Even though Windows 10 is still getting the Copilot AI love, the fact remains that it will no longer receive updates as of its end-of-support date, October 14, 2025, as noted in Microsoft’s IT Pro Blog post. Still, to ensure companies — and potentially individual consumers later — have ample time to prepare for the eventual upgrade, Microsoft will soon offer an Extended Security Update (ESU) program for Windows 10.
Much like the similar program made for Windows 7, organizations can buy Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 — now locked at version 22H2 — by way of a yearly subscription, with the maximum extended life being three years, i.e. up to October 14, 2028. Note that the program only covers critical and important security updates, and that there will be no technical support beyond these patches.
An alternative solution to the above is to migrate the Windows 10 PCs to Windows 11 in the cloud, by way of Windows 365 subscription. That way, the actual Windows 10 system in these machines will benefit from the Extended Security Updates at no extra cost, but still only for three years maximum.
Of course, Microsoft would much rather you just upgrade to Windows 11 one way or another, but as pointed out by Ars Technica, this time the tech giant plans on extending the ESU program to individuals. This wasn’t the case with Windows 7’s ESU program, which goes to show that Microsoft is well aware of Windows 10’s dominance even today — as much as 68.02 percent, versus just 26.63 percent for Windows 11, according to Statcounter (as of November 2023). Stay tuned for further details and pricing later.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/windows-10-will-receive-its-final-security-update-in-october-2028-084902439.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Nvidia is reportedly planning on making Arm-based chips for Windows PCs. According to Reuters, the company has “quietly begun” taking on Intel by designing processors compatible with Microsoft’s operating system. The report says Nvidia could begin selling the chips as early as 2025.
The move is part of Microsoft’s broader goal of challenging Apple with Arm-based processors for Windows PCs. According to preliminary Q3 data from research firm IDC, the iPhone maker has nearly doubled its market share since launching the Arm-based Apple Silicon three years ago. The company’s in-house Mac chips balance performance (including on-chip AI tasks) and battery life to a degree that Intel’s processors have yet to match.
When reached via email by Engadget, Nvidia spokesperson Hector Marinez said the company declined to comment.
Nvidia has recent experience with Arm-based chips, but they’re designed for data centers. Nvidia announced plans to buy Arm Holdings in 2020 for $ 40 billion. However, the company pulled the plug on the deal in early 2022.
AMD is also reportedly preparing to launch Arm-based PC chips as early as 2025. The two companies will join Qualcomm, which has made Windows laptop processors since 2016. Reuters reports that Qualcomm’s exclusivity agreement with Microsoft for Arm-based Windows chip designs will expire in 2024, opening the door to new challengers soon after. Windows on Arm hasn’t exactly been a rousing success to date.
“Microsoft learned from the 90s that they don’t want to be dependent on Intel again, they don’t want to be dependent on a single vendor,” Jay Goldberg, chief executive of consulting firm D2D Advisory, told Reuters. “If Arm really took off in PC (chips), they were never going to let Qualcomm be the sole supplier.”
As Microsoft (along with much of the tech industry) bets its future on generative AI, the upcoming chips will unsurprisingly focus heavily on it. The company has reportedly urged chipmakers to bake advanced AI-powered capabilities into their silicon. Microsoft recently launched Windows Copilot, which provides an OpenAI-powered chatbot in a persistent sidebar to respond to contextual queries anywhere in Windows.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nvidia-is-reportedly-working-on-arm-based-processors-for-windows-pcs-211337968.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Choosing the right apps can be hard. Here are the best Windows apps, whether you need to stay productive at work or watch your shows.
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Microsoft is making it easier to view your photos in File Explorer. The latest Windows 11 developer preview rolling out today includes Gallery, a new feature that lets you view the Photos app’s image library while browsing files and folders.
The Gallery view, the shortcut to which is found in the File Explorer’s navigation panel, arrives in Windows Insider Build 23435. After selecting Gallery, the main file-browsing window will show thumbnails of the same images from the All Photos view of the Photos app. Microsoft says it’s optimized for accessing your most recent photos if you have OneDrive Camera Roll Backup activated on your phone; they’ll display right up top.
It should also make it easy to find content from specific folders. “You can choose which folders are shown in Gallery through the Collection dropdown,” Microsoft’s announcement reads. “You can also add subfolders of existing sources to filter to a subset of your content, such as desktop backgrounds and SD card/camera imports.” In addition, Gallery will appear as an option in the file-picking dialog, which should simplify attaching images to emails, PowerPoint presentations or social posts.
