Microsoft confirms signing Netfilter rootkit malware

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Were you wondering what Microsoft has been up to these days, except preparing Windows 11 for the big release, later this year?

Well, this time the Redmond company really got careless, as they signed a malicious driver, that has been distributed within gaming environments.

These are not rumors anymore, as Microsoft already admitted to this monumental fiasco.

The Netfilter driver is Microsoft’s rootkit

The driver we are talking about, called Netfilter, is actually a rootkit that was monitored while communicating with Chinese command-and-control (C2) IPs.

Analysts from the security firm G Data first noticed this event last week and already started tracing and analyzing the malicious drivers that had Microsoft’s seal on them.

Needless to say that the incident in cause has once again exposed the threats to software supply-chain security, only this time it started from a weakness in Microsoft’s code-signing process.

G Data researchers spent quite some time thoroughly analyzing the driver and have concluded it to be malware. As specified in the blog post, the discoveries they made shook them to their very core.

Worth knowing is that the C2 IP 110.42.4.180 that the malicious Netfilter driver connects to, belonged to Ningbo Zhuo Zhi Innovation Network Technology Co., Ltd.

Microsoft admitted to being guilty in this sensitive matter

According to the tech giant, the threat has been mainly targeting the gaming sector in China with these malicious drivers, but there are no signs of enterprise environments having been affected so far.

Microsoft has also refrained from attributing this incident to a specific nation just yet.

We have suspended the account and reviewed their submissions for additional signs of malware.

If you didn’t already know, falsely signed binaries can be continuously abused by sophisticated third parties in order to facilitate large scale software supply chain attacks.

The worst thing for Microsoft is that this incident has exposed weaknesses in a legitimate code-signing process, exploited by malicious third parties in order to acquire Microsoft-signed code without compromising any certificates.

We will keep an eye out for any developments in this story and keep you updated.

Microsoft releases new Office Insider build with ARM support and Windows 11 visual refresh

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

As Microsoft has just released the first Windows 11 Insider build today, the Office team has followed up with a new Office Insider Preview Build which introduces a refreshed UI, rounded corners, and an improved experience for dark and light modes. This update is now live for all Beta Channel users running v2107 Build 14228.20000 or newer on Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.

“This Office visual refresh is based on feedback from customers who asked for a more natural and consistent experience within and between your applications, specifically on Windows. With this update, we deliver an intuitive, coherent, and familiar user interface, using the Fluent Design principles, across all your applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, Project, Publisher, and Visio. We aligned this visual refresh with the design of Windows 11 to provide seamless experiences on your PC,” the Office Insider team explained.

Zoomed view of new theme in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

The latest update delivers a natural and consistent experience across all Office apps on Windows. It makes it easier for users to collaborate with their colleagues while working on Excel and PowerPoint on Windows 11. In addition, the Microsoft Office app will now match the default Windows theme on Windows PCs, making it easier for users to see these visual changes in their favorite Office theme.

Microsoft noted that Office Insiders will be able to turn off this update by disabling the Coming Soon toggle button available at the top right corner of the menu. This feature is currently only available in Outlook, and it is not yet supported in Access, Project, Publisher, or Visio.

Task Manager with Details tab active

Finally, Microsoft noted that Windows Insiders will now be able to download the 64-bit version of Office for Windows on ARM. “This new version of Office is designed specifically for the next version of Windows on ARM. It has been recompiled for the ARM architecture to run fast, bring greater memory availability, offer better support large documents, and maintain compatibility with existing 64-bit add-ins using the new x64 emulation capability provided by Windows,” the Office Insider team said today. If you’re interested, we invite you to check out this blog post for more details.

Microsoft announces ARM64EC – a new way to build apps on Windows 11 on ARM

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

If you’re a fan of Windows 11, it’s a big day. Microsoft has released the first build of Windows 11, clarified while (mostly) sticking to its stance on blocking pre 8th gen CPUs, and has also announced a new “Emulation Compatible” binary interface for Windows 11 on ARM, called ARM64EC. The new interface allows developers to transition their apps to run with native speed on ARM, even if they “dependencies or plugins that don’t support ARM yet.”

The ARM64EC can “freely mix and match” between ARM64EC emulation layer and native ARM 64 by runnining ARM64EC in (parts of) an app, while any ARM 64 native code will run using Windows 11 on ARM’s built in emulation.

Microsoft describes the benefits to developers in a blog post:

Traditionally, rebuilding an app for ARM has meant recompiling the entire app. The result is a great native experience for the customer that unlocks the full power of the ARM device. However, from a developer perspective, porting an app can be all-or-nothing, since all the binaries within a process need to be rebuilt before a customer can see the benefit.

With ARM64EC, you can choose to start small and build incrementally. You can identify a part of your codebase that would benefit most from native performance and rebuild it as ARM64EC. The rest of the app will remain fully functional as emulated x64, but the recompiled ARM64EC parts will now have native speed.  Over time, you can recompile more of the app as ARM64EC to further improve performance and conserve battery life for your app’s customers.

Developers can get started by downloading the latest Windows Insider SDK and the Visual Studio Preview. You can learn more on the blog post.

What edition of Windows 11 will you be upgraded to?

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

A question that was bound to come up at some point, rather sooner than later, has now been on the minds of every Windows user in the world.

Seeing how Windows 11 is supposed to be a free upgrade, for the users that run the licensed Windows 10 product versions from Microsoft, when the transition happens, will we all be upgraded to versions we have now, such as Pro, Education, or Home?

Will Windows 11 upgrades be version based?

Social media has been absolutely buzzing with lots of users asking the same question. And although the answers aren’t all the same, or very convincing, common sense triumphs in such a discussion.

For example, its not very probable that Microsoft will upgrade a user’s Windows 10 Home to a Windows 11 Pro version. Most likely the company will stick to the version that each user has installed.

How will the Windows 11 free upgrade affect activation keys?
byu/buff-equations inWindows11

Or it could be that Microsoft would want to test the waters with a more general version of Windows 11, which will represent the upgrade for everyone, regardless of current installed versions.

We’ll just have to wait and see what the future has in store for us but, for the moment, the most plausible outcome is that the Redmond company will upgrade the OS’s depending on their versions.

When will Windows 11 be officially released?

There isn’t an official release date yet, but everyone is expecting the upgrades to Windows 11 to begin rolling out to the public late in 2021 and continue into 2022.

In the meantime, we can all make sure our devices are ready for the new OS, as Microsoft already made some pretty specific system requirements public.

Also make sure to think ahead and get your hands on one of the highly coveted TPM 2.0 security chips, if your devices doesn’t already have one.

As you can remember, the price for these chips is already skyrocketing to ridiculous sums, so make sure you have your own when Windows 11 comes out.

We still have almost half a year to prepare for the new Windows experience, and also enough time to become Windows Insiders and give Windows 11 a thorough check up, before the time comes.

The first preview versions for Insiders are coming really soon, according to Microsoft.

What version of Windows 10 are you currently running? Let us know in the comments section below.

Microsoft further confirms Windows 11 block for pre 8th gen/AMD Zen 2/Qualcomm 7 CPUs (Updated)

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

Microsoft just released the first build of Windows 11 for Insiders, but a Windows 11 block on pre 8th gen Intel chips has been getting a lot of attention over the weekend. Microsoft today has confirmed and clarified a somewhat controversial stance that CPUs less than 8th generation (Intel) will not meet the requirements for a Windows 11 installation once it’s released this fall. During the Windows Insider testing period, Microsoft had already announced that Insiders will be exempt from the block, but only for the life of the beta. Some changes to the stance may be forthcoming, as the blog post details:

Using the principles above, we are confident that devices running on Intel 8th generation processors and AMD Zen 2 as well as Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series will meet our principles around security and reliability and minimum system requirements for Windows 11. We also know that devices running on Intel 6th generation and AMD pre-Zen will not. As we release to Windows Insiders and partner with our OEMs, we will test to identify devices running on Intel 7th generation and AMD Zen 1 that may meet our principles. We’re committed to sharing updates with you on the results of our testing over time, as well as sharing additional technical blogs.

UPDATE: Although the blog post has only been up for less than an hour, Microsoft has already backtracked. In the initial post, as you can see above, Microsoft said “We also know that devices running on Intel 6th generation and AMD pre-Zen will not.” However, as noted by Brad Sams, that line has now been removed. What this means for the future of 6th generation chips, remains, as always, unclear.

In addition, Microsoft released a PC Health Check app to check on whether your PC would meet requirements to install Windows 11, but because “it was not fully prepared to share the level of detail or accuracy you expected from us on why a Windows 10 PC doesn’t meet upgrade requirements,” the app is being temporarily pulled.

While there was lots of consternation on Twitter this weekend over the exclusion of pre 8th gen CPUs, at least they’ve outlined the principles for make what has seemed to be an arbitrary line in the sand:

  1. Windows 11 raises the bar for security by requiring hardware that can enable protections like Windows Hello, Device Encryption, virtualization-based security (VBS), hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) and Secure Boot. The combination of these features has been shown to reduce malware by 60% on tested devices. Windows 11 does this all supported CPUs having an embedded TPM, supporting secure boot, and supporting VBS and specific VBS capabilities.
  2. Devices upgraded to Windows 11 will be in a supported and reliable state. By choosing CPUs that have adopted the new Windows Driver model and are supported by our OEM and silicon partners who are achieving a 99.8% crash free experience.
  3. Compatibility. Windows 11 is designed to be compatible with the apps you use. It has the fundamentals of >1GHz, 2-core processors, 4GB memory, and 64GB of storage, aligning with our minimum system requirements for Office and Microsoft Teams.

So bottom line is, for PCs running 6th gen/ pre Zen CPUs, you’re going to be out of luck (maybe, see update above). For 7th gen devices (like the Surface Studio 2), there’s hope, at least.

 

Microsoft details big performance improvements coming first to Teams for Consumers in the move away from Electron

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Last week, Microsoft announced that it’s making some major under the hood performance improvements to the existing architecture of Teams to improve its performance on all platforms. The company today detailed the performance enhancements coming with its new Teams for Consumers architecture.

As noted by Maor David-Pur, Customer Success Leader at Microsoft on LinkedIn, the Redmond giant is currently working on Microsoft Teams 2.0, and it will soon update the current desktop application from Electron to Edge Webview2. This change will help to reduce the memory consumption of the app significantly, and it will utilize half the memory when compared to v1.0 of Teams.

Currently, the desktop version of Microsoft Teams for both Windows and Mac is built on the Electron platform. As you probably know, users have been complaining about the high memory usage of Teams since its launch, and these issues primarily affect the low-end devices, especially when multiple apps are running simultaneously. While Microsoft Teams 2.0 is still going to be a “Hybrid app,” however, going forward it will be powered by Microsoft Edge that should help to optimize the resource usage of the desktop app.

