What you need to know

• Microsoft is testing out a new location for the weather button on the Windows 11 Taskbar.
• The new position places the weather button next to the system tray when the Taskbar is left-aligned.
• This mimics the Windows 10 Taskbar, which has "News and Interests" in this spot.

Microsoft is once again messing around with Taskbar elements on Windows 11, with the latest Windows Insider Beta channel build introducing a new location for the weather button on the Taskbar for users who have the Start button aligned to the left. The company is now trying out placing the weather button next to the System Tray, which makes sense as that's where it's located on Windows 10.

With the launch of Windows 11, Microsoft changed the default position of the Start button, placing it at the very center of the Taskbar along with pinned and running apps. This meant there was no longer any room for the weather button next to the system tray, so Microsoft ultimately moved it to where the Start button used to be, on the far left of the Taskbar.

Of course, Windows 11 does have the option to put the Start button back in the far left, which puts a collapsed weather button into the pinned apps area of the Taskbar. However, Microsoft clearly wasn't happy with this solution, as it meant it could no longer offer detailed information in the weather button when the Start button was left aligned.

The new home for the weather button when you have the Start button left-aligned. (Image credit: Microsoft)

Today's preview build changes this by bringing the full-sized weather button back when the Start button is on the left, and it does so by placing the weather button next to the System Tray on the right. This is exactly where it's located on Windows 10, and makes perfect sense for this configured layout.

When the button is located here, the widgets button will fly out from the right side of the screen instead of the left, which also makes sense. Unfortunately, in my opinion this current implementation of the button itself looks quite silly. Microsoft has used the exact same button layout in this new position, resulting in a huge gap between the weather info and the beginning of the System Tray, resulting in a poor use of space especially on screens with small displays.

This is a beta, so hopefully Microsoft plans to ensure this button looks at home in its new location when the Start button is left aligned in the future. For now, this change is rolling out in waves in the Insider Program, and will likely make its way to production PCs in the coming months.

Source

On Windows 11, you can customize the context menu to add custom shortcuts, and I will show you how in this guide. Although you can make an easy trip to the Start menu to launch an application, search the web, and open a specific feature or setting, as our sister site Tom's Hardware pointed out, it's also possible to modify the right-click context menu through the Registry to access some resources even faster since this specific menu is always one right-click away.

In the past, I have created different guides to add specific entries (such as to access Windows Update, Command Prompt, and others) to the right-click context menu. However, in these instructions, I outline the process of creating shortcuts for virtually anything. 

The only caveat is that these instructions only work with the classic version of the context menu, not the modern interface. However, it's easily accessible using the "Shift + Right-click" shortcut.

In this how-to guide, I will explain the changes you have to make to the Registry to add custom shortcuts to the system's context menu on Windows 11.

How to create custom context menu shortcuts on Windows 11

Using the Registry, you can add custom shortcuts to virtually anything on Windows 11. The instructions below will give you some examples of how to add entries to launch apps and features (such as quick access to specific Settings pages) and open particular websites.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended that you create a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

Launch apps shortcut

To create a context menu entry to start an app, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Registry and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the following path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
4. Right-click the Shell (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

5. Confirm a descriptive name (for example, word) and press Enter.
6. Right-click the "(Default)" String and choose the Modify option.
7. Confirm the name as you want the shortcut to appear. For example, "Open Microsoft Word. "

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

8. Click the OK button.
9. Right-click the newly created key (from step 5), select New, and click on Key.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

10. Click the OK button.
11. Right-click the newly created key (from step 5), select New, and click on Key.
12. Name the key command and press Enter.
13. Select the newly created key (from step 10).
14. Right-click the "(Default)" String on the right side and choose the Modify option.
15. Confirm the path to the application launcher (usually the ".exe" file).

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

• Quick note: In this case, I'm using the path to the Microsoft Word app, which is located in "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE"

14. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you can "Shift + Right-click" on the desktop or inside of a folder on File Explorer to find the new shortcut.

You can add entries to launch virtually any app. For example, you can use these paths for common applications:

• Notepad: notepad
• Microsoft Paint: paint
• Calculator: calc
• File Explorer: explorer
• Clock: clock

You can find the paths of other Office apps in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16.

Launch features shortcut

To create a context menu to launch a feature, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Registry and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the following path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
4. Right-click the Shell (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

5. Confirm a descriptive name (for example, windowsupdate) and press Enter.
6. Right-click the "(Default)" String and choose the Modify option.
7. Confirm the name as you want the shortcut to appear. For example, "Check for Updates."

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

8. Click the OK button.
9. Right-click the newly created key (from step 5), select New, and click on Key.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

10. Name the key command and press Enter.
11. Select the newly created key (from step 10).
12. Right-click the "(Default)" String on the right side and choose the Modify option.
13. Confirm the path to launch the feature, for example, explorer ms-settings:windowsupdate

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

• Quick note: This command launches the Windows Update settings page. You can find more ms-settings URIs on this Microsoft website.

14. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the legacy context menu will show the new entry.

Some common places in the Settings app that you may consider adding to the context menu include:

• Display: ms-settings:easeofaccess-display
• Network & internet: ms-settings:network-status
• VPN: ms-settings:network-vpn
• Start: ms-settings:personalization-start
• Taskbar: ms-settings:taskbar
• Themes: ms-settings:themes
• Power & sleep: ms-settings:powersleep
• Storage: ms-settings:storagesense

Launch website shortcut 

To add a shortcut to open a website from the context menu, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Registry and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the following path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
4. Right-click the Shell (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

5. Confirm a descriptive name (for example, website) and press Enter.
6. Right-click the "(Default)" String and choose the Modify option.
7. Confirm the name as you want the shortcut to appear. For example, "Open Windows Central website."

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

8. Click the OK button.
9. Right-click the newly created key (from step 5), select New, and click on Key.
10. Name the key command and press Enter.
11. Select the newly created key (from step 10).
12. Right-click the "(Default)" String on the right side and choose the Modify option.
13. Confirm the path to launch the feature, for example, rundll32.exe url.dll,FileProtocolHandler "microsoft-edge:https://www.windowscentral.com"

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

5. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you will find the option to launch a specific website when you use the "Shift + Right-click" shortcut to open the classic context on Windows 11.

It's important to note that I'm choosing the "microsoft-edge" handler to open the web page with Microsoft Edge.

(Optional) Add context menu entry icon

If you want to identify the entry with an icon, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Registry and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the following path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell
4. Select the key that represents the context menu entry.
5. Right-click the key (folder) key, select New, and click on String Value.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

4. Confirm icon as the name for the String.
5. Click the OK button.
6. Right-click the "(Default)" String on the right side and choose the Modify option.
7. Confirm the path of the icon.

• Quick note: You can use the path to a ".ico" file or one of the legacy icons available through the "%SystemRoot%\System32\shell32.dll" and using the "%SystemRoot%\System32\shell32.dll,ICON-NUMBER" path. Sometimes, the app executable includes one or various icons, and you can use the executable path to add an icon to the entry.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

10. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, the specified icon will appear next to the custom context menu entry.

Get icon index number 

To get the icon number, you will have to use a third-party application, and here's how:

1. Open NirSoft website.
2. Click the "Download IconsExtract" option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

3. Save the app on your computer.
4. Select the zip folder and click the Extract all button from the command bar.
5. Click the Extract button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

3. Right-click the iconsext.exe and choose the Open option.
4. Click the "Search for icons" button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

6. Confirm the number of the icon (next to the name).
7. Append the number to the path in the "icon" String (above on step 9). For example, "%SystemRoot%\System32\shell32.dll,137"

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Once you complete the steps, you will be able to use the system icons to add icons to the custom shortcuts in your context menu.

It's important to note that while testing this configuration, for some reason, the ID numbers for icons were not correct. For example, if I used the ID "17," the system would show the ID "16." If I used the ID 21, then the system would use the ID "20." So, you may need to play around to land on the icon you want.

(Optional) Disable modern context menu

To turn off the modern context menu on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Registry and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\CLSID
4. Right-click the CLSID key (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

5. Confirm the {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}  name for the key and press Enter.
6. Right-click the newly created key (folder), select New, and click on Key.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

7. Confirm the InprocServer32 for the key and press Enter.
8. Right-click the default String and choose the Modify option.
9. Click on the "Value data" field and press the space and backspace keys.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

10. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, you will have to restart the computer to have access to the classic menu and the new shortcuts without extra steps.

Source

Besides changing the button placement, Microsoft increased its size so that users "can see richer content from Widgets on your taskbar." In addition, the widget board is now appearing from the right side of the display on systems with left-aligned taskbars.

