According to recent additions to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, Teams on desktop and the web will gain the ability to provide and view ratings and reviews for apps available in the Teams storefront. This should make it easier for customers to determine if an app is worth their time or not, and leave feedback directly for the developer too. This capability is slated for July 2023.

Yet another useful feature coming in July is the ability to rename yourself prior to joining a meeting, regardless of your tenant-configured name. Microsoft says that this will enable "flexible representation" across different meetings.

Additionally, an interactive two-way lobby chat is being implemented. It will arrive in June and will allow meeting facilitators to easily communicate with customers prior to them joining a meeting. Moreover, starting from May, Teams Rooms devices that are compatible with Windows 11 will begin to receive the OS-specific release. Incompatible devices will continue to be supported through Windows 10.

While most of the aforementioned features are months away, there are a couple of capabilities that will be arriving in the coming weeks and months too. In April, Teams customers will receive some Activity feed improvements. Microsoft has described them as follows:

We're improving visibility for when a time-sensitive urgent task is published to a team. When an organization publishes a task with a priority set to "Urgent", each member or owner of the team that receives this task will receive a notification in the Activity feed informing them that an urgent task was published to their team.

Prior to this, two new features are expected to be rolled out within this month. The first one is automatic reminder emails for webinar attendees one hour before the event kicks off. Meanwhile, the second will interest Teams admins and IT admins who will be able to see usage and adoption metrics for various Teams apps.

Here are some of the new features coming to Microsoft Teams soon

Nowadays, most Android smartphones come with Google's important and built-in apps. Most are gadgets to make your life easier or offer a better user experience. They make your smartphone an all-in-one device that works well for everyday usage. Google Keep concentrates on note-taking but also offers a couple more features. It also made it to our "top 6 note-taking apps for Android of 2023" list.

So what is Google Keep? It is one of those apps that you might need every day and will save you time and effort. Let's dive deeper and take a look at its description, features, and how to use it!

What is Google Keep?

Google Keep is a note-taking app developed by Google. It is available online and as a mobile app for Android and iOS devices. The app lets you create notes, lists, reminders, and capture images and voice recordings. Google Keep also supports collaboration, so multiple users can edit and share notes in real-time.

The app's interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy for users to organize their notes with labels and colour coding. Google Keep also has a search feature that lets you find specific notes or content within notes. In addition, the app can integrate with other Google services like Google Drive and Google Assistant for additional functionality.

Overall, Google Keep is a useful and efficient tool for anyone who needs to keep track of important information and stay organized.

Google Keep Features

As mentioned above, the most basic task of Google Keep is note-taking. On top of that, you can also add images, record your voice, colour-code, sync without a limit, share and collaborate, scan documents, and many more. Recently Google also added a new feature called "Single Note," which lets you check off to-do lists right from your smartphone's home screen.

How to use Google Keep?

First things first, you need to download the app from Google Play Store or App Store. If you want to access it through your computer, it is even easier. Below you can find more information on the download steps and how to use Google Keep:

How to download on Android and iOS

1. Go to Google Play Store for Android and App Store for iOS.
2. Type "Google Keep" to search bar and hit enter.
3. Tap on Install/Download.

How to use it on PC

1. Open your web browser.
2. Type "keep.google.com" into your URL bar and hit enter.
3. Enter your note and click Done.

Now that you have it on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, let's move on to the real "how to use Google Keep part." The application gives you different options; create or edit a note, make a list, save a drawing as a note, label, colour, or pin notes, archive notes and lists, and set up reminders for your notes.

Create or edit a note

It is the most basic feature the app offers. Tap on Create + icon and you will see a blank page waiting for you to type anything. Add a note and title, it will save it automatically, and you won't need any extra steps. When you are done, tap on Back, and congratulations, you have just created your first note!

For editing, tap on the note that you want to edit. Change whatever you want, and again, tap on Back once you are done. You can also undo and redo an action by using the icons on the screen.

Lastly, to create a note with your voice, tap on the Speak icon at the bottom of your screen. Wait for the microphone to appear and speak your note. You can listen to it or remove it by tapping on the Play and Delete icons on your screen.

Make a list

You will see a New list icon next to "Take a note," and that is the place you want to be at if your goal is to create a shopping list. Just like creating a note, add a title and items to your list, and once you are done, tap on Back. If you want to change a note to a list, tap on a note; you will see an Add icon in the bottom left, and after that tap on Checkboxes. It also gives you the freedom to reorder list items by dragging them where you want.

Save a drawing as a note

At the bottom of your Google Keep app screen, tap on New drawing mode with a little pen icon next to it. Start drawing your note with your fingers or use your smart pen, and to close the drawing, go to the top left and tap on Back. To make the drawing area bigger, draw at the bottom of the screen and scroll up. 

Label, colour, or pin notes

Labeling, colouring, or pinning notes can save you lots of time. Select the note that you want to label and tap on Action. At the bottom, choose a colour or background from the gallery. Again tap on Back to save the changes.

If you want to pin notes, simply tap on the note you want to find and select the Pin note option.

Archive notes and lists

Tap on the note want to execute the action, and in the top right, tap on Archive. If you want to delete a note, simply select Delete from the Action menu. To unarchive notes, select Archive in Menu in the top-left corner. Click or tap a note to open it and select Unarchive.

Set up reminders for your notes

Select the note that you want to set a reminder. In the top right, tap on Remind me. You can either set a time reminder or a location reminder; both can be picked in the menu. Your note's reminder will appear below the note text on any labels.

What is Google Keep best used for?

Google Keep is obviously best used for taking notes. However, it takes note-taking to another level with different kinds of features, from drawing to voice notes. If you are going to get groceries and can't keep everything in your mind, we definitely suggest you use a note-taking app. It doesn't have to be Google Keep, but using these kinds of apps will surely make your life easier!

What is Google Keep and how to use it

While Microsoft promised to give users more control over default apps, e.g., here and just recently here, the reality so far has been that Microsoft has made it difficult to set non-Microsoft apps as the default and keep the setting that way through updates or other Microsoft shenanigans.

Microsoft still has not addressed some of the major complaints that users have had for a long time. While there is a Default Apps section in the Settings app, it lacks options to set all supported file types to a specific application. There are a few exceptions, web browsers a notable one, but the "set default" button is only available for these and not the majority of programs on the system.

Setting default apps in Windows 11

Here are the default options to make an application or program the default file handler on Windows 11 devices.

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows-I to open the Settings app.
2. Switch to Apps > Default Apps.

Microsoft's operating system displays the installed applications on the device on the page that opens. There is also an option to search for a specific file type or link type, and options to set defaults by application, file type or link type.

Selecting an application on the Default Apps page lists all file types that it supports. For most applications, it is necessary to assign file types or link types manually. This is done by clicking on one of the lines and then selecting the currently selected application as the default for it.

This may work if an app supports a few file and link types, but some support hundreds. It takes a long time to assign all of these to a program using the default option. The only exception to this are browsers, which have a "set default" option.

Usually, it is better to find out if an app supports setting it as the default handler for all the file types it supports. Some applications support the feature in their preferences, others only during installation. It may even be worth a re-installation of the app to make it the default in that case.

Microsoft may also display a prompt to users, if they try to change a default. This is the case for Microsoft Edge and PDF files, but it is very likely that other file types or programs are also handled with special privileges.