Microsoft says the feature is rolling out gradually and won’t be available to all Dev Channel Insiders immediately. Instead, the company will “monitor feedback and see how it lands before pushing it out to everyone.” Although it seems like a feature that will make its way to future stable releases, it’s still in beta and could (theoretically) end up on the cutting-room floor if the company receives negative feedback or changes course.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/windows-11-preview-brings-the-photo-apps-gallery-view-to-file-explorer-191318340.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Anyone using an Android smartphone knows how painful it is to transfer files and images from a handset to a Windows PC, often resorting to uploading the content to the cloud or even emailing it to oneself. While several smartphone brands have developed their own solutions, Google has just launched its new Nearby Share Beta […]
Come comment on this article: Google’s Nearby Share Beta for Windows makes it easier to transfer files between your phone and PC
Microsoft has released a pair of emergency updates to address the “aCropalypse” security flaw found within its native Windows 10 and 11 screenshot editing apps. As Bleeping Computer reports, the company began testing a fix for the vulnerability earlier this week shortly after it was discovered by retired software engineer Chris Blume.
On Friday evening, Microsoft began rolling out public updates for Windows 11’s Snipping Tool as well as Windows 10’s Snip & Sketch app. You can manually prompt Windows to patch the app you use by opening the Microsoft Store and clicking on “Library,” followed by “Get Updates.” Microsoft recommends all users install the updates.
The aCropalypse flaw was first discovered on Pixel devices, and subsequently addressed by Google in Android’s recent March security update. In the case of Windows 11’s Snipping Tool, it turned out the utility wasn’t properly overwriting cropped PNG data. The issue did not affect all PNG files, but the concern was that bad actors could exploit the vulnerability to partially recover edited images, particularly those that had been cropped to omit sensitive information. As with Google's March Android update, Microsoft's patches won't protect images that were previously created with its screenshot tools.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-releases-fix-for-windows-11-screenshot-privacy-bug-195412172.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Since its release in 2021, one of the most consistent criticisms of Windows 11 has been Microsoft’s handling of app defaults. Compared to Windows 10, the newer OS makes it more complicated for users to move away from the company’s first-party offerings. For example, if you don’t want Edge to open every time you click on a webpage or PDF, you’re forced to launch Windows 11’s Settings menu and change the default app by file and link type. It’s an unnecessarily long process that makes customizing Windows 11 convoluted.
Microsoft is finally addressing some of those criticisms. In a blog post published Friday (via Bleeping Computer), the company said it was “reaffirming our long-standing approach to put people in control of their Windows PC experience.” Microsoft announced a feature it said would ensure Windows 11 users are in control of changes to their app defaults. Later this year, the company will introduce a new deep link uniform resource identifier (URI) that will allow developers to send users to the correct section of the Settings menu when they want to change how Windows 11 responds to specific links and file types.
Microsoft says it will also give users more control over what apps get pinned to their desktop, start menu and taskbar with a new public API that will display a prompt asking you to grant programs permission before they show up on those interface elements. Both features will first roll out to PCs enrolled in the Windows Insider Dev Channel in the coming months before arriving in the public release of Windows 11. Notably, Microsoft says it will “lead by example” and release updates for Edge that will see the browser add support for those features as they become available.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-making-it-easier-to-set-default-apps-in-windows-11-202940444.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Windows has frequently made managing multiple audio devices a hassle. Over the years, Microsoft has tried to improve the experience in a few ways. In 2021, for example, the company simplified how Windows 10 categorized Bluetooth devices. In spite of those efforts, it often feels like the OS doesn’t make switching between audio outputs and managing sound levels as easy as they should be. For instance, I wish Windows 11’s Quick Setting panel would allow me to adjust audio levels on a per-app basis.
Thankfully, Microsoft is finally preparing to solve that minor annoyance for Windows users. This week, the company detailed the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview and it just so happens to include a redesigned Quick Settings volume mixer. The updated interface element not only allows you to switch between audio devices but you can also use it to enable spatial sound and adjust volume output on a per-app basis, two things you can’t do with the current design. What’s more, Microsoft has added a dedicated shortcut to make accessing the feature faster. Once you have access to the volume mixer, press the Windows, Ctrl and V keys on your keyboard at the same time to open it.
