Latest news with #WindowsUsers
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
Microsoft's Free Upgrade Deadline For 400 Million Windows Users
Decision time for millions Another suggestion this week that the decision to keep Windows 10 may soon be impossible, with all users with eligible PCs forced to upgrade. That would put a deadline on the free upgrade offer, before it's taken out of your hands. As I've warned before, Microsoft's small print on recent Windows 10 updates has opened that risk. Earlier this year, the Windows-maker forcibly installed its new Outlook client on Windows 10 devices, and then did the same with Windows 11 24H2 for PCs running Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 'that are not managed by IT departments.' But the more critical confirmation came last year, when the company auto-installed the KB5001716 patch on Windows 10 PCs, warning that 'Windows may attempt to download and install feature updates to your device if it is approaching or has reached the end of support for your currently installed Windows version.' That affects 400 million Windows 10 users. As another wave of Windows 10 upgrade warnings floods social media, Windows Latest points out that 'Windows 10 support ends on October 14, and it can be extended for a year if you pay $30. Otherwise, Microsoft will force upgrade supported PCs to Windows 11 whether you like it or not.' There are two questions that will shape the next 100 days. First, how many eligible Windows 10 PCs will upgrade. On that note, this month has seen some surprisingly good news for Microsoft, as millions suddenly upgrade after months of inertia, meaning Windows 11 is poised to overtake Windows 10's market share for the first it's not there yet — alarmingly more than half of all users remain on Windows 10. Second, how many PCs are not capable of that free upgrade. Analysts think there are at least 240 million of those PCs, but there could be many more. These can't be forcibly upgrades and are not eligible for a free upgrade of any kind. Those users will need to pay Microsoft for a 12-month security update extension or will be left open to attack. That Windows 10 deadline is October 14. Microsoft and PC OEMS are pushing hard for those 240 million users — and plenty of those with eligible devices as well — to buy new Copilot PCs. This is all about 'securing your future' the company warns PC owners.
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.'
The Verge
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Microsoft will finally stop bugging Windows users about Edge — but only in Europe
Microsoft's changes in response to the Digital Markets Act already included allowing Windows machines in the regions it covers to uninstall Edge and remove Bing results from Windows search, but now the list is growing in some meaningful ways. New features announced Monday for Microsoft Windows users in the European Economic Area (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) include the option to uninstall the Microsoft Store and avoid extra nags or prompts asking them to set Microsoft Edge as the default browser unless they choose to open it. That last one is one I'd like to have readily available in the United States, and according to Microsoft, it's already live in the EEA, starting with Edge version 137.0.3296.52 that rolled out on May 29th. Additionally, setting a different browser, like Chrome, Firefox, Brave, or something else, will pin it to the taskbar unless the user chooses not to. While setting a different browser default already attaches it to a few link and file types like https and .html, now users in the EEA will see it apply to more types like 'read,' ftp, and .svg. The default browser changes are live for some users in the beta channel and are set to roll out widely on Windows 10 and Windows 11 in July. Microsoft also explained that even after removing the Store app from Start and Settings, 'Apps installed and distributed from the Microsoft Store will continue to get updates,' and it can always be reinstalled. Other changes mentioned include automatically enabling third-party apps to add their web search results in Windows Search upon installation, and the option to move search providers around based on user preference. With updates rolling out in 'early June,' the Microsoft Bing app, as well as the Widgets Board and Lock Screen, will open web content with the default browser instead.
Forbes
30-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Microsoft Warns Windows Users—Emergency Update Within Days
Emergency update coming soon NurPhoto via Getty Images Another week, another emergency update for Windows users. Just days after it warned that May's security update was failing for some users, the company has confirmed it has been working the issue and an emergency update is coming soon, telling Windows users it 'plans to release an out-of-band update in the coming days.' While this affects Windows 11 users, there are echoes of the emergency update for Windows 1o users earlier in the month. Microsoft was quick to acknowledge that 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.' As I reported when that news hit, an out-of-band update was the inevitable next step. If you're affected by the issue, you will see a recovery error warning that '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.' Microsoft has explained that this driver issue and will likely display the error code: 0xc0000098. 'The file (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) is a critical Windows system driver that enables Windows to manage hardware resources and power states.' The company has also warned that 'there are also reports of this same error occurring with a different file name.' While some physical devices have been impacted, most reports of this update failure concern virtual environments, 'including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Virtual Desktop [and] on-premises virtual machines hosted on Citrix or Hyper-V.' That means it's far more likely to impact enterprise rather than home users. This is different to May's other emergency update, which addressed Windows 10 updates failing with a BitLocker Recovery screen when trying to install May's security update. 'Windows 10 might repeatedly display the BitLocker recovery screen at startup,' the company warned, confirming that other out-of-band update.
