Fast forward to now, Microsoft says it has fixed the problem and has also explained in detail what caused it. It writes:

CAUSE

 

The crash issue is caused due to version mismatch between Office 2016 proofing tools in coexistence with Office language packs (M365 apps for Enterprise). These proofing tools are probably old traces from previous installs or part of Office suite migration.
Coexistence of Office 2016 side by side with M365 apps is not supported due to different installation technologies of same version. For more information, go to Office installed with Click-to-Run and Windows Installer on same computer isn't supported.

The Office build numbers that resolve the issue have also been listed:

STATUS: FIXED

 

This issue is fixed in the following builds:

 

Beta Channel: Version 2409 (Build 18021.15000)
Current Channel Preview: Version 2409 (Build 18025.20000)
Current Channel: Version 2409 (Build 18025.20000) ETA 9/24/24

Hence, if you have been experiencing such crashes, you are advised to update your Office to the versions listed above.

In addition, Microsoft has also detailed how the resolution addresses two such compatibility conflict issues. It says:

This fix addresses two problems:

 

• Older versions of proofing tools installed with M365 Office.

   

  • Office 2016 proofing tools are offered for download via standalone per-language installers. Even if they may appear to function correctly, however, using these Office 2016 proofing tools together with later versions of Office is not supported.

     

  • This fix prevents a crash in Word, Outlook, OneNote and PowerPoint caused by this unsupported installation scenario. Users are strongly recommended to uninstall the Office 2016 proofing tools if they are using a later version of Office and to install the appropriate Office language packs instead. Office language packs update automatically along with the version of Office they are paired with.

     

• Current versions of M365 Office where the language pack version is different from the main installer.

   

  • This fix also addresses problems when M365 Click to Run language pack version is different from the main installer. The fix will prevent future occurrences of the issue. If you still see the issue after the fixed build you will need to repair Office per the workaround guidance below.

You can find the support document documenting the issue here on Microsoft's official website.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

This appears to be a pretty minor update with no new features but with a number of bug fixes. here is the changelog:

• [Microsoft Entra single sign-on (SSO)] The SSO notice that the European Digital Markets Act (DMA) requires prompts too often. This occurs when you authenticate using a certificate. To learn more, see: Upcoming changes to Windows single sign-on.
• [IE mode] Microsoft Edge sometimes stops responding when you use IE mode.
• [Country and Operator Settings Asset] This update brings COSA profiles up to date for certain mobile operators.
• [Media playback] Playback of some media might stop when you use certain surround sound technology.
• [File Explorer and taskbar] Windows server stops responding when you use apps like File Explorer and the taskbar.
• [Windows Update opt-in notifications] They now appear when you sign in.
• [Directory enumeration] This might fail if a directory has symbolic links that have long target names.

You can check out the full blog post here. This happens to be the first new build release for any member of the Windows Insider Program in over two weeks. The last such release was rolled out on August 30, when Microsoft released the 22635.4145 build for Windows 11 for the Beta channel along with a new 27695 build for the Canary Channel.

Windows Insider Members for Windows 11 in the Dev Channel have been waiting for even longer to get a new release. The last such build for that channel was Build 26120.1542, which was released on August 19.

The members of the Windows Server Insider Program got a new release earlier this month. Build 26280 was sent out to members of that program on September 6.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

The company announced the change earlier this year on June 11th stating:

Starting September 16th, Microsoft personal email account users (e.g. Outlook.com, Hotmail.com, Live.com) will need to move to Modern Authentication methods in their email application. These will be necessary for all Outlook users.

 

To help keep Outlook personal email accounts secure, starting September 16, 2024, Microsoft will no longer support Basic Auth, the method in which a person provides only their username and password to sign into their account.

 

As of September 16, 2024, Outlook will require that all those with a Microsoft email account use a mail or calendar app or the Outlook.com website which supports modern auth, such as the latest versions of Outlook, Apple Mail, or Thunderbird.

Before this final notice Microsoft had already sent out mails regarding the upcoming changes under an email stating "Update your sign-in technology before September 16th, 2024 to maintain email access" (via Caroline7122 on the Microsoft Tech Community forum). The tech giant began this communication process towards the end of June 2024. The email said:

The safety and security of your information is top priority for Microsoft. To help keep your account secure, Microsoft will no longer support the use of third-party email and calendar apps which ask you to sign in with only your Microsoft Account username and password.

