When you’re ready to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, the computer must use the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware type and the GUID Partition Table (GPT) for the disk layout. These are essential requirements for enabling security features like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. If these components are not properly set, specifically if your device is still using the legacy BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and an MBR (Master Boot Record) partition style, the upgrade will fail....

Microsoft recently released a new preview of Windows 10 Mobile , but well knowing that this is an early build and even though the code is very stable, there are known issues and other things that don’t work at this current point in time. Although, it’s a risk to install the Windows 10 preview on your phone, Microsoft is also making available the Windows Device Recovery Tool to roll back to your previous version of the operating system in case you brick your phone or issues begin to appear....

Windows Defender may not be the best, but it works great, I always recommend it before spending money in some big names, which most of them are pretty annoying with alerts, pop-ups, and promotions. But of course you can always opt to install a third-party security solution. Below I compiled a list of well-known antivirus software that are now fully compatible to work in Windows 8.1. Windows 8.1 antivirus list McAfee Antivirus Plus 2012 and McAfee Antivirus (version 16) Avast Antivirus Pro (version 7 and 8) Dr Web antivirus (version 7 and 8) PC Tools Spyware Doctor with Antivirus 2012 (version 9) Panda Cloud Antivirus Free (version 2) and Panda Antivirus Pro 2013 (version 12) Rising Antivirus 2011 (version 23) Kasperkey Anti Virus 2012 (version 12) Really important note: as you can see in the list, most of the security software aren’t the latest version....

Microsoft introduces several new gaming features for its Edge browser. These features include Clarity Boost and efficiency mode to improve the gaming experience. Also, the browser gets a new gaming homepage and flyout for quick access to casual games. Microsoft introduces new gaming features for its Edge browser on Windows 11 and 10. Starting with version 103, Microsoft Edge includes a new gaming homepage and integration for casual gaming. In addition, the browser also introduces two new features, including “Clarity Boost” to improve the Xbox Cloud Gaming streams and efficiency mode to prevent resource impact of the computer while playing games....

No doubt that Microsoft has been hard at work trying to improve Windows 8 activation technology to prevent pirates from getting the operating system for free. Sadly, the software didn’t go through all the possible scenarios and they didn’t notice that a simple workaround can allow anyone to convert a pirated copy of Windows 8 to a full activated legitimate license — all free of charge! This is the story, earlier attempts to bypass Microsoft’s activation technology involved the use of third-party Key Management Services (KMS) servers that would let the activation for up to 180 days, which means that a re-activation was necessary every six months....

Microsoft has revealed that is changing the name of the “Xbox Game Pass” name to “Game Pass.” It’s a subtle change, but the drop of the “Xbox” word, it may signal the company distancing the Game Pass subscription from being exclusively attached to the console. In addition, Microsoft is also rebranding the “Xbox Game Pass for PC” to “Game Pass for PC.” According to Thurrott , even though, it’s unclear the reason of the change, the rebranding may be the beginning of a more significant transition....

Microsoft To Do is a cross-platform task management system (formerly Wunderlist ) that allows you to create, organize, and track tasks. The To Do app is available on Windows 11 , 10, Android, iOS, and the web, and it allows you to create tasks with a due date, reminder, note, and other options. Also, it’s possible to add steps to a task, organize tasks into different lists, sync lists across devices, and even share lists with others....

On May 2, 2017, Microsoft held a press event in New York City to unveil its strategy on education with new products and services. In a presentation that lasted over an hour and a half, the company unveiled “Windows 10 S,” a new simplified version of Windows for the education market and to take on Chrome OS. The software giant announced new services like Microsoft Teams with new tools for the classroom, new features for Minecraft, and mixed reality for education....

A brand new Xbox console is coming in 2017. During the Xbox E3 Briefing in Los Angeles, Microsoft unveiled more details about Project Scorpio, a more powerful Xbox One with support of 4K resolutions for games and high-end virtual reality. Unlike Xbox One S , the company notes that the new console is not just a console refresh. It’s something totally new that brings new hardware and new experiences. Although a lot of things will be different with Scorpio, all consoles will be able to play the same games....