From the official release notes:

We’re beginning to roll out a new position for the Widgets entry-point on left-aligned taskbars. The taskbar entry-point will move to the left of the systems tray and will be wider so you can see richer content from Widgets on your taskbar. When you launch the Widgets board, it will fly out from the right side instead of the left side.

It is not perfect, though. Besides a massive blank space between the forecast and the notification area, you will notice that the entire thing shifts around when Copilot animations play or new icons, such as location, appear in the tray area. If you do not like the new variant or have a suggestion on how to improve it, send Microsoft your feedback by pressing Win + F.

The new widgets button placement is rolling out gradually to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel, but you can get it without waiting for Microsoft to decide whether your system is eligible for this change.

1. Download ViveTool from GitHub and unpack the files in a convenient and easy-to-find folder.
2. Launch Command Prompt as Administrator and navigate to the folder containing the ViveTool files with the CD command. For example, if you have placed ViveTool in C:\Vive, type CD C:\Vive.
3. Type vivetool /enable /id:48660958,48468527,48468541 and press Enter.
4. Restart your computer.

What do you about the new placement for the widget button in Windows 11?

Credit for the IDs goes to @PhantomOfEarth on X.

Source

Like the built-in OneDrive client, Dropbox for Windows offers multiple features to make working with cloud-stored files easier. For example, the official app can upload files faster than the web version and save you some disk storage by offloading local files to Dropbox for online-only mode. In addition, it lets you check upload status, recent activity, file version history, and more. Here is what the app can do according to its Store page:

• Upload files to Dropbox faster than on web
• Access to all your content, right on your desktop
• Save hard drive space by easily moving local files on your computer to online-only in Dropbox
• See upload status and recent file activity by clicking the Dropbox icon on your PC’s taskbar
• Right-click your file to sign it, send it for signature, see version history, and more—all from your desktop

The official Dropbox app is available on x64 and ARM systems running Windows 10 and 11 version 21H2 and newer (build number 19044 or higher).

It is worth noting that those already using the official Dropbox app on Windows 10 should uninstall it before switching to the Store version. You can download Dropbox (beta) from the Microsoft Store using this link.

In other Microsoft Store news, the app recently received a "What's new" section where users can check out the latest additions and new features, such as the recently introduced installation notifications, a reworked Microsoft 365 page, performance improvements, and more.

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What is new in Intel Game On WHQL driver 31.0.101.5382?

Fixed Issues:

 

Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products:

 

• Horizon Forbidden West (DX12) may experience longer than expected load times while launching into gameplay during first run of the game.
• 3DMark Speed Way (DX12) may experience application hang while loading the benchmark.
• Starfield (DX12) may experience an application crash with High or Ultra graphics settings.

 

Intel Core Ultra with built-in Intel Arc GPUs:

 

• 3DMark Speed Way (DX12) may experience application hang while loading the benchmark.

Known issues in the driver include the following:

Intel Arc A-Series Graphics Products:

 

• Doom Eternal* (VK) may exhibit intermittent flickering corruptions in game menu and during gameplay,
• PugetBench* Extended Preset Benchmark may fail to complete on certain Adobe Premiere Pro* Processing Tests.
• Topaz Video Al* may experience errors when using some models for video enhancement.

 

Intel Core Ultra with built-in Intel Arc GPUs:

 

• Diablo IV (DX12) may exhibit corruption on the terrain during gameplay.
• Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora (DX12) may experience a crash during game loading.
• Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection (DX12) may experience application crash on loading to gameplay before shader compilation complete in the main menu.
• PugetBench Extended Preset Benchmark may fail to completeon certain Adobe Premiere Pro Processing Tests.
• Autodesk Maya may experience an application crash while running SPECAPC benchmark.
• Blender may experience an application crash while rendering some scenes on certain system memory configurations.
• Topaz Video Al may experience errors when using some models for video enhancements.
• Procyon Al may experience an application crash while running benchmark with precision float32.

 

Intel Core Processor (12-14th Generation) Products:

 

• Dragon Quest X Online (DX9) may experience sporadic application crash during gameplay,

Driver 31.0.101.5382 WHQL is available for systems with 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 powered by the following Intel hardware:

You can download Intel 31.0.101.5382 WHQL driver from the official website. Full release notes are available here (PDF).

Source

The latest Windows 11 preview build from the Beta Channel finally lets you drag and drop objects onto the address bar in File Explorer. Here is a brief demo:

If you do not have this feature turned by default after getting to build 22635.3420, force-enable it using the ViVeTool app. Here is how:

1. Download ViveTool from GitHub and unpack the files in a convenient and easy-to-find folder.
2. Launch the elevated Command Prompt (run as Administrator) and navigate to the folder containing the ViveTool files with the CD command. For example, if you have placed ViveTool in C:\Vive, type CD C:\Vive.
3. Type vivetool /enable /id:47664723 and press Enter. If that does not work, enable 48433719 the same way.
4. Restart your computer.

Now launch File Explorer and try pulling a file or folder onto the address bar. As you drag it, a small "Move to" popup should appear.

There is no information on when the updated address bar will make it to the Stable Chanel, but stuff in the Beta Channel usually goes to the public quite quickly. Hopefully, Microsoft will not make customers wait too long for this one.

Check out other features in build 22635.3420, including a built-in QR code generator, in our dedicated article.

Credit for the discovery goes to @PhantomOfEarth on X.

Source

In a post on the Windows IT Pro blog, Microsoft says the rollout will officially begin with the regular April monthly security update, also known as "Patch Tuesday," to people who use either version of Windows. This will be a "phased rollout," so some people may not get this update immediately on Patch Tuesday, which this time happens on April 9.

The blog post states:

With this new experience, you can quickly and easily stay informed via dynamic cards on the lock screen. Initially, those with eligible devices will see current weather conditions and weather-related alerts. As the rollout progresses, there will be the option to see more dynamic updates related to finance, sports, traffic, and more.

Microsoft adds that if you only see the Weather card on the lock screen with the new detailed features, your Windows 10 or 11 PC is not yet eligible for the full experience, so you might have to wait until the full update rolls out. Microsoft also points out that some people in different regions of the world may see different cards on the lock screen.

If you still have a Windows 10 PC, the lock screen experience will show the cards at the bottom but aligned to the left side. Windows 11 users will see the cards at the bottom but they will be aligned with the center.

While this new feature will normally display information based on each user's location and language, Microsoft plans to update it in the future so people can customize the cards based on their own preferences.

If you want to get these new lock screens, the latest non-security updates for Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have them. We have guides on how to enable them on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Source

Starting with Windows 11 build 22635.3420, users can click a special button next to the "Copy Link" one to generate a QR code when sharing files or links. The change will make transferring things from a computer to a phone a lot easier, especially if you own an iPhone, which is less friendly to Windows PCs than Android smartphones with their feature-rich Phone Link integration.

You can try the new QR code generator by updating to the latest Beta Channel and then clicking "Windows share options" in Microsoft Edge.

Users will be able to now generate QR codes for URLs and cloud file links through the Windows share window to seamlessly share webpages and files across their devices. To try this out in Microsoft Edge, just click the share button in the Edge toolbar and choose “Windows share options”.

A built-in QR code generator is not the only improvement Windows 11's Share dialog is getting with build 22635.3420. Microsoft changed how closing the dialog works to prevent accidental dismisses. Now, to get rid of the Share UI, you have to click the close button at the top-right corner.

To prevent accidentally closing the Windows share window, clicking outside the Windows share window will no longer close it. To close the Windows share window, just press the close button at the top right corner.

You can learn more about other changes in Windows 11 build 22635.3420 in our separate article.

Speaking of QR codes, Microsoft recently introduced the ability to scan QR codes using the built-in Camera app to join Wi-Fi networks. And if you happen to need to share one, the Settings app also lets you share a password with a QR code.

Source

Here is the changelog:

New features gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

 

New position for the Widgets entry-point on left-aligned taskbars

 

We’re beginning to roll out a new position for the Widgets entry-point on left-aligned taskbars. The taskbar entry-point will move to the left of the systems tray and will be wider so you can see richer content from Widgets on your taskbar. When you launch the Widgets board, it will fly out from the right side instead of the left side.

 

The Widgets entry-point at its new position to the left of system tray on a left-aligned taskbar.

 

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Widgets.

 

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

 

[File Explorer]

 

In response to feedback from Windows Insiders, drag-and-drop files with your mouse functionality between breadcrumbs is now available in the File Explorer Address Bar. We are beginning to roll this out today, so not all Insiders in the Beta Channel will see it right away.