"With this change, you can now tailor your audio experience with more control and fewer clicks to better manage your favorite apps," Microsoft says of the redesigned interface. As Bleeping Computer points out, the new volume mixer is reminiscent of the popular EarTrumpet mod. There’s no word yet on when Microsoft plans to roll out the latest Windows Insider features to regular users, but here’s hoping this one doesn’t take long to make its way to the general public.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-testing-a-redesigned-windows-11-audio-mixer-224417187.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Earlier this week, Windows 10 mistakenly prompted some users to upgrade to Windows 11, despite the fact their computers did not meet the operating system’s minimum requirements. Twitter user PhantomOcean3 was among the first to notice the error after Windows 10 displayed a full-screen notification telling him he could install the software on a system that only had 2GB of RAM.
Windows 11 free upgrade being offered to unsupported Windows 10 devices/VMs?
Screenshots from a Windows 10 22H2 VM that does not meet the Windows 11 system requirements, big ones being TPM (none) and RAM (2 GB) pic.twitter.com/VNNswgMLiC
— PhantomOcean3💙💛 (@PhantomOfEarth) February 23, 2023
“Some hardware ineligible Windows 10 and Windows 11, version 21H2 devices were offered an inaccurate upgrade to Windows 11,” Microsoft states in a support document spotted by The Verge. “These ineligible devices did not meet the minimum requirements to run Windows 11. Devices that experienced this issue were not able to complete the upgrade installation process.” Microsoft adds it resolved the issue the same day it was detected.
As The Verge notes, this isn’t the first time Microsoft has erroneously prompted some Windows 10 users to upgrade to Windows 11. Last year, hundreds of Windows Insider beta testers were able to install the operating system, even though their machines didn’t meet the minimum requirements. The incidents highlight an ongoing frustration with Windows 11. Microsoft requires that a PC feature a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) before you can install its latest OS on your computer. Ever since Microsoft first revealed that requirement, there’s been confusion about what PCs can run Windows 11.
There’s big news afoot in the Android gaming world with the announcement that Google Play Games is coming to PCs, and is actually already rolling out in beta form in three countries. Google says that it aims to provide a seamless gaming experience whether you are gaming on a PC or mobile device. Google Play […]
Come comment on this article: Google Play Games for Windows is rolling out in beta – coming to the US “soon”
With the first preview of Android apps on Windows 11 already available in the US, Google has realized that it risks being left behind and so has announced, in typical Google fashion, that it will bring Android games to the platform in 2022. There’s no mention of Android apps, though, with the search giant only […]
Come comment on this article: Google Play Games is coming to Windows PCs in 2022
Microsoft is trying to nudge more people toward newer Windows versions. As Thurottreports, Microsoft has warned that the OneDrive desktop app will stop syncing with personal Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 computers on March 1st, 2022. The software will no longer receive updates from January 1st onward. You can still use the web to manually transfer files, but that's clearly a hassle if you routinely access cloud files from an older PC.
Business customers won't have much of a reprieve, either. Microsoft is tying corporate OneDrive support to the Windows cycle for relevant machines. Windows 7 and 8.1 workplace users will have until January 10th, 2023 (the end of extended support for both platforms), while Windows 8 users are already out of luck.
The company wasn't shy about its reasoning. This will help "focus resources" on newer Windows platforms and technologies, according to OneDrive developers. In other words, Microsoft really wants you to upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11.
This isn't a completely unexpected move. Microsoft has long had trouble persuading some customers to upgrade to newer versions of Windows, to the point where companies and governments would rather pay for special support contracts than update. That hurts Microsoft's bottom line, of course, but it also poses security risks — WannaCry took advantage of organizations running outdated Windows versions. The new OneDrive policy may push some users to install newer Windows versions even if they're otherwise happy with an old operating system.
