One prominent bug, as highlighted by Neowin, revolves around the Start menu, Windows search bar, and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps, which fail to start or operate correctly for some users. Investigation into this matter suggests a connection with damaged registry keys and data associated with Microsoft Office apps, along with apps integrated with Office software, Windows, and Outlook. The bugs, however, do not affect all users, with reports of the issue surfacing since January of this year.

Microsoft can not get it fixed

Microsoft's response to the bug has left many disappointed, as it fails to offer a definitive fix for the problem. On its 'Health' webpage addressing the issue, Microsoft acknowledges that Windows search and UWP apps may not function as expected or encounter difficulties in the opening.

In an attempt to mitigate the problem, Microsoft has provided a workaround: users can uninstall apps that integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, or Outlook Calendar. Unfortunately, the company does not provide a comprehensive list of the specific apps causing the issue, making it challenging for users to identify and resolve the problem effectively.

Dilemma of Microsoft

The suggested workaround poses a significant challenge for users who heavily rely on the affected apps. Uninstalling these apps may not be a viable option, leaving individuals with limited choices and no clear path to resolve the issue. Microsoft's admission of its own perplexity regarding the problem raises concerns about the overall stability and reliability of Windows 11, as well as its predecessor, Windows 10, which also experiences similar issues.

Developing and maintaining operating systems like Windows 11 is a complex undertaking. They must seamlessly interact with a wide range of hardware and software configurations, making it challenging to anticipate and resolve all potential issues. However, Microsoft's struggle in finding a suitable fix for these persistent problems is undoubtedly disconcerting. It raises questions about the company's ability to address critical issues and provide a stable user experience, casting doubt on the rumored development of Windows 12.

Microsoft struggles to find solutions to Windows 11 problems

Early versions of Edge Secure Network allowed using 1GB of free traffic. Later, Microsoft increased the limit for some users to a more impressive 15GB. After months of testing, the company seems to have set its mind on how much free data to provide to Edge customers.

As spotted by u/Leopeva64-2 (Reddit), Edge Secure Network will offer 5GB of free traffic per month. The change is now available to some Edge insiders in the Canary Channel.

Here is how Microsoft describes Edge's built-in VPN:

Secure Network is a built-in VPN that can help secure your network connection from online hackers, protect against online trackers and keep your location private. You'll get 5GB of free Secure Network data each month when you sign in to Edge with your Microsoft Account.

Microsoft clarifies that Edge Secure Network is not intended to use with streaming services—the browser automatically reroutes streaming and video content outside Secure Network to ensure your cap is not gone, reduced to atoms in one hour. Therefore, 5GB of free traffic should be enough for basic browsing. In addition to limiting its capabilities on streaming services, Edge Canary lets you enable Secure Network on select websites only or force the VPN on all pages.

Edge Secure Network seems like a great addition to the browser's ever-growing list of features. That assumes you trust Microsoft enough to let the browser route all your traffic through the selected servers. Some may have a problem with that after the recent debacle with Edge leaking your websites. Let us know in the comments what you think about this.

Edge's built-in VPN to offer 5GB of free data to everyone

Today, WhatsApp announced that it is adding the capability of editing your text messages on the application. The new feature is a good tool to help users make changes and edit typos or unwanted information that they sent to other WhatsApp users.

Around last week, there were reports that such a capability will be added to WhatsApp, and we saw a gradual rollout to WhatsApp beta users who got to test the feature beforehand. WhatsApp Web Beta users and WhatsApp Android Beta users both reported similar capabilities where users could edit their text messages following the same procedure regardless of the device they used.

The news of this feature being under development for Android first came out in June 2022. Afterwards, there were reports from as early as November last year that WhatsApp is working on such a feature on iOS devices as well.

While the feature is useful, it has a time limit attached to it. Users can edit their sent messages within a time frame of 15 minutes after sending the text. To edit a message, one needs to long-press the text and select the ‘Edit’ option to make the desired changes. Messages that have been edited will have ‘edited’ written on the bottom corner of the sent text.

WhatsApp also added that any edits the sender makes will be end-to-end encrypted, just like the media and calls users share and make. The blog post mentions:

“For the moments when you make a mistake, or simply change your mind, you can now edit your sent messages. From correcting a simple misspelling to adding extra context to a message, we’re excited to bring you more control over your chats.”

The feature is available starting today and will be accessible on more devices globally in the coming weeks.