 

[Windows Share]

 

Users will be able to now generate QR codes for URLs and cloud file links through the Windows share window to seamlessly share webpages and files across their devices. To try this out in Microsoft Edge, just click the share button in the Edge toolbar and choose “Windows share options”.

 

Option to generate a QR code to share a URL through the Windows share window.

 

To prevent accidentally closing the Windows share window, clicking outside the Windows share window will no longer close it. To close the Windows share window, just press the close button at the top right corner.

 

[Windows Backup]

 

• If you have both Personalization and Other Windows settings toggled on under Settings > Accounts > Windows backup, many of your sound settings (including chosen sound scheme) will be backed up which can be restored via the Windows Backup app.
• We’re beginning to roll out the ability to sign-in with your Microsoft account (MSA) directly within the Windows Backup app to save backups to your account.

 

Fixes gradually being rolled out to the Beta Channel with toggle on

 

[File Explorer]

 

• Fixed an issue causing File Explorer to crash on launch for a small number of Insiders in the previous flight.

 

[Multiple Desktops]

 

• Fixed an issue where the option to set a different wallpaper on each desktop wasn’t working.

 

[Search]

 

• Fixed an issue which could potentially result in no app results showing in search anymore.

 

[Task Manager]

 

• Fixed an issue where Task Manager was holding onto process handles sometimes, leading to processes not stopping when you closed apps if you’d had Task Manager open.

 

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out to everyone in the Beta Channel

 

[Copilot in Windows]

 

• You can ask Copilot in Windows (in preview) for help ten times when you sign in to Windows using a local account. After that, you must sign in using a Microsoft account (MSA) or a Microsoft Entra ID account (formerly Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)). To sign in, use the link in the dialog that appears in Copilot in Windows. If you do not sign in, some Copilot features might not work. To learn more, see Welcome to Copilot in Windows and Manage Copilot in Windows.

 

[Lock screen]

 

• This update adds Weather and more to your lock screen. Stay informed and efficient with dynamic updates that bring finance, traffic, and sports to your Lock screen, alongside weather. The card design has been improved with acrylic blur, card size, spacing, and font optimizations.To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen. To learn more, see Personalize your lock screen. Note this feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.

 

Finance, traffic, and sports content along with weather on the Lock screen.

 

Fixes for everyone in the Beta Channel

 

• New! This update affects Windows Hello for Business. IT admins can now use mobile device management (MDM) to turn off the prompt that appears when users sign in to an Entra-joined machine. To do this, they can turn on the “DisablePostLogonProvisioning” policy setting. After a user signs in, provisioning is off for Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
• New! This update improves the Remote Desktop Session Host. You can now set up its “clipboard redirection” policy to work in a single direction from the local computer to the remote computer. You can also reverse that order.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels The app labels in the taskbar sometimes do not have the correct length, which cuts off the label text. This occurs when this setting is set to “When taskbar is full” or “Never.”
• This update addresses an issue that affects certain Neural Processing Units (NPU). They do not show in Task Manager.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a network resource. You cannot access it from a Remote Desktop session. This occurs when you turn on the Remote Credential Guard feature and the client is Windows 11, version 22H2 or higher.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). It prevents a stop error that occurs when you apply more than 32 policies.
• This update addresses a deadlock issue in CloudAP. It occurs when different users sign in and sign out at the same time on virtual machines.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Group Policy service. It fails after you use exe to apply an audit policy to the system.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Settings app. It stops responding when you use it to remove Bluetooth devices.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Notepad. It fails to print to certain Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) printers when you use a print support app.
• This update addresses an issue that affects dsamain.exe. When the Knowledge Consistency Checker (KCC) runs evaluations, it stops responding.
• This update addresses an issue that stops some apps and features from being available. This occurs after you upgrade to Windows 11.
• This update affects MSIX applications. It helps their UI to localize correctly for all languages when you upgrade your OS.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ) PowerShell module. It does not load.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the existing AppLocker rule collection enforcement mode. It is not overwritten when rules merge with a collection that has no rules. This occurs when the enforcement mode is set to “Not Configured.”
• This update addresses an issue that affects Transport Layer Security (TLS), version 1.3. It causes Azure App Services to fail. This occurs when the web server attempts to connect to a third-party Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the touch keyboard and the candidate window for the Japanese and Chinese Input Method Editors (IME). They do not show after you come out of Modern Standby. To learn more, see Microsoft Japanese IME and What is Modern Standby.
• This update addresses an issue that affects some wireless headphones. Bluetooth connections are not stable. This occurs on devices that have firmware from April 2023 and later.
• This update addresses an issue that affects USB audio. It fails on some processors. This occurs after you pause, play, or resume from sleep.
• This update supports DST changes in To learn more, see Interim guidance for Kazakhstan time zone changes 2024.
• This update supports DST changes in To learn more, see Interim guidance for Samoa DST changes 2021.
• This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in Greenland. To learn more, see Greenland 2023 time zone update now available.
• This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in To learn more, see Interim guidance for DST changes announced by Palestinian Authority for 2024, 2025.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Secure Launch. It does not run on some processors.
• This update addresses a reliability issue. It affects a Virtual Remote App product when you use a custom shell to open it.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Containers that you create or deploy. Their status does not progress past “ContainerCreating.”
• This update makes Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles up to date for some mobile operators.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the COM+ component. Some applications that depend on it stop responding.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the time service. You can configure it using mobile device management (MDM) or a Group Policy Object (GPO). But the Windows Settings app does not match what you have configured.
• This update addresses an issue that occurs when you use LoadImage() to load a top-down bitmap. If the bitmap has a negative height, the image does not load and the function returns NULL.

 

Known issues

 

[General]

 

• We are investigating an issue where Internet Information Services (IIS) and Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) may not work after installing this update.

 

[File Explorer]

 

• [NEW] Using Shift + F10 will unexpectedly open Show More Options in the File Explorer context menu in this build.

 

[Widgets]

 

Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel who have the new position for the Widgets entry-point on left-aligned taskbars may see the following known issues:

 

• [NEW] Swipe invocation for Widgets may not work if taskbar is center-aligned instead of left-aligned.
• [NEW] Unpinning Widgets from the taskbar may not work if taskbar is center-aligned instead of left-aligned.
• [NEW] The Widgets board is incorrectly positioned when Copilot is in side-by-side mode.
• [NEW] Turning on/off Widgets in taskbar settings may refresh the taskbar.

You can check out the full blog post here.

Source

What is new in Microsoft Edge 124 Beta?

• Email notifications for extension requests in the Microsoft Edge management service. The Microsoft Edge management service provides admins with the ability to receive email notifications for extensions that their users requested. This helps inform them promptly of any new feedback. Note: This experience is in public preview and can be accessed by opting in to targeted release in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
• Updated default profile pill for EDU users in Edge for Business. To improve the applicability of the current Edge for Business default visuals, users signed in with an EDU account will see the default profile pill label updated to "School".
• Desktop Shortcut for New Enterprise Devices. New Microsoft Enterprise devices running through Windows Out of Box Experience (OOBE) for the first time will see a Microsoft Edge desktop shortcut automatically created. This desktop shortcut provides users with an alternative way to access their Microsoft Edge browser without needing to manually pin and configure their set-up.
• Updated profile options in new profile experience. Many users unintentionally create empty profiles, cluttering their workspace and impeding their browsing experience. To reduce clutter and the likelihood of profile churn, updated First Run Experience (FRE) string options encourage users to sign-in and meaningfully create profiles for an improved browsing experience, or easily cancel unintentional creation. Note: This feature is a controlled feature rollout. If you don't see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.
• Copilot Page Context Policies. To summarize and answer questions based on page context in Microsoft Edge, Copilot needs to be able to access the page content. We're providing two new policies to offer more flexibility for admins to customize Edge page context access across Copilot chats in Edge sidebar.
  • CopilotPageContext - Control Copilot access to page contents for Microsoft Entra ID profiles
  • CopilotCDPPageContext - Control Copilot with Commercial Data Protection access to page contents for Microsoft Entra ID profiles
  • The DiscoverPageContextEnabled policy is deprecated in Edge version 124 and will be obsoleted in Edge version 127.
• Updates to Settings pages on privacy, security, search, & services. To improve ease of use, we're updating Edge settings page into two sections: "Privacy and Security" and "Search and Services." This streamlined approach should enable users to find the settings they're interested in more easily. Note: This feature is a controlled feature rollout. If you don't see this feature, check back as we continue our rollout.
• Removal of Web SQL. Web SQL support is fully removed. In prior releases, Web SQL support was disabled by default but could be re-enabled via the WebSQLAccess policy. After this change, there's no longer any mechanism to enable Web SQL support. This change is happening in the Chromium project, on which Microsoft Edge is based. For more information, see Intent to Deprecate and Remove Web SQL.
• Sidebar Tools App - SpeedTest. Adding a SpeedTest answer by default to the Tools app in the Microsoft Edge sidebar. For more information, see Manage the sidebar in Microsoft Edge.
• Updated reauthentication flyout when Web Single Sign-On (SSO) fails. Users who encounter Web single sign-on (SSO) failures for User Interaction Required (UIR) accounts will experience a flyout with a call to action to sign in and verify their account.
• Updated profile management and customization controls. Enhancing the profile management and customization experience through surfaced profile controls and an expanded range of default avatars. With these updates, users can effortlessly tailor their profiles to their preferences and select from a broader collection of profile avatars.

