Here's one major change coming down the road: Long-term support (LTS) for Linux kernels 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, when the 4.14 kernel and the next two drop off, they won't be replaced.

Why? Simple, Corbet explained: "There's really no point to maintaining it for that long because people are not using them." I agree. While I'm sure someone out there is still running 4.14 in a production Linux system, there can't be many of them. 

Another reason, and a far bigger problem than simply maintaining LTS, according to Corbet, is that Linux code maintainers are burning out. It's not that developers are a problem. The last few Linux releases have involved an average of more than 2,000 programmers -- including about 200 new developers coming on board -- working on each release. However, the maintainers -- the people who check the code to see if it fits and works properly -- are another matter.

Maintainers face numerous obstacles to doing their jobs. Obstacle one: Many maintainers aren't paid to maintain. They maintain code in addition to their day jobs. On top of that, they face increasing demands on their time -- because of understaffing and because of the use of fuzzers to find bugs. While fuzzers are helpful, they also uncover way too many minor bugs, each of which must be examined and then dismissed by maintainers.

The result? To quote Josef Bacik, Linux kernel file system developer and maintainer: "Maintainers are burning out [because] maintainers don't scale." Added Darrick Wong, another senior Linux kernel maintainer: "This cannot stand. We need help."

How can they get help? Well, for one thing, Corbet suggests maintainers talk to their employers about paying them for their maintainer work. As Wong observed, "Most of my friends work for small companies, nonprofits, and local governments. They report the same problems with overwork, pervasive fear, and anger, and struggle to understand and adapt to new ideas that I observe here. They see the direct connection between their org's lack of revenue and resources. They don't understand why the hell the same happens to me and my workplace proximity associates when we all work for companies that clear hundreds of billions of dollars."

That's a good question. Companies must realize they need to give back to Linux if they want to continue to reap its benefits.

A related issue: Linux is now embracing Rust as an experiment. While that's good news in many ways -- Rust removes entire classes of errors that Linux's main language C is vulnerable to -- it also poses problems for maintainers. After all, if a maintainer has spent 30 years working in C, asking them to become a Rust expert is a big ask. 

In addition, Rust is still evolving. Many Rust patches are needed to get the language to work properly at a deep level in Linux. That also means you need lots of glue code to get Rust and Linux working well together. 

Then there are some Linux kernel developers who don't like Rust. As one said, "There are possibly some well-designed and written [Linux] parts which have not suffered a memory safety issue in many years. It's insulting to present this as an improvement over what was achieved by those doing all this hard work."

Even so, Corbet believes that the decision point -- whether Rust becomes a mainstream part of the kernel -- is coming soon. That day will come, he noted, "when we merge the first feature that users depend on." 

That day is near: Three important new Rust-based additions to Linux kernel code are on the way, Corbet said. These are an implementation of the PuzzleFS, a read/write Plan9 filesystem server; and -- the one that will make the biggest headlines -- the Apple M1 GPU driver. Indeed, the first conformant Linux OpenGL ES 3.1 drivers are now available for Apple's M1- and M2-family GPUs, arrived in late August 2023. With work like this well in train, Corbett would be very surprised if Rust doesn't make it permanently into Linux.

Another subject in the news lately is how Red Hat's tweaking of its Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) license has caused Oracle, SUSE, and the CIQ to fork RHEL with the Open Enterprise Linux Association (OpenELA). Leaving aside the business and licensing complications that led to this fight, there are also Linux kernel concerns. 

These concerns orbit around the question: Which kernel should you use for your Linux distribution? There are two real choices: 1) Run the latest stable kernel or 2) Run an old kernel plus backported fixes. The latter is what Red Hat, and the other enterprise Linux distributors, tend to do. 

The latter also results in vendor-specific kernels. And while this offers stability, it distances these distros from community support and makes them reliant on specific vendors. It's this last consequence -- which first caused AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux to start their own takes on CentOS (Red Hat's free RHEL clone) after Red Hat shut CentOS down in favor of CentOS Stream -- that sparked the fire between Red Hat and OpenELA. What OpenELA wants is a RHEL clone, which uses the RHEL older patched kernel. Stay tuned for more developments as this conflict continues to burn.

On the other hand, Corbet noted, Android "has been pushing very hard towards this generic kernel image and has been basing this on stable updates. That's because they find that this helps improve Android's security. They've found  that the vast majority of security problems are disclosed in the kernel and or even fixed in the Android kernels before they are disclosed because they were already incorporated before anybody knew that they were actually security-related bugs."

That's yet another issue of which Linux kernel developers are painfully aware. As Corbet explained:

"One of the interesting aspects of kernel development is that almost anything can be a security bug. And you don't really know that it is until somebody finds a way to exploit it somehow. So an awful lot of fixes go in, and they're not marked as security fixes. Not because the kernel community is trying to hide security fixes. I mean, sometimes there's a little bit of sneakiness that goes on there that I personally don't like. But most of the time, there really is just that nobody knows that this bug is a security bug. It's only later that somebody figures this out. And so the only way to protect yourself against these sorts of bugs is to put in all of the fixes"

This is why Corbet, and anyone who really knows Linux, recommends that if you're building a Linux distro, you always include all the patches. For older kernels, such as 4.14,  that can be up to 26,799 commits. But, if you try to pick and choose what patches to use, you'll certainly open your doors to security holes.

Finally, Corbet noted that Scott McNealy, Sun's former long-time CEO, once said, "Open source is free like a puppy is free." McNealy had a point. Using open-source and Linux is easy. Paying for the training it needs not to make messes on the kitchen floor, that's harder.  

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In case you don't know, ADK helps in the large-scale deployment of custom Windows images, and tools like the Windows Assessment Toolkit and the Windows Performance Toolkit, of which WPA is part, help to evaluate the performance and quality of the images before they are deployed.

WPA now is built on .NET 6 and brings native ARM64 support; speaking of which, WinPE now has x64 emulation on ARM64 WinPE. The full release notes for the September 2023 Windows 11 22H2 ADK update are given below:

What's new in the ADK for Windows 11, version 22H2 (updated September 2023)

Windows PE

• Added support for x64 emulation on Arm64 WinPE as an optional component

Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA)

• WPA is now built on .NET 6, which includes native ARM64 support.

• New UI

  • Diagnostic Console

  • Trace Processing with Select Table

  • Settings

• Addressed a ETL trace processing issue related to .NET 7, see ETW Trace Processing Fails with Error Code 0x80070032

Windows System Image Manager

• x86 version of SIM can create catalogs for Windows images of all supported achitecture types.

Assessment toolkit known issues

• On ARM64 devices, the WPA executable is not automatically added to the PATH environment variable.

