You can find all such features that shipped early, that were supposedly planned for the 23H2 update, in this article. One of the features that has been released to more users with this update is Copilot (in preview).

However, if you, for some reason, do not like it and want it disabled, the latest version of DoNotSpy11 adds the option to do so, alongside support for Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 Moment 4. The version also lets you make several tweaks to Edge and the Start menu. The full changelog for DoNotSpy11 1.2.0.0 is given below:

• General: Added Support for Windows 11 23H2 (Moment 4)
• Tweak added: Edge: Disable Compose for Writing on the Web
• Tweak added: Edge: Disable Discover Access to Page Contents
• Tweak added: Edge: Disable Related Matches in Find on Page
• Tweak added: Edge: Disable Text Prediction
• Tweak added: Edge: Disable Thumbnail Images for Browsing History
• Tweak added: Edge: Disable Windows Indexer Access to Local Browsing Data
• Tweak added: Privacy: Disable Autocorrection of Misspelled Words
• Tweak added: Privacy: Disable Copilot
• Tweak added: Privacy: Disable Highlighting of Misspelled Words
• Tweak added: Privacy: Disable Taskbar Copilot Button
• Tweak added: Start: Do Not Show Account-Related Notifications
• Tweak added: Start: Do Not Show Recently Added Apps
• Tweak updated: Edge: Disable Search Suggestions (now set as mandatory policy instead of recommended policy)
• Tweak updated: Edge: Disable Shopping (now set as mandatory policy instead of recommended policy)
• Tweak updated: Edge: Disable Suggestion of Similar Pages (now set as mandatory policy instead of recommended policy)
• Tweak updated: Edge: Disable Synchronization of Data (now set as mandatory policy instead of recommended policy)
• Tweak updated: Privacy: Disable Facts, Tips, Ticks and More on your Lock Screen
• Tweak updated: Privacy: Disable SmartScreen-Filter for URLs

You can download the app from Neowin's software page or from the official website.

Source

Here is the changelog:

GAMING HIGHLIGHTS:

 

Intel Game On Driver support on Intel Arc A-series Graphics for:

 

• The Talos Principle 2
• Robocop: Rogue City
• Star Ocean II R
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
• Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name

 

Game performance improvements versus Intel 31.0.101.4900 software driver for

 

• The Talos Principle 2 (DX12)
  • Up to 19% average FPS uplift at 1440p with High settings
• Returnal (DX12)
  • Up to 53% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Epic Ray Tracing settings

 

Game performance improvements versus Intel 31.0.101.4887 software driver for

 

• Guild Wars 2 (DX11)
  • Up to 53% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Halo: The Master Chief Collection (DX11)
  • Up to 750% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Enhanced settings
• Sid Meier’s Civilization V (DX11)
  • Up to 6% average FPS uplift at 1080p with High settings
• Total War: Warhammer (DX11)
  • Up to 10% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Lost Ark (DX11)
  • Up to 15% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Very High settings
• Warhammer: Vermintide 2 (DX11)
  • Up to 16% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Extreme settings
• Sniper Elite 3 (DX11)
  • Up to 37% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• World War Z (DX11)
  • Up to 113% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Euro Truck Simulator 2 (DX11)
  • Up to 27% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Yakuza 0 (DX11)
  • Up to 154% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (DX11)
  • Up to 20% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Alien: Isolation (DX11)
  • Up to 9% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Far Cry Primal (DX11)
  • Up to 14% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Far Cry 5 (DX11)
  • Up to 14% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings
• Far Cry New Dawn (DX11)
  • Up to 11% average FPS uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings

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.
• Starfield (DX12) may exhibit corruption when using Dynamic Resolution Scaling. A workaround is to change the Render Resolution Scale slider value.
• 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 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 drivers here and check out the full release notes here in PDF format.

Source

It is worth noting right away that the change will not affect customers updating to build 25897 from older releases. If you have those two apps installed, they will survive the upgrade and remain in your system. Besides, there are no plans to delete Windows Maps and Movies and TV apps from the Microsoft Store, so those in need can still download them at anytime after a clean Windows installation.

Here is what the official changelog has to say:

Starting with this build, the Windows Maps and Movies and TV apps will no longer be installed after doing a clean install of the OS. The Windows Maps and Movies and TV apps will not be removed on upgrade for Insiders in the Canary Channel and continue to be available and updated via the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft has not commented on why it decided to kick the app duo from Windows 11. Deleting them cannot save you a notable chunk of disk space since both apps take only a few megabytes. Windows Maps and Movies and TV rarely receive updates, and the former even lost some of its features when Microsoft removed offline map support. It is safe to say that very few Windows 11 users will mourn their loss. But if you will, here are direct links for downloading the programs from the Microsoft Store:

Download Windows Maps from the Microsoft Store
Download Movies and TV from the Microsoft Store

The announced change interestingly coincides with the launch of Windows 11 version 23H2, which removed the Chat app and the old Mail app.

Source

What you need to know

• Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 preview build for Insiders in the Canary Channel.
• Today's build includes a notable change to the selection of pre-installed apps on Windows 11.
• Specifically, Microsoft is pulling out the Movies & TV app from the OS, but it will remain downloadable from the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft is back with a new preview build of Windows 11, which is now rolling out to Insiders in the Canary Channel. Today's build is 25987 and includes a couple of notable changes, the first of which relates to what apps are pre-installed when you setup a new Windows 11 PC.

Starting with this build, Microsoft is pulling the Movies & TV app out of the OS as a pre-loaded app. This means when you setup a new PC in 2024 with Windows 11, the Movies & TV app will no longer be included. Instead, users will need to download the app from the Microsoft Store first to access their purchased movies and TV shows.

Microsoft says the app will remain installed for users upgrading to the next release, so if you're already using it you will continue to be able to even when the next update rolls around, likely sometime in 2024. The Movies & TV service will remain active, along with the ability to purchase new movies and shows via the Microsoft Store.

Other changes in today's Canary Channel build include an update to the out of box experience, which will now let you install a Wi-Fi driver if there isn't one currently present. This will be useful for system builders, as Windows 11 requires an internet connection to proceed through setup process, and a vanilla Windows 11 image doesn't always include a basic internet driver.