You can find other small changes and fixes in the Dev Channel release notes:

• Microsoft Edge 124.0.2438.2

• Microsoft Edge 124.0.2450.2

• Microsoft Edge 124.0.2464.2

• Microsoft Edge 124.0.2478.6

   

To download Edge 124 Beta, head to the official Edge Insider website. The browser is available on Windows 10, 11, macOS, Linux, and Android.

Source

Here is the official changelog:

Version 123.0.2420.65

 

Fixed various bugs and performance issues, includes security fixes, and improves reliability:

 

• Fixed a browser crash that occurred when the UserDataDir policy is used to specify a path on a network share. Note that using a network share location for the user data directory is generally unsupported.
• Microsoft has a fix for CVE-2024-2883 to Microsoft Edge Stable Channel (Version 123.0.2420.65) and Extended Stable Channel (Version 122.0.2365.113), which has been reported by the Chromium team as having an exploit in the wild.

Security patches are available in version 123 in the Stable Channel and version 122 in the Extended Stable Channel. Patched vulnerabilities include CVE-2024-2887 "Type Confusion in WebAssembly," CVE-2024-2886 "Use after free in WebCodecs," CVE-2024-2885 "Use after free in Dawn," and CVE-2024-2883 "Use after free in ANGLE."

You can update Microsoft Edge by heading to edge://settings/help. Since the patched vulnerabilities are actively exploited, everyone better hurry up and get to version 123.0.2420.65. An offline installer can be found on the official website.

The update will also install an 8KB "Microsoft Copilot" app, which, according to Microsoft, is related to the upcoming Copilot features. They will let you ask Copilot to tweak settings, get device info, launch accessibility features, and more. Those features are currently available only to Windows Insiders with preview builds, and why Microsoft released that small app to users in the Stable Channel remains unknown.

More information about the latest Microsoft Edge update is available here. Security notes have a separate page in the official documentation.

Source

The version of the Photos app with this new AI feature has the build number 2024.11030.22001.0. If you have this version, just go to the Plugins section, and you should see a toggle that will turn the Copilot feature on.

However, this first edition of this plugin seems to be limited to creating and viewing slideshows of your photos in the app, along with the ability to ask Copilot to set one of your photos as your desktop background. There's no word on how many Windows users can access this new version of the Photos app.

In a follow-up post on X, "PhantomOcean3" notes another change in this version of Photos. That includes an updated section in the settings where you can add your Microsoft account to view the images that are stored in your OneDrive cloud account.

In November 2023, Microsoft added some other AI-based features to the Photos app for members of the Windows Insider program. They included a way to remove and replace background images in photos. The app also got some improvements to its Filmstrip feature and added a Timeline Scrollbar based on the time range of your images.

Source

The new build has Widgets board improvements, more SMB protocol changes, and more. It has also dropped the build watermark for this build as it prepares for Windows 11 version 24H2, the next feature update.

The full changelog is given below:

What’s new in Build 26090

Widgets board improvements

 

We are restarting the rollout of the Widgets board improvements that originally began rolling out with Build 26058 to Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel. Those improvements include introducing a new navigation bar on the left allowing you to switch between a dedicated widgets dashboard and other integrated dashboards like Discover. Give it a try and let us know what you think using the feedback button at the top of the board.

 

We’ve added a new Navigation Pane on the left that allows you to switch to My Widgets dashboard.

 

A full widgets only experience from your favorite apps and services.

 

[We are beginning to roll this out to Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel today, so the experience isn’t available to all Insiders just yet.]

 

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Widgets.

More Server Message Block (SMB) protocol changes

Starting with Build 26085 and higher, we are introducing the following Server Message Block (SMB) protocol changes for QUIC, signing, and encryption.

 

SMB over QUIC client disable: Administrators can now disable the SMB over QUIC client with Group Policy and PowerShell. To disable SMB over QUIC using PowerShell, run the following command in an elevated console:

 

• Set-SmbClientConfiguration -EnableSMBQUIC $true

 

To disable SMB over QUIC using Group Policy, use GPMC.MSC or GPEDIT.MSC to configure the following setting:

 

• Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Network \ Lanman Workstation \ Enable SMB over QUIC

 

SMB over QUIC client connection auditing: Successful SMB over QUIC client connection events are now written to the event log to include the QUIC transport. You can view these events using EVENTVWR.MSC under the following path:

 

• Applications and Services Logs \ Microsoft \ Windows\ SMBClient \ Connectivity (Event ID: 30832)

 

SMB signing and encryption auditing: Administrators can now enable auditing of the SMB server and client for support of SMB signing and encryption. This shows if a third-party client or server doesn’t support SMB encryption or signing. You can configure these settings with PowerShell and Group Policy. To configure SMB client or server signing or encryption auditing using Group Policy, use GPMC.MSC or GPEDIT.MSC to configure the following settings:

 

• Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Network \ Lanman Workstation \ Audit server does not support encryption
• Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Network \ Lanman Workstation \ Audit server does not support signing
• Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Network \ Lanman Server \ Audit client does not support encryption
• Computer Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Network \ Lanman Server \ Audit client does not support signing

 

To disable SMB over QUIC using PowerShell, run the following command in an elevated console:

 

• Set-SmbClientConfiguration -AuditServerDoesNotSupportEncryption $true
• Set-SmbClientConfiguration -AuditServerDoesNotSupportSigning $true
• Set-SmbServerConfiguration -AuditClientDoesNotSupportEncryption $true
• Set-SmbServerConfiguration -AuditClientDoesNotSupportSigning $true

 

You can view these events using EVENTVWR.MSC under the following paths:

 

• Applications and Services Logs \ Microsoft \ Windows\ SMBClient \ Audit (Event ID: 31998 and Event ID: 31999)
• Applications and Services Logs \ Microsoft \ Windows\ SMBServer \ Audit (Event ID: 3021 and Event ID: 3022)

 

For more information on SMB over QUIC in Windows and Windows Server Insider Preview builds, review https://aka.ms/SMBoverQUICServer and https://aka.ms/SmbOverQuicCAC.

 

For more information on SMB signing and encryption in Windows and Windows Server Insider Preview builds, review https://aka.ms/SmbSigningRequired and https://aka.ms/SmbClientEncrypt.

Changes and Improvements

[General]

 

• The build watermark at the lower right-hand corner of the desktop is not present in this build and will return in future Insider Preview builds. This is part of our normal process for preparing Windows 11, version 24H2 for release to customers later this year – but does not mean we’re done. Windows 11, version 24H2, will be this year’s annual feature update.As mentioned here, Windows 11 will have an annual feature update cadence that releases in the second half of the calendar year.

 

[Copilot in Windows*]

 

• You can ask Copilot in Windows (in preview) for help ten times when you sign in to Windows using a local account. After that, you must sign in using a Microsoft account (MSA) or a Microsoft Entra IDaccount (formerly Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)). To sign in, use the link in the dialog that appears in Copilot in Windows. If you do not sign in, some Copilot features might not work. To learn more, see Welcome to Copilot in Windows and Manage Copilot in Windows.

 

[Settings]

 

• The redesigned version of the Delivery Optimization settings page under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization that was first introduced in Build 25987 has been reverted to the previous design starting with Build 26085. We plan to bring back this redesigned settings page in a future flight after fixing some bugs. Thanks to Insiders for all the feedback on this!

 

Fixes for known issues

 

[General]

 

• Fixed an issue which was causing video stutters in some apps (and possibly impacting FPS in some games) in the previous flight.

 

[Taskbar & System Tray]

 

• Fixed an explorer.exe crash that was impacting taskbar reliability.

 

[File Explorer]

 

• Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to see File Explorer unexpectedly using the previous design and have no tabs in the latest builds.

 

[Task Manager]

 

• Fixed an issue where Task Manager was holding onto process handles sometimes, leading to processes not stopping when you closed apps if you’d had Task Manager open.