Setting defaults by file type or link type works similarly. It is one change at a time, and that may take a long time to complete.

Windows 11 includes another option to change file type associations, but it is also limited to one change at a time. Open File Explorer and right-click on a file to change the association for its file extension. Select "more options" and then properties from the menu.

There is a change button, which you may use to associate a different program with the file type.

Closing Words

Microsoft has made it purposefully difficult to change file associations on Windows 11. While that ensures that malicious or rogue apps may not use this for malicious activity, it is also preventing users from changing file associations in a comfortable straightforward manner. Why not add a "make default" option for all apps in Default Apps? Many users may not even be familiar with all the file extensions and link types that an app supports, and it may be overwhelming to set these up.

Now You: how do you set default apps on Windows?

How to set default apps in Windows 11

However, as is often the case, they can be buggy. The latest one is no exception as there may be multiple bugs at play. Some user reports indicate a slowdown in NVMe SSD speeds, although Microsoft has yet to confirm such an issue. Something that Microsoft has already confirmed though is the Local Security Authority (LSA) bug, where a recent buggy Defender update would lead to a false message showing LSA is turned off, even when it is enabled and functional. A workaround has been issued.

Users have also noticed a related bug where the Windows Security app would say "There is no TPM available" under the Security processor details even though TPM 2.0 is present and enabled. Affected users can confirm this by running "tpm.msc" or under "Security devices" inside Device Manager. The issue is quite similar to the "Standard hardware security not supported" issue, which keeps coming back.

The screenshot below shows the issue:

via Scott (ElevenForum)

Over on Feedback Hub (screenshot below), there are plenty of recent reports showing similar problems where Windows 11 is unable to detect TPM, and Reddit is also no different (post1, post2, post3).

Many have also noted that the Windows Security Health Service (SecurityHealthService.exe), which is used by the Windows Security app, keeps crashing, as this Neowin Facebook page follower Carlos De Bernard notes.

Windows 11 failing to detect TPM on supported PCs may be due to buggy Microsoft Defender

As spotted by @PhantomOfEarth (Twitter), Microsoft is testing a new key sequence, or shortcut, for screen recording using the Snipping Tool app. You can invoke the app to take a screenshot using Win + Shift + R, and the new shortcut will let you record the screen using Win + Shift + R.

Like other hidden features in early Windows builds, the new shortcut is half-baked and does not work as expected. Enabling a feature ID turns on Win + Shift + R, but it cannot start a new recording—it brings the standard screenshot-taking UI instead. Here is how to enable the shortcut if you want to try it yourself.

Caution: Unannounced features are often raw, unstable, or borderline unusable. Therefore, you should back up important data before experimenting with the ViveTool app.

How to enable the new screen-recording shortcut in Windows 11 build 23419?

1. Download ViveTool from GitHub and unpack the files in a convenient and easy-to-find folder.
2. Press Win + X and select Terminal (Admin).
3. Switch Windows Terminal to the Command Prompt profile with the Ctrl + Shift + 2 shortcut or by clicking the arrow-down button at the top of the window.

    

   
4. Navigate to the folder containing the ViveTool files with the CD command. For example, if you have placed ViveTool in C:\Vive, type CD C:\Vive.
5. Type vivetool /enable /id:42063280 and press Enter.
6. Restart your computer.

In case you missed it, researchers recently uncovered a flaw in the Snipping Tool app that allows restoring deleted screenshots. Therefore, you might want to hold off from using the program until Microsoft patches the vulnerability.

Windows 11 may soon get dedicated shortcut key for screen recording

Several crash fixes and bugs affecting the Performance Metrics Overlay are among the issues solved in this driver too:

• Application crash may be observed while playing UNCHARTED™: Legacy of Thieves Collection on some AMD Graphics Products, such as the Radeon™ RX 6700 XT.
• Application crash may be observed while playing Genshin Impact™ on some AMD Graphics Products, such as the Radeon™ RX 6750 XT.
• Corruption may be observed while playing It Takes Two™ on Radeon™ RX 7000 series GPUs.
• Connection failure or black screen may be observed using Parsec client with AMD decoder setting.
• The Performance Tuning Stress Test may intermittently lower GPU usage before test completion.
• The Performance Metrics Overlay may intermittently resize across the display on some AMD Graphics Products such as the Radeon™ RX 6600M.
• The Performance Metrics Overlay may have some missing units when enabled, or situationally become truncated after changing display scaling settings.

Meanwhile, these are the known issues still being worked on by the driver team:

• High idle power has situationally been observed when using select high-resolution and high refresh rate displays on Radeon™ RX 7000 series GPUs.
• Video stuttering or performance drop may be observed during gameplay plus video playback with some extended display configurations on Radeon™ RX 7000 series GPUs.
• Some virtual reality games or apps may experience lower-than-expected performance on Radeon™ RX 7000 series GPUs.
• Video playback using hardware accelerated browsers may appear blurry during upscale on some AMD Graphics Products, such as the Radeon™ RX 7900 XT.
• Brief display corruption may occur when switching between video and game windows on some AMD Graphics Products, such as the Radeon™ RX 6700 XT.
• Mouse cursor may appear invisible in Citrix Workspace™.

AMD graphics users can upgrade to the Adrenalin Edition 23.3.2 driver via the Radeon Settings app on windows. A standalone link can also be found on the driver's release notes page here. Due to a corruption bug, the Factory Reset option when installing has been disabled in this release.

AMD 23.3.2 driver brings support for Resident Evil 4 remake, The Last of Us Part I

With GNOME 44, four of the panels in the Settings app have been updated, these include Device Security, Accessibility, Sound, and Mouse & Touchpad. In the Mouse & Touchpad panel, for example, there are now videos that demonstrate the available options. This should make options easier to understand for users. In the Sound settings also, the volume level control has now been moved to a separate window making it easier for users to access output and input controls.

In GNOME 43, which shipped with Fedora 37, a new quick settings menu was added when you pressed the buttons in the upper right of the display. With GNOME 44, this menu has been improved further. There’s a new Bluetooth button which shows connected devices and lets you allow devices to be connected and disconnected, it now shows open apps that are running without an open window to help you work out what may be hogging processing power, and there are descriptions for each of the toggle buttons to alert you of the status of each setting.

The other major improvement highlighted by the developers is the improved Software app. For those who have never used GNOME, the Software app is essentially an app store but can also centrally control system updates. With GNOME 44, this app is now smoother and faster when moving between pages. Flatpak support is also improved as runtimes can automatically be removed when not needed to save disk space. A couple of UI enhancements also mean better-looking reviews and error messages.

If you want to read the list of changes in GNOME 44, head over to the announcement. If you’re keen to start using GNOME 44, be patient. Wait for it to be included in your preferred Linux distribution as optimizations may have to be made. Some distributions that will send out the update quickly are those based on Arch Linux and Fedora.

GNOME 44 launches with better Settings app and quick settings menu improvements

Microsoft has not explained in great detail how the feature will function, but it could be very similar to how you set up offline calendar events in Outlook. As things stand right now, you can not create offline meetings directly from the Teams calendar. Whenever you create a meeting in Teams, it generates a meeting link with it. You will be able to change this behavior in the next couple of months.

