Windows articles

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Software Download of the Week

WinToUSB lets you install and run Windows on an external hard drive or USB flash drive

WinToUSB is a lightweight, user-friendly tool that enables you to create and run bootable Windows installations on USB drives or external hard drives. It provides a convenient solution for portable Windows systems or emergency recovery tools.

By Ivan Franco, January 30, 2025, 12:28 PM

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Software Microsoft

Microsoft improves Windows 11's iPhone integration, still nowhere near macOS mirroring

Microsoft's Phone Link now treats Android and iOS devices equally

By Daniel Sims, January 29, 2025, 9:07 PM

microsoft windows

Software Microsoft

Windows users report widespread device issues following January 2025 updates

Problems affect USB connections, DAC drivers, Bluetooth, and more

By Daniel Sims, January 29, 2025, 4:30 AM 16 comments

windows old school

Trivia Software

During its earliest days in development, Windows 1.0 was known by what name?

The graphical user interface for MS-DOS circa 1985

By TechSpot Trivia, January 28, 2025, 11:08 AM

windows server update services microsoft

Microsoft Software

Microsoft issues reminder that Windows Server Update Services will soon stop providing driver downloads

Cloud-based updates and servicing tools are the new way to go

By Alfonso Maruccia, January 27, 2025, 12:09 PM 7 comments

wine wayland linux operating system

Download of the Week Software

Wine 10.0 arrives with a performance and compatibility boost

Wine 10.0, the latest release of the compatibility layer for running Windows applications on Linux, brings improved 64-bit x86 emulation, full ARM64EC support, and revamped high-DPI scaling, as well as an initial revision of a Bluetooth driver.

By Ivan Franco, January 22, 2025, 10:25 AM

microsoft windows search ai windows 11 copilot

Software Microsoft

Microsoft promises smarter, faster search with AI in Windows 11, but don't hold your breath

One of Windows least beloved features is getting the Copilot+ PC treatment

Something to look forward to: Microsoft introduced a proper search feature in its PC operating systems with Windows Vista. Despite undergoing several iterations over the years, Windows search functionality still lacks the basic ability to provide consistent, reliable results when searching for files, applications, or settings. Is this finally going to change?

Full story By Alfonso Maruccia, January 22, 2025, 8:28 AM 19 comments

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Trivia Software

What's the keyboard shortcut to directly open the Windows Task Manager?

If you don't know it, it's about time you learn it... plus a few more

By TechSpot Trivia, January 21, 2025, 2:42 PM

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Security Microsoft

Microsoft finally patches serious UEFI Secure Boot flaw after seven-month delay

Vulnerability could have allowed hackers to run malware during the boot process

By Zo Ahmed, January 19, 2025, 10:52 AM 21 comments

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Security Software

FBI triggers self-destruction of China-backed malware infecting US computers

Command-and-control servers can also be useful to law enforcement agencies

By Alfonso Maruccia, January 17, 2025, 6:58 AM

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Microsoft Paint AI eraser is now available for all Windows 11 users, not just Copilot PCs

We tested the feature on a Raptor Lake CPU running on Windows 11 23H2

By Daniel Sims, January 15, 2025, 7:43 AM 10 comments

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Tech Deals Microsoft

Unbeatable deal is back: Get a Windows 11 Pro license for just $20

Limited time offer

By TechSpot Deals, January 13, 2025, 5:45 PM

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Software Gaming

Microsoft to merge Xbox and Windows features for better gaming on handhelds

Will Windows handhelds get a much-needed boost?

TL;DR: Microsoft is looking to bring the Xbox experience to PC and handheld gaming. Speaking at an AMD and Lenovo event at CES 2025, Microsoft's VP of "Next Generation," Jason Ronald, said that the combined Xbox and Windows experience could be rolled out before the end of this year. But isn't this just a reactionary move to SteamOS coming after PC gaming?

Full story By Kishalaya Kundu, January 8, 2025, 9:44 AM

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Microsoft Software

Microsoft declares 2025 "the year of the Windows 11 refresh" in latest bid to leave Windows 10 behind

Microsoft says a Windows 10 PC refresh is more important than a new fridge, TV, or phone

By Rob Thubron, January 7, 2025, 10:29 AM 34 comments

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Software Microsoft

End of Windows 10 support this year threatens over 60% of active Windows PCs

More than 3 years after launch, Windows 11 remains a minority

By Daniel Sims, January 6, 2025, 5:29 PM 90 comments

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Software Microsoft

As Windows 10 end of support looms, Windows 11 upgrade pop-up is crashing PCs for some

Microsoft shows us how to make something even worse

By Rob Thubron, January 6, 2025, 11:13 AM 8 comments

microsoft windows ui wallpaper windows 11 with video

Software Microsoft

Microsoft designer shares Windows 11 "dynamic wallpaper" designs that never were

Why Microsoft, why?!

By Zo Ahmed, January 3, 2025, 2:16 PM 12 comments

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Software Microsoft

Developer sets Windows 11 record by running it on just 184MB of RAM

The magic of Tiny11

By Zo Ahmed, January 3, 2025, 12:31 PM 12 comments

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Security Microsoft

Old BitLocker vulnerability exploited to bypass encryption on updated Windows 11

Secure Boot? TPM? Full-disk encryption? All useless against resourceful hackers

By Alfonso Maruccia, January 2, 2025, 9:16 AM 20 comments

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Tech Deals Gaming

Xbox and PC Game Pass Ultimate for $12/month, grab it before it's gone

Access hundreds of high-quality games for PC and Xbox at a fraction of the cost

By TechSpot Deals, December 22, 2024, 10:50 AM

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Security Microsoft

Micropatching service releases fix for a zero-day vulnerability affecting three Windows generations (Update)

Users can compromise their access credentials just looking at a malicious file in Explorer

By Alfonso Maruccia, December 11, 2024, 11:00 AM

microsoft copilot windows

Microsoft Software

Microsoft is rolling out a website wrapper as a "native" Copilot app for Windows

Available for Windows 10 and Windows 11 Insiders

By Kishalaya Kundu, December 11, 2024, 7:46 AM

microsoft windows system requirements tpm windows 11

Software Microsoft

Microsoft now allows Windows 11 installations on unsupported hardware, devices

But with several caveats

What just happened? It's not even been a week since Microsoft reiterated that needing a TPM 2.0 chip to officially use Windows 11 was "non-negotiable." But in a surprising reversal, the Redmond giant has posted a page on installing the latest OS on devices that don't meet its minimum system requirements, though there are caveats.

Full story By Rob Thubron, December 10, 2024, 6:23 AM 44 comments

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Intel and AMD PCs are finally getting Copilot+ features, including Recall

AI image generation comes to Paint and Photos

By Daniel Sims, December 7, 2024, 10:27 AM 7 comments

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Software Microsoft

Microsoft Store expands to update all Win32 apps, but users remain skeptical

Third-party developers are now allowed to manage their own updates

By Alfonso Maruccia, December 6, 2024, 10:38 AM