Speaking of which, Microsoft has announced that it will soon allow the option to automatically deploy optional updates via a Group Policy on Windows 10, just like it is on Windows 11. On a Tech Community blog post, it writes:

You will soon be able to automatically deploy optional Windows updates and/or enable users in your organization to get them on Windows 10 just like on Windows 11! This policy will be available for Windows Update for Business customers as part of the November 2023 optional update.

 

..

 

With the “Enable optional updates” policy, you can control the timing and the specifics of different types of optional updates. If you enable this policy, you can select how optional updates are made available to users within your organization.

 

Options include:

 

• Automatically receive optional updates (including CFRs). Select this option for devices to get the latest optional non-security updates, including gradual feature rollouts. There is no change to feature update offering.
• Automatically receive optional updates. Select this option for devices to only get the latest optional non-security updates. They won’t automatically receive gradual feature rollouts. There is no change to feature update offering.
• Users can select what optional updates to receive. Select this option to allow users to set their own preferences with respect to optional non-security updates. There is no change to feature update offering.

As mentioned above, the policy has already been available on Windows 11 since late August 2023, and seeing how Windows 10 will also receive it soon probably indicates Microsoft's acknowledgment of how significant the latter still is in the enterprise space, even after two years of Windows 11.

This isn't the only such feature as Copilot, too, has recently been brought over to Windows 10, with the company explaining why users need it even though they may not want to have it.

Last year, Microsoft tried to incentivize upgrading to Windows 11 as a way to save millions of dollars, though studies and surveys (Link1, Link2) suggested that a large number of workplace computers did not meet the system requirements for Windows 11.

Source

As for fixes and improvements, version 2.03 will ensure the app no longer crashes when creating tab groups or changing the icon cache on Windows 10. In addition, there are fixes for integration with Fences and incorrect icons after a cache flush.

Here is the complete changelog for Start11 v2.03:

• Initial language localization pass included. Please click here for more details.
• Resolved a possible crash when combining two groups as a tab group if no other tab groups exist
• Resolved issue 2.02 beta introduced with a crash when the icon cache changed on Win10
• Resolved issue where a Fence as a group would not save the number of rows it should show correctly
• Resolved an issue with an icon cache flush causing wrong icons to show in the UI sometimes
• Added registry key "S11_PutUniversalAppsInFolderByDefault" which when given a value of "1" will put universal apps in a Universal apps folder in the Win10/11/Pro/Launcher/App menus. Create in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8
• Added registry key "S11_NoMenuAnimations" which when given a value of "1" which will turn off right click menu animations. Create in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8
• Some tweaks to enhanced taskbar to prevent apps from sending too many messages to the taskbar causing it to slow down
• Recently installed now correctly shows Universal apps installed from the store
• Recently installed apps (Win10/11/Pro/App/Launcher) menus now only show items as 'recent' within 1.5 days of install
• Recent items popup menus now filter out some additional items
• Resolved issue with global font scaling in Start11 being deactivated briefly when opening right-click menus
• Added detection for Fences 5 installs when Fences 4 had not been installed before
• Resolved issue with Fences 5 show desktop button on the taskbar not working with Enhanced taskbar enabled
• Resolved taskbar icon changes not always being picked up correctly by Start11 with Enhanced taskbar enabled
• Resolved missing icons on the Start10 style search
• Added everything support to Start10 style search mode
• Resolved issue with shutdown and signout menus in Win10 style sometimes losing focus to what is under them
• Resolved the issue of having too many items in a folder resulting in being unable to see all of the items. It will now scroll them instead.
• Resolved autohide taskbar showing up on secondary when start menu open on the primary
• Resolved an issue with the taskbar opening from autohide too early if the taskbar was offset from the bottom of the screen in some situations
• Resolved issue with multiple column menus showing at the top of the screen sometimes
• Resolved issue with right-clicking on recent documents link and picking open causing an error prompt about a missing user account
• Menus with multiple columns now show A-Z per column rather than spreading A-Z over each column
• Added registry key "S11_DelayAutoHide" which when given a value of "1" will delay autohide show/hide. Create in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8
• Resolved a crash issue with Win7 style on login in rare circumstances
• Resolved an issue with enhanced taskbar autohide when the primary monitor is to the right of the secondary monitor with desktop icon placement
• Resolved issue with clicking on pinned taskbar buttons set to only show on certain monitors not showing a right-click menu
• Resolved issue with mixed dpi setups where right-click menus may not detect dpi changes consistently
• Resolve the issue with offset taskbar mode with autohide on a secondary.
• Limited recent docs popup menu to 15 items (or OS setting if defined)
• Reduced a flicker when minimizing/restoring a window from the taskbar using the mouse
• Adjusted some init code to prevent threads from being allocated earlier than needed
• Tweak to extra control panel item showing
• Resolved issue with rounded taskbar causing clipped taskbars on primary monitor when using a touch-capable device with Win11 22H2 or later
• Resolved issue with taskbar offsets on secondary monitor without enhanced taskbar enabled not working correctly
• Tweaked shutdown menu to stop list under it taking focus sometimes
• Added registry key S11_AlwaysScrollMenus which when set to 1 will stop Start11 making menus multi column and instead use a scrolling list. Create in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Stardock\Start8\Start8.ini\Start8
• Resolved issue with Win7/Modern style jumplists sometimes showing each item too small after switching menu modes
• Added a new registry key to control the right-click menu style on Windows 11. It is called "S11_MenuMode" and it has 3 options. 0 = translucent menus, 1 = solid menus, 2 = colour tinted translucent menus
• Resolved all apps/steam apps list not working from a pinned taskbar folder if you are using the Win7/Modern menu styles
• Resolved issue with sub menus showing far left of the screen when they would not fit next to the open menu on multi-column menus
• Resolved issue with new Start11 autohide taskbar mode triggering too far from the bottom of the screen vs the primary
• Resolved issue with Win 7/modern menu with Win10 style all apps tree not having Show Recently installed and suggested apps not refreshing the list instantly
• Resolved issue with right-hand list on start menu flickering over search results during animation to switch to search mode sometimes with Win 7/modern menu styles
• Resolved issue with leftover tooltip after launching an app from the menu if the tooltip was visible at the time
• Altered config UI to grey out the settings for rounded taskbars unless the rounded taskbar is enabled as this may be causing confusion
• Resolved menus sometimes being the wrong background colour depending on OS colour settings
• Resolved sub-menus showing on popup folder menus being shifted too far right on Win11 setups
• Resolved Win Launcher menu style when hiding search and username causing shutdown to overlap contents of the list

Start11 v2 is available for $6.99 and it is also included in the award-winning Object Desktop suite. For more information, visit the Start11 v2 website here.