“Whether you’re running the Teams desktop app or the Teams web app, Chromium detects how much system memory is available and utilizes enough of that memory to optimize the rendering experience. When other apps or services require system memory, Chromium gives up memory to those processes,” David-Pur explained on LinkedIn. “Chromium tunes Teams memory usage on an ongoing basis in order to optimize Teams performance without impacting anything else currently running. In this way, similar Chromium workloads can utilize varying amounts of memory, depending on the amount of system memory that is available.”

This means that Teams 2.0 will now run better on thousands of low-end devices, and it will support much-awaited features like multiple accounts and more. However, this change will only benefit the existing consumer experience in Teams and the new integrated chat app in Windows 11. The firm plans to bring these performance improvements for Office 365 accounts in the future. “The journey is starting with Windows 11 + consumer accounts, and will continue from there,” Rish Tandon wrote on Twitter.

League of Legends: There was a problem setting your skin

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

League of Legends is probably one of the most popular video games. However, some users reported encountering the There was a problem setting your skin error message.

Apparently, this issue occurs on both rewarded and gifted skins. We understand how irritating this can be, so we are here to remind you that it’s time to take action.

This article will put in the light some of the best options you should consider when it comes to fixing this annoying inconvenience for good

How can I get rid of the League of Legends skin setting error?

1. Check if you own the champion

  1. Go to Collection, then select Champions.
  2. Look on the left side and select the Ownership category.
  3. Search for the champion related to your skin, or type its name in the Search box.

In order to be able to set your skin, you must own the related champion. To check it, you just have to follow the procedure described above.

2. Log out and log back in

  1. Log out from your account.
  2. Now log back into your account.
  3. Ask your friend to repeat the same steps.
  4. It usually takes a while for the game to recognize that you own the skin, so you might also wait a bit.

This option would be useful if there is an in-game bug that messes up the process. Thus, refreshing both of your accounts might help with your stuck skin.

3. Uninstall and reinstall the game

Uninstall League of Legends

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps.
  3. Select Apps & Features from the left side.
  4. On the right side, scroll down to the Search this list bar, then type the game’s name.
  5. Locate and select your game, then click on Uninstall.

Reinstall the game

  1. Open the RIOT support website.
  2. Click on the Download for Windows button.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the game.

4. Submit a ticket to the support team

  1. Go to the League of Legends support website.
  2. Log in with your LoL credentials.
  3. Scroll down, then click on the Submit a ticket red button.
  4. In the search box, select Events, Promotions, Eternals & Your Shop, complete the indicated bars, then click on the Submit button.
Note icon NOTE
Do not hesitate to attach screenshots of your issue.

If you encounter the League of Legends There was a problem setting your skin error, rest assured that the above options will help.

For the times when LoL is acting weird, feel free to check a full guide about how to fix League of Legends crashes on Windows 10.

Also, for any other additional questions, keep in mind that you can simply leave a comment in the section below. We’d be glad to hear from you.

Fix: Cannot Remove Keyboard Language in Windows 10/11

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Some users can’t remove keyboard language layouts via Windows 10 Settings in the usual way. Keyboard languages might reappear in Settings for some users after they’ve seemingly removed them.

Other users see languages in the system tray bar not listed within Settings. In one case or another, things shouldn’t remain like that for too long.

Let us show you how to get rid of this issue in no time. Our below keyboard troubleshooting tips are waiting for you.

What to do if you can’t remove keyboard layout languages?

1. Rearrange the listed languages

  1. Click the magnifying glass search button on Windows 10’s taskbar.
  2. Type the keyword keyboard language within the search text box.
  3. Select Edit language and keyboard options to open the window shown directly below.
    The Language tab Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  4. Then select the listed keyboard language layout you want to remove.
  5. Click the down arrow button to move the selected keyboard language to the bottom of the list.
  6. Now the Remove option for the keyboard language you need to delete might no longer be grayed out. Press the Remove button for keyboard language if you can now do so.

The keyboard language at the top of the list always has a grayed-out Remove button. So, sometimes users need to rearrange the keyboard language list to remove a specific pack. This also helps when removing a display language in Windows 11.

If only one keyboard language is listed, you’ll need to install an alternative one before you can remove it.

2. Change the current system locale setting

  1. Open run right-clicking the Start taskbar button and selecting that accessory on the menu.
  2. Type this text into Run: Control Panel.
  3. Click OK to open the Control Panel’s window.
  4. Select the Category option on the Control Panel’s View by drop-down menu.
  5. Then click Clock and Region within the Control Panel.
    Clock and Region Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  6. Click Region to open the window in the snapshot directly below.
    Region window Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  7. Select the Administrative tab.
  8. Press the Change system locale button to open a Region Settings window.
    Region Settings window Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  9. If the keyboard language you want to remove is selected on the Current system locale drop-down menu, choose a different one there.
  10. Select the Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for Worldwide Language Support checkbox.
  11. Press the OK button on the Region Settings window.
  12. Click Apply on the Region window to save the newly selected options.
  13. Thereafter, restart your PC.

3. Remove the keyboard language with PowerShell

  1. Open Windows 10’s Type here to search tool.
  2. Input Windows PowerShell as the search keyword.
  3. Click PowerShell to open its window.
  4. First, input this command and hit Enter: Get-WinUserLanguageList
    The Get-WinUser command Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  5. Note down the language tag for the keyboard language layout you wish to remove.
  6. Next, input the following four separate commands into PowerShell (press Enter after each):
    $LangList = Get-WinUserLanguageList
    $MarkedLang = $LangList | where LanguageTag -eq <languagecode>
    $LangList.Remove($MarkedLang)
    Set-WinUserLanguageList $LangList -Force
  7. Restart your PC after entering the above commands.

You’ll need to replace <languagecode> in the second command with the actual language tag you noted down in the fifth step. If your language tag was en-GB, the command would like this:
$MarkedLang = $LangList | where LanguageTag -eq en-GB

4. Delete the keyboard language layout’s registry key

  1. Click the magnifying glass button for the search tool on the taskbar.
  2. Type Registry Editor within the search box.
  3. Select the Run as administrator option for Registry Editor within the search utility.
  4. Next, open this key within the Registry Editor window: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layouts\
    Keyboard layouts key Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  5. Open the Microsoft keyboard identifiers webpage in a browser.
  6. Find the keyboard identifier hexadecimal code for the keyboard language you want to remove on the identifier page.
  7. Then select a keyboard language layout key with a matching hexadecimal code within the Registry Editor. The Layout Text string for the selected key also tells you the language it’s for.
    Layout text string Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  8. Right-click the keyboard language key and select Delete.
  9. Close the Registry Editor, and then restart your laptop or desktop.
Note icon NOTE
We recommend users back up their PCs’ registries, or create System Restore points, before deleting any registry keys or strings.

5. Edit the Preload registry key

  1. Open the Registry Editor as outlined within the first three steps of the previous resolution.
  2. Then open the Preload key at this registry path: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Keyboard Layout\Preload
    The Preload key Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  3. Next, you’ll need to open Microsoft’s keyboard identifier webpage; and find the hexadecimal code for the keyboard language you want to remove there.
  4. Right-click the Preload string with a hexadecimal code that matches the one for the keyboard language you want to remove to open its context menu.
  5. Select the Delete option to erase the string.
  6. Right-click the Keyboard Layout key and select Permissions to open the window shown directly below.
  7. Click the Advanced button.
  8. Press the Disable inheritance button on the window shown directly below.
    The Advanced Security window Cannot remove keyboard language Windows 10
  9. Select the Remove all inherited permissions option to confirm.
  10. Click the Apply and OK options to return to the Permissions for Keyboard Layout window.
  11. Then select System within the window.
  12. Uncheck the Allow checkbox for Full Control to deselect it.
  13. Click Apply to save the new setting.
  14. Restart Windows 10 after editing the Preload key.

You’ll need admin user rights to edit the Preload key as outlined above. Also, note that you might be unable to add new keyboard layouts until you restore complete control of the System account.

Those are some of the resolutions users have confirmed to work. So, try them whenever you can’t remove a keyboard language layout.

Moreover, you can easily add keyboard layouts on Windows 10. Just follow the fantastic tips and tricks included in our guide in that regard.

Let us know in the comments area below which one worked for you. Moreover, if you know other solutions, don’t keep them all to yourself.

League of Legends Cheat Engine crash [Best Fixes]

Posted on by Tashreef Shareef

Cheat Engine is a popular tool among PC gamers. It is designed to help you with modifying single-player games without an Internet connection to make the games easier or difficult according to your preferences.

However, several LOL user have reported the game crashes when using Cheat Engine. Your presence here is a sign that you might be facing the same issue as well.

When using Cheat Engine with League of Legends, your game may crash if the game developer has blocked the engine to deter potential hackers. However, this can affect even genuine users.

In this article, we show you the best ways to fix the League of Legends Cheat Engine crash problem on Windows computer.

What to do if the game crashes when using Cheat Engine?

1. Use a dedicated driver updater tool

An outdated and missing device driver may be causing the game to crash. While you can update the device drivers manually, automatic driver updater software can do this task instantly.

It scans for missing and outdated drivers and downloads them from its repository. You can choose to install individual or multiple drivers from the app settings.

2. Disable your antivirus software 

Antivirus software keeps a tab on suspicious files that are trying to modify the system or protected files.

If an external source is trying to fiddle with your League of Legends game files, your antivirus software may block the tool as a precautionary measure.

League of Legends Cheat Engine crash

To resolve the issue, disable your antivirus software temporarily. To do this, expand the system tray on your taskbar, right-click on your antivirus icon and choose Disable.

Next, choose the time you want the security solution to be disabled. Once disabled, relaunch League of Legends and check if the game issue is resolved. 

That said, you may also want to check if you have any other anti-cheat software installed on your computer that is blocking the actions from Cheat Engine. Remove or disable the software temporarily to see if that resolves the error.

Additionally, you could add the game to the exception list or prevent the antivirus from blocking your game or the cheat engine. Also, check other reasons that may prevent League of Legends from launching.

3. Find an undetected Cheat Engine Driver

You may encounter a League of Legends crash when used with Cheat Engine mod if the game developer has detected and blocked the game from using the software. 

Game developers do this to discourage game modifications that could be unfair to other players. However, there is a workaround to bypass the detection.

You can compile the software with an undetected Cheat Engine driver. You can find an undetected CE driver with a little search on the Internet.

In most, cases you may have to sign a real certificate yourself and make sure it passes the integrity check as well.

