On the mobile front, Intel also released its 14th Gen HX SKUs and Core Series 1 U SKUs. The flagship HX part, Intel says, is even faster than AMD's Ryzen 9 7945X3D in most cases.

Today, with the latest Windows WHQL driver, versions 31.0.101.5085 and 31.0.101.5122, Intel has added support for these new processors. And in terms of game support, the driver is said to be optimized for the new Prince of Persia title The Lost Crown.

The full changelog is given below:

HIGHLIGHTS:

 

• Support for 14th Gen Intel ® Core™ S/HX-Series processors.

 

GAMING HIGHLIGHTS: Intel® Game On Driver support on Intel® Arc™ A-series Graphics for:

 

• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

 

KNOWN ISSUES:

 

Intel® Arc™ A-Series Graphics Products:

 

• Alan Wake 2* (DX12) may exhibit white corruption on reflective surfaces when Transparency is set to Off. A workaround is to set Transparency to Low or High.
• Dead by Daylight* (DX11) may experience an application crash during gameplay.
• Topaz Video AI* may experience errors when using some models for video enhancement.
• Intel® Smooth Sync may not work as expected with certain DX11 games.

Intel® Core™ Ultra with Intel® Arc™ Graphics Products:

 

• Diablo 4* (DX12) may exhibit corruption on the terrain during gameplay.
• Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection* (DX12) may experience application crash after loading into gameplay.
• The Talos Principle 2* (DX12) may experience an application crash during gameplay with certain Upscaling Presets.
• Autodesk Maya* may experience application crash while running SPECAPC* benchmark.
• Blender* may experience application crash while rendering some scenes on certain system memory configurations.
• Topaz Video AI* may experience errors when using some models for video enhancement.

Intel® Iris™ X e MAX Graphics Products:

 

• Driver installation may not complete successfully on certain notebook systems with both Intel® Iris™ Xe + Iris™ Xe MAX devices. A system reboot and re-installation of the graphics driver may be required for successful installation.

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

 

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

 

INTEL® ARC™ CONTROL KNOWN ISSUES:

 

• Using Arc Control Studio capture with certain games may incorrectly generate multiple video files.
• The “Connector” type in the Display page may incorrectly show DP* when using an HDMI* display connection.
• Arc Control Studio capture recording file may become corrupted when the mouse cursor is enabled during HDR capture.
• Camera preview may turn off after the system goes into connected standby mode.

To download the latest Intel driver, versions 31.0.101.5085 and 31.0.101.5122, head over to this page on Intel's official website. The driver is compatible with Windows 10 20H2 (October 2020 update) and newer. It supports Intel 11th Gen and newer processors, as well as the DG1 (Iris Xe Max) discrete GPUs; essentially everything that's based on the Xe-LP architecture (Arc GPUs are Xe-HPG).

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Now that 2024 has gotten off the ground, it’s a good time to reflect on how Linux got its start and where it stands today. For many of us, it’s hard to grasp how long Linux has been actively developed and available. It’s likely even harder to fathom how far it has spread into so many aspects of computing. The availability today of more than 600 Linux distributions demonstrates its amazing success.

It’s interesting to consider that Linux got its start even before Linux Torvalds set down to work on the Linux kernel in 1991 (the exact date is hard to pin down). People like Richard M. Stallman had been getting excited about the concept of a “Free Unix !” – whether that “free” was meant to imply “no cost” or “liberation”. Linux followed its Unix predecessors (like SunOS) in many ways, but with the enticing character of being “open source” – the character which made it available to so many amazing levels of innovation.

The foundation that made the Linux kernel possible was set up back in September of 1983. Richard M. Stallman announced the GNU (which stands for “GNU’s not Unix”) Project – a name that confirmed the distinction between Unix and the evolving varieties of Linux.

As someone who started using SunOS (a Unix OS) early in her career, the appearance of Linux in my company’s computer room only a few years later long immediately caught my interest, though I’d no idea back then how much impact this “free” OS would have on computing technology.

What is the kernel?

The Linux kernel is a primary component of the Linux OS. It stands as an interface between the hardware Linux is operating and the many processes that are running.

Linux Torvalds is a Finnish-American software engineer was the creator and lead developer of the Linux kernel. He just recently turned 55. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) celebrated the 40th anniversary of the GNU operating system this last September and the launch of the free software movement which has so dramatically changed the computing environment.

Why is Linux so successful?

The many characteristics of Linux that lead to its success include:

• Open-source nature: Linux source code is available to anyone, making it easy to use and collaborate with others in development efforts.

• Adaptability: It can be customized to various types of hardware and processing challenges.

• Stability and reliability: It’s often the choice for servers where uptime is highly critical.

• Performance: It’s designed for efficiency and high performance.

• Security: It includes regular updates and security monitoring.

• Cost-efficiency: Most distributions are free, while some enterprise editions come with some costs for support and services.

• Portability: Linux runs on a very wide range of systems, from tiny devices to the world’s most powerful supercomputers.

• Command line versatility and power: The Linux command line continues to provide extensive and powerful control over processing and system management.

Distributions

The variety and number of Linux distributions changes every year, but Wikipedia provides a lot of details on the Linux families (e.g., the Debian-based, RHEL-based and Arch-based distribution groups). Members of the groups of Linux distros are highly related, so these family groupings are quite significant. Check out the range of distributions described here.

Supercomputing

Linux continues to dominate supercomputing primarily because of how well it can be fitted to nearly any kind of hardware. This earlier post of mine details many of the reasons that Linux works so well on the top 500 supercomputers in the world: Linux dominates supercomputing

Linux achievements

Linux dominates cloud computing, provides the basis of the Internet of Things (IoT), and remains the basis of containers. In addition to the major roles it continues to play in supercomputing, Linux is responsible for varieties of computing that likely would never have arrived had it not been for its open source and innovative nature.

Wrap-up

So, happy 33rd birthday to Linux. May its amazing innovations continue!

Source

On Windows 11, "Dynamic Lighting" is a feature available since version 23H2 that allows you to control LED-powered devices, such as mice, keyboards, and other illuminated accessories that connect to your computer. 

Dynamic Lighting is a feature that Microsoft decided to create after noticing a growing number of proprietary solutions to manage RGB lighting. The idea was to use the open HID LampArray standard that manufacturers can adopt on the devices to control the lighting through a single experience, removing the need for the end user to install a different application for every accessory.

Currently, the feature is limited to some devices, and it offers the ability to change the lighting brightness and effects, and you can even set it to match the system colour accent. It's also possible to control settings on a per-device basis or globally.

In this how-to guide, I'll walk you through the steps to start using Dynamic Lighting on your computer.

How to set up Dynamic Lighting on Windows 11

On Windows 11, to configure Dynamic Lighting, you first need to confirm the feature is enabled, and then you can proceed with the setup.

Enable Dynamic Lighting 

To enable the lighting feature on your computer, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Personalization.
3. Click the Dynamic Lighting page on the right side.
4. Turn on the "Use Dynamic Lighting on my devices" toggle switch. 

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

• Quick tip: The "Compatible apps in the foreground always control lighting" option also allows third-party apps to control the lighting effects. If you turn off the option, you will only be able to control the lighting through these settings.

Once you complete the steps, the feature will turn on, and the compatible accessories (mice, keyboard, etc.) should appear at the top of the page.