 

To keep you safe you will need to use a mail or calendar app which supports Microsoft’s modern authentication methods. If you do not act, your third-party email apps will no longer be able to access your Outlook.com, Hotmail or Live.com email address on September 16th.

The move towards Modern Auth is part of Microsoft's effort behind the Secure Future Initiative (SFI) that it announced last year to make "security its top priority."

Microsoft has provided more details regarding Modern Authentication supported app versions. It notes:

Outlook supports Modern Authentication in all current Microsoft 365 subscription SKUs and Outlook 2021 LTSC (any SKU with build 11601.10000 or higher) when connecting directly as Outlook.com. If your Outlook is configured to connect to Outlook.com using POP or IMAP, Modern Authentication is not supported. 

 

...

 

The following versions of Outlook Desktop do not support Modern Authentication for Outlook.com: Outlook 2007, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016 MSI, Outlook 2019 LTSC. Any release of Outlook Desktop with a version less than 11601.10000 does not support Modern Authentication for Outlook.com.

You can find detailed steps regarding the changes you need to make on this support page on Microsoft's website. If you use Thunderbird, you can also follow this article to proceed.

Via Microsoft forums (link1, link2, link3)

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

Although Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2) is laser-focused on further integrating AI, the feature update also comes with many non-AI features that will continue to enhance the overall experience across the desktop.

For example, in version 24H2, Microsoft finally brings the Sudo (Superuser Do) command like the one available on macOS and Linux. The Energy Saver mode will help you save energy whether you have a laptop or a desktop computer with a battery. File Explorer can finally create archival formats like 7zip and TAR. You will also find a new universal print driver that no longer requires you to supply the device driver from the manufacturer, and the operating system now supports Wi-Fi 7, among other things.

In this guide, I will dive into the most interesting non-AI features that are part of Windows 11 version 24H2.

Non-AI features shipping on Windows 11 2024 Update

In the latest version of Windows 11, you will find these new features.

1. Sudo for Windows 11

Windows 11 is finally getting the same Sudo command that Unix-based systems have had for more than three decades.

The new Sudo command has been designed to help you run commands in the elevated mode without having to re-open the Windows Terminal as an administrator.

Using this command, you can delete protected files, invoke elevated commands, and launch a new terminal window. However, it's very limited compared to the Sudo command available on Linux or macOS.

Today, in a blog post, Microsoft announced that Office LTSC 2024 is now generally available for existing business and government customers. It is now also available for any new on-premises versions of Project and Visio. Microsoft says it will be rolled out for all commercial and government customers by October 1.

Office 2024 LTSC includes the Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and OneNote apps. Buying one copy gives the use the license to install and use it on one PC, either for Windows or Mac. Windows customers who get Office LTSC Professional Plus can also get the Microsoft Access ap. It also does not require an internet connection, which may be a big benefit for businesses, and especially government, customers who want to secure these apps.

The blog post added:

Office LTSC 2024 offers a locked-in-time version of familiar productivity tools, updated with a subset of the features that have been added to Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise over the last three years. New features for this release include Dynamic Charts and more than a dozen new text and array functions in Excel, enhanced search and meeting creation options in Outlook, and improvements to performance, security, and accessibility.

Office 2024 LTSC will be officially supported by Microsoft for five years, in accordance with its Fixed Lifecycle Policy. If you are wondering when Microsoft will make any announcements about a version of Office 2024 for consumers, it looks like we will have to wait a bit longer. Microsoft says we will get info about Office 2024 for consumers "in the coming weeks."

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

Called "Settings Scheduler," the module offers a simple way to schedule Windows settings changes based on a timer or a custom schedule. For example, you can set it to toggle between dark and light modes (apparently, no AI can help Microsoft make theme switching a native feature), turn off Wi-Fi for the rest of the day, mute volume in the morning, etc.

Technically speaking, Windows has no shortage of similar tools. Power Automate and Task Scheduler, native Windows components, can do such stuff, but mastering them can be quite a challenge, especially for inexperienced customers. Therefore, Joe Finney wants to simplify the process and offer a more user-friendly tool.

The developer suggests implementing more advanced triggers and scenarios for Settings Scheduler, such as making it capable of detecting specific Wi-Fi networks, locations, and other parameters and adjusting settings to work, home, or other environments.

For now, PowerToys Settings Scheduler is an idea, so do not expect it to arrive in the next PowerToys update. The developer needs to communicate everything with other developers to implement the new module.

