Latest news with #WindowsUpdate
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Microsoft has disabled a 'key feature' to enhance Windows security
Microsoft has enhanced the security of the Windows operating system but for that it has disabled a crucial feature. The company has quietly updated Windows Hello 's face unlock feature, which now prevents it from working in dark rooms. As per the tech giant, this isn't a bug but a deliberate change made in April to patch a serious spoofing vulnerability. While the fix enhances security, it removes a key functionality many Windows 11 users relied on. The change, spotted by Windows Central, has been noted by some Surface Laptop users who claimed that they can no longer use their face to sign into their laptop in a dark room. 'After installing this update or a later Windows update, for enhanced security, Windows Hello facial recognition requires color cameras to see a visible face when signing in,' says Microsoft in its April Windows Update patch notes. How Windows Hello technology works Windows Hello leverages a combination of both colour cameras and infrared (IR) sensors, allowing for authentication even in complete darkness. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The vulnerability was discovered by researchers at Nanyang Technological University 'Automated recognition mechanism with inadequate detection or handling of adversarial input perturbations in Windows Hello allows an unauthorized attacker to perform spoofing locally,' the researchers said. The flaw was rated "important" by Microsoft, though the company noted it was "less likely" to be exploited by malicious actors locally on a device, and it has not been publicly disclosed or exploited. Meanwhile, for users who rely heavily on dark-room unlocking, a temporary workaround exists: disabling the webcam in Windows 11's Device Manager. However, there is a catch. This 'change' by users renders the camera unusable for all other applications, including video calls, making it an impractical solution for most users and a clear trade-off between convenience and security. HP EliteBook Ultra G1i Review: Thin, light, power in a premium package
Mint
6 days ago
- Mint
Microsoft rolls out smarter, scrollable Start menu in Windows 11: Here's how to test it now with Insider Preview
Microsoft's at it again – redesigning things, tweaking this, getting rid of that – just a regular day at Windows HQ. This time, the Start menu is getting a fresh twist in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview, and it's all about making life easier (and a bit prettier) for users. Forget the old 'see more apps' button. Now, you just scroll down to a new 'All' section, where your apps are sorted into folders like Productivity, Social, Creativity, and Games. Your most-used apps always show up at the top of each folder, and if there aren't enough apps for a category, they'll be tucked into an 'Other' group at the bottom. If you're someone who likes things neat and alphabetical, you can switch to Grid view for a classic A-to-Z list. The Start menu is also smart enough to adjust to your screen size: on big monitors, you get up to eight columns of pinned apps; on smaller screens, it's six. The Pinned section now defaults to two rows, but if you only have a handful of favourites, it'll shrink down to just one. Want to keep things minimal? You can hide the Recommended section in Settings (just head to Personalisation > Start). There's even a new mobile button next to the search bar - click it, and the Start menu expands to show your phone's info via the Phone Link widget. Here's your step-by-step guide: Join the Windows Insider Programme's Dev Channel: Open Settings, go to Windows Update > Windows Insider Programme, and sign up for the Dev Channel. Install the latest build: Check for updates and install build 26200.5641 (KB5060824) to unlock the new Start menu. Not ready for test builds on your main PC? Download ViveTool from GitHub, extract it, open Terminal as an administrator, and run the official commands (to enable the features. Restart your computer: After that, your updated Start menu should be ready to explore. Just remember, these preview builds are for testing and might not be the most stable for everyday use. But if you're curious about what's next for Windows 11, this is your chance to get a sneak peek at a smarter, more organised Start menu - proof that Microsoft's never done fine-tuning your desktop experience.
Forbes
11-06-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Installs Emergency Update On Windows PCs
Emergency update is now being installed. Another month, another emergency update for Windows users. After issuing several out-of-band updates to address update fails in May (1,2), here we are again in June. Only now, 'this OOB update downloads and installs automatically,' Microsoft says. Per Windows Latest which was first to report the initial problem and the response, this follows the June update failing to install on some PCs, primarily those with Easy Anti Cheat gaming software. 'As we suspected, something seemed odd with Windows 11 24H2 KB5060842 when Microsoft had paused the rollout briefly.' That interlude allowed a patch to be applied to the standard update, but this didn't work. Instead Microsoft withheld the update from affected PCs, which will now receive the emergency update instead. 'Windows users likely didn't experience this issue,' the Windows-maker says, because the standard update was not offered to at-risk PCs. According to Windows Latest, users had reported that 'the update showed up, but kept failing with the message: 'Some update files are missing or have problems. We'll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712)'.' Microsoft then confirmed 'compatibility issues' and applied a fix. But when the fix also failed, 'Microsoft made the final call to yank the buggy patch (KB5060842) because it wouldn't install, and replace it with [the new emergency update] KB5063060.' It's now clear this 'major issue' with June's Patch Tuesday 'causes PCs to reboot unexpectedly when launching games using Easy Anti-Cheat, such as Fortnite.' The emergency replacement for the Patch Tuesday update includes all cumulative fixes as well as the compatibility workaround. Microsoft says the OOB update 'downloads and installs automatically from Windows Update and Microsoft Update on devices with Easy Anti-Cheat installed and on devices that have not installed KB506842 yet.'