4. Run League of Legends without Cheat Engine 

  1. Press the Windows key + R shortcut to open Run.
  2. Type appwiz.cpl and click OK to open Control Panel.
  3. Locate League of Legends from the list of installed apps.
    League of Legends Cheat Engine crash
  4. Click Uninstall. Click Yes when prompted by the UAC.
  5. Reboot the computer after the game and the Cheat Engine is uninstalled.
  6. Download and reinstall the game from the official website and check for any improvements.

This may not be the ideal solution, but if you are unable to compile your own Cheat Engine, look for a CE alternative. First, uninstall Cheat Engine and then run the game to see if the crashing problem is resolved.

If the issue persists, reinstall League of Legends by applying the steps described in the above procedure.

The game crashes when using Cheat Engine in League of Legends can happen due to a driver glitch. You may also experience this issue if the game is blocking Cheat Engine modifications.

Also, check your antivirus solution for false alarm problems. As for League of Legends black screen issues, our dedicated guide is just what you need to check out.

We also have a guide on League of Legends crashing on the loading screen that might be helpful to you.

We hope that the recommendations from our list were helpful. For more suggestions or any questions, simply access the comments section below.

Windows news recap: Windows 11 officially unveiled, WordPress arrives in the Microsoft Store, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Welcome back to our Windows news recap, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system.

Microsoft officially announces Windows 11, coming this fall as a free upgrade

After weeks of rumours and leaks, Microsoft finally took to the stage this week to unveil its next operating system – Windows 11. Like with Windows 10, Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for users. Take a look at everything that is new and different in Windows 11.

An official Windows WordPress app just launched in the Microsoft Store app store

WordPress has launched its official app in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10. The new app makes it possible to manage or create a WordPress blog from within Windows 10.

Windows WordPress app
Windows WordPress app

Microsoft’s Skype will not come pre-installed on new Windows 11 devices

In what appears to be a push for people to use Microsoft Teams on both a personal and business level, Microsoft will no longer preinstall Skype from Windows 11 onwards, instead, Microsoft Teams will have direct integration with the OS.

Official Windows 10 Instagram app finally updates with the ability to create posts on PC

The Instagram app on Windows 10 has received a new update that adds the ability to create posts. This new update makes the app more worthwhile to install, as it can now do more than just allow you to consume the content – but to actually publish content too.

Windows 10 instagram app

That’s it for this week. We will be back next week with more Windows news!

Microsoft news recap: $2 trillion market value crossed, Designed for Xbox HDMI 2.1 monitors announced, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read!

New Outlook extension for Microsoft Edge lets users access their inbox without switching tabs

Microsoft Edge now has a new Outlook extension that makes it possible to manage your Outlook emails without having to switch tabs. The new extension, currently in Preview, adds a new icon to the address bar which will let you read and send emails. It brings Outlook into a pop-up window within the browser.

New outlook extension for microsoft edge lets users access their inbox without switching tabs - onmsft. Com - june 23, 2021

Microsoft eclipses $2 trillion market value mark; joins exclusive club with Apple

This week saw Microsoft cross the $2 trillion market value mark, placing it in an exclusive group with Apple of US companies that have reached this milestone. It took Microsoft 33 years to reach a $1 trillion market value, and only a further 2 years to hit $2 trillion.

Microsoft market value

Microsoft reveals new Designed for Xbox HDMI 2.1 monitors from Philips, ASUS, and Acer

In an effort to increase awareness and adoption of HDMI 2.1 monitors that provide the best visual experience on Xbox Series consoles, Microsoft has revealed partnerships with several monitor manufacturers to create “Designed for Xbox” HDMI 2.1 monitors. Partnerships include Philips, Asus, and Acer.

Microsoft reveals new designed for xbox hdmi 2. 1 monitors from philips, asus, and acer - onmsft. Com - june 22, 2021

OneDrive is getting new photo editing capabilities on the web and Android

New photo editing capabilities are coming to OneDrive on the web and Android. The main new feature is the ability to crop photos directly within OneDrive for social media, which some preset sizes being available, as well as the ability to custom crop. Light and colour adjustment capabilities are now also available, in addition to being able to rotate images to remove any unintentional tilt.

Thumbnail image 1 of blog post titled onedrive’s new photo editing features and more

This week in Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams to be directly integrated into Windows 11

Following the official unveiling of Windows 11, Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Teams will be integrated directly into its new operating system. The integration will bring new taskbar functionality, making it easier to mute and unmute, among other things.

Microsoft Teams to offer more granular controls for Breakout Rooms

The manual participant assignment of Breakout Rooms is to be overhauled with a new UI. From being able to select multiple participants, through to sorting participants, the changes are aimed at speeding up the participant assignment process.

Microsoft delays plan to let Teams users join Meetings with digital ID

The ability to join a meeting by entering an ID has been delayed indefinitely, as Microsoft states that it is “evaluating changes” based on feedback.

Microsoft Teams will let users automatically record all meetings, starting in July

As of July, it will be possible to record all meetings automatically, removing the need to remember each time that a meeting should be recorded.

Microsoft to address issues with flipped webcam images in Teams Meetings

An issue with webcam images showing in a flipped manner is set to be resolved, as Microsoft has commented that it is close to finalising a fix for the bug.

That’s it for this week. We will be back next week with more Microsoft news.

DirectStorage will be a Windows 11 exclusive feature

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

We can all agree that one of the most awesome gaming features being added to Windows 11 is DirectStorage. Users are thrilled to hear that this is finally becoming reality.

However, Microsoft has confirmed that DirectStorage will be an exclusive feature. What this means is, basically, the feature isn’t going to be added as an update to Windows 10.

No DirectStorage for Windows 10 users

To be more precise, the DirectStorage is a feature that was designed to take advantage of the latent power of NVMe SSDs, especially in games.

DirectStorage hasn’t only been created to make compatible games load faster, but to also support the vastness of open worlds that some modern titles going to have.

As you can understand, the ability to load assets to the graphics card faster, without bogging down the CPU, means that open-world games will render extremely fast, without long load times.

Everyone has been super hyped about DirectStorage, ever since it was first announced for the Xbox Series X/S consoles, as part of the Velocity architecture.

Also remember that DirectStorage supports PCIe 3.0 drives, as well as the faster PCIe 4.0 SSDs.

DirectStorage requires an NVMe SSD to store and run games that use the Standard NVM Express Controller driver and a DirectX12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support

How do I use DirectStorage and what requirements does it have?

Obviously, the first step would be upgrading to Windows 11, if you want to make the most of your NVMe SSD, in games. 

As far as system requirements go, DirectStorage will need an NVMe SSD, to store and run games that use the Standard NVM Express Controller driver, as well as a DirectX12 GPU with Shader Model 6.0 support.

Months ago, some rumors circulating on the internet led users to believe that it specifically required a 1TB or greater NVMe SSD.

But now what we know what exactly we require for this feature, as well as the fact that it’s going to be a Windows 11 exclusive, we can start making plans for the immediate future.

Also, make sure to also check the system requirements that Microsoft released for the new operating system that launched yesterday, the extremely popular Windows 11.

Is Steam on Microsoft Store in Windows 11?

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

In the middle of yesterday’s Windows 11 event, Microsoft talked about the democracy and sovereignty that will be implemented for creators, underlining the clear intent to allow anyone to curate app stores on Windows.

A lot of new and exciting changes are about to happen within your favorite new operating system, so make sure you stay informed by following our Windows 11 article thread.

Microsoft wants Steam in the Windows 11 Store

To add to the mountain of news that users were bombarded with during these last few, during an interview with The Verge, Microsoft’s Panos Panay made another long-awaited announcement.

Windows already in many ways hosts those stores, and if we can host it through the Microsoft Store then of course. For sure, it means as others want to come to the Store, they’re very welcome. As a matter of fact, encouraged, and that’s kind of why we’re building out some of these policies.

As most of you already know, Steam is the go-to store of choice for PC gaming right now, based on its superior content delivery scheme, paired with its long and trusted history with the industry.

Apart from this, Steam has also been an important driver of independent game development, offering innovations and millions of opportunities to a previously bleak environment.

Microsoft, as well as other companies, have emulated some of Steam’s open policies towards game development over the years, but we can all agree that Microsoft has begun to leap a bit further.

Microsoft says that it will reduce its general revenue share for PC games

Microsoft also stated that it’s planning to reduce its general revenue share to 12% for PC games, in the near future, bringing them on the same level as the Epic Game Store.

This initiative will surely make it a better deal for most developers to build games for the Microsoft Store, even though it has nowhere near the same user traffic as Steam.

Its nice to see that some of the greatest innovations of our generation are slowly rubbing off on other industry titans, which will lead to a much more open and accessible environment.

Are you excited about Steam being available in the Microsoft Store, for Windows 11? Share your opinion with us in the comments section below.

How to create an Instagram post on PC [Windows 10, Mac]

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

Have you thought that this day would still be coming or have you just lost hope? If you continued to believe that it could one day be possible, well, you were absolutely right.

As you know, if you are an Instagram user, you could only create and upload posts using your mobile device, not your PC. Well, all that is about to change now, with the new update designed for Windows 10.

Start creating your Instagram posts from your PC

So, to summarize a bit, the famous Windows 10 Instagram app received an update earlier today, that finally gave users the ability to create photo and video posts from their PCs.

As sad as it was, until now, the Instagram app could only be used for watching posts and going through Instagram Stories.

This new feature, that got everyone so excited, features most of the popular filters and a variety of basic aspect ratio and color options available.

Also, it goes without saying that, same as with phones or tablets, users can also add multiple files to a post if they so desire.

There is a bit of a downside in all this. For the time being, support for creating Instagram Stories, as well as livestreams isn’t available, though it wouldn’t amazing to one day find out that both of these features are on the way.

In order to actually create an Instagram post from your PC, all you have to do is:

  1. Download the Instagram app from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Install the Instagram app.

3. Open the app and register or login, if you already have an account.

4. On the top right corner of your screen, tap the plus button, which adds new content such as stories or posts.

5. Customize your post with filters and other elements.

6. Hit Post.

Instagram came a long way since it’s birth

If you remember, Instagram debuted as an app for Windows 10 PCs and tablets back in 2016, through an update for the already existing Windows phone app.

This beloved app was eventually replaced with a PWA version, which fully transitioned into the new app format back in April of this year.

Now, after all the tweaks and new additions, Instagram users can finally kick back and simply share their favorite content with other Instagrammers from around the world, via phone, tablet, or PC.

Even though some of the biggest and most popular social media platforms are owned by the same companies, the competition is still tight.

Remember that Instagram still competes with Tik Tok and Facebook, even though the latter has consistently lost important percentages of its fanbase over the years.

So, a lot more reasons to be excited about, apart from the huge Windows 11 release event that Microsoft hosted yesterday.

Windows 11 only lets you pin the taskbar at the bottom of your screen

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Even though everyone is more than excited to start using the new operating system from Microsoft, there are some that are absolutely enraged by one of the UI choices that the company has made.