Set up Dynamic Lighting

To set up the lighting feature, use these steps:

• Open Settings.
• Click on Personalization.
• Click the Dynamic Lighting page on the right side.
• Use the Brightness slider to adjust the light intensity of the RGB devices connected to the computer.
• Choose one of the six lighting effects from the "Effects" setting, including solid colour, breathing, rainbow, wave, wheel, or gradient.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

6. Click the Effect setting to reveal the additional configuration options.

• Quick note: The available options will depend on your selected effect. 

7. Choose the colour to show as part of the lighting effects on your devices.
8. (Optional) Turn on the "Match my Windows accent colour" toggle switch to change the colour of the RGB devices depending on the accent colour configured in the accent system settings from the "colours" settings page. Quick note: This setting overrides the "Main colour" setting.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

9. (Optional) Click the Select button in the "Custom colours" setting to create a custom RGB or HSV colour.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

After you complete the steps, the lighting effects will apply to the compatible devices.

The Breathing, Rainbow, Wave, and Wheel also include a slider to control the effect speed. The Rainbow, Wave, Wheel, and Gradient effects have an additional "direction" setting, while the Wheel and Gradient effects also allow you to pick multiple colours.

These settings will configure Dynamic Lighting globally for all devices. If you want to control the settings for a specific device, you have to click on the device at the top of the page. 

Personally, I have different RGB lighting accessories, such as a mouse, keyboard, case, and motherboard, but apparently, none are compatible with this feature. So, if you can't use this feature, don't feel frustrated, as many users are experiencing the same. In the future, it's expected that Microsoft will expand compatibility.

Dynamic Lighting compatibility 

The only caveat using this feature is that it's only compatible with devices that use the open HID LampArray standard, which only a few devices use nowadays. 

Currently, Microsoft has several partners participating in the Dynamic Lighting feature, including Acer, Asus, HP, Logitech, Razer, SteelSeries, and Twinkly. Some of these companies are already implementing this technology, and others plan to bring the support later.

Compatible devices 

• Laptops: MSI CreatorPro Z16 and Z17.
• Keyboards: ASUS ROG Scope II Wireless 96 Gaming Keyboard. HyperX Alloy Origins Core, 60, and ROG FALCHION series are getting support soon. 
• Mice: ASUS ROG Harpe Ace AimLab Edition Gaming Mouse.

In addition, some devices have some general support with Dynamic Lighting, meaning that these devices work with the feature, but they have not been validated, and you may come across issues.

• Keyboards: Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, BlackWidow V3, Cobra Pro, Huntsman Mini Analog, Huntsman Tournament Edition, Huntsman V3 Pro, Huntsman V3 Pro Mini, Huntsman V3 Pro Tenkeyless, and Turret Keyboard Xbox One Edition. All Logitech G Lightsync RGB devices (coming soon).
• Mice: Microsoft Pro IntelliMouse and Razer Turret Mouse Xbox One. All Logitech G Lightsync RGB devices (coming soon).

Source

In a separate article, the company has also detailed another security fix for a BitLocker Secure Boot bypass vulnerability that is being tracked under ID "CVE-2024-20666". Microsoft says that the security flaw could allow attackers to bypass BitLocker encryption if they are able to get physical access to an unpatched PC.

The issue has been addressed by KB5034441 (on Windows 10) and KB5034440 (on Windows 11) which is a WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) update. Microsoft in its bulletins explains:

KB5034440: Windows Recovery Environment update for Windows 11, version 21H2: January 9, 2024

 

Summary

 

This update addresses a security vulnerability that could allow attackers to bypass BitLocker encryption by using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

 

...

 

KB5034441: Windows Recovery Environment update for Windows 10, version 21H2 and 22H2: January 9, 2024

 

Summary

 

This update addresses a security vulnerability that could allow attackers to bypass BitLocker encryption by using Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

You cannot manually download this update from the Microsoft Update Catalog website as it will automatically be downloaded whilst you are connected to the internet alongside the Patch Tuesday update. The patch is being rolled out to both Windows 10 versions, 22H2 and 21H2.

Alongside this, Microsoft has also cautioned about inadequate space on the recovery partition which can lead to a "0x80070643 - ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE" error message. It writes:

Some computers might not have a recovery partition that is large enough to complete this update. Because of this, the update for WinRE might fail. In this case, you will receive the following error message:

 

Windows Recovery Environment servicing failed.
(CBS_E_INSUFFICIENT_DISK_SPACE)

 

Known issue Because of an issue in the error code handling routine, you might receive the following error message instead of the expected error message when there is insufficient disk space:

 

0x80070643 - ERROR_INSTALL_FAILURE

You can fix this issue by allocating an additional 250 MB of storage space to the recovery partition. Details on how to do that can be found in this dedicated article.

Source

What is new in Intel PROSet/Wireless Wi-Fi Software 23.20.0?

Here is the official changelog:

You can download Intel Wi-Fi driver 23.20.0 from the official website. Release notes are available here (PDF).

What is new in Intel Wireless Bluetooth Driver 23.10.0?

Here is the official changelog:

• Intel® Wireless Bluetooth® 23.10.0 driver has been updated to include functional updates. Users should update to the latest version.

You can download Intel Wireless Bluetooth Driver 23.10.0 from the official website. Click here (PDF) to check out full release notes.

Intel's latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers are available for systems with the following network adapters:

To update your Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers, download the latest versions from the official website and run the executables.

Source

Aside from the printer bug, Microsoft also confirmed Wi-Fi-related problems that were a consequence of a recent buggy Windows update. After the update was pushed, some universities began to publish advisories on how to remove the update when the issue was confirmed by their IT teams.

If you are wondering what kind of problems users were facing, the Wi-Fi icon would either disappear from the taskbar and turn off automatically or some of the networks in range would fail to connect with the classic "can't connect to this network" message. Microsoft temporarily addressed it via a known issue rollback.

Now with the latest Windows 11 Patch Tuesday update for versions 22H2 and 23H2 (KB5034123), Microsoft has noted the following change:

This update addresses a known issue that might affect some Wi-Fi adapters. They might not connect to some networks. This might occur after you install KB5032288 or KB5033375. This issue is more likely to occur if the Wi-Fi networks use 802.1x to authenticate. It is not likely that home networks will have this issue.

The company has also updated the issue log on its Windows health dashboard website with the resolution:

Resolution: This issue was resolved in updates released January 9, 2024 ( KB5034123) and later. We recommend you install the latest security update for your device. It contains important improvements and issue resolutions, including this one. If you install an update released January 9, 2024 ( KB5034123) or later, you do not need to use a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) or a special Group Policy to resolve this issue. If you are using an update released before January 9, 2024, and have this issue, you can resolve it by installing and configuring the special Group Policy listed below. The special Group Policy can be found in Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> .

Aside from the update for Windows 11, Microsoft of course also released Patch Tuesday for Windows 10 under KB5034122.

Source

Microsoft has made it clear that the company is all in for generative AI, putting support for such features in as many apps and services as it can. Now it looks like not even one of Microsoft's oldest apps, Notepad, will be free of the AI influence.

Noted Windows code enthusiast "PhantomOcean3" posted today on his X (formerly Twitter) account a screenshot of a new test version of the Windows 11 edition of Notepad, with the version number 11.2312.17.0. It shows a new menu selection called "Cowriter" with options like "Rewrite", "Make shorter", "Make longer", "Change tone", and "Change format".