• When maximizing WPA in fullscreen on a secondary monitor, the top left right-click menu appears on the incorrect monitor.

You can download the necessary files from the following links:

Download the ADK for Windows 11, version 22H2 (updated September 2023)

You can use the Assessment and Deployment Kit for Windows to install Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022.

• Get the Windows ADK:

  • Download the Windows ADK for Windows 11, version 22H2 (updated September 2023)

  • Download the Windows PE add-on for the Windows ADK for Windows 11, version 22H2 (updated September 2023)

You can read more about it here on Microsoft's official website.

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When the adoption of https started to speed up, thanks in large part to Google pushing webmasters into making the switch, many browser developers decided to highlight sites that use the secure protocol in the browser. Only a fraction of sites supported the protocol back then and it made sense to indicate secure sites to the user. Today, the majority of sites support HTTPS.

Mozilla discussed removing HTTPS and WWW from site URLs in Firefox's address bar back in 2020, but did not pursue the plans. Criticism focused on the removal of vital information from URLs. Removing www. from the URL would, in some cases, display a false address to the user.

The planned change in Firefox 119 is not as drastic as Mozilla planned it to be in 2020. While Firefox will hide HTTPS:// from the address bar, it won't hide subdomains such as www.

The main reason for the change is that the majority of sites use HTTPS and that the user's focus should now be on the sites that don't use it. These sites will display HTTP:// again and also a Not Secure identifier next to the address. Firefox does not display the HTTP protocol in current versions, but it shows a lock icon that is crossed-out.

The following screenshot shows how Firefox displays a HTTP site currently.

As you can see, http:// is not display in Firefox at the moment.

Most web browsers do not display the full URL all the time. Google Chrome, for instance, displays neither HTTPS nor HTTP. It does display a "not secure" warning for HTTP sites though.

Mozilla plans to launch the change in Firefox 119. A number of about:config preferences define the browser's behavior:

• browser.urlbar.trimHttps -- defines if Firefox displays (FALSE) or hides (TRUE) the https:// protocol.
• security.insecure_connection_text.enabled -- defines if Firefox displays the "not secure" text next to http:// in the address bar.
• security.insecure_connection_text.pbmode.enabled -- same as above, but for private browsing mode.

Mozilla will remove two preferences:

• security.insecure_connection_icon.enabled -- defines if the crossed-out lock icon is displayed when http sites are opened.
• security.insecure_connection_icon.pbmode.enabled -- same as above, but for private browsing mode.

Closing Words

There will certainly be some confusion when the change lands. Users may want to know why Firefox is no longer displaying https:// in the address bar. It remains to be seen if Mozilla plans to push a short note to users to inform them about the change once Firefox 119 lands.

Now You: what is your preferred way of displaying URLs in the address bar? (via Sören Hentzschel)

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Email users have a small number of options at their disposal to send large files to recipients: from uploading files to cloud storage and linking to them in the email to using integrated solutions.

The development team of the Thunderbird email client plans to revive Firefox Send for the purpose. Firefox Send was launched in early 2019 to the public as a way for users to share files privately online.

The service grew in popularity quickly, as it allowed users to share files with a size of up to 2.5 gigabytes. Misuse skyrocketed as well, which led to the temporary termination of the service in 2020 and the permanent shutdown of Firefox Send in the same year.

The developers of Thunderbird revealed the plan in the fourth episode of the ThunderCast podcast. They did not provide details on the plan at this stage, which means that we are in the dark right now regarding changes, the actual integration in Thunderbird, potential monetization or the planned release schedule.

Thunderbird does not leave users alone when they attempt to attach files that are too large in emails right now. Integration with file sharing providers, called FileLink, is available already.

Thunderbird highlights this, when users add files that exceed a certain amount of storage.

It is a useful system that relies on add-ons. Users of the email client need to install a service provider add-on before the option to link files becomes available.

One reason for the integration of Firefox Send functionality could be that this could improve the process. It seems unlikely that the FileLink feature is going away, but Firefox Send could provide another option to users.

Firefox Send might also provide the team with a new revenue source, although it seems doubtful that it could make a huge impact on the organization's financials.

In other news, the team revealed that it plans to hire an iOS developer this year to bring the Thunderbird email client to Apple's platform as well.

Now You: do you use Thunderbird? How do you send large files?

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The web browser displays the Chess.com icon in the left sidebar that you can click to get started with the game. You can either compete with real players online or test your skills against bots while playing against the computer. The sidebar panel also features lessons, puzzles, news, and other contentfrom Chess.com.

Opera says it has created a custom chess version of its desktop browser as well as Opera for Android. The custom browser comes with other changes, such as a chess-themed wallpaper on the Start Page and standard features like the Aria AI, Messenger, and WhatsApp integration.

In its blog post, Opera stated:

Our new dedicated desktop chess browser receives a sidebar integration of Chess.com so that you’re only ever one click away from puzzles, streamers, or a quick game of blitz. Intuitive UI makes it easier than ever to change the settings of the board, correspond with rivals, and watch instructional content – all without having to open another tab or navigate away from what’s on the screen.

While playing the Chess game in the browser, you can pin the sidebar panel as well. This way, you can browse websites or watch videos while keeping an eye on the game at the same time. On Android, Opera offers a cache of chess-themed customizations, and the homepage features Speed Dials from Chess TV, videos, and articles from Chess.com.

It should be noted that the Chess.com integration requires an active internet connection to play games against real players as well as bots. You can download the custom build for your desktop or Android device from this page.

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Here is the changelog:

• New! This update completes the work to comply with the GB18030-2022 requirements. It removes and remaps characters for Microsoft Wubi input and Microsoft Pinyin U-mode input. You can no longer enter character codepoints that are not supported. All the required codepoints are up to date.
• New! This update brings back an improved search box experience on the taskbar. If you have a top, bottom, regular, or small icons taskbar, you will see the search box appear. You can use it to easily access apps, files, settings, and more from Windows and the web. You will also have access to the latest search updates, such as search highlights. If you want to restore your previous search experience, you can do that easily. Use the taskbar shortcut menu or respond to a dialog that appears when you use search.
• New! This update adds animations to a few icons on the news and interests taskbar button. These animations occur when:
  • A new announcement appears on the news and interests taskbar button.
  • You hover over or click the icon while the announcement is on the taskbar.
• This update supports daylight saving time (DST) changes in Greenland.
• This update changes the spelling of Ukraine’s capital from Kiev to Kyiv.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Excel. It stops responding when you try to share a file as a PDF in Microsoft Outlook.
• This update addresses an issue that is related to changes in the forwarding of events.
• This update addresses an issue that affects an Application Virtualization (App-V) environment. Copy operations within it stop working. This occurs after you install the April 2023 update.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP) certificate. The system reports some SCEP certificate installations as failed. Instead, the system should report them as pending.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Print to PDF. It uses the metadata for the name you sign in with as the author of a printed PDF. It should use the display name instead.
• This update addresses an issue that affects some USB printers. Microsoft Defender stops them from printing.
• This update addresses an issue that affects device health. Some devices cannot attest to their security health.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). AppID Tagging policies might greatly increase how long it takes your device to start up.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the touch keyboard. Sometimes it does not open.
• This update addresses an issue that affects IMEPad. It stops working. This occurs when you enter end-user-defined characters (EUDC).
• This update addresses an issue that affects application compatibility. It is related to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Remote Apps. The display of some elements is not aligned correctly.
• This update addresses an issue that affects toast notifications. They might not appear when you use UI Automation tools to read them.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft Distributed Transaction Coordinator (DTC). It has a handle leak. Because of this, the system runs out of memory.
• This update addresses an issue that might cause a user-mode memory leak. It might occur when you call CopyFile() or MoveFile().
• This update addresses an issue that might make Windows stop responding. This might occur if you use Microsoft OneDrive files that are compressed by NTFS.
• This update addresses an issue that affects external binding. It fails. This occurs after you install Windows updates dated May 2023 or later. Because of this, there are issues that affect LDAP queries and authentication.

You can check out the full blog post here:

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However, that is not going to be the case it seems as Intel has now confirmed Wi-Fi 7 support will be coming to Windows 10 as well. Although the company did not make any official explicit statement regarding this, the firm has listed two of its Wi-Fi 7 module specs on its ark.intel website: the Intel® Wi-Fi 7 BE200 and the Intel® Wi-Fi 7 BE202, codenamed Intel's Gale Peak 2 and Misty Peak. Both of the devices are featuring Windows 10 support alongside Windows 11 and Linux. Interestingly, there is no mention of ChromeOS this time.

In case you are wondering what Wi-Fi 7 will bring to the table, the easiest way to answer that is faster speeds, up to 2.4 times compared to Wi-Fi 6E and around 4.8 times compared to Wi-Fi 6. The max theoretical data rate for Wi-Fi 6 is ~9.6 Gbps while that for Wi-Fi 7 is around 46.1 Gbps, and twice the bandwidth (320 MHz channels vs. 160 MHz channels for Wi-Fi 6). It will rely on the IEEE P802.11be standard, which is said to enable extremely high throughput (EHT) and much lower latencies. Gale Peak 2 succeeds Intel's Harrison Peak 2 (Wi-Fi 6) and Garfield Peak (Wi-Fi 6E). The form factor remains the same for these Wi-Fi 7 modules with M.2 2230 and 1216.

The table below shows the comparison between the new Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6/6E, and Wi-Fi 5.

In terms of actual product availability, Twitter (now X) user momomo_us spotted the BE200 on the Gigabyte Aorus Master X Z790 motherboard with the v1.2 PCB revision.

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Microsoft explains:

We reclaim a fixed portion of your VM’s memory size, which is calculated so that if your VM was full of cached memory it would go to zero cached memory after 30 minutes (e.g: If you have 3000MB of memory, we reclaim 100MB every minute).

Also, there are networking related enhancements as well with Mirrored mode which adds IPv6 support, better VPN support, among others. Aside from mirrored mode, DNS tunneling improvements and Firewall support has also been added.

The release notes are given below:

• Added support for new opt-in experimental features

   

  • autoMemoryReclaim – Makes the WSL VM shrink in memory as you use it by reclaiming cached memory

     

  • Sparse VHD – Automatically shrinks the WSL virtual hard disk (VHD) as you use it

     

  • Mirrored mode networking – A new networking mode for WSL that adds new features and improves network compatibility

     

    • IPv6 support

    • Connect to Windows servers from within Linux using the localhost address 127.0.0.1

    • Connect to WSL directly from your local area network (LAN)

    • Improved networking compatibility for VPNs

    • Multicast support

       

  • dnsTunneling – Changes how WSL resolves DNS requests to improve network compatibility

     

  • firewall – Applies Windows firewall rules to WSL, and allows for advanced firewall controls for the WSL VM

     

  • autoProxy – Makes WSL automatically use the proxy information from Windows to improve network compatibility

     

• This release also has some significant bug fixes:

   

  • GH 9231 Store WSL isn’t accessible from Session 0

     

  • WSL GUI apps now have Windows snapping with the keyboard (Press WIN + an arrow key to snap to the side)

     

You can read more about the new WSL release on this page on Microsoft's official website.

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Here is the changelog:

GAMING HIGHLIGHTS:

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

• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

• Payday 3

• Lies of P

• Party Animals

Game performance improvements versus Intel 31.0.101.4824 software driver for:

• Hitman Absolution (DX11)

  • Up to 17% uplift at 1080p with Ultra settings

• Bioshock Infinite (DX11)

  • Up to 27% uplift at 1080p with Very High settings

FIXED ISSUES:

Intel Arc Graphics Products:

• Trackmania (DX11) may experience an application crash during game launch.

KNOWN ISSUES:

Intel Arc Graphics Products:

• Starfield (DX12) may experience sporadic instability in some areas of the game.

• Starfield (DX12) may exhibit corruption when using Dynamic Resolution Scaling. A workaround is to change the Render Resolution Scale slider value.

• Starfield (DX12) may exhibit low texture details on certain objects in the game.

• Starfield (DX12) may exhibit texture flickering on light sources during gameplay.

• UNCHARTED: Legacy of Thieves Collection (DX12) may exhibit texture corruption on characters.

• Halo Infinite (DX12) campaign may experience an application crash on some system configurations.

• Dead by Daylight (DX11) may experience an application crash during gameplay.

• Topaz Video AI may experience errors when using some models for video enhancement.

• Adobe After Effects may experience an application crash during render operations.

• Some Intel Arc A-Series Graphics notebooks may incorrectly report a higher value than expected for default clock frequency value.

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 FIXED ISSUES:

• Intel Arc Control may consume higher than expected system memory.

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 release notes here in PDF format.

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If you are a Linux aficionado and want to master creating and managing directories from the command line, here's what you need to know.

How to Create a Directory With the Command Line

The mkdir command holds the key to all your directory creation tasks. You can create single and multiple directories within the terminal with one line of code. Here's how the mkdir command on Linux works:

1. Create a Single Directory on Linux

Here's how you can use the mkdir function to create a single directory:

mkdir [option]
For example, if you want to create a new directory, you can use the following command:

mkdir MUO
The above command creates a new MUO directory within the current location. To navigate to the MUO directory via the command line, you can then use the cd command:

cd ./MUO
The cd command is a highly flexible way to change directories within the Linux terminal.