It is not even that big of a deal for most of the users that first pointed out this restriction, but most have grown accustomed to certain UI styles and are finding it extremely difficult to change anything.

The Windows 11 taskbar has position restrictions

Although most of us are rejoicing and making serious plans to expand or renew our gadget family, to keep up the pace with the future of our operating software, some UI elements aren’t as flexible as they were in Windows 10.

Social media has been buzzing with the positive reviews, as well as complaints, that users have for the new OS. One complaint, in particular, has caught the attention of many.

Following a recent Reddit thread, you can instantly tell that the users that got together to comment on this Windows 11 feature, are more than displeased with Microsoft’s choice.

I know it’s not a huge deal, but for me, it’s kind of important. I use two displays on my desktop, and I have the taskbar pinned to the right side of the screen on my left display, and pinned to the left side of the screen on my right display. I’ve kinda grown accustomed to that. On my surface, I also pin the taskbar to the right side of the display as I’m right-handed, and it makes touching the start menu easy.

Forcing us to pin it to the bottom is unintuitive for touch displays, as I can’t touch that part of the screen easily since it’s right at the seam between the keyboard and the display.

Does no one else find that kind of.. stupid? Like, what good reason is there to not allow pinning the taskbar to other parts of the display like it was before?

And even though this is not a factor that affects performance in any way, we can all understand that certain accommodations that we made for ourselves in our favorite OS, will be kind of hard to bypass.

There is literally not one positive comment on this UI choice made by Microsoft, which automatically means that users are enraged that the company took away their ability to personalize their own UI.

Its still early, a lot can and will change

Keeping all these changes and new features in mind, remember that Microsoft only just released Windows 11 so its far from being a final version of the product.

A lot can still change, and as we know, Microsoft really prides itself on taking users’ opinions into considerations when changing OS stuff. This means that, if nobody is happy with this, the company will change it eventually.

So don’t worry if Windows 11 still isn’t what you imagined, yet. The operating system has just launched yesterday so we can all agree that we can still give it some time to grow into what we want and expect.

Remember that early Windows Insider builds are coming next week, for Windows 11, so be ready to become an Insider, if aren’t already one, and enjoy the new Windows experience.

Microsoft says PC Health Check app fix is coming soon

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

As you most likely already know, yesterday, Microsoft finally unveiled the long-awaited Windows 11 update. This new content comes with an updated UI, as well as performance, and productivity improvements.

The Redmond company also informed users in regards to the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, which include Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 among other things.

Update: Microsoft temporarily removed the PC Health Check app and plans to get it back online before Windows 11 becomes generally available. Because of multiple complaints from users and some problems related to Windows 11 minimum requirements, the Redmond giant decided to rebuild and adjust the app for improved reliability and guaranteed compatibility. Find out more details from Microsoft’s official statement.

Microsoft is trying to fix the PC Health Check app

If you were just trying to install Windows 11 and give it a try but were prompted by the Your PC can’t run Windows 11 error, rest assured that you are not alone.

Users have started reporting issues with the PC Health Check app since early last night, after the big event. This app gives users the ability to check if their system meets the minimum requirements to upgrade to Windows 11.

Some, more tech savvy users have even come up with a workaround for this situation, until the dust settles.

Microsoft has now acknowledged this problem and is working on a fix. Steve Dispensa confirmed on Twitter that the tech company is currently searching for some solutions for this nuissance.

Insider builds for Windows 11 are coming next week

Considering that Microsoft is all set to release the first Windows 11 Insider build next week, users are hoping that these issues with the Health Check app will be solved.

Needless to say how important this is, as everyone will most likely enroll into Windows Insider Program and try out Windows 11.

Microsoft’s very own Steve Dispensa also stated that all the PCs shipped in the last few years come with TPM so they should meet the minimum requirements on paper.

Even though Windows 11 came with a few hiccups, Its not the end of the world, as it was totally expected to have a few glitches or bugs, as with every new product.

While you wait for Microsoft to fix these primordial Windows 11 issues, you can check our extensive Windows 11 articles, and find out everything you need to know about the new OS.

Bluetooth and Precision Touchpad are mandatory for Windows 11

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

As you already know, the big wait is finally over and the new OS that everyone has been continuously talking about has finally become reality.

Microsoft has also released the minimum system requirements for Windows 11, list which includes Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, among other things, but the latter can be bypassed for now.

Laptops that run Windows 11 need to have certain specs

Besides the minimum hardware requirements, Windows 11 laptops will also require support for certain features in the near future.

Judging from the available Microsoft documentation, the laptops used to run this OS will need to come with Bluetooth 4.0 or above and support Precision Touchpad.

These requirements actually apply to laptops, tablets and other handheld devices. Microsoft is also making it mandatory for Windows 11 devices to include either WiFi or Ethernet for internet connectivity.

Also, the company recommends users to install Windows 11 on non-rotational storage, such SSDs, for optimal performance.

Microsoft clearly notes that Windows 11 devices need to have at least one USB port.

If device manufacturers plan to go with USB-C PD, then they need to implement 1.1 of the USB Type-C spec or higher and revision 2.0 v1.1 and optionally support revision 3.0 v1.0 or higher of the PD spec and must be certified according to the USB-IF’s USB-C product testing matrix.

Another aspect worth taking into consideration is the fact that Windows 11 devices external PCIe capable ports must support Memory Access Protection, or Kernel DMA Protection and have it enabled by default.

So you better keep this in mind when purchasing a device that you want to run Windows 11 on.

Upgrade Surface to Windows 11: Quickest Steps to do it

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

Windows 11 is the latest OS from Microsoft, delivering a more intuitive and efficient user experience. If you own a Surface device, you can easily upgrade to the OS by following a few simple steps.

So, this article will guide you through the quickest and most straightforward way to upgrade your Surface to Windows 11.

Which Surface models can upgrade to Windows 11?

Not all Surface models are eligible for the Windows 11 upgrade. Currently, Microsoft has confirmed that the following Surface models can upgrade to Windows 11:

  • Surface Pro 7
  • Surface Pro X
  • Surface Laptop 3
  • Surface Pro 6
  • Surface Laptop 2
  • Surface Go 2
  • Surface Book 3

It’s important to note that the availability of the Windows 11 upgrade for Surface devices may vary based on region and other factors. 

Also, to check if your specific Surface model is eligible for the upgrade, you can visit the Microsoft website or check for updates in Windows Update on your device.

Additionally, check if your device meets the minimum system requirements before going into the upgrade process.

How do I upgrade my Surface to Windows 11?

  1. Visit the Windows 11 download page.
  2. Click the Download button for Create Windows 11 Installation Media.
    upgrade surface to windows 11
  3. Run the downloaded file as administrator and hit Accept to continue.
    upgrade surface to windows 11
  4. Select your language and click the Use the recommended options for this PC link.
    upgrade surface to windows 11
  5. Choose either USB flash drive or ISO file, then click Next. In our case, we will be using a USB flash drive.
  6. The boot drive should be downloaded. Open it and right-click on Setup.exe, then choose Run as Administrator.
  7. On the updates windows, select Not right now and click the Next button.
  8. Now, accept the license terms.
  9. If you get a window telling you that the device does not meet the minimum requirements, click on the Accept button (This means you are willing not to have updates or bear the risk of installation).
    upgrade surface to windows 11
  10. Now you are set to install, so click on the Install button.
  11. Finally, the installations should begin. You will have to wait several minutes for it to complete, but once it is done, you can log in and configure your Windows 11.

Need to boot from your USB installer? Learn how to get to BIOS on Microsoft Surface to change the boot order and start the setup correctly.

That is as much as you need to know to upgrade from Windows 10 to 11 on a Surface. We recommend that you do these on systems that meet the minimum requirements, but as you must have observed, even if your system does not meet these requirements, the upgrade could still work.

Whether you’re looking for improved performance, enhanced security, or a more intuitive user experience, Windows 11 has something to offer everyone.

In case you want to check the Warranty of the Microsoft Surface device, we have a detailed guide with instructions for you.

So, if you’re ready to take the next step, upgrade your Surface to Windows 11 today and start exploring all this new operating system has to offer!

How to fix the Activation context generation failed error

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

The Activation contect generation failed error is usually associated with a host of programs which suffer some sort of compatibility issues regarding the C++ package.

Mostly, this error message is only logged in the Event Viewer, but does not, in any way, disrupts the smooth-running of the affected program.

Unfortunately, some other times this error causes the application to experience periodic or frequent crashes, deeming the respective app unusable.

Therefore, we created an article that contains a comprehensive technical guide on how to fix the Activation context generation failed error on any Windows 10 version and device.

How do I fix the Activation context generation failed error?

  1. Reinstall the affected application
  2. Clean Boot System & Reinstall Program
  3. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++

1. Reinstall the affected application

First, when you come across the Activation context generation failed error, especially if it affects the stability of the host program, you can try to reinstall the program.

By reinstalling the program, the fresh installation might offer a more advanced setup that is compatible with the Microsoft Visual C++ package.

There are several ways to reinstall an application, but we recommend using uninstaller software that will get rid of any traces of the app.

By using uninstaller software, you’ll ensure that the affected application is completely removed from your PC, thanks to which you’ll prevent any potential issues from appearing in the future.

As a result, software like CCleaner will not only delete undesirable applications, but will also ensure that your computer is not only clean, but also faster and more performant.

⇒ Get CCleaner

2. Clean boot the system & reinstall program

  1. Log on to your PC as an admin.
  2. Open the Start Menu, and type msconfig to open System Configuration.
  3. Click on System Configuration from the list of options, and select Run as administrator.
  4. In the System Configuration window, navigate to the Services tab.
  5. Locate and check the Hide all Microsoft service. Click on Disable all on the right-hand side.
  6. Click on the Startup tab (right next to Services), then click on the Open Task Manager link.
  7. In the Task Manager, go to the Startup. Right-click on each Startup entry and select Disable.
  8. Exit the Task Manager window and go to the previous window.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Restart your PC.
  11. Reinstall the affected program.

In the event that the failed to create process default activation context error causes the affected program to crash, you can run a clean boot in Windows to resolve the issue.

Check if the program now runs fine. If the problem persists, you can proceed to the next solution.

Note icon NOTE
This method is only applicable if the error crashes the affected program. It is basically aimed at repairing the crashed program, and thus might not fully resolve the issue. This means that the error message might still appear in the Event Viewer/application log.

3. Reinstall Microsoft Visual C++

As emphasized earlier, the primary cause of this error is the backward incompatibility of a program with the Microsoft Visual C++ components.

This means that the version of Microsoft Visual C++ on your system is too advanced to support such a program; hence the Activation context generation failed error.

