I installed the Windows Insider Preview build from an ISO, thinking that I could opt in to the Program for future updates. It would be convenient than downloading the ISO every time a new build is released. But to my surprise, the OS said that my VM did not meet the system requirements. This was getting silly, I had enabled TPM in VMware Workstation Player and Secure Boot was working too. My VM is perfectly capable of handling the operating system, it is after all running Windows 11 without any major hiccups.

Unsure of how to proceed, I installed the PC Health Check app to see what is wrong. It told me that the processor needs to have two or more cores, and that my system, i.e. the virtual machine, had just one. I was confused, because it was only a few days ago that I had allocated 4GB of RAM, and 4 cores while setting up the virtual machine and installing the OS. To verify this, I shut down the VM and checked its settings, and I was right, it did have 4 processor cores enabled. So, why was Windows 11 not allowing me to participate in the Insider Preview Program?

A quick search on Google should help me, or so I believed. But nobody had reported such an issue,  but I eventually found the fix in an unrelated thread at the VMware community forums.

How to fix "the processor needs to have two or more cores to run Windows 11" issue in VMware Workstation Player

1. Open the folder where your virtual machine's files are located.

2. Look for the VMX file and open it with Notepad.

3. Use Ctrl + F to find out if the following flags exist.

numvcpus
cpuid.coresPerSocket

The first flag, which defines the number of virtual CPUs, should exist in all VMs. e.g.  numvcpus = "4". The other flag is used to set the number of cores per socket, you may refer to this support article to determine the number of cores you can assign based on how many vCPUs you have.

In my case, the 2nd option wasn't listed in the settings file, so VMware was using just 1 socket and 1 core. I wanted to use 4 cores, so I set the value like this, cpuid.coresPerSocket = "4".

4. Save the VMX file, and close it.

5. Boot your VM and when run the PC Health Check app. It should pass the test.

The Windows Insider Preview check should also allow you to participate in the program, and you can opt in to receive the Dev Channel builds. Without compatible hardware, i.e. before the fix, you can only get Release Preview builds. Here's a screenshot from my VM's Windows Update section, which shows that the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview build 22494.1000 is being downloaded.

If for some reason the Preview Program still displays the error, despite the PC Health Check app saying your system can run Windows 11, I recommend running the open-source tool, WhyNotWin11. It will give you a more detailed list of the compatibility results than Microsoft's utility. E.g. If you accidentally set the amount of virtual RAM or storage or CPUs to a lower number than the minimum requirements, the program will tell you what the issue is.

How to fix "the processor needs to have two or more cores to run Windows 11" issue in VMware Workstation Player

Google held an online Chrome Dev Summit last week, including an "Ask me anything" session in which the company was posed some awkward questions concerning its browser standards strategy.

"It's difficult for developers to meet growing expectations for privacy," said Barb Smith, global lead for Chrome and web platform partnerships, "when so many capabilities rely on third-party cookies and other cross-site tracking mechanisms that weren't designed with privacy in mind."

She went on to describe what she called "new privacy-preserving technologies," though top of the list of features was not privacy, but the ability to deliver "relevant ads and content."

Google argues that this is necessary to the business model of today's web, or what Smith called "a healthy, sustainable ecosystem." But privacy advocates are not convinced of this. Google's initiative is called Privacy Sandbox and includes technologies like FLOC, FLEDGE and first-party sets, which have proved contentious.

The Chrome Dev Summit, the keynote for which can be viewed here, did feel at times like a PR exercise, with Google's senior director for product, Ben Galbraith, emphasising efforts towards cross-browser compatibility with Compat 2021, while Smith presented Privacy Sandbox as being for the benefit of developers rather than being for Google itself as it endeavours to protect the interests of its advertising business.

It was to the company's credit that it chose to take the question posed by Clearleft's Jeremy Keith, well known in the web standards community and who was briefly on the advisory committee for AMP (Accelerated Mobile Pages), before resigning saying that "it has become clear to me that AMP remains a Google product." AMP has been in the news of late with a lawsuit alleging Google deliberately throttled ad load times to promote it, and Keith asked: "Given the court proceedings against AMP, why should anyone trust FLOC or any other Google initiatives ostensibly focused on privacy?"

"I can't comment on the AMP legal proceedings," said Galbraith. "FLOC is part of this broader initiative that we call the Privacy Sandbox… we're not asking for blind trust, instead we're working in the open which means we're sharing our ideas while they're in an early phase, we're sharing specific API proposals… running experiments in the open, and also working closely with industry regulators."

Galbraith added that Google will "continue to be very transparent both in terms of how the sandbox works and its resulting privacy properties, and we expect the effort will be judged on that basis."

Keith reflected later that "the question got a response. I wouldn't say it got an answer... The fundamental issue is that you've got a single company that's the market leader in web search, the market leader in web advertising, and the market leader in web browsers. I honestly believe all three would function better – and more honestly – if they were separate entities."

Google has retreated behind the notion that its proposals are all subject to change before; the problem is that it does not always seems to take seriously the reservations expressed by others such as the W3C Technical Architecture Group.

In a possibly unguarded moment, Google's Privacy Sandbox tech lead, Michael Kleber, previously said: "The W3C doesn't get to be the boss of anyone, the decisions are going to be made at each of the browsers."

The AMA continued to be more compelling than the rest of the Dev Summit. What is the future of AMP? "We will continue to support developers that choose to use it," said Galbraith, who also noted that the company's Web Vitals initiative was about achieving "fast perceived page load times and stable page layout regardless of the web framework that they choose to use, and to align Google search with those guidelines."

We get the impression AMP is fading, whether because of legal issues or other considerations.