As described by Microsoft, Teams users will have to turn off the "online toggle" when creating an offline meeting from within the app. And when you do, Teams will not automatically generate an online meeting link. These offline Teams meetings will not have chat threads or other Teams online meeting artifacts.

According to the Microsoft 365 roadmap page, the software giant is planning to roll out the offline meeting functionality for Teams in May. However, the release schedule is tentative and is not carved in stone; if something doesn't work, Microsoft will delay the rollout. Plus, it is worth mentioning that May is also the month when Microsoft promised to bring another new feature to Teams: making the 3x3 grid view support the default setting on the web.

Microsoft Teams will soon let you create offline meetings

According to sources familiar with Microsoft's plans, the technology company is reportedly developing a cryptocurrency wallet for its Edge browser, despite the challenges currently facing the cryptocurrency markets. The Verge reported that Microsoft has been conducting internal tests on the built-in crypto wallet for Edge in recent months, with intentions of releasing it to the general public in due course. This upcoming addition to the already feature-rich Edge browser demonstrates Microsoft's ongoing commitment to enhancing its users' online experiences.

Recently, Twitter user Albacore leaked screenshots of the crypto wallet, showcasing its functionalities. Microsoft has stated that the wallet will offer 'simplified experiences' that facilitate seamless interaction with Web3, as well as 'integrated security features' designed to protect users from potentially unsafe apps or addresses.

The release of the Edge browser's built-in crypto wallet to Microsoft employees has been met with controversy, as some employees view the development as a poor use of company resources. One source even referred to it as a 'bad look' for the company, particularly in light of the recent layoffs of numerous Edge team members who were working on more essential features.

Nevertheless, the upcoming crypto wallet will provide users with the ability to purchase cryptocurrency directly from Coinbase and MoonPay, among other features. This includes the ability to connect decentralized apps to the wallet and the support of storing and collecting non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Such capabilities are part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to stay ahead of the competition in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

Coincidentally, the introduction of the Edge crypto wallet occurs soon after Microsoft's recent implementation of a prominent Bing button in the browser, intended to redirect users to its search engine. Notably, the button cannot be easily removed, raising concerns about Microsoft's intentions of driving more traffic to its search engine. In addition to this, the technology giant has received criticism for incorporating 'buy now, pay later' financing options into the Edge browser, as well as using aggressive prompts to prevent users from switching to Google Chrome as their primary browser. 

Microsoft has also been scrutinized for the way in which Windows 11 made it challenging for users to change their default browser. These developments have sparked concern about Microsoft's commitment to user privacy and transparency, and have furthered speculation about its intentions to leverage its market power to gain a competitive edge.

While Microsoft has recently addressed concerns regarding default app settings in Windows 11, its addition of increasingly numerous features to the Edge browser has led to criticism that the browser is becoming excessively bloated with functionality that many may not find useful. It is unfortunate, as Microsoft Edge is actually a well-designed and capable browser that could stand out in the crowded browser market. However, the addition of features that may not appeal to a majority of users may ultimately detract from its overall quality and user experience. Microsoft may need to strike a balance between providing users with innovative features while also keeping the browser streamlined and efficient.

Edge isn’t alone

The recent announcement that Microsoft is adding a built-in crypto wallet to its Edge browser has drawn attention to the company's efforts to keep pace with other browsers like Brave, which already includes a similar feature. However, Microsoft is also taking the integration a step further by adding the crypto wallet to its search engine, Bing, mirroring the functionality offered by Brave's search engine, Brave Search. 

Brave's crypto wallet also integrates with its Basic Attention Token (BAT) system, which is a unique advertising platform that allows users to earn BAT tokens for viewing advertisements. These tokens can then be used to support content creators or be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies. This system creates a new, more decentralized model for online advertising, where users are incentivized to view ads and content creators are rewarded for their work.

Furthermore, Brave's commitment to privacy and security is evident in its implementation of the crypto wallet, as it utilizes strong encryption and user-controlled keys to protect users' assets. This level of security is a critical component of Brave's mission to create a more private and secure web browsing experience, which is a key factor in its growing popularity among users who value privacy and security.

Staying ahead of the curve

This move by Microsoft indicates its recognition of the growing importance of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, and the role they play in the future of the internet. By providing users with an integrated crypto wallet, Microsoft is positioning itself as a leader in the space, and is giving its users access to a secure and convenient way to manage their digital assets. 

It remains to be seen how this move will impact the market, but it is clear that Microsoft is serious about staying ahead of the curve when it comes to cutting-edge web features.

Microsoft Edge's Built-In Crypto Wallet: A Step Forward or a Questionable Use of Resources?

This isn't the only such Security app bug that has been bothering Windows users though. Microsoft has confirmed that a recent Defender update (KB5007651, version 1.0.2302.21002), released via Patch Tuesday, is broken and it displays a wrong message saying "Local Security protection is off" which persistently prompts users to restart the device. However, upon restarting, no matter the number of times, the same message persists.

Microsoft has explained the issue on its health dashboard, and has also provided a way to verify if Local Security Authority (LSA) protection is enabled or not in the Workaround section.

After installing "Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus antimalware platform - KB5007651 (Version 1.0.2302.21002)", you might receive a security notification or warning stating that "Local Security protection is off. Your device may be vulnerable." and once protections are enabled, your Windows device might persistently prompt that a restart is required. Important: This issue affects only "Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus antimalware platform - KB5007651 (Version 1.0.2302.21002)". All other Windows updates released on March 14, 2023 for affected platforms (KB5023706 and KB5023698), do not cause this issue.

Workaround: If you have enabled Local Security Authority (LSA) protection and have restarted your device at least once, you can dismiss warning notifications and ignore any additional notifications prompting for a restart. You can verify that LSA protection is enabled by looking in Event Viewer using the information available here. Important: Currently, we do not recommend any other workaround for this issue.

You may find more details on Microsoft's support article here.

Microsoft confirms recent Defender LSA issue on Windows 11, issues workaround

What’s new in Build 23419

Create live kernel memory dumps in Task Manager

We are introducing a set of new developer-focused features in Task Manager to aid the collection of live kernel memory dumps (LKDs). This is in addition to the existing “Memory dump” for user mode processes. The goal of kernel live dump is to gather data to troubleshoot an abnormal situation but allow the OS to continue operation. This reduces downtime when compared to a bug check for “non-fatal” but high-impact failures and hangs. Click here for more info on live kernel dumps.

To capture a live kernel memory dump (LKD), go to the Details page in Task Manager, right-click on the System process and the context menu should light up to show “Create live kernel memory dump file” to capture a Full live kernel or Kernel stack memory dumps.

The dumps will be written to a fixed location:

%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\TaskManager\LiveKernelDumps

Choose the new “Create live kernel memory dump file” option when right-clicking on a process on the details page in Task Manager.

You can also go to the Task Manager Settings page to view/edit the settings for live kernel memory dumps.

Configure live kernel dumps options in Task Manager settings.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Task Manager.