You can check out the complete changelog for today's Canary Channel build below:

Windows 11 build 25987 changelog

• During setup (OOBE), when you need to connect to a network and there’s no Wi-Fi drivers, you’ll be given an option to press an “Install Drivers” button to install drivers you have previously downloaded. You will see this change using the ISO for Build 25977 provided here for download and higher.
• Starting with this build, the Windows Maps and Movies and TV apps will no longer be installed after doing a clean install of the OS. The Windows Maps and Movies and TV apps will not be removed on upgrade for Insiders in the Canary Channel and continue to be available and updated via the Microsoft Store.
• We’ve designed the settings page for Delivery Optimization under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization to match the Windows 11 design principles.
• PNG files now support viewing and editing metadata – for example, if you’d like to set a star rating in Properties, edit the description, or add keywords.

Source

Here is the changelog:

What’s new in Build 25987

 

Changes and Improvements

 

[General]

 

• During setup (OOBE), when you need to connect to a network and there’s no Wi-Fi drivers, you’ll be given an option to press an “Install Drivers” button to install drivers you have previously downloaded. You will see this change using the ISO for Build 25977 provided here for download and higher.
• Starting with this build, the Windows Maps and Movies and TV apps will no longer be installed after doing a clean install of the OS. The Windows Maps and Movies and TV apps will not be removed on upgrade for Insiders in the Canary Channel and continue to be available and updated via the Microsoft Store.

 

[Settings]

 

• We’ve designed the settings page for Delivery Optimization under Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Delivery Optimization to match the Windows 11 design principles.

 

[File Explorer]

 

• PNG files now support viewing and editing metadata – for example, if you’d like to set a star rating in Properties, edit the description, or add keywords.

 

Fixes for known issues

 

• Fixed an issue causing File Explorer to crash in Windows Sandbox when using a non-English display language.

 

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.
• [NEW] There are blank options showing on the Personalization and Privacy & Security settings pages where if clicked on will crash Settings.
• [NEW] We’re investigating reports that attempting to reboot into safe mode hangs on the boot logo.

You can check out the full blog post here.

Source

It is a significant increase, considering that the operating system's market share has been relatively unchanged since April 2023.

Although Windows 11's market share may not seem impressive, especially with its successor looming over the horizon, Microsoft is quite happy with its performance. A new report recently revealed that Windows 11 has more than 400 million monthly active devices, a notably higher figure than Microsoft's initial expectations.

Despite gaining almost 3 points in one month, Windows 11 is still far below Windows 10, the go-to operating system for hundreds of millions. StatCounter says Windows 10 has 69.35%, and it lost 2.27 points last month.

You can see on the chart below that Windows 11's growth is directly linked to Windows 10's market share decrease. However, the latter can offset part of its losses thanks to the remains of the Windows 7 user base slowly upgrading to supported Windows versions. In October 2023, Windows 7 went from 3.33$ to 3.03%.

1. Windows 10 - 69.35% (-2.27 points, -1.91 points YoY)
2. Windows 11 - 26.14% (+2.5 points, +10.69 points YoY)
3. Windows 7 - 3.03% (-0.3 points, -6.6 points YoY)

The recently launched Windows 11 Moment 4 update and version 23H2 could be a significant contributing factor to the system's growth. The release introduced several much-anticipated features and novelties that make Windows 11 more appealing to Windows 10 users. However, many Windows 10 users will never be able to upgrade to Windows 11 due to steep hardware requirements, even though enthusiasts always find new methods to bypass them.

With Windows 10 poised to reach its end of life in October 2025, the picture is getting a bit grim for those not planning to upgrade their PCs in the next two years. Some users decided to step up and sign a petition demanding from Microsoft to extend Windows 10's support.

Disclaimer: Statcounter cannot provide 100% accurate data. You can learn more in the official FAQ.

Source

Microsoft's official blog post about the launch of Windows 11 version 23H2 does not mention the Media Creation Tool. Still, the official Windows 11 website says 23H2 is now available for download. There is no word from Microsoft on why the MCT has not been updated yet, but the company is already looking into the situation.

Meanwhile, customers needing an official Windows 11 version 23H2 image can use direct download links on the Windows 11 website. Here is how to do it in case you are unfamiliar with downloading Windows images:

1. Head to the official Windows 11 website at www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows11
2. Scroll down to the Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices section and select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for x64 devices) from the drop-down menu.
3. Click Download Now.
4. Wait for the website to validate your request, then select the product language from a drop-down list below the download button.
5. Click Confirm, then Download.

Now you need a third-party app to create a bootable USB drive. Our favorite picks include Rufus (a great option, especially if you plan to install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware), Ventoy, and WintoUSB.

Check out our Windows 11 version 23H2 review here while you are waiting for your images to finish downloading. We will update the article after Microsoft updates the Media Creation Tool app.

Source

The tech giant, towards the end of September, announced the WHCP certification for the feature update. This is to ensure that the system requirements are validated. In case you were not aware, Microsoft reassured users that there would be no change in "device compatibility" between 22H2 and 23H2. Aside from that, Microsoft also made improvements to Microsoft 365 testing. And most recently, it also released an updated Windows Driver Kit (WDK) for 23H2 to help develop "high-quality" drivers for the 2023 Windows 11 update.

The Windows 11 23H2 feature update (build 22361.2506) is built atop the previous Moment 4 update (build 22621.2506 / KB5031455) and it is enabled via an enablement package (EKB5027397). Microsoft has confirmed that this EKB will install automatically which means users who are running Windows 11 22H2 on unsupported devices won't be offered the update.

Longtime Neowin forum member Mockingbird posted an easy way to upgrade to Windows 11 23H2 if you are running 22H2 on an unsupported PC. The inspiration came from a Windows 11 forum thread where a senior member Brink published download links for the KB5027397 enablement package.

Aside from this, users can also download the 23H2 ISO from Microsoft's official website and upgrade by using various bypass tricks like the one we recently reported on that bypasses requirements check using a single command. Other methods include using USB formatting utilities like Rufus, or Ventoy, or WintoUSB.

As mentioned above, the system requirements are supposed to remain unaltered so individuals who are successfully running 22H2 on incompatible PCs should be able to able to upgrade.

Source

Microsoft Store has also received an update such that game installations now allow choosing the installation directory. The full changelog is given below:

Changes and Improvements

[Copilot in Windows*]

 

• Starting with Build 23580 in the Dev Channel, users with local accounts will be able to access Copilot in Windows for a limited number of queries before needing to sign in.

