According to reports, Microsoft has postponed the launch of the ARM-based Surface Go 4 tablet. Instead, the tech giant will unveil a refreshed version of the Surface Go with Intel processors, specifically tailored for enterprise use.
Microsoft has already started shutting down Cortana
Microsoft is taking steps to discontinue Cortana support for Windows 11. Insiders on the Dev and Canary channels are receiving a new app update that removes the voice assistant's functionality. Upon startup, a message informs users that Cortana in Windows is no longer running as a standalone application, with a "Learn More" button that directs them to the Microsoft Support page.
StagingTool is the official ViVeTool-like app by Microsoft
Microsoft accidentally published an app, StagingTool, that allows enabling hidden and WIP features in Windows 11. The app much like the famous ViVeTool that is a third-party solution for the same purpose. It can also bypass A/B testing and enable required features even if they are not officially available on this device.
Windows 11 Build 22631.2129 (Beta) ships Windows Copilot and Dev Drive to the beta channel
Microsoft has released new preview builds of Windows 11 (version 22H2) 22621.2129 and 22631.2129 (KB5029359) to Beta Channel Insiders. Build 22631.2129, which comes with new features enabled, adds Windows Copilot Preview, Dev Drive, Voice Access and passwordless login options. There are plenty of other changes and improvements that earlier were available in the Canary and Dev channels.
Windows 11 Build 23516 (Dev) adds HDR wallpapers, improves screen casting
Microsoft has released Windows 11 Preview Build 23516 to Insiders in the Dev channel. It features screen casting improvements, HDR wallpaper support, voice access support on the sign in screen, natural voices in more languages, and more.
Microsoft discontinues support for TLS 1.0 and 1.1 in Windows 11
Microsoft has made an announcement regarding Windows 11, stating that support for Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol versions 1.0 and 1.1 will be discontinued. This decision is driven by security concerns and the limited number of users utilizing these protocols. Starting next month, Insider builds of Windows 11 will have these protocols disabled by default. It's important to note that this change will also apply to all upcoming versions of the Windows operating system.
How to install Windows 11 and 10 without third-party apps bundled
One of the lesser known features of the Windows installer is the ability to avoid installation of third-party apps like Spotify, Netflix, Candy Crash Soda Saga and so on. Microsoft ships Windows 11 and Windows 10 with a set of special regional settings that prevent third-party bloat from being downloaded and installed. In this guide, we will see how to use them and get a real clean setup of the OS.
WSA 2307 Preview adds app launch protocol, Vulkan support, and more
Microsoft has released an update for Windows Subsystem for Android to those who participate in its Preview program. The released version is 2307.40000.2.0, and it comes with improvements made to advanced settings and graphics reliability. Microsoft has also implemented a few features that WSA users were highly requesting.
How to disable the Bing button in the taskbar search on Windows 11
Windows 11 22H2 introduced a Bing button in the search box on the taskbar. When clicked, it opens the Chat AI dialog, which allows interacting with Microsoft' bot in Edge. While the company is gradually rolling out this feature, there is a chance that you already see it.
PowerToys 0.72 now requires less disk space, adds new Run plugins, and more
In the latest version of PowerToys 0.72, several improvements have been made. These include reducing the installed space significantly, with the installed size reported in the Installed Apps screen going from 1.15GB to 785MB, and the size in File Explorer properties for the installation folder decreasing from 3.10GB to 554MB.