WhatsApp is finally letting everyone edit sent messages with the latest update

Under the hood, Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta utilizes the latest kernel versions, including the standard 5.15.0-71-genericm, the HWE (Hardware Enablement) 5.19.0-41, and System76's 6.2.6. These kernel upgrades enhance hardware compatibility and ensure optimal performance on a wide range of systems. Additionally, the inclusion of Ubuntu backports and essential software updates such as EFL 1.26.99-2 further solidify Bodhi Linux's commitment to providing a cutting-edge computing experience.

The visual experience of Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta has also received a makeover. A new Plymouth theme and a sleek greeter theme greet users upon booting up, setting the tone for the polished and modern interface that awaits them. The inclusion of the MokshaGreen theme as the default, along with other fresh themes like WoodGrey, Dimension, and Ice, adds a touch of personalization and style to the desktop environment.

When it comes to software, Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta offers a diverse selection of applications tailored to meet the needs of its users. The release includes Chromium 113.0.5672.63 for web browsing and Terminology 1.13.1-3 for a lightweight and feature-rich terminal experience. Notably, the inclusion of the GTK fork of the Classic Zorin OS Browser Manager, called Web-browser-manager, provides users with additional control over their web browsing preferences.

Moreover, the Moksha desktop environment undergoes significant improvements in Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta. Moksha and its modules have been refactored to eliminate dependencies on deprecated libraries, resulting in a more efficient and reliable user experience. With features like internal notification APIs, keybindings viewer, language settings enhancements, and Windows snap to screen edges, Moksha empowers users to customize their workflows and boost productivity.

Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta doesn't just offer a robust and customizable computing experience; it also fosters a sense of community and user involvement. The Bodhi Linux team actively works on providing up-to-date translations for apps and components, welcoming users to contribute and help improve language support. This collaborative spirit ensures that Bodhi Linux remains accessible and relevant to a diverse global audience.

Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta is as a compelling alternative to Windows, empowering users with freedom, flexibility, and an efficient computing environment. With its solid Ubuntu base, customizable Moksha desktop, diverse package selection, and a dedicated community, Bodhi Linux offers a refreshing escape from the confines of proprietary operating systems.

If you want to break free from Windows and embrace the liberating experience of Bodhi Linux 7.0 Beta, you can download an ISO here.

Source

The Windows 11 Development Environment consists of four prebuilt virtual machines for different virtualization software. You can download the necessary version, import it into VMWare, Hyper-V, VirtualBox, or Parallels, and run it almost with a single click.

In addition to providing access to the Windows 11 Enterprise SKU (build 22621.1702 or May 2023 Patch Tuesday), WDE comes with the following dev-focused components and apps:

•     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

Note that downloading one of Microsoft's Windows 11 virtual machines requires at least 24GB of free space on your disk.

You can use the VM without activation or purchasing a Windows key (keys from Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 will work if they match the SKU) until August 9, 2023. Once the evaluation period expires, the OS will turn the desktop background black, start nagging you with a persisting activation notification, and shut down itself every hour. However, Microsoft releases WDE updates monthly, extending the expiry date (version 2304 was out on April 28, 2023).

The Windows 11 Development Environment version 2305 is valid until August 9, 2023. After that date, activate the OS with a genuine key or update to a newer WDE version. You can download Microsoft's official Windows 11 virtual machines from the Windows Developer Center.

Source

In the initial descriptions provided by Microsoft, the Edge for Gamers mode will enable a variety of enhancements. It's said to introduce a gaming-focused homepage and add new sidebar apps that cater specifically to the needs of gamers.

One of the highlight features is an efficiency mode tailored for PC gaming, presumably designed to minimize browser resource usage to maximize in-game performance.

Dark mode and gaming-specific themes are also on the menu, offering customization options that align with popular gaming aesthetics.

Currently, Edge for Gamers mode is in the early stages of development.

At present, activating the mode doesn't significantly change the browser experience. However, once enabled, users are automatically redirected to the themes section of the Edge Add-ons Store, and apps for popular gaming platforms Discord and Twitch are added to the sidebar.

While it's still early days for the Edge for Gamers mode, Microsoft's move signals a growing interest in tailoring products and features for the gaming community.

Via Leo

Microsoft Edge is getting 'Edge for Gamers' mode

Windows 11 check GPU specs (Image credit: Future)

On Windows 11, a graphics card (GPU (graphics processing unit) or video card) is a hardware component responsible for rendering images, videos, and animations on a computer screen. Graphics cards come in different models and specifications for specific purposes, some designed for gaming and others for professional use, such as video editing or 3D modeling. 

Usually, you don't have to think about the details of the card you have installed on your computer. However, sometimes, you may need to know at least some of the specifications since if the device doesn't have a powerful GPU, it may be impossible to use specific applications or run games as intended.

If you have to know the details of your graphics card, Windows 11 includes various tools to complete the task. The only caveat is that each method includes more information than the others.