 

[Windows Share]

 

• We have significantly improved nearby share transfer speed for users on same network. Before these changes, users had to be on the same private network but now users just have to be on the same network, which could be public or private. You can quickly turn on nearby share via Quick Settings and simply right-click on a local file in File Explorer, choose “Share”, and choose to share to a device listed under Nearby Share in the Windows share window.

 

Fixes

 

[File Explorer]

 

• Fixed an issue where using mouse back and forward buttons didn’t react when hovering over the Recommended Files section of Home.
• Fixed an issue where Gallery would stop displaying correctly if you applied Group By to all folders.

 

[Desktops]

 

• Fixed an issue that made the desktop tooltips in Task view hard to read in contrast themes.
• Fixed an issue that was causing taskbar icons to disappear after switching desktops.

 

[Search on the Taskbar]

 

• Fixed an issue where if your taskbar was close to being full of icons and you used the search box, clicking the search box would open search and then it would immediately close.

 

[Windows Spotlight]

 

• Fixed an issue which was resulting in Windows Spotlight wallpapers not showing correctly in the desktop thumbnail in Task View.

 

NOTE: Some fixes noted here in Insider Preview builds from the Dev Channel may make their way into the servicing updates for the released version of Windows 11.

 

Known issues

 

[Taskbar]

 

• [NEW] The purple Chat button may show up again on the taskbar after updating to this build. This is unintentional. We’re working to resolve an issue where the button is incorrectly showing again.

 

[Copilot in Windows*]

 

• When first launching or after refreshing Copilot in Windows while using voice access, you’ll need to use “Show grid” commands to click in the “Ask me anything” box for the first time.

Microsoft Store Update

Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels running version 22310.xxxx.x of the Microsoft Store and higher will see the following improvement rolling out:

 

Customize the install location of your games: When downloading games like Starfield, Halo Infinite, or Forza Motorsport, you will now be able to specify the installation drive. For example, when clicking the install button from Starfield’s page, you’ll be greeted with a new dialog providing you a chance to select a drive. You can change your default drive from the Microsoft Store’s settings page. Also in the settings page, you can specify the folder location of your games within that drive. These settings are synchronized with the Xbox app on PC to ensure a consistent gaming experience.

 

 

Game installation options in the Microsoft Store.

 

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store.

You can view the official website here on Microsoft's website.

Source

According to a post published on the official Stardock website, Start11 v2's first update adds a few new options for the new Pro layout. You can now turn off your profile name and picture and make the right sidebar smaller. In addition, Start11 v2 lets you hide the search field when not in use.

Other changes in the latest Start11 v2 update include tab changes, a reduced suggested app list (now limited to 14), and multiple fixes. You can find the complete changelog on the official Stardock website. Developers say they plan a few more updates to resolve possible bugs or issues in the current release preview. Send your thoughts, suggestions, or complaints to Stardock using the official forum or Discord.

As a reminder, Start11 v2 introduced several features and changes to enhance the Start menu and taskbar user experience. Besides offering multiple customizable layouts, the app lets you pin folders and files to the taskbar, create Start menu tabs, hide recommended content, and more. You can learn about Start11 v2 in our dedicated coverage.

Start11 v2 is available for $5.99 on the official Stardock website during the release preview period and is also included in the award-winning Object Desktop suite. For more information, visit the Start11 v2 website here. Existing Start11 users can upgrade to v2 with a discount and purchase a 5-pack upgrade if there is a need to run Start11 on five devices.

Disclaimer: Neowin's relationship to Stardock

Source

Microsoft goes into more detail in the Canary blog update:

Customize the install location of your games: When downloading games like Starfield, Halo Infinite, or Forza Motorsport, you will now be able to specify the installation drive. For example, when clicking the install button from Starfield’s page, you’ll be greeted with a new dialog providing you a chance to select a drive. You can change your default drive from the Microsoft Store’s settings page. Also in the settings page, you can specify the folder location of your games within that drive. These settings are synchronized with the Xbox app on PC to ensure a consistent gaming experience.

Game installation options in the Microsoft Store.

It's hard to believe that Microsoft hasn't had this feature in its store app for Windows before now, but at least it's bow available for Insiders to test out. Insiders can also send over any feedback on this new custom game install feature in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store.

The Microsoft Store website recently got a user interface refresh that makes it look more like the Store app on Windows 10 and 11. Another recent update has boosted the performance of the Store app in Windows so that it now loads in just a couple of seconds. The big "Moment 4" update for Windows 11 over a month ago also added Instant Games, which lets users play PC games in the store without the need to download them.

Source

The tech giant, towards the end of September, announced the WHCP certification for the feature update. This was to ensure that the system requirements are validated. In case you were not aware, the tech giant reassured users that there would be no change in "device compatibility" between 22H2 and 23H2. Aside from that, Microsoft also made improvements to Microsoft 365 testing. Following those, Microsoft also released an updated Windows Driver Kit (WDK) for 23H2 to help develop "high-quality" drivers for the 2023 Windows 11 update.

And we knew the release was not too far off as ISO download links were spotted about a week ago; which is why it comes as little surprise that Microsoft released the feature update earlier today.

Previously, the Redmond company had already confirmed that 23H2 would be based entirely on 22H2 and it could be enabled via an enablement package (EKB). As such, Microsoft has published a support article explaining how to get the EKB (KB5027397) now that the feature update is available publicly.

It writes:

Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. Therefore, the new features in Windows 11, version 23H2 are included in the latest monthly quality update for Windows 11, version 22H2 but are in an inactive and dormant state. These new features will remain dormant until they are turned on through the “enablement package,” a small, quick-to-install “master switch” that activates the Windows 11, version 23H2 features.

 

The enablement package is a great option for installing a scoped feature update like Windows 11, version 23H2 as it enables an update from version 22H2 to version 23H2 with a single restart, reducing update downtime. This enables devices to take advantage of new features now. For version 22H2 devices that receive updates directly from Windows Update, devices automatically get the enablement package by installing the feature update to Windows 11, version 23H2.

Hence, the enablement package will be installed automatically via Windows Update though users must ensure they have the previous update (KB5031455) on their devices.

Source

However, things do not seem to go as per the plan for some users who are facing issues with the new update. Microsoft's update is causing issues while installing for some users while others say the new update is causing performance issues.

Going through Reddit and Microsoft Feedback Hub, it looks like most of the users are facing installation issues with a variety of errors like 0x800f081f, 0x8007007e, 0x8000ffff, 0x800f0984, and 0x80073701. Unfortunately, it looks like the issues extend to Update Catalog as well with users saying that the installation froze even when using the update package from Microsoft's Update Catalog.

