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Advanced Paste with Local AI is on the way to PowerToys, though we don't know what it is yet.

We are about 18 months away from the end of mainstream Windows 10 support, but Microsoft thinks it is time to start nagging warning Windows 10 users about the inevitable. Users on Reddit report spotting a new full-screen ad with a notification that Windows 10 is about to reach its end of life in October 2025, even though it is still getting new features (there are even rumors about Microsoft re-opening the Windows Insider Program for Windows 10).

One of the biggest gripes about Windows 11 that users have had is the stringent system requirements Microsoft introduced. The company reasoned that it had to do with improving the OS security, though, this does not mean that your system is entirely safe as even the firmware maker's logo can pose a threat, and the mandatory requirements like Secure Boot are of no use.

Stardock is rolling out a new update for Start11 v2. Version 2.07 is now available for download with a few important changes and fixes for the bugs reported by users. To get the latest version, open the configuration panel, click About, and press the Check for updates button.

You've seen ads in the top half of the Windows 11 Start menu, but now the company is testing them in the bottom half of the menu.

Beeper combines up to 14 chat services via a secure, decentralized network on Windows, Linux, and mobile devices.

The problem is reportedly especially problematic on games that were created in Unreal Engine.

Intel's 13th and 14th Gen Core i9 CPUs are reportedly causing problems when it comes to PC gaming.

If you have a Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer with a network card from Intel, you can download a new Wi-Fi driver under version 23.40.0. The latest release delivers fixes for blue screens of death, yellow exclamation marks in Windows Device Manager, and more.

The Windows 11 "Moment 5" Update, Microsoft's latest feature drop for its operating system, is now available for all users. Microsoft started updating all supported systems as part of the April 2024 Patch Tuesday updates, which were released today, April 9.

Microsoft has released Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11 23H2, 22H2, and 21H2. The 23H2 and 22H2 versions' update is delivered via KB5036893 while the 21H2 update is KB5036894. You will be on build versions 22621.3447, 22631.3447, and 22000.2899 respectively after applying the update.

It's the second Tuesday of the month, which means it's Patch Tuesday time again. As such, today Microsoft is rolling out the monthly security update (also called "B release") for April 2024 on Windows Server 20H2, and Windows 10 for the latest supported versions, 20H2, 21H2, and 22H2.

2024 is a big year for Microsoft and Windows 11. In the coming months, Microsoft and its partners will launch the first wave of the next-generation Windows on ARM PCs. The company will lead the way with its Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, which are expected at a special Surface event next month.

The Notepad++ project is seeking the public's help in taking down a copycat website that closely impersonates Notepad++ but is not affiliated with the project.

Every week we take a close look at the most pirated movies on torrent sites. What are pirates downloading? 'Dune: Part Two' tops the chart, followed by 'Road House'. ‘'Dune: Part One' completes the top three.
 
The data for our weekly download chart is estimated by TorrentFreak, and is for informational and educational reference only.
 
Downloading content without permission is copyright infringement. These torrent download statistics are only meant to provide further insight into piracy trends. All data are gathered from public resources.

The Windows 11 system requirements have always been a bone of contention among enthusiasts and users alike as Microsoft deemed relatively new processors (at that time), like Intel's 7th gen (Kaby Lake) and AMD's first-gen Ryzen (1000 series), as incompatible. These were fairly capable CPUs and would have easily been able to run Windows 11. However, these chips, and anything older, did not possess certain security features that the Redmond giant felt were crucial in order to run its latest OS.

Microsoft releases Patch Tuesday updates for Windows every second Tuesday. These updates introduce security fixes, and sometimes they can be buggy too. Although we are not sure if this is a bug or an intended change, in the last two updates, for February and March, Microsoft has seemingly started blocking default app switches through the system registry.

Microsoft is now using a Windows driver to prevent users from changing the Windows 10 and Windows 11 default browser through software or by manually modifying the Registry.

Windows 11 version 24H2, which is coming later this year and is currently available in the Windows Insider program, is a big system update, unlike version 23H2. Naturally, Microsoft wants to ensure the operating system works well on supported hardware and does not cause trouble for customers. For this reason, Microsoft will block devices with incompatible software, hardware, or drivers from getting to the new version.

The prospect of AI ending humanity was only one big news story from this week.
From Elon Musk predicting AI will destroy humanity to Microsoft unveiling how much it will cost to get Windows 10 security updates, it's been an eventful week for news. Our team also exclusively reported on major Xbox news that could shape the future of gaming at Microsoft.

In this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we look at leaked Windows 11 LTSC builds, version 24H2 RTM builds, fights between Microsoft and Windows 11 UI customization apps, more management shifts in Microsoft, app updates, Microsoft turning 49, and more.

The first Windows 11 LTSC image has just leaked on the internet. Someone published images of the upcoming release with build number 26100.1, allowing everyone daring to try the operating system ahead of its official announcement and rollout.

Even though Microsoft has already fixed some Start menu-related issues in Windows 11, many users are still not happy with what the OS offers in its stock form. Some decided to just deal with it, while others sought help from third-party apps like StartAllBack. Microsoft, apparently, is not happy with that: the company started blocking the program and preventing users from upgrading Windows 11 builds with StartAllBack installed.

A three-minute video summarizes some of the biggest complaints many have about Microsoft.

With the previous build, 26090, Microsoft said it would temporarily drop the watermark. Now with the latest build released today, 26100, the company has said the same thing. It has also confirmed that users are still stuck on previous builds 26040 and 23620.

By Susan Bradley
In honor of spring (and the recent weather in my home state of California), let’s avoid my usual term. Updates are being “sprinkled” this month, not “dribbled.”
 
It’s just terminology, though. Either way, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2. Defer updates for both Windows 10 and 11.