Why does Adobe's new Photoshop for the web work only with Chrome and Edge, not Firefox? Ben Goodger, leading engineering, product and developer relations for Web Platform, said that it was "rare for APIs to emerge simultaneously in all browsers... With the Photoshop launch you can see what's possible when we build a more powerful web... We welcome cross-browser dialog on the shape of those APIs."

Is browser diversity important? Given the way that Google shows a recommendation to use Chrome every time its home page is visited by another browser one might think not, but software engineer Chris Harrelson said that "browser diversity is quite important because the web is an open, interoperable and universal platform, and browser diversity is part of what makes that stay the way it is."

Why does reviewing extensions for the Chrome Web App Store take so long? "Thank you for the feedback on that," said director of engineering Parisa Trabriz. "Even pretty complex extensions are reviewed and approved in a couple of business days." It is all about a high quality bar, she insisted.

"What is the future of the mobile web without real engine choice?" was another question, with Apple's iOS in mind, where Safari's WebKit is the only browser engine allowed. "How does the web stay competitive without Apple on board?"

Goodger made a nod to history in his reply. "You'll remember an era on the web where innovation slowed down and even stopped," he said. "What got us out of that funk was the ability for users to make choices about the experience that they want to have." Maybe it took a bit more than that, but Goodger expressed the belief that user choice would again win the day.

Harrelson lauded competition and said that "an important part of that is a diverse set of browsers across all platforms including iOS." These are intriguing non-answers: is Google planning a push to get Chrome onto iOS by appealing to the benefits of competition? Following that logic, some will argue that Google's near-monopoly in search should also be addressed.

The dilemma is that Google engineers, funded ultimately by web advertising, have made a substantial contribution to the rapid and impressive evolution of the web platform and in making Chromium and the V8 JavaScript engine among the most critical and successful open-source projects. That said, a company with 91 per cent market share in search and browser on non-Apple platforms is not best placed to talk up the benefits of competition. ®

Source

There have been a slew of bugs reported in Windows 11 over the last few weeks, but an unusual one discovered yesterday might be pushing laptop batteries past the 100% charging capacity.

PC Gamer reports that a Reddit user by the name of Zondax noticed that their laptop displayed the message "Battery status: fully charged 103%" when the cursor was hovering over the battery symbol, and then further increased to 104% a few hours later. 

Zondax, who was playing a game of Old School Runescape had the device on charge, as displayed by the image displayed on the original Reddit post, but it's unclear what brand of laptop is beings used. We have reached out for confirmation, and to establish if Windows 11 had been installed onto the device via official means.

User Zondax commented after the device hit 104% that " I kinda don't want to unplug it, I'm curious to see how far it will go..", but has not reported any further updates so we don't know if the charge limit has been exceeding any further, but given it shouldn't be possible to get beyond 100% in the first place, we shouldn't disregard the possibility.

Given that it's still early days for Microsoft's new operating system, bugs are expected which is why some folks are choosing to hold off on upgrading until concerns are addressed and fixed, even if they currently have a device that meets the lofty system requirements to support Windows 11.

A few battery related issues have also been reported, including users who can't get a laptop to charge to over 80% and another Reddit thread with multiple users reporting that the duration that their laptop can operate on battery power has tanked since upgrading, with some stating they'll be downgrading back to Windows 10 as a result.

Analysis: A matter of safety

We have no way of knowing if the battery on the device genuinely is exceeding it's charge limit or if the bug is instead simply displaying incorrect percentages, but if it's the former then this might not be a laughing matter.

Battery issues on devices can have disastrous consequences as we've previously seen with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, but as this is an isolated incident I don't think there's any need to panic just yet. For anyone who's concerned, you can easily downgrade back to Windows 10 if you installed it within a 10 day window and then upgrade again when you feel safe to do so.

Alternatively, ensure that you don't keep the laptop plugged in when it hits 100%, though this is understandably a lot more troublesome, especially if you're using a power-hungry gaming laptop to play demanding titles.

If you're encountering any other issues, make sure you check out our guide on how to fix common Windows 11 problems for more advice as many have a quick fix. 

Source

Also: Windows 11 is able to charge batteries beyond 100%, although not for real.

Slowly but surely, Microsoft Edge is beginning to establish a lead over veteran web browser Firefox, new data suggests.

According to the latest figures from StatCounter, Microsoft Edge now holds 3.99% of the market, up from 3.77% at the end of September. And since this time last year, the browser’s share has increased by roughly a third.

Mozilla’s web browser, meanwhile, has lost market share in eight of the last twelve months, and now accounts for just 3.66% of activity on the web.

Microsoft Edge overtook Firefox in the rankings for the first time back in May, albeit by a very fine margin. However, the latest surge has now put daylight between the pair.

Still a long way to climb for Edge

Since its (re-)launch in January 2020, the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge has been broadly well-received, courtesy of a series of upgrades that modernized the user experience.

The handsome adoption figures can be attributed in part to more focused marketing efforts, but also to the steady stream of improvements introduced since Edge Chromium went live.

In recent weeks, for example, Microsoft has rolled out new features for shoppers ahead of Black Friday and the holiday season, citation functionality for students and academics, and security features that shield against malware hosted on the web.

Another factor that has contributed to the growth of Edge is the retirement of both Internet Explorer and Edge Legacy, whose users Microsoft has been careful to funnel towards its new web browser.

However, with few gains left to tap into here, Microsoft will need to find a way to snatch users from the largest browsers on the market if Edge is to continue to grow. Recent signs suggest the company is doing just that, but slowly. There is still a long way to go before Microsoft Edge can be said to pose a genuine threat to Google Chrome (which dominates with 65% of the market) or Apple’s Safari (19%).