This how-to guide will walk through the steps to determine the make, model, and other specs of your graphics card on Windows 11.

How to determine your video card info from Settings

To find out the video card make and model on Windows 11, use these steps: 

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the Display page on the right side.

(Image credit: Future)

4. Under the "Related settings" section, click on the Advanced display setting.

(Image credit: Future)

• Under the "Display information" section, determine the manufacturer and model of the graphics.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you complete the steps, the Settings app will show the make and model of the graphics card installed on your computer.

How to determine your video card info from Device Manager

To check the graphics card basic information through Device Manager, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the tool.
3. Open the Display adapters branch.
4. Check the vendor and model of the video card.

(Image credit: Future)

After you complete the steps, Task Manager will show you the manufacturer and model of your video card installed on Windows 11.

How to determine your video card info from System Information

To find out the graphics details through the System Information app, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for System Information and click the top result to open the app.
3. Open the Components branch and click on Display.
4. Under the "Adapter Description" field, find the graphics card information.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you complete the steps, System Information will reveal the basic information about your device's graphics card, including make and model, driver version, adapter type, and more.

How to determine your video card info from Task Manager

To find the graphics card basic details through Task Manager, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Task Manager and select the top result to open the app.
3. Click the Performance tab.
4. Click on GPU.
5. Determine the manufacturer and model of the graphics card.

(Image credit: Future)

After you complete the steps, Task Manager will surface various pieces of information, including make and model, memory details, slot location in the motherboard, and current system resources information.

How to determine your video card info from DirectX

To determine the graphics information through DirectX Diagnostic Tool on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for dxdiag and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click the Yes button (if applicable).
4. Click the Display tab.
5. Under the "Device" section, check the manufacturer and processor type of the graphics card.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you complete the steps, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool will reveal the model, manufacturer, and other information (such as memory) about the graphics card.

How to determine your video card info from Control Panel

You can also use the control panel application available through each manufacturer (NVidia, AMD, and Intel) to determine some of the specs for your graphics card. In addition, you can use the app to adjust various settings.

To check the spec details of your graphics card using the NVIDIA Control Panel, use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Hardware and Sound.
3. Click on NVIDIA Control Panel.
4. Click the System Information option from the bottom-left corner.

(Image credit: Future)

• Click the Display tab.
• Under the "Graphics card information" section, check the graphics model on the left side.

(Image credit: Future)

After you complete the steps, the control panel will display the model of the video card and some additional specs, including the clock speed of the GPU, firmware version, amount of CUDA cores, and more.

How to check graphics card details on a Windows 11

According to posts on Reddit and Microsoft Feedback Hub, users are experiencing a variety of issues after upgrading their Windows 10 machines to the latest update.

A majority of the reports involve Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) errors for Windows 10 users with the error code "PROCESS1 INITIALIZATION FAILED". A quick glance on an outdated Microsoft article about the error code reveals that it has something to do with the Bootcat file.

This issue occurs because the Bootcat.cache file is corrupted or because the size of the Bootcat.cache file is changed since the last successful start.

Microsoft recommends using a Windows installation disk to boot in and delete the bootcat.cache file to fix the issue. However, the article was originally intended for Windows 7 so it is hard to tell if the fix will work on Windows 10. That said, someone on the Feedback Hub mentioned using Windows 10 installation media to start AMD RAID drivers manually via command prompt to fix the issue.

I fixed the problem using Windows 10 installation image from USB flash by manually starting AMD RAID drivers via command prompt and then performing boot repair. I am curious that Windows 10 (and Windows 11 also) still don't support AMD RAID natively and there is a need to install the drivers manually.

Furthermore, users noted that they are getting error code 0x800f0922 when trying to install the update on their machine. There are also reports of users getting random restarts, a string of error messages, update failures and crashes after installing the update.

Microsoft is yet to acknowledge these reports, so we don't know the exact reason or the extent of the impact.

More recently, Microsoft confirmed a problem that is impacting VPN performance on Windows 11. This was followed by the company acknowledging a SATA bug that had impacted all the recent iterations of Windows, including Windows 11.

Seeing Microsoft's recent track record of update failures, it is safe to say that the Redmond giant needs to look into the root cause and address it for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 users.

We here at Neowin recommend enabling System Restore on the Windows install disk (usually C:\) and doing a System Restore Point before installing Patch Tuesday updates, but also before installing 3rd party software on your system.

Source

The bug is related to the firmware wherein an internal SATA drive, be it a slower, mechanical hard disk drive (HDD) or a faster NAND flash-based Solid-state drive (SSD), is misread as removable media in the Windows taskbar.

