Microsoft

The latest optional update for Windows 11 is available now. It does not have any major changes, but concentrates more on some minor improvements that fix little niggles. For example, the File Explorer tool has several tweaks including no longer only showing file sizes in the Details view using KB, instead showing MB or GB where that's more appropriate. Other changes include the file thumbnails being crisper and a new option to middle-click on a three-button mouse to open a folder in a new tab. (Source: bleepingcomputer.com ) Search ...view more

Microsoft has extended free security updates for Windows 10 for another year. It's another somewhat predictable example of a chicken and egg situation. The big issue is that Windows 10 remains so widely used that ditching security fixes would risk significant and widespread damage from hackers. However, continuing to support it reduces the incentive for users to 'upgrade' to Windows 11. It's a similar situation to Windows XP, which wound up getting security free security fixes for two years longer than the standard support windows of 10 years. In that case the main hold-up was people not ...view more

Microsoft has updated Windows 11 to be less sluggish when opening apps or the Start Menu. The change is rolling out for all users but won't necessarily be switched on for everyone right away. The change is called Low Latency Profile and involves the CPU, the main processor on a computer. Normally CPUs are set to run a little slower than their maximum possible speed. Running at the full speed permanently could theoretically cause overheating problems or shorten its lifespan. In many systems the PC will automatically reboot or crash before this happens. Eliminating Interface Lag Low Latency ...view more

Microsoft is pushing a major shift in how people use computers: instead of opening separate apps, clicking through menus, and manually moving information from one program to another, users may soon rely on AI agents to do more of that work for them. The announcements came during Microsoft Build 2026, the company's annual developer conference, often promoted under the #MSBuild hashtag. The company is not just adding another chatbot to Windows or Microsoft 365; it is trying to create a new computing model where AI agents can understand a task, use tools, coordinate information, and complete ...view more

Microsoft has announced a series of responses to widespread complaints about Windows 11. It's going to cut back on unnecessary AI features and attempt to make the update process much smoother. The changes were announced by Pavan Davuluri of the Windows Insider Program team. He was responding to a combination of focus group feedback and other user feedback, which he described as "the voice of people who care deeply about Windows and want it to be better." (Source: windows.com ) That may be a polite way of putting things as public feedback, or at least the most notable online expressions of it ...view more

Notepad on Windows 11 should soon have the ability to insert and view images. It's the latest change in a trend of evolving Notepad from a basic text editor into a more feature-rich tool. The new functionality is being tested in internal builds, while some members of the Windows Insider program have spotted an image button in the Notepad toolbar, though it's not yet functional. (Source: windowslatest.com ) A More Capable Editor This update is the latest in a series of enhancements for Notepad, which has recently gained features like tabs, improved markdown formatting, and even AI-powered ...view more

Microsoft has reportedly discontinued its telephone activation service for Windows. This change effectively eliminates the last official method for users to activate their operating system without an active Internet connection. For many years, phone activation served as a crucial alternative for users in areas with limited connectivity or for those installing Windows on machines that were not yet connected to a network. It was also a solution for people who either wanted or were required to run a computer without an Internet connection for security reasons (known as an "air gap" approach.) ...view more

Microsoft has removed a key feature for some Windows 10 users by disabling their ability to pause system updates. It could mean some computers may even try to update to Windows 11 without the user's intentional consent. The change primarily affects those not enrolled in the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program and coincides with the OS's end-of-support date. A Loss of User Control Affected users on Windows 10 Home and Pro, version 22H2, now find the "Pause updates" button in their settings greyed out and unusable. This affects machines that have passed their official end-of-service date, ...view more

Microsoft has confirmed that a recent Windows security update is triggering some computers to demand a BitLocker recovery key upon startup. This issue primarily affects users on Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, as well as Windows 10 version 22H2, who have installed updates released on or after October 14, 2025. Upon restarting their devices, affected users are confronted with a prompt asking for their BitLocker recovery key. BitLocker is a security measure that encrypts a hard drive to make it more secure if somebody steals a computer or gets unauthorized physical access. Microsoft says ...view more

Microsoft has confirmed it has fixed a long-standing and frustrating bug within its Windows operating system that caused computers to restart when users selected the "Update and shut down" option. This correction addresses an issue that has affected users of both Windows 10 and Windows 11 for years. Battery Problems For many years, users intending to power down their machines for the day would select "Update and shut down," only to discover later that the computer had actually rebooted to the login screen. This bug was particularly problematic for laptop owners, who would often find their ...view more