A new research shows that Microsoft has updated the sound quality of the Windows 11 startup sound. While they didn't change the melody, the bitrate has been reduced by a half.
Author: Sergey Tkachenko
Xbox insiders can now use Discord voice chats
Today, a significant change has landed in the Xbox Insider program. Microsoft has made available Discord voice chats to a select group of users, so they can use them from their game console. This update makes it easier to communicate with friends that play on different platforms. The novelty will become broader available in the near future.
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25163 is available in Dev
Microsoft has released a new preliminary build of Windows 11 25163 to Windows Insiders on the Dev channel. It includes an updated taskbar, Nearby Sharing improvements and the ability to upload files to OneDrive. The two latter features are also available in the Beta channel since yesterday.
Microsoft Edge has officially received Command Palette (Quick Commands)
Last month, Microsoft has secretly added "Quick Commands" to Edge, a command launcher that runs built-in browser functions and options directly. Now, the company officially revealed it under the Command Palette name.
Windows 11 Build 22621.436 and 22622.436 are now in Beta
Microsoft has released new preview builds of Windows 11 version 22H2, 22621.436 and 22622.436, with KB5015888. The update is now available to the Beta channel insiders. The builds have a different set of features. Also, Microsoft invites Insiders running build 22622.436 to Bug Bash this week. For that, check the Feedback Hub later this week for a variety of Quests for you to try out and give feedback on. The Bug Bash will be running from July 20th to 25th (PDT).
Firefox is getting Quick Actions, here is how to enable them
Similar to Chrome, the Firefox browser is getting quick actions that you can perform directly from the URL bar. When you move focus in the address bar and/or start typing some keyword, Firefox will show you buttons to clear cookies, open settings, switch to a tab, and so on.
Microsoft Store again allows selling open source apps
Microsoft has updated its Store policies one more time, and now again allows placing paid open source apps, if even they are available for free somewhere else. Earlier, Microsoft prohibited selling such apps in order to fight scam and fake software. But the change received negative response from developers that used to sell their open source apps for extra donations and income. Paint.NET is one of such projects. So Microsoft has reversed the change.
Windows 10 Build 19044.1862 (RP) improves the OS performance
Microsoft has issued an update to Windows 11 version 21H2 for Insiders running the OS in the Release Preview channel. It includes a couple of new features, such as the ability to display urgent notifications when focus assist is on, Windows Autopilot deployment scenario compatibility. Also, it includes several performance and reliability improvements.
How to enable new taskbar search options in Windows 11 Build 25158
Here are the steps you need to perform to get the new search in the taskbar on Windows 11 Build 25158. Despite offering this build to the Dev channel (which is supposed to have bleeding edge features), Microsoft rolls out the change to a limited set of Insiders. Let's fix this inconvenience.
Microsoft intends to extend paid support for Windows 7 until 2026
Earlier in 2020, Microsoft finished extended support for Windows 7. The company expected users and companies to switch to newer versions of OS, but some of them couldn't do that. So for enterprise customers who had to stay on Windows 7 Microsoft continued supporting Windows 7 on a paid basis.