More worryingly, there have been reports stating that individuals are not able to rollback if the installation is stuck or if they are facing issues with the update. According to posts on both Reddit and Microsoft Feedback Hub, users are getting stuck in a rollback loop where Windows tries to install the update and then tries to roll it back when the update fails.

As of this moment, Microsoft has not acknowledged the issue on social media or on the Windows Health Dashboard. With Windows 11 now running on over 400 million devices worldwide, it is hard to assess the true severity of these issues.

We here at Neowin recommend enabling System Restore on the Windows install disk (usually C:\) and doing a System Restore Point before installing new feature or Patch Tuesday updates, but also before installing third party software on your system. This can help individuals rollback if an update fails, without losing important data.

Source

What is new in PowerToys 0.75.1?

This is a patch release to fix issues in v0.75.0 to fix some bugs we deemed important for stability based on incoming rates.

 

• #29491 - The generalization of a fix for snapping popup windows was causing many applications to not be snappable by FancyZones. We're reverted that change for this patch and we'll investigate a better fix for a future release.
• #29465 - We've recently included more ways for PowerToys Run plugin developers to include different data types as additional options for their plugins, but these were not being initialized correctly. Now they should be working. Thanks @waaverecords!

In case you missed it, PowerToys 0.75 introduced two big changes: a new utility for editing environment variables (and profiles) and a new Dashboard home page, where you can quickly toggle on or off different modules, check their hotkeys, see what utilities are running, etc. You can check out full release notes in our dedicated article.

PowerToys is available on Windows 10 and 11. You can download the app from the Microsoft Store, GitHub, or using winget (open Terminal and type winget install powertoys).

As a reminder for users unfamiliar with the matter, PowerToys is a set of utilities to enhance your user experience. It includes an app launcher, File Explorer add-ons, multiple mouse tools, keyboard remapping, registry editor, hosts editor, screen ruler, text extractor, colour picker, and many more. PowerToys regularly gets updates with new utilities, and it is one of our favorite apps we recommend for every Windows 11 and 10 user.

Source

Like its predecessors, version 21H2 (the initial release) and 22H2, Windows 11 23H2 will get two years of active support with monthly cumulative updates, fixes, and new features. As a reminder, Windows 11 21H2 reached its end of life earlier this month. As for version 22H2, Microsoft will discontinue it in one year, on October 4, 2024.

New versions of Windows 11 are released once per year—in the second half of the calendar year—via the General Availability Channel. They are serviced with monthly updates that include security and non-security items. Today, October 31, 2023, marks the start of 36 months of servicing support for Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11, version 23H2. Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, version 23H2 receive 24 months of support.

Although a new "big update" for Windows 11 sounds exciting, version 23H2 has very little to offer if you have already installed the Moment 4 update. The biggest change you will notice after clean-installing Windows 11 version 23H2 is the lack of Cortana (rest in peace) and the old Mail app. Microsoft has replaced the latter with the new Outlook. Also, the Chat app is no longer pinned to the taskbar—Microsoft Teams has taken over it.

If you are upgrading to 23H2 from older Windows 11 updates or Windows 10, the latest release will bring you a lot of new features. Just to name a few: a redesigned volume mixer, taskbar upgrades, new File Explorer with RAR support, native RGB controls in the Settings app, Windows Copilot, improved Photos and Paint, a new Windows Backup app, and many more. Check out our full review to learn more about the latest additions to Windows 11.

You can download Windows 11 version 23H2 from the official website, where Microsoft offers direct links to ISO files and the Media Creation Tool app for making bootable USB media. Alternatively, head to Windows Update, toggle on the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" option and then check for available updates.

Source

On Windows 11, the Network Statistics (netstat) tool has been around for a long time (including on Windows 10 and older versions), and it's a command-line utility you can use in Command Prompt to display statistics for all network connections. It allows you to understand open and connected ports to monitor and troubleshoot networking problems for systems or apps.

The tool helps you to list active network (incoming and outgoing) connections and listening ports. You can view network adapter statistics and statistics for protocols (such as IPv4 and IPv6). You can even display the current routing table and much more.

In this how-to guide, I'll show you the steps to use the netstat command to examine connections to discover open and connected network ports on Windows 11 (and 10).

How to use netstat on Windows 11 and 10

In the client version of Windows, you can get started with the Network Statistics tool with a simple command, but then you have a lot of options to view different network activities, and here's how.

Netstats basics

To get started with netstat, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to show all active TCP connections and press Enter: netstat

(Image credit: Future)

4. (Optional) Type the following command to display active connections showing numeric IP address and port number instead of trying to determine the names and press Enter: netstat -n

(Image credit: Future)

5. (Optional) Type the following command to refresh the information at a specific interval and press Enter: netstat -n INTERVAL

In the command, replace "INTERVAL" with the number (in seconds) to re-display the information. This example refreshes the command in question every five seconds: netstat -n 5

• Quick note: When using the interval parameter, you can terminate the command using the "Ctrl + C" keyboard shortcut.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you execute the command, it'll return a list of all active connections in four columns, including:

• Proto: Shows the connection protocol (TCP or UDP).
• Local Address: Shows the computer's IP address followed by a semicolon with the port number of the connection. The double-semicolon inside brackets indicates the local IPv6 address, and "0.0.0.0" refers to the local address.
• Foreign Address: Lists the remote device's IP (or FQDN) address with the port number after the semicolon port name (for example, HTTPS, HTTP, Microsoft-ds, and wsd).
• State: Indicates where the connection is active (established), the local port has been closed (time_wait), and the program hasn't closed the port (close_wait). Other status include, closed, fin_wait_1, fin_wait_2, last_ack, listen, syn_received, syn_send, and timed_wait.

Netstat parameters

The tool also includes several parameters you can use to display different information about the network connections on Windows 11 (and 10).

Show active and inactive connections

The "netstat -a" command displays all active and inactive connections and the TCP and UDP ports the device is currently listening to.

(Image credit: Future)

Show executable information

The "netstat -b" command lists all the executables (applications) associated with each connection. Sometimes, applications may open multiple connections.

(Image credit: Future)

Show network adapter statistics

The "netstat -e" command generates a statistic of the network interface, which shows information like the number of bytes, unicast, and non-unicast sent and received packets. You can also see discarded packets, errors, and unknown protocols, which can help you troubleshoot networking problems.