This issue is really ancient (by technology standards) as Microsoft says it affects anything newer than Windows Vista, ie, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and finally Windows 11.

On a newly updated support document regarding the issue, Microsoft writes:

Symptoms

Internal SATA devices (HDDs or SSDs) may show as removable media in your task bar.

Cause

Whether or not a device is considered removable is determined by your system’s BIOS and how it marks the various SATA ports on the motherboard. The inbox driver directly inspects SATA ports and considers devices connected to those ports marked “external” as removable devices. Not all storage drivers do this, which can be a potential cause for corruption or data loss.

Microsoft has also provided a way to fix this issue using elevated Command Prompt CLI. This solution also works on Windows 8, 8.1, and Windows 10:

Resolution

First, check for and install available BIOS updates from your PC manufacturer. If none are available, you can follow these steps to override the way the inbox driver surfaces devices on certain ports:

1. Open a command prompt with administrator privileges.
2. In the command prompt window, type the following command in hit Enter: devmgmt.msc
3. Under Disk Drives, identify the SATA device you would like the inbox driver to consider internal and open properties for this device by right-clicking and selecting Properties.
4. Note the bus number from the properties overview (“1” in the below example).

    

   
5. For Windows 8 and later:

Type the following command in the previously opened command prompt and hit Enter:

reg.exe add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\storahci\Parameters\Device” /f /v TreatAsInternalPort /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d x

Where x corresponds to the Bus Number you noted in step 4.

You may find more details in the support article on Microsoft's website.

Microsoft: Windows 11 also haunted by this SATA BIOS bug just like Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10

The Arc browser is already available for Mac computers, but at the moment, it's only available via special invites. Today, the company posted up a YouTube video on its progress on the Windows version, which included a very brief glimpse of a Windows prototype.

That prototype, and indeed the version of Arc that's available to the Mac PC invite users, shows a different user interface compared to most other web browsers, Instead of having the URL address and buttons on top, the Arc browser has a sidebar with those functions on the left-hand side. Based on reviews of the Mac version on sites like The Verge and How To Geek, you can manage tabs and apps from this sidebar. Any new tabs that stay open for 12 hours will automatically be closed by Arc, unless you pin them. This is supposed to make organizing tabs easier.

Another interesting thing about Arc for Windows is that it's being built with Apple's Swift programming language. In the video, it's stated that using Swift has certain advantages to using C++ as the language. The plan is to open-source the code for the Arc browser.

So when will this browser be released for Windows? Right now, the team says it could happen in six to eight months from now, which would put the timing around the end of 2023 or so. The video does say that there could be things come up that could delay the launch.

Based on the video, it sounds like Arc is going to be something more than just a simple web browser, and hopefully, the team will be able to keep their schedule so we can check it out on Windows by the end of the year, or maybe early 2024.

The team behind the Arc browser gives an update on its upcoming Windows version

WTF?! Someone designed an experimental tool that can run a program or even a tiny operating system after a Windows crash. It has many limitations, but the ability to keep working on a PC even after a BSOD might come in handy in many situations.

When Windows experiences a critical, unrecoverable error state, the operating system crashes and displays the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). Typically, the only solution to a BSOD is to reboot the machine and hope no critical data is lost. It has been an annoying quirk of Windows for over 30 years since Microsoft introduced the error screen with Windows NT 3.1 in 1993.

However, a newly released open-source utility is turning the BSOD tradition upside down, promising users the ability to keep using their PC even after an unrecoverable Windows crash. First spotted by NTDEV, the developer of the Tiny11 Windows mod, the BugCheck2Linux tool can run a "real" Linux shell after a Windows BSOD occurrence.

App developer NSG650 explains that the BugCheck2Linux utility can do its magic by "simply" registering a BugCheck callback. According to Microsoft's official documentation, a driver can use the BugCheck callback function to add driver-specific data to the crash dump file or even reset the device to a known working state.

    Windows crashed? Just switch to Linux!

    A demonstration of the Windows bugcheck callback feature, which allows Windows to run programs AFTER it has a BSOD!

    A step closer to the mythical Blue Screen of Doom.https://t.co/w10EOlJeEQ pic.twitter.com/coQQW6eKMr
    – NTDEV (@NTDEV_) May 15, 2023

The BugCheck callback function can also run an executable file or an entire, text-based, non-Windows operating system like in BugCheck2Linux's case. The utility exploits the bootvid.dll driver, a Windows video output driver in VGA mode during the bootstrap routine, for video output and a PS/2 keyboard driver to poll for keyboard input.