Source

So far, we have taken a look at Search, Widgets, the Start menu, Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, the Taskbar, quick settings and notifications, Virtual Desktops, power and battery settings, default apps configurations, File Explorer, context menus, Teams integration, the updated Clock app in Windows 11, the Microsoft Store, the Snipping Tool, the Paint app refresh, the lock screen, the revamped Photos app, the voice typing experience, the storage settings, the touch keyboard, the Calendar app integration, and the Calculator app. Today, we'll be discussing a very specific feature, namely the Settings app's UI in Windows 11.

For the purpose of this hands-on, we'll be taking a look at the generally available Windows 11 build versus a publicly available and up-to-date Windows 10 (version 21H1 build 19043.1320). Right off the bat, I would like to emphasize that we are not looking at the entire Settings app (in fact, we have discussed many sections of it already in individual Closer Look articles), but will only be focusing on some specific UI updates.

Starting off with the Settings app in Windows 10 first. On the landing page, you get some of your important information at the top, such as the account you're logged into, your OneDrive sync status, Windows Update, Microsoft Rewards points, and the option to use Microsoft-recommended browser settings. Then, there are also some more detailed configurations options below with their own sets of nested menus. There is also a handy search bar at the top of this section in case you don't exactly know where the setting you're looking for is situated. There are also subtle animations on hover and the item you currently have your cursor over is highlighted with a slight border as you can see on the "System" button in the screenshot above. I really like the simplicity of this UI.

Like I said, we won't be discussing all the individual settings in detail. Instead, we'll be focusing on the general UI. As an example, I have attached a screenshot of the System > Display section above to demonstrate the UI pattern. When you click on a section on the landing page, you'll be directed to a dedicated page showing you subsections in the left pane, the associated configurations at the right of it, and then some helpful tips at the right. You can click on any of the options on the left to navigate to a setting and there's also a search bar if you don't exactly know where you want to navigate to. My main complaint with this is that Microsoft wastes a lot of space across all its interfaces. Scrolling in pages is a common but cumbersome activity and there is lots of whitespace, which I personally consider to be wasted potential to reduce scrolling.

Coming over to Windows 11, it's really interesting to see that Microsoft has done away with the traditional landing page, kind of. What you see instead is the "System" page which launches by default with all the main settings shifted to the left pane. These sections also feature new colorful icons unlike the monochrome icons present in Windows 10. The System page launching as default also makes sense to me because it consists of what you would probably define as the "core" settings of an OS. There is still a separation at the top here which shows you your device's name, Windows Update, and OneDrive sync status. Microsoft Rewards have been removed from here and so has the ability to set Microsoft-recommended browser settings. This was a pleasant yet surprising change for me considering the anti-competitive practices Microsoft has been engaging in when it comes to default apps. Your profile information has been moved to the pane on the left.

I highly prefer this organization of the Settings app in Windows 11 due to how clean it looks as well as the consistency benefits that I'll talk about later.

For the sake of comparison with the second screenshot from Windows 10, I have navigated to and attached a screenshot of System > Display in Windows 11. You'll immediately notice that the pane on the left is retained as-is, which I think is nice in terms of consistency as it translates across the entire app. Meanwhile, all the configurations themselves have been moved to the center of the screen, which means that you'll find an abundance of nested menus since this information was previously present on the left pane in Window 10. All the tips and feedback buttons have been moved to the bottom of the page. This makes sense to me as it seems more consistent to me and space is better utilized. Other minor changes to the UI also means that there is not a lot of whitespace and I have to scroll less. That said, I'm not sure if this is something that I just personally like or whether the feedback is universal across Windows 11 users.

Another thing I would like to highlight is the presence of breadcrumbs at the top. An example can be seen above where I navigated to System > Display > Graphics. A really, really good move that Microsoft initiated in the Settings app for Windows 11 is to show this path at the top of the page. What this means is that I can easily jump between menus without having to press the "back" button, regardless of how deep I am in the configurations, in terms of nesting. This change has really improved my productivity and flow overall since I use the Settings app quite frequently for one reason or the other.

Overall, I think that Microsoft has done a really good job with the Settings app revamp in Windows 11. It's not perfect as you will come across some inconsistencies and wastage of space in specific sections, but I definitely think that the company is on the right track. I love the colorful icons and the presence of breadcrumbs as they have increased the speed at which I can quickly navigate through different menus. Moving all the settings and profile information to the left and keeping it consistent across all Settings pages regardless of what page you're on also ensures that you can quickly jump through all kinds of settings without having to navigate to the landing page (which is absent in Windows 11) every time. I'm eager to see how Microsoft further evolves this down the line via updates.

Closer Look: Settings app UI in Windows 11

While Windows 11 has a number of great new features, such as the ability to run Android apps, it also features a significant change in the look and feel of the operating system, particularly with the new Start menu, and you may not feel invested enough in Microsoft’s new OS to make the effort to relearn your work patterns.

Microsoft will soon start pushing out the OS update to Windows 10 users who’s PC meet Microsoft’s hardware requirements, and the company is also well know for using dark patterns into tricking users into upgrading.

If you want to make sure you don’t wake up one day with Windows 11 installed on your PC, there is an easy way to block the update from being offered to your PC.

Microsoft introduced a new TargetReleaseVersion specification in Windows 10 1803, which allows you to set which version of Windows 10 you would like your OS to upgrade to or remain at.

To prevent the new OS from being offered to you, you simply need to do a bit of registry editing.

1. to press windows + R., type regedit and press log into
2. Navigate to Computer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Policies Microsoft Windows Windows Update
3. Create a new DWORD (32-bit) value called TargetReleaseVersion and assign it a value of 1
4. Create another DWORD (32-bit) value called TargetReleaseVersionInfo and assign it a value of 21H1

If you have Windows 10 Pro, you can do the same via the Group Policy Editor.