USB4 Settings Page

We are adding a USB4 hubs and devices Settings page for users under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > USB > USB4 Hubs and Devices. USB4 enables new productivity scenarios for docking, high performance peripherals, displays and charging. The USB4 settings page provides information about the system’s USB4 capabilities and attached peripherals on a USB4 capable system. These insights are meant to assist with troubleshooting in case users need support from their device manufacturer (OEM) or system administrator. The features provided by this page are:

• View the tree of connected USB4 hubs and devices.
• View attributes and capabilities associated with the USB4 domain.
• Copy the details into the clipboard so it can be shared with customer support or system administrators for troubleshooting.

USB4 Settings page with details shown.

If the system does not support USB4 with the Microsoft USB4 Connection Manager, this page will not be displayed.

To confirm whether your system is USB4 capable or not, check for “USB4 Host Router” populating in the Device Manager.

USB4 Host Router as shown in Device Manager.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Devices and Drivers > Buses.

Cloud Suggestion in Simplified Chinese IME

We are trying out some changes that will allow you to easily type popular words in Simplified Chinese. The changes include an improved cloud suggestion and integrated search suggestion. The cloud suggestion adds the most relevant word from Bing to the IME candidate window. We’ve updated the back-end logic so that we can provide better, fresh suggestions.

Simplified Chinese IME candidate window with a word suggestion from Bing at the second place.

The integrated search suggestion gives you additional suggestions that are similar to what you see in Bing search page. You can either insert a suggestion as text or search it directly in Bing.

Bing search suggestions expanded from IME candidate window.

To turn on these features, select a chevron button at the right end of the IME candidate window. You’ll find Turn on button.

IME candidate window with a balloon tip that points to the chevron button.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Text Input.

Changes and Improvements

[General]

• The new features for app defaults in Windows 11 as mentioned here in this blog post are included in this build. The features for app pinning are coming in a future flight.

[Start menu]

• We are trying out a small change with some Windows Insiders where the “Recommended” section of the Start menu is changed to “For you”. Let us know what you think in Feedback Hub if you see this change.

[Taskbar & System Tray]

• The glanceable VPN status show overlayed over an active network connection into the system tray when connected to a recognized VPN profilenow displays in your system accent colour.

Glanceable VPN status in the system tray using system accent colour.

• In response to user feedback, we are introducing the capability to show seconds in the clock on the system tray. This feature can be enabled by toggling the option listed under Settings > Personalization > Taskbar in the Taskbar behavior section. You can also right-click on taskbar to quickly get to taskbar settings. We are beginning to roll this change out so not all Windows Insiders will see this change right away, but we hope to make it available to everyone soon.

Option to show seconds in the system tray clock.

[Search on the Taskbar]

• Once you have access to the new Bing, the search box on the taskbar will include a button that opens the Bing chat experience in Edge. If you don’t have access to the new Bing, the search box on the taskbar will feature a dynamic search highlight button. We’re beginning to roll this out to Insiders, not everyone will see it right away.

[Voice access]

• The redesigned in-app help page in voice access introduced with Build 23403 now includes all commands and the supplementary information accurately.

Redesigned in-app help page in voice access.

[Settings]

• As part of the deprecation of Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) and MSDT Troubleshooters, we have begun redirecting some of the troubleshooters found under Settings > System > Troubleshoot and in other areas of the OS to the new Get Help troubleshooting platform.
• Pressing the print screen key will now open Snipping Tool by default. This setting can be turned off via Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard. If you have previously modified this setting yourself, your preference will be preserved.

[Developer]

• Virtual Memory ranges which are marked by a KbCallbackTriageDumpData BugCheck Callback Routine will now be added to kernel-generated minidumps after a bugcheck.

Fixes

[General]

• Improved the experience on logon after booting up by reducing the performance impact of startup apps.

[Taskbar & System Tray]

• Fixed an issue that was causing Narrator to read the position before the name on system tray icons.
• Fixed an issue causing the show hidden icons flyout to open behind things like OneNote flyout and live captions.
• Fixed an issue which could cause explorer.exe crashes related to drag and drop.

[Search on the Taskbar]

• Fixed a search crash from the last flight.

[File Explorer]

• Fixed an issue which could cause explorer.exe to crash when opening Home if certain content was visible in the Recent section.
• Made some improvements to the performance of loading File Explorer in the case where there’s a disconnected network drive visible in the navigation pane.

[Start menu]

• Fixed an issue where dragging content across an open Start menu folder could cause a crash.

[Input]

• Fixed an issue where after using voice typing your PC might not enter modern standby.

[Live captions]

• We fixed the issue causing live captions to not work for Chinese Traditional on Arm64 devices.

[Task Manager]

• Fixed an issue where some of the details in the Performance page wouldn’t display properly until you resized the window or changed pages back and forth.

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

Known issues

[Search on the Taskbar]

• There is an issue where some people may not see the search box on taskbar and/or the settings to adjust the search box experience on the taskbar after updating to Build 23403. We are aware of the issue, and we are working on a fix.

[File Explorer]

Insiders who have access keys in File Explorer:

• Access keys will appear inconsistently if no button is pressed. Pressing a button will cause them to reappear.

Insiders will have issues with the following commands on recommended files in File Explorer:

• Clicking on the Share command will currently bring up the Windows share sheet (non-OneDrive).
• Clicking on the “Open File Location” command will pop an error dialog that can easily be dismissed.
• Clicking on the ‘Remove from list’ command will result in no actions.

[Live captions]

• On ARM64 devices, enhanced speech recognition support installed through the Language & Region settings page will require restarting live captions if you switch languages in the live captions Caption language menu.
• Certain languages shown on the Language & Region settings page will indicate speech recognition support (e.g., Korean) but don’t yet have support for live captions.
• When adding a language through the Language & Region settings page, language feature installation progress may become hidden, and you may not see install completion of “Enhanced speech recognition” (required by Live Captions). (You can use the language’s “Language options” to monitor progress.) If this happens, there may be an unexpected delay before the live caption setup experience detects this and lets you continue.
• Captioning performance may be degraded in non-English languages and missing out-of-language filtering in non-English (United States) languages which means that incorrect captions will be shown for speech not in the caption language.

You can find the official blog post here.

Windows 11 Dev build 23419 improves boot time performance, adds USB4 page, and more

VMware Workstation is one of the world's most used virtual machine software thanks to its features and ease. We included it in our best virtual machine software of 2023: Top 3 list alongside Parallels Desktop and VirtualBox. It is mainly used in enterprise networks, but if you are looking to use it for personal use, you can try it for free, and supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. For commercial use, VMware Workstation 17 Player is priced at $149, and Pro is $199.

How to install Windows 11 in VMware Workstation: Must-haves

Before you start, there are a couple of things to check, as you can't just do these steps under all circumstances. Let's check our must-have or must-do-beforehand list before we move on to the next steps.

Firstly, you need to download and install VMware Workstation. You can check the next section of this article if you don't know how to do it. Next, you also need a Windows 11 ISO image file. Head over to our "how to download any Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft" article for further information.

Apart from downloading these two, you also need a PC running a Windows 10 or above operating system with TMP 2.0 and virtualization support. Lastly, you need a capable PC that has at least 64GB disk space, a dual-core x64 processor, and 4GB RAM.

How to download VMware Workstation?