(Image credit: Future)

Show FQDNS for foreign addresses

The "netstat -f" command shows the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) for foreign addresses. For example, "a23-200-88-24.deploy.static.akamaitechnologies.com:https" instead of "a23-200-88-24:http" or "23.200.88.24".

(Image credit: Future)

Show numerical form

The "netstat -n" command displays the addresses and ports in numerical form—for example, 52.159.126.152:443.

(Image credit: Future)

Show process ID

The "netstat -o" command shows active TCP connections like "netstat," but with the difference that adds a fifth column to display the Process ID (PID) for each connection. The processes available in this view are the same in the "Details" tab of Task Manager, which also reveals the application using the connection.

(Image credit: Future)

Show connections by Protocol

The "netstat -p" can be used to display connections per protocol that you have to specify using "TCP," "UDP," "TCPv6," or "UDPv6" next to the command. For example, you can use the "netstat -p TCP" command to view a list of TCP connections.

(Image credit: Future)

Show listening and non-listening ports

The "netstat -q" commands can produce a list of all the connections with the listening and bound non-listening ports.

(Image credit: Future)

Show statistics by Protocol

The "netstat -s" shows network statistics for the available protocols, including TCP, UDP, ICMP, and IP protocols (versions 4 and 6).

(Image credit: Future)

Show routing table

The "netstat -r" command displays the current network routing table that lists the routes to destinations and matrics known by the device for IP version 4 and version 6 (if applicable). If the returned information looks familiar, it's because you can also output the data using the "route print" command.

(Image credit: Future)

Show offload state connections

The "netstat -t" command generates a list of the current connection offload state. The offload state refers to the TCP Chimney Offload, which is a feature that transfers the network workload from the processor to the network adapter during data transmissions. The "InHost" value indicates that offloading isn't enabled, and the "Offload" means that the feature is transferring the workload to the network adapter. (This feature is only present on supported network adapters.)

(Image credit: Future)

Show NetworkDirect connections

The "netstat -x" is another supported command, and it produces a list of NetworkDirect connections, shared endpoints, and listeners.

NetworkDirect is a specification for Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA), which is a process that allows fast data transfers using the network adapter, freeing up the processor to perform other tasks. Usually, you'll never use this command unless you're using the Windows server version or a high-performance application with a network adapter that supports this feature.

Show connection template

The "netstat -y" command displays TCP connection templates for all connections.

Combine parameters

When using the "netstat" command, you can combine the parameters to display various information for many cases.

For example, the "-e" parameter can also be used with the "-s" parameter to see statistics for each available protocol, and the "-o" parameter can be combined with "-a," "-n," and "-p" as necessary.

With the "netstat -p" command, you append the "s" parameter. You can display statistics from even more protocols, including "icmp," "ip," "icmpv6," and "ipv6."

Also, when using more than one parameter, you can combine them with a single "-." For example, instead of writing the command "netstat -e -s," you can write it like this: "netstat -es."

To see all the available parameters and additional help, you can always use the "netstat /?" command.

Netstat search

In addition to displaying all the available statistic information, you can also output only the certain details you need using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to list all the connections that have the state set to LISTENING and press Enter: netstat -q | findstr STRING

In the command, replace "STRING" for the information you want to list. Also, the findstr option is case-sensitive, which means you must enter the string you want to find with the exact casing. This example lists the connections set to "LISTENING:" netstat -q | findstr LISTENING

This other example shows all the connections from a foreign server FQDN, in this case, Amazon: netstat -f | findstr amazon

The "findstr" command isn't part of the netstat tool. It's a simple command to search for a text string in a file, but you can use it with many of the options for this tool to make more sense of the information you're viewing.

The tool is not exclusive to Windows, as it's also available across platforms, including Linux and macOS. Even though the parameters and syntax may be different, they all are very similar.

Source

If you plan to play Call of Duty Modern Warfare III on your PC, check out the game's hardware requirements.

What is new in the NVIDIA 546.01 WHQL driver update?

Here is the official changelog:

Release Highlights

 

Game Ready for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

This new Game Ready Driver provides the best gaming experience for the latest new games supporting DLSS 3 technology including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Desynced, Jusant, and RoboCop: Rogue City.

Fixed Gaming Bugs

 

• [Halo Infinite] Increased loading times after updating to driver 545.84
• [Halo Infinite] Significant performance drop is observed on Maxwell-based GPUs.

 

Fixed General Bugs

 

• Windows Event Viewer incorrectly logs an error when NVTOPPS stops
• LG C3 OLED TV does not show up as a validated G-SYNC Compatible display in the NVIDIA Control Panel
• Stable Diffusion significant performance reduction after driver update. Workaround outlined here.

Known bugs:

For notebook computers, issues can be system-specific and may not be seen on your
particular notebook.

 

• A new NVIDIA icon is created in the system tray each time a user switch takes place in
• Windows.
• [Discord] When streaming gameplay, colours may appear muted.
• Windows 10 transparency effects are not displaying correctly after driver update.

NVIDIA's latest graphics driver is available for the following GPUs:

You can download NVIDIA 546.01 from the official website or via the GeForce Experience app. The driver supports 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11. Full release notes are available here (PDF).

Source

In addition to giving every user a chance to try the latest Windows 11 version without buying a license, Windows Development Environment virtual machines offer access to everything you may need to start developing Windows apps:

• Windows 11 Enterprise (Evaluation).
• Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition with UWP, .NET Desktop, Azure, and Windows App SDK for C# workloads enabled.
• Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 enabled with Ubuntu installed.
• Windows Terminal installed.
• Developer mode enabled.

If you are not interested in Microsoft's developer tools, you can download "clean" images without extra software. Click here to download a Windows 11 version or here if you prefer Windows 10.

Microsoft's official Windows 11 virtual machines are available in four formats, allowing you to download a prebuilt package and set up a virtual machine with a few clicks. Those formats include VMware (Workstation Pro and Player), Parallels Desktop for macOS, VirtualBox, and Hyper-V. All four variants are x86-only—there are still no ARM versions.

Windows Development Environment requires a minimum of 8GB of RAM and 70GB of disk space. Keep in mind that those virtual machines do not support activation with Windows license keys. They are valid for 90 days, after which the operating system will start nagging you with a message claiming it is no longer genuine. Still, Microsoft updates its virtual machines monthly, so expect a newer version with a new grace period by the end of November.