Although we do not know when the Setting Scheduler will be coming (if ever), customers will still get new stuff in the upcoming updates. The next PowerToys release will include several new utilities. One is a New+ menu, which will let you create templates for various files you often make. Another is an Action Menu for quick access to multiple tasks, such as generating checksums, moving files, creating folders with selected objects, and more. In addition, a part of the Sysinternals suite is coming to PowerToys. Microsoft confirmed that ZoomIt will arrive in one of the future PowerToys updates.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

Alongside the latter, we noticed that the tech giant also published Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11 24H2 regarding recovery. WinRE, or Windows Recovery Environment, helps users troubleshoot booting issues. Microsoft, alongside this, also released a new update for Setup binaries under KB5043353.

The update is available under KB5043355, and Microsoft writes:

KB5043355: Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 24H2: September 10, 2024

 

Summary

 

This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery environment in Windows 11, version 24H2.

In a Techcommunity blog post about Windows 10 Dynamic Updates, Microsoft explained Dynamic Updates in more detail regarding its various components and uses. These packages include fixes to Setup.exe binaries, SafeOS updates for Windows Recovery Environment, and more:

As soon as a Windows 10 feature update initiates, whether from media or a Windows Update service-connected environment, Dynamic Update is one of the first steps invoked. Windows 10 Setup reaches out to an Internet-facing URL hosted by Microsoft to fetch Dynamic Update content, then applies those updates to your OS installation media.

 

Content acquired includes:

 

• Setup Updates: Fixes to Setup binaries or any files that Setup uses for feature updates.
• Safe OS Updates: Fixes for the "safe OS" that are used to update Windows recovery environment (WinRE).
• Servicing Stack Updates: Fixes that are necessary to address the Windows 10 servicing stack issue and thus required to complete the feature update.
• Latest Cumulative Update: Installs the latest cumulative quality update.
• Driver Updates: Latest version of applicable drivers that have already been published by manufacturers into Windows Update and specifically targeted for Dynamic Update.

 

In addition to these updates, Dynamic Update will preserve Language Pack (LP) and Features on Demand (FODs) content during the upgrade process. These are not updates to LPs and FODs, but reacquisition to ensure the user has these elements present with the update completes.

These dynamic updates are not pushed through Windows Update and are only available for manual downloading from the Windows Update Catalog website. You can find it here. The update is applicable for both Arm64 and AMD64 Copilot+ PCs.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

Alongside the latter, we noticed that the tech giant also published Safe OS Dynamic Update for Windows 11 24H2 regarding Setup EXE binaries. Microsoft, alongside this, also released a new Recovery update under KB5043355.

The update is available under KB5043353, and Microsoft writes:

KB5043353: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 24H2: September 10, 2024

 

Summary

 

This update makes improvements to Windows setup binaries or any files that setup uses for feature updates in Windows 11, version 24H2.

In a Techcommunity blog post about Windows 10 Dynamic Updates, Microsoft explained Dynamic Updates in more detail regarding its various components and uses. These packages include fixes to Setup.exe binaries, SafeOS updates for Windows Recovery Environment, and more:

As soon as a Windows 10 feature update initiates, whether from media or a Windows Update service-connected environment, Dynamic Update is one of the first steps invoked. Windows 10 Setup reaches out to an Internet-facing URL hosted by Microsoft to fetch Dynamic Update content, then applies those updates to your OS installation media.

 

Content acquired includes:

 

• Setup Updates: Fixes to Setup binaries or any files that Setup uses for feature updates.
• Safe OS Updates: Fixes for the "safe OS" that are used to update Windows recovery environment (WinRE).
• Servicing Stack Updates: Fixes that are necessary to address the Windows 10 servicing stack issue and thus required to complete the feature update.
• Latest Cumulative Update: Installs the latest cumulative quality update.
• Driver Updates: Latest version of applicable drivers that have already been published by manufacturers into Windows Update and specifically targeted for Dynamic Update.

 

In addition to these updates, Dynamic Update will preserve Language Pack (LP) and Features on Demand (FODs) content during the upgrade process. These are not updates to LPs and FODs, but reacquisition to ensure the user has these elements present with the update completes.

These dynamic updates are not pushed through Windows Update and are only available for manual downloading from the Windows Update Catalog website. You can find it here. The update is applicable for both Arm64 and AMD64 Copilot+ PCs.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

This week, there are a bunch of new entries specifically for upcoming features for the Microsoft Teams app for Android devices. For example, a new admin function will be added to the app in November:

Admins can switch the screens of Teams Rooms on Android devices in dual display mode remotely, correcting front-of-room display issues without physical support. The screen swap control is accessible in device settings and the Teams admin center.