 

[Windowing]

 

• Fixed an underlying issue which was causing the bottom half of secondary monitors to be unusable sometimes in recent builds (app windows wouldn’t maximize to that area).
• Fixed an explorer.exe crash which was happening for some Insiders recently when dragging windows.

 

Known issues

 

[General]

 

• [IMPORTANT NOTE] We are investigating reports that some Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels are stuck on Build 26040 or Build 23620. The investigation is ongoing, however if you are impacted by this and really want to get onto the latest build in the Canary or Dev Channel today – you can download the latest ISO here and do a clean install and opt your device back into flighting in the Canary or Dev Channels.
• [NEW] We’ve seen some Insiders report that shutdown is still not working on their PCs after Build 26085 and are working on a fix.

 

[Copilot in Windows*]

 

• Voice access does not work reliably with the updated Copilot in Windows experience that introduces the ability for Copilot to act like a normal application.
• Using Windows Ink to write in Copilot will not work with the updated Copilot in Windows experience that introduces the ability for Copilot to act like a normal application window.
• When Copilot in Windows is docked and resized to a large width, Copilot does not always fill the width of the panel. Resizing Copilot usually fixes this issue.
• With the updated Copilot in Windows experience that introduces the ability for Copilot to act like a normal application window, you may not be able to bring focus to the “…” or refresh buttons within Copilot when using a keyboard (ex: by using tab to cycle through buttons).

You can view the original blog post on this page on Microsoft's official website.

Source

When users found certain elements of the OS were still not quite as snappy or smooth, Microsoft promised that improvements were in the pipeline for 2022. Microsoft has continued to make such performance claims and has also not hesitated to detail all such improvements it has made.

Neowin conducted a set of tests using the latest Intel 14th Gen desktop CPU to see if we could find a palpable performance difference between the two and our results suggested that just was not the case. We also did two different tests, one for in-place upgrade and one where we clean installed.

Microsoft was not outright lying about such claims though as a recent Windows 11 kernel deep dive revealed there indeed had been underlying optimizations made for Intel Performance Hybrid, but such changes were already inside Windows 10 and hence, the performance does not exclusively favor the Windows 11 camp.

As such, lightweight versions of Windows 11, as well as for 10, are popular, and AtlasOS happens to be one such alternative. The developers of the modded Windows took to Twitter yesterday to remind users about itself and tout the benefits. The AtlasOS team claims minimal latency, and micro-stuttering, among other benefits compared to the real Microsoft version of Windows 11, and hence targets gamers, especially competitive gamers. It also claims to disable most telemetry.

The developers have also provided framerates in Valorant to demonstrate the advantage.

The above numbers are based on the latest available version of AtlasOS, 0.3.1, which was released in November last year. As you can see, at least in the case of Valorant, the devs claim solid performance benefits compared to Windows 11.

Here are Atlas' claims in terms of hardware usage:

CPU Usage

 

We've reduced background CPU usage significantly. Nothing that you don't need will run in the background.

 

• 2-10% -> 0%

 

Ram usage

 

Thanks to Atlas we've freed up 1.1GB of RAM usage from boot, which can then be allocated to other tasks.

 

• 2.3GB -> 1.2GB~

If you want to try AtlasOS, you can download it from its official site or its GitHub page, though, do bear in mind that this is a third-party app.

Source

In a document published on the official Microsoft Learn website, the company says that WordPad will be removed from Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025. Both operating systems will ship without WordPad components, namely wordpad.exe, write.exe, and wordpadfilter.dll. Microsoft recommends developers avoid referencing those files in their apps and instead use Microsoft Word and Notepad.

Although WordPad had a pretty basic set of features, it was still a decent rich-text editor with RTF support. Starting with Windows 11 version 24H2, which is also known as Windows 11 2024 Update, the operating system will no longer have a built-in text editor with RTF support. If you often work with this file format, Microsoft recommends using Word. As for regular text files (TXT), Microsoft says Notepad should suffice, especially in light of the latter getting plenty of new features and upgrades.

In September 2023, when Microsoft announced WordPad's upcoming end of life, we published a look-back article detailing the history of this classic Windows app. If you missed it, check it out here.

There will not be an official way to restore WordPad in Windows 11, so those wanting the app should rely on enthusiasts to figure out a way to restore the old text editor. Windows is famous for its backward compatibility, so porting WordPad back should not be a big problem, just like it is not a big deal to restore the old Task Manager and Notepad.

Rest in peace, WordPad.

Source

The new RAM controls were spotted in Edge Canary by @Leopeva64 on X (formerly Twitter). Microsoft plans to let customers limit the memory use while playing games (the browser can automatically detect that) or always. A special slider will allow you to specify how much memory Edge should not exceed. You will also be able to check RAM consumption and limits in the "Browser essential" flyout.

The upcoming memory limiter will be a useful addition to all Microsoft Edge users regardless of how powerful their hardware is. Constraining RAM use will help reallocate resources to more important apps when doing resource-intensive tasks, gaming, or just using a low-end device with less memory than modern Android smartphones have.

Of course, choking Microsoft Edge of memory cannot go unnoticed. Microsoft warns that limiting RAM use can negatively impact the browser's performance.

You can try new memory controls for Microsoft Edge by updating to the latest Canary version from the Edge Insider program. Note that that is a controlled feature rollout, which means only some testers can access it right now. To check whether your Edge Canary has the new RAM limiter, go to Settings > Performance > Performance Detector.

Besides the RAM limiter, Microsoft is working on a new Game view. The idea is to show users tips, guides, and "other helpful content" when they switch from the game to Microsoft Edge. The browse will let you toggle it off, assuming the feature will make it to the Stable Channel.

As a reminder, Microsoft recently re-released Edge 123 in the Stable Channel after fixing compatibility issues with "certain enterprise configurations."

Source

Windows users have received a new version of the Microsoft Store app. The update makes it easier to check out new features, experimental changes, and other improvements in the latest update.

The "What's new" section in the Microsoft Store is now rolling out to all users, not just Windows Insiders. It was announced by Rudy Huyn, Principal Architect at Microsoft:

To get the latest version, open the Microsoft Store, go to the Library section, and click "Check for updates." You will then spot a "What's new" button in the bottom-left corner of the app.

As of right now, the new section features recent changes, including some unannounced features, such as a new UI for unlinking devices:

Experimental - Seamless Device Management: No More Store Exits for Device Limits

 

Hitting the 10-device limit? No Problem! With our new in-store native unlink device dialog, you can easily unlink a device right from the Store, keeping your shopping experience smooth and uninterrupted.

 

Experimental - Microsoft 365 Pages just got better!

 

Now it's easier than ever to explore app features and compare subscription plans. You can compare monthly and annual plans to determine what's best for you, and you can browse the features in various apps included in Microsoft 365.

 

New - Easier installation and launch

 

Now you can install content directly from the Store's Home, Apps, or Gaming pages. Just hover over the product you want and click the Get button. When you initiate a download from the Microsoft Store, we'll send you a notification when your app is installed and ready to use. This can be toggled off in the Store's Settings page.

The new section does not mention app versions, but it is still nice to get a single place for new Microsoft Store features.

Source

Business patchers take heed.

Usually, monthly updates have the same impact on both business and consumer PCs. This month, applying patches to consumer machines is generally safe, which would have earned a MS-DEFCON level of 4. But business machines are another matter; I’ve lowered the level to 3.

For the most part, I think the business issues are resolved as of the publication of this alert. But we’re experiencing one of those media frenzies which is vastly overstating the occurrence of blue screens of death (BSOD).

That said, there are some isolated issues with some hardware for which Windows 11 KB5035853 is triggering BSODs. It appears to be limited to Lenovo laptops with AMD chips. I am not seeing issues with HP or Dell laptops.

I am seeing some reports with third-party Windows Explorer patch tools, so if you are a fan of ExplorerPatcher, make sure you are on the latest release.

Consumers

Blue screens of death are one of the worst side effects of updating. Dealing with the aftermath is not fun. So if you are at all squeamish about installing the March updates on your Lenovo computer and you aren’t quite sure if you have an Intel or AMD, I wouldn’t blame you if you ensured that your deferral was kicked down the road until the April updates are released.

Most computers ship with some sort of badging that clearly indicates which brand of CPU the PC is based upon. But even if you can’t find such badging, Settings | System | About will tell you. Either way, knowing which processor is involved can help you decide whether to proceed with updates or defer for a month until the problem is known to have been resolved. This situation points out that Windows is deployed by many different vendors on many different hardware configurations and cannot (or does not) test every one.