The obvious conclusion is that Microsoft is making some changes to Notepad so it can offer some AI features made to "help" others with their writing. "PhantomOcean3" noted in a follow up post that "Cowriter" doesn't appear to work just yet. We would expect that feature to be turned on sometime in the near future for members of the Windows Insider Program to test.

In September 2023, Microsoft added an AI art generation feature to the Windows 11 version of its Paint app, called Cocreator. It's similar to Bing Image Creator in that you can type in a few text prompts for the Paint app to make something that you described. The Cocreator feature, based on OpenAI's DALL-E AI model, became available for all Windows 11 Paint users in November 2023.

Based on how Cocreator was launched for Paint, we think that Microsoft will have a waitlist for Windows Insider Program users to access the Cowriter feature in Notepad for Windows 11. However, it remains to be seen how fans of Notepad, who really enjoy its simplicity and its minimal UI, will react to Microsoft adding this AI writing feature.

Source

The release notes for this update are as follows:

Highlights

• This update addresses security issues for your Windows operating system.

Improvements

Note: To view the list of addressed issues, click or tap the OS name to expand the collapsible section.

 

Windows 11, version 23H2

Important: Use EKB KB5027397 to update to Windows 11, version 23H2.

 

This security update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:

 

• This build includes all the improvements in Windows 11, version 22H2.

   

• No additional issues are documented for this release.

   

Windows 11, version 22H2

This security update includes improvements that were a part of update KB5033375 (released December 12, 2023). When you install this KB:

 

• This update addresses an issue that causes your device to shut down after 60 seconds. This occurs when you use a smart card to authenticate on a remote system.

   

• This update addresses an issue that affects the display of a smart card icon. The icon does not appear when you sign in. This occurs when there are multiple certificates on the smart card.

   

• This update addresses a known issue that might affect some Wi-Fi adapters. They might not connect to some networks. This might occur after you install KB5032288 or KB5033375. This issue is more likely to occur if the Wi-Fi networks use 802.1x to authenticate. It is not likely that home networks will have this issue.

   

If you installed earlier updates, only the new updates contained in this package will be downloaded and installed on your device.

 

For more information about security vulnerabilities, please refer to the Security Update Guide website and the January 2024 Security Updates.

Windows 11 servicing stack update - 22621.2567 and 22631.2567

This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. Servicing stack updates (SSU) ensure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft updates.

Source

The major highlight of the release as usual is security updates for Windows 10.

Highlights

 

This update addresses security issues for your Windows operating system.

After a couple of weeks without any, known issues are back:

Known issues in this update

 

Symptom	Workaround
Using the FixedDrivesEncryptionType or SystemDrivesEncryptionType policy settings in the BitLocker configuration service provider (CSP) node in mobile device management (MDM) apps might incorrectly show a 65000 error in the "Require Device Encryption" setting for some devices in your environment. Affected environments are those with the “Enforce drive encryption type on operating system drives” or "Enforce drive encryption on fixed drives" policies set to enabled and selecting either "full encryption" or "used space only". Microsoft Intune is affected by this issue but third-party MDMs might also pe affected.   Important This issue is a reporting issue only and does not affect drive encryption or the reporting of other issues on the device, including other BitLocker issues.	To mitigate this issue in Microsoft Intune, you can set the “Enforce drive encryption type on operating system drives” or "Enforce drive encryption on fixed drives" policies to not configured.   We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.
Windows devices using more than one (1) monitor might experience issues with desktop icons moving unexpectedly between monitors or other icon alignment issues when attempting to use Copilot in Windows (in preview).	To prevent users from encountering this issue, Copilot in Windows (in preview) might not be available on devices that have been used or are currently being used in a multimonitor configuration.   We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.
Copilot in Windows (in preview) is not currently supported when your taskbar is located vertically on the right or left of your screen.	To access Copilot in Windows, make sure your taskbar is positioned horizontally on the top or bottom of your screen.   We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.

Some of the older Windows 10 versions have also received updates today which have been listed below with their respective release notes (KB) linked as well as links to download them at Microsoft's Update Catalog:

It is noteworthy here that Windows 10 20H2 and Windows 10 1909 reached the end of servicing. Some editions of 21H2 have also reached the end of servicing.

Source

On Windows 11, you can check the health state of the system (or any other) Solid-State Drive (SSD) installed on your computer, and in this guide, I'll show you how. In the past, you needed to source a third-party tool to check the health of the drives connected to your device, but now, you can check this information from the Settings app. 

However, it's worth noting that the "Drive health" feature is only available for modern Non-Volatile Memory (NVMe) SSDs, not traditional Serial AT Attachment (SATA) or Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). If you have a non-supported media type, it's still possible to check the health with the "Performance Monitor" app, but the information won't be as rich.

In this how-to guide, I will walk you through the steps to check the health of your computer's hard drive.

How to determine health of modern SSDs on Windows 11

To check the SSD health on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Storage page on the right side.
4. Click on Advanced storage settings.
5. Click the Disks & volumes setting.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

6. Choose the SSD and click the Properties button.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

7. Confirm the health state under the "Drive health" section, including the remaining life span, available spare space, and temperature.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Once you complete the steps, you will better understand the health of your device's Solid-State Drive.

The "Estimated remaining life" attribute shows an estimate of the life remaining on the drive. The percentage is an estimate based on the prediction set by the manufacturer. This estimation doesn't necessarily mean the drive will fail once it reaches 0 percent. In fact, sometimes, you may find a number below 0 percent.

The "Available spare" attribute refers to the "spare capacity," which is the amount of storage that the manufacturer reserves in the drive for failures.

For example, if you purchase an SSD of 100GB, you will notice storage before formatting and partitioning is roughly 100GB. However, in reality, the drive comes with some extra storage. The extra space remains hidden, and the drive will use this storage to compensate for those sectors that can no longer hold data to help span the life of the media.

It's important to note that when I say 10 percent, I refer to an estimate. Usually, drive manufacturers won't disclose how much spare capacity is available on the storage media.

Also, the 10 percent represents 100 percent of the available spare.

Finally, the "Temperature" attribute will show you the device's current temperature estimate in Celsius.

The "Device health" feature can also show different critical warnings depending on the state of the drive:

• Spare capacity is low: The spare space is lower than the recommended capacity.
• Reliability is degraded: The drive is losing performance significantly due to media or internal errors.
• Drive is set to read-only: You can access data, but it's not possible to commit data to the drive.

When you receive a warning notification or notice the drive's health degrading, you should immediately create a backup of the data to another physical drive. Also, this should be a good time to replace the drive before a critical failure may cause data loss.

How to determine health of traditional SSDs on Windows 11

Although the "Drive health" feature doesn't support traditional drives, such as SATA SSDs and HDDs, it's still possible to use Command Prompt to check the Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (SMART) built into most drives to determine if the storage is still healthy or failing due to hardware issues.

To check the hard drive failure status through Performance Monitor, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Windows Tools and click the top result to open the app.
3. Right-click the Performance Monitor icon and choose the Open option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

4. Expand the "Data Collector Sets" branch.
5. Expand the System sub-branch.
6. Right-click the System Diagnostics item and select the Start option.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

1. Expand the Reports branch.
2. Expand the System sub-branch.
3. Expand the System Diagnostics sub-branch.
4. Select the diagnostic report from the list. 