Also due in November is a new video gallery view for the Teams Android app;

Dual display rooms are now capable of presenting up to 18 videos (3x3 on each screen) when no content is being shared during meetings. This enhancement ensures a uniform experience across both Windows and Android Teams Rooms devices.

In December, there will be a new Queues app for Teams Android devices:

Queues app on Teams phone devices enhances call management capabilities by allowing agents to handle incoming calls, view call queues, and manage call history directly from their Teams phone devices, improving efficiency and ensuring effortless communication for agents.

Also in December, the Teams Android app will add a feature for IT admins:

IT admins will be able to manage and add contacts to Teams phone devices deployed in shared spaces through the Teams admin center. This ensures users across the organization can easily call important contacts, such as emergency numbers or help desks.

In other Microsoft 365 Roadmap updates, the new Outlook app for Windows and on the web will get a new feature in October:

This functionality will allow users to categorize individual emails within the conversation view, enhancing organization and tracking.

Finally, Copilot for Teams on all platforms will add a feature that will give admins more control over it sometime in October:

This policy enables IT admins to block Copilot responses that might infer emotions, make evaluations, discuss personal traits, and use context to deduce answers. When this setting is applied it restricts Copilot’s ability to make inferences or evaluations about people or groups when prompted to do so by users. Users cannot disable this setting. The setting applies to Copilot in Teams meetings.

That's our look back at the Microsoft 365 Roadmap site for the past week. We will return next Sunday for another look at new entries on the site.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Forum etiquette: A post that interests you enough for a comment, also deserves a reaction.

On Windows 11, you can monitor the system drive activity, such as transfer rates and response time, to understand the performance of the storage at a given time, and in this guide, I will explain two ways to complete this task without third-party software.

Although most laptops and desktop computers have switched to Solid-State Drives (SSDs), which are a lot faster than traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), regardless of the storage technology, depending on the application and the task at hand, it will generate a number of reads and writes that can affect performance.

If you want to check the drive activity to understand the performance or if you have to troubleshoot storage-related issues on Windows 11, you can use the Task Manager and Performance Monitor to view transfer rates, response times, and other information in real-time.

In this how-to guide, I will explain the easy steps to check the drive activity on Windows 11. These instructions focus on two easy ways to check the drive performance at a given time. You can use these steps to test the drive performance, or I have also written another guide to help you determine the health of an SSD.

How to monitor drive activity from Task Manager

To check the drive activity through Task Manager, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Task Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click on Performance from the left pane.
4. Select the drive from the left side.
5. Check the "Active time" section to review the percentage of reads and writes over time (every 60 seconds).

With the latest update under version 11.2408.9.0, you can have some timers pinned to the widget board. Although Windows 11 lets you pin only one widget, you can have a couple of timers running side-by-side and switch between them by clicking their names on the widget. The same goes for the Day Countdown widget: Pin it to the board and add any number of dates you want to track.

As of right now, the updated Clock app with new widgets is rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel. However, if you do not want to wait, you can download the necessary bundle and install it manually on a stable Windows 11 installation. Here is how to do it:

1. Go to store.rg-adguard.net.
2. Select ProductId in the first drop-down, then paste 9WZDNCRFJ3PR into the second search box.
3. Select Fast from the second drop-down and click the button with a checkmark.

   

4. Find and click the Microsoft.WindowsAlarms_2021.2408.9.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle file in the search results.
5. Open the downloaded file and click Update.
6. Open Windows Widgets (Win + W) and click the plus button.

Keep in mind that preview updates can be less stable, so you might encounter bugs or errors. If that happens, uninstall the Clock app from the Start menu or the Settings app and then install the Stable version from the Microsoft Store using this link.

Unfortunately, Windows 11's widgets are still limited to the widget board. While there were talks about allowing users to pin widgets to the desktop, nothing has materialized so far.

Source: @phantomofearth on X

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Alongside these, Microsoft also released OOBE (out of box experience) update for the newest Windows 11 version. The update is available under KB5043939 and as is usually the case with such updates, the company has published a general changelog for it without going into any specific details.

Microsoft writes:

KB5043939: Out of Box Experience update for Windows 11, version 24H2: September 10, 2024

 

Summary

 

This update improves the Windows 11, version 24H2 out-of-box experience (OOBE). This update applies only to the Windows 11 OOBE process and is available only when OOBE updates are installed.

