quite powerful too. These machines can be good servers, retro-gaming machines, office workstations, home theater PCs, and more.
Many MINISFORUM computers are powered by capable Intel processors, but understandably, AMD fans want to get in on the small desktop action too. I am happy to say MINISFORUM does cater to those that prefer AMD. In fact, the company has several AMD-powered options.
Microsoft crowbars ads into Windows 11 and breaks the Start menu and taskbar


Microsoft is hardly a stranger to making controversial decisions with Windows, and it has previously been accused of taking liberties by using the operating system to advertise its other products and services. Windows 11 may not even been officially released yet, but the company seems to have learned nothing and has started injecting ads into the latest version of its operating system.
The ads themselves -- for Microsoft Teams -- are something that will divide opinion, but that's not really the issue here. Advertisements in Windows will always prove to be divisive and controversial, but the problem this time is that the ads (cum promotional message, cum user advisory, cum tip... call it what you will) caused the taskbar and Start menu to become unresponsive. The issue hit both the Beta and Dev builds that was pushed out just a couple of days ago and raises serious questions about Microsoft ability to deliver a stable build of Windows 11 on time.
Best Windows apps this week


Four-hundred-fifty-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's Windows 11 operating system will be released on October 5, 2021 officially. Not all Windows 10 devices will receive the update via Windows Update immediately, as Microsoft plans to roll out the new version of Windows gradually until mid 2022.
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