You can also download the entire Object Desktop package. Object Desktop includes programs such as Fences, Start11, Groupy, SoundPackager, DeskScapes, and Multiplicity.

Disclaimer: Neowin's relationship to Stardock

Source

Microsoft has just released the latest preview 0.7 version of its Dev Home app which first launched in May 2023 as part of Build 2023. As a reminder, the app allows developers access to a number of different features, including the recently launched Dev Drive, WinGet configuration, and GitHub codespaces together in one place.

The new version that's available for download in the Microsoft Store adds the Azure extension for the app, which includes repository cloning for Azure DevOps (ADO) and ADO widgets.There's also a list of changes and bug fixes in version 0.7.

The Dev Home GitHub page has the info on the version 0.7 update:

Azure extension

 

• We've just released the Azure extension for Dev Home! The repository can be found here: https://github.com/microsoft/devhomeazureextension
• Initial implementation includes repository cloning for Azure DevOps (ADO) and ADO widgets.

 

Accessibility fixes

 

• Text should now wrap rather than get clipped when text scaling is greater than 100% or the window is too narrow.
• You can now keyboard navigate to all items in the navigation view.
• Narrator should now properly announce the components on the app installation page of Machine Configuration.

 

Changes

 

• There's now an experimental features page in Settings. We don't have any experimental features yet, but now we have a place for them to be enabled once they're developed.
• Disabled widget sizes are now hidden from the context menu, rather than just appearing as disabled.
• You'll now be asked to sign in (if you haven't already) when attempting to clone a private repository by URL.
• There's now an option to report a documentation issue from the Feedback page

 

Bug fixes

 

• When adding multiple repositories to clone, you can now select a different clone path when re-entering the repository selection dialog and the previously selected repos won't update their clone location.
• The title bar should now properly update its colours when changing theme.
• Zombie widgets should no longer stick around forever.
• You can now actually customize a widget, rather than replacing the widget with a new one when clicking customize.
• Dev Home should no longer crash when clicking Add Widget.
• Child windows should now follow the parent's theme.

Developers can get more info on the Dev Home app on Microsoft's documents site. They can also provide ideas for new features for the app, or report any bugs, to Microsoft's GitHub repository.

At the moment, there's no word on when the Dev Home app will come out of its preview stage and become generally available for Windows developers.

Source

YouTube loading slow on Firefox

This behavior was picked up by Reddit users mainly and although it may seem to be like a performance optimization issue or a lack of it by the Mozilla Firefox development team, sharp-eyed users noticed code sections that had a 5000 ms or a five-second delay that appeared to be intentionally placed there for some reason.

When requested for comment on the matter, Google provided the following statement to 9to5Google:

To support a diverse ecosystem of creators globally and allow billions to access their favorite content on YouTube, we’ve launched an effort to urge viewers with ad blockers enabled to allow ads on YouTube or try YouTube Premium for an ad free experience. Users who have ad blockers installed may experience suboptimal viewing, regardless of the browser they are using.

Hence according to Google, the delay was due to installed ad blockers which was leading to a "suboptimal viewing" experience. Interestingly the tech giant further added that this was to be the case "regardless of the browser they are using" suggesting that it was not just Firefox that should be affected.

So it seems like there is more than meets the eye because at quick glance, most would assume foul play is involved especially since spoofing Chrome seems to work. And there is apparently an explanation for that too.

Another Redditor frisch85 went deeper into the suspicious code and it seems to nicely align with the statement provided by Google. They explain:

I checked the code with the part you quoted, I doubt this is firefox related as there's no check on the user agent when this code is executed. It looks more like an ad-thing.

 

.. this seems to be just lazy implementation instead of doing anything shady,..

 

To me this looks more like the lazy attempt of ensuring an ad is being displayed for at least 5 seconds until the actual video is going to load.

 

Why is it slow the first time someone loads and not every time? Simple, YT doesn't reload the page as we would expect it to reload, instead it prevents you from reloading the whole page but causes itself to reload the contents without reloading all of the scripts, which some websites do these days and I don't like it tbh as it will load faster but it's not an actual reload.

Hence, the example of YouTube running perfectly on Chrome after struggling on Firefox could have more to do with how YouTube itself "reloads" instead of some shenanigans being involved.

Source

What is new in the November 2023 firmware update for the Surface Go 3?

• This update addresses a potential security vulnerability related to Intel® Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00783, addressing CVE-2022-36392.

   

• Improves wireless stability.

   

• Improves compass orientation.

Here is the list of new drivers:

Here is extra information about the release:

The third-generation Surface Go 3 has a six-year lifecycle, with the end of support scheduled for October 5, 2023.

Source

Besides Windows 11 though, Microsoft this time also released a dynamic update for Windows 10 as well which is meant to improve Setup binaries. The last such dynamic update for Windows 10 was released back in July via KB5028311.

Microsoft writes in its support article:

KB5032906: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 10, version 21H2 and 22H2: November 14, 2023

 

Summary

 

This update makes improvements to Setup binaries or any files that Setup uses for feature updates in Windows 10, version 21H2 and 22H2.

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

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

 

Content acquired includes:

 

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

 

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

These updates are installed automatically but they are also available from the Microsoft Update Catalog website for manual download at the following links: KB5032906.

Source

The “Compose” feature will use AI to help users rewrite text. This is similar to a feature already available in Edge. The “Organize Tabs” feature will help users organize their tabs by automatically grouping them.

From what I can think of, the “compose” feature can be helpful for various tasks, such as summarizing lengthy passages of text, rephrasing text for better clarity or conciseness, changing the tone of text to make it more formal or informal, and generating creative text formats like poems, code, scripts, musical pieces, emails, letters, etc.

Meanwhile, the “Organize Tabs” feature is designed to help users keep their tabs organized more efficiently. It automatically groups tabs, which can benefit users who tend to have a lot of tabs open simultaneously. The “Organize Tabs” feature offers various criteria for grouping tabs, such as their topic, urgency, and progress.

