Latest news with #Windows'
Engadget
a day ago
- Engadget
Windows parental controls are blocking Chrome
Stop me if you've heard this one before: Microsoft is making it harder to use Chrome on Windows. The culprit? This time, it's Windows' Family Safety feature. Since early this month, the parental control measure has prevented users from opening Chrome. Strangely, no other apps or browsers appear to be affected. Redditors first reported the issue on June 3 (via The Verge ). u/Witty-Discount-2906 posted that Chrome crashed on Windows 11. "Just flashes quickly, unable to open with no error message," they wrote. Another user chimed in with a correct guess. "This may be related to Parental Controls," u/duk242 surmised. "I've had nine students come see the IT Desk in the last hour saying Chrome won't open." A Google spokesperson pointed Engadget to a statement in its community forum. "Our team has investigated these reports and determined the cause of this behavior," Community Manager Ellen T. wrote. "For some users, Chrome is unable to run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled." Curiously, Microsoft hasn't fixed the bug after 17 days. (Go figure!) Windows Family Safety is an optional parental control feature for families and schools. It lets them manage children's screen time, filter their web browsing and monitor their activity. There are a couple of workarounds while we wait for the company to take action. One is to turn off the "Filter Inappropriate Websites" setting in Family Safety. However, that removes the security feature, letting the kids run wild on the World Wide Web. (Weeee!!) A simpler fix is to navigate to your Chrome folder and rename to something like . Engadget emailed Microsoft for a comment. We haven't heard back, but we'll update this story if we do. If you've ever installed Chrome on Windows, this bug may trigger deja vu. Microsoft has a long history of desperate tricks to keep you on its default products. That has included obnoxious prompts, pop-up ads for Bing and begging users to stick with Edge. At least European users will get some relief. Microsoft is scaling back its cheap tactics there to comply with EU regulations.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
Microsoft Windows Warning—Do Not Install These Apps On Your PC
New warning as malware infects PCs A new warning has issued for Microsoft users, after a raft of websites were caught installing dangerous apps onto Windows PCs. The attackers used websites that mimicked popular brands to trick users into installing the apps that had been laced with malware designed to steal passwords and digital wallets. The warning comes courtesy of the security researchers at DomainTools, and there's a nasty sting in the tail with this one. Not only do victims put their passwords and wallets at risk, but the attackers have also been ' potentially selling access to their systems.' it all starts with a 'Download for Windows' button on a fake website. DomainTools says these apps actually pushed three different malware loads on victims: 'VenomRAT sneaks in, StormKitty grabs your passwords and digital wallet info, and SilentTrinity ensures the attacker can stay hidden and maintain control.' If You Get This Message On Your Phone It's An Attack Copied brands include Bitdefender, ironically, as well as various banks, including Royal Bank of Canada, and Microsoft's sign-in page. Another reason to follow the Windows-makers advice for its billion users, and ditch passwords for passkeys. Fake Bitdefender website with 'Download for Windows' button. Of the three installs, it's VenomRAT that does the real damage. The researchers say they 'tracked down the attackers' command centers, identified other malware they likely used, and uncovered their web of fake download sites and phishing traps spoofing as banks and online services,' to map the infrastructure behind these attacks. Microsoft Tells Nearly All Windows Users—You Must Reboot Your PC DomainTools says these attacks follow the recent trend for attackers to build malware from open-source components. 'This 'build-your-own-malware' approach makes these attacks more efficient, stealthy, and adaptable. While the open-source nature of these tools can help security experts spot them faster, the primary victims here are everyday internet users,' which means security hurdles are materially lower. Three key rules will help keep you safer: If you're on a website and see an app you want to download, go to your usual, official app store and download from there. If you need to use a company's website, access it through a normal search or app, not through any links in texts or emails.