As mentioned above, the first step is downloading the VMware Workstation before the action starts. This guide covers "how to install Windows 11 in VMware Workstation 17 Player." Please follow the steps below to download and install the application on your PC successfully:

1. Head over to the official website.
2. Click on the "Download for Free" icon.
3. Wait for the download to finish, and then install it on your PC

VMware Workstation System Requirements

• A compatible 64-bit x86/AMD64 CPU launched in 2011 or later *
• 1.3GHz or faster core speed
• 2GB RAM minimum/ 4GB RAM or more recommended

General Host OS Requirements

VMware Workstation Pro and Player run on most 64-bit Windows or Linux host operating systems:

• Windows 10
• Windows Server 2019
• Windows Server 2016
• Windows Server 2012
• Windows 8
• Ubuntu
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• CentOS
• Oracle Linux
• openSUSE
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

How to install Windows 11 in VMware Workstation: Let's begin

The first thing to do is to create a virtual machine for the OS in VMware Workstation 17 Player. To do so, here are the steps you must follow:

1. Launch VMware Workstation 17 Player.
2. Click on "Create a new virtual machine."
3. You will see three options offered to you, select "I will install the operating system later" at the bottom and hit Next.
4. Select Windows 11 x64 from the drop-down menu while keeping the Guest Operating System section as Windows, hit Next.
5. Enter whichever name you want.
6. Select "Only the files needed to support a TPM are encrypted" and create your password in the box below. Don't forget to keep the "Remember the password on this machine in Credential Manager" option ticked.
7. If you don't want to install any other programs, adjust the disk capacity by setting the maximum size to 64GB. Select the "Split virtual disk into multiple files" option and hit Next.

You will be shown a summary of all your picks throughout the setup process. Double-check every setting, and then move on to add the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded beforehand. Keep on following the steps below:

1. At the "summary" page, you will see a little button named "Customize hardware," click on that.
2. Go to the Memory tab and set the RAM allocation 6GB or more to have a better experience.
3. Head over to the Processors tab and allocate at least four cores, again, for a better experience.
4. Click on the New CD/DVD (SATA) tab and select Use ISO image file. It is under the Connection part.
5. Click on Browse and find your pre-downloaded Windows 11 ISO file.
6. Finally, close the Hardware window and hit Finish on the summary page.

Install Windows 11

Now that you have successfully created your virtual machine, it is time to install Windows 11. Here are the steps:

1. Select Windows 11 virtual machine on the left-side menu and hit "Play virtual machine."
2. Press any key to boot from the ISO file.
3. Select your language and region and hit Next.
4. Click on "I don't have a product key" and select which Windows 11 version you want to install.
5. Accept the End User License Agreement.
6. Click on the "Custom" installation option.
7. Hit Next and wait for it to reboot a couple of times.
8. Pick your region and keyboard layout.
9. Once it asks you for a Microsoft account, hit Shift + F10, type oobe\bypassnro, and hit Enter.
10. Wait for it to boot again.
11. Select "I don't have internet."
12. Pick a name, password, and three security questions for safety reasons.
13. Uncheck the tracking options and hit Accept.

Install VMware Tools

Even though the process is done, you need to install VMware Tools to use all the features. The screen will appear cropped, and some of the features won't be available. To fix all that, follow the steps below:

1. At the top menu, click on Player.
2. Move your cursor to the "Manage" section and click on "Install VMware Tools."
3. Press the Win + E keys to launch the file explorer.
4. Open the mounted ISO file drive that was mounted after the second step.
5. Locate the setup64.exe file and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open it as an administrator.
6. Select the "Complete" option in the middle of the VMware Tools Setup.
7. Hit Install and Finish after everything is done.
8. Restart the virtual machine by hitting Yes, and all the changes will be applied.

How to install Windows 11 in VMware Workstation

Alongside those, the company also rolled out Out of Box Experience (OOBE) updates for Windows 11 versions 22H2, 21H2, as well as for Windows 10, versions 20H2, 21H2, and 22H2. Microsoft says that these new OOBE updates add a Shim to prevent the creation of unsupported Component Object Model (COM) objects.

On the support document for Windows 11 (KB5025799, KB5025800), the company has explained what's new in the update. The Windows 10 updates (KB5025801) also have the same change:

Summary

This update adds a Shim to prevent the CoCreateInstance function from creating unsupported objects. This update applies only to the Windows 11 OOBE process and is available only when OOBE updates are installed.

Microsoft says that updates are installed automatically during the OOBE process if the internet connection is available. A device restart is required for the installation.

Microsoft slightly improves OOBE on Windows 11 22H2, 21H2, as well as on Windows 10

Thirteen years after its release, Canonical is now working on an updated version of Ubuntu Font which it hopes to include in Ubuntu 23.04 “Lunar Lobster”, which is due next month. To ensure that the font is ready, Canonical is calling on the community to download the updated font and look out for any problems and report back with screenshots.

People who use a language on their computer with a Latin script will not notice much of a difference with the updated font. According to the announcement, more improvements have been made for non-Latin script users and this is primarily where the feedback is needed. The company is collecting feedback via Launchpad and is also encouraging users to accompany their reports with screenshots to help explain the problem.

If you want to try out the new font, enter the following commands and then reboot your system, but be warned, it’s unclear how to revert back to the older font version:

wget https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/fonts-ubuntu/0.862-0ubuntu2/+build/25677616/+files/fonts-ubuntu_0.862-0ubuntu2_all.deb https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/fonts-ubuntu/0.862-0ubuntu2/+build/25677616/+files/fonts-ubuntu-console_0.862-0ubuntu2_all.deb

sudo dpkg -i fonts-ubuntu-console_0.862-0ubuntu2_all.deb fonts-ubuntu_0.862-0ubuntu2_all.deb

If you want to test the new fonts, you do not have to be running Ubuntu 23.04, instead, you can install them on any supported version of Ubuntu, including the current LTS, Ubuntu 22.04. Just ensure you know how to remove the fonts in case you don’t want them anymore.

Ubuntu 23.04 could ship with an improved version of the Ubuntu Font

PC users with Nvidia graphics cards can download a new Studio Driver optimized for productivity applications like Adobe, Autodesk, and more. Studio Drivers receive fewer updates than Game Ready releases due to extensive testing in creative workflows and programs.

Version 531.41 improves stability in Adobe applications and fixes issues with AV1 encoding in Beamr. Although the driver is made for creative professionals and other non-gaming software, Nvidia also packs its Studio Drivers with gaming-related changes. There is a fix for rainbow-like artifacts in Forza Horizon 5, improvements for Portal with RTX, and Horizon Zero Dawn.

Here is the complete changelog:

• Adobe application stability issues using 531.18
• Enscape crash at startup with 531.18
• Beamr - Issue with AV1 encoding in PTD=0 mode
• Derivative TouchDesigner - NVAR: crash when using multi-person tracking
• [Forza Horizon 5] Rainbow like artifacts in game after driver update
• [Portal with RTX] "Background application max frame rate" setting is getting engaged
• while game is in focus
• Disable Horizon Zero Dawn Resizable Bar profile on Intel platforms

And here is the list of known issues:

• Toggling HDR on and off in-game causes game stability issues when non-native
• resolution is used.
• Monitor may briefly flicker on waking from display sleep if DSR/DLDSR is enabled.
• [Halo Wars 2] In-game foliage is larger than normal and displays constant flickering
• [GeForce RTX 4090] Watch Dogs 2 may display flickering when staring at the sky
• Increase in DPC latency observed in Latencymon
• Applying GeForce Experience Freestyle filters cause games to crash
• Assassin’s Creed Origins stability issues using 531.18

You can download the latest Nvidia Studio Driver from the official website. Release notes are available here.