• Quick note: Allow some time for the system to perform the diagnostic.

1. Under the "Basic System Checks" section, click the plus (+) button next to Disk Checks.
2. Confirm the "SMART Predict Failure Check" values. If "Failed" has a value of "0" and "Description" is set to "Passed," then the hard drive is working without issues.

(Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

After you complete these steps, you'll be able to find out if the hard drive is healthy or whether it has problems that are likely to fail at any time.

Source

The new module is called "Command Not Found," and it is here to help you use PowerShell by suggesting the missing packages when typing commands. For example, the utility can see that you try to execute "code" on a system without Visual Studio Code and then offer to download it using winget. Note that Command Not Found is turned off by default, plus it requires installing PowerShell 7.4.

What is new in PowerToys 0.77?

Release Highlights:

• New utility: Command Not Found PowerShell 7.4 module - adds the ability to detect failed commands in PowerShell 7.4 and suggest a package to install using winget.
• Keyboard manager does not register low level hook if there are no remappings anymore.
• Added support for QOI file type in Peek.
• Added support for loading 3rd-party plugins with additional dependencies in PowerToys Run.

Other changes and improvements for existing modules:

General

 

• Bump WPF-UI package version to fix crashes related to theme changes.
• Fixed typo in version change notification.
• Code improvements and fixed silenced warnings introduced by upgrade to .NET 8.
• Update copyright year for 2024.
• Added setting to disable warning notifications about detecting an application running as Administrator.

 

AlwaysOnTop

 

• Show notification when elevated app is in the foreground but AlwaysOnTop is running non-elevated.

 

Command Not Found

 

• Added a new utility: A Command Not Found PowerShell 7.4 module. It adds the ability to detect failed commands in PowerShell 7.4 and suggest a package to install using winget.

 

Environment Variables

 

• Fixed issue causing Environment Variables window not to appear as a foreground window.

 

FancyZones

 

• Fixed snapping specific apps (e.g. Facebook messenger).
• Fixed behavior of Move newly created windows to current active monitor setting to keep maximize state on moving.
• Fixed issue causing FancyZones Editor layout window to be zoned.

 

File Explorer add-ons

 

• Fixed WebView2 based previewers issue caused by the latest WebView update. (This was a hotfix for 0.76)

 

Hosts File Editor

 

• Fixed issue causing settings not to be preserved on update.

 

Image Resizer

 

• Fixed crash caused by WpfUI ThemeWatcher. (This was a hotfix for 0.76)

 

Keyboard Manager

 

• Do not register low level hook if there are no remappings.

 

Peek

 

• Improved icon and title showing for previewed files.
• Added QOI file type support.

 

PowerToys Run

 

• Fixed results list UI element height for different maximum number of results value.
• Fixed icon extraction for .lnk files.
• Fixed search box UI glitch when FlowDirection is RightToLeft.
• Fixed theme setting. (This was a hotfix for 0.76)
• Fixed error reporting window UI issue.
• UI improvements and ability to show/hide plugins overview panel.
• Allow interaction with plugin hints.
• Switch to WPF-UI theme manager.
• Fixed issue causing 3rd party plugin's dependencies dll not being loaded properly.
• Added configurable font sizes.
• Changed the text colour of plugin hints to improve the contrast when light theme is used.
• Fix scientific notation errors in Calculator plugin.
• Add URI/URL features to Value generator plugin.

 

Quick Accent

 

• Moved Greek specific characters from All language set to Greek.
• Add more mathematical symbols.

 

Settings

 

• Fixed exception occurring on theme change.
• Fix "What's new" icon.
• Remove obsolete UI Font icon properties.
• OOBE UI improvements.
• XAML Binding improvements.
• Fixed crash caused by ThemeListener constructor exceptions.

 

Documentation

 

• Improved docs for adding new languages to monaco.
• Update README.md to directly state x64 & ARM processor in requirements.
• Added Scoop plugin to PowerToys Run thirdPartyRunPlugins.md docs.

 

Development

 

• Adopted XamlStyler for PowerToys Run source code.
• Consolidate Microsoft.Windows.SDK.BuildTools across solution.
• Upgraded Boost's lib to v1.84.
• Upgraded HelixToolkit packages to the latest versions.
• Updated sdl baselines.

With PowerToys 0.77 out, developers plan to focus on additional improvements, namely adding the option to change the language for PowerToys, automated UI testing through WinAppDriver, and support for Desired State Configuration.

You can download PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.

Source

Firefox users who experience the issues may want to update their browser as soon as the update is released. A click on Menu > Help > About Firefox does that. The window that opens displays the current version and runs a check for update. Firefox should download and install the update at this point, provided that Mozilla released it already.

Firefox 121.0.1 is the first point update for Firefox 121, released in December 2023.

Firefox 121.0.1

The official release notes are not available at the time of writing. You may access them here later today.

Mozilla addressed four non-security issues in Firefox. The first addresses a hang in Firefox that may occur on sites with "column-based layouts" according to Mozilla. The bug report reveals that the site Doordash is one of these.

The bug reporter explains that the page failed to load in Firefox, that elements are missing, scrolling is "barely usable" and that it is not possible to interact with the page properly. The update resolves the issue in Firefox. The Doordash page as well as other pages with similar characteristics should work fine again after installation of Firefox 121.0.1.

The second issue affects use of security keys in Firefox. When a security key is used in Firefox, existing Firefox won't terminate the browser's process. This results in reopening issues until the old process is killed on the device. Mozilla engineers discovered furthermore that use of the USB security key was blocked once the issue was triggered. The killing of the Firefox process allowed the key to be used again.

Security keys, like Google's Titan Security Key, promise better security. The bug report on Mozilla's Bugzilla website claims that the issue affected Firefox 118 and newer versions of the browser. Mozilla fixed the issue in the new update for the browser.

The remaining issues address visual issues. The first fixes missing rounded corners for videos playing over another video. It is probably not something that most users encounter, but Mozilla did address the issue in this update. The second issue caused ideographic space to be rendered incorrectly sometimes. CJK refers to Chinese, Japanese and Korean language contexts. The main issue caused line breaks to be displayed when they should not. Mozilla did address this issue as well.

Closing Words

Firefox users not affected by any of these issues can take their time to update to the new version. The next major Firefox release, Firefox 122, is scheduled for a release on January 23, 2024.

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PowerToys is a frequently updated app, which may not sit well with everyone. Some users are reluctant to install updates, while others want to reduce distractions by turning off non-essential notifications. Soon, PowerToys will let you do that, thanks to a new toggle on the "General" tab.

A pull request on GitHub suggests implementing the "Show notification for new updates" toggle, allowing users to turn off or on messages about new releases (IT admins will be able to enforce notification policies). Microsoft might also add a tray indicator to let customers know about a new version in a less distracting way.

An in-app update notification will soon work better with another suggested change. The current PowerToys release has an "Update available" banner with no apparent install button, making it less obvious for inexperienced customers how to get to the latest version. A future PowerToys update will implement a proper install button on the Dashboard page and in the flyout. Besides, the latter will switch its update notification from green (this colour usually indicates completed actions) to blue (information) for better visual clues.

The updated update notifications may land in PowerToys version 0.78. The upcoming release, version 0.77, will introduce a new module for PowerShell users and a host of changes for existing utilities, such as Peek, PowerToys Run, etc.

