Microsoft is moving one step closer to the general public discharge of a Windows fix that resolves the bug introduced in January and resulting in the recovery discovery discs made out of the Backup and Restore feature bundled with the OS to no more start.

The issue was caused by the January 2022 cumulative updates on all supported versions of Windows, with Microsoft explaining that third-party products weren't affected, and all users could switch to them until a fix goes live.

"After installing the Windows updates released January 11, 2022 or later Windows versions with an affected form of Windows, recovery discs (CD or DVD) developed by using the Backup and Restore (Windows 7) app in charge Panel might be not able to start," Microsoft said at that point.

"Recovery discs that were created by while using Backup and Restore (Windows 7) app on devices which have installed Windows updates released before January 11, 2022 aren't affected by this issue and should start not surprisingly."

After previously testing a fix earlier this month, Microsoft has included the patch within the most recent Windows 10 preview build that the company just shipped to users who're signed up for the Windows Insider program in the Release Preview channel.

"We fixed a known issue that may prevent recovery discs (CD or DVD) from starting should you created them while using Backup and Restore (Windows 7) app in Control Panel. This issue occurs after installing Windows updates released January 11, 2022 or later," the software giant notes in the release notes of the latest build.

If everything goes based on the plan and Microsoft doesn't find a new bug in the newest updates, the fix is going love all production devices, regardless of the Windows version they run, included in the June 2022 Patch Tuesday cycle.

While BSODs aren't necessarily common nowadays, or at least, less common as these were in the Windows XP era, they still happen.

And many recently, the latest cumulative update released by Microsoft for Windows 11 devices caused such trouble, apparent because of bad drivers.

Security company Sophos says some of the affected drivers were used by antivirus software, and this is why some devices running its products will finish up hitting a BSOD.

Quite simply, it's the fault of the antivirus solution that the system crashes, because the culprit is the latest cumulative update that broke down the drivers.

Full fix available these days

Sophos, however, has additionally released a fix after previously providing users with two different workarounds.

"Customers on Windows 11 running Sophos Home may encounter a BSOD/Stop error after installing Windows Update KB5013943 and restarting their machines. The symptoms involve not being able to arrive at the desktop after restarting the computer/shutting down powering it back on post installation of Windows Update KB5013943. Including an end Error Index Mismatch message (Blue screen of death)," Sophos says.

The 2 workarounds dropped to either the entire removal of Windows 11 cumulative update KB5013943 or the renaming from the hmpalert.sys driver on your Windows 11 device.

The fix the organization has released updates this driver, and also you must be running version 3.8.4.46 to be certain your device isn't impacted by the buggy update.

Sophos has also provided the next instructions to ensure that you received the fix:

1 - Users will get a Restart Required message in Sophos Home when the automatic fix is installed 2 - Keep the windows open Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers 3 - Locate hmpalert.sys > Right-click > Properties> Details 4 - Confirm the Product version is 3.8.4.46

At this time, Microsoft is yet to acknowledge the motive force problem brought on by its latest cumulative updates.

Microsoft just finished its big reveal of Windows 11 and there were a lot of exciting new updates, but the company didn't mention our biggest questions: How much will the upgrade cost?

Fortunately, the solution came rigtht after the big event with manufacturers stating that Windows 11 is a free update for Windows 10 users. We spoke to Windows Gm Aaron Woodman following the show who said he'd no intends to place on deadline on when Windows 10 users can upgrade, stating his main focus is getting Windows 11 to the most customers with the greatest satisfaction.

It was what we should anticipated and follows exactly the same model that Microsoft combined with the upgrade to Windows 10. It doesn't, of course, imply that Windows 11 is free, but instead the update to Windows 11 for existing Windows 10 users.

Firefox has just reached another milestone, as version 100 has become readily available for download on all supported desktop platforms.

Needless to say, given it's such a big release, Firefox 100 comes with plenty of improvements, including support for captions or subtitles on YouTube, Prime Video, and Netflix if you watch the videos in Picture-in-Picture mode.

Mozilla says that starting with this version, when you run the browser the very first time, Firefox automatically checks the word what that's enabled on your device. And when it doesn't match the word what of the browser, the app can automatically prompt the user to choose between the two languages and therefore decide which someone to use.

The built-in spell checker also does its magic in multiple languages starting with this update, and users can enable this behavior in the text field's context menu.

Lots of other improvements

There are also additional video improvements for Windows and Mac.

"Hardware accelerated AV1 video decoding is enabled on Windows with supported GPUs (Intel Gen 11+, AMD RDNA 2 Excluding Navi 24, GeForce 30). Installing the AV1 Video Extension in the Microsoft Store may also be required," Mozilla explains.