BugCheck2Linux runs as a driver within Windows standard environment. After the BSOD, the driver starts a tiny RISC V emulator utilizing a Linux textual shell. The developer credits other open source projects such as mini-rv32ima (the RISC V emulator), the ReactOS project (bootvid documentation), and the OSdev Wiki for the documentation regarding the PS/2 polling system.

Despite providing something unprecedented, like an entire working OS after a Windows crash, NSG650 acknowledges the tool's many limitations. The utility doesn't support ANSI escape sequences. It runs at just a 640x480 resolution in 16 colors. It only works in BIOS mode, so there is currently no support for UEFI systems. It is very sluggish and provides poor keyboard support.

Source

The news, as always, came from the company's Windows Insider Twitter account. The reveal didn't offer an explanation for this decision.

The last Insider Preview release was on May 11, when Microsoft released new Release Preview builds for Windows 10, Windows 11 (original version), and Windows 11 (current version). It released a build for the Beta channel on May 9. The last builds for the Canary and Dev channels were launched on May 4.

It's possible that Microsoft is getting ready to launch the big "Moment 3" update very soon for all Windows 11 users, and that the Windows team is too busy to work on the Insider channels at the moment. However, this is just pure speculation on our part.

Microsoft did release a new Windows Subsystem for Android version to members of the Insider program earlier this week. It added features like package verification for apps with anti-virus protection, along with a way for app developers to change and allocate memory for their apps to get better performance.

We expect to hear a lot about what Microsoft has in mind for the future of Windows in just a few days when the company starts its annual Build developers conference. That will happen starting May 23 and you can expect full coverage from us about the big announcements

You can stop waiting; there will be no Windows Insider preview builds this week

On the Windows health website, Microsoft notes that the Start menu, Windows search bar, and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps may fail to open or have issues. Essentially it becomes un-clickable or non-interactive.

The tech giant further notes that affected PCs can exhibit damaged registry keys or data that can affect applications based on the Microsoft Office APIs, that are integrated with Windows, Office, Outlook or Outlook Calendar.

The workaround is to uninstall such apps, which is hardly awe-inspiring considering it has been four months since the issue was first opened. It writes:

The Start menu, Windows search, and Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps might not work as expected or might have issues opening. Affected Windows devices might have damaged registry keys or data which might affect apps using Microsoft Office APIs to integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, or Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Calendar. An example of an app affected by this issue is ClickShare. The underlying Issue is not caused by the installation of an update to Windows and might be exposed by an update to an affected app.

Workaround: To mitigate this issue, you can uninstall apps which integrate with Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Calendar. Updates to affected apps or guidance from the developer of the app might also be available. If you are using ClickShare by Barco, please see Symptom: Start Menu and other shell components fail when Apps including Barco's ClickShare access Office APIs and Unresponsive Windows taskbar or user shell folder permissions issues with ClickShare App Calendar integration.

You may find more details on Microsoft's Windows health website here.

Microsoft: We haven't yet been able to fix Start, UWP, Office issues on Windows 11 and 10

Microsoft is working on a new Edge Sidebar feature to allow for more customizations. Many users have complained that they should have the option to reorder buttons in Edge Sidebar. It will let users put the Sidebar buttons in whatever order they like. To address this issue, Microsoft is currently working on the ability to reorder buttons in Edge Sidebar.

Reordering buttons in the Sidebar will be easy. You will be able to drag the button using your mouse cursor and drop it where you like it to be on the Sidebar. Microsoft is currently testing it with select users in Edge Canary, which means there is no guarantee that we will be able to use it right after installing the browser on your PC.

However, if you are one of the lucky ones to see the new Sidebar functionality in Edge Canary, remember that there are some bugs in it, as pointed out by Leopeva 64-2 on Twitter. This is understandable, given that it's in the early stages of development. We are hoping that things will only improve from here.

Besides the ability to reorder Edge Sidebar buttons, Microsoft is also working on thumbnail options for Edge's "Favourites" hub to allow users to preview a small image representation of a larger web page image. It is also in the early stages of development and is limited to select Edge Canary users. Meanwhile, you can download Edge Canary here from the official Microsoft Edge Insider website.

Microsoft testing reorder buttons in Edge Sidebar, a widely-requested feature

Microsoft is tight lipped about the upcoming feature update. The company has not revealed much about Windows 11 version 23H2 and is still preparing to release the Moments 3 update for Windows 11.

Now we know why. Windows 11 version 23H2 will be a smaller update that installs similarly to cumulative updates for the operating system. It is the first feature update for Windows 11 that will install this way. The previous feature update, Windows 11 version 22H2, was a major update to the operating system.