Although the latest WDE update is still based on the Moment 3 update, you can update it to the Moment 4 update using the recently released non-security update, with the new features now available to everyone.

You can download Microsoft's official free Windows 11 virtual machines from the Microsoft Developer website.

Source

iPhones, Androids, and Microsoft's more beloved child

"Windows Mobile" is not "Windows CE," and if you noticed that, you were not alone. If you had a device smaller than a PC, there were now two things coming your way: Windows CE 6.0, and "its Windows Mobile variant." Meanwhile, Windows CE also became an OS layer in AccuVote, the OS on a "personal GPS," and also on an e-paper tablet (because companies have been trying this idea for a very, very long time now). If it was a mobile device and it was released in 2007, it seemed inevitable that Windows CE or Windows Mobile would be on it.

 

Unless it was made by Apple. After Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that the iPhone had "no chance" of gaining significant market share, the iPhone gained significant market share in 2007. By late 2008, Google's new Android OS was shipping on T-Mobile's G1, and manufacturers were eager to jump in. Windows CE seemed to pivot even harder into its "Definitely Not a Phone" identity, getting a rebrand as Windows Embedded Compact sometime in 2009, and showing up on devices like CherryPal's $99 netbook aimed at the developing world. And on ATMs that got hacked on stage at the Black Hat conference.

 

By October 2010, Microsoft had a sliding market share in mobile devices, and a new old idea: a fully smartphone-focused OS called Windows Phone 7. It was a big departure from Windows Mobile, though it still had Windows CE kernel underlying its tech. Windows Phone 7 had strict rules around hardware specs, button arrangement, and branding. As we noted then, the phones had far more room to make their own thing with Android and Windows Mobile. "If Windows Phone 7 is anything short of an enormous success, it's easy to see them giving up on the platform."

 

Windows Phone 8 arrived in 2012, and it swapped Windows CE's kernel for that of Windows NT. That also meant that very few of the existing Windows mobile apps out there could upgrade to it and that many phone makers would skip the upgrade from 7 to 8 entirely. Microsoft put in nearly two years of development to transition away from the low-power-minded Windows CE, at a time when it didn't really have the time to spare.

 

You may not like it, but this is what peak Windows CE looked like in 2009: The $4,750

General Dynamics Sectéra Edge Windows CE secure PDA.

General Dynamics

A grim cameo, and it's still for sale

Beyond this point, Windows CE still existed, just on a level so low-key you wouldn't notice it unless you saw a weird little computer doing a very specific job. It showed up in one prominent place, however. In 2016, at the height of the US presidential election, it was revealed that a fantastically complex, $4,750 Windows CE phone was the only real option for the National Security Agency's preferred secure White House phone in 2009. Then-Secretary-of-State Hillary Clinton did not or could not use that, so she used her own BlackBerry and email server, and we have been hearing about it ever since.

 

Microsoft, in its "Windows CE Migration FAQ," writes a kind of half-hearted obituary for its OS. It "powered industrial, medical, and a variety of other devices for more than 20 years," allowing companies to "modify and create their own user interfaces and experiences." While support has reached its end, Microsoft will "allow license sales" for Windows Embedded Compact until 2028. "And, of course, Windows CE devices can continue to be used indefinitely," added a technical writer at Microsoft, perhaps wistfully.

 

Source

If you’re not familiar, the feature adds a section to the Collections pane that contains suggestions for new collections based on the user’s browsing history. 

The good news is, as shared by the browser’s enthusiast @Leopeva64 on X (fka Twitter), the feature is no longer seen in the browser’s Collections pane.

Take a look at the makeover here:

Many users find the feature’s suggestions to be irrelevant and intrusive. Some even go as far as calling it “offensive,” “inappropriate,” and “potentially embarrassing,” although the feature mostly affects those that are signed into the browser with a Microsoft account. 

A thread on Microsoft Edge Insider’s discussion forum has called out the Redmond-based tech giant to remove this feature, or at least have a toggle to disable it. The post has now amassed 12.6k views, 53 likes, and over 100 replies.

One user says, “I did not ask for it to be aggregated with whatever random trash that shows there every time. I know technically it comes from somewhere else (MSN) but I do not care.”

What are your thoughts on this change? Feel free to share them in the comments!

Source

What is new in PowerToys 0.75?

Update highlights:

• New utility: An environment variables editor with the functionality to configure profiles that can be enabled/disabled.

  

   

• Settings has a new Dashboard home page, with quick access for enabling modules, short descriptions and activation methods.

  

   

• Added a previewer to Peek that hosts File Explorer previewers to support every file type that a machine is currently able to preview. For example, this means that if Microsoft Office handlers are installed, Peek can preview Office files.

Full release notes:

General

 

• Many typo fixes through the projects and documentation.
• Refactored and improved the logic across utilities for bringing a window to the foreground after activation.

 

colour Picker

 

• After activating colour Picker, it's now possible to cancel the session by clicking the right mouse button.

 

Environment Variables

 

• Added a new utility: An environment variables editor that has the functionality to configure profiles that can be enabled/disabled.
• Shows in the title bar if it's running as an administrator.

FancyZones

 

• Fixed an issue causing context menu pop-ups from some apps to automatically snap to a zone. (This was a hotfix for 0.74)
• Applied the fix for the context menu pop-ups to the logic that decides which windows can be snapped.
• Reworked the "Keep windows in their zones" option to include the work area and turn it on by default, fixing an incompatibility with the Copilot flyout.
• Fixed an issue causing windows to be snapped while moving to a different virtual desktop.

 

File Explorer add-ons

 

• Fixed an issue blocking some SVG files from being previewed correctly. (This was a hotfix for 0.74)
• Fixed crashes on invalid files in the STL Thumbnail generator.

 

GPO

 

• Added a global GPO rule that applies for all utilities unless it's overridden.
• Added GPO rules to control which PowerToys Run plugins should be enabled/disabled by policy.

 

Image Resizer

 

• Fixed wrong .bmp file association in the registry.

 

Keyboard Manager

 

• Visually distinguish between the Numpad and regular period characters in the UI.
• This utility is now disabled by default on new installations, since it requires user configuration to affect keyboard behavior.
• Fixed a typo in the Numpad Subtract key in the editor.

 

Mouse Highlighter

 

• Removed the lower limit of fade delay and duration, to allow better signaling of doing a double click. Thanks [@fredso90](https://github.com/fredso90)!