2. Create Multiple Directories on Linux

The mkdir function is versatile, allowing you to create multiple directories with a single command. For example, to create multiple folders via the command line, use the code below:

mkdir ....
To create three folders, here's how you can use the mkdir command:

mkdir MUO_sample1 MUO_sample2 MUO_sample3

Once you run the above command, the program creates three directories: MUO_sample1, MUO_sample2, and MUO_sample3. You can run the ls command to list the newly created directories.

The Linux directory structure is intricate, so it's always best to familiarize yourself with parent and child directories to avoid unnecessary roadblocks.

3. Create Directories Directly

As a Linux user, you can create a directory directly at the desired location. You don't need to navigate to the location or use the mkdir function within the terminal.

All you need to do is head over to the folder/location where you want to create a new directory/folder and right-click.

From the list menu, click on the New Folder option.

Once you see a new folder icon, you can rename the folder to a name of your choice.

Rest assured, if you want to check the directory status from the terminal window, you can still use the cd command to navigate to the specific location and run the ls command to list the contents.

mkdir Options

You can use a few options with the mkdir command, which helps you enhance the existing utility of the command. You can use the commands listed below:

1. -p or -parents: The -p command is helpful when creating a parent directory and subdirectory together. If the specified parent directory exists already, it automatically creates the subdirectory.

mkdir -p MUO/MUO_CHILD

2. -v or -verbose: The -v command adds verbose messages to each directory created.

mkdir - v file1 file2

3. --version: The --version commands print the version details of the license.

mkdir --version

Delete Empty and Non-Empty Linux Directories

Finally, once you have created directories on your Linux OS, you might want to remove the ones you no longer need. You can delete the directories on your Linux OS in two ways:

• rm

• rmdir

Let's discuss both these methods in detail:

1. Using the rm Command

If you want to delete empty and non-empty directories, you can use the rm command as follows:

1. Check the Directory’s Contents

Before deleting the directory, you should check its contents. To do so, navigate to the directory's location with the cd command.

cd ./MUO
In the example above, MUO is a directory on the Ubuntu Desktop.

2. List the Directory’s Contents

Once you are in the directory's location, use the use the ls command to list the directory's contents.

ls
The command lists all the directory's contents. You will see a list of all the files stored within this directory on your screen.

3. Delete a Directory via the Terminal

Type in the rm command, followed by the different commands and the directory name you want to delete.

rm -option
You can use the ls command again to confirm the directory is no longer available.

Here are some of the most commonly used options with the rm command:

-f: Forcefully remove the files and folders from the directory
-i: Asks for permissions before deleting a directory
-r: Removes directories and the stored files recursively
-d: Removes an empty directory

You can even remove multiple directories in one go. For example, when you want to remove directories MUO_sample1, MUO_sample2, and MUO_sample3 with one command, here's how you can do it:

rm -d MUO_sample1 MUO_sample2 MUO_sample3
There is an alternate method you can use to delete empty directories. You can use the rmdir command to remove the directory quickly, as follows:

rmdir
To remove the MUO3 directory when it does not have any files/subdirectories in it, you can use the rmdir command as below:

rmdir MUO3
However, if the directory isn't empty, you will get an error message whenever you try to delete the directory with the rmdir command.

Use the rm and rmdir commands carefully, as the deleted directories can't be retrieved.

4. Delete a Directory Directly

The way you create a directory, you can even delete the directory/folder directly. Select the directory you want to delete and press the Delete button on your keyboard. Ensure you check the directory's contents before deleting it, as the effect is permanent via this method.

Working With Linux Directories Effortlessly

Directories form a significant part of your files and folder structures within Linux. Like any other OS, creating and deleting directories is fairly easy on Linux, especially when you want to work seamlessly from within the terminal window.

To make the most of your experience, you can use the above commands, and in a few easy steps, you can quickly achieve the task at hand.

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The updated Paint is now rolling out to Windows Insidersin the Dev and Canary Channels under version 11.2308.18.0. Layers make creating and editing complex images much easier, and transparency enables better PNG support and a proper way to erase content on layers (instead of filling it with solid colour).

You can now add, remove, and manage layers on the canvas to create richer and more complex digital art. With layers, you can stack shapes, text, and other image elements on top of each other. To get started, click on the new Layers button in the toolbar, which will open a panel on the side of the canvas. This is where you can add new layers to the canvas. Try changing the order of layers in this panel to see how the order of stacked image elements on the canvas changes. You can also show or hide and duplicate individual layers or merge layers together.

You can now add, remove, and manage layers on the canvas to create richer and more complex digital art. With layers, you can stack shapes, text, and other image elements on top of each other. To get started, click on the new Layers button in the toolbar, which will open a panel on the side of the canvas. This is where you can add new layers to the canvas. Try changing the order of layers in this panel to see how the order of stacked image elements on the canvas changes. You can also show or hide and duplicate individual layers or merge layers together.

Microsoft is rolling out the updated Paint gradually, meaning some users will get the latest release slightly later than others. Also, be sure to share your feedback with Microsoft by pressing Win + F or navigating to Feedback Hub > Apps > Paint.

In case you missed it, Paint recently received the long-promised and much-anticipated dark mode support. Unlike the new background removal tool, layers, and transparency support, dark mode in Paint is available to all users in the Stable Channel.

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Windows coding enthusiast "PhantomOcean3" posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account that he found some code strings that seem to indicate there's an AI image generation feature coming for Paint called Cocreator:

In a follow up post, he stated the feature is based on OpenAI's DALL-E AI image generator. That's the same one that Microsoft already uses for its Bing Image Creator service in Bing Chat.

It's possible we could learn a lot more about Microsoft's plans to add AI features in Paint and other Windows 11 apps in just a few days as part of the company's press event in New York City on September 21.

The Paint app for Windows 10 and 11 has received quite a few updates in the Insider channel over the past few months. That includes adding the long-awaited dark mode to the app this past summer.

Some of the other new additions include center canvas support in mid-August, followed by a background removal feature in early September.

Today's Insider update for Dev and Canary channel members put in a way to add, remove, and manage layers on the canvas. There's also new support for transparency "including the ability to open and save transparent PNGs" according to Microsoft.

All of these new features coming in the space of a short time span seems to indicate that Microsoft is trying to improve its core apps for Windows on a more frequent basis.

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It’s essential to update and upgrade your Chromebook regularly, so your machine can reap the benefits of the latest Google releases.

Here’s how you can enable Linux and update and upgrade your packages via the Chromebook terminal:

How to Enable Linux on Your Chromebook

The recent Chromebook laptops come pre-configured and preloaded with Linux containers, which you can turn on/off depending on your requirements. To turn on Linux, you must enable the developer mode on your Chromebook first.