You can download PowerToys from the Microsoft Store, GitHub, or winget. The app is available for free on Windows 10 and 11. It is open source, so everyone is welcome to contribute to PowerToys' development.

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Reviving the Classic Taskbar Drag and Drop

A much-requested feature makes a comeback in Windows 11 – the ability to drag and drop items directly onto the taskbar.

This familiar functionality, a staple in previous Windows versions, streamlines workflows and adds to the convenience of multitasking, reaffirming Microsoft's commitment to user-friendly design.

Windows Copilot

Windows 11 introduces Windows Copilot, an innovative AI assistant that merges the capabilities of Bing Chat with additional plugins.

Accessible from a dedicated sidebar on the taskbar, Copilot is designed to revolutionize PC interactions, offering a range of services from responding to queries to assisting with travel arrangements.

Despite its potential, early feedback suggests room for improvement. Users have reported issues with performance and accuracy, highlighting the need for further refinement in Copilot's integration and functionality.

In 2024, Microsoft plans to upgrade Copilot with more contextual advancements, such as the ability to understand content on the screen and interact with apps. 

File Explorer's Fresh Facelift

The 2023 update also breathes new life into the File Explorer with a modernized interface. Built with WinUI and the Windows App SDK, this redesign aims to modernize the file manager.

Azure Active Directory users can benefit from a file recommendation carousel, while the upgraded Quick Access and Recent sections offer an improved aesthetic.

Cloud storage management is now more intuitive, with OneDrive sync status and quota information integrated into the address bar. Additionally, a revamped details pane enables efficient collaboration and quick access to file details, elevating the user experience without the need to open files.

In summary, the 2023 updates to Windows 11 focus on AI assistance, restoring beloved functionalities, and modernizing key components. The next update, set to arrive in 2024, will most likely focus on these improvements.

New features coming in 2024

Microsoft is testing an array of new features for Windows 11, ranging from AI to personalization settings. While the Windows 11 2024 Update is expected to focus more on AI, you can expect several minor improvements.

Enhanced Weather Updates on Lock Screen

Windows 11 is set to introduce an enriched weather experience on the lock screen.

This interactive feature will provide dynamic weather updates, offering more detailed information as you hover over or interact with the weather display. Upon signing in, a full forecast from MSN Weather will be accessible via Microsoft Edge. This feature, initially rolling out in English (US) for feedback, will be set as the default, but can be easily disabled for those who prefer a simpler lock screen.

Pause and Resume Printing Directly in Settings

A practical update is coming to the printing experience. Users will soon have the ability to pause and resume print jobs directly from the 'Printers & scanners' section under Settings. This feature is especially useful for managing printer maintenance tasks, like cartridge replacements, without disrupting the printing queue.

Voice Access Replaces Windows Speech Recognition

Windows Speech Recognition (WSR) is being replaced by voice access, a more advanced and accessible feature. Voice access leverages on-device speech recognition, allowing for efficient PC control and text authoring without needing an internet connection. This feature promises support for multiple languages and custom commands in future updates.

Windows 365 Boot Enhancements

Windows 365 Boot is receiving significant updates:

• Dedicated Mode: This new mode enables booting directly to your Windows 365 Cloud PC from a company-owned device, with features like password-less authentication and fast account switching.
• Customized Company Branding: Organizations can now personalize the login page with their branding in shared mode.
• Fail Fast Mechanism: This feature quickly notifies users of any network or setup issues during the sign-in process, streamlining the login experience.
• Local PC Settings Management: Users can now manage local PC settings like sound and display directly from their Cloud PC when using Windows 365 Boot.

These features, along with the other enhancements, showcase Microsoft's commitment to refining Windows 11.

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What is new in Files 3.1

• System Tray Icon. The Files app now has a tray icon indicating it is running in the background. In addition, the icon works as a shortcut to the documentation and the option to exit the app.

  

   

• Open Minimized. Version 3.1 lets you launch the Files app on startup in a minimized state. To do so, toggle on "Open Files on Windows Startup" and "Keep Files running in the background."
• Smart archive extract. The app can now automatically pick the best mode for extracting your archives. Files will unpack an archive with a single file into the current folder. Archives with multiple objects inside will be extracted into a new folder. You can use Smart Extract with the Ctrl + Shift + E shortcut or from the context menu.

  

   

• Improved sorting. You can now set the app to prioritize files on top of folders when sorting items.

  

   

• Drag and drop to open in a new tab. Files 3.1 lets you drag a folder on the title bar (tab strip) to open it in a new tab. You can even drag multiple folders to open each in a separate tab.

  

   

Here is the rest of the changelog:

• Added a prompt when trying to apply tags on non NTFS drives
• Improved the animation when expanding/collapsing sidebar sections
• Increased the number of suggestion in the search dropdown to 10 items
• Opening libraries in the columns view will treat them as root
• Added a 2gb splitting option when compressing files
• Added support for displaying recently entered paths
• Added an option to group items by day
• Added support for hiding compression options from the context menu
• Added an out-of-proc WinRT server for long-running background tasks
• Fixed an issue where third party licenses weren’t displayed
• Fixed crash that could occur when manipulating invalid images
• Fixed issue where options in the conflicts dialog would sometimes change when scrolling
• Fixed crash that could occur when failing to connect to GitHub
• Fixed the date in the file name when pasting clipboard content
• Fixed an issue where the selection would sometimes get reset in the rename text box
• Fixed an issue where resizing the window would reload the preview pane
• Fixed crash when navigating up in the column layout
• Fixed issue where “Reopen closed tab” was always disabled when right-clicking on tabs
• Fixed crash that could occur when trying to open Git settings
• Fixed issue where text was cut off in Tags flyout
• Fixed issue where the column headers weren’t always “sticky”
• Fixed issue where it wouldn’t work to open Files if a previous instance crashed
• Fixed exception that would sometimes occur when sharing items
• Fixed NullReferenceException when renaming files
• Fixed NullReferenceException in ColumnShellPage.NavigateToPath
• Fixed issue where batch files were opened as system
• Fixed the taskbar behavior in full screen mode
• Fixed COMException when removing focus from the path bar

You can download Files 3.1 from the Microsoft Store ($8.99). The app is also available on GitHub.

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Yes, the Linux 6.7 kernel is now officially release — and it’s hefty one packed with an assortment of new features, new hardware enablement, and more.

By commit size alone Linux 6.7 is one of the largest in recent history, an indicator of just how much effort has been poured into honing the latest release.

Linus Torvalds touches on this in his release announcement, writing:

“We had a little bit more going on last week compared to the holiday week before that, but certainly not enough to make me think we’d want to delay this any further. End result: 6.7 is (in number of commits: over 17k non-merge commits, with 1k+ merges) one of the largest kernel releases we’ve ever had”

Linus Torvalds

Let’s dive in to what’s swelling out those commits…

What’s new in Linux 6.7?