Simply go to Local computer policy > Computer configuration > Administrative models > Windows components > Windows update > Windows Update for Business and double click Select the target feature upgrade version. Enter 21H1 and hit ok before restarting your computer.

This registry option will still automatically update your PC to the latest version of the OS which Microsoft offers 60 days after your version goes out of service, but that is still likely to be several years away, by which time Microsoft will probably have fixed all Windows 11’s deficiencies.

All registry edits are of course at your own risk.

via news-block

Don’t want to accidentally update to Windows 11? Here’s how to block it

From time to time Microsoft pushed out Cumulative Update KB4023057 to help improve Windows Update reliability. So far this has been for Windows 10, but now Microsoft has released the update for the first time for Windows 11.

The software is a housecleaning patch of sorts which Microsoft has pushing put previously in anticipation of the roll-out of a bigger update in the near future, and it does some work to make it more likely the bigger service update will roll out more smoothly.

The patch performs the following actions:

• This update may request your device to stay awake longer to enable the installation of updates.

• This update may try to reset network settings if problems are detected, and it will clean up registry keys that may be preventing updates from being installed successfully.
• This update may repair disabled or corrupted Windows operating system components that determine the applicability of updates to your version of Windows 10.
• This update may compress files in your user profile directory to help free up enough disk space to install important updates.
• This update may reset the Windows Update database to repair the problems that could prevent updates from installing successfully. Therefore, you may see that your Windows Update history was cleared.

It is not clear what larger update KB4023057 is preparing for, but Microsoft’s telemetry may have detected issues with the installation of monthly updates for their new operating system.

KB4023057 is a mandatory update with no known issues and is being rolled out gradually to all supported Windows 11 users.

via Gadgettendency

Microsoft releases Cumulative Update KB4023057 to Windows 11 to improve Windows Update reliability

Macrium Reflect 8 Free is compatible with all versions and editions of Windows, starting with Windows Vista 64-bit on the client side and Windows Server 2008 64-bit on the server side.

Existing installations may be upgraded to the new version of Macrium Reflect 8 Free. Previously created images, backup definitions and settings are compatible with Macrium Reflect 8 according to the developer.

Downloads are provided on the developer site, but an email address is required before the download becomes available. A better option is to download the installer from a site like Softonic, as it requires no handing out of one of your email addresses.

Note: Macrium Reflect 7 Free will be supported until March 2022. The software will continue to work after support ends but new updates won't be released anymore for it.

Here are the main new features of Macrium Reflect Free 8:

• Restore has been renamed to Existing Backups. New functionality, such as the ability to sort files or view them in context of the backup set, have been added. Backed up files can be viewed in tree or flat list view in the new interface. Backup logs can also be viewed directly now for particular backup files (by right-clicking on the file and selecting View Backup Logs). The folder that contains the backup can also be opened directly now using the context menu.
• Backup file name functionality improvements. New dynamic file names for backups are available. All it takes is to type { at the end of the file name edit field, or press the {-button to display the options. The variables support adding the name of the PC or username, domain, date, or technical backup information, such as the compression method or use of AES.
• Support for the cloning and imaging of removable media.
• Support for the exFAT file system.
• Support for creating WinPE11 rescue media on Windows 11 devices.
• German, Japanese, French and Russian localized versions are now available. Select Other Tasks > Edit Defaults and Settings > Advanced Settings > Language to switch to a different display language in the backup application.

You can check out the official announcement on the Macrium Reflect blog. It has links to support articles and contains other information that you may find useful.

Macrium Reflect 8 Free is now available

OneDrive Desktop Application Termination Schedule

Microsoft plans to stop updates for the OneDrive desktop application for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 on January 1, 2022.

Starting March 1, 2022, OneDrive clients installed on devices powered by these operating systems will stop syncing data.

The change applies to personal or home use versions of OneDrive and Windows only.

Support for the OneDrive desktop application for business will be aligned with the Windows support lifecycle starting January 1, 2022.

In other words: OneDrive's desktop program for business continues to be supported until January 10, 2023, as this is the date when Windows 7 ESU and Windows 8.1 will run out of extended support.

Why is Microsoft making the change?

Microsoft provides the following statement

In order to focus resources on new technologies and operating systems, and to provide users with the most up-to-date and secure experience [..]

The company recommends that customers upgrade their PCs to Windows 10 or Windows 11, if they want to continue using OneDrive's desktop application. The upgrade from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10 is still free, and if the system is compatible with Windows 11, it can also be upgraded to Windows 11 for free.

The Home editions of Windows 7 are no longer supported, and support for programs on unsupported operating systems has to end sometimes. What is hard to understand is Microsoft's decision to stop support for OneDrive on Windows 8.1 early. All editions of Windows 8.1 are supported until January 2023. Terminating support early for OneDrive, arguably a crucial service for many Windows customers, may be seen as disrespectful. Would it have been that difficult or expensive to end support for all versions on January 10, 2023?

OneDrive users who are affected by the change need to make sure that files are synced with OneDrive before the applications are terminated. It may be a good idea to start looking for OneDrive alternatives. Google Drive, Dropbox, and many others continue to support Windows 7 and 8.1 for the time being.

OneDrive's desktop app won't be supported anymore on Windows 7 and 8.1 in early 2022

While no big additions for staging in Linux 5.16, there are multiple clean-ups to different staging components that yielded a lot of code removed. In fact, over 20k lines of code were removed from the staging area for Linux 5.16.

The Realtek r8188eu has seen a lot of code removed and other code cleansed as well as seeing clean-ups to wlan-ng, fbtft, the MOST subsystem drivers, various rtl8* drivers, the rts5208 driver, vt6655, vc04_services, WFX, and mt7621 drivers.