Nvidia Studio Driver 531.41 improves Adobe apps, fixes Forza Horizon 5 issues, more

Pale Moon shares code with the Firefox web browser, but it is a standalone project. One of the main changes is that Pale Moon is now also available for Intel-based and Arm-based macOS devices. Previously, Pale Moon was available as a Beta release for macOS. Now, Pale Moon has exited beta and is "considered stable" by the developers. The browser is also available for Windows, Linux and Android.

Pale Moon users may select Pale Moon Menu > Help > Check for Updates to run a manual check for updates. The new version should be detected by the update check and installed to the system. There is also Menu > Help > About Pale Moon, which displays the current version of the web browser.

Pale Moon 32.1.0

Pale Moon 32.1.0 is a major update for the web browser. One of the main improvements that it introduces is support for Google WebComponents. Previous versions did support the feature, but it was turned off as development was still ongoing.

The implementation reached a stage that it can be enabled for all users by default, according to the release notes. The developers note, that the implementation is not complete and that more work is necessary. Most websites that use the technologies should work, but there may be unexpected combability issues on some websites. Future versions of the Pale Moon web browser will improve compatibility further.

Pale Moon's changelog lists several other changes. Here is a quick overview of important ones:

• Addressed security issues in the web browser and implemented Defense in Depth protections.
• Filename safety improved when saving files to prevent potential environment leaks.
• Web text-to-speech API is now enabled by default.
• Removed several site-specific overrides as they are no longer required.
• Tab titles fade instead of using ellipses if they are too long. This gives them a bit more space in the tab.
• Fixed VP8 video playback issues.
• Fixed "several crashes related to regular expression code".

You can check out the full release notes here.

Pale Moon 32.1.0 launches with major web compatibility improvements

Opera is the latest web browser to join the AI gold rush. Today, the company behind the popular browser announced some new AI features. One of them is called AI Prompts, and it actually sounds like it might be an interesting way for people to learn more about web content.

Opera states that the new feature works just by selecting some text on a web page. In another browser, you could copy it, or maybe use a traditional search to learn more. AI Prompts is supposed to over even more:

Maybe a chunk of text was long or confusing. AI Prompts can help you shorten it or explain it for you, whether it’s a paragraph, a whole article, even a website! Or perhaps you’ve stumbled upon something that you’re really interested in – a fashion trend, a culinary fancy, some new, previously unheard-of musical artist – and you want to know more and more. AI Prompts will take you down your internet rabbit hole, since you can ask it to suggest more relevant content based on what you’re reading.

The new feature can even help you write a Tweet about the selected text, a joke, or a poem. Opera users can download the new version and then, during Easy Setup, turn on the Early Access option by toggling the “AI Prompts' selection. Opera GX users can do the same by selecting the “Early Bird” option.

The new version of Opera also adds support for two AI chatbots in its sidebar: ChatGPT and ChatSonic:

They can offer you assistance with a wide range of queries and issues. You can generate ideas, summaries, translations, itineraries. You can write code, learn music, get help on math, draft text – the list goes on and on! ChatSonic is additionally so clever that it can create images for you.

The support requires users to register for either or both ChatGPT and ChatSonic before they can use them in the Opera sidebar.

Opera has also released the full changelog for the new version, 97.0.4719.26:

• CHR-9225 Update Chromium on desktop-stable-111-4719 to 111.0.5563.65
• DNA-102778 Goth reports error for utils_api test
• DNA-104983 Missing encryption option in sync settings
• DNA-105293 add RateMe feature to Speed Dials and Suggested Speed Dials section
• DNA-105299 Opera crash when closing tab by middle mouse button
• DNA-105712 Update linux sandbox dependency for browsertests
• DNA-105787 Settings extended with the AI section
• DNA-105865 Add reload option for panels in opr.browserSidebarPrivate namespace
• DNA-105944 Update checking of widevine certificate expiration to be independent from dateformat
• DNA-105959 Update texts – native part
• DNA-105961 Import translated texts – native part
• DNA-105967 Crash at base::ObserverList::RemoveObserver(PrefObserver const*)
• DNA-105973 Turn on #tab-tooltip-close-tabs on all streams
• DNA-106061 Hide extension popup
• DNA-106062 [Stable A/B Test] React Start Page for Austria, Italy, Spain and France 50%
• DNA-106068 Extension shows if developer mode is enabled
• DNA-106070 Feedback window for highlight popup displayed in wrong place
• DNA-106079 EasySetup Disclaimer – Reduce size
• DNA-106085 Crash at TabHoverCardController::OnViewIsDeleting(views::View*)
• DNA-106086 Player home page does not show images in dark mode
• DNA-106096 Increase prompt window in AB width
• DNA-106109 Teasers on start page don’t show transparency
• DNA-106114 AI Prompts button is after Reader Mode icon
• DNA-106168 EasySetup update
• DNA-106212 Promote O97 to stable
• DNA-106225 Enable #shodan-extension for all streams
• DNA-106229 Update J5 texts

Download links for Opera are below:

• Opera Stable for Windows
• Opera Stable for macOS
• Opera Stable for Linux – deb packages
• Opera Stable for Linux – RPM packages
• Opera Stable for Linux – snap package

Of course, Microsoft has added its Bing Chat to its Edge browser, and it's possible Google will eventually add Bard support to its own Chrome browser

Opera is the latest browser to add AI support, including ChatGPT in the sidebar

The full changelog is below:

• New! This update introduces notifications for Microsoft accounts in the Start menu. This is only available to a small audience right now. It will deploy more broadly in the coming months. Some devices might notice different visual treatments as we gather feedback. See the example below.

Example treatment of notifications for Microsoft accounts in the Start menu.

• New! Once you have access to the new Bing, the search box on the taskbar will include a button that opens the Bing chat experience in Microsoft Edge. If you don’t have access, the search box on the taskbar will feature a dynamic search highlight button.
• New! This update adds many new features and improvements to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. For more information, see Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

• New!The search box on the taskbar will be lighter when you set Windows to a custom colour mode. This will occur when you set the Windows mode to dark and the app mode to light in Settings > Personalization > colours.