A list of new features and enhancements in Linux 6.7:

• Experimental Bcachefs filesystem now in mainline kernel
• Option to enable/disable 32-bit emulation on x86-64 kernels
• Intel Meteor Lake graphics support is now enabled by default
• NVIDIA GPU System Processor (GSP) firmware support
• DP Alt Mode 2.1 support in USB Type-C driver
• AMD Seamless Boot now works with wider range of AMD hardware
• F2FS now able to support larger page sizes
• Btrfs buffs, including temporary file-system ID support
• AppArmor access control to io_uring and creation of user namespaces
• KVM gains support for virtualisation of LoongArch
• KVM on RISC-V supports the Smstateen extension
• Rust bindings for workqueues, upgrade to Rust 1.73 toolchain
• Long list of improvements/features added to perf tool
• Ancient videobuf layer removed
• Logitech HID++ tweaks
• ASUS WMI driver adds Screenpad support

Bcachfe said to be ‘safer than btrfs, faster than zfs’

Part of the reason this kernel has seen a lot of commits is due to the addition of (still somewhat experimental) Bcachefs. This bills itself as “an advanced new filesystem for Linux, with an emphasis on reliability and robustness and [a] complete set of features”.

It’s said to offer several compelling lures versus existing dominant filesystems like ext4, which is used by Ubuntu, including checksumming and multi-device functionality within a filesystem, is said to be ‘safer to use’ than btrfs, and faster than zfs — sounds like one to watch!

Valve helps levels up btrfs

Of the 3 new Btrfs features included in Linux 6.7 the addition of FSID (temporary file-system ID) will garner most interest. Igalia’s Guilherme Piccol worked on this feature at the request of Valve, who are looking to leverage it in their Linux-based Steam OS on the Steam Deck.

To quote Guilherme, FSID allows “…systems with A/B partitioning scheme (like the Steam Deck console or various mobile devices) to be able to hold the same filesystem image in both partitions”.

Graphics gains galore

NVIDIA GSP firmware is also a notable addition, as Phoronix says it brings better power management and performance for GeForce RTX 20 and RTX 30 series hardware (when running with proprietary firmware blobs), as well as RTX 40 acceleration in Nouveau setups — nice!

Intel Meteor Lake graphics support in Linux 6.7 is now considered stable, which is great news. But, as ever, progress never stops! To this end, a glut of graphics bringup for Intel Xe 2 Lunar Lake integrated graphics ships in this release.

Intel Itanium IA-64 support dropped (for now)

I can’t imagine it’s going to affect any folks who read this site, but the Linux 6.7 kernel drops support for the Intel Itanium IA-64 architecture — completely! All code has been removed from the kernel tree. Naturally, some folks aren’t happy about this. Linus is sanguine, adding:

“I’d be willing to resurrect itanium support, even though I personally despise the architecture with a passion for being fundamentally based on faulty design premises, and an implementation based on politics rather than good technical design […] But only if it turns out to actually have some long-term active interest…”

For more details on everything included in this Linux kernel release I highly recommend sifting through through the comprehensive LWN merge window summaries (part 1, part 2).

Getting Linux 6.7

New Linux kernels aren’t automatically packaged up and released to existing versions of Ubuntu.

For interim releases, the kernel series included at release is the series it stays on. Ubuntu LTS releases do get newer Linux kernels, but those are backports (and since no Ubuntu release currently uses 6.7, there’s nothing to back port from).

You can install a new mainline Linux kernel in Ubuntu, as well as Linux Mint and other Ubuntu-based distributions, using mainline kernel builds created by Ubuntu developers (though there’s no v6.7 version at time of writing, but it should appear soon).

However, Ubuntu mainline kernel builds aren’t meant for us mere mortals to use so come with no support, may lack kernel enablement/patches carried by regular Ubuntu Linux kernel releases, have bugs or quirks, and so on — so if you use them, do so with caution.

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There is the move to Manifest V3 for extensions, which may impact content blockers, privacy extensions and some other extensions negatively. There is also Privacy Sandbox and the end of third-party cookie tracking, which bakes tracking into the browser directly to give Google even more control over user data while making it more difficult for others to keep up.

A main question that comes up is if other browsers will benefit from this, and if they do, which will benefit more than others.  There is a chance that most Chrome users simply don't care about all of this. If the sites they visit continue to work and if Google's "privacy" euphemisms worked as well, then Chrome may not lose much, if anything at all user-wise.

Chrome users have two core options when it comes to switching browsers. They can select another Chromium-based browser, Brave, Vivaldi, Opera or even Microsoft Edge come to mind. It seems a logical choice. They get the same web compatibility as in Chrome, can continue using all their extensions, and import most of their browsing data as well. It is a seamless process.

The problem with it is that these browsers are under constant pressure to evaluate features that Google pushes into Chromium, the open source core. Google controls Chromium, which is why other Chromium-based browser makers can only react to most of the changes indirectly.

Google introduces a change in Chromium, which would land in all Chromium-based browsers, unless it is disabled somehow by an engineer. Brave maintains a list of features and services that it removes from Chromium on a GitHub page. It is a growing list of features that Brave considers problematic for privacy or security reasons.

Firefox as an option

The second option that Chrome users have is to switch to Firefox. Firefox is the only major browser, with the exception of the special case Safari, that is not based on Chromium.

This is both an advantage and a disadvantage. On the plus side, Mozilla has full control over Firefox. If Google introduces a new feature in Chromium and Chrome, Mozilla may still decide to implement it. It can also ignore it, especially if it looks to be negative for users.

The disadvantage is that Mozilla needs to spend resources on development, more than the non-Chrome Chromium-based browsers. It may take more time to implement new standards and features. There is also performance and stability to consider.

Most Chromium-based browsers match the web compatibility and performance of Chrome. Firefox fights a battle with every new release. Some sites may not work in Firefox because they expect a Chromium-based browser.

It does not help that Mozilla does not control any major platform. Microsoft uses Windows to push its Edge browser, and Google uses its web properties to push Chrome.

Firefox: criticism

There is a lot to like about Firefox, but there is also criticism. While some is up for debate, like the constantly rising payments to Mozilla CEO and executives, others appear clearer.

Mozilla still paints Firefox as a privacy-first browser. If you look at the claim, you may quickly realize that this is not entirely true. While Firefox does come with privacy tools, it also collects and sends Telemetry by default. It has not helped Mozilla's case that it ran a few "how could you ever do this" kind of experiments in Firefox, like the Mr. Robots incident. Back in 2017, Mozilla installed an add-on, Looking Glass, automatically in Firefox. It turned out later that this extension was a collaboration with the makers of the TV show Mr. Robot.

This incident and several others still haunt discussions about Firefox and privacy.

You can turn Firefox into a privacy fortress, but you need to do so yourself. Turn off Telemetry, make dozens of other switches and changes. It is still excellent for that, but the default installation is a compromise between privacy, Mozilla's interests, and Telemetry that Firefox collects and Mozilla uses.

Rise from the ashes?

It will be difficult to make a U-turn and get a positive momentum. The unlocking of full add-ons support in Firefox for Android may be the Firestarter that Mozilla needed.

Firefox for Android is a minor browser on the platform. Yes, it has millions of users, it is just a tiny fraction of the entire Android userbase.

Extensions support is one feature that sets Firefox apart from all major Chrome browsers. None support extensions. The main reason for that probably has to do with Google being an advertising company. Why invite users to install content blockers in Chrome when you control the market and would torpedo your bottom line?

Google could not pull the stunt on desktop, as the competition was much fiercer there. Chrome might still be the leading browser on desktop if Google made the decision to ship it without extensions, but it would likely not dominate the market.

One of Mozilla's failures in the past was that it constantly looked as if it was following Google and Chrome in its decision making process. Google implemented something, like Tabs on Top, and Mozilla followed. Features that set Firefox apart, like Ubiquity, Firefox Panorama, or Janus, were all dropped.