Simply follow the steps below to enable Linux on your Chromebook:

1. Navigate to the Settings icon via the main menu and click on the Advanced sub-menu.
2. Within the Advanced section, click on Developers.
3. In the Developers menu, click the Turn On button in the Linux Development Environment section.
4. On the Set up Linux development environment screen, click on Next.
5. Enter your username. The username you set here will be shown on your terminal window. Subsequently, you can even set up the memory for your Linux container via the Custom radio button or go with the default value. Click Install once done.
6. Once you've set up the container, the installation begins. The process takes a little time if it's your first time setting up the Linux container on your machine.
7. Once the setup is completed, the terminal pops up immediately.

Chromebook's new Linux interface can be a little confusing, but with the right inputs, you can quickly get it up and running in no time.

Access Penguin on Chromebook

To proceed, you must access the Penguin terminal, especially if you have enabled Linux and want to update and upgrade your Linux packages. You can open the terminal with the steps listed below:

1. Navigate to the main menu and click on the Linux app icon.
2. Click on the Terminal icon.
3. In the resulting menu, you will see a few options to change the terminal settings and an option to launch Penguin. Click on the Penguin icon to fire up the terminal.

Update and Upgrade Your Chromebook From the Terminal

Once Linux is enabled and the terminal window is set up, you can update and upgrade Linux on your Chromebook. Like on any other Debian-based distro, you can use the update and upgrade commands on your Chromebook.

To update your machine, use:

sudo apt update
Let the update process complete. Once the process runs successfully, you will be prompted to upgrade your machine's available packages. Use the apt upgrade command to upgrade to the latest package versions.

sudo apt upgrade -y
You can even run both commands together; Linux will update and upgrade the packages. Use the command below to update and upgrade Linux at once:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Once the entire cycle runs successfully, it's time to upgrade ChromeOS to the latest release. You can use dist-upgrade for this purpose, as follows:

sudo apt dist-upgrade -y
Since Google releases regular updates for ChromeOS, this command proves to be quite helpful, especially when you want to install the latest available release.

Check the OS Version After the Upgrade

Post an OS upgrade, you can check if your system upgraded successfully. To do so, simply run:

cat /etc/os-release

The version number is printed on the terminal screen, which you can refer to for confirmation.

Update and Upgrade Linux on Your Chromebook Easily

Linux's versatility as an OS is clear, especially when you can run, download, and use various packages on ChromeOS. The entire update and upgrade process is simple, easy to follow, and gets the work done.

After all, when dealing with two of the best OSes in town, you will undoubtedly have simplicity with your update processes.

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For those who have not heard of Windows Copilot; it is an AI-powered feature that acts on user input. It is part Bing Chat and part a basic control feature for some Windows tasks. Bing Chat integration is not new, it is in Windows 11 and also in Edge, which means that the Windows tasks feature is the novelty here.

You can use it currently, in development builds, to toggle dark mode, capture a screenshot and ask the AI to run a few other commands. Microsoft promises to extend the functionality and also introduce third-party plugins support.

Some Windows users may find Windows Copilot useful, others underwhelming.

Disabling Windows Copilot

Microsoft has not added an on/off switch for Windows Copilot in the Settings. The only option that you find there, currently at least, is to hide the Windows Copilot icon, so that it is no longer pinned to the Taskbar.

This won't turn off Windows Copilot however, as you can still use the keyboard shortcut Windows-C to bring up the interface.

The only available option to disable Windows Copilot entirely is to do so using the Group Policy Editor or the Windows Registry (which work hand in hand).

Hiding Windows Copilot's taskbar icon

Some Windows users may find it sufficient to hide the icon on the taskbar. This is a relatively easy task, although not as easy as it could be. Right-clicking on the Windows Copilot icon displays no context menu with an option to unpin it from the taskbar.

You need to right-click on a blank spot on the taskbar, select taskbar settings, and toggle the Windows Copilot option under Taskbar Items so that its status is off.

Using the Group Policy Editor to disable Windows Copilot

The Group Policy Editor has a new Windows Copilot policy that determines the state of the feature. Please note that the editor is only available in professional and enterprise editions of Windows. Users who run the Home edition of Windows may skip this section and jump straight to the Registry method below.

Here are the steps to take to turn off the feature in Windows:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Type gpedit.msc and select the Group Policy Editor result.
3. Use the folder structure on the left to navigate to the right policy: User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Copilot.
4. Double-click on Turn off Windows Copilot.
5. Set the status of the policy to Enabled.
6. Activate the Apply and then the OK button.
7. Exit the Group Policy Editor window.
8. Restart the Windows PC.

Setting the policy to Enabled removes the Windows Copilot icon from the Windows taskbar, disables Windows Copilot, so that it can't be started anymore using the keyboard shortcut or through other means. Note that this needs to be done for each user individually.

Using the Registry to disable Windows Copilot

The Registry option is open to all editions of Windows, including Windows Home. Note that it is recommended to backup the Registry before proceeding.

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Type regedit.exe and select the Registry Editor result.
3. Confirm the UAC prompt that Windows displays.
4. Paste the following path into the address bar of the Registry Editor: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsCopilot
   • If a key is missing, right-click on the key that is available and select New > Key to create it. Name it accordingly, e.g. WindowsCopilot,, to create the path as shown above.
5. Right-click on WindowsCopilot and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.
6. Name it TurnOffWindowsCopilot.
7. Set its value to 1 by double-clicking on the name.
8. Close the Registry Editor windows.
9. Restart the PC.

Setting the value to 1 disables Windows Copilot. You can undo the change at any time by right-clicking on the TurnOffWindowsCopilot entry and selecting Delete from the context menu.

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While some users will certainly consider that to be an unpleasant advance, Microsoft seems to be doing what many will feel is a good move as well. The tech giant seems to be making a conscious effort to improve the File Explorer performance in Windows 11. This was also according to the newest Beta channel build as well as the Dev channel build. This leaves only the Canary channel but not for long as X (formerly Twitter) user and Windows enthusiast Xeno soon discovered another interesting undeclared change in this one too.