Windows 7 was a very solid OS from Microsoft, and it’s one that’s still hanging on even after several new versions have replaced it and Microsoft has officially dropped support for it. I can’t say I blame people, though. I used to actually be able to play Fallout 3 on Windows 7, unlike Windows 10. […]
Come comment on this article: Not dead yet: Google Chrome supports Windows 7 for another year
Microsoft gave up on Windows Phone, but lately we’ve seen a hard pivot into turning Android as the mobile companion to Windows 10. Every couple months it seems like we get a new feature teased that makes your smartphone and computer sync up a little bit better. Windows 10 Android apps The latest tease comes […]
Come comment on this article: Microsoft might bring resizable Android apps to Windows 10 from your phone
Windows XP, aka the operating system that people and corporations just won’t let go of even though they really should, has more to contribute to the world than occasional malware outbreaks. While so far it hasn’t been as celebrated as, say, Windows 9…
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The Windows 10 20H2 update will arrive next month with a few new features, like a visually refreshed Start menu, improved notifications, preinstalled Chromium Edge browser and the ability to Alt+Tab through Edge tabs. It’s also bringing more of the f…
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Microsoft will soon start rolling out non—security updates again, just as the world starts loosening lockdown orders and we all get used to a new normal. The tech giant paused optional Windows updates back in March in response to the pandemic, so it…
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Hacking and tinkering with the software on Android phones is nothing new. In fact, it’s probably a big part of the reason why the platform is as popular as it is. But it’s always interesting to see that being taken to the next level. Which, in this case, is a Galaxy S8 running Microsoft’s Windows […]
Come comment on this article: Check out this Samsung Galaxy S8 running Windows 10
Windows Phone is long gone, and even Microsoft’s attempts to get back into the smartphone game just run Android. But if you still like the idea of Windows as a mobile operating system, well, you’re not alone. Emperion is a smaller company that’s apparently worked with Microsoft to put Windows 10’s ARM version on a […]
Come comment on this article: Would you be interested in a Windows 10 phone that could run Android apps?
When the Galaxy S20 launches next month, you’ll be able to quickly copy and paste text and data across your phone and Windows 10 computer. This is an expansion of the Microsoft Your Phone app, which has steadily turned into the best way to merge the functionality between your smartphone and PC. New features of […]
Come comment on this article: Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Z Flip get copy/paste functionality with Windows 10 via Microsoft’s Your Phone app
Software can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. URCDKey is an online retailer that offers discounts on activation codes and software keys, so you can get your computer upgraded without having to shell out a ton of money for things like Windows 10 and Microsoft. They’re currently running a summer sale on some […]
Come comment on this article: [Sponsored] Grab a cheap Windows 10 key with URCDKey’s summer sale
Very little sums up Devindra Hardawar's feelings about the Dell XPS 13 better than the first sentence of his review: It's "pretty much the best Windows ultraportable around, and you should buy it." That's a bold statement. However, the combination of…
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Software can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. URCDKey is an online retailer that offers discount on activation codes and software keys, so you can get your computer upgraded without having to shell out a ton of money for things like Windows 10 and Microsoft. They’re currently running a deal on Windows and […]
Come comment on this article: [Sponsored] Save big on Windows 10 and Microsoft Office keys from URCDKey’s big sale
If you go back a few years and checked out the most dominant operating system on the planet, it was Windows with absolutely no competition. Microsoft steamrolled literally everyone else in the PC space, including Apple. But then the smartphone happened, and Microsoft kinda sorta didn’t really live up to the name that they had […]
Come comment on this article: Android beat Windows Phone, and Bill Gates really regrets it
The suddenly-cozy relationship between Linux and Windows is taking another step forward, as Microsoft announced in a blog post that it's going to ship a full Linux kernel in Windows 10. It will arrive first with Insider preview builds by the end of J…
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Google has released the first beta version of Chrome 74, and it comes with support for Windows dark mode. You'll find that the browser will now automatically load its darker-colored theme if you've switched on "Dark" in the platform's settings. The m…
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Microsoft is testing some privacy and notification features in its latest Windows 10 Insider preview for Fast Ring users. A previous build added an icon to the notification area that tells you when your microphone is in use, and the newest update wil…
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The return of Windows 10's October update wasn't welcome news for everyone. Microsoft says it's "working with Apple" to solve an iCloud for Windows bug that creates problems updating or syncing shared photo albums when using the latest Windows relea…
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Microsoft has pledged to rescue those all-important personal files that its most recent Windows 10 update contrived to consume. The company was forced to halt the rollout of its October 2018 upgrades when users started complaining that their document…
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Microsoft held an annual October hardware event yesterday to reveal some updates to their product portfolio and share where the company is heading in different areas. One item that raised a few eyebrows is a new app mirroring feature that will make it possible for users to display and work with the apps on their […]