In this case, the ultimate solution might be to reinstall an earlier version of the Visual C++ package and see if it resolves the issue.

To determine the version of the C++ redistributable package to install, it is recommended that you check the year (and month) of the affected application that was developed.

Once this is known, you can proceed and download a version of the redistributable package that was released a year or two prior to the development of the affected program.

We have outlined three solutions in this tutorial, which, if applied as appropriate, should fix the Activation context generation failed error.

If you’re having any trouble with the Microsoft visual studio, check this useful article dedicated to fixing C++ redistributable installation issues.

Feel free to try all of our solutions and let us know how everything worked out, in the comments section below. We’re also open to any other feedback regarding the subject.

New tasks experience in Microsoft Teams, Outlook extension for Edge, and more – what’s new in Microsoft 365 in June

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has published its usual recap of all the new capabilities and improvements that were added to its Microsoft 365 suite of apps and services. This month, the company has detailed updates made to Microsoft Teams and other Office apps, including Excel, Edge, Outlook, and more. Here’s a look at what you need to know.

Microsoft Teams

As always, we will start first with all the improvements being made to the Teams collaboration service. This month, the Microsoft Teams desktop app has added a new feature that lets users quickly create tasks right from any chat or channel conversation. This means that users will no longer have to switch apps or windows for tracking important information. This option is currently only supported on the Teams desktop and web clients.

Microsoft Teams is also getting the ability to spotlight multiple participants in a virtual meeting. Thanks to this feature, organizers or presenters can now pin the video feeds of up to seven attendees simultaneously during meetings.

In addition, Microsoft has some improvements for managing attendee camera permissions in Teams meetings. This update allows organizers to configure the permissions to enable/disable attendee mics cameras before or during the meeting. It should help to prevent visual distractions.

Microsoft Excel, Scheduler service, and more

Next up are improvements to the Office suite of apps. Last month, Excel on the web picked up a new Office Scripts feature that lets users automate their repetitive tasks. This capability doesn’t require any programming experience, and it’s now generally available for all eligible Microsoft 365 subscribers.

Microsoft is also detailing the new Cortana experience in Outlook introduced this month for mobile users. Outlook for iOS now lets users compose emails, schedule meetings, and search using their voice. These capabilities are set to head to Android users later this year.

The Redmond firm has launched a meeting scheduler service for Microsoft 365 customers. The feature helps to save time by providing an option to use natural language queries for scheduling meetings. Other improvements include a new web landing page for Visio for the web and the general availability of Conversation Insights in Yammer communities.

Microsoft Edge and other updates

To end the recap, we highlight some important updates for Microsoft Edge and the other Microsoft 365 apps. The new Edge browser got a new Outlook extension that lets users quickly access their mail, calendar, contacts, and tasks without switching to another tab or app. The extension is coming to the Chrome Store soon.

In addition, Microsoft Outlook is receiving an Organization Explorer experience this summer. It should make it easier for employees to find co-workers with similar skills to collaborate on group projects. The Organization Explorer app is currently avaialble in preview for all Office 365 Insiders.

Some other features added to Microsoft 365 include several new capabilities for Microsoft Bookings. The Bookings app now offers customization and branding options, stricter administrative controls, and an improved appointment scheduling experience. Finally, Microsoft Seach has added support for finding content and information in additional locations with Microsoft Graph connectors, and you can read more about these updates on this support page.

Opinion: Microsoft’s miscommunication and restrictive Windows 11 requirements may leave lots of not-so-old PCs on the sideline

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Windows 11 will be available as a free update for Windows 10 users later this year, but it’s possible that a big part of the user base may not be able to upgrade. Microsoft shared the minimum requirements for Windows 11 yesterday, which include a 64-bit CPU, a DirectX12 GPU, and a TPM 2.0 chip.

Microsoft released yesterday a PC health Check app that can tell you if your PC is eligible for a free Windows 11 upgrade later this year, but the app does a poor job at explaining what’s wrong if your PC doesn’t meet the minimum requirements. For now, the app won’t tell you that you may be able to upgrade your PC’s components or enable the dormant TPM chip on your motherboard, which may be cheaper than purchasing a brand new PC that’s for ready Windows 11.

Anyway, Microsoft’s lackluster communication about the TPM requirement has forced some employees to step up on Twitter yesterday. If you do have a recent PC, there’s a good chance that it shipped with a TPM 2.0 chip, though many PC OEMs may have it turned off by default in your UEFI settings. Again, that’s something that Microsoft’s PC Health Check app should be able to tell you, but it doesn’t right now and this has probably caused a lot of frustration among early enthusiasts since yesterday.

Worse, Microsoft’s bad communication about TPM chips has already led scalpers to buy these usually inexpensive chips to raise their price. It looks like TPM 2.0 chips are about to become just as rare as next-gen consoles and PC GPUs, and it’s unfortunate that Microsoft couldn’t anticipate that.

Steve Dispensa, VP of Product, Enterprise Mobility & Security at Microsoft explained on Twitter yesterday that Microsoft is going to “improve the PC Health Check app over the next couple of weeks”, with a first update possibly coming today. The exec added that Microsoft will also release in a few days analytics tools for IT departments to assess their fleet for Windows 11 compatibility, with full integration into Microsoft Endpoint Manager analytics coming this fall.

What Microsoft’s PC Health Check app really needs is to be able to tell users if the hardware test is failing because of not meeting the “hard floor” or “soft floor” requirements. The company noted on a support page that TPM 2.0 chips and CPU generations are a actually “soft floor” limit that will still allow older PCs to install Windows 11, even though the upgrade is not advised on these machines. The company published yesterday a quite restrictive list of Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors that are officially supported by Windows 11, but again, CPU generations shouldn’t be a hardware block for the upgrade. It appears, however, that at least currently, the PC Health Check is failing devices that don’t meet the 8th gen CPU hard floor requirement.

For Intel Core processors, only 8th gen “Coffee Lake” CPUs or newer are officially supported. On the AMD side, only Ryzen 2000 or newer and 2nd-gen or newer Epyc CPUs are officially supported. This leaves a lot of recent devices in the not officially supported camp, including Surface devices Microsoft is still selling such as the Surface Studio 2 which uses 7th gen Intel Core CPUs.

Again, many devices that don’t have an officially supported CPU may still be able to upgrade to Windows 11 for free, even though Microsoft isn’t recommending the update. However, PCs that don’t meet Microsoft’s “hard floor”, which includes a TPM 1.2 chip, a 64-bit CPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage won’t be able to upgrade to Windows 11 at all.

In that case, these devices will continue to receive Windows 10 updates until 2025, which is when mainstream support for the OS will end. Windows 10 should continue to receive new updates twice a year, and the OS is also getting the new version of the Microsoft Store that will also ship with Windows 11 later this year. This new Store will welcome Win32 UWP, PWAs, as well as Android apps via a partnership with the Amazon App Store, so Windows 10 users won’t really be left behind.

Microsoft is getting ready to release the first official Windows 11 build next week, and the company will allow all Insiders already running Dev Channel builds to install it, even though their PC doesn’t meet the minimum requirements. However, unsupported PCs will only be able to install Windows 11 preview builds until the OS becomes generally available later this year, a situation that mirrors what Microsoft did many years ago with its Windows 10 Mobile Insider program for unsupported Lumia phones.

The software giant explained yesterday that free Windows 11 upgrade will begin to roll out to eligible Windows 10 PCs this holiday and continuing into 2022, but it’s not exactly clear how unsupported devices that still meet the “soft floor” limit will be able to install the new OS. Microsoft will need to clarify soon, but the upcoming launch of Windows 11 should be a great opportunity for PC manufacturers to sell new PCs. Microsoft is already working with its retail partners to make sure that the Windows 10 PCs you buy today are ready for Windows 11, but the new OS will also be available on new devices that will ship this holiday season.

Microsoft’s Skype will not come pre-installed on new Windows 11 devices

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

One of the more interesting bits of news to come out of Microsoft’s massive Windows 11 info dump yesterday was confirmation that the company’s Skype app will not be pre-installed on new Windows 11 devices or remain on existing devices when doing a clean-install of the new operating system.

The app will remain on devices that already have it installed before doing a basic upgrade to Windows 11 though so current users don’t have to worry about Skype being uninstalled without their permission.

This definitely isn’t a good sign for the aging communications app that launched way back in 2003 before being purchased by Microsoft in 2011 for a whopping US$8.5 billion. While Skype will apparently still be available to download from the Microsoft Store app store for Windows users who want to use it, Microsoft choosing to remove it from its list of essential apps sends a strong message that Skype’s days are numbered.

The fact that Microsoft Teams will now be integrated into the Windows 11 operating system itself hammers this fact home even further.

Skype has been trending downwards for several years now mostly due to a combination of the rise of easier and more fully-featured rival chat, voice, and video apps and a noticeable lack of interest from Microsoft when it comes to keeping the Skype brand relevant with consumers. Microsoft’s increased focus on improving Microsoft Teams and making more of its features free has also played a role while the astronomical rise of Zoom during the global pandemic confirmed that Skype just isn’t a service people think of any more when it comes to video conferencing and calls.

Other Windows 10 apps that will be joining Skype as optional Microsoft Store app downloads include 3D Viewer, OneNote for Windows 10, and Paint 3D. A large number of Windows 10 features will also be discontinued with Windows 11.

Do you still use Skype on your Windows device? Let us know in the comments below and then follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more Windows 11 news.

Windows 11 Snap won’t work on old display monitors

Posted on by Alex Serban

One of the main features of Windows 11 is a productivity enhancement called Snap. This allows users to multitask easily, by splitting the screen into multiple portions.

Microsoft is letting users know that old display monitors with a resolution thinner than 1920 pixels will not benefit this fully.

While browsing the official system requirements and specifications of the upcoming version we’ve discovered that it’s required to have a full-HD (also known as 1080p HD widescreen) resolution in order to use the three-column layout of Snap.

Older laptops or PCs that are linked to not that new monitors will have a limited use of this feature.

Even though the 1920×1080 resolution is one of the most popular out there, there are a lot of people that fall short of this aspect.

Snap three-column layouts require a screen that is 1920 effective pixels or greater in width.

When it comes to our own readers, we found that only one-third of devices visiting our website has a resolution that is compatible with this feature.

There is a concerning portion of devices that is simply going to be let out. We’ve excluded mobile users from our calculations.

How will Snap look for old monitors?

Pretty much like this. Almost the same as it looked in Windows 10, until now. Those that have wider monitors than 1920 pixels will benefit from extensive Snap Layouts and extensive Snap Groups.

With these features, future Windows 11 users will be able to split their screen into multiple columns and save that configuration for later usage.