The “Advanced” section is still under development but is expected to be released in a future version of Chrome.

Source

The changes are in testing currently. Microsoft plans to launch them on March 6, 2024 officially. Our colleagues over at Deskmodder have now discovered that recent updates for Windows 10 and 11 include the functionality already, albeit in a locked state.

The updates KB5032288 for Windows 11 or KB5032278 for Windows 10 are required.  These are updates for the Release Preview version of the operating system, but they can be installed on stable versions manually, if that is desired. Cautious users may want to wait until the optional updates for Windows 10 and 11 are released, as these will likely include the changes.

The interesting part about this is that the entire functionality, what users can enable or disable, is powered by a single file. No Registry editing is required anymore. This file may exist already. You can check the C:\Windows\System32 folder for the file IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json.

It is a JSON file that you may edit in any plain text editor. What is interesting about it is that each entry includes a defaultState, which is either enabled or disabled, and also the regions where this is enabled or disabled.

Here is what it controls:

• Edge is uninstallable
• User can disable web search
• Narrator scripting extensions are enabled
• File Explorer Search is third party extensible
• First party File Explorer Search is allowed
• Featured apps show in Open With dialog
• Third party search providers show in search
• Third party search highlight content in search zero input
• First party search highlight content in search zero input
• Third parties can customize the Taskbar Gleam
• First party Taskbar Gleam customization is shown
• Search MRU shows third party provider
• Edge is required for web search
• System components are differentiated from apps
• Backup options are restricted
• Show files from the MS Office MRU recommendation provider
• Third party feed is shown in Widgets
• Third party Widgets are shown in Widgets feed
• First party Widget feed can be disabled
• Use default web protocol for Widget links
• Restrict Widgets data sharing
• Restrict third-party Widgets data sharing
• UTC events should be tagged restricted
• XBox performance fit data sharing
• Shared ODD consent
• Windows CoPilot
• Automatic app sign-in
• Notifications on the taskbar for Widgets
• Show recent web searches in search zero input
• Show website items in start recommendations
• Widget sign-in is restricted to default account
• Widget third-party taskbar badges are enabled
• Widgets should be restricted to static recommendations
• First-party Widgets have optimized frame and taskbar integration

Taking control

You are not the owner of the file by default. This is a problem, as you can't edit it because of that by default. Here is what you need to do to change that:

1. Create a copy of the file IntegratedServicesRegionPolicySet.json and put it somewhere else.
2. Right-click on the file in the System32 folder and select Properties.
3. Switch to the Security tab and activate the Advanced button.
4. Select Change next to the current listed owner, which is TrustedInstaller.
5. Type Administrators into the filed on the page and then Check names. Windows should auto-correct the user group. Select OK.
6. Make sure Administrators is the new owner of the file on the previous page. Click OK to exit this window.
7. Select the Edit button now in the Properties window.
8. Highlight Administrators and set Allow permissions to Full Control.
9. Select OK to complete the process.

You may now load the file in an elevated text editor to edit it. The main options that you have are the following ones:

• Change the state to enabled or disabled.
• Add regions to the list of regions that support or disallow a feature.

Closing Words

Please note that the changes won't have any effect on Stable versions of Windows 10 or 11 at the time. This is going to change soon, but it is always a good idea to be prepared. Once the changes land, you may enable certain settings that Microsoft won't enable by default until March 2024.

Now You: will you remove Edge or Web search once the changes land?

Source

Here is the changelog:

FIXED ISSUES

 

Intel Arc Graphics Products

 

• Starfield (DX12) may experience lower than expected performance with Update 1.8.86.

 

KNOWN ISSUES:

 

Intel Arc Graphics Products:

 

• Ghostrunner 2 (DX11) may experience sporadic application crash during gameplay.
• Total War: PHARAOH (DX11) may exhibit corruption after changing resolution in game on certain displays.
• 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 Iris Xe 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.
• May observe “stream has already ended” pop-up after the power events with Capture/Highlights/Broadcast toggle on.
• Arc Control may not retain overall application settings in Overlay mode after system reboot. A workaround is to use Desktop mode of Arc Control.

 

Intel Arc Control Performance Tuning (BETA):

 

• Intel Arc Control Performance Tuning is currently in Beta. As such, performance and features may behave unexpectedly. Intel will continue to refine the Performance Tuning software in future releases.

You can download the new Intel Arc beta drivers here, and you can check out the full release notes in PDF format here.

Source

As it turns out, those reports were indeed true. Microsoft announced this past week that it was going to introduce Copilot on Windows 10 wherein Release Preview channel Insiders would get a taste of it first. Earlier today, or last night, depending on where you live, the company released Copilot on Windows 10 on the latest Windows 10 Release Preview build 19045.3757 under KB5032278.

In a new Tech Community blog post, Microsoft has explained how Copilot can help you and why you need it irrespective of whether you are on a Windows 11 or a Windows 10 PC especially if you are a part of the IT workforce.

It writes:

Why you should try Copilot in Windows

 

People who work with information daily are excited about the capabilities of generative AI to help them discover and create new content. They may already be using generative AI by accessing Microsoft Copilot (previously Bing Chat) or ChatGPT in the browser.

 

Copilot in Windows powers the generative AI experience in managed Windows 10 and 11 PCs. As an IT professional, you want to help your organization be at the forefront of AI, but also hold the bar on protecting corporate data that employees may share with AI models. We are here to help you do both. With Copilot in Windows, you can offer a managed version of Copilot to Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices so employees do not accidentally share confidential or proprietary information.

 

By using Copilot, employees can:

 

• Save time and effort by prompting for information and services in one place by typing prompts in natural language or using their voice.
• Explore new possibilities and ideas by generating creative and innovative content that includes both text and images.

Whether or not you agree with Microsoft's suggestion is up to you, though in case you are planning to disable or remove it, we did a guide on that which you can check out in this article.

Source

Here is the changelog:

With this update, we are beginning to roll out Copilot in Windows (in preview) for devices running Windows 10, version 22H2 Home and Pro editions. Windows Insiders in Release Preview with eligible devices3 running Windows 10, version 22H2 who are interested in experiencing Copilot in Windows as soon as possible can choose to do so by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and turning on ”Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available” and Check for updates. Windows Insiders on eligible devices in the Release Preview Channel who already did this with last week’s update should see Copilot in Windows shortly. As a reminder, this will be a phased launch via controlled feature rollout (CFR) over the coming months.