Microsoft did not confirm any of this. Here is how we know. Windows enthusiast PantomOcean3 noticed that Microsoft released an internal build recently with a new build number. This new build is based on Windows 11 version 22H2 and it has its own enablement package, KB5027397.

This suggests strongly that Windows 11 version 23H2 will be a smaller update that will install quickly on user devices. While that is a good thing for system administrators, as updating becomes less of a headache, it also means that Windows 11 users should not expect major new features or differences in the new version of Windows 11.

Microsoft is still on track to release a fourth Moments update later this year. It is possible that this update will be included in the next feature update for Windows 11. Moments updates are smaller updates that introduce some new features and changes to the operating system.

Windows 11 version 23H2 will be released near the end of the year, likely around October 2023.

The next major release for the Windows platform happens in the second half of 2024. Whether this will indeed be the Windows 12 release that everyone is expecting or not, remains to be seen.

Microsoft did announce earlier that it decided to switch back to a three-year release cycle for its Windows platform. Windows 11 was officially released on October 5, 2021 to the public. This would pinpoint the release of the next major version of Windows to October 2024.

The new release will at least match the system requirements of Windows 11. Windows 10 users who have hoped to jump straight to it may be disappointed, if their devices do not meet the system requirements for Windows 11.

Now You: what is your take on all of this? Are you happy with the Moments updates?

Don't expect too much from Windows 11 version 23H2

Earlier this year in February, Internet Explorer was permanently disabled via an Edge update on Windows 10, although components of IE are most certainly still inside Edge. In the meantime, the company published a Group Policy configuration guidance article which detailed how organizations can better control the timing of the removal of IE11 user interface (UI) and other visual elements. Microsoft also explained how Windows these elements would be disabled via Windows Update.

Today, though, the company announced a big change in these plans. Microsoft has updated its IE11 desktop app retirement FAQ article to add that Windows Update will no longer remove the IE11 visual references, UI and similar elements, and it will be up to the IT and system administrators of organizations to deal with. Additionally, IE11 will still be accessible to Edge in case of "exceptional scenarios".

The tech giant explains on the Windows Health Dashboard Message Center:

Based on customer feedback, Internet Explorer 11 (IE11) visual references, such as the IE11 icons on the Start Menu and taskbar, will no longer be removed by Windows update as previously communicated. Organizations will continue to maintain control over determining the timing to remove IE11 visual references from their devices, if they have not already done so, by using the Disable IE policy.

Additionally, changes will be made over the next coming months to redirect a small subset of exceptional scenarios where IE11 is still accessible to Edge. This ensures users access a supported and more secure Microsoft browser.

You can find more details about the topic and the changes on the FAQ article on the Microsoft Tech Community website. Make sure to check for the edits and updates that were made on May 18, 2023.

Microsoft: IE11 to live on under "exceptional scenarios", unaffected by Windows Updates

Microsoft had previously already published a guide on how to detect a system compromised by BlackLotus UEFI bootkit. A bootkit is essentially a malicious Windows Boot Manager. The issue is being tracked under CVE-2023-24932, and Microsoft stated that Patch Tuesday marked the initial deployment phase of the security fix under KB5025885.

The latest version, 2023.5.9249, of Windows configuration tool NTLite incorporates these changes, among others. The changelog is given below:

Updates: Boot manager update support on cumulative update integration

• Associated with CVE-2023-24932, Boot Manager revocations for Secure Boot changes
• Includes obsolescence detection warnings in the UI. Also requires updating of the boot.wim Setup edition.

Components: ‘Secure Boot updates’, removal includes pending CVE-2023-24932 mitigation

• Do not remove on the already deployed host with enabled revocations

   

You can download NTLite version 2023.5.9249 from Neowin or from its official website.

In case you missed it, Microsoft also published a detailed guidance article outlining how one can block vulnerable Windows Boot Managers or bootkits using methods other than Secure Boot DBX. The company explains that the DBX list is limited in terms of storage as it is on the firmware flash memory. Hence, the DBX or UEFI revocation list can only hold a limited number of such files.

Windows config tool NTLite gets Boot Manager update related to Secure Boot patch, and more

What is new in macOS Ventura 13.4?

• Sports Feed in the Sidebar of Apple News provides easy and quick access to various stories, scores, standings, and other information about the teams and leagues you follow.
• My Sports Score and Schedule Cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional information about specific games.

In addition to sports improvements in Apple News, macOS Ventura 13.4 fixes the following bugs:

• The update resolves an issue where Auto Unlock with Apple Watch won't log you into your Mac.
• The update fixes a Bluetooth issue where keyboards connect slowly to your Mac after restarting.
• The update addresses a VoiceOver bug with navigating to landmarks on web pages.
• The update fixes a bug causing Screen Time settings reset and sync issues.