It looks like Microsoft has removed several DLL files related to peer networking such as those for distributed routing and peer-to-peer services from the build's System32 folder. Xeno notes exactly a dozen such files were removed which has consequently led to three such services being eliminated as a result. They write:

Quite a few dlls removed from 25951's System32

• drt.dll (Distributed Routing Table)

• drtprov.dll (Distributed Routing Table Providers)

• drttransport.dll (Distributed Routing Table Transport Providers)

• Groupinghc.dll (Grouping Helper Class)

• P2P.dll (Peer-to-Peer Grouping)

• P2PGraph.dll (Peer-to-Peer Graphing)

• p2pnetsh.dll (Peer-to-Peer NetSh Helper)

• p2psvc.dll (Peer-to-Peer Services)

• pnrpauto.dll (PNRP Auto Service Dll)

• Pnrphc.dll (PNRP Helper Class)

• pnrpnsp.dll (PNRP Name Space Provider)

• pnrpsvc.dll (PNRP Service Dll)

As a result, the following services have also been removed:

• Peer Name Resolution Protocol

• Peer Networking Grouping

• Peer Networking Identity Manager

Microsoft may feel such features are not as important in the upcoming Windows 11 23H2 update, and if that happens then the next major Windows release, generally referred to as Windows 12, will also lack these P2P features.

These services are pretty old though at this point (two decades). As an example, Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) originated back in the XP days as a solution against some of DNS' drawbacks. Of course, this is still in the testing phase and Microsoft could bring it back again in future builds.

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In the Linux environment, the file system acts as a backbone, orchestrating the systematic storage and retrieval of data. It is a hierarchical structure that outlines how data is organized, stored, and accessed on a storage device. Understanding the different Linux file system types can profoundly aid both developers and administrators in optimizing system performance and ensuring data security. This article delves deep into the intricate world of Linux file system types, tracing their evolutionary history and dissecting their features to provide a roadmap for selecting the appropriate file system for your needs.

History of Linux File Systems

Early Adventures in Linux File Systems

In the late 80s and early 90s, the Linux environment utilized relatively rudimentary file systems such as Minix, which later evolved to extended file systems like ext and ext2. These were foundational in framing the modern Linux file systems we see today.

The Journey from ext2 to ext4

The extended family of file systems transitioned from ext2 to ext3, introducing journaling features, and eventually culminated in the development of ext4, which brought forth substantial improvements in performance and storage capabilities.

Understanding Linux File System Types

Dive into the fascinating world of Linux file systems, each characterized by its unique features and functionalities that cater to various demands and preferences.

The Extended Family

ext2

• Features and Limitations: Known for its simplicity and robustness, ext2 lacks journaling capabilities, which can be a drawback in data recovery scenarios.

• Use Cases: Ideal for USB drives and flash memory where journaling isn't a priority.

ext3

• Features and Limitations: Building upon ext2, ext3 introduced journaling capabilities, improving data integrity yet lagging in performance compared to its successors.

• Use Cases: Suitable for systems requiring data reliability without the need for top-tier performance.

ext4

• Features and Limitations: Ext4 introduced backward compatibility with ext2 and ext3, enhanced performance, and increased storage capacity, though it might suffer from fragmentation over time.

• Use Cases: Perfect for modern Linux distributions where performance and reliability are paramount.

Btrfs (B-tree File System)

• Features and Limitations: A modern file system that offers advanced features such as pooling, snapshots, and checksums, while still being in the developmental stage, experiencing stability issues.

• Use Cases: Suitable for systems where storage efficiency and data recovery are critical, like in NAS devices and Linux-based home servers.

XFS

• Features and Limitations: XFS shines in handling large files and high-performance environments but falls short in data recovery due to the lack of a robust journaling feature.

• Use Cases: Ideal for enterprise environments requiring high throughput and handling large data files efficiently.

ReiserFS and Reiser4

• Features and Limitations: These systems prioritize space efficiency, with Reiser4 further improving upon its predecessor’s functionalities but facing limited adoption and support.

• Use Cases: Suitable for systems with smaller files where space efficiency is a significant concern.

Special Purpose File Systems

Venture into the world of special purpose file systems designed to serve specific functions within the Linux ecosystem.

ProcFS

• Features and Understanding ProcFS: A virtual file system that gives a glimpse into the kernel’s view of the system, aiding developers and administrators in system monitoring.

• Use Cases: Predominantly used for debugging and system monitoring by providing a filesystem interface to kernel data structures.

SysFS

• Features and Understanding SysFS: It amalgamates information from various other file systems, presenting a unified view of the device and kernel data, yet can be complex to navigate.

• Use Cases: Essential in system management, especially in configuring hardware devices and obtaining system information.

tmpFS

• Features and Understanding tmpFS: A temporary file system residing in the RAM, offering fast access speeds but limited by the available memory size.

• Use Cases: Utilized in scenarios where fast read/write operations are necessary, such as caching and storing temporary files.

Network File Systems

These file systems facilitate file sharing over a network, enhancing collaboration and data accessibility.

NFS (Network File System)

• Features and Understanding NFS: Allows for seamless file sharing across Linux systems in a network, though it may encounter performance issues over slow networks.

• Use Cases: Well-suited for environments where multiple systems need to access a common data repository, like in educational institutions and corporate networks.

SMB/CIFS (Server Message Block/Common Internet File System)

• Features and Understanding SMB/CIFS: Provides interoperability between Linux and Windows systems, albeit sometimes facing security vulnerabilities.

• Use Cases: Excellent for mixed OS environments needing a common platform for file sharing and printer access.

Comparative Analysis

Before making a choice, weigh the different file systems against each other based on several parameters.

• Performance: Evaluate how different file systems fare in terms of speed and efficiency.
• Reliability: Assess the data safety provisions offered by various systems.
• Scalability: Consider the ability of these systems to manage increasing amounts of data.
• Security: Analyze the security measures each system has in place to protect data.

How to Choose the Right File System

• Assessing Your Needs: Determine your requirements based on the nature and scale of your operations.
• Compatibility with Your Linux Distribution: Ensure your choice is compatible with your Linux distribution to avoid compatibility issues.
• Community and Support: Consider the support and community backing a file system enjoys before making your decision.

Case Studies/Real-World Examples

Explore real-world scenarios that depict the deployment of various file systems in different environments.

• Large Enterprise Environments: Discover how large corporations employ these file systems to streamline operations.
• Small Business Setups: Learn how small businesses leverage these file systems to foster efficiency and security.
• Personal Computing: Uncover the preferences in personal computing circles and why certain file systems are favored.

Conclusion

Having navigated the intricate landscape of Linux file system types, you are now equipped with the knowledge to make informed choices, fostering a system characterized by efficiency, reliability, and security. As Linux continues to evolve, we can anticipate more advancements in file system technologies, steering towards a future of enhanced performance and greater possibilities.

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In addition, Edge 117 deprecates several tools to simplify the browser. With the latest update, Math Solver, Picture Dictionary, Citations, Grammar Tools, and Kids Mode are no longer in active development. Although they are still available, Microsoft may remove the deprecated features in future updates.

What is new in Microsoft Edge 117?