 

Mouse Jump

 

• The process now runs in the background, for a faster activation time.

 

Peek

 

• Reported file sizes will now more closely match what's reported by File Explorer.
• Added a previewer that hosts File Explorer previewers to support every file type that a machine is currently able to preview.
• Fixed an issue causing the preview of the first file to be stuck loading.
• Fixed showing the previously previewed video file when invoking Peek with a new file.
• Added the wrap and file formatting options to the Monaco previewer.

 

PowerRename

 

• Save data from the last run in a different file to avoid conflicting with changing settings in the Settings application.

 

PowerToys Run

 

• Fixed a case where the query wasn't being cleared after invoking a result action through the keyboard.
• Improved the shell selection option for Windows Terminal in the Shell plugin and improved the backend code for adding combo box options to plugins.
• Added Unix time in milliseconds, fixed negative unix time input and improved error messages in the TimeDate plugin.
• The PowerToys plugin allows calling the new Environment Variables utility.
• Refactored and added support to VSCodium Stable, VSCodium Insider and Remote Tunnels workspaces.

 

Quick Accent

 

• Fixed characters that were removed from "All languages" because they were not in any single language. (This was a hotfix for 0.74)
• Added Asturian characters to the Spanish character set.
• Added Greek characters with tonos.

 

Registry Preview

 

• Fixed a parsing error that crashed the Application. (This was a hotfix for 0.74)
• Fixed opening file names with non-ASCII characters.
• Fixed wrong parsing when the file contained an assignment with spaces around the equals sign.
• Fixed key transversal issues when a key was a substring of a parent key.

 

Runner

 

• Fixed the update notification toast to show an Unicode arrow.

 

Settings

 

• Added a new Dashboard home page, with quick access for enabling modules, short descriptions and activation methods.

   

• Fixed a typo in the Hosts File Editor page.

   

• Added a lock icon to the flyout listing of all modules when its enabled state is controlled by policy.

   

• The "All apps" list in the flyout will now list all apps even if their enabled state is controlled by policy.

   

VCM

 

• Added an option to allow for the toolbar to hide after some time passed.
• Added an option to select to mute or unmute at startup.
• Fixed an issue causing a cascade of mute/unmute triggers.

 

Development

 

• Added project dependencies to the version project and headers to avoid building errors.
• Enabled Control Flow Guard in the C++ projects.
• Switched the release pipeline to the 1ES governed template.
• Styled XAML files and added a XAML Style checker to the solution, with a CI action to check if code being contributed is compliant.
• Suppressed redundant midl file warnings in PowerRename.
• Add unit tests to FancyZones Editor.
• Improved the Default Layouts internal structure in FancyZones Editor.
• Fixed code issues to allow building in Visual Studio 17.8 Preview 4.

The next PowerToys update will introduce language selection, allow Keyboard Manager to output arbitrary Unicode sequences, and bring redesigned colour Picker and PowerToys Run with Windows 11-like visuals.

PowerToys is available on Windows 10 and 11. You can download the app from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.

Source

On Windows 11, you can use the keyboard keypad to move the mouse pointer and perform tasks, such as drag and drop, click, and double-click, and in this guide, I'll show you the process.  

Although the mouse is easy to use, there are scenarios when using the keyboard to control the pointer on the screen can come in handy. For example, the mouse (or touchpad) suddenly stops working, and you don't have access to another hardware replacement, or it's not possible for you to use a mouse, to name a few.

If you're in a situation where the mouse isn't an option, you can turn on the "Mouse keys" feature on Windows 10 that enables you to control the pointer on the screen using the numeric keypad. 

In this how-to guide, I'll outline the steps to start configuring and using the mouse with the keyboard on Windows 11.

How to enable mouse control with keyboard from Settings

To turn on the option to control the mouse pointer with the keyboard, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accessibility.
3. Click the Mouse page on the right side.

4. Turn on the Mouse keys toggle switch.

5. (Optional) Check the "Hold the Ctrl key to speed up and the Shift key to slow down" option.
6. (Optional) Use the slider settings to control the mouse key speed and acceleration.

Once you complete the steps, you can use the numeric keypad on the keyboard to move the mouse.

How to enable mouse control with keyboard from Control Panel

To enable mouse pointer control through the Control Panel, use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Ease of Access.
3. Click on Ease of Access Center.
4. Check the "Make the mouse easier to use" option.

5. Check the "Turn on Mouse Keys" option.
6. Under the "Control the mouse with the keyboard" section, click the "Set up Mouse Keys" option.

7. Check the "Turn on Mouse Keys" option (if applicable).
8. (Optional) Under the "Pointer speed" section, use the Top speed and Acceleration sliders to adjust the mouse experience.
9. (Optional) Check the "Hold down CTRL to speed up and SHIFT to slow down" option.
10. Click the Apply button.
11. Click the OK button.

After you complete the steps, you can use the keyboard number pad to move the pointer around the screen.

How to get started using mouse with keyboard on Windows 11

When enabling this feature, in addition to moving the mouse pointer around the screen, you can also drag, click, and select items.

Control mouse pointer

To move the mouse pointer on the Windows 11 desktop, use these keys from the keypad:

• 7 – Up and left.
• 8 – Up.
• 9 – Up and right.
• 4 – Left.
• 6 – Right.
• 1 – Down and left.
• 2 – Down.
• 3 – Down and right.

Drag and drop 

To drag and drop files and folders on Windows 11, you have to select, drag, and use the move option from the context menu:

• Position the mouse on the item and press the "0" key.
• Use the keypad to start dragging.
• Position the mouse on the location to move the item, press the "." (decimal) key to drop the item.

Click items 

To perform a click action, use these steps:

• Click - Position the mouse on the item, hold the "/" key, and press the "5" key.
• Right-click - Position the mouse on the item, hold the "-" key, and press the "5" key.
• Double-click - Position the mouse on the item, hold the "*" key, and press the "+" key.

Source

Torvalds described a “random smattering” of smaller fixes across the board, with only one larger fix addressing the r8152 driver.

Linux 6.6 is expected to be the next Long-Term Support (LTS) kernel, and while work is already underway for version 6.7, that’s not expected to be available until early next year.

Linux 6.6 is here, and on time

Eight days before its launch, Torvalds said while announcing 6.6-rc7 that this was actually a particularly large rc7.

“It is certainly on the bigger side of our rc7 releases in the 6,.x series,” he said, adding that only 6.1 was larger in terms of the number of commits, and that ended up needing an rc8. Fortunately, 6.6 was ultimately released without that extra step.