What Macs support macOS Ventura 13.4?

macOS Ventura 13.4 is available to the following models:

• iMac 2017 and newer
• iMac Pro 2017
• MacBook Air 2018 and newer
• Macbook Pro 2017 and newer
• Mac Pro 2019 and newer
• Mac Studio 2022
• Mac Mini 2018 and newer
• MacBook 2017

You can download the latest macOS release by heading to Settings > Software Update.

Apple releases macOS Ventura 13.4 with Sports feed, auto unlock fixes, more

Microsoft made a commitment in 2021 to make Windows 11 and other apps more accessible for people with disabilities. That same year, Microsoft announced a new accessibility ribbon for its PowerPoint presentation app for Windows and Mac. It allowed users to make slides with features that would make them more accessible to certain audiences including people with hearing and visual disabilities.

Today, as part of Global Accessibility Awareness Day, Microsoft announced new features for the PowerPoint accessibility ribbon for Windows and Mac platforms and PowerPoint on the web. These features are being added based on feedback from users from the past 18 months.

Here's what's been added to the new version of the ribbon:

• The accessibility ribbon now appears whenever the Alt Text Pane and Reading Order Pane are open (in addition to when the Accessibility Checker Pane is open).
• The ribbon now makes it easy to spot issues that would prevent your content from being accessible to colour blind people using the Inspect without colour button.
• The ribbon now enables you to mark images included in your presentation solely to add visual interest rather than information, using the Mark as Decorative button one object at a time or in bulk, and avoid having to include alt text.
• It also speeds up adding a header row or column to a table in one easy step with the new Insert Header Row and Insert Header Column commands.

The new version of PowerPoint is available now for Office Insiders to try out for Windows (version 2304 - Build 16327.10000 or later) and for Mac (version 16.72 - Build 23040900 or later). There's no word on when it will reach general availability

The accessibility ribbon feature has also been added to other Microsoft Office apps, including Excel, and most recently to Outlook for Windows.

Microsoft puts in improvements to its PowerPoint accessibility ribbon

Windows 11 "Moment 4," the final update for the OS in 2023, should change the OS version from 22H2 to 23H2. Naturally, users expect the release to bump the build number and introduce more features and quality changes. According to @ZacBowden and @PhantomOfEarth on Twitter, version 23H2 is coming later this year as a cumulative update release or "enablement package."

Although we do not know what Windows "12" will bring, a Microsoft executive has confirmed that the company would focus on AI-based capabilities in the next version of its operating system. While fans eagerly wait for the software giant to unveil what is coming next, artists envision Windows "12" in various concepts and design suggestions. Windows 11's "Moment" updates might feel a bit lackluster for some, but things will surely get moving as we approach the next-gen Windows version to substitute Windows 11.

Source

Earlier this month, Microsoft released a major update for Photos app on the Dev and Canary Insider channels. This new version, 2023.11050.2013.0, brought several new features, and though unannounced, WebP support is certainly one of them. We know of this because as support for WebP was a very highly requested on the Feedback Hub with 147 upvotes. Here's a link to the feedback.

Thanks for taking the time to share feedback about this - I believe this has been addressed with the Photos app update which is currently rolling out to Insiders in the Dev and Canary Channel.

Please note, you'll need the Wepb Image Extensions installed: https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/webp-image-extensions/9PG2DK419DRG

[..]

We have made changes based on this feedback. Try them out in app version 2023.11050.2013.0 or higher. Check the Microsoft Store for updates.

We tested some WebP images (samples) here and they work perfectly on Photos app version 2023.11050.5007.0. Out of curiosity, we also tested two AVIF images from Link-U's GitHub repo. Both 10-bit and 8-bit YUV420 samples worked without issues. However, the Photos app failed to load a 10-bit YUV444 file (that has slightly higher colour accuracy) displaying a "format is currently unsupported error".

Via: fancemon (Reddit)

After AVIF, senior Microsoft exec confirms WebP support on Windows 11 Photos app

The company released a support article with a FAQ section that covered the basics. These were:

• Why is Microsoft making this change?
• Will this replace my default browser setting in Windows?
• I want to open links with the browser set as the default in Windows Settings.  How do I do that?
• Will this change affect me if I’m using a Mac?

Since we published the news though, Microsoft updated the article to add another point about Gmail receiving support for the feature in the future.

Does this functionality work for all email accounts?

Currently, the ability to view your email message in the Edge sidebar pane in a side-by-side view with web content is enabled for work and school accounts as well as Microsoft accounts, such as Outlook, Hotmail, Live and MSN. We’re working on enabling this functionality for third-party accounts in Outlook starting with Gmail to create a consistent experience for users across mail providers.