Announcement: Microsoft Edge for Business is available for unmanaged BYOPC

Microsoft Edge for Business is a dedicated Microsoft Edge experience built for work that enables admins in organizations to give their users a productive and secure work browser. This dedicated work experience is now available for unmanaged Windows (BYOPC) using Microsoft Intune Mobile Application Management (MAM). This release includes the supporting changes for Microsoft Edge.

Note:

• Support is available for Windows 11, build 10.0.22621 (22H2) or later.
• Requires Microsoft Intune 2309 or higher
• App Protection Conditional Access is in Public Preview.
• If you have a Conditional Access (CA) policy on your tenant that targets "All cloud apps" that covers "Mobile apps and desktop clients" and requires a compliant device, app protection policies or has a "Block" grant control, your end users will not be able to MAM enroll. A change to support this is targeted for Microsoft Edge v118.
• If you want to continue testing/evaluating APP CA, you can choose to exclude the "Edge Auth" application from your cloud app targeting. Some Microsoft Edge features might not function properly until CA is satisfied, but MAM enrollment will be able to complete.

Feature updates:

• Microsoft Edge for Business Banner. Administrators can control the availability of the in-product Microsoft Edge for Business banner using the PromotionalTabsEnabled policy.
• Microsoft Edge Sync Favorites Recovery. The Microsoft Edge Sync Favorites Recovery feature lets sync users restore any favorites that they lost or deleted within the last 14 days. Users can access this feature from either the Microsoft Edge favorites hub or the edge://favorites page. For more information, see Recover lost or deleted favorites in Microsoft Edge - Microsoft Support
• Autofill Autocomplete. This feature helps you fill form fields faster on the web. When you start typing in a form field, Microsoft Edge suggests possible in-line completions when there's an exact match with your saved data in the browser. For example, if you type the first few characters of your address, autocomplete will suggest the rest of address - you can choose the autocomplete suggestion or continue typing as usual. Autofill options can be found in Settings (edge://settings/personalinfo).
• Deprecation of Web Select. To improve end user experience, this feature is being deprecated and will no longer be an option under Web Capture or via keyboard shortcut.
• Deprecation of features. To improve end user experience and simplify the More tools menu, the following features are being deprecated: Math Solver, Picture Dictionary, Citations, Grammar Tools, and Kids Mode.

You can download Microsoft Edge 117 by navigating to edge://settings/help. Alternatively, download the browser from the official website. Microsoft Edge 117 is available on Windows 10 and 11, macOS, and Linux. Full release notes with security fixes and policy updates are available in the official documentation.

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If you are still using pre-Windows 10 versions, do not get too excited about the latest Microsoft Edge update for your old operating system. It is based on Edge 109, the last version to support old Windows releases, and it adds nothing but fixes for security vulnerabilities, namely for heap buffer overflow in WebP in Chromium versions prior to 116.0.5845.187 that allowed a remote attacker to perform an out-of-bounds memory write using a specially crafted HTML page.

Here is how Microsoft describes the update in its documentation:

Version 109.0.1518.140: September 15, 2023

This update was done for our M109 Windows down-level extended support. We're shipping 109 to Win 7, 8, and 8.1 (including Server 2012 R2 which is based on Win 8.1).

Microsoft has a fix for CVE-2023-4863 to Microsoft Edge Stable Channel (Version 109.0.1518.140), which has been reported by the Chromium team as having an exploit in the wild. For more information, see the Security Update Guide. This backport was done to our M109 Windows down-level extended support."

It is worth noting that Microsoft will soon stop releasing even those rare security updates. M109 down-level extended support for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and Server 2012 R2 will end on October 20, 2023. After that, Firefox will become the only mainstream browser actively supporting now-dead Windows versions. Mozilla Foundation plans to keep releasing security updates for Firefox for one more year, with the end of Firefox 115 Extended Support Release (ESR) scheduled for September 2024. As a reminder, according to Statcounter, old Windows versions still account for about 4.45% of all PC users.

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Original story - Microsoft has released the latest Windows 11 build for the members of the Windows Insider Program on the Canary channel. The new build number is 25951 and includes a couple of new SMB related features, along with a bug fix and a couple of known issues. You can also download the ISO files for this build.

Here is the changelog:

What’s new in Build 25951

SMB NTLM Blocking

Starting with this build (Build 25951), the SMB client now supports blocking NTLM for remote outbound connections. This changes legacy behavior, where Windows SPNEGO would negotiate Kerberos, NTLM, and other mechanisms with the destination server to decide on a supported security package. NTLM in this case refers to all versions of the LAN Manager security package: LM, NTLM, and NTLMv2.

With this new option, an administrator can intentionally block Windows from offering NTLM via SMB. An attacker who tricks a user or application into sending NTLM challenge responses to a malicious server will no longer receive any NTLM data and cannot brute force, crack, or pass a password, as they will never be sent over the network. This adds a new level of protection for enterprises without a requirement to entirely disable NTLM usage in the OS. You can configure this option with Group Policy and PowerShell. You can also block the use of NTLM in SMB connections on demand with NET USE and PowerShell.

For more information on configuring and troubleshooting NTLM blocking, review https://aka.ms/SmbNtlmBlock.

SMB Dialect Management

Starting with this build (Build 25951), the SMB server now supports controlling which SMB 2 and 3 dialects it will negotiate. This changes legacy behavior, where Windows SMB always negotiated the highest matched server dialect from SMB 2.0.2 to 3.1.1 clients. Beginning in Windows 10, support was added for controlling SMB client dialects, but not server dialects.

With this new option, an administrator can remove older SMB protocols from usage in the organization, blocking older, less secure, and less capable Windows devices and third parties from connecting.

You can configure this option with Group Policy and PowerShell. Both SMB client and server now include complete management support (previously the client support was only manual registry editing).

For more information on understanding and configuring SMB dialects, review https://aka.ms/SmbDialectManage.

Changes and Improvements

[Lock screen]

• We’ve adjusted the network flyout on the Lock screen to better match the UI of the network flyout from quick settings in system tray on the taskbar.

Known issues

• 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] We’re investigating reports that the print queue is no longer accessible.

You can check out the full blog post here:

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However, it looks like Microsoft has quietly put in a number of other keyboard shortcuts in Windows 11 that are not listed on its support page. That includes one that is just downright weird. As posted by X (formerly Twitter) user Rudeism (via PC Gamer), the "Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win+L" keyboard shortcut will send you to the LinkedIn website.

Furthermore, this keyboard shortcut works on your default web browser, rather than just on Microsoft's Edge browser. There's no word on why Microsoft decided to put this odd little Easter Egg in its Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts.

There are other similar shortcuts in the OS for launching Microsoft's productive apps as well. That includes using "Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win+T" to launch Microsoft Teams. You can also launch the Microsoft 365 versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint by pressing "Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win+W", "Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win+X", and "Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win+P", respectively. Another similar Windows 11 shortcut, "Ctrl+Shift+Alt+Win+O", launches the Outlook app.