Engadget
06-05-2025
- Engadget
Microsoft unveils smaller Surfaces: A 12-inch Surface Pro tablet and a 13-inch Surface Laptop
Last year was a major one for Microsoft's Surface lineup, thanks to the launch of Copilot+ AI PC initiative, as well as surprisingly capable Arm-powered Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models. But aside from the addition of OLED and Qualcomm's new Snapdragon chips, the overall design for those Surface machines didn't really evolve much. That changes this year, as Microsoft has announced smaller versions of its Surface family: A 12-inch Surface Pro hybrid tablet and a 13-inch Surface Laptop. To be clear, they won't be replacing the existing Surface devices, instead they're more like compact siblings. While they may sound only a bit smaller than the existing 13-inch Surface Pro and 13.8-inch Surface Laptop, Microsoft managed to cut off plenty of excess weight. The new 12-inch Surface Pro is a half-pound lighter than the 13-inch model, clocking in at 1.5 pounds, and the revised Surface Laptop is 0.3 pounds lighter (2.7 pounds). Notably, the Surface Pro is coming in 0.2 pounds lighter than the Surface Pro X, a device we praised for having "gorgeous" hardware that was betrayed by Windows' terrible Arm support in 2019. Both new Surface devices are powered by an eight-core version of the Snapdragon X Plus chip, which includes a 45 TOPS NPU and Adreno GPU, as well as 16GB RAM. As for storage, you can choose from either 256GB of 512GB UFS (Universal Flash Storage) options. Unlike the SSDs in other Surface devices, you won't be able to upgrade the UFS storage down the line. That's not the only downgrade, either: The smaller screens of both devices are a significant step down from their larger siblings. The Surface Pro's 12-inch LCD sports a 2,196 by 1,464 resolution, which is only slightly better than 1080p, and maxes out at a 90Hz refresh rate. The 13-inch Surface Pro, meanwhile, offers more pixels per inch with a 2,880 by 1,920 resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and an optional OLED upgrade. As for the smaller Surface Laptop, it sports a simple 1080p 60Hz LCD. The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop has a sharper 2,304 by 1,536 LCD that can hit up to 120Hz. Microsoft has also given up on using the Surface Connect port with these devices, opting instead to rely on USB-C charging alone. The Surface Pro and Surface Laptop both have two USB-C/USB 3.2 ports, which support 45W and 60W fast charging, respectively. There's no USB power adapter bundled with the Surface Pro, unfortunately, but the Surface Laptop still comes with a 45W charger of its own. Similarly, the Laptop is the only new machine with a USB Type-A connection and a headphone jack. The 12-inch Surface Pro starts at $800, which is technically $200 less than the retail price of the 13-inch model, but oddly enough that version is currently on sale for $800 as well. As usual, you'll have to buy the Surface Keyboard separately, which tacks on another $149 to your Surface Pro purchase. Microsoft says it's reimagined the Surface Keyboard for the 12-inch tablet, so its typing experience may be different this time around. The 13-inch Surface Laptop starts at $900, but in another curious twist the larger model is also currently on sale for $800 (down from $1,000). Perhaps Microsoft is betting some people will opt for the new hardware simply because it's more compact. We'll have to test both machines to see if their spec downgrades are worth the lighter weight.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Got the Blue Screen of Death? Here's what causes blue screen errors and how to fix them
Question: What causes the blue screen errors that freezes everything on my Windows computer?Answer: The Blue Screen of Death — often shortened to BSOD — is Windows' way of saying something went wrong at a system level, and it had to stop everything to avoid bigger problems. The stark screen is made to look dramatic to ensure that the underlying issue is addressed. Here are some of the more common causes: Think of drivers as the middlemen between your computer's hardware and Windows. When they don't work correctly — maybe after a recent update or hardware change — Windows can crash to prevent damage. Graphics cards, printers, and external storage devices are frequent troublemakers in this category. If your memory (RAM), hard drive, or even the motherboard starts to fail, the system may crash unexpectedly. These types of failures can be sporadic or frequent, depending on how far gone the component is. RAM errors are a particularly common BSOD trigger. If your computer runs too hot — whether due to dust buildup, poor ventilation, or a failing fan — it may blue-screen as a protective measure. Laptops are especially prone to this if they're used on soft surfaces like beds or couches that block airflow. Vital Windows files can sometimes get corrupted by improper shutdowns, power surges, or software bugs. If something the system needs is missing or broken, it may trigger a BSOD as soon as it tries to use it. Incompatible programs — especially ones that dig deep into the system — like antivirus or disk utility tools — can cause instability. If you've recently installed new software and then started seeing BSODs, that's a clue worth following. While updates are generally a good thing, occasionally a bad patch slips through the cracks. If a BSOD starts appearing right after a system update, it could be related to a bug in the update itself or a conflict with existing drivers. Malicious software can do more than steal data, it can also damage system files or interfere with how Windows functions, leading to a crash. Performing a full virus scan is essential if you suspect this is the case. The BIOS is what boots your computer before Windows even starts. If it's outdated or incompatible with newer hardware or updates, it could create instability. While it's not something most users usually mess with, it can be a hidden source of BSODs. Even something as innocent as a USB stick or external hard drive can cause a BSOD if it's defective or not properly recognized by Windows. If you plug something in and get the BSOD, try removing it and restarting. The Blue Screen of Death is one of the most challenging issues to solve, especially if it appears intermittently. There are so many potential causes that it requires a methodical approach to fix with a technical understanding of what the error codes, such as CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED or MEMORY_MANAGEMENT are generally pointing to as the cause. Unless you're comfortable "under the hood" of Windows, resolving it properly will likely require the assistance of a seasoned technical person. Ken Colburn is founder and CEO of Data Doctors Computer Services, Ask any tech question at or on X @TheDataDoc. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What causes Blue Screen of Death on your computer and how to fix it