"HDR video is now supported in Firefox on Mac-starting with YouTube! Firefox users on macOS 11+ (with HDR-compatible screens) can also enjoy higher-fidelity video content. You don't need to manually flip any preferences to turn HDR video support on-just make sure battery preferences aren't set to 'optimize video streaming while on battery.'"

As it's the case each and every latest version of Firefox, this version also comes with all tweaks and enhancements. For example, beginning with this update, the Firefox installer targeted at Windows versions is just signed with SHA-256, as part of Microsoft's transition from SHA-1. Obviously, if you wish to install Firefox on the Windows 7 device, you're going to need to update KB4474419 to enable SHA-256 around the device.

Microsoft has just released another Windows 11 preview build, and also the good news is identical update is love both Dev and the Beta channels.

In other words, Windows 11 build 22610 still allows users to switch channels without needing to begin with scratch. When the two channels are provided with various builds, this type of switch is no longer possible.

This new build comes with several notable changes, including the drop of the SMB1 client in the Home version. Furthermore, Microsoft says it's removed the tablet-oriented taskbar it previously introduced in another Windows 11 build.

"As a result of feedback from Windows Insiders, we have disabled the tablet-optimized taskbar feature that first started rolling to Windows Insiders in Build 22563 for the time being. Hopefully to bring this feature during the future after further refinement from the experience. As we've stated earlier, features we try out in the Dev or Beta Channels might not always ship," the company explains.

More fixes

The software giant adds this build also resolves a vital issue affecting users who wanted to join the Windows Insider program from Windows 10 devices.

"We fixed the issue causing Windows Insiders running Windows 10 who were attempting to join the Dev or Beta Channels to come across a download error code 0xc8000402 while trying to download the latest build. Should you experienced this problem, please install KB5011831 and then try to download the latest build from either the Dev or Beta Channels. If you still see this issue - please file feedback in Feedback Hub," it explains.

Obviously, this new build also includes lots of other fixes, as well as a number of known problems with its own, so make sure you check them out before installing it.

As for the changes which are included, it's important to keep in mind they don't have a specific ETA, as Microsoft uses Dev builds to experiment with all kinds of ideas without necessarily planning to release them to production devices.

From Xbox for Windows and Cortana for desktop to some resurrected Start Menu and new multitasking tools, Windows 10 provides a bevy of useful features. Fundamental essentials Ten best.

1. Start Menu returns

It's what Windows 8 detractors were clamoring for, and Microsoft brought back the Start Menu with Windows 10. Now, whenever you click on the Start button at the end left from the screen, you get two panels side by side, using the left column showing pinned, recently used, and most-used apps.

There is also an electrical button at the top for options such as Hibernate, Standby and Shutdown, as well as an all apps option a la Windows 8. The best column includes a selection of live tiles that you could customize, resize and reorganize. Not that, however the search field at the end will look up related Internet results in addition to programs and files (as it did on Windows 7).

Better still, you can have the Start Menu expand to full screen whenever you want, eliminating the need for a Modern UI Start Screen.

2. Cortana on desktop

Being lazy just got much easier. Windows 10 brings Microsoft's voice-controlled digital assistant Cortana to desktop computers, making it easier for you to interact with your device without lifting a finger. You can search your hard drive for particular files, pull-up photos from specific dates, or launch PowerPoint presentations simply by telling your computer to do so. You may even get Cortana to send an e-mail while you're focusing on a spreadsheet, making multi-tasking that much easier.

3. Xbox app

Now you can play any Xbox One game on your PC or tablet using the Xbox app for Windows 10. The operating system supports Xbox game streaming (through your home network) with improved speed and graphics performance thanks to DirectX 12 support. The app also lets you record, edit and share your fragging victories with the Game DVR feature, which lets you grab the prior Thirty seconds of your game which means you don't miss unexpected wins. You may also join your pals in games across Windows 10 or even the Xbox platforms, and find out your friends' activity via Xbox Live.

4. Project Spartan browser

Forget Internet Explorer. The long-derided browser will be substituted with the newly announced Project Spartan. New features include PDF support, a reading mode that increases the layout of long articles, and a new note taking feature. The latter lets you scribble on any page and share your comments together with your friends through social networking sites using a slide-in menu which means you do not possess to depart the browser. Even better, Project Spartan will feature Cortana support within the browser, so she can pull contextual information from the sites you're on to do things like navigate to some restaurant you are looking up or pull-up an upcoming flight time without needing to go into your email.

5. Improved multitasking

A brand new Multiple Desktops feature lets you run another group of windows as though on another screen, but with no physical monitor. This really is much like Apple's Spaces feature on OS X, and helps you manage your large number of keep the windows open and apps. Rather than having multiple windows open along with each other on one desktop, you can set up a whole other virtual desktop for those programs to reside in. Setup one specifically for home and leave your apps such as Netflix and Amazon open, and make another desktop for focus on that you simply keep Word, Excel and Ie open.