 

The Copilot in Windows button will appear on the right side of the taskbar in Windows 10. When you select it, Copilot in Windows appears at the right on your screen. It will not overlap with desktop content or block open app windows.

 

Windows 10 Pro edition devices on version 22H2 that are managed by organizations will not be included in this initial rollout of Copilot in Windows. Windows 10 Enterprise and Education edition devices on version 22H2 will also not be included in this initial rollout of Copilot in Windows. To prepare for Copilot in Windows on Windows 10, IT administrators can click here to learn how they can manage Copilot in Windows for their organization.

 

Known issues

 

• Copilot in Windows isn’t currently supported when your taskbar is located vertically on the right or left of your screen. To access Copilot in Windows 10, make sure your taskbar is positioned horizontally on the top or bottom of your screen.
• You may see some instability after clicking Refresh button in Copilot experience. Subsequently clicking links inside the Copilot experience, closing Microsoft Edge or Copilot may cause Copilot and Microsoft Edge to crash.
• Copilot is not currently supported on multi-monitor setups. The icon will only appear on the primary monitor and taskbar.

You can check out the full blog post here.

Source

Aside from that, a new dynamic update for WinRE (Windows Recovery) has also been released. This time, the improved WinRE comes to Windows 11 version 21H2. Although Windows 11 21H2 no longer receives Patch Tuesdays as it has received the axe in terms of support, the version will continue to receive these dynamic updates as they help in the recovery of the OS in case there is a feature update failure.

KB5033288: Compatibility update for installing and recovering Windows 11, version 21H2: November 14, 2023

 

Summary

 

This update makes improvements to the Windows recovery features for Windows 11, version 21H2.

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

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

 

Content acquired includes:

 

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

 

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

The update is available from the Microsoft Update Catalog website at the following link: KB5033288, but you may not need to worry as it should be installed automatically.

In case you missed it, towards the end of the month updated the the WinRE for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 too, which you can find details about in this article.

Source

The release date is November 21, 2023. All Firefox versions -- Stable, ESR and Development -- will be updated around the same time.

Firefox 120.0 Stable and Firefox ESR 115.5 are the main new releases. Firefox Beta and Dev move to version 121 and Firefox Nightly to 122. The Android version follows the Stable version and will also reach version 120.

Executive Summary

• Firefox 120 includes a large number of privacy improvements.
• There will be another Stable release in December to Firefox 121. This is the last major release of 2023.

Firefox 120.0 download and update

The official release date of Firefox 120 and Firefox 115.5 ESR is November 21, 2023. The new versions will become available via the browser's automatic updating feature.

Users may speed up the installation of the update, once it is released, by going to Menu > Help > About Firefox. The prompt displays the current version and installs any new updates that it finds.

Here are the official download locations:

• Firefox Stable download
• Firefox Beta download
• Nightly download
• Firefox ESR download
• Firefox for Android on Google Play

Firefox 120.0 major changes

Privacy Improvements

Firefox 119 brought support for Encrypted Client Hello, which promises to improve the privacy of domain name lookups.

Mozilla introduces several smaller changes in Firefox 120 that are related to privacy.

The first introduces support for the Global Privacy Controlin Settings. The privacy feature informs websites that you visit that you don't want your data sold or shared. It is legally binding in some states in the United States, including in California and colourado. Mozilla notes that it also works as an indicator that tells sites that you don't want to be tracked and as a general request to "limit the sale or sharing" of personal data in other jurisdictions, including in the EU.

The privacy feature is opt-in. Load about:preferences#privacy in Firefox and scroll down to Website Privacy Preferences. There you find the option to enable "Tell websites not to sell or share my data".

Copy Link without Site Tracking

Firefox users who right-click on links to copy them find a new option in the browser's context menu. Selecting Copy Link Without Site Tracking removes known tracking parameters from URLs before the data is copied to the Clipboard of the operating system.

Firefox is not the first browser to include this feature. Brave introduced its Copy Clean Link feature in September 2022.

Cookie Banner blocking and URL Tracking Protection on by default in Germany

Mozilla is testing two privacy improvements in Firefox. The test limits the features to users from Germany at the time.

The first enables the Cookie Banner Blocking feature, but only in private windows by default. It is designed to auto-refuse cookie banners and dismiss them, so that users don't have to deal with them on a site-by-site basis anymore. Since there is no standard, some cookie banners may still be displayed.

The second privacy feature test applies to private windows only also. URL Tracking Protection is on by default in private windows. Again, only for users in Germany at the time. This feature removes parameters from URLs that are "often used to track users across the web".

Firefox users may load about:preferences#privacy, set Enhanced Tracking Protection to Custom and switch Tracking Content from "only in private windows" to "in all windows" to benefit from this globally.

Other changes and fixes

• Firefox's private windows and ETP-Strict privacy configurations add Fingerprinting Protection to the Canvas API to further strengthen privacy while using the browser.
• Firefox imports TLS trust anchors, such as certificates, from the operating system's root store. It is enabled by default in Windows, macOS and on Android. Users may turn this off under Preferences > Privacy & Security > Certificates > Allow Firefox to automatically trust third-party root certificates you install.
• Firefox users may use keyboard shortcuts on about:logins to edit or delete entries. Alt-Enter edits, Alt-Backspace deletes entries.
• Ubuntu users may now import data from Chromium when Firefox and Chromium are installed as Snap packages.
• Picture-in-Picture mode supports corner snapping on Windows and Linux. Hold down the Ctrl key while moving the Picture-in-Picture window to make use of this.

Developer changes

• Media attribute in the source element is supported again and now includes audio and video elements.
• Firefox supports the light-dark() CSS colour function.
• The line height units lh and rlh are supported.
• Date.parse() accepts new data formats.
• Firefox now supports the 103 Early Hints status code for preconnecting to  a particular origin.
• Global Privacy Control is now supported.
• The authenticatorAttachment property of the PublicKeyCredential interface is now supported.
• The Minimum PIN Length Extension (minPinLength) of the Web Authentication API is supported.
• The Navigator.userActivation property and UserActivation interface are now supported.
• WebAssembly GC is now enabled by default, which allows new languages, such as Dart or Kotlin, to run on Firefox.