We can’t wait to test the full Windows 11 Snap on our 32″ monsters, right here in the office. We’ll share a screenshot next week.

Windows 11 removes Cortana, Skype, Snipping tool and more

Posted on by Alex Serban

Windows 11, the upcoming version just announced today also comes with a fresh clean-up of some of Microsoft’s most-wanted features, back in the ages.

As evolution unfolds and the tech giant moves in other directions, Windows 11 will deprecate important aspects, such as Cortana, Skype, Snipping tool, Paint 3D, and a lot more.

With cutting offline access for all those wishing to use Windows 11, Microsoft is clearly putting their foot in the ground.

In that manner, there are around 15 plus features that have been deemed unworthy by the Redmond-based company.

As Microsoft suggests, some of these features are going to be removed completely, while others are simply deprecated.

This will allow existing Windows 10 users to keep them while upgrading, but if you clean install the new version or buy a device that comes with Windows 11 pre-loaded, you won’t find them.

Important Windows 10 features that are not going to be in Windows 11

  • Cortana will no longer be included in the initial boot sequence, nor be pinned in the Taskbar.
  • Skype will not be delivered with new Windows 11 installs or devices, as Microsoft Teams is now a built-in feature.
  • Internet Explorer will be disabled from the get-go. Microsoft favors Edge instead of the old bloke, but we don’t understand why they don’t remove it completely.
  • Snipping Tool is said to be kept, but its entire design and functionality are replaced with Snip & Sketch. This is a nice way of saying remove in the face of frustrated users that like it (anyone else besides me?).
  • OneNote will be removed on clean installations, users can still install it from the Store.
  • Paint 3D will be removed.

The list continues with some functionalities that are going to be completely changed, such as the Start Menu, the Taskbar, News & Interests and more.

The complete list is available in the official Windows 11 specifications page, right around here.

Windows 11 available to download for Insiders, next week

Posted on by Alex Serban

Windows 11 has just been unveiled and it’s generated quite a hype already, thanks to its catchy features. Those lucky enough to be enrolled in Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program will also be able to download a copy of it, before the official roll-out.

The announcement was made on the official Windows Experience blog and it states that previews will arrive starting with next week. Even though it’s a couple of days away, windows Insiders are still going to get a taste of Windows 11 ahead of the free upgrade schedule.

Update: Microsoft temporarily removed the PC Health Check app and plans to get it back online before Windows 11 becomes generally available. Because of multiple complaints from users and some problems related to Windows 11 minimum requirements, the Redmond giant decided to rebuild and adjust the app for improved reliability and guaranteed compatibility. Find out more details from Microsoft’s official statement.

How can you download Windows 11?

The first step would be to enroll in the Windows Insider Program, a simple procedure which can be done by accessing the official page and clicking on Register. Be sure to read on how the program works and what are the downsides of running a pre-release version.

Afterwards, check if your PC is compatible with Windows 11 and patiently wait for the update roll-out. You can also use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app (scroll to the bottom of their page) to see if your machine meets the requirements to run Windows 11.

The mass-rollout of Windows 11 to eligible Windows 10 PCs will begin this holiday season and continue into 2022. Another way to upgrade fast is to purchase a device that comes with Windows 11 pre-installed. These will hit the market soon, as Microsoft has signed hardware partnerships with various companies, including Dell, HP and Razer.

How to Download Insider Preview Builds for Windows 11

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

After a lot of hype and questions regarding Microsoft’s latest operating system, the official reveal of Windows 11 was the answer that many were waiting for.

The leaked build that floated around the past few weeks was only a small preview for many because none of the features or performance numbers couldn’t be confirmed.

Well, that’s a thing of the past because if you want to try a genuine Insider Preview Build for Windows 11, now you can:

we plan to release the first Insider Preview build for Windows 11 next week.

How to download a Preview Build if I’m not an Insider

First of all, make sure that your PC meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11. These general requirements also apply to the Windows Insider Program, even though these are just Preview Builds.

If your PC doesn’t meet the requirements for Windows 11, you can opt for the Release Preview Channel to preview updates for Windows 10.

After that, you’ll have to register for the Windows Insider Program, if you’re not yet a Windows Insider. The steps are pretty simple:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Then head over to Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Insider Program.
  4. After that, click on Get started and follow the steps.

You can also register directly on the web from Microsoft’s official page.

How to download a preview Build if I’m already an Insider

In the case that you’re already an Insider, things are a bit simpler. You’ll just have to make sure that your PC is compatible. You can do so with the help of the following chart:

There’s also an exception from Microsoft’s specs:

All Windows Insiders who have already been installing builds from the Dev Channel on their PCs up through June 24, 2021 will be allowed to continue installing Windows 11 Insider Preview builds even if their PC does not meet the minimum hardware requirements.

The key thing to remember is that for the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview builds to the Beta Channel later this summer, all the PCs that do not meet the requirements in the Beta Channel will be moved to Release Preview Channel.

This change allows a better experience for everybody and will ensure seamless integration of the Preview Builds on all the PCs that meet certain requirements.

You can also check out a guide that explains how to enable the Xbox full screen experience on Windows 11 once you are running an Insider build by visiting this Xbox full screen experience tutorial.

However, if you have any questions regarding the process, Microsoft has set up a Microsoft Answers post just for that.

Windows 11 DirectStorage API to load games blazing fast

Posted on by Alex Serban

Microsoft has just unveiled Windows 11 and among its best features, we couldn’t but note the inclusion of DirectStorage API.

This cutting-edge technology will allow PC games to be loaded directly from the video card and generally make gaming a lot faster.

Microsoft is betting heavily on gaming with the upcoming version and to give people another reason to upgrade, DirectStorage will only be available to Windows 11. The feature will be exclusive and not shared with Windows 10 or Windows 7.

Originally present on Xbox consoles and announced to migrate to PC back in September 2020, the soon-available API technology is considered to be very beneficial for PC gaming.

How will DirectStorage API load games faster on PC?

Featured in the Xbox Series X and Series S, DirectStorage is a breakthrough technology that takes advantage of high-performance NVMe SSD to load games directly through the GPU.

Part of the Xbox Velocity Architecture, this technology allows modern games to continuously load parts of the world while you move from other sources than the CPU.

In a normal Windows 10 environment, areas that are soon to be unveiled take up a toll on the CPU and have a higher loading priority than physics or loading NPCs in the scene.

With DirectStorage, the CPU load on this specific task is being reduced from multiple cores to just taking a small fraction of a single core.

Beneficial for gamers worldwide, this feature will also change a bit the way how developers are programming resource consumption.

Having a stronger partner to take on a significant portion of the CPU load, future games might bet bigger on visuals that can now be processed by DirectStorage.

And don’t forget, this will be only on Windows 11. Time to dust off that XP…

5 best new open access areas for Windows 11 developers

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Windows 11 was officially revealed, and amongst a plethora of new and interesting features, Microsoft announced a new era for its platforms and OSs.

Some of the previously leaked changes were confirmed over the company’s event, but some things are completely new.

One good example is Windows 11’s requirements and features that are now official. While some of the new features sound very interesting, the removal of Skype and Paint 3D from Windows 11 might pose a problem for some users.

Microsoft wants to give developers more freedom

Another interesting finding is that Microsoft focuses a lot more on developers with its new OS. The goal seems to be making Windows 11 a completely open platform for all developers.

Obviously, this means a lot more apps that are better optimized and offer greater integration with the system.

Being such a big leap from past operating systems, the new partnership with developers begins with 5 key areas:

The new Microsoft Store

The great news here is that the new Store now offers support for Win32, .NET, and PWAs, as well as support for Android apps from the Amazon Store.

This means that a lot more of your favorite apps will soon find their way there. Furthermore, an improved design and new features are also present.

Maybe the most interesting thing for most developers is Microsoft’s new revenue sharing options:

You will also have more revenue sharing options, such as keeping 100% when you bring your own commerce platform for the Store for your app (this does not include PC games).

End-to-end web development is now better, alongside native apps.

In Windows 11, the tech giant also focused on its developer tools. The goal is a more seamless integration and faster performance:

With the new PWABuilder3, you can build a PWA from your web app in minutes. The evergreen WebView2 runtime is also included with Windows 11 making it easier to take advantage of its web platform as a performant and secure way to build hybrid web apps. Of course, you can continue to use powerful developer offerings like Windows Terminal and the new Microsoft Edge DevTools as they are now in-box.

The Windows App SDK (formerly known as Project Reunion) and the new ARM64 Emulation Compatible tool complete the list of useful tools that ca boost efficiency and help developers to create native apps easier.

Fluent design takes its place

WinUI3 is the perfect tool for developers to make apps that will look and feel just like they’re part of Windows 11.

Rounded geometry, refreshed iconography, new typography, and fun micro-interactions are just a few of the many features that can be of great help.

And that’s not all, because you can also use Reunion Windowing to easier manage your apps:

It works with your existing app code, simplifies common operations, and brings new functionality to your desktop apps like light-dismiss behavior, picture-in-picture mode, and easier titlebar customization.

Windows 11 is made for gaming

Lastly, the Game Development Kit (GDK) offers a simpler way to develop new games. In this kit, you’ll find common tools, libraries, and documentation needed to build amazing games with simpler steps and less friction.

GDK comes as part of the Game Stack collection offer by Microsoft to increase productivity and scalability of game developing. This combined with Auto-HDR promises to bring amazing gaming experiences for all users.

What do you think of all these new changes and the open path for developers? Let us know in the comments section below and we’ll continue the talk there.

Windows 11 won’t run on devices without Internet access

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe this is a first – you will not be able to actually run Windows 11 on a system that isn’t able to go online.

Microsoft has made available the official system requirements needed to run Windows 11, and on its official support page it’s clearly stated the following:

Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use. Switching a device out of Windows 11 Home in S mode also requires internet connectivity. Learn more about S mode here. For all Windows 11 editions, internet access is required to perform updates and to download and take advantage of some features. A Microsoft account is required for some features.

Thus, all Windows 11 editions require Internet access to perform updates and to take advantage of some features. Of course, just like before, a Microsoft account is required for some features.

However, enterprise customers still have an offline setup option when it comes to Windows 11 Home.

What this move actually means is that not every device running Windows 10 will be able to run Windows 11. In our recent search it was very clear that there’s a good bunch of users that wouldn’t make the jump to Windows 11 precisely because of data-loss related fears.

Brad Sams from Petri.com also explains why the strategy of forcing the creation of an account might not sit well with privacy-focused consumers:

The concept of forcing the user to create an account for the OS is not new and the functionality has been baked into Windows 10 for years. Other operating systems also push similar requirements but expect to hear loudly from privacy advocates that Windows 11 will be a step backward when it comes to keep your identity a secret when using the OS.

We also showed that Windows 7 users were interested in making the jump to Windows 11, but this small change could make some of them think twice.