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Laptop overheating? 6 easy fixes to keep your device cool and running smoothly
Overheating is one of the most common issues laptop users face, particularly with older devices or those used for extended periods. It not only slows performance but can also cause long-term damage to internal components. Fortunately, we're here with expert tips and practical hacks to help you stop your laptop from overheating. 1. Clean the vents and fans Shut down your device and use a can of compressed air to blow out dust from the air vents. Follow up with a dry microfibre cloth to wipe away dirt around the side and bottom vents, which are most susceptible to blockage. This simple step can significantly improve airflow. 2. Choose the right surface Always use your laptop on a solid, flat surface. Avoid placing it on cushions, laps, or beds, as these can block ventilation and trap heat underneath the device. 3. Manage performance settings Switch to the 'Balanced' or 'Power Saver' plan in Windows. High-performance modes may offer a boost in speed, but they also increase power consumption and heat generation. Lowering the performance slightly can reduce the thermal load on your system. 4. Update drivers and BIOS Outdated drivers and BIOS firmware can lead to poor hardware efficiency and overheating. Use your device's manufacturer support software or visit the official website to download the latest updates. Once installed, restart your laptop if prompted to apply changes. 5. Check for Windows updates Go to Settings > Windows Update, then click Check for updates. Installing the latest system updates ensures compatibility, improved efficiency, and better thermal management. 6. Use built-in thermal controls Many modern laptops offer thermal profiles within BIOS or manufacturer utility apps (e.g., HP Command Center, Lenovo Vantage). These settings allow you to adjust fan behaviour and system performance to better control internal temperatures. Office users: Running multiple apps such as web browsers, spreadsheets, and video calls simultaneously can tax your system. Regularly monitor background processes and close unnecessary applications to reduce load and heat buildup. Students: Studying for hours with your laptop on a bed or pillow restricts airflow. Always use a hard surface or invest in a cooling pad or laptop stand to maintain ventilation. Gamers and content creators: High-resolution gameplay and video editing push your system hard. Lowering graphics settings, enabling frame rate limits, and using an external cooling solution can help maintain safe temperatures without ruining the experience. In a Nutshell Overheating doesn't mean your laptop is on its last legs; it simply means it needs a bit of care. Regular cleaning, smart usage habits, and keeping software up to date can prevent long-term damage and keep your laptop running smoothly. Small changes in how and where you use your device can prevent major issues later. Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Forbes
01-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Microsoft Issues New Emergency Update For Windows Users
Emergency update now available. Anadolu Agency Following on from Microsoft's warning that its most recent security update was failing for some users and breaking Windows, the company has just released an emergency out-of-band update. This is the second such fix within the last two weeks. Microsoft had already confirmed it was 'investigating reports of the May 13, 2025 Windows security update (KB5058405) failing to install on some Windows 11, version 22H2 and 23H2 devices.' Affected users will be warned 'your PC/Device needs to be repaired,' and that 'the operating system couldn't be loaded because a required file is missing or contains errors.' You will see error code 0xc0000098. Microsoft has released the out-of-band (OOB) update KB5062170, which it says is available through its Update Catalog. The update resolves the driver issue, which is the critical Advanced Configuration and Power Interface driver 'that enables Windows to manage hardware resources and power states.' Users are warned 'there are also reports of this same error occurring with a different file name.' This has impacted some physical setups, but primarily hits virtual environments 'including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Virtual Desktop [and] on-premises virtual machines hosted on Citrix or Hyper-V.' That means enterprise rather than home users. This issue and fix impacts Windows 11 users, which balances out the other emergency update following May's security fixes which only hit Windows 10 users. That was more widespread, resulting in a BitLocker Recovery screen. 'Windows 10 might repeatedly display the BitLocker recovery screen at startup,' the company warned, as it confirmed that other out-of-band update was being made available. Microsoft also advises 'this [new] out-of-band update contains all of the improvements and fixes included in the May 2025 Windows non-security preview update, in addition to this issue's resolution. Since this is a cumulative update, you do not need to apply any previous update before installing KB5062170, as it supersedes all previous updates for affected versions.' Once installed, you will need to restart your device.