Enterprise changes

Not yet published.

Security updates / fixes

Not yet published.

Outlook

Firefox 121 and Firefox ESR 115.6 will be released on  November 21, 2023.

Firefox extension reviews and news

Recent Firefox news and tips

• Mozilla doubles Firefox Translations languages in Firefox Nightly

Additional information / resources

• Firefox 120 release notes
• Firefox 120 for Developers
• Firefox 120 for Enterprise
• Firefox Security Advisories
• Firefox Release Schedule

Source

Ten days ago, we wrote a feature that offered a quick look back at the official announcement of Windows 1.0 by Microsoft, 40 years ago on November 10, 1983. We mentioned at the time that Microsoft was planning to actually launch its OS sometime in April 1984.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Instead, the PC world had to wait over two years before Microsoft actually put Windows 1.0 (actually Windows 1.01) on sale. That happened 38 years ago today, on November 20, 1985.

We won't go into any of the details about the OS that we discussed in our last feature on Windows 1.0. However, there's lots of evidence that after that initial press event in New York City to reveal the OS, its development hit some early snags.

Technologizer has a column written by Tandy Trower, who was a product manager for the first release of Windows. Previously while at Microsoft, Trower was a product manager for BASIC, and had even managed some of its earliest PC games like the first Flight Simulator. However, he wrote that at one point he had "just gone through one of those infamous grueling project reviews with Bill Gates" about the company's BASIC strategy and how it was getting hit by competitors. He spoke to Steve Ballmer, then the head of product marketing for the company, "and suggested that perhaps I was the wrong person for this job."

Trower then wrote that a couple of weeks after that meeting, Ballmer came back to him and suggested he take over the management of Windows 1.0. By that time, the OS had gotten hit with a "vaporware" and plans to license it to IBM, similar to the license to MS-DOS, didn't work out, with IBM developing its own GUI OS called TopView.

That meant Microsoft would have to sell Windows 1.0 directly to users, which it didn't have to do with MS-DOS. Trower wrote:

Since I had been the product manager that had the most experience with marketing technically oriented products through retail channels (rather licensed to PC vendors), Ballmer thought the job might be a good fit. In addition, he pointed out that since Windows was intended to expand the appeal of PC through its easier-to-use graphical user interface, it should appeal to my more end-user product experience and interests.

Trower accepted the job and joined the Windows team in January 1985. He later suggested to Ballmer and Gates that Windows 1.0 should include a number of small applications to show what the OS could do. When the OS finally shipped, it included a number of apps that are still included in the latest versions of Windows, including Notepad, Paint, Calculator, Clock, and more. There was also a simple word processor program called Write.

However, Windows 1.0 was still not close to being ready to ship, according to Trower, by the summer of 1985. He wrote that Ballmer made the decision to release an early build, which was called the Premiere Edition, to "key application vendors, analysts, and members of the press for feedback".

Trower even mentioned another early Microsoft team member who went onto much bigger things:

We worked all through the summer, typically seven days a week, to finalize things and thoroughly test the code. One of my program managers, Gabe Newell–now the head of the successful game company Valve–would pound on the software until late into the night and morning hours and then sleep in his office.

In the end, Windows 1.01 finally launched 38 years ago today. As we have mentioned before, it was not a critical or sales success for Microsoft, and it wasn't until the release of Windows 3.0 many years later that the OS finally managed to defeat all of the other IBM PC-based GUI operating systems to become the huge product that it is today in the industry.

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Reports and allegations like these often pop up from time to time and it is hardly surprising since browser companies are always at war trying to one-up each other to gain market share or increase user base.

The latest such incident seems to be happening right now as there are several user reports online which suggest that YouTube is being intentionally crippled on Firefox and is being made to load up slower.

YouTube loading slow on Firefox

At first glance, if your internet connection is fine, it will seem like the issue could be related to performance and hardware optimization on Firefox's behalf, perhaps poor or sub-optimal hardware acceleration support or the improper utilization of the available processor threads, among other system resources. However, users found that the issue—a 5-second delay when loading a YouTube video on the Firefox browser—goes away when YouTube is tricked into thinking that it is running on Google Chrome using a User Agent switcher.

A Redditor paintboth1234 suggests the problem is due to a five-second delay, which is in the code. They write:

To clarify it more, it's simply this code in their polymer script link:

 

setTimeout(function() {
    c();
    a.resolve(1)
 }, 5E3);

which doesn't do anything except making you wait 5s (5E3 = 5000ms = 5s). You can search for it easily in

 

https://www.youtube.com/s/desktop/96766c85/jsbin/desktop_polymer_enable_wil_icons.vflset/desktop_polymer_enable_wil_icons.js

Apparently, the problem does not occur when uBlock Origin is used, so if you are annoyed by the five-second loading of YouTube on Firefox and don't want to use a User Agent swither workaround, you can always use the good ol' uBlock Origin.

As an online publication, Neowin too relies on ads for operating costs and, if you use an ad blocker, we'd appreciate being whitelisted. In addition, we have an ad-free subscription for $28 a year, which is another way to show support!

Thanks for the tip, anonymous tipster!

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For example, recently on Windows 10 22H2, an issue popped up wherein the October 2023 Patch Tuesday failed installation with the error message "8007000D (ERROR_INVALID_DATA)." Microsoft released a Group Policy fix to resolve the issue. This past week, the company confirmed separately that this bug fix worked on version 21H2 as well.

Speaking of Group Policies, the one for October on Windows 11 (KB5031354) led to a problem wherein the 'Settings Page Visibility' policy would fail to apply or the Settings app would crash, and this was causing major inconvenience and annoyance to the affected IT admins and system admins across enterprises.

.t.o.j., a Microsoft forum member wrote in their thread:

The installation of KB5031354 (OS Build 22621.2428) causes a malfunction of the GPO-setting "settings visibility page".

 

The value of the GPO-setting is filled with settings that are accessible for our domain users : "ShowOnly:easeofaccess-audio;yourinfo;defaultapps;bluetooth;printers;mousetouchpad;typing;usb;easeofaccess-closedcaptioning; ...."