Catch Microsoft’s latest updates in our Windows 11 live event coverage

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Microsoft is holding its biggest event of the year today, and we’re here to guide you through all the announcements and updates so you won’t miss a thing!

We expect to finally see the company’s latest operating system and a bunch of new improvements and features. Of course, today is also the day when we’ll find out if the leaks over the past few months are true or if the Redmond giant has something else in store.

The big event is today, June 24, and it starts at 8 am PT, 11 am ET, and 4 pm BST. Our Australian readers can set a reminder for 1 am AEST on June 25. Be sure to join us, as we’ll cover the full reveal from start to finish to give you all the important highlights as they happen.

What to expect during the Windows 11 launch event

If you missed the latest tech news, the big M is most likely preparing a completely new operating system called Windows 11, faster and better than its predecessor. Despite the fact that a few years ago Microsoft suggested that Windows 10 will be its last OS, things have changed.

If you want to be on the lookout for specific features, improvements or changes, here’s a brief on what’s to come:

How to watch Microsoft’s live reveal of its new OS

If you want to watch the event live, be sure to tune in on Microsoft’s website today, June 24, at 8 am PT, 11 am ET, 4 pm BST, and on June 25, 1 am AEST.

We’ve also prepared a full guide on how to watch the Windows 11 live event, just in case you need further assistance.

If you want to make sure that you won’t miss anything important, stick with us for the liveblog and we’ll keep you constantly updated with Microsoft’s most important announcements.

Windows 11 launch event live blog

Latest updates are added to the top, so don’t forget to refresh the page for more.

  • Thanks for joining, everyone! Keep an eye on our latest articles to find out more about Windows 11’s new features!
  • 06:45 And, on a 1.1 million live viewers note, the live ends. But Windows 11 continues. Can’t wait to play with all these new features. What’s next?
  • 06:42 CEO Satya Nadella is taking the floor! He’s talking about the new era of Windows and the next decade. “Windows has always stood for sovereignty for creators.”
  • 06:38 Windows 11-ready PCs are a thing!
  • 06:37 Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm are working with Microsoft for better performance and for a larger ecosystem of hardware. We can expect some new amazing devices from companies like Dell, Lenovo or HP!
  • 06:36 Android apps are coming to Windows! What’s more to say? Tik-Tok on Windows, anyone?
  • 06:33 The Microsoft Store is completely rebuilt. And now, developers have easier ways to develop and enhance their apps. Document Cloud and Creative Cloud from Adobe are now part of the Store.
  • 06:30 Game Pass is now part of Windows 11! So is Xbox Cloud. Isn’t that awesome? You can now buy a game directly from the app on your PC. Don’t forget that you can connect lots of controllers and external GPU’s to your PC and play whatever you want, however you want it!
  • 06:28 Windows 11 offers superior graphics thanks to Auto-HDR. Doom and Age of Empires are some of the 1000+ games optimized.
  • 06:26 Windows 11 is focused on gaming, as Microsoft finally confirms. That’s great news for gamers all over the world. Faster FPS anyone?
  • 06:22 Resizing is now child’s play! The new experience on tablets is way more refined than before. It seems that Windows 11 will work seamlessly on both PCs and touch devices.
  • 06:17 Microsoft Teams is now working directly from the Taskbar! The chat list pops up when you hover over the icon.
  • 06:12 Snap Group layouts and the docking/undocking experience are awesome! A new level of productivity that will definitely improve many workflows.
  • 06:11 PM The new Start Menu has integrated search for File Explorer, OneDrive, and web. Also, the redesign is completely optimized for touch-input devices
  • 06:06 PM It seems that Microsoft is having some problems with the live stream. Server issues?
  • 06:04 PM – Windows 11 is confirmed. The speculations around Microsoft’s latest OS are finally over.
  • 3 minutes and counting. Already 13.7k people are tuned in
  • Are you ready? Because Microsoft surely is. Let’s see what Microsoft has in store for us…

Best Reddit Apps for Windows [2026 List]

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Reddit is undeniably one of the most interesting and most popular websites on the internet.

It’s part news, part social media, and the bigger big part – entertainment, which makes it your one-stop shop for finding the latest trends and everything interesting on the Internet.

Additionally, there are plenty of third-party apps available for Windows, Android, and iOS platforms.

And among those apps, here are the ones we, at Windows Report, think are most worthy of your use on your Windows 10 devices.

ReddPlanet

ReddPlanet is a relatively new third-party Reddit app for Windows 10 PC’s, mobile, and tablets.

Similar to other Reddit apps on Windows 10, ReddPlanet also works under the same universal Windows platform, bringing the same intuitive and sleek UI across PCs and mobile devices.

ReddPlanet comes with a ton of features for both novice and advanced Reddit users, further perpetuating the Windows 10 pedigree.

It comes with support for multiple accounts, better ways to view trends, different ways to toggle between subreddits, give users four different views, and a ton of additional features.

Customization is great as you would expect on a top-notch app; users can change colors, text sizes, fonts as well as customize a night theme for night use and more with ease.

For desktop, laptop, and tablet users, ReddPlanet provides support for split-screen modes. If you enjoy Reddit, head over to Microsoft Store to grab the app

It is free to download and gives you a customized experience on your Windows 10 device.

⇒ Get ReddPlanet

Readit

Readit for Windows 10

Arguably one of the best-designed Reddit clients for Windows platform, Readit for Windows 10 makes things even better.

Readit for Windows 10 uses the universal app SDK, bringing with it a set of premium features that you need to transform your Windows experience.

The most noticeable feature is the customizable columnar interface that allows you to hide and show elements with a simple toggle.

When using it on a smartphone, scrolling is highly responsive as you would expect on a premium app and everything shifts with pleasing animations.

When using it on a laptop or desktop, the app detects where the cursor is hovering thus enabling you to scour through different places without having to select them.

Readit is one of the feature apps that impart optimism for the future of the Windows ecosystem.

It incorporates a vast majority of Reddit’s functionality including, but not limited to nested commenting, voting, upvoting, and DLNA/mirror casting that enables users to mirror content straight to X-Box One over the home network.

Additional features include built-in Imgur integration for album viewing and the app also lets you view YouTube videos and GIFs as well. The app is also free, but you have to pay a small fee if you want to get rid of ads.

⇒ Get Readit

Baconit

BaconitBaconit is one of the best and most popular apps for Reddit on Windows phone. The code for Baconit was recently rewritten in a bid to offer users a better experience.

It’s now coded using the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) which is good news because the app can now run on your PC, Surface, phone, Xbox, and even HoloLens.

Many users have found the app good enough to present everything that is right about UWP and Windows 10. The app is powerful, dynamic, and beautifully designed with kicky looks.

The app is also loaded with a ton of features that might make you want to give up your browser.

It represents the content in an easy-to-read format complete with upvote and downvote buttons and other multiple sorting options.

There is also a handy search bar that lets you easily find posts and subreddits in seconds. The app also allows you to pin posts and subreddits to the start screen. Baconit is a free and open-source app.

⇒ Get Baconit

Infinity for Reddit

Infinity for Reddit one of the most popular Reddit apps for Windows 10 so you might try it even it’s on the last spot in our top.

It features an intuitive design and a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to browse your favorite Reddit content whether you are using a phone or a PC.

The app sports a set of unique and premium features that distinguishes it from other Reddit apps.

Just like other Reddit apps, you can vote, save, report, and perform other functions associated with your Reddit account.

Other added features include integrated quoting, the ability to reply to comments and links, the ability to view your messages on a user’s profile, and more.

You can even integrate it with Windows search and share and can also launch a link in the browser or copy it to the clipboard.

The Infinity for Reddit app also comes with an integrated viewer for a spectacular viewing experience.

⇒ Get Infinity for Reddit

Best tips to get the most out of Reddit

If you’re new to Reddit, it’s going to look like an alien world with tons of information and lots of confusion.

The key here is to learn how to find the favorite content easily and faster and that’s what we’re trying to help you with below.

Understand more about subreddit

A subreddit is just somehow like a category of a website on a certain subject. So, when you open the front page, you will see posts from the default subreddit.

So, all you need to do is to check the subreddits that you’re interested in and there you will find lots of talks about the subject you’re on to.

Following people helps you

Once you find the topics you’re interested in, you can check out which are the most influential and active users who provide the most relevant posts and follow them.

They will be an extremely valuable source of information in the future. Of course, to do that, you will need a Reddit account.

Get to your Subreddits faster

When you’re entering a URL for a subreddit, don’t bother to enter the slashes. You can enter the subreddit nape at the front of the URL.

If you’re looking for Windows, you can type windows.reddit.com instead of reddit.com/r/pics. It’s easier and faster.

We hope you found the right Reddit app for your Windows 10 PC. All the above are great but you should test all of them to see which one you like better.

If you’re using social platforms intensively, check our selection with the best social media protection software.

If you know of another handy Reddit app for Windows 10 that is not listed here, let us hear your opinions in the comments section below.

Upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 means losing some features

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Microsoft showed off a lot of new features coming to Windows 11 but was understandably silent on what users will miss when upgrading.

Fortunately, later Microsoft published a list of features that will be deprecated or removed when Windows 11 event hits devices this fall.

According to Microsoft users will need to say their goodbyes to the following:

  • Cortana will no longer be included in the first boot experience or pinned to the Taskbar.
  • Desktop wallpaper cannot be roamed to or from device when signed in with a Microsoft account.
  • Internet Explorer is disabled. Microsoft Edge is the recommended replacement and includes IE Mode which may be useful in certain scenarios.
  • Math Input Panel is removed. Math Recognizer will install on demand and includes the math input control and recognizer. Math inking in apps like OneNote are not impacted by this change.
  • News & Interests has evolved. New functionality has been added which can be found by clicking the Widgets icon on the Taskbar.
  • Quick Status from the Lockscreen and associated settings are removed.
  • S Mode is only available now for Windows 11 Home edition.
  • Snipping Tool continues to be available but the old design and functionality in the Windows 10 version has been replaced with those of the app previously known as Snip & Sketch.
  • Start is significantly changed in Windows 11 including the following key deprecations and removals:
    • Named groups and folders of apps are no longer supported and the layout is not currently resizable.
    • Pinned apps and sites will not migrate when upgrading from Windows 10.
    • Live Tiles are no longer available. For glanceable, dynamic content, see the new Widgets feature.
  • Tablet Mode is removed and new functionality and capability is included for keyboard attach and detach postures.
  • Taskbar functionality is changed including:
    • People is no longer present on the Taskbar.
    • Some icons may no longer appear in the System Tray (systray) for upgraded devices including previous customizations.
    • Alignment to the bottom of the screen is the only location allowed.
    • Apps can no longer customize areas of the Taskbar.
  • Timeline is removed. Some similar functionality is available in Microsoft Edge.
  • Touch Keyboard will no longer dock and undock keyboard layouts on screen sizes 18 inches and larger.
  • Wallet is removed.