These OOBE updates will install automatically during setup if the user has an active internet connection.

In a separate document about OOBE, Microsoft explained what these OOBE updates deliver. It also notes that the downloading and installation time of the update depends on the users' hardware and internet connectivity. It writes:

Critical driver updates, and critical Windows zero-day patch (ZDP) updates, will begin downloading automatically during OOBE after the user has connected to a network. The user can't opt-out of these critical updates as they are required for the device to operate properly. Windows will alert the user that the device is checking for, and applying, the updates.

 

If a newer version of Windows is available than the version that shipped with the device, depending on OS Build, a user may receive latest Windows Updates as one of the last sections of the OOBE. The Windows update will be downloaded and installed during the OOBE.

On the topic of Windows 11 24H2 updates, in case you missed it, Microsoft has a new way to deliver cumulative updates (C.U.) called Checkpoint Cumulative Updates. However, currently, it is leading to MSU install failures with the "Operation is not supported” error message.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Here is the official changelog:

The following update is available for Surface Laptop 6 for Business running Windows 10, Version 22H2 or greater.

 

Improvements and fixes:

 

• Circumvents the situation where the fan remains operational even when not required.
• Enhances user experience by regulating system temperature when an external monitor is connected.

Here is the list of new drivers:

Here is extra information about the release:

As usual, Surface firmware updates are available in Windows Update or the official Surface Support website. You can download a package for manual offline installation via this link.

The Surface Laptop 6 for Business has a six-year lifecycle, and it is scheduled to reach its end of support on April 9, 2030.

In case you missed it, Microsoft recently announced its first ARM-powered Surface devices for commercial customers, the Surface Laptop 7 for Business and the Surface Pro 11 for Business.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

While not directly responsible, the new way to push updates is leading to installation issues for Windows Update Standalone Installer (MSU) files that can fail with an "Operation is not supported” error message. This is the second Windows Update-related problem we are reporting this week following one that is happening on a 24H2 Insider Channel.

Microsoft has explained what the issue is and what is causing it:

Symptoms

 

You have a device that has the latest checkpoint cumulative update installed (for example, currently the September 2024 required update KB5043080). You also have installed a Feature on Demand (FoD) or Language Pack (LP) from a local resource when there is no connectivity to Windows Update (WU) or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

 

Then if you try to install a post checkpoint cumulative update by double-clicking the .msu package, the installation might fail and you receive the Operation is not supported

 

Cause

 

This problem occurs because the FoD or LP that was added from a local source on top of the latest checkpoint cumulative update cannot be updated to the latest update without connectivity to WU or WSUS.

The company has also published how to fix the problem and it essentially involves downloading and reinstalling all the checkpoint cumulative updates. It has provided detailed steps on how to do it:

To resolve this problem, download and reinstall all checkpoint cumulative updates and the latest update.

 

Download checkpoint cumulative update .msu packages

 

1. Search for the latest update (KB number) on Microsoft Update Catalog. For example, to find the September 2024 update, type 5043080 in the Search box and then click Search.

    

2. Click the Download button for your devices architecture such as for x64-based Systems or arm64-based Systems.

    

3. The Download dialog box appears that lists all required .msu packages. These packages include one .msu file for the latest update and .msu files for all checkpoint cumulative updates that were released before this update.

    

4. Individually, click each .msu file and download each .msu file to a local folder such as “C:\Packages”. This local folder must not contain any other .msu files.

Install the .msu packages

Method 1: Manually install MSU packages in order

 

Install each update one at a time in order. To do this, go to the C:\Packages folder and double-click the earliest .msu file. Then continue in order to the next .msu file until the latest .msu file has been installed.

 

Method 2: Use a DISM command

 

Use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to install one or more checkpoint cumulative update .MSU packages. For more information, see DISM Operating System Package (.cab or .msu) Servicing Command-Line Options.

 

To add a single .msu file to a Windows image, use the Add-WindowsPackage command. For more information, see Add-WindowsPackage.

You can find more details here on the official support document under KB5044786 on Microsoft's official website.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

The last such release of any Windows Insider build was on August 30, when Microsoft released the 22635.4145 build for Windows 11 for the Beta channel and a new 27695 build for the Canary Channel. Microsoft updated the blog posts for both the Beta and Canary channels on September 3 to show some new features that were not previously discovered, but the build downloads did not change.