Microsoft to bring back the “Home” page for the Settings app. The new page appears that will further promote online services, such as Microsoft 365. Also, the “Accounts” page will now alert users of applications that have reached the end of support. Microsoft is experimenting with additional visual improvements for the Settings app, including a new Home page and alerts for products that reached the end of support. According to a few posts on Twitter from @PhantomOfEarth and @thebookisclosed , the latest preview of Windows 11 hides a new page that will open by default every time you launch the app....

Although Microsoft will keep the free version of Copilot, the company now offers “Copilot Pro,” a paid version of the service for regular consumers, and naturally, the question now arises on whether it’s worth the upgrade or whether you should keep using the version available for free. Regardless of the version of the chatbot you choose, you will be accessing the same technology as the paid version, which is based on the free version but with more features....

Microsoft delivers on the promise of more frequent builds , as today the company rolls out Windows 10 build 10049 to the fast ring of updates. The new update comes only days after build 10041 was made available to the Slow ring . The software giant is including various important fixes in the new build, but perhaps the biggest surprise in Windows 10 build 10049 from the fbl_impresive channel is that Microsoft is finally adding the first preview of Project Spartan browser for all Windows Insider to try for the first time....

Windows 10 build 10550 might really soon roll out to Insiders with new changes. It has been only a week since Microsoft released build 10547 to the Fast ring , update that included various refinements to the operating system, which will be part of Windows 10 Threshold 2 when it releases to everyone later in November. However, the software giant has announced that Windows 10 build 10550 is now going through the Microsoft ring and if it passes all checks, the build could roll out to Insiders as soon as this week....

Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 10 build 17692 for PCs enrolled in the Fast ring and Skip Ahead lane of the Windows Insider Program. This new preview is a significant release with a number of features and improvements that are expected to arrive with the Redstone 5 development later in 2018. Windows 10 build 17692 , according to the company brings its SwiftKey touch-keyboard technology, delivers several improvements for Easy of Access, Game Bar, Game Mode, Search, Windows Mixed Reality, and Microsoft Edge adds new autoplay controls....

Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 10 build 18950 for computers enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. This the preview number 22 releasing for testers as part of the 20H1 development , and it includes a small set of new features and improvements. Windows 10 build 18950 , according to the company, is a minor update that introduces improvements to the Japanese IME experience, some tweaks to the Snip & Sketch app, and the references to “Cloud download” relating to PC reset or refresh is available, but it’s currently not working....

Microsoft is now releasing Windows 10 build 19577 for PCs enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program. This is the ninth preview available for testers with new changes and improvements expected to arrive in future versions. Windows 10 build 19577 is a small update that brings changes to the diagnostic settings to increase transparency on the data that Microsoft collects about devices. For example, starting with this flight, the “Basic diagnostic data” is now known as “Required diagnostic data” and “Full diagnostic data” has changed to “Optional diagnostic data....

Microsoft is now rolling two previews in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program, including Windows 10 build 21277 and 20277. The build 20277 is part of the FE_RELEASE branch, and it is available as an automatic update with a couple of the fixes and no new features. Then there is build 21277, which is part of the RS_PRERELAESE branch, and it is available as an optional install that you must select manually through the Windows Update settings....

On Windows 10, a metered connection restristics background data usage for the operating system and applications to avoid extra charges or go over a connection subscription. You would typically set a network connection as metered on a capped internet connection, mobile hotspot, and on any connection you want to save data. Whatever the scenario it might be, Windows 10 includes settings to set a Wi-Fi connection as metered, and since the release of the Creators Update, the operating system also includes an option to set a wired Ethernet connection as metered....

Microsoft is patching the Windows 10 Creators Update again with cumulative update KB4016871. This new release doesn’t include new features, but it addresses a few issues with version 1703, which is still rolling out to PCs. KB4016871 bumps the version number of Windows 10 to build 15063.296 (or 15063.297), and it fixes a big issue with the OS that can lead to data loss. In addition, it addresses problems with Surface Hub devices, Bluetooth connectivity, and security holes with Microsoft Edge ....

Microsoft is releasing a new update for the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) outside of its regular schedule. This time around, the company is making available update KB4100403 to resolve a few important issues. KB4100403 bumps the build number of Windows 10 to 17134.81, and according to the company fixes problem with Intel SSD 600p Series or Intel SSD Pro 6000p Series that may repeatedly enter a UEFI screen after restart or stop working....