The WFX code is cleaned up almost to the point that it will be promoted out of staging soon. The WFX code is for the Silicon Laboratories WiFi Linux driver. The WFX driver was introduced back in Linux 5.5 after being an out-of-tree kernel module.

The full list of changes (mostly cleaning up of existing code) for staging in Linux 5.16 can be found via this pull.

Source

Prior to the update, this is what it looks like:

I am sure our readers will agree it is a night and day change, which currently appears Windows 10 specific.

The change appears to be rolling out slowly, so most devices do not currently support the improvement, but hopefully, the small but significant improvement will arrive shortly to all.

via WindowsLatest

Microsoft makes a small but important change to Windows 10 Search

Changelog

PowerPoint

Accessibility ribbon: Accessibility made easy

Making your presentation accessible to people with disabilities requires knowledge, compassion, and special tools. The new Accessibility ribbon in PowerPoint helps you accomplish this by bringing all the tools you need together in one place. To open the Accessibility ribbon, click Check Accessibility on the Review tab.

Notable fix

• We fixed an issue where a Save As operation with AutoSave off saved the changes to the original cloud file rather than creating a new version.

Excel

Notable fixes

• We fixed an issue where the original icon of the app was not displaying correctly if the source file was from a OneDrive location and the file name contained HTML encoding characters when adding an Excel, Word, or PowerPoint embedded object into an Excel file.
• We fixed an issue where apply name for defined name wasn’t working for dynamic array.
• We fixed an issue where the text in an Excel cell couldn’t be seen in live preview under certain conditions.
• We fixed an issue where switching sheets could cause the sheet tabs to not display properly.
• We fixed a visual glitch when clicking and dragging to select a range of cells.

Outlook

Notable fixes

• We fixed an issue where the calendar experienced problems when doing a full sync.
• We fixed an issue where saving Outlook messages to a SharePoint document library would generate an error, due to an Internet connectivity test.
• We fixed an LDAP Address Book search error generated when there were two LDAP Address Books from different domains.

Word

Notable fixes

• We fixed an issue where writing a comment that mixes language directions (like English and Hebrew) resulted in the word order appearing incorrectly.
• We fixed an issue with large URLs where a link could not be opened if its length exceeded a specific character limit.
• We fixed an issue of a persisting zoom level when relaunching and opening documents saved at different zoom levels.
• We fixed an issue related to page width when closing the comments pane with page width zoom selected.
• We fixed an issue where anchor highlights weren’t removed from a modern comment when the cursor moved off of it.
• We fixed an issue where Word became unresponsive when selecting and right-clicking a content control locked against deletion.

Project

Notable fix

• We fixed an issue where paste links weren’t updating as information in the project changed.

Office Suite

Notable fix

• We fixed an issue where Excel was unable to open a workbook saved from a workbook opened with Application Guard.

To update to the latest Microsoft Office Insider Preview Build, open any Office program and go to File> Account> Update Options> Update Now.

New Windows Office Insider Preview Build(Beta Channel) brings a new accessibility feature for PowerPoint

This update includes the following improvements:

We fixed a known issue that might prevent some users from opening or using certain built-in Windows apps or parts of some built-in apps. This issue occurs because of a Microsoft digital certificate that expired October 31, 2021. This issue might affect the following applications:

 

• Snipping Tool
• Touch Keyboard, Voice Typing, and Emoji Panel
• Input Method Editor user interface (IME UI)
• Getting started and Tips
• We fixed a known issue that prevents the Start menu and Settings app from opening as expected (S-mode only).

Microsoft further notes that after installing KB5008295 the build number is not bumped up or revised, in order to confirm the update installed successfully you can check Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

As this KB5008295 is only available to Windows Insiders, those that are on the non-Insider version of Windows 11 will have to use this workaround to be able to open some of the apps until next week's Patch Tuesday drops for consumers.

Update: You can also download these updates for your system below and install them optionally:

• For Windows 11 x64
• For Windows 11 Arm64

Update #2: Microsoft has seen the light and decided to release this to all editions of Windows 11, for those on the general consumer release KB5008295 will appear in Windows Update and install automatically. You will need to restart your system once this update has been installed.

You can view the announcement here and view the official support page for KB5008295 here.

Thanks for the tip Abhay V.

 KB5008295 released to all Windows 11 editions to fix apps not opening [Update]

Microsoft is testing new ecommerce-related features for its Edge web browser that could help streamline the shopping experience ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Available to members of the early-access Dev Channel, the latest Microsoft Edge build delivers a number of improvements, one of which combines autofill functionality with password generation to help users create new website accounts with a single click. 

According to a Microsoft blog post, the firm is also trialling a similar feature that lets users apply coupon codes and checkout with one click, using personal and payment data stored on-browser.

And finally, the Edge settings page now allows users to update account passwords with greater ease, by linking directly to a website’s password update page and automatically generating a new passcode.

All of these features should combine to make signing up for, logging into and checking out of retail websites quicker and easier. The only caveat is that there’s no guarantee the new additions will make their way to a public Edge build in time for the shopping season, which begins in earnest in a few weeks’ time.

Microsoft Edge shopping features

Although it’s unclear whether non-early-access users will have access to the new Edge shopping functionality for Black Friday, the latest upgrade is the latest in a line of improvements built with shoppers in mind.

Earlier this year, for example, Microsoft rolled out a coupon feature for Edge, which highlights any active discount codes for the current website via an icon in the URL bar.

Microsoft also recently formed a partnership with ecommerce company Shopify, which will see millions more listings added to the database that serves the Edge shopping tab.