If you are a member of the Windows 11 Insider Dev Channel, you have been waiting nearly a month for a new build. The last Dev Channel release, for build 26120.1542, was released on August 19.

We have attempted to message the Windows Insider Program on their X account to find out why there's been a significant break in new Insider builds, but there's been no response yet. We will update this post if and when this happens.

It has not been a completely barren release schedule for Windows Insider members. On September 6, Microsoft updated the Microsoft Photos app for all Windows 10 and 11 Insider members, adding a number of new features and improvements.

Even members of the Windows Server Insider Program got a new release this week. Build 26280 was sent out to members of that program on September 6.

Meanwhile, regular Windows 10 and 11 users got the latest public versions of those operating systems as part of the monthly Patch Tuesday event. That included users of Windows 10 21H2 and 22H2, along with Windows 11 21H2, 22H2, and 23H2. Owners of Copilot+ PCs got their own Patch Tuesday update this week for Windows 11 24H2.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Here is the official changelog:

• Resolves a problem causing taskbar flickering and occasional device freezing when using a Slim pen.
• Fixes a flickering or screen flashing issue when the device is connected to Surface Dock 2.
• Resolves an issue that prevented the device from using the USB-C functionality after the system had booted.
• Improves the device's ability to connect with other devices through USB-C for direct peer-to-peer communication.

Here is the list of new drivers:

Here is extra information about the release:

To download the latest Surface Pro 8 firmware, head to Settings > Windows Update. You can also get an offline package for manual installation by downloading it from the official support website. Keep in mind that Surface firmware updates are non-uninstallable, so back up important data before proceeding.

The Surface Pro 8, launched in October 2021, still has two more years of active support ahead of it. Microsoft plans to discontinue the tablet on October 5, 2027.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

On Windows 11 (and 10), the system includes an "AppData" folder for each user account that houses three other folders, including the "Local," "LocalLow," and "Roaming," and in this guide, I will explain their purpose and how to access them if you have to troubleshoot specific problems.

What's the AppData folder on Windows?

The "AppData" (Application Data) folder is a hidden container that stores specific data for your applications (such as cache files, preferences, settings, and other information) so they function correctly.

In other words, it's the central location for apps to store and retrieve data without affecting the application core files and allows each user to configure and customize applications differently.

Version 128.0.2739.79: Fixed various bugs and performance issues, improved reliability.

 

Fixes

 

• Fixed an issue that caused deployed pinned Shortcuts to the Taskbar to be duplicated.

 

Improved reliability

 

• Fixed a browser crash that occurred when trying to launch a custom protocol from a web page when using the URLAllowlist policy on a managed device.

Security fixes in the latest Microsoft Edge update include the following four patches for high-severity Chromium vulnerabilities:

• CVE-2024-8636: Heap buffer overflow in Skia in Google Chrome prior to 128.0.6613.137 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

• CVE-2024-8637: Use after free in Media Router in Google Chrome on Android prior to 128.0.6613.137 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

• CVE-2024-8638: Type Confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 128.0.6613.137 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit object corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

• CVE-2024-8639: Use after free in Autofill in Google Chrome on Android prior to 128.0.6613.137 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)

   

To update Microsoft Edge, head to Menu > Help and Feedback > About Microsoft Edge. Alternatively, open edge://settings/help. You can also continue using the browser as is, and it will update itself automatically in the background.

In case you missed it, Microsoft released Edge 128 in late August with an improved Edge Bar, the new SSE3 requirements, deprecated rounded tabs, and more. Check out the full details here.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

In a post on the Microsoft 365 Insider blog, the company is letting those users test out what it calls bidirectional translation support. Microsoft says:

With bidirectional support for language interpretation in Teams, an interpreter can now switch the translation direction between two languages by selecting an indicator on their Teams screen. This new capability eliminates the need for a second interpreter or additional device when going back and forth between two languages.

With this new feature, an interpreter who enters a Teams meeting will see a notification alerting them to the language translation indicator, which will be found at the bottom of the Teams app. The interpreter then sees the language they are translating to the rest of the meeting attendees at the bottom of the screen as part of a button that also has a second language selection. For example, the button could show one for German and the other for Chinese.

Microsoft says:

The interpreter can select the other button to switch the language they are translating into. They can continue switching back and forth during the meeting as needed.