• This update addresses an issue that affects the combo box in Settings. It fails to show all the available options.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft PowerPoint. It stops responding. This occurs when you use accessibility tools.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Narrator. It fails to read items in dropdown lists in Microsoft Excel.
• This update addresses an issue that affects USB printers. The system classifies them as multimedia devices even though they are not.
• This update addresses an issue that affects complexity policy settings for PINs. They are ignored.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) PIN credential icon. It does not appear on the credentials screen of an external monitor. This occurs when that monitor is attached to a closed laptop.
• This update addresses an issue that affects a Clustered Shared Volume (CSV). The CSV fails to come online. This occurs if you enable BitLocker and local CSV managed protectors, and the system recently rotated the BitLocker keys.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Active Directory Users & Computers. It stops responding. This occurs when you use TaskPad view to enable or disable many objects at the same time.
• The update addresses an issue that affects the Remote Procedure Call Service (rpcss.exe). The issue might cause a race condition between the Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) and the Microsoft Remote Procedure Call (RPC) endpoint mapper.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Microsoft PowerPoint. It stops responding on the Azure Virtual Desktop. This occurs while you are using Think-Cell Features.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Windows Search. Windows Search fails inside of Windows container images.
• This update affects the Group Policy Editor. It adds Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 to the list of protocols that you can set.
• This update affects the Arab Republic of Egypt. The update supports the government’s daylight saving time change order for 2023.
• This update affects jscript9Legacy.dll. It adds ITracker and ITrackingService to stop MHTML from not responding.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft HTML Application Host (HTA). This issue blocks code execution that uses Microsoft HTA. This occurs when you turn on Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) User Mode Code Integrity (UMCI) enforced mode.
• This update affects the Group Policy Management Console. It addresses a scripting error in the Group Policy Preferences window.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client. The client returns an HTTP server error status (500). This error occurs when it runs a transfer job in the Storage Migration Service.
• This update addresses an issue that affects Desired State Configuration. It loses its previously configured options. This occurs if metaconfig.mof is missing.
• This update addresses an issue that affects the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) option 119 – Domain Search Option. The issue stops you from using a connection-specific DNS Suffix Search List.
• This update addresses a rare issue that might cause an input destination to be null. This issue might occur when you attempt to convert a physical point to a logical point during hit testing. Because of this, the computer raises a stop error.
• 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 the new Windows Runtime (WinRT) API. This issue stops an application from querying for location information using MBIM2.0+.
• This update addresses a known issue that affects kiosk device profiles. If you have enabled automatic logon, it might not work. After Autopilot completes provisioning, these devices stay on the credential screen. This issue occurs after you install updates dated January 10, 2023, and later.

Microsoft did not share any known issues with this build. You can view the original blog post here.

Windows 11 (KB5023778) adds Bing Chat shortcut to Edge in taskbar and ads in Start

In addition to the changes and improvements already stated, Microsoft says it has also resolved an issue on Windows 11 22H2 where 32-bit applications would fail automatic updates. A bug in Excel related to hyperlinking has also been fixed. Alongside these, a registry size issue has also been addressed. The changelog is given below:

• This update addresses an issue that stops hyperlinks from working in Microsoft Excel.

• This update addresses an issue that affects the registry size. It grows very large. This occurs because the registry entries are not removed when users sign out of an Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environment that uses FSlogix.

• This update addresses an issue that affects the Get_Settings() method. For 32-bit applications, it fails to retrieve the settings for Automatic Update Options.

   

In a separate support article, Microsoft explained the 32-bit app automatic update bug. Interestingly, before this fix, the only workaround was to recompile such an app to 64-bit.

Cause

• This issue occurs because the 32-bit version of the IAutomaticUpdates::get_Settings() method is not available in Windows 11, version 22H2.

Workaround

• To work around this issue, recompile your 32-bit client application to a 64-bit client application to run in Windows 11, version 22H2.

You can view the new update changelog here.

Microsoft fixed major registry, 32-bit app update bugs with Windows 11 (KB5022913) Moment 2

The release notes for this update are as follows:

Fixed

• Fixed a bug causing Firefox to freeze on startup for some Windows users (bug 1823159).
• Fixed a crash on macOS while pinch-zooming under some circumstances (bug 1658986).

According to Bugzilla, the Windows crashing issue was occurring on systems with KB5023706 installed. Attempting to start Firefox just showed a blank window with just the minimize, maximize, and close buttons available. To open the browser, users had to forcefully close the window and reopen the browser. Every other time users attempted to open Firefox, this issue would repeat. The issue is now resolved in the latest Firefox update. The crash affecting macOS was occurring in some instances when the user would use pinch-zooming.

While this update will be installed automatically if you have Firefox installed, you can force the update right now if you’re being affected by these bugs. Just press the menu button then go to Help and About Firefox. A dialog box will open and let you know that an update is being downloaded. Just restart Firefox when the browser tells you to.

Firefox 111.0.1 lands with Windows and macOS crash-related bug fixes

In a blog post today, Microsoft stated that starting in April 2023, it will release optional non-security preview releases for Windows during the fourth week of the month. The blog post stated:

We have found this to be the optimal time for us to publish and for you to consume these updates. That's two weeks after your latest monthly security update and about two weeks before you'll see these features become part of the next mandatory cumulative update. We're excited for this improvement as it is meant to optimize the validation of payloads, improve consistency, and enhance the predictability of your testing, update, and upgrade experience.

Of course, Microsoft will also offer Windows Out-of-band updates at any time if there is a critical issue or major security exploit that needed to be pushed out right away. Any of those kinds of updates will also include the previous security patches.

Windows non-security optional preview updates to roll out in the fourth week of each month

Such is the case with an old, persistent bug in the Windows 11's security app which shows the error "Standard hardware security not supported" even on supported PCs. We reported on this bug last year in June, and even though Microsoft should have already fixed the issue more than once, Neowin members on an ongoing forum thread have commented that they are seeing the problems in newer builds too.

User DeusVult says they are now seeing this issue on their system where "Standard hardware security is not met" error message is displayed because apparently their "device does not apparently meet the requirements":

via DeusVult (Neowin forums)

DeusVult however says that their PC has all the requirements covered and speculates that a Windows reset they recently performed may have introduced this bug. They write:

Same crazy problem, everything is updated and working well, might it be because I reseted [sic] windows? and if it's so, does anybody has a solution for this?

BIOS Updated

TPM 2 working

UEFI ok

Secure Boot ok

DEP ok

Another Neowin member Raulll03 faced a similar issue, where resetting the laptop led to the same "standard hardware security not supported" problem. Raulll03 says they have the latest Windows 11 Patch Tuesday installed, which is essentially the Moment 2 feature update. Here's what they say:

Hi everyone! I have a problem with the hardware security standard, because it's not supported. I reset my laptop due to personal issues, but before resetting it the standard hardware security was supported. My laptop has all the latest updates installed, Windows 11 Home 22H2 22621.1265.

Feedback Hub also has plenty of recent reports about the same issue as you can see in the screenshot below (click to zoom in):

On a previous report which was heavily upvoted, senior Jennifer Gentleman, a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft, provided the following response. In the response, she also alludes to the fact that the bug can be a recurring one, though, it should go away on its own sometime again with a future Windows Security update:

Thanks for taking the time to report this - we've investigated and with Build 25169 (which just went live for the Dev Channel) have fixed an issue believed to be the root cause of Windows Security saying standard hardware security wasn’t supported on devices where it was actually supported, as well as showing a warning in the taskbar but not showing any issues when Windows Security was launched.

Please note, due to timing of the payload, these issues may come back after the next Windows Security update. It will go away again after a future Windows Security update.

UPDATE: If you are seeing this again in the Dev Channel, please see the note above. Appreciate your patience

Alongside this issue, the latest Patch Tuesday may also have introduced another old bug performance-related bug. Some users have complained that their SSDs are exhibiting poor speeds after the Patch.

Microsoft just can't fix Windows 11 "hardware security not supported" bug on supported PCs

They write:

Tanked my SSD nvme reading and writing speeds, like A LOT. Went from 7000 to 3000, sometimes 1000 using the balance energy profile in my Legion 5 2021. Just uninstalled the cumulative update and my SSD is reaching the 7000 read speed again and Windows is snappy again.