In a blog post published at the time, the company explained the Edge shopping tab will now offer “more diverse products, better prices, and improved discovery of deals”. On the other side of the equation, meanwhile, the 1.7 million Shopify sellers will benefit from greater visibility for their products.

And it appears Microsoft doesn’t intend to stop here; in the same post, the company hinted at future Edge upgrades in a similar vein.

“This new integration of Shopify in Microsoft’s web experiences is just the beginning of some great new shopping enhancements we will be rolling out to provide thoughtful, convenient, and more secure experiences for shoppers,” wrote Microsoft.

“We are excited to create new and meaningful connections between shops and shoppers for this season and beyond.”

Source

When Microsoft announced Android apps on Windows 11 back in June, many expected this headlining feature to be included in the general release version of the OS. However, this was not the case when Windows 11 started rolling out in October. While this was disappointing for many, Microsoft did start testing Android apps on Windows 11 in the Beta Channel a couple of weeks ago.

Now, Microsoft has announced that the capability is available in the Dev Channel in the U.S. too. The move is interesting because Dev Channel builds are not tied to the general release of a specific version of Windows. This means that Microsoft may decide to test new features in this channel and leave Beta as-is until it gets closer to shipping those features.

While Windows 11 users on the Dev Channel are free to test out Android apps on their supported machines, the usual caveats apply. This is the still a U.S.-only experience with some bugs that you might want to know about. Additionally, there are only a handful of Android apps available in the Amazon Appstore to install as of now. That said, if you still want to give it a try, be sure to check out handy guide on the topic here.

You can now install Android apps on Windows 11 Dev Channel

Microsoft today explained the new “Citations” feature in Microsoft Edge browser which is available in Preview for Canary and Dev channel users. The new feature in Edge provides students and researchers a better way to manage and generate citations as they research online. After enabling Citations feature, Edge can automatically generate citations to include in their final report.

Citing sources for research is a common pain point for students; managing a multitude of research references and sources is no easy task, let alone translating them to proper citation formats like APA, MLA, and Chicago. When left as an afterthought, it can be harder to backtrack and find sources, or to format citations correctly.

Microsoft also highlighted that automatic extraction and creation of citations is supported for a fixed number of academic websites and research journals for now. For sites that are not supported, users can also manually add the required info to generate citations.

Here’s how you can enable Citations in Edge:

• Open Collections and select “Turn on citations” from the 3-dot menu.
• Once turned on, you can view citations by clicking on the quote mark icon on the articles within your collection.
• The quotation mark icon opens the citation pane where you can copy and/or edit the article’s citation in the format you previously selected.
• “Citations” in Microsoft Edge supports both in-text and full citations.

Source: Microsoft

Microsoft explains the new “Citations” feature in Microsoft Edge

The full changelog reads:

• Microsoft fixed a known issue that might prevent some users from opening or using certain built-in Windows apps or parts of some built-in apps. This issue occurs because of a Microsoft digital certificate that expired October 31, 2021. This issue might affect the following applications:
  • Snipping Tool
  • Touch Keyboard, Voice Typing, and Emoji Panel
  • Input Method Editor user interface (IME UI)
  • Getting started and Tips
• Microsoft fixed a known issue that prevents the Start menu and Settings app from opening as expected (S-mode only).

Please note: After installing KB5008295, the build number will not be revised or show as updated in “winver” or other areas in the OS. To confirm this update is installed, please check Settings > Windows Update > Update history.

Microsoft release Windows 11 KB5008295 to Beta and Release Preview Channels to fix Snipping app issue, more

Files tabbed file manager for Windows 11 can now be set as your default File Manager

Windows 11 started rolling out a month ago but since it's being distributed in a staggered manner, not everyone has received it yet. While there are ways to jump the queue, it's advisable to first find out what you're getting yourself into. This is exactly what we've been doing in our ongoing Closer Look series where we discuss individual features of Windows 11 in more detail.

So far, we have taken a look at Search, Widgets, the Start menu, Snap Layouts and Snap Groups, the Taskbar, quick settings and notifications, Virtual Desktops, power and battery settings, default apps configurations, File Explorer, context menus, Teams integration, the updated Clock app in Windows 11, the Microsoft Store, the Snipping Tool, the Paint app refresh, the lock screen, the revamped Photos app, the voice typing experience, the storage settings, the touch keyboard, and the Calendar app integration. Today, we'll be discussing the updated Calculator app in Windows 11.

For the purpose of this hands-on, we'll be taking a look at the generally available Windows 11 build versus a publicly available and up-to-date Windows 10 (version 21H1 build 19043.1320). Once again, the updates are related to the UI rather than a full revamp so instead of first discussing Windows 10 and then Windows 11, we'll just discuss the differences present in the latter.

When you open the Calculator app in Windows 11, you'll immediately notice that it's a bit different. Each button of the app now has more pronounced borders and has rounded corners to match the design theme of the OS. While it offers a clear differentiation between the edges of the buttons, I'm not a fan of the look because now it looks like a traditional calculator rather than the modern and slick one that I am used to in Windows 10. That said, this is a completely personal complaint and not everyone may feel the same way.

There is also a new Settings option that now allows you to select app themes between Light, Dark, and Use system setting. Thankfully, you are no longer forced to respect the system setting. If, for whatever reason, you use the dark theme across your system but want to use the light theme for the Calculator, you can now do so. I always appreciate more options for the consumer so this change is quite welcome.

That said, I have complaints against both the light and the dark themes. Starting with the former, Microsoft has decided for some reason that it will reduce the "darkness" of the button that you are hovering your cursor over. Simply stated, it's now more difficult to tell which Calculator button is being highlighted. In the image above, can you immediately tell which button my cursor is currently on? I can't (it's actually on "4", for those curious). It's possible that it's easy to tell on a better display but I'm on an HP laptop with an SDR display. It's not the best, but it's not the worst either. On my machine, it's almost impossible to know which button my cursor is currently over. This can be a complaint against the device vendor too, but then again, this is a configuration that is compliant with Windows 11 so maybe this is something that Microsoft should cater to as well. Not everyone will be using its new OS on the latest and greatest machine.