I don’t have any factual statistics to guide me on this, but over the years I have seen odd issues pop up with AMD processors. It’s my opinion, not fact, that the relationship between Intel and Microsoft seems a bit stronger than the one with AMD. Given that the March updates also did not include any critical patch issues for consumer operating systems and applications, if you want to sit out March updates and join in on the fun in April just to be safe, I wouldn’t blame you one bit.

To recap my recommendations for consumers:

We’re still seeing Copilot in dribble mode. Savvy forum participant WCHS noted that once Edge Beta was installed, it also seemed to bring along a new Microsoft Copilot app — for Windows 10! It is not installed if you merely have Edge, but gets installed with the current Edge beta.

It’s unclear what exactly it is or does, especially given that it was installed on a computer that does not have Microsoft Copilot plus or Microsoft 365 Copilot. I’m making inquires about this. Remember, you can also disable Copilot in the Edge browser. I’ll let you know if we need to also uninstall an app going forward.

Businesses

A problem arose with patches earlier this month for domain controllers. Microsoft noted, “Extreme memory leaks may cause LSASS to crash, which triggers an unscheduled reboot of underlying domain controllers (DCs).”

However, this was resolved very quickly with out-of-band (OOB) updates. The chart below shows the original KB for each server mentioned and the KB for the resolution.

If you use Lenovo’s Vantage program, it appears that a recent firmware update has triggered issues asking for BitLocker recovery keys. If you’ve started rolling out Lenovo firmware updates, you might want to either hold back or do additional testing if other systems under your control are impacted.

Exchange patchers who installed the March security updates will have to use a workaround to fix searching. After installing the March updates, if you run a search in Microsoft Outlook Cached mode you will receive an error message. Microsoft has provided a workaround and is working on a fix.

For those who need to dig into windows update logs, it’s often been a black box. I stumbled on a post that may help to identify what is going on if you need deeper investigation. I still wish that the log files were clearer, but this may help to shed some light on situations where you think a user has inadvertently clicked on something triggering the system to install an update when you hadn’t yet approved the update in your network.

For those of you with Lenovo systems with AMD processors, review the guidance for consumers above. Defer updates until this issue is resolved.

Resources

Source

As it turned out, you can do that. Here is how to go back to the old Notepad in Windows 11.

Restore old Notepad in Windows 11

The easiest way to bring back the old Notepad is to delete the new one. Open Start > All Apps and locate Notepad. Right-click it and select Uninstall. Now, every text file will open in the old Notepad, which you can still find in the C:\Windows folder.

Note that uninstalling Notepad will remove its entry from the "Open with" menu. You can fix that and add the old Notepad by following the steps below. Those can also let you keep both variants and select whichever you want whenever you want. Here is what to do:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Advanced app settings > App execution aliases (credit for this goes to λlbacore on X).

   

    

2. Scroll down and toggle off Notepad. This will let you open the old Notepad from the Windows folder or with the "notepad" command. You can similarly launch the old Task Manager in Windows 11.
3. Download the OpenWithView tool from NirSoft. It is a simple single-file utility that lets you select what apps appear in the "Open with" menu. You will also need it to add Notepad to the "Open with" list after deleting the new Notepad.
4. Launch the app and select notepad.exe.
5. Click the green button on the toolbar.

   

    

6. Close the app and right-click any text file. You will then see two Notepads: the modern one and the legacy variant.

   

    

Are you ok with the new Notepad, or do you prefer the old one? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Source

In a blog post today, Microsoft said that official support for .NET 7 will end after May 14, 2024. That gives that version of the tool 18 months of official support. Microsoft has given the odd number versions of .NET that amount of support time, which is known as Standard Term Support (STS).

Microsoft notes that May 14 is also the same day as the company's monthly event known as Patch Tuesday. As a result, .NET 7 may get one final update on that date.

After May 14, here is what happens to apps made with .NET 7:

• Applications that use this version will continue to run.
• No new security updates will be issued for .NET 7.
• Continuing to use an unsupported version will expose you to security vulnerabilities.
• You may not be able to access technical support for .NET 7 applications.

In addition, Microsoft says that the .NET 7 component in Visual Studio will be changed to out of support and optional for Visual Studio 2022 17.6 and Visual Studio 2022 17.4 with the June 2024 servicing updates for those versions.

Microsoft says that if you know you are using an app made with .NET 7 app, you should ask the app's developer or render to see if there is a version with the more recent .NET 8.

Speaking of which, .NET 8, which officially launched in November 2023, is currently not scheduled to reach its end of service date until November 2026. In February 2024, the company launched the first preview version of the next developer tool update. .NET 9. It is not currently scheduled to become official until November 2024.

Source

In a blog post, Microsoft says it want feedback on this experimental MSBuild editor from developers who may need to edit csproj files directly so they can access certain features that are not available with the Visual Studio user interface. It adds:

You may also need to edit csproj files directly when merging changes from source control, or you may be writing targets and props files for local use or for publishing in a NuGet package.

The MSBuild editor can offer quick information on properties, items, and metadata in MSBuild expressions, in addition to the normal info revealed for XML elements.

The Quick Info popup is richer, and has deep links to relevant documentation, as well as hyperlinks to references in other files that may help you understand how that property or item is used by the underlying targets.

The experimental editor also adds IntelliSense "almost everywhere in the file, with documentation powered by its schemas" along with a type system that lets developers see any "malformed conditions and expressions" that might be present before they run the build. Microsoft says this editor includes a "new MSBuild-specific json-based schema format."

At the moment, this tool is only available for Visual Studio, but there are plans to add support for Visual Studio Code as well. In addition, if the feedback is positive, Microsoft plans to make this the default MSBuild editor for all .NET developers. You can check out the experimental MSBuild editor at the Visual Studio Marketplace website.

Source

What is new in Microsoft Edge Dev 124.0.2478.6:

Here is the official changelog:

Improved Reliability:

 

• Fixed a browser crash on Android.

 

Changed Behavior:

 

• Resolved a problem where the History panels lacked a visible scrollbar.
• Fixed an issue where the hover state background color for the Workspaces button was not aligned properly.
• Fixed an issue where the search indicated that an item was unpinned when it was pinned.
• Fixed an issue where a black border appeared around the search icon in split-screen mode.
• Fixed an issue where the Copilot button was only described as “Chat, button,” lacking adequate description.
• Resolved an issue that prevented selecting multiple items simultaneously in the search results on the favorites page.

 

Mac:

 

• Resolved a problem that prevented opening Games from the Settings and More menu on Mac.
• Resolved an issue to ensure that users consistently reach the Soft FRE page after restarting browser.
• Android: The issue of the generated image not aligning with the provided image has been successfully resolved in Copilot Chat.
• iOS: Fixed an issue that allowed the removal of the Copilot toolbar icon and blocking of sites by domain on iOS.

If you want to participate in the Edge Insider program on your Windows PC or Mac, head to the official Edge Insider website. Alternatively, go to edge://settings/help and click "Learn more" in the Microsoft Edge Insider section.

Microsoft Edge 124 is expected in the Stable Channel next month. Before that, Microsoft will re-release version 123, which was recently pulled to "ensure compatibility with certain enterprise configuration related to storage of user profile data." The update should be back today, March 27.

Source

Although PowerToys has existed since the mid-90s, Microsoft pulled the plug and discontinued the project after Windows XP. The software giant revived the tool in 2019, and since then, PowerToys has received frequent updates with new features. After mastering PowerToys utilities on my Windows laptop for months, here are the top tools I want to see natively built into the operating system.

PowerTosy packs in a huge set of tools and utilities (24, to be exact) to elevate your Windows experience. While most tools are geared toward power users and professionals, some can be helpful in an average user’s workflow.

7.  PowerRename

Have more options when renaming files

While Windows comes with an option to batch rename files, it’s basic at best. It doesn't offer any flexibility in renaming multiple files simultaneously. The built-in Windows tool can learn a lot from PowerToys' PowerRename plugin. The add-on takes the entire experience to the next level by offering a series of conditions to rename your files exactly the way you want.

For example, in the screenshot above, I want to replace GPU with Nvidia without messing up the rest of the naming scheme. I can simply fire up PowerRename from the context menu, use the search & replace tool, tweak text formatting if required and hit Apply. Microsoft can easily replace the current bland rename tool with this one.

6.  Always On Top

Enable floating app windows

This is another handy PowerToys tool that can benefit many Windows users. Although Microsoft has nailed multitasking with Windows 11, an add-on like Always On Top comes in handy in many situations.

Suppose you are dealing with a marketing worksheet and want to keep a calculator or a PDF open all the time. You can open these apps and press the activation key to keep them active in the foreground. I also like little details like blue borders around such pinned apps to differentiate them from other apps in the background.