This comment has quite a few upvotes implying that at least a few of the those users also experienced similar issues. Some of the others on the thread have responded to this comment saying how their game load times were "noticeably" slower, and that there was "stuttering" issues post-Patch Tuesday installation.

Another user "Mrbigdog99" has also posted a screenshot showing CrystalDiskMark run before and after the update. The sequential writes do seem to suggest a massive slowdown:

Another user writes they faced similar problems, like slower boot times, though this time, it was with the initial Moment 2 release (KB5022913). The user sebascq writes:

Hello guys! so I updated my laptop to the 22H2 SO 22621.1344 and noticed that the boot up time increased by a lot it went from around 14 seconds to 31 seconds which is weird

Microsoft has confirmed that a similar file copy slowdown bug has been fixed with Moment 2, and it is possible that this is a separate problem entirely. Interestingly, the NVMe speed issue isn't something new as Windows 11 has been impacted by such problems in the past too.

Latest Windows 11 22H2 Patch Tuesday (Moment 2) may be slowing down SSDs, boot times

You can run multiple operating systems (OS) or apps on a single physical computer by using virtual machine (VM) software. It produces a "virtual machine" with its own virtual CPU, memory, storage, and network interface that functions as a distinct computer.

Without partitioning your hard drive or purchasing additional hardware, you can run different operating systems on the same physical computer using virtual machine software. This is helpful for users who want to run software incompatible with their primary OS and developers who need to test their programs on several operating systems.

Basically, the best virtual machine software lets you complete the process easily and stable.

Which is the best virtual machine software of 2023?

There are multiple virtual machine software in the market, but the majority prefer the top three. The best virtual machine software must offer a couple of distinct features so that it will be more appealing to users. Below, you will find the three of the best with distinct features as well as easy-to-use interfaces and designs!

Oracle VM VirtualBox

VirtualBox is one of the most famous in the market. Oracle offers a free and stable base version to hobbyists and enthusiasts. It reportedly has over 100,000 registered users and works fine on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It was first released in 2007, and the open-source service is open for enterprise and home usage. It supports Windows versions starting from XP and can run VMs with Linux 2.4 or above. It also works on Mac, but the host operating system should also be on a Mac in order to use it.

It might be one of the best virtual machine software with its easy installation and configuration. VirtualBox allows users o create and use pre-built virtual machines called "appliances." You can download them from the official website. It runs multiple guest windows at the same time and provides portability.

You can use it on older hardware; if you find it complicated, the official website has informative and easy-to-apply tutorials for you to look at. Here is a guide on how to install MacOS on Windows 10 in a virtual machine, specifically using VirtualBox.

VMWare Workstation

VMWare Workstation is one of the most-used virtual machine software in the enterprise world. It is a virtual machine software developed and marketed by VMware Inc. It is one of the most popular virtualization solutions in use today, particularly in enterprise environments. If you are looking to use it for personal use, it is free and supports Windows, Mac, and Linux. It also supports GPU visualization, being one of the few that supports DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1.

It includes multiple advanced networking features, such as network simulation and packet filtering, that allows complex network configurations. Its cloning system enables you to clone virtual machines for testing or backup needs and to produce snapshots of virtual machines at any time.

It is a powerful and versatile software. Most users define it as the best virtual machine software in the market. VMWare also has a huge community of users.

Parallels Desktop

Parallels is also a solid pick, and it has three versions to suit different applications. It is surely one of the best virtual machine software right now, running Windows, Linux, Chrome OS, and a second instance of macOS. It is one of the favorites of Mac users as it allows users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems on their Mac computers alongside their macOS operating system.

If you are a new user, it charges you €99.99 for the standard version, home and student use, the pro edition is €119.99/yr for developers, testers, and power users, and the business edition is €149.99/yr for use in work settings. Being affordable is another reason that lets Parallels stand out. It can make Windows alerts appear in the Mac notification center, uniting all the necessary information.

It only supports Mac host and if you are looking for a Windows-host-only VM software, you might also want to check out Microsoft Hyper-V.

The best virtual machine software of 2023 is open to debate. However, VirtualBox, VMWare, and Parallels are surely some of the best.

Best virtual machine software of 2023: Top 3

While the online demos of Copilot look impressive, it did bring up memories of a previous attempt to offer help to Office users: Office Assistant. You may know it better by its most famous avatar: The animated paperclip with beady eyes, Clippy.

It first debuted in Microsoft Office 97, over 25 years ago, with the name Clippit, but it was quickly known by users as Clippy. Many more Office Assistants avatars were also created but none of them reached the level of fame that Clippy received. It was designed by former Microsoft employee Kevan Atteberry. In a 2017 interview with Motherboard, he stated that the origins of Clippy came after the massive failure of another productive app product, Microsoft Bob. He said:

When Bob crashed, we took the character help over to Word. We designed about 250 characters, and I had about 15 or 20 of 'em in there. Through working with some social psychologists out of Stanford, we spent six months going through them all, whittling them down with focus groups and stuff like that, and [Clippy] came out to be the number one most trustful and engaging and endearing character of them all. So he became the default.

Oddly enough, a documentary called "Code: Debugging the Gender Gap" would seem to dispute the notion that Clippy was popular with focus groups before its launch. Former Microsoft executive Roz Ho stated."

Most of the women thought the characters were too male and that they were leering at them. So we’re sitting in a conference room. There’s me and, I think, like, 11 or 12 guys, and we’re going through the results, and they said, ‘I don’t see it. I just don’t know what they’re talking about.’ And I said, ‘Guys, guys, look, I’m a woman, and I’m going to tell you, these animated characters are male-looking.’

In any case, Clippy quickly became a major annoyance for most Office users. The "assistant" would constantly pop up, with phrases like "It looks like you are writing a letter. Would you like help with that?" Many users didn't, or couldn't, shut down these appearances by Clippy. In 2002, with the launch of Office XP, Clippy and all his Office Assistant friends were banished due to poor user feedback.

However, a funny thing has happened in the last couple of decades. Now that Clippy is no longer appearing while we write a Word document, many people had grown fond of that strange icon. Microsoft has played into this nostalgia for Clippy a number of times over the last several years. Clippy popped up as an April Fool's joke on Office Online in 2014. Later that year, Windows Phone 8.1 with Cortana showed Clippy via an Easter Egg. More recently, Windows 11 included Clippy in its new emojis in 2021.

Microsoft even had a life sized Clippy suit that people could actually put on and walk around cosplaying as the assistant. That's exactly what happened when former Neowin editor-in-chief Brad Sams went to visit Microsoft's offices in 2014. and "became" Clippy for a few hours.

The big question is? "Did Microsoft learn anything from Clippy's failure?" Even the company's current CEO, Satya Nadella, admitted that voice assistants, including Microsoft's own Cortana, all turned out to be "dumb as a rock." Will Microsoft 365 Copilot rise above Clippy and Cortana and prove to be both a smart Office assistant and one that won't be an irritant to users? Hopefully Microsoft's testing of Copilot with a small number of initial customers will prove its mettle and truly be the Office assistant that Clippy was originally meant to become.

A quick look back at Microsoft's original Copilot: Clippy