It's easy to keep track of your open apps on Windows 10. You may either hit the new Task View button around the taskbar or swipe in from the left edge of the screen to drag up a one-page look at all of your open apps and files. It's not very different from using the Alt-Tab combination shortcut in your keyboard, but this presents a convenient method for touch-oriented users to obtain an overview of what's running.

Microsoft also updated its Snap View multitasking feature to let you dock windows to the four corners of the screen. While you could split your display between apps before, the amount of programs you might have side-by-side was restricted to your device's screen resolution. The machine will even suggest the other open apps will fill available space, a feature called Snap Assist.

6. Universal apps

To make the transition across devices more seamless, Microsoft introduced a new category of software called Universal Apps, which use exactly the same code but adapt their interface towards the device in your hand. The organization also bundles its very own set of Universal apps using the OS, including Photos, Videos, Music, Maps, People & Messaging and Mail & Calendar, which all function the same way on tablets, phones and PCs. The information is stored and synced via Microsoft's cloud service OneDrive so that you can get in which you left off on another device.

Some of these apps, such as Photos, are brand new. Photos will pull your images across your computer and mobile devices and organize, enhance and sync them through OneDrive. The machine even detects duplicates and stores only one copy of the identical image, and can automatically create good-looking albums for you. The Mail app has additionally been overhauled and can certainly be a form of Outlook, filled with an editor according to Microsoft Word.

7. Office apps get touch support

The latest version of Office apps Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook give a touch-first interface across phones, tablets and PCs. The persistent function ribbon at the top is now an app bar that turns up only if you need it. In Outlook, you are able to delete messages out of your inbox by swiping each admission to the left. Swiping right flags that message. The apps look and carry out the same manner on the PC because they do on the mobile device for any more coherent experience.

8. Continuum

With the rise of hybrid laptop-tablet devices, Microsoft makes it much simpler to change between either mode. The system will detect if you've connected a keyboard or mouse and switch modes for more convenient interaction. Should you remove the keyboard/mouse, a notification will pop up from the task bar at the end, asking if you want to activate Tablet mode. When you do, you are greeted using the more touch-friendly profile. Dock your tablet in to the keyboard again, and you will get the same prompt, this time asking if you wish to exit Tablet mode.

9. Action Center

Windows 10 provides a new way to take a look at all of your notifications in one location. The experience Center collects alerts out of your device from all your apps, like the notifications drawers in iOS and Android. Depending on the app, you may also respond or react out of this panel itself, with every notification expanding to exhibit more actions. The Action Center also offers a quick method to toggle connectivity options along with other settings, for example display brightness and contrast.

10. Unified settings / Control Panel

Rather than having two apps to control your device settings in charge Panel and PC settings, Microsoft makes things less confusing by bringing them together in one. You can manage your device in one place instead of hunting for a specific menu.

While all eyes are obviously on Windows 11 nowadays, Microsoft continues to be working hard on further polishing Windows 10, the operating-system that the company has once been so dedicated to.

With so many devices left behind and tied to Windows 10, this obviously makes sense.

Microsoft has recently designated Windows 10 version 21H2, which is the newest feature update for Windows 10, as ready for broad deployment, therefore telling firms that it's safe to set up this version on their own computers.

The timing isn't necessarily surprising, as it typically takes approximately 6 months to have an update to achieve this phase. Microsoft tells people to install version 21H2 as quickly as possible, pointing them to the instructions on how to start the deployment on their own devices.

"Windows 10, version 21H2 is designated for broad deployment. Of course, we recommend that you improve your devices towards the latest version of Windows 10 as soon as possible to ensure that you can engage in the most recent features and advanced protections in the latest security threats. For more information, observe how to get the Windows 10 November 2021 Update," an April 15 post reads.

Windows 10 supported until 2025

While Windows 11 is now Microsoft's superstar, the organization has promised to carry on supporting Windows 10 until October 2025, according to the company's original schedule.

"For customers who are utilizing a PC that won't upgrade, and who aren't ready to transition to a different device, Windows 10 may be the right choice. We will support Windows 10 through October 14, 2025 and that we recently announced that the next feature update to Windows 10 is coming later this year. Whatever you decide, we are committed to supporting you and also offering choice in your computing journey," Microsoft said if this announced Windows 11.

A brand new Windows 10 feature update is also expected within the fall, likely with only minor refinements.

Microsoft has just released a new Windows 11 build, and once again, both Dev and the Beta channels are getting it.

Windows 11 build 22598 can therefore be downloaded by users both in channels, and this is good news because users can continue to switch in one channel to a different. When the two are now being supplied with separate builds, moving in one channel to the other is no longer allowed.

Windows 11 build 22598 includes small tweaks concerning Windows Spotlight and the taskbar, whilst going live for users living in China and using a