Windows
Stay informed with expert analysis on Windows updates, security patches, and productivity features. We deliver no-nonsense coverage of Microsoft's operating system, from its evolving interface to enterprise-level tools.
After UK Digital ID Cancellation, Here’s What Public Sector IT Pros Need to Do
New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has scrapped the national digital ID programme, signaling a major shift in public-sector technology procurement. The move emphasizes regional devolution, local economic impact, and faster returns on IT investment. For IT managers, MSPs, and channel partners, this means adjusting strategies to focus on modular, outcome-driven projects, building regional presence, and proving British supply chain value. The article explores immediate consequences, surviving identity technologies, and six practical steps to prepare for the new procurement landscape.
LTIMindtree and Microsoft’s AI Pact Targets the Unsexy Work of Making Copilot Real at Work
LTIMindtree and Microsoft have partnered to help enterprises move beyond AI pilots and into production-grade deployments, combining Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and Security Copilot with LTIMindtree's consulting and delivery muscle. For Windows-centric organizations, this means a more structured path to AI adoption, but success depends on doing the hard groundwork: cleaning up permissions, modernizing data, and investing in employee training rather than just licensing.
Ford’s $30,000 Electric Truck Will Use Apple Maps to End Range Anxiety
Ford will embed Apple Maps natively in its upcoming UEV electric platform, starting with a $30,000 midsize pickup in 2027. The system leverages vehicle battery data for EV-aware routing, charging optimization, and battery preconditioning—all without requiring an iPhone. This move combines polished navigation with deep car integration, potentially reducing range anxiety for affordable EV buyers.
Intel Pushes 14A Chip Technology to 2028: What It Means for Your Next Windows PC
Intel has fast-tracked its 14A chip manufacturing process, now aiming for high-volume production in 2028—a full year earlier than previously expected. The accelerated timeline puts Intel on par with TSMC’s A14 node and signals renewed confidence in its foundry strategy. For Windows PC users, this means next-generation laptops and desktops with longer battery life, better performance, and more capable on-device AI are likely to arrive around 2029–2030, though immediate purchasing decisions shouldn’t wait.
The No-Fluff Guide to Resetting Microsoft Word: What to Touch First, What to Leave Alone
A structured, no‑nonsense guide to resetting Microsoft Word on Windows and Mac draws on the latest 2026 methods to cure crashes, formatting glitches, and missing commands. By working from the least destructive fix (renaming Normal.dotm) to the most aggressive (Registry edits and Office Repair), users can restore Word’s defaults without losing documents or customizations.
Asus ProArt PZ14 packs 18-core Snapdragon X2 and 144Hz OLED, but 16GB RAM locks out creators outside Canada
Asus has globally launched the ProArt PZ14, a Windows 11 detachable with an 18-core Snapdragon X2 Elite, 14-inch 144 Hz OLED, 75 Wh battery, and creator-focused features, priced at $2,499. However, most regions are limited to 16 GB of soldered RAM, weakening its appeal to professional users who need more memory. The device delivers strong hardware credentials but demands careful evaluation of Windows on ARM software compatibility and the RAM constraint.
DHD's Free Discovery App Finds Audio Gear on Windows, Mac, and Linux
DHD's new free utility, DHD Discovery, lets broadcast engineers instantly find network-connected audio devices on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Using mDNS, it displays IP addresses, firmware, and status, then opens the device's web management interface with a single click—eliminating the common headache of IP hunting during installation and troubleshooting.
Orexin Ransomware Disables Windows Recovery Before Encrypting Files, While VeilStealer Harvests Browser Credentials
CYFIRMA's July 2026 weekly intelligence report reveals Orexin ransomware, which deletes Windows Volume Shadows Copies and disables recovery tools before encrypting files, and VeilStealer, an information stealer that harvests browser credentials and session cookies. The article explains the technical details, the risk to home users and enterprises, and provides actionable steps for data recovery, service monitoring, credential protection, and defense against emerging ClickFix social engineering attacks.
Original Xbox Games Are Finally Playable on Windows PC: Microsoft’s New Backward Compatibility Push Explained
Microsoft is bringing original Xbox games to Windows PCs through a new backward compatibility initiative. Launching in late July 2026 with a small initial catalog, the emulation layer lets you play classic titles natively on desktops and handhelds via the Xbox app. The move strengthens game preservation, boosts the value of Xbox purchases across devices, and signals a deeper integration of the Xbox ecosystem with Windows.
Windows 11's WhatsApp Resume Feature Lands for Android, but a Slow Desktop Client Holds It Back
Windows 11 is rolling out cross-device Resume for WhatsApp, letting Android users continue a chat from their PC's taskbar. While the handoff concept is practical, the desktop WhatsApp client's slow load times and high memory usage often negate the convenience. Users can disable the feature without affecting notifications, and broader improvements from both Microsoft and Meta are needed for a seamless experience.
Microsoft Adds Permanent Delete Option for People Skills – A Nuclear Option for Tenant Data
Microsoft 365 admins can now permanently delete all People Skills data—including the skills library and user profiles—under a new Roadmap ID 565905 feature. The action is irreversible and requires careful planning, but it gives organizations a definitive way to retire the service and comply with data minimization policies.
Windows Still Won’t Show Your SSD’s Lifeline; Here’s How to See It Yourself
Windows 11 still reduces SSD health to a single “Healthy” label, hiding the detailed SMART counters that reveal real drive condition. This guide explains which attributes matter most—total writes, spare capacity, media errors—and how to use free tools like CrystalDiskInfo and smartctl to build an early-warning routine. Regular checkups and a solid backup strategy transform drive failure from a catastrophe into a minor inconvenience.
John C. Dvorak, Tech's Ultimate Contrarian, Dies at 74—Early Reports Got His Age Wrong
John C. Dvorak, the famously wrong-headed tech pundit, died at 74, not 80 as initially reported. His legacy of confident mispredictions—from the iPhone to Microsoft stores—provides a valuable lens for Windows users navigating today’s AI and device hype. By learning to verify facts and judge potential over perfection, we can avoid falling for the next round of loud but hollow certainties.