Again there's no word on who is responsible for adding these keyboard combos in Windows 11, and it's likely we may never know.

Some of the official keyboard shortcuts Microsoft has posted on its support page as Windows 11 additions include opening widgets with the Windows key+W, opening snap layouts with the Windows key+Z, and toggling the microphone as mute in apps that support Call Mute by using the Windows key+Alt+K. That last shortcut is a Windows 11 22H2 exclusive.

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PowerToys colour Picker is a neat utility that, as the name implies, lets you get colour codes in different formats, such as HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, and plenty of others. In addition, PowerToys generates a palette containing similar to the select colour tones. You can invoke PowerToys' colour Picker by pressing Win + Shift + C (almost all PowerToys shortcuts are customizable) and get colour from any pixel on the screen.

After the colour Picker is activated, hover your mouse cursor over the colour you would like to copy and left-click the mouse button to select a colour. If you want to see the area under your cursor in more detail, scroll up to zoom in.

The copied colour will be stored in your clipboard in the format that is configured in the settings (default: HEX).

The editor lets you see the history of (up to 20) picked colours and copy their representation in any predefined string format. In PowerToys Settings, you can configure which colour formats are visible in the editor and in what order that they appear.

A pull request published on PowerToys' GitHub repository describes the proposed change:

This PR moves colourPicker off ModernWpf to WpfUI and introducing a fresh new UX, inline with the Windows 11 design language.

You can see how the current UI compares with what is to come:

Old vs new

And here is the new version in action:

PowerToys is an open-source set of utilities for Windows 10 and 11, which means every user with the necessary skills can contribute to the project's development on GitHub. As for regular customers with no dev knowledge, they can get PowerToys from its GitHub repository, the Microsoft Store, or winget.

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In mid-August, Microsoft released the Canary Channel build 25931 and the Dev Channel build 23526 to the people who signed up to get updates on those Windows Insider channels. In the blog posts for those updates, there were these specific messages:

Insider Preview Build Expiration: The expiration date for Insider Preview builds flighted to the Canary Channel has been updated to 9/15/2024 starting with Build 25931. Please make sure you are updated to the latest build in the Canary Channel.

Insider Preview Build Expiration: The expiration date for Insider Preview builds flighted to the Dev Channel has been updated to 9/15/2024 starting with Build 23526. Please make sure you are updated to the latest build in the Dev Channel.

Basically, that means if you have a Canary build older than 25931 or a Dev build older than 23526 installed on your PC, those builds expire today, September 15, 2023. You need to update those builds to the newest versions, or at least with the version mentioned in those blog posts.

Running an expired Windows 11 preview build will result in the operating system nagging you with full-screen banners, as shown by X (formerly Twitter) user XenoPanther below. Also, Microsoft is now servicing old Windows Insider builds, which means you are not getting critical security patches and important fixes.

You can get more info on how to update from an expired build on this Microsoft support post.

Microsoft is likely going to be launching its next major Windows 11 update, 23H2, in a matter of days or weeks. It's possible the company could start rolling it out, or announce its release date, next week during its Surface device reveal event.

If you are a member of the Windows Insider Program, you likely know about a number of the new features that will be added to 23H2, including Windows Copilot, the redesigned File Explore and much more. You can check out our early preview of Windows 11 23H2 for more info.

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According to the screenshot, the unreleased public collections feature will give users a choice to make their collections visible to everyone. However, Paluzzi added that in case an account is private only the followers of that account will be able to view a public collection. As of now, there is no word on when (or if) the said feature will see the light of the day.

For the uninitiated, the Collections feature launched in 2017 already allows users to organize photos, videos, and Reels they save in the app. Users can organize the saved content into multiple folders or collections and name them accordingly.

You can tap on the bookmark button in the bottom right corner of a post to save it. Then to access them later, go to your profile page > tap on the hamburger menu > tap on Saved. Earlier this year, Instagram added another feature called Collaborative Collections that allows a user and their friends to organize posts in a shared space.

A couple of things to keep in mind is that you can't share an already existing private collection with others. On the other hand, a collaborative collection can't be set to private once created. Anyone who can view a Collaborative Collection can delete it as well irrespective of who created it.

In recent news. Meta is expected to launch ad-free subscriptions for Instagram and Facebook in the European Union region. This comes after the company was hit with a $1.3 billion fine by the EU for sending personal data to the United States.

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Both Bleeping Computer and Windows Central have reported on the Bing Chat issues. In addition to the main Bing Chat services, the connectivity errors are also affecting users if they try to access the Bing Chat Enterprise spinoff.

The chatbot cannot also be accessed on products like the SwiftKey mobile keyboard app, the Bing Chat sidebar on Microsoft's Edge browser, and with Windows Insiders members who are currently testing the upcoming Windows Copilot feature in Windows 11. The DownDetector site has also seen an upswing in reports surrounding Bing this morning.

Windows Central reports that the issues don't extend to using the old-fashioned Bing search engine. They also don't seem to be affecting the Bing Image Creator app and service.

This is the first time since Bing Chat first launched in February that there has been an extended period of issues with the chatbot. So far, Microsoft has yet to issue any comments about this downtime. We will update this story when we get more information.

Developing...

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Like its Windows 10-based counterpart, tiny11 23H2 is a modified Windows 11 ISO rebuilt using the open-source OSDBuilder tool with a few extra tweaks. The latter ensures the project is compatible with most Windows components, apps, and updates. As a result, you get a modern and reliable operating system that takes significantly less space on disk than the "vanilla" Windows 11.

Another big change in tiny11 23H2 is Xbox Identity Provider support, which means tiny11 users can finally play games downloaded from the Microsoft Store and use Xbox-related services.

You can see tiny11 23H2 in action on a YouTube video published by the developer:

It is worth noting that despite carrying a 23H2 moniker, the latest tiny11 is still based on Windows 11 22H2 since version 23H2 is not out yet. Again, like tiny10, "23H2" only indicates a release from the second half of 2023 (there is no such thing as Windows 10 23H2).

There are two more things you must consider before downloading tiny11. First, it is not activated. @NTDEV_ aims to provide users with a lightweight Windows modification, not a way to pirate Microsoft's operating system. Second, consider potential privacy implications when downloading altered Windows ISOs and ensure you trust the developer before using tiny11 for your daily computing tasks. Alternatively, you can create your own tiny11 using the OSDBuilder script.

You can download tiny11 version 23H2 from the Internet Archive. The ISO is x64-only for now (Windows 11 is not available in 32-bit "flavor"), but the developer says an ARM64 variant will be available soon.

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