The new feature is currently available to test for members of the Microsoft Teams Public Preview or for people who sign up to get Microsoft 365 Targeted releases. To check out the bidirectional translation support, they must all use the new Teams app for Windows or macOS. At the moment, there's no word on when this new transition feature in Teams will become generally available for all of its users.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

As the company contemplates Control Panel's future, it looks like the Redmond giant is ready to lay Legacy DRM (Digital Rights Management) services to rest once and for all. This will affect the legacy Windows Media Player, Silverlight clients, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Microsoft does not specifically mention Windows 8.1 in this list so users still running the OS should be able to enjoy the features for a while.

The legacy Windows Media Player has been supplanted by the new Media Player on newer Windows versions.

It writes:

Legacy DRM services, used by either Windows Media Player, Silverlight clients, Windows 7, or Windows 8 clients are deprecated. The following functionality won't work when these services are fully retired:

 

• Playback of protected content in the legacy Windows Media Player on Windows 7
• Playback of protected content in a Silverlight client and Windows 8 clients
• Ih-home[sic] streaming playback from a Silverlight client or Windows 8 client to an Xbox 360
• Playback of protected content ripped from a personal CD on Windows 7 clients using Windows Media Player

Microsoft introduced Windows Media DRM (WMDRM) version 1 in 1999 with Windows 98. This is what the company refers to as its legacy DRM solution. Microsoft regularly updated WMDRM and the technology stuck around till Windows 7 and Windows 8. This was back in 2007 which is also when the company debuted PlayReady, the successor to WMDRM.

Also with this announcement, Microsoft has added that Silverlight clients will not be supported. The tech giant, back in 2021, had already announced the end of Silverlight 5.

For those who may not be aware, Silverlight was a web application framework for the development of Rich Internet Applications (RIA) for Web pages. It was introduced in 2007 and was similar to Adobe's Flash. Since its debut, Silverlight has been using PlayReady as its native DRM system.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Here is the official changelog:

Added Features:

 

• Added a ‘Theme Description’ and ‘Theme Type Label’ section in the updated settings/appearance page.

 

Improved Behavior:

 

• Resolved an issue where browser would crash after scanning a QR code during account transfer in an already installed case.
• Resolved an issue when logging out of an MSA account caused browser to crash, preventing a successful logout on iOS.

 

Changed Behavior:

 

• Fixed an issue where clicking the site icon on the taskbar controller did not work after opening the site side pane from the sidebar and minimizing the browser.
• Resolved an issue where the Add Split Screen option was missing from the toolbar and only available in the ‘More’ menu.
• Fixed an issue where tabs displayed URLs in ‘Tab groups’ from the Favorites/Collections group.
• Resolved an issue where Autofill was not working for coupons in the browser.

 

iOS:

 

• Fixed an issue where the font size of the ‘Microsoft Rewards’ page increased in landscape mode on iOS.
• Resolved an issue where files sometimes could not be opened properly after downloading on iOS.
• Resolved an issue where the NTP was broken after switching accounts in split screen mode on iOS.

 

Mac:

 

• Fixed an issue where pressing ‘Esc’ did not exit full screen mode.
• Resolved an issue where three extra lines appeared in full screen mode on Mac.
• Resolved an issue where the ‘Pick a color’ function in the theme settings could not be used under ‘Settings and More’ on Mac.
• Resolved an issue where the URL in the address bar was not properly visible after selection in Light mode with a theme applied on Mac.

 

Android:

 

• Fixed an issue where the tooltip continued to display after clicking the back button and appeared in the wrong location under the extension on Android.
• Fixed an issue when clicking on an Outlook link to open browser caused the browser title in the background to display ‘Microsoft Edge First Run Experience’ on Android.

Microsoft Edge Dev is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android. You can get it from the official Edge Insider website. The stable release of Microsoft Edge 130 is expected on the week of October 17, 2024.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Starting with Ryzen Master 2.14.0.3205, the app requires a Ryzen or Ryzen Threadripper 3000 series processor or newer. Those still using 1000 or 2000 series chips should download an older version of the app.

From the release notes:

Support discontinued for AMD Ryzen™ and AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 1000 and 2000 series processors

You can download Ryzen Master from the official website. Now, with Ryzen and Ryzen Threadripper 1000 and 2000 chips left behind, AMD offers two download links: one for those on the Ryzen 3000 series and newer (version 2.14.0.3205 released in August 2024) and one for the Ryzen 1000 and 2000 series (version 2.13.1.3097 released in May 2024).

The AMD Ryzen Master app works on systems with Windows 10 version 19H1 and newer and motherboards that support overclocking.