WIRED
13-03-2025
- WIRED
Make Your Windows PC Last 30 Percent Longer by Adjusting These Settings
By dictating how your computer manages its battery power throughout the workday, you can vastly extend your PC's daily uptime. Photo-Illustration:The phrase 'you're doing it wrong' can apply to just about anything. For me, it's cooking an egg soufflé (too much mixing), cross-country skiing (not enough glide), and—worst of all—cranking on a Windows laptop all day and allowing it to die prematurely. It's a problem, because I tend to increase the brightness setting too high and rely on Windows' default battery-saving options to get me through the day. I also like to be mobile, and so I rarely bother with a charger. When my PC laptop suddenly turns off, all the productivity hacks in the world can't save me. Windows PC laptops can be tweaked to last about 30 percent longer if you adjust a few settings and create a 'power plan' for the day. These tactics can extend the battery life of a new machine and also make an older machine more usable by keeping it running further into the workday. For a typical machine, you can add a good 90 minutes of battery usage by following these tips. Use a Quick Standby Key Command I'll start with the biggest power-saving tip that worked for me. While I'm working on a laptop, I sometimes switch to my phone or tablet and forget to put my laptop into standby mode. The laptop sits idle for a while with the screen running, which consumes power. I started using a key command that remedies that problem. With Windows 11, when you press Alt + F4, you'll see a menu showing options to put the laptop to sleep or into standby mode. Either option will save power. I decided to measure the impact of doing this. I used an Alienware x16 R2 gaming laptop all day without putting it into sleep mode, and it lasted about six hours with continuous usage (the company says the battery is supposed to last seven hours). I then used my trick to put it into sleep mode each time I made a phone call or switched to an iPad. The laptop ran about 90 minutes longer that day! It's a little annoying having to wait for the laptop to wake back up when you come back to it, but it's worth it. Lower the Refresh Rate on Your Display I didn't realize this until I started testing laptops to squeeze out more battery power, but lowering the screen's refresh rate is also extremely effective at saving power. The reason has to do with how a laptop displays information, especially on older models. A high refresh rate makes games and videos look smoother (more images are 'refreshed' on the screen), but the laptop has to work harder to push those pixels, and this drains the battery. Newer laptops like the Alienware x16 R2 I tested will lower the refresh rate automatically when battery reserves are low, but if your Windows PC is a few years old, you can manually adjust the refresh rate. Click Start, then go to Settings > System > Display > Advanced display settings. Look for the refresh rate setting and select 60 Hz. Microsoft estimates that reducing your refresh rate to this setting alone can save between 10 to 30 percent on battery life. Your games and videos may not look as smooth, but if you're like me and use Google Docs all day, you'll barely notice. Create a Complex Power Plan If you're not as willing to run at a reduced refresh rate all day, another trick is to use a power plan. Windows 11 lets you create multiple power plans for various tasks or parts of your workday, and then switch between them. For example, you might check email in the morning and can rely on a lower brightness setting, lower performance, and a shorter delay before the laptop goes into standby mode. In the afternoon, you might prefer more power for watching videos and browsing the web. Then, at night, you can use a more balanced battery setting to finish the day. To create power plans using Windows 11, open the Control Panel, navigate to the Hardware and Sound tab, then select Power Options and click Create a power plan. Name the first plan 'Morning' and set the timer for going on standby and dimming the screen to only about 5 minutes when you're on battery power (not plugged into a power source). That saves more battery, but means you have to wait for the laptop to resume more often. This shouldn't be a problem if you're banging out emails. Click Change advanced power settings and lower the setting for Max performance rate to only 50 percent. Now create an 'Afternoon' power plan that has a longer delay for screen dimming and standby (say, 30 minutes) and allows the computer to run at 100 percent max performance. Windows 11 has a built-in 'Balanced' power plan you can use in the evening. This will automatically adjust Windows' power-saving and performance settings based on how much battery life you have remaining. Now, all you have to do is select the plan you want for each part of the day. You will find each power plan listed under Control panel > Power Options. Experiment with the power plan settings to see what works best for you. Configure a Few More Settings It's worth experimenting with the power plans, but to achieve 30 percent more power on your laptop, there's a few other tweaks you should make. One is to use dark mode in Windows and whatever apps offer it. Surprisingly, this does save some battery power since the laptop doesn't have to work as hard to show a black background. To use dark mode, go to Settings, select Personalization, then Colors. Under Choose your mode, select Dark. There's one last tweak to make your Windows laptop last longer, and it was a surprise to me. I am familiar with several of the power-saving tips before researching what works the best, but I didn't know about this one. On a Windows 11 laptop, you can designate that specific apps use less power. First, start the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Look for the app you want to configure, such as Microsoft Edge. Use the drop-down arrow to select the main app process (with Edge it's called 'browser'). Right-click on it and choose Efficiency mode. This means the app won't use as much CPU processing when it's doing that process. This will save on battery power. Adjusting all of these settings will have a major impact on your power usage. For me, the Alienware x16 lasted about 30 percent longer during a full day. You may even see more gains depending on which laptop you use. It means more productivity—and not having to carry a charger everywhere you go.