Even without these, there is little that sets Firefox apart visually from Chrome.

Mozilla needs to get the first movers on its side again. Some are still there, but many have moved on. To do this, the organization has to make hard decisions. Make Firefox a true privacy-friendly browser out of the box.

It is perfectly fine to display a "please enable Telemetry to help us" page during initial setup, but keep all of this disabled. Don't use third-party analytics or the like either, make Firefox the browser with the least number of outbound connections by default. Check Privacy Tests and implement protections, provided that they make sense to beat any other browser there.

Make Firefox the privacy browser so that it shines when compared to Chrome.  This step might convince old users who left and new users alike to give Firefox a chance.

If you are a pessimist, you may see Firefox losing another million or two of its users in 2024. Mozilla CEO and executives getting another raise, and Mozilla continuing to push non-Firefox products and services using Firefox as the driver.

Now You: where do you see Firefox in 2025?

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Microsoft Teams: Sharing channel links with others and more

One feature that is coming in February 2024 for all Microsoft Teams users will make it easier to share content with others:

Need to add your colleague to a channel discussion? Copy the link of a private or a shared channel, a channel post or one of its replies and share it with your partner, so they can join the discussion in one click.

Another feature coming in February for PC, Mac and Web users will be helpful for Teams organizers when they need to make a new webinar:

Organizers can schedule a new webinar by duplicating information from an existing scheduled one. This includes duplicating information such as details, presenters, theming, and more. The organizer can also edit and update the information as needed for the new event.

Premium Teams town hall organizers on those same platforms will get another new feature in February that will help others who speak different languages.

Town hall organizers will be able to select the caption languages that will be available to the attendees for translation. Currently the languages are preset for attendees to pick from; now organizers will be able to select the 10 translated languages available to attendees.

There's another Teams town hall feature that's coming in February as well:

Organizers can schedule a new webinar by duplicating information from an existing scheduled one. This includes duplicating information such as details, presenters, theming, and more. The organizer can also edit and update the information as needed for the new event.

Finally, Android and iOS users will get a new feature later in January:

Walkie Talkie, a push-to-talk experience that enables clear and secure voice communication over the cloud, enables teams to communicate instantly on a channel. Through this new functionality, users can now join up to 5 channels in multi-channel mode, easily switch between these preselected channels to listen to incoming transmission or initiate PTT transmissions.

Other Microsoft 365 Roadmap additions: Stream translation features and more

Microsoft Stream, the business-based web streaming service, will get a new transcription translation feature on the web in January:

Make your content more inclusive by creating videos that your coworkers can easily view and understand in their primary language. Transcript translations in Stream (on SharePoint) give you the option to translate the transcript and closed captions of your Stream videos into more than 100 supported languages. To enable translations Admins must first setup billing using an Azure subscription, then they must be enable the feature in the M365 Admin center. Once enabled translations are billed via pay-as-you-go meters.

SharePoint will also be getting font customization features in March on the web, and in June those same SharePoint users will be able to put in custom fonts and themes for their sites.

In July, the new Outlook for Windows will let users add shared mailboxes as accounts. Also, the new To Do app will be available in Outlook in July as well.

Finally, the Microsoft Forms site will get a revamped new user experience in May:

Introducing an upgraded onboarding experience tailored for new Forms users, designed to provide a seamless and user-friendly initiation to the platform. Get started effortlessly with our refreshed interface and streamlined features.

That's our rather extensive look at what's new on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap. We will be back in another seven days with another look at updates on the site.

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This week, Dell announced new XPS laptops, and their promo materials boast Wi-Fi 7 support, among other things. The footnote says Wi-Fi 7 requires Windows 11 "version 24H1, which is not available until Apr CY24 for download and Aug CY24 for factory install." (via @ChangeWindows)

Being a major Microsoft hardware partner, Dell clearly knows a thing or two about upcoming Windows releases. In addition, the claim aligns with the recently released Intel Wi-Fi 7 drivers with "pending OS support." A recent knowledge base article from Netgear also revealed that Wi-Fi 7 requires a Windows 11 update.

There is no information on whether Microsoft plans to release a big version update for Windows 11 in the first half of 2024, so Dell's promo materials might be referring to the upcoming, smaller "Moment 5" update. The next-gen Windows version sounds like a better contender for a full version upgrade, especially in light of the recent report claiming Microsoft wants to stick to one "version" update per year and does not want to further segment the Windows market with "Windows 12." Therefore, the expected big update might retain the current Windows 11 branding but with version 24H2 (confusing, we know).

Whatever Microsoft calls the next Windows 11 update, the timeframe mentioned by Dell makes sense. The "Moment 5" update (or version 24H1 according to Dell) is expected to hit the development finish line in February, arrive as an optional update for "seekers" in March, and come out full in April's Patch Tuesday updates.

Since we do not have any specifics from Microsoft regarding what is coming to Windows this year, take this information with a reasonably sized grain of salt.

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What you need to know

• Microsoft appears to be working on a Copilot feature within File Explorer.
• Code labeled "CopilotFEContextMenu" was recently discovered, likely referring to some form of integration between Copilot and File Explorer.
• It's not clear what the feature would be able to do, but one theory is that it will allow you to send a file to Copilot with a click.

Microsoft is on a quest to get AI in front of as many consumers as possible. A large part of that effort is Copilot, which is already available on Microsoft Edge, Windows 11, and Microsoft 365. Based on a recent discovery by X user PhantomOcean3, Microsoft appears to be working on a tie-in between Copilot and the File Explorer on Windows.

At the moment, it's not clear what the feature would do, but it hints at Microsoft's plan to make Copilot easier to access from different parts of Windows. You can already open Copilot from the taskbar.

One theory about the Copilot integration with File Explorer is that it would allow you to send a file to Copilot through a shortcut in the context menu. Windows 11 already shows different context menus depending on the type of file you right-click, so it would be a natural step to add a "send to Copilot" option for certain types of files.

Copilot on Windows is still in preview. It's quite limited right now, acting mostly as a shortcut to Copilot with Bing Chat (formerly known as simply "Bing Chat"). There are some integrations with Windows, such as switching the operating system to dark mode, but Copilot is a way off from a futuristic vision of AI integrating with your PC.

All things lead to Copilot

Copilot is in preview on Windows 11 and will roll out to more Microsoft services over time. (Image credit: Mauro Huculak)

Copilot is the latest push from Microsoft. The company is all-in on the AI push. Yesterday, Microsoft announced that Windows PCs will feature a Copilot key in the future. Copilot is also accessible through Microsoft Edge and the Windows taskbar. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been clear that he wants AI integrated into all Microsoft services, and Copilot is a large part of that vision.

In addition to the File Explorer tie-in that we know little about, Microsoft is working on Copilot suggestions within the taskbar. While the feature is incomplete at the moment, you can enable it. Once turned on, Copilot will suggest actions for a file you have copied to your clipboard. The suggestions are contextual, such as rewriting copied text or removing the background of a copied image.

PhantomOcean3 shared screenshots of that feature as well. While shared around the same time as the File Explorer tie-in to Copilot, the Copilot suggestions feature is separate. You can enable Copilot suggestions without enabling CopilotFEContextMenu.