5.  Peek

Quick glance over your files without any app

As the name suggests, the Peek utility lets you preview any photo, video or file with an assigned key shortcut. It should sound familiar if you are switching from a Mac since it works exactly like Preview on macOS. You can preview any file and open it in a compatible app to make tweaks and edits. It's much better than the current Windows 11 setup, where you need to open a PDF file, document or photo in a compatible app to view details.

That said, the file previewing files via the Peek module isn’t as smooth as Preview on Mac. Some micro shutters spoil the experience. Peek’s native system integration should address such issues.

4.  Image Resizer

Very handy for web creators

Many content creators can benefit from a robust tool like Image Resizer built into the OS. As of now, you need to use the Microsoft Photos app to resize an image. It requires too many clicks to get the job done. With Image Resizer, you can create different image preset sizes and implement them with a single click. You don’t need to open the Photos app and resize images one at a time.

As a writer, I frequently use this PowerToys tool to resize my screenshots before uploading them onto the web.

3.  PowerToys Run

Can give Spotlight Search a run for its money

Although Microsoft offers universal search via the Start Menu on Windows, it takes up a major portion of the screen and doesn’t look as seamless as Spotlight Search on Mac. The software giant can take a page out of PowerToys Run and deliver a system-wide quick launcher on Windows.

You can simply fire up PowerToys Run to search files and folders, calculate mathematical equations, execute commands, manage Windows services and more. Microsoft should integrate it at the system level so that it can perform more functions like finding your OneNote notes, starting a Spotify playlist and even running prompts directly into the Copilot chatbot. The possibilities are endless here.

2.  FancyZones

Create windows layouts exactly the way you want

As mentioned above, Windows 11 already shines at multitasking. You can simply hover the cursor over the Maximize button and pick one of the relevant layouts to organize your apps.

While it's sufficient for most, an add-on like FancyZone in Windows can take your entire multitasking experience to the next level. It lets you create different layout templates based on your preferences and screen size. You can save multiple presets and use them as required. It is very handy for desktop users with a giant monitor setup.

FancyZone also comes with other customization features, but Microsoft can start with some layout presets and then add the remaining capabilities over time.

1.  Keyboard manager

Get the most out of your Windows keyboard

The current keyboard customization in Windows 11 is quite basic and leaves a lot to be desired. Microsoft can borrow a few features from PowerToys’ keyboard manager and offer an option to reconfigure the keyboard by remapping keys and shortcuts. While keyboard manager is mostly geared towards power users, I’m sure many general users can utilize it in their workflow.

For instance, if you never use the Page up/Page down keys on your keyboard, you can remap it to launch your favorite apps or run common shortcuts like special characters (Windows + .) menu. Keyboard manager also lets you limit a revamped shortcut to a specific app only.

Make Windows a productive powerhouse

While PowerToys features work as expected, setting up an ideal workflow with the right set of tools does require a learning curve. Most Windows users may find it cumbersome and entirely skip using PowerToys altogether. I hope Microsoft takes feedback from the PowerToys community and neatly implements some of the popular tools within the system OS.

Apart from the above-mentioned wishlist, Microsoft’s offering also packs other additional features such as mouse utilities, quick accent, screen ruler, color picker, handy File Explorer add-ons and more. You can check our complete guide on PowerToys to learn more.

Source

Here are the KB5035941 highlights:

• New! This update adds Windows Spotlight to your desktop background. This feature displays new images as your desktop wallpaper. If you want to know more about an image, click or tap the Learn More button, which takes you to Bing. To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Personalization > Background > Personalize your background. Choose Windows spotlight. Note: This feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.
• New! This update adds more content to your lock screen. In addition to weather, sports, traffic, and finance content will appear. To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Personalization > Lockscreen. Note: This feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the touch keyboard. It does not open sometimes.
• When you sign in, you might see a message that invites you to upgrade to Windows 11. This message only appears if your device is eligible for an upgrade. Note: This feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.

And here is everything else included in today's update:

• New! This update affects Windows Hello for Business. IT admins can now use mobile device management (MDM) to turn off the prompt that appears when users sign in to an Entra-joined machine. To do this, they can turn on the “DisablePostLogonProvisioning” policy setting. After a user signs in, provisioning is off for Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
• New! This update adds search highlights to the taskbar search box for the European Economic Area. To learn more, see Windows Search providers. Note: This feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.
• This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in Palestine. To learn more, see Interim guidance for DST changes announced by Palestinian Authority for 2024, 2025.
• This update supports DST changes in Kazakhstan. To learn more, see Interim guidance for Kazakhstan time zone changes 2024.
• This update supports DST changes in Samoa. To learn more, see Interim guidance for Samoa DST changes 2021.
• This update changes the English name of the former Republic of Turkey. The new, official name is the Republic of Türkiye.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the COM+ component. Some applications that depend on it stop responding.
• This update addresses an issue that stops some apps and features from being available. This occurs after you upgrade to Windows 11.
• This update addresses a deadlock issue in CloudAP. It occurs when different users sign in and sign out at the same time on virtual machines.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a network resource. You cannot access it from a Remote Desktop session. This occurs when you turn on the Remote Credential Guard feature and the client is Windows 11, version 22H2 or higher.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge. It fails to open on Surface Hub (Team OS).
• This update affects the Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) AmsiUtil class. It helps to detect the bypass of the AMSI scan. This update also addresses some long-term issues that expose your device to threats.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the time service. You can configure it using mobile device management (MDM) or a Group Policy Object (GPO). But the Windows Settings app does not match what you have configured.
• This update addresses an issue that occurs when you use LoadImage() to loada top-down bitmap. If the bitmap has a negative height, the image does not load and the function returns NULL.
• This update addresses an issue that affects scanners. They stop responding when you connect to them using eSCL over USB.
• This update makes Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles up to date for some mobile operators.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the existing AppLocker rule collection enforcement mode. It is not overwritten when rules merge with a collection that has no rules. This occurs when the enforcement mode is set to “Not Configured.”
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Group Policy service. It fails after you use LGPO.exe to apply an audit policy to the system.
• This update addresses a reliability issue. It affects a Virtual Remote App product when you use a custom shell to open it.

Known issues in this update include the following:

You can download KB5035941 from Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Source

Microsoft announced the "Moment 5" update on February 29, 2024. It started with a gradual rollout for "seekers," forcing some users to enable the new features manually (see our "How to install Moment 5 update" guide to learn more). Now, the update is available to everyone willing to install the latest optional update from Windows Update.

Check out our Windows 11 "Moment 5" review here.

Here is the list of new features in KB5035942. Click here to jump down to the list of quality improvements.

Copilot in Windows (in preview)

 

• New! You can ask Copilot in Windows (in preview) for help ten times when you sign in to Windows using a local account. After that, you must sign in using a Microsoft account (MSA) or a Microsoft Entra ID account (formerly Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)). To sign in, use the link in the dialog that appears in Copilot in Windows. If you do not sign in, some Copilot features might not work. To learn more, see Welcome to Copilot in Windows and Manage Copilot in Windows.

 

Lock screen

 

• New! This update adds more content to your lock screen. Sports, traffic, and finance content will appear along with weather. To turn on this feature, go to Settings > Personalization > Lockscreen.
  Note This feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.

 

Settings

 

• This update addresses an issue that affects the Settings app. It stops responding when you use it to remove Bluetooth devices.

 

Audio

 

• This update addresses an issue that affects USB audio. It fails on some processors. This occurs after you pause, play, or resume from sleep.

 

Taskbar

 

• This update addresses an issue that affects the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels setting. The app labels in the taskbar sometimes do not have the correct length, which cuts off the label text. This occurs when this setting is set to “When taskbar is full” or “Never.”

 

Voice Access

 

• New! You can now use voice access with the following languages:
  • French (France, Canada)
  • German
  • Spanish (Spain, Mexico)

 

When you turn on voice access for the first time, Windows will ask you to download a speech model. You might not find a speech model that matches your display language. You can still use voice access in English (US). You can always choose a different language from Settings > Language on the voice access bar.