Digital Trends
11-05-2025
- Digital Trends
4 things I'm excited about in the new Microsoft Surface laptops
Table of Contents Table of Contents Better battery life Upgraded NPU to 45 TOPS Sleek new design with OLED display option on Surface Pro 11 New Snapdragon X Plus and Elite: Big performance shift for Surface The bottom line Microsoft's new Surface laptops have arrived, and they're more than just routine refreshes. According to Microsoft, powered by Snapdragon X processors and built for the Copilot+ AI experience, they promise significant battery life, performance, and usability improvements. After reviewing the key updates, here are four standout features that make Microsoft's latest Surface laptop worth the upgrade. Better battery life One of Microsoft's biggest promises with its new Surface laptops is vastly improved battery life, a long-standing request from Windows users. According to Microsoft, the 13-inch Surface Laptop can deliver up to 23 hours of video playback or 16 hours of web browsing, while the larger 15-inch version delivers up to 22 hours of video or 15 hours of browsing. Recommended Videos For the more portable Surface Pro 11, Microsoft claims up to 16 hours of video playback and 10 hours of web use. That's a notable jump compared to previous Intel-based models, which often struggled to hit double digits in real-world use. If these claims hold up, it could mean a full day's work or travel without scrambling for a charger. That reliability is a game-changer for students, commuters, or anyone who works away from a desk and needs to go longer between charges. It's one of the first real signs that Windows laptops may finally catch up to Apple's M-series MacBooks in terms of battery efficiency. Upgraded NPU to 45 TOPS One of the most significant upgrades inside Microsoft's new Surface laptops is the inclusion of more powerful Neural Processing Units (NPU), a key requirement for Copilot+ features. For those unfamiliar, an NPU is a dedicated chip designed to handle AI tasks much faster and more efficiently than traditional processors. According to Microsoft, the new Snapdragon X processors include NPUs capable of delivering up to 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This is a noticeable increase from the 40 TOPS offered in some ARM-based Windows devices and previous-generation NPUs. This jump in processing power enables advanced AI features to run locally without depending on the cloud. Microsoft says this will allow for faster performance in tasks like Windows Studio Effects, real-time translation, and the highly anticipated and controversial Recall feature, which indexes your past activity for quick retrieval. It helps prepare these devices for the growing demands of generative AI apps in Windows 11. Sleek new design with OLED display option on Surface Pro 11 Microsoft's new Surface Pro 11 sticks to the familiar 2-in-1 design but introduces a few noticeable refinements. The device is slightly slimmer, with softer edges that give it a more modern look without compromising the kickstand or keyboard compatibility. Microsoft is offering an optional OLED display alongside the standard LCD version for the first time. According to Microsoft, the OLED panel delivers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast than previous Surface screens. This display supports a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate and Dolby Vision IQ, improving everyday use and creative tasks like photo editing or video streaming. However, the OLED option is only available on the Surface Pro 11 tablet. The new Surface Laptop models continue to use LCDs, but Microsoft has improved their brightness and color accuracy. New Snapdragon X Plus and Elite: Big performance shift for Surface This year's Surface lineup also marks a significant shift under the hood. Instead of the usual Intel or AMD chips, Microsoft's new Surface laptops, including the X Plus and the higher-end X Elite, are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X series processors. The 13-inch Surface Laptop comes equipped with the Snapdragon X Plus, while the 15-inch Surface Laptop and select configurations of the Surface Pro 11 feature the X Elite. Both processors use Qualcomm's new ARM architecture, which delivers faster multitasking, lower power consumption, and quieter operation than previous designs. According to Microsoft, the Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite include the same upgraded Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of 45 trillion operations per second (TOPS). The X Plus typically features a 10-core CPU, though some devices use an 8-core version. Meanwhile, the Elite steps up to a 12-core CPU. It is expected to offer better sustained performance and faster boost speeds—ideal for heavier workloads like video editing, design software, or AI-enhanced apps. The switch to Snapdragon X brings other practical benefits. Arm-based processors typically extend battery life and reduce heat, leading to longer usage between charges and less fan noise, two of the most noticeable improvements for everyday users. At the same time, Microsoft made these chips to handle the increasing demand for on-device AI tasks that power Microsoft's Copilot+ experience, including features like Windows Studio Effects and Recall. For many Windows users, this is the first time Arm-based chips are becoming a mainstream option without the compromises seen in earlier attempts. If Microsoft's and Qualcomm's performance claims hold up, these new processors could finally make Arm-powered PCs a viable choice for a broader range of users. The bottom line Microsoft's new Surface laptops introduce the most meaningful set of upgrades the lineup has seen in years. Between longer battery life, faster on-device AI performance, improved displays, and a shift to more efficient processors, the latest models offer real benefits for casual users and demanding multitaskers. One detail that might fly under the radar is that the 13.5-inch Surface Laptop drops the microSD card slot found in some older models—a helpful feature for creators and frequent file transfers. Also, while both models ship with Windows 11 Home, users who rely on BitLocker or virtualization tools will need to upgrade to Pro. While the final verdict will depend on real-world testing, these upgrades suggest Microsoft's Surface lineup is finally catching up with its competitors and offering Windows users a more efficient, AI-ready option going forward.