Copilot controversy

Microsoft announced that future Windows PCs will have a Copilot key. (Image credit: Microsoft)

I was surprised to see so much pushback about Microsoft adding a Copilot key to Windows PCs. Admittedly, I don't use the key that the Copilot button will replace, so I didn't spend much energy thinking about it. But quite a few people around the web have complained about the change.

Most criticism seems related to Microsoft "forcing" AI onto people rather than a specific key on keyboards being taken away. Entry points to Copilot will soon pop up throughout Microsoft software and hardware, so I can see the argument that Microsoft is being pushy about it.

I don't think Microsoft is forcing anyone to use AI, but a lot of users will be presented with opportunities to use AI more than they'd like, which can be annoying. Maybe I've grown soft as I've gotten older, but I can't imagine getting as upset as those in a Reddit thread on the topic. Sort by controversial if you'd like to see some passionate people explaining how the Copilot button is horrible.

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The open saucy operating system Linux managed to take four per cent of the desktop market in December. 

Linux users, who have been predicting that their favourite OS will replace Windows any year now, might have something to celebrate.  

According to Statcounter, which should be taken with a pinch of salt of course like any sampling, the Linux share on the desktop hit nearly four per cent in December 2023. Last month was a record too and a clear trend over time, as going back a couple of years, it was rarely coming close to two per cent but now it's repeatedly nearing four per cent so it's quite a good sign.

The latest from Statcounter shows for all of 2023 below:

January - 2.91 per cent
February - 2.94 per cent
March - 2.85 per cent
April - 2.83 per cent
May - 2.7 per cent
June - 3.07 per cent
July - 3.12 per cent
August - 3.18 per cent
September - 3.02 per cent
October - 2.92 per cent
November - 3.22 per cent
December - 3.82 per cent

Of course all this proved was that 2023 was not the year of Linux on the desktop unless you factor in ChromeOS into the Linux numbers. If we actually take ChromeOS directly into the Linux numbers for December 2023 the overall number would actually be 6.24 per cent.

However,  a closer look at the numbers show that the Linux boost was at the expense of Apple's macOS. Windows machines actually increased. 

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

[General]

 

• This update includes a handful of fixes to improve overall reliability.

[Input]

 

• Fixed a high hitting tabtip.exe crash which was impacting the ability for some Windows Insiders to input text.

The official blog post is available on this page on Microsoft's website.

This is the first beta build of 2024 and it is a rather small one as it does not contain as many changes as the Dev channel (Build 23612) and Canary (Build 26020) channel builds did, which were released earlier today. The latter of which is now subject to even more gaming issues and bugs.

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It’s time to prepare for the upcoming patching month, and that means it’s time for MS-DEFCON level 2.

If you’re groggy from holiday reveling, here are my reminders: back up your system, install all the December updates, and confirm that your system is operating smoothly.

Then defer updates, using whichever method you’re comfortable with — Registry keys, Windows Settings, or BlockAPatch.

The beginning of the year is also a good time for you IT pros out there to evaluate your existing home technology and decide whether you can simplify it, thereby lowering your stress level. Over the years, your skills have allowed you to install servers and other machines on your home network, mimicking what you do at work. With Microsoft focusing more and more on cloud-first deployments, keeping up with the latest office tech in a home setting has become more difficult and more expensive. Maybe it’s time to move your home technology to peer-to-peer workgroup computing.

That’s what I’ve done. It’s not as geeky as running a server and maintaining an Active Directory infrastructure, but managing a workgroup, NAS, and local backup drives is much less stressful. My stress levels are down, for sure.

It’s also a good time to review the goals and plans for a business environment. One of my goals this year is to do what I can to eliminate “lateral movement” on my network. Lateral movement may occur when an attacker gains access to either a server or a workstation in a way that allows immediate access to other systems on the same network. The most common scenario is having a shared local administrator password used throughout the network. It’s very convenient — you don’t need to keep track of individual passwords for each machine — but it’s also a gaping security hole.

There is a better way: the Local Administrator Toolkit, now known as Windows LAPS. As of May 2023, it is built into Windows 10 and 11. I have been using legacy LAPS in the network and now want to pivot to using the built-in LAPS, because the encrypted password set by LAPS can be backed up to Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). This will allow you to sync the passwords to either local Active Directory or Entra ID.

Continuing along the security line, it’s time to review your use of multifactor authentication and make sure such protections are applied to any cloud service you access. The past year showcased that a determined attacker could take code signing certificates left behind in a dump file, lie in wait for several years, and then target government servers and assets to gain access. Without a very savvy IT team, this could go undetected for years. So review anything that has access from the Web, and see whether you can add multifactor to the mix.

If you installed the December updates and did not receive the Copilot icon on your taskbar, you are not alone. Microsoft is slowly dribbling it out to review its impact. If you’ve installed the Registry keys to keep Copilot at bay and now want to enable it, you can easily do so. I’ve documented the Registry key information in this Knowledge Base page.

Copilot is readily available from a browser by visiting copilot.microsoft.com. You can examine Copilot plugins, some of which act very much like apps. For example, the Instacart plugin (Figure 1) allows you to ask for a recipe idea and tells you where to shop for its ingredients.

Figure 1. The Instacart plugin for Copilot

I’m a fan of Instacart because it helps me avoid driving around to multiple stores. It also helps me avoid “hunger shopping,” the phenomenon we all experience when we grocery-shop after work — when we’re hungry — and end up with a cartload of items we didn’t actually need.

Even so, I’m not convinced that I need a Copilot plugin for a browser, given that the Instacart app meets my needs. Just because Microsoft seems to be pushing Copilot everywhere (it’s now available for Android) doesn’t mean we need it everywhere.

2024 will bring more unknown patching combined with known implementations of additional hardening in Active Directory domains. In next week’s Patch Watch, I’ll be touching on more of what you can expect in business patching.

Make 2024 the year that you evaluate your patching tools. Whether you patch and manage Windows, Linux, or Apple devices, you’ll want to ensure that you have a proper management tool for your network. There may be times during the upcoming patching year when I’ll recommend that you install updates immediately, and you’ll need to ensure you have the tools and techniques to do so. Remember: You are a target.

But for now, ensure your backup methodology is in place, and batten down the hatches.

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Microsoft announced its plans to get rid of WordPad in the latest Canary build. Starting with build 26020, WordPad is no longer bundled with the operating system. More importantly, Microsoft said the app "will not be reinstallable."

Starting with this build, the WordPad and People apps will no longer be installed after doing a clean install of the OS. In a future flight, WordPad will be removed on upgrade. WordPad will not be reinstallable. WordPad is a deprecated Windows feature. For more information on the future of the People app, click here.

Although there will be no official method to restore this good-old, simple text editor, enthusiasts will most likely find a way to shove it back into Windows 11. You can easily find manuals and executables that let you install the stock games from Windows 7, legacy image viewer, and other components. Just make sure you trust the source before installing unknown exe files found on the internet.

A similar fate awaits for Steps Recorder (psr.exe). Microsoft is not removing it from the operating system (yet), but there is already a banner with a notification that the app is no longer in active development.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of solid text editors for Windows, both free and premium. Microsoft naturally wants you to sign up for Microsoft 365 to edit doc, rtf, and other text files in Word, but you can also use Office Online for free or jump ship to third-party alternatives. As for Steps Editor, Microsoft suggests using Snipping Tool, Xbox Game Bar, or Microsoft Clipchamp. None of those can fully replace features available in Steps Recorder, so maybe you should look elsewhere.

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