For reference, here's my cursor (screenshot above) hovering over the same button in Windows 10. See how much easier this is to locate?

Unfortunately, this accessibility problem extends to the dark theme of the Calculator too, but in a different way. Here, when you hover your cursor over a button, it inherits the color of the arithmetic symbols present on the UI as well. Looking at my screenshot above, you'll see that the "9" has the same color as all the symbols next to it. Again, this doesn't hamper usability in a major way but does go to show how little thought was given to the UI as a whole.

And again, here's my cursor (screenshot above) hovering over the same button in dark mode in Windows 10. The accessibility benefit in Windows 10 compared to Windows 11 is astounding.

Apart from this, the app is the same functionality-wise. You'll notice minor changes here and there such as a new animation for the hamburger menu and new icons for different types of calculations, but it's nothing groundbreaking.

Overall, I really like the fact that the Calculator theme has been decoupled from the system theme. Honestly, this is something that should have been there from day one, but better late than never. That said, the quirks related to button behavior on both the light and dark themes need to be sorted out. It's not a deal-breaker, but it's a bad look for a company that's building an OS that is going to be used by millions.

Closer Look: Calculator app in Windows 11

Microsoft detailed the issue in the following Windows 11 known issues and notifications page:

Starting on November 1, 2021, some users might be unable to open or use certain built-in Windows apps or parts of some built-in apps. This is caused by an issue with a Microsoft digital certificate, which expired October 31, 2021.

The following applications might be affected:

• Snipping Tool

• Accounts page and landing page in the Settings app (S mode only)

• Touch Keyboard, Voice Typing, and Emoji Panel

• Input Method Editor user interface (IME UI)

• Getting started and Tips

Workaround: To mitigate the issue with Snipping Tool, use the Print Screen key on your keyboard and paste the screenshot into your document. You can also paste it into Paint to select and copy the section you want.

To mitigate the following issues, install KB5006746 released October 21, 2021. For instructions on how to do this, please see Update Windows:

• Touch Keyboard, Voice Typing and Emoji Panel

• Input Method Editor user interface (IME UI)

• Getting started and Tips

Next steps: We are working on a resolution for Snipping tool and the S mode only issues and will provide an update when more information is available.

You can view the release notes here, but you should be able to grab the download from Optional updates on Windows 11 21H2, otherwise you can find the download in the Microsoft Catalog here. Microsoft also notes that it will provide an update for the apps that are not fixed by the KB5006746 update, those fixes will most likely arrive with next week's Patch Tuesday.

Microsoft provides workaround for expired Windows 11 certificate blocking apps from opening

Windows 10 21H1 will be offered to all devices not configured to defer feature updates or affected by compatibility holds.

"Windows 10, version 21H1 is designated for broad deployment," the company says in a Windows Health dashboard status update.

"As always, we recommend that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10 as soon as possible to ensure that you can take advantage of the latest features and advanced protections from the latest security threats."

Microsoft officially started rolling out Windows 10 21H1 in May 2020, but it hasn't been offered to all those checking for updates via Windows Update until now.

This is due to Windows Feature Updates entering targeted deployment right after release to test the quality of the build on targeted machines, including those with modern chipsets.

After Microsoft determines that a version is ready for deployment on most Windows 10 devices, they move it to "broad deployment," the next deployment phase.

Windows 10 21H1 is rolling out as an enablement package for Windows 10 2004 and Windows 10 20H2, allowing systems running these Windows versions to update very quickly and with a single restart, just like they would install a monthly update.

Since all 21H1 features are included in Windows 10 2004/20H2, the enablement package will act as a "master switch," enabling the dormant OS features.

On devices running older versions of Windows 10, you will need to install the full update, which will take longer.

You can also use the Windows 10 Media Creation tool to upgrade or create an ISO for a clean install of Windows 10 21H1.

Window 11 available for compatible devices

Microsoft also announced that it's rolling out the Windows 11 upgrade to "an expanded set of eligible devices" as part of a phased rollout designed to deliver a smoother upgrade experience.

Microsoft released Windows 11 on October 5 for systems with compatible hardware that also run Windows 10 2004 and later and have installed at least the September 2021 updates.

"If you are using Windows 10, you can determine if your device is eligible for the upgrade using the PC Health Check app or checking Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements," Microsoft says.

"If you have an eligible device, open Windows Update Settings and select Check for updates. Once the upgrade is ready for your device, you will see the option to download and install."

According to previously available info, Redmond estimates that the Windows 11 upgrade will be offered to all eligible Windows 10 devices by mid-2022. 

Windows 10 21H1 now in broad deployment, available to everyone

The changes include:

Home page updates include:

• Recommended actions to help you quickly take action – you can jump into your upcoming meeting, add a To-Do task or reply to recent comments in documents. Easily collaborate on content by Sharing via Teams or booking time to review content with co-workers.
• Quick access – a section to help you quickly get to the content you care about. You can view this as either a list or cards for a more visual layout. You can easily filter this content by recently opened content, content you shared with others and even your favorite content. But if you want an even more specific filter, you can add a custom content filter based on things like type of content and person who shared it – enabling you to easily get back to the content you are looking for.