 

After the removal of KB5031354 the GPO-setting "settings visibility page" is applied correctly again.

User Abel Ong also had the same query as they posted a question on the Microsoft Q&A section alongside their findings:

I want to apply the Settings Page Visibility policy for an office environment that consists of mainly Windows 11 computers. To my knowledge, this policy allows administrators to hide/show only specific settings pages to users and I intend to show only the Display and Printers & Scanners menus. The option I set for the policy was: showonly:display;printers

 

However, after configuring the policy and applying it, the settings app on the Windows 11 computers kept crashing before it can open.

 

[...]

 

I have done some testing on my own and here are the things I found out:

 

After every change I make to the GPO, I force a gpupdate on a user computer and check gpresult if the GPO is being applied and it is, its not being filtered out.

 

• I have tried to apply the policy exclusively on user configuration and computer configuration or applying on both computer and user configuration but it still crashed the settings app either way.
• The policy worked with both the hide and showonly options when it was applied to a Windows 10 computer.
• The policy worked when I used hide instead of showonly as the option, it successfully hid the menus I specified and did not crash the settings app.
• I tried accessing the settings app and its subsequent pages through Run and CMD but it still crashes.
• Logged on the same user on different computers, settings still crashed.
• Used SFC to scan for corrupt system files but there were none.

 

I checked Event Viewer and there were errors saying that the settings app is crashing due to an unknown reason.

Although it was not mentioned as part of known issues, it looks like Microsoft has managed to fix the issue with the latest Patch Tuesday (KB5032190), according to user reports online. However, since it was not documented as a known issue, it hasn't been marked as a resolved issue either.

David Sosnowski, who posted this as an answer to the Q&A query above, writes:

We've had a case open with Microsoft, appears it was a known bug in KB5031354. They have resolved in the November 2023 W11 Cumulative update KB5032190. I have tested today on a similarly affected test machine post KB5032190 install and it appears to be working normally once again.

Hence, the Settings app should no longer crash and the Settings GP should work as intended. If you happen to be one of the affected users, you should check if this bug persists post-application of this month's Patch Tuesday. In that case, getting in touch with Microsoft may be the only option.

Via: Borncity

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Copying text from images is not as straightforward. Better, it has not been straightforward until very recently. Microsoft revealed in August that the built-in Snipping Tool would get new functionality. It unveiled Text Actions in September 2023 in development builds.

The Snipping Tool started out as a screen capturing tool. Microsoft added video recording options to it late last year and has worked on other improvements since then.

The main new feature is OCR, optical character recognition. Basically, what it does is identify text in images to make that text selectable and copyable. The screenshot below shows the feature in action.

Using the feature is quite easy, provided that you run the latest version of Windows 11 (at least Windows 11 version 23H2). To get started, launch the Snipping Tool from Start.

Open the Start Menu, type Snipping Tool and select the application from the results. You may now use it to capture a new screenshot or select Menu > Open File to open an existing image. The application supports popular image formats, which means that most of your images should load just fine.

Once done, select Text Actions from the main toolbar. Microsoft says the feature is powered by AI. You will notice that text is now highlighted in the image. You can now copy all text by clicking or tapping on "copy all text" at the top. Another option is to highlight text and use Ctrl-C or right-click > Copy to copy it to the Clipboard.

The text recognition feature works well and it is not limited to the English language. The tool identified text of different languages, including English, German and Japanese without issues during tests.

Microsoft baked another useful feature into the tool. The quick redact option redacts phone numbers and email addresses when selected. Naturally, you may also process content after copying it to the Clipboard, especially if other text bits need to be redacted, as this is not supported by the Snipping Tool at this point.

Closing Words

The new Text Actions feature of the Snipping Tool is a helpful feature. You may use it to quickly identify and copy text from any image or screenshot on the system. It is not the first app to support this feature, but it is included in Windows and available immediately.  Other options include using Google Photos, ShareX or TextGrab.

Now You: do you use OCR tools?

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If you follow Linux closely, you won't be surprised by the news from the Linux Plumbers Conference in Richmond, Virginia -- which is the invite-only meeting for top Linux kernel developers -- that the recently released Linux 6.6 is the next long-term support version (LTS) of Linux. 

Some people had thought the next release might be the not-yet-released Linux 6.7 kernel. After all, the Linux kernel maintainer for the stable branch, Greg Kroah-Hartman, had said that the year's last kernel will be the LTS version. However, the massive 6.7 update isn't now expected to see the light of day until some time early next year. 

It should be noted that 6.7's first release candidate only came out on November 12th. And as Linus Torvalds wrote, "This is the biggest merge window we've ever had, with 15.4k non-merge commits." 

Linux 6.7 will also include numerous new features, such as the bcachefs file system, which is a new robust copy-on-write (COW) file system that boasts fresh attributes while maintaining high performance. Linux 6.7 will also include support for Nvidia's GPU System Processor (GSP) firmware in the Nouveau open-source graphics drive and lots of networking updates. It's a big release in every sense of the word.

In the meantime, Linux 6.6 delivers many good features. These include the KSMBD In-Kernel SMB3 Server, the Earliest Eligible Virtual Deadline First (EEVDF) Scheduler, and support for Intel's Shadow Stack. You can already find Linux 6.6 powering cutting-edge distros, such as Arch Linux, openSUSE Tumbleweed, and Fedora Linux. By next year, it will be the engine in mainstream distributions, including Canonical's next LTS version, Ubuntu 24.04.

As an LTS version, the Linux 6.6 kernel will be supported until December 2026. In the future, there will be fewer LTS Linux kernels. As Jonathan Corbet, Linux kernel developer and executive editor of Linux Weekly News, explained at Open Source Summit Europe, moving forward, Linux kernels LTS is being reduced from six to two years. 

Currently, there are six LTS Linux kernels -- 6.1, 5.15, 5.10, 5.4, 4.19, and 4.14. Under the process to date, 4.14 would roll off in January 2024, and another kernel would be added. Going forward, though, they won't be replaced when the 4.14 kernel and the next two drop off.

The explanation for this shift is based on two major factors. First, people aren't using the older LTS versions. Why spend money and time on projects when they're sitting idle? The other major reason is that Linux code maintainers are burning out. There's too much work and not enough hands to handle the load.