Come comment on this article: Your Android phone coming to a Windows 10 mirror soon
This week, Valve announced a new beta version of Steam Play that includes a Windows emulator for Linux. This project is part of Steam's effort to bring more compatible games to Linux, allowing those users to play a larger subset of the service's back…
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Valve's Steam Machine platform hasn't really taken off, and it's not just because of the hardware. When few developers are willing to release Linux-native versions of games to run on Steam OS, there just isn't a lot to play. Thankfully, the company…
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You might not have to splurge on a Pixelbook if you're pining after a Chromebook with Windows 10 support. XDA-Developers has learned through source code that Campfire, the feature that would let Chrome OS dual-boot Windows 10, would be available in…
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This may seem like an odd combination but Huawei has announced plans to make it possible to run Windows 10 on several of their Android-powered smartphones and mobile devices. The capability will be made available through a new Huawei Cloud PC service and only requires installation of an app on the device. The Huawei hardware […]
Come comment on this article: Huawei phones will be able to run cloud-based Windows 10
AI is becoming so common that it's almost boring. While we're seeing some surprising new projects using AI, including detecting movement through walls and predicting that Brazil will be the winner of this year's World Cup, other companies are using t…
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It's not just web browsers that are moving beyond passwords. Microsoft has revealed that Windows 10's next update will support the new FIDO 2.0 standard, promising password-free logins on any Windows 10 device managed by your company or office. You…
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Microsoft took some major cues from browsers to create Sets, which lets you group together Windows apps in tabs. Now, the tech giant is rolling out experimental features to testers that give Sets tabs evenmore browser-like behavior. If you're a Windo…
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This week, Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore confirmed the rumor that Windows 10 S would no longer be standalone software. Instead, users will be able to access the platform as a "mode" within existing full Windows 10 installations.
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Intel recently admitted that its latest patch for "Spectre" was essentially worse than the bug it was supposed to fix, as it was causing computers to spontaneously reboot. Now, Microsoft has taken action by issuing an out-of-band patch for Windows 7,…
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Microsoft's Windows Insiders program lets interested users test future versions of the operating system before they're released to the public. While owners of Windows 10 S, Microsoft's app-based light operating system, were able to try out experiment…
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The latest Insider preview build for Windows 10 is rolling out, and it's bringing that eye-tracking support Microsoft recently mentioned. Users with a compatible eye tracking device (which right now means certain hardware from Tobii) can control thei…
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Microsoft's Fall Creators Update for Windows 10 might have an ironically uncreative name, but the upgrade itself is flush with artistic potential and useful features. It will give users a timeline to manage complex work sessions, APIs that tie all of…
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You likely know that Microsoft packed a lot of improvements into the Windows 10 Creators Update, but there are still a few surprises left… particularly if you use Windows' built-in navigation app to get from A to B. Microsoft has detailed Creators'…
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If you can use the 64-bit version of Chrome you probably should, for memory management, graphics performance and security reasons, but some people might not be on it yet. As of Chrome version 58, Google says that Windows users with a 64-bit OS and ov…
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Today was a big day for Microsoft. Google, too. An education-focused event in New York City hosted by Microsoft didn’t just involve its own future. Because of the products announced, Google will play defense until ready to go on offense again. The Surface Laptop, following in the footsteps of the Surface predecessors, is a stunning […]
Come comment on this article: Microsoft’s Surface Laptop isn’t a Chromebook rival, but Windows 10 S threatens Google
The 314Reactor electronics project blog has a post detailing how a user created a wearable running the ancient Windows 98 operating system. The device is based on the Raspberry Pi Model A+ board and a 2.5-inch touch-capable screen.
The post Check out Windows 98 running on a smartwatch powered by the Raspberry Pi board appeared first on Digital Trends.
According to Windows Central, sources have confirmed that Minecraft: Pocket Edition will no longer receive updates on Windows Mobile devices. Microsoft purchased developer Mojang in 2014 for $ 2.5 billion.
The post ‘Minecraft,’ which Microsoft owns, will halt updates on Windows Mobile phones appeared first on Digital Trends.
Netflix has been pushing out 4K content to its apps on streaming boxes and Smart TVs for awhile, but the entertainment industry's anti-piracy crusade and some DRM limitations have meant PC users looking to stream ultra HD episodes of Bloodline have b…
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Windows 10 Mobile seems to be gaining some traction, and has jumped to a 14-percent market share within the overall Windows Phone market. But that still puts it far behind iOS and Android.
The post Windows 10 Mobile reaches 14-percent share of Windows Phone market appeared first on Digital Trends.