The first generation of AMD Ryzen processors for the AM4 socket was launched in the first quarter of 2017. It marked AMD's comeback to the consumer CPU market after a few years of lagging behind Intel. In April 2018, AMD introduced the Ryzen 2000 series on the Zen+ architecture, which brought modest performance increases and fixed memory issues.

As for the Threadripper, the first generation of AMD's HEDT chips debuted in August 2017, offering double the cores of the regular Ryzen lineup. Later, the second generation bumped the maximum number of cores from 16 to 32. These days, the Ryzen Treadripper lineup provides up to a whopping 96 cores and 192 threads.

Although AMD is dropping support for the first two generations of Ryzen chips, their AM4 socket is still pretty much alive and kicking. It remains a good offer for gamers on tighter budgets, with Ryzen 5000 chips with 3D cache providing a tremendous price-to-performance ratio. Moreover, AMD continues releasing new chips for the AM4 socket, which will soon turn eight.

Via VideoCardz

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

Here is the official changelog:

The following update is available for Surface Pro X (SQ2) devices running Windows 11 September 2022 Update, Version 22H2, or greater.

 

Improvements and fixes:

 

• Resolves the issue that resulted in camera to crash unexpectedly.
• Addresses a problem with keyboard functionality in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) or Windows Preinstallation Environment (WinPE).

Here is the list of new drivers:

Here is extra information about the release:

Although all three Surface Pro X have the same firmware, their lifecycles are different. The original Surface Pro X and the SQ2 variant will be out of support on August 10, 2025, while the Surface Pro X Wi-Fi will continue receiving updates for two more years.

You can download the latest Surface firmware by heading to Settings > Windows Update.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

In the latest WhatsApp Android beta version 2.24.19.25, available via the Google Play Store, a new shortcut has been added that allows users to quickly add someone or a group to a list. This shortcut is available within the chat info screen.

According to WABetaInfo, tapping on the shortcut in the top menu bar will open a menu, that allows users to add someone or a group to a list (see image on the left for reference). Notably, there is also an option to create a new list on the fly without needing to head over to the app settings.

After adding a contact or a group to the chat list, it will show up in the filter WhatsApp automatically creates for your chat list. This will allow users to quickly find relevant conversations by selecting the right filter from the top of the chat screen.

Also, you will be able to remove someone or a group from the list using the same menu.

WhatsApp has been also developing the option to allow users to create a call link directly in group chats. This negates the need for the group admin to ring everyone in the group to initiate a group call. The admin can create a call link and share it in the group for others to join.

Users will also soon be able to view their contacts' status updates directly from the viewer list. This means whenever the user checks who has viewed their status, they will see profile names along with a green ring around their profile picture, indicating that the contact has shared a status on WhatsApp. Tapping on the profile picture will show their status update.

WhatsApp is also developing a "Mark all as read" button and a passkey feature that will allow you to use biometrics to access your encrypted backups.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts

In a blog post, Microsoft listed some of the new features and improvements in the .NET 9 RC 1 release. That includes some enhanced WebSocket APIs. In a separate post on the .NET 9 RCI release notes, Microsoft stated:

We've added new APIs on ClientWebSocketOptions and WebSocketCreationOptions that let you opt-in to sending WebSocket pings, and abort the connection if the peer does not respond in time.

 

Until now, you could specify a KeepAliveInterval to keep the connection from staying idle, but there was no built-in mechanism to enforce that the peer is responding.

The SDK in this new release includes a feature called Workload History. In more support notes, Microsoft says:

This command will show the history of workload installations or modifications for a given .NET SDK installation, including the versions of the workloads that were installed, and when they were installed. This command will help you understand the drift in workload installations over time, and help you make informed decisions about which workloads versions to set your installation to.

You can check out the details and more support links to what's new and improved in .NET 9 RC 1 in the blog post and you can get the new version by downloading the .NET 9 SDK now. Microsoft also recommends installing the latest version of the Visual Studio 2022 preview release, as .NET 9 can now be installed via the Visual Studio installer.

Microsoft says there will be a second Release Candidate version of .NET 9 launched before it finally leaves its preview status and becomes generally available. The company also announced today that it launched a public preview of UWP (Universal Windows Platform) support for .NET 9.

Source

RIP Matrix | Farewell my friend  

Hope you enjoyed this news post.

Thank you for appreciating my time and effort posting news every single day for many years.

2023: Over 5,800 news posts | 2024 (till end of August): 3,792 news posts