Now, if you really want to keep a specific Linux kernel running for a long, long time, you have options. One is to use the Linux Foundation's Civil Infrastructure Platform (CIP) super-long-term stable (SLTS) kernel. These kernels power run-time environments for industrial hardware using CIP reference hardware and Debian 11 -- and they're not for general use.

However, if you really want a kernel that you can count on for a decade, Canonical recently reaffirmed its support for the Linux kernels it uses in its LTS Ubuntu releases for 10 years. As Canonical explained: "The Canonical maintenance and support efforts are wholly independent of the upstream LTS and will continue as before. Despite changes in upstream LTS support, Canonical remains committed to providing dependable support for the Ubuntu kernel, ensuring that the Linux community and businesses can continue to rely on stable and secure software."

So, if you want to commit to using, for example, Ubuntu 20.04 for your computers until early 2030, Canonical will enable you to do that. The company is putting the 'long' into long-term support. 

Considering the rapid pace of change in computing, though, the mainline Linux kernel's two-year LTS support window might be what most of you will need and use. 

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If you do not plan to upgrade to Windows 11 any time soon but do not mind trying Microsoft's latest AI-powered assistant, here is how to get it right now (shout out to Albacore @thebookisclosed on X for sharing the findings). Alternatively, you can take a more cautious route and wait for Microsoft to deliver Copilot to your system "organically" whenever it feels like your system is ready. The update containing the necessary bits should arrive in the Stable Channel soon, but the Copilot's staggered rollout will take longer.

Note: turning on Copilot on Windows 10 requires enlisting in the Windows Insiders Program, modifying the system registry, and tweaking the OS with a third-party app. Do not proceed if you do not want to risk encountering bugs or instabilities or if you are not comfortable with in-depth modifications. Although Windows 10 is a mature and stable OS and Release Preview updates rarely break things, you better be safe than sorry. Also, always back up important data before any experiments.

How to enable Copilot on Windows 10?

1. Download and install Windows 10 build 19045.3754 or newer. By the time of writing this guide, build 19045.3754 is only available in the Release Preview Channel. However, it should not take too long for Microsoft to release it to all Windows 10 users.
2. Update Microsoft Edge to the latest version. Go to edge://settings/help and install available updates.
3. Download ViVeTool from GitHub and extract the archive in a convenient folder.
4. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and navigate to the folder with ViVeTool files using the CD command. Here is an example: CD C:\Vive.
5. Type vivetool /enable /id:46686174,47530616,44755019 and press Enter.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Press Win + R and type regedit to launch Windows Registry Editor.
8. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Copilot\BingChat and double-click the IsUserEligible value.
9. Change its value data from 0 to 1. Note: you must sign into Windows with your Microsoft Account; otherwise, the value will reset from 1 to 0 upon each system restart.

    

   
10. Restart your computer.
11. Right-click the taskbar and select "Show Copilot (preview) button." The Copilot icon will then appear to the right of the notification center button. Note: you will not see the icon if you have the taskbar on the right or left side of the screen.

Windows 10 users, do you plan to use Copilot on your systems? Let us know in the comments.

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Microsoft Outlook - Record and add Stream videos to emails and more

The new Outlook for Windows and the web is scheduled to add a feature for business users that also use Microsoft's Stream video service in December 2023:

We're introducing the ability to record and insert Stream video recordings in Outlook on the web and the new Outlook for Windows. Soon you will be able to record a video of yourself, your screen or both, directly from Outlook and insert the recording in your email.

Naturally, Outlook will add a way to view those Stream-based video in emails in December as well;

We’re introducing the ability to watch Stream videos inline in Outlook on the web and the new Outlook for Windows. Soon, if someone pastes a Stream video link in a supported Outlook app and sends it to you, you will be able to watch it directly in your inbox. The videos will play inline for recipients within the same organization, meaning you will not have to leave Outlook to watch the video. Recipients outside the organization, and those not using the new Outlook or web, will see a link to the video which they can watch in the Stream web app (depending on the organization’s file sharing settings).

The roadmap also says the Outlook app for Android will add a way to send emails labeled as High or Low importance sometime in November.

Microsoft Teams - Voice Isolation and more

At Ignite 2023, Microsoft announced a number of features that are coming soon to Teams. One of them, Voice Isolation, popped up on the roadmap for launching on the desktop in January 2024 with a few more details:

With Voice isolation, you can enjoy clear and uninterrupted calls or meetings, no matter where you are. This feature uses AI to filter out all background noise, including other people's voices. By leveraging your voice profile, this advanced noise suppression capability ensures only the user’s voice is transmitted. Whether you are in a busy office, a noisy cafe, or a crowded airport, you can communicate with confidence and clarity. Voice isolation is powered by our advanced deep learning, speech services, and audio processing technology, and it shows our dedication to solving user problems with AI and enhancing audio quality and experience.

Another feature that's due to roll out in January 2024 will help Teams desktop users in BYOD meeting rooms.

The new shared display mode provides users the ability to extend their Teams meeting via a pop-out and view-only version of the stage onto the TV screen in BYOD meeting rooms. This mode ensures the meeting content is extended to the front of the room for others to see and provides the host the peace of mind their desktop is for their viewing only, minimizes the personal information that others in the room can see.

Finally, the roadmap had several new entries for the upcoming revamp of the Planner app, which was officially revealed at Ignite this week as well.

We will be back in seven days for another look at the Microsoft 365 roadmap.

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Added in the recently released build 25997 of Windows 11 but -- for reasons we'll go into shortly -- not mentioned by Microsoft in the changelog, there is finally a "Refresh network list" button in the Wi-Fi popup menu.

Currently only visible to Windows Insiders signed up to the Canary Channel, the new refresh button will make it much quicker and easier to force Windows 11 to recheck for available networks and show you an updated list. It will eventually roll out to all users, not just Insiders.

The not-entirely functioning feature was spotted by X users PhantomOfEarth who shared their finding in a post which garnered a response from Microsoft's Brnadon LeBlanc:

As LeBlanc points out, and as Insiders may have noticed for themselves, although there is now a new "Refresh network list" button, it is not yet fully operational -- hence Microsoft not announcing it. But with the promise that it will appear in a future flight, there should not be long to wait to hear something more official.