Since then Microsoft has updated the support article's URL since the company also changed the title of the document. Previously, the article was named "Stay in your flow with Microsoft 365 on Microsoft Edge" which was now renamed to "Outlook emails open next to web links in Microsoft Edge".

It added three more points to the FAQ section. These explain how users can stop an email from auto-opening in the Edge sidebar pane, or how to remove the Outlook app icon from the sidebar pane.

• How can I stop my email from auto-opening in the Microsoft Edge sidebar pane?
• How can I remove the Outlook app icon from the Microsoft Edge sidebar?
• How can I set Microsoft Edge as my Windows default browser?

Interestingly, Microsoft has also added a question related to users trying to make Edge the default browser in Windows. This is something Microsoft loves reminding users about. Recently, the company apparently made a controversial change via Patch Tuesday update that was forcing the Windows Default Apps settings page to pop up every time Google Chrome was fired up.

Microsoft shares more details on Edge opening Outlook links that irked users

• Microsoft just shipped an update for the Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 to Insiders.
• The update adds the option to configure how much memory WSA uses.
• It also adds package verification, which scans Android apps with anti-virus software before they're installed.

Windows Insiders have an update to install for the Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11. The update adds package verification, which scans apps for viruses before installing them. It also adds the option to configure how much memory is assigned to WSA. The latter should result in better performance of Android apps on Windows 11, as long as a system has the spare memory to accommodate.

On the flip side, you could reduce how much RAM Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 uses if your PC is getting bogged down. Running Android apps on a PC can hog up your system's memory. Depending on the PC you have, it may be worth limiting how much RAM WSA can use at once.

Here's what's new for Windows Subsystem for Android, as outlined by Microsoft:

• Package verification for apps on WSA: Android apps are scanned using anti-virus software installed on Windows prior to app installation.
• Ability for users to configure how much memory to assign to Android
• Android apps will be launched when a user opens the supported app link from any app (Android AppLink support)
• Linux kernel updated to 5.15.94
• WSA reliability and performance improvements

Microsoft continues to improve Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 at a fairly regular pace. Last month, Insiders gained a new "Partially running" system setting that allowed WSA to run while using less resources while still being able to launch apps quicker than when set to "As needed" mode. That update paired with this week's update should result in a better overall Android experience on Windows.

The ability to scan apps for viruses before they're installed is also a welcome addition. The Amazon Appstore is relatively limited compared to the Google Play Store, causing many to sideload Android apps onto Windows 11. An added layer of security should protect PCs from viruses.

If you're new to WSA, make sure to check out our guide on how to get started with Android apps on Windows 11.

Android apps on Windows shouldn't be so sluggish after this update

Late on Tuesday, Michael Schechter, the Vice President of Microsoft's Bing group, posted on Twitter that it has "started rolling out unauthenticated chat access on Bing". That means the previous requirement that people needed a Microsoft Account (MSA) to access Bing Chat is now no longer an issue.

As some of you have noticed, we’ve started rolling out unauthenticated chat access on Bing. Seeing only 5 chat turns per session? Sign in to have longer conversations.

— Michael Schechter (@mikeschechter) May 17, 2023

However, there is a caveat to that announcement. Schechter indicates in his post that non-Microsoft Account access to Bing Chat is limited to just five chat turns per session. If you want to get more, that's when you need to sign into a Microsoft Account. At the moment, those users can get up to 20 chat turns per session.

Microsoft officially announced earlier this month there is no more waitlist for anyone to check out Bing Chat, so this small but significant decision to allow even limited access to the chatbot without a Microsoft Account cannot help but expand its reach to even more people.

Source

No problems connecting to the VPN, just once you get in the speeds are extremely slow and RDP basically just times out. A quick search of the web confirms that KB5025305 causes speed issues on L2TP/IPsec VPN.

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Our users are facing this, with a strange oddity: a group of 5-6 users is able to get 100m down and 80m up speeds, but the vast majority get sub 1m down and sub 1m up speeds.

Some affected users claim the unknown bug only affects Wi-Fi connections, and systems using wired internet continue operating VPNs without problems.

A Microsoft spokesperson has said (via) that the company is aware of the problem and is looking into it. Unfortunately, they have not provided any possible workarounds, so the only option for those suffering from a snail-like VPN connection is to uninstall the problematic updates or sit tight, waiting for a fix from Microsoft.

It appears that VPN slowdowns are not the only problem with the latest Patch Tuesday updates. Some users report seeing cryptic errors when installing available updates, and others complain about notable SSD speed downgrades.

Microsoft confirms problems with VPN connections in Windows 11