The following apps will not be removed on upgrade but will no longer be installed on new devices or when clean-installing Windows 11. They are available for download from the Store:

  • 3D Viewer
  • OneNote for Windows 10
  • Paint 3D
  • Skype

Some of the items on the list seem like justifiable changes to improve the overall optimization of Windows such as getting rid of duplicate experience like OneNote, Paint, Internet Explorer, and Snipping Tool. However, there are some oddities such as Skype, Tablet Mode, Pinned Apps, and roaming Wallpapers, which stand out as headscratchers as well a curious admission to the company’s failed Windows 10 vision.

Arguably, most of the items listed have been mostly depreciated by users and it just seems Microsoft has finally caught up on clearing out the cruft.

Windows Insiders will get their first look at the new Microsoft Store next week

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

During the Windows Developer event for Windows 11 today, Microsoft announced that Windows Insiders will get their first look at the new Microsoft Store “next week.” While it’s been previously announced that Insiders will get access to the first builds of Windows 11 next week, this is the first confirmation that a preview build of the new Store will be available.

Microsoft has published a new home page for the new Microsoft Store, where you can learn more about all the goodness coming to the new Store, including 100% revenues for developers using their own commerce platforms, built in apps like Office, Teams, Notepad, Visual Studio and VS Code, and Paint coming to the Store

Why Upgrade to Windows 10: Here Are The Top Benefits

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Windows 10 has been out for years, bringing many interesting features. In today’s guide, we’re going to give you the best reasons why you should upgrade to Windows 10.

Join us while we take a closer look at Windows 10 and all the benefits that it has compared to the previous version.

Why should I upgrade to Windows 10?

1. Start Menu differences

Start menu was one of the most recognizable features of Windows operating systems for decades, and Microsoft’s decision to remove it in Windows 8 represented a significant change.

But Windows users weren’t ready for such a change. They were unsatisfied with the new Metro environment, and a lot of users complained about the lack of a Start menu.

start menu wind8apps

Microsoft was well aware of the situation and the company decided to fulfill the wish of millions of users and return the Start menu in the next Windows.

But what to do with all those apps designed for the Metro environment? The company couldn’t just throw them away.

So Microsoft came up with a compromise, as it combined the traditional start menu with Metro apps to get a brand-new look of the Windows 10 Start menu.

Reviews are positive, and Microsoft definitely made the right move by returning the Start menu to Windows platforms, because it satisfied users who were against the start screen, as well as users who loved Metro apps.

If you’re looking to upgrade your OS, we recommend making the jump to Windows 10. Check out the best Windows 10 editions, and find which one is right for you.

2. Cortana

Besides the Start menu, Cortana is also one of the most notable additions to Windows 10.

Microsoft first introduced Cortana to its Windows Phone platform with the 8.1 update, and was the last of major manufacturers who release a virtual assistant for its mobile platform.

But Microsoft was first to bring the personal assistant to PC platforms, which is a noteworthy innovation.

With Cortana you can search web, but also local files and folders on your computer.

It is also a customizable and personal virtual assistant, as it recognizes things you like and provides content based on your interests.

Cortana will also be integrated with Microsoft’s new browser, Project Spartan or Edge, so you can use its help while you’re browsing, right on the webpage.

Cortana is a very useful assistant, so if you decide to remove it, we can help you bring it back. Check out our detailed guide and see how to enable Cortana after disabling it.

3. Multiple desktops and Task view

Cortana isn’t the only thing Microsoft took from portable devices, because Windows 10 features a brand-new Task Manager and the option of creating multiple desktops.

Virtual desktops feature allows users to create multiple desktops and pretend to be working with multiple monitors.

This feature could be extremely useful if you want to work with multiple programs at once.

task view wind8apps

Next is the Task view feature which allows us to easily control our tasks, just like we do on mobile devices.

Task view button is present in the taskbar, next to the search bar, but you can also access it by pressing the Alt + Tab buttons.

With this task manager, you’ll be able to swiftly switch between tasks, manage and close them, and it will definitely increase the productivity of Windows 10 users.

Also, if you’re an advanced user or looking for a Task Manager alternative, check out our list of best Task Manager software.

4. Xbox and gaming features

Microsoft is preparing many great, new things for gamers with Windows 10.

Basically, gaming in Windows 10 will be all around the new Xbox app, but this app offers many features.

You can chat with friends, track your activity feed, check leaderboards, etc.

Also, you’ll be able to stream your Xbox One games on your PC, which means that you may play and watch all your Xbox One games on your computer.

Xbox app goes to the point where it will allow you to play Xbox games on PC with friends who play the same game on the console.

This is another addition to Microsoft’s Windows 10 cross-platform philosophy.

xbox app wind8apps

Also, we expect the new DirectX 12 to be released for Windows 10. The new DirectX will definitely improve graphics of the games and bring the new experience to PC gamers whose graphics cards could support it.

If you don’t know how to enable DirectX 12 in Windows 10 for any game, take a closer look at our comprehensive guide and find the best solution.

5. Windowed apps

Along with Start Screen, Microsoft introduced Metro apps in Windows 8, Windows 8.1.

There are a lot of useful Metro apps in the Store, but users simply don’t like the fact that these apps use the whole screen.

So many people disapproved this feature, just like it was the case with the start menu. Luckily, Microsoft fixed this as well.

windowed apps wind8apps

Of course, the company couldn’t allow itself to simply remove all those apps from the store, because a lot of effort and a lot of money were put in them.

So Microsoft decided to redesign them a little, as they’re now available in the windowed mode, just like other regular programs.

This is much better for PC users, because the previous design of apps just wasn’t desktop-friendly, and some users had a hard time using it.

But in Windows 10 size of apps’ window is easily customizable, so you can adjust it according to your desire.

6. Default web browser

It looks like Microsoft developed a habit of ending an era with its new operating system.

Like the start menu in Windows 8 (luckily, the company decided to revive it), Microsoft sent Internet Explorer to history after nearly 20 years of lasting.

Internet Explorer will be replaced by new Microsoft browser, Project Spartan/Edge, in Windows 10.

Microsoft’s move might be good, because although Internet Explorer is the most famous browser in the world, it’s not famous for great performance.

People are mocking Internet Explorer for years because it’s slower than competitors, and introducing a new browser could attract users’ attention in a good way.

project spartan wind8apps

As for Microsoft Edge, we can’t tell you much about the performance, because like the system itself, it’s still in its early testing phase, but it surely offers some new, refreshing features.

It is powered by EdgeHTML engine, a new layout engine, created from Internet Explorer’s Trident.

It also has some other Microsoft’s products integrated, like personal assistant Cortana, which will improve your searching, and Microsoft OneDrive.

It also has a new Reading View option, bringing a new dimension to the reading experience.

Of course, you can still access Internet Explorer on Windows 10, if you want to.

Should I update the old PC to Windows 10?

  • Yes, since both Windows 7 and Windows 8 reached end of ESU.
  • This means that the operating systems are not receiving feature and security updates.
  • As a result, your PC will be more vulnerable to security attacks and exploits.
  • Many applications dropped Windows 7 support and the same fate is coming to Windows 8.1.

Windows 10 is no more demanding than its predecessors, so you should upgrade as soon as possible to keep your PC safe and compatible with the latest software.

Windows 8.1 is losing popularity, and for more detailed information, visit our Windows market share history guide.

Are you still using an older version version of Windows? If so, let us know your reasons in the comments below.

Microsoft’s long awaited File Explorer upgrade makes a brief appearance

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Microsoft seemingly laid all of its Windows 11 cards on the table as it walked users through all the features to come to the operating system, except for the long-awaited File Explorer upgrade the company has hinted at for some time.

Despite being in almost every screenshot during Microsoft’s 45-minute long unveiling of Windows 11, the company suspiciously avoided the File Explorer icon in the new Taskbar.

Not only Microsoft manage to run full workload scenarios involving Office 365 and Teams without once referencing the File Explorer, but the company also danced around the app during countless demos of other apps that sat near or even directly next to it.

While a new File Explorer has been a fever dream of many Windows users for decades now, it was Microsoft itself that introduced the notion that an update was destined for the aging organizing software. Just recently, Microsoft adjusted the padding to visual elements in the File Explorer to enable slightly improved touch interactions with the app, but, thanks to a quick screenshot caught by many during today’s “What’s Next for Windows” event, there seems more visuals changes are destined for the app.

Based on its brief appearance, the years’ worth of conceptual depictions of the File Explorer may have been overreaching as Microsoft looks to retool the Ribbon with more an iconography-focused layout for editing options.

Windows 11 File Explorer

As evident by the demo, it appears the adjustments to the Filer Explorer are in place to encourage greater touch adoption by users.

Nevertheless, it seems surprising that Microsoft would be bashful in touting the changes while gushing over additional windowing options through visual prompts. Whatever the reason, Microsoft has chosen to remain mum on the changes coming to the Windows 11 File Explorer even though the appetite for it to modernize both visually and functionally, is at an all-time high for some users.

Windows 11 to bring new features for gamers with Auto HDR and DirectStorage

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has finally shared more details about Windows 11 earlier today, and the next version of the OS should be an exciting update for PC gamers. Indeed, Windows 11 will integrate new platform features that shipped first on Xbox Series X|S consoles last year, and this should definitely help to make the Xbox ecosystem a bit more cohesive in the near future.

Auto HDR, an AI-powered feature that can apply High Dynamic Range enhancements to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) images will be the first Xbox feature to make the jump to PC. The HDR reconstruction technique will be compatible with games built on DirectX 11 or higher, and it should help to make old PC games look better than ever with no work required from game developers.

Image heatmap

Windows 11 will also add support for DirectStorage, Microsoft’s new I/O system that’s one of the components of the Xbox Velocity Architecture on Xbox Series XlS consoles. DirectStorage is a technology designed for unleashing the full performance of an SSD to optimize hardware decompression and let Modern games perform asset streaming in the background without stressing the CPU.

DirectStorage will require a high-performance NVMe SSD and the proper drivers, and Microsoft said today that “DirectStorage Optimized” Windows 11 PCs will come configured with the right hardware and drivers. Even on PCs that are not optimized for gaming, Windows 11 will still provide access to a great selection of games with Xbox Cloud Gaming, which will be integrated into the Windows 11 Xbox app.

Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for Windows 10 users later this year, though the new OS will require a PC with a 64-bit CPU and a DirectX 12 compatible GPU. A new version of Windows is usually a good opportunity for PC makers to sell new devices, and Windows 11 should be no exception.