My Content updates include:

• Here you can view all your content and again view it by recently opened, shared, and favourites.
• Use the powerful filters to quickly find the right content. You can filter by type of document, activity and time. The activity filter even contains specific filters like document you are @mentioned in.
• Ability to browse by People and Meetings. When you click on People you can view an easy to digest card view of people and documents they have shared. When you click on Meetings, you can find all meeting content like recordings, meeting notes, and attached documents from your previous meetings.
• Ability to view content based on where it lives like OneDrive and SharePoint
• In addition to the Recommended Actions on the home page, you can also find content actions in line on any of the content lists within Office.com by clicking the triple dot menu. With this new release, Microsoft added a few new actions, including Convert to PDF, Share to Teams, Add to Calendar, and Add to To Do.

Create updates include:

• Ability to create new content using dozens of tools across M365, from surveys and brainstorming sessions to reporting dashboards, project plans and more.
• Start something new from your company’s branded content with easy access to your companies templates in one place.
• Recommended templates across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to help you get started creating impactful content

Microsoft will roll out the changes as a Targeted release in November and to Standard customers beginning in early January and completing by the end of February.

Here are the changes coming to Office.com and the Office app for Windows

The concept rides the recent "metaverse" hype, but it's only a precursor.

With Mesh for Teams, Microsoft plans to bring 3D workspaces to remote workers in 2022

"Since Microsoft first announced Windows 11, we have been working to optimize Start11 for the new operating system" said Brad Wardell, Stardock CEO. "We make it easy for users to customize nearly every detail of their PC experience, including being able to choose from several new Start menu layouts and repositioning the taskbar, among many other things."

Start11 is designed for Windows 11 and Windows 10 and comes loaded with features intended to make Windows more personal and productive. It supports moving the Start button to the middle or to the left, adjusting the taskbar size, re-ordering quick access shortcut lists, options for grid spacing, enhanced classic and modern search experiences, restoring the taskbar context menu, and more. Start11 also fully integrates with Stardock's Fences app.

For users who want to personalize their Start menu, Start11 offers robust customization options ranging from aesthetic to functional. The software enables enhanced Windows 10 and Windows 11 style Start menus, a compact Windows 7 design, optional Windows 11 style for classic menus, and additional settings that allow you to configure a personalized Start menu.

The new UI has been designed to support additional Start menu enhancements, extending support to a host of new Start menu ideas like pages, minimalism, and features for enterprise customers. While Start11 does restore previous versions of the Start menu like Start8 and Start10, it now provides robust options to create a truly personalized experience.

Change log:

• Center the start menu on Windows 10 – you can now replicate the Windows 11 menu and centering experience on Windows 10
  • Meaning, for anyone who wants their PC to look like Windows 11 but not give up the functionality of Windows 10 – this is a great solution
• You can pin files, folders, and drives directly to the start menu for faster navigation
• Ability to hide the search bar in Windows 11 style menu
• Enable full-screen Start Menu for Windows 10 and 11 styles.
• Ability to change individual tile colors on Windows 10 style menu.
• And we are working on new taskbar items for a future release too.

Start11 is currently available for $5.99. There is an upgrade option for users of Start8 and Start10, it is also included with Object Desktop. For more information, visit www.stardock.com.

Object Desktop includes programs such as Fences, Start10, Groupy, SoundPackager, DeskScapes, and Multiplicity.

Start11 v1.0 adds Windows 11 style taskbar and Start menu to Windows 10

Microsoft also packed 6 themes in the operating system, including some really cool dark themes.

Where are the desktop wallpapers located in Windows 11?

The folder is sort of hidden, it is not located in the Pictures folder like common sense would have you believe. Instead, you can find the Windows 11 wallpapers in the following directory: C:\Windows\Web\

Tip: Windows 10 users can find the wallpapers in the same folder, read about it here.

There are four sub-folders in this directory, and every one of these contains a few pictures in various sizes and resolutions. The primary wallpaper, which is called Bloom (it was inspired by flowers), and its dark mode variant are placed in the following folder: C:\Windows\Web\4K\Wallpaper\Windows

You can read about the Bloom design on Microsoft's blog.

The Touch Keyboard directory is home to even more colorful abstract backdrops. The C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper is sort of a mixed bag and contains several images, some of which are Nature-themed ones, if that tickles your fancy. There are a couple of image sets with different colored versions of the same wallpaper, you can set the operating system to switch between them by enabling the slideshow option. But I should warn you, toggling the setting can have an adverse result in that it can cause screen flickering issues.

Tip: If you have a laptop or an OEM desktop that included Windows 10 or 11, the manufacturer's default wallpaper can be found in the C:\Windows\Web\Wallpaper directory.

What is the big deal about the Windows 11 wallpapers folder? Why is this important?

Windows 11 only lists the 5 recent backgrounds that you used in the Settings > Personalization screen. So, if you changed wallpapers several times, the Settings app will not display the default backgrounds of the operating system. You will need to browse for them manually, and the folder is not exactly easy to find if you didn't already know about it. That being said, there is a simple way to restore the default backgrounds. All you have to do is to change the theme, and you will get its corresponding image set as your desktop background.

As I mentioned earlier, Windows 11 comes with 6 themes, each of which has its own wallpaper. But keep in mind that there are more backdrops available in the wallpapers folders, so you actually get some extra customization options. By manually changing the wallpaper, you can mix and match the images (including the hidden ones), with the built-in themes of your choice, to keep things fresh.

If you don't have Windows 11 on your computer but want the wallpapers from it, head over to our previous coverage to download them. Do you like Bing Wallpapers? You can have your desktop wallpaper refreshed everyday with the official Bing Wallpapers app from Microsoft, or the third-party program, Bingsnap. If you have an Android phone, you can use a combination of the Muzei Live Wallpaper app, and the Bing Image of the Day add-on, to get a new home screen image everyday.

Where are the desktop wallpapers located in Windows 11?