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This past week Microsoft released the Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10 and also for Windows 11 for the month of November. Speaking of Windows 11, besides Patch Tuesday, the tech giant also released a new dynamic update to improve the Setup files of Windows 11 23H2. The update also applies to version 22H2 as well. This makes sense as the new feature update is mostly the same at the core system files level.

Microsoft writes in its support article:

KB5033243: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 22H2 and 23H2: November 14, 2023

 

Summary

 

This update makes improvements to Setup binaries or any files that Setup uses for feature updates in Windows 11, version 22H2 and 23H2.

Microsoft simultaneously also released dynamic updates for Windows 11 21H2. It writes:

KB5032305: Setup Dynamic Update for Windows 11, version 21H2: November 14, 2023

 

Summary

 

This update makes improvements to Setup binaries or any files that Setup uses for feature updates in Windows 11, version 21H2.

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

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

 

Content acquired includes:

 

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

 

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

These updates are installed automatically but they are also available from the Microsoft Update Catalog website at the following links: KB5032305 / KB5033243.

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What is new in Microsoft Edge Dev 121.0.2220.3?

Here is the official changelog Microsoft published on Edge forums:

Added features:

 

• Implemented a new feature that provides video translation and captions in a bubble dialog.
• Added support for launching windows copilot with secondary AAD when the primary account is not available.
• Added Image viewer to the browser which allows to view and edit images with basic editing and AI features.
• Android: Added tab center toolbar and bottom bar.
• Mobile: Copilot now has a close button when it is displayed in full screen.

 

Improved reliability:

 

• Fixed a bug that caused the browser to crash when quickly switching between tabs after auto-opening them.
• Fixed a crash with auto-grouping bubble when it was initialized with suggestions and tutorial was on.
• Fixed a crash that occurred when the workspace popup was closed on a new browser becoming active.
• iOS: Fixed a crash that occurred when username was edited in password manager.

 

Changed behavior:

 

• Restored the functionality of reopening InPrivate tabs when the browser is relaunched.
• Fixed a bug that prevented the ‘Applying coupons’ text from showing up in the address bar after clicking the ‘Apply Coupon’ button on the flyout.
• Fixed a bug where broken text was displayed when option under dislike is selected on 'Find on page' in sidebar.
• Fixed a bug where "What's new" card was being shown when clicking "refresh" button in copilot.
• Fixed a bug that caused the search results to disappear when switching to other apps in hub app store.
• Fixed zooming functionality for small Amazon images when using Ctrl + Hover.
• WebView2: Fixed a bug where Command + N shortcut key creates two windows.
• Android: Fixed the copilot chat height issues in landscape mode.

Microsoft Edge Dev is available on Windows 10 and 11, macOS, Linux, and Android. Version 121 is expected in the Stable Channel on the week of January 25, 2024.

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However, there is no need to move into the EU to uninstall Microsoft Edge in Windows 11. As it turned out, a few changes in Windows Registry (shared by @thebookisclosed on X) can force the operating system to allow uninstalling Edge, disabling ads in Windows Search, and removing the news feed in Windows Widgets.

Note: Back up important data and create a system restore point. Do not proceed if you are not comfortable with modifying the registry and enabling hidden features or if you are not ready for unexpected troubleshooting. Changing your device region may also affect other apps and services.

1. Install Windows 11 build 22631.2787 from the Release Preview Channel.
2. Update Microsoft Edge to the latest version.
3. Disable Startup Boost in Microsoft Edge. Keeping Startup Boost on will prevent you from uninstalling Edge and result in the latter asking you to close all open windows even if the browser is not running.
4. Download the ViVeTool app from GitHub and extract its files wherever convenient.
5. Launch Command Prompt as Administrator and navigate to the folder with ViVeTool files using the CD command. Here is an example: CD C:\Vive.
6. Type vivetool /enable /id:44353396 and press Enter.
7. Restart your computer.
8. Press Win + R and type regedit.
9. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Control Panel\DeviceRegion.
10. Double-click the DeviceRegion value and change its data to 54 (or decimal 84). This will change your device location to France. You can check out this document to get another country code.

     

    
11. Navigate to HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\International\Geo and change the Nation value to 84.
12. Change the Name value to FR.

     

    
13. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsSelfHost\Applicability and ensure the EnablePreviewBuilds value is not set to zero and BranchName is set to "ReleasePreview."

     

    
14. Restart your computer.
15. Now, you can right-click Microsoft Edge and uninstall it. Kill Microsoft Edge and its processes Task Manager if the system still asks you to close all windows.

     

    

But wait!

Of course, going through that hassle is unnecessary if you live in the EU. Build 22631.2787 will soon be available in the Stable Channel, allowing everyone to remove Microsoft Edge without resorting to radical methods.

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This update does not include anything new and is designed to test our servicing pipeline for builds in the Canary Channel.

Original story - November 15, 2023 - Microsoft has released the latest Canary Channel build of Windows 11 for members of the Windows Insider Program. The new build number is 25997. This is a pretty minor release that has a couple of changes, a few bug fixes, and a few known issues. Perhaps the biggest change in this build is that the Phone Link feature in this build of Windows 11 has been disabled.

Here is the changelog:

Changes and Improvements

 

[Windows Share]

 

• If you’re signed in with a Microsoft Entra ID, your Microsoft Teams (work or school) contacts will appear in the Windows share window to quickly share to.

 

[Settings]

 

• We are beginning to roll out a new option under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Phone Link to disable Phone Link all together in Windows 11. This setting will prevent Phone Link from communicating with your mobile devices.

 

Fixes for known issues

 

• Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to see the latest builds unexpectedly fail to install with 0x80004005.
• Fixed an issue causing some Insiders to see an increase in bugchecks after upgrading to the previous build.
• Fixed an issue where the context menu in File Explorer, as well as the command bar dropdowns, might go transparent sometimes.

 

Known issues

 

• [REMINDER] Some popular games may not work correctly on the most recent Insider Preview builds in the Canary Channel. Please be sure to submit feedback in Feedback Hub on any issues you see with playing games on these builds.
• We’re working on a fix for an issue where attempting to reboot into safe mode hangs on the boot logo.
• Attempting to navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad on this build will crash Settings.

You can check out the full blog post here. Also, Insiders have the option to download the ISO files for Canary Channel build 25997.

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