 

• New! You can now use all voice access features on multiple displays. These include number and grid overlays that, in the past, you could only use on the primary display. While you are using the grid overlay on a screen, you can quickly switch to another display. To do that, use the alphabet or NATO phonetic in your command. For example, “B” or “Bravo” are both valid for the display that is assigned that letter.
  You can also use the “mouse grid” command to quickly move your mouse to a specific point on a display. For example, in the screenshot below, the command will be, “mouse grid A 114.” Finally, you can use the drag and drop feature to move files, apps, and documents from one display to
• New! This update introducesvoice shortcuts or custom commands. You can use them to create your own commands in the supported English dialects. To start, say “what can I say” and click the “Voice shortcuts” tab on the left panel. You can also use the command “show voice shortcuts” to open the Voice shortcuts page. Click Create new shortcut. Use your voice or other input to create a command. Give it a name and select one or more actions. After you fill in the necessary information, click Create. Your command is now ready to use. To view all the voice shortcuts you have created, go to the command help page or use the voice command, “show voice shortcuts.”

 

Narrator

 

• New! You can now listen to a preview of the ten natural voices before you download them. See the Narrator section of the September 2023 update for the list. These voices use modern, on-device text-to-speech. Once you download them, they work without an internet connection. However, to listen to a preview, you need an internet connection. To add and use one of the natural voices, follow the steps below.
• New! This update adds a new keyboard command to move between the images on a screen. Now, you can use the keys G or Shift+G to move forward or backward between images in Scan mode (Narrator key+space bar).
• New! This update improves Narrator’s detection of text in images, which includes handwriting. It also improves the descriptions of images. To use this feature, you must have an active internet connection. You must also turn on the setting to get image descriptions in Narrator settings. To try this experience, select an image and press the Narrator key+CTRL+D.
• New! In Microsoft Word, Narrator will announce the presence of bookmarks and draft or resolved comments. It also tells you if accessibility suggestions exist when it reads text in the file.
• New! You can now use voice access to open applications, dictate text, and interact with elements on the screen. You can also use your voice to command Narrator. For example, you can tell it to, “speak faster,” “read next line,” and so on. To get started, search for “voice access” in Windows search and set it up.

 

Windows Share

 

• New! This update changes the apps that appear in the Windows share window. The account you use to sign in affects the apps that are in “Share using.” For example, if you use a Microsoft account (MSA) to sign in, you will see Microsoft Teams (free). When you use a Microsoft Entra ID account (formerly Azure Active Directory) to sign in, your Microsoft Teams (work or school) contacts show instead.
• New! The Windows share window now supports sharing with WhatsApp in the “Share using” section. If you do not have WhatsApp installed, you can install it from the Windows share window.

 

Nearby Share

 

• New! This update affects how Nearby Share turns on and off. You can use quick settings or the Settings app to turn on Nearby Share. If you do and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are off, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth will turn on to make Nearby Share work as you expect. If you turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, Nearby Share turns off as well.
• New! This update improves Nearby Share transfer speed for users on the same network. Before, users had to be on the same private network. Now, users must be on the same public or private network. You can use quick settings to turn on Nearby Share. Right-click a local file in File Explorer and choose “Share.” Then choose to share to a device listed in Nearby Share in the Windows share window.
• New! You can now give your device a more friendly name to identify it when sharing. Go to Settings > System > Nearby sharing. There, you can rename your device.

 

Casting

 

• New! This update helps you to learn about the Cast feature and discover when it is available; see the examples in the list below. To cast means to send content that is on your device’s screen to a nearby PC, TV, or other external displays. This happens wirelessly.
  • You might often switch between windows to complete a task or use Snap Assist to organize your screen space. When you multitask like this, a notification will suggest that you use Cast.
  • The Cast flyout menu in quick settings gives you more help to find nearby displays, fix connections, and more.

 

Snap Layouts

 

• New! This update adds suggestions to  Snap Layouts.  They help you to instantly snap multiple app windows together.
• New! You can hover over the minimize or maximize button of an app (WIN+Z) to open the layout box. When you do, app icons will display various layout options. Use them to help you to choose the best layout option.

 

Windows 365 Boot

 

• New! This update adds dedicated mode for Windows 365 Boot. When you sign in on your company-owned device, doing that also signs you in to your Windows 365 Cloud PC. This occurs using passwordless authentication, like Windows Hello for Business.
• New! This new dedicated mode also provides the fast account switcher experience. With it, you can quickly switch profiles and sign in. You can also personalize the experience for your username and password. This includes choosing a custom display picture for the lock screen, storing your username, and more.
• New! A company can customize what users see on the screen when they sign in to Windows 365 Boot. In shared mode, you can add company branding from Microsoft Intune.
• New! This update adds a fail fast mechanism for Windows 365 Boot. It helps while you are signing in to your Cloud PC. Thesmart logic tells you to address network issues or complete app setup so that Windows 365 Boot does not fail.
• New! You can now manage the settings of your physical (local) PC from your Cloud PC. Windows 365 Boot makes it easy to directly access and manage sound, display, and other device settings.

 

Windows 365 Switch

 

• New! It is now easier for Windows 365 Switch to disconnect. You can use your local PC to disconnect from your Cloud PC. Go to Local PC > Task view. Right-click the Cloud PC button and select Disconnect. This update also adds tooltips to the Cloud PC Start menu. They appear on the options for disconnecting and signing out and help you to learn how each one works.
• New! This update adds desktop indicators for Windows 365 Switch.You will see the term “Cloud PC” and “Local PC” on the desktop indicator when you switch between them.
• New! The time to connect to Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PC from Windows 365 Switch might be long. While you wait, the screen will show you the connection status and the timeout indicator for the Cloud PC. If there is an error, use the new copy button on the error screen to copy the correlation ID. This helps to address the issue faster.

And here is what was fixed and improved in KB5035942:

• New! This update affects Windows Hello for Business. IT admins can now use mobile device management (MDM) to turn off the prompt that appears when users sign in to an Entra-joined machine. To do this, they can turn on the “DisablePostLogonProvisioning” policy setting. After a user signs in, provisioning is off for Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices.
• New! This update improves the Remote Desktop Session Host. You can now set up its “clipboard redirection” policy to work in a single direction from the local computer to the remote computer. You can also reverse that order.
• New! This update adds search highlights to the taskbar search box for the European Economic Area. To learn more, see Windows Search providers.
• Note This feature might not be available to all users because it will roll out gradually.
• This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in Greenland. To learn more, see Greenland 2023 time zone update now available.
• This update supports DST changes in Kazakhstan. To learn more, see Interim guidance for Kazakhstan time zone changes 2024.
• This update supports DST changes in Samoa. To learn more, see Interim guidance for Samoa DST changes 2021.
• This update affects MSIX applications. It helps their UI to localize correctly for all languages when you upgrade your OS.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the COM+ component. Some applications that depend on it stop responding.
• This update addresses an issue that stops some apps and features from being available. This occurs after you upgrade to Windows 11.
• This update addresses a deadlock issue in CloudAP. It occurs when different users sign in and sign out at the same time on virtual machines.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a network resource. You cannot access it from a Remote Desktop session. This occurs when you turn on the Remote Credential Guard feature and the client is Windows 11, version 22H2 or higher.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Containers that you create or deploy. Their status does not progress past “ContainerCreating.”
• This update addresses an issue that affects the time service. You can configure it using mobile device management (MDM) or a Group Policy Object (GPO). But the Windows Settings app does not match what you have configured.
• This update addresses an issue that affects certain Neural Processing Units (NPU). They do not show in Task Manager.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the touch keyboard and the candidate window for the Japanese and Chinese Input Method Editors (IME). They do not show after you come out of Modern Standby. To learn more, see Microsoft Japanese IME and What is Modern Standby.
• This update addresses an issue that occurs when you use LoadImage() to loada top-down bitmap. If the bitmap has a negative height, the image does not load and the function returns NULL.
• This update makes Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) profiles up to date for some mobile operators.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Notepad. It fails to print to certain Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) printers when you use a print support app.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). It prevents a stop error that occurs when you apply more than 32 policies.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the existing AppLocker rule collection enforcement mode. It is not overwritten when rules merge with a collection that has no rules. This occurs when the enforcement mode is set to “Not Configured.”
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Group Policy service. It fails after you use LGPO.exe to apply an audit policy to the system.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Secure Launch. It does not run on some processors.
• This update addresses a reliability issue. It affects a Virtual Remote App product when you use a custom shell to open it.
• This update addresses an issue that affects some wireless headphones. Bluetooth connections are not stable. This occurs on devices that have firmware from April 2023 and later.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Transport Layer Security (TLS), version 1.3. It causes Azure App Services to fail. This occurs when the web server attempts to connect to a third-party Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server.
• This update addresses an issue that affects dsamain.exe. When the Knowledge Consistency Checker (KCC) runs evaluations, it stops responding.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft Message Queue (MSMQ) PowerShell module. It does not load.

Microsoft says the update does not contain any known issues.

To get the update, head to Settings > Windows Update and click "Check for Updates." Once Windows finds KB5035942, click "Download and Install."

Source