Version 6.6, introduced late October 2023, adds the EEVDF scheduler, support for Intel Shadow Stack, and support for upcoming Intel and AMD platforms, including Intel’s Lunar Lake and Arrow Lake processors and AMD’s EPYC and Ryzen CPUs.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Linux would cut long-term support from six years to just two years, which sounds like a huge blow. In reality, though, it is thought that few people continue to use six-year-old kernels - maintaining support for a small handful was therefore deemed unsustainable.

“The merge window for 6.7 opens tomorrow,” said Torvalds, adding his appreciation for “how many early pull requests I have lined up, with 40+ ready to go.”

Source

Linux kernel 6.6 is a big update that delivers an array of improvements, including a new CPU scheduler that promises to improve performance and reduce latency, a new memory-friendly eventfs subsystem, and improved drivers for a slew of gaming hardware.

And as with most kernel updates, developers are laying the groundwork for the future with ‘initial support’ for upcoming hardware, including new CPUs and GPUs from Intel.

Linus Torvalds announced the launch of Linux 6.6 in an email sent to the Linux Kernel Mailing List (LKML), where he wrote: “So this last week has been pretty calm, and I have absolutely no excuses to delay the v6.6 release any more, so here it is”.

Here it is indeed!

What’s New in Linux 6.6?

One of the most notable new features in Linux 6.6 is the EEVDF scheduler, which replaces the CFS scheduler.

EEVDF fulfils the same role as CFS, helping divides CPU time between processes – but does so more efficiently, with less lag, and reduced latency.

However, kernel devs caution the new schedule may, in rare cases, cause performance regressions with specific workloads – but it’ll be fixed in time.

It’ll be interesting to see benchmarks pitting EEVDF vs CFS. Performance boosts (however minor) are always welcome, and this change sounds like it could provide appreciable boosts in general, as well as for gaming and other latency-sensitive workloads run on Linux.

There’s also a new eventfs subsystem to improve memory efficiency in the tracing subsystem.

Ample AMD-related additions include support for AMD Dynamic Boost Control, fixes for unintended kernel panics on AMD Zen systems, KVM-related buffs, support for AMD Zen 5 temperature and EDAC in AMD Family 1Ah processors, and AMD P-State features control via cpupower.

Among a slew of security enhancements is a notable one: Intel Shadow Stack (which despite the name benefits some AMD chips too). This hardware feature helps to protect applications from return-oriented programming (ROP) attacks on on Intel Tiger Lake processors and later.

On the filesystem front, CephFS now supports FSCRYPT, meaning it’s now possible to encrypt CephFS files and directories; KSMBD is no longer experimental; while “pretty juicy” IOmap improvements poised to deliver appreciable performance gains for I/O-heavy workloads.

Notable gaming-related device support:

• Rumble for Google Stadia controller
• NVIDIA SHIELD controller battery reporting
• SteelSeries Arctis 1 Xbox headset
• Logitech G Pro X Superlight gaming mouse
• GameSir T4 Kaleid controller

Owners of Lenovo laptops frustrated to find the keyboards don’t work under Linux will be pleased to hear that Linux 6.6 adds in support for a bunch — no thanks to Lenovo, though! Newly supported models include the Lenovo V14, V15, and the G14 AMN.

For more detail on some of these and other changes in Linux 6.6 do read through LWN’s merge 1 and merge 2 roundups. Lots more detail, context, plus links to many of the mentioned commits themselves.

How to Install Linux 6.6 on Ubuntu

Linux kernel 6.6 will (one assumes) be available for testing in Ubuntu 24.04 during its development cycle, though the final stable release of, which is due for release in April next year, is likely to feature Linux 6.7 or 6.8, schedule depending.

Linux 6.6 won’t be coming to versions of Ubuntu already released, as the kernel series an Ubuntu is released with is the kernel series it stays on. The exception is Ubuntu LTS releases which do get frequent kernel backports from newer releases – but that still won’t bring Linux 6.6.

You can install a new mainline Linux kernel in Ubuntu, Linux Mint and other Ubuntu-based distributions using the mainline kernel builds provided by Ubuntu developers but these are not strictly intended for end users to idly install.

But if you really can’t wait this kernel you can install Linux 6.6 from there, just do so knowing that it comes with no support attached — so if it breaks your system you get to keep the pieces!

Source

Windows 11 displays several options during the out-of-box experience (OOBE), including gaming, development, business or school, and it is up to you to make the selection. This can be skipped, and there is a good reason why you may want to skip making any selection here or at any time in the Settings.

Microsoft uses the information to show "personalized tips, ads, and recommendations within Microsoft experiences" when Device Usage is configured by users of the operating system.  The operating system may suggest applications or services based on the selection, and may also show ads based on this.

The personalization is not unique, but it is not shared with third-parties according to Microsoft. You are not limited to selecting one or two of the device usage options; you can select them all, theoretically.

The company writes:  "When you make your selections in Device usage settings, we might offer personalized tips, ads, and recommendations within Microsoft experiences based on the way you plan to use your device. You can opt out or change your device usage options any time in the Settings app on Windows. We do not share this data with third-party"

Microsoft gives a few examples on this support page. Users might be offered "an Xbox Game Pass trial" if they select gaming, might get a suggestion to "use Dev Home" to set up the PC for development, or "pinned app suggestions for entertainment apps and sites" when Entertainment is selected.

It boils down to suggesting apps, ads or services to the user. Note that this may change in the future, e.g., so that truly useful changes are made to the system when users make selections. For now, this is not the case or easily done manually.

Tip: you may also be interested in disabling ads from Diagnostic Data and Lock screen ads.

Disabling Device Usage settings

If you have configured Device Usage during initial setup of the Windows 11 operating system, then you may reset the selection. This is done in the Settings application.

Here is a step-by-step guide to do so:

1. Select Start and then Settings to open the Settings app. Press Windows-I alternatively to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Personalization > Device usage.
3. Toggle all options on the page to Off.

A restart of the system may be required to complete the process.

Closing Words

Device Usage is yet another feature of the Windows 11 operating system that is mostly used to promote services and apps to the user. The feature lacks true personalization options, e.g., applying a list of customizations based on the selection.

For now, Device Usage is limited and it doesn't look as if Microsoft is going to improve the feature anytime soon.

Now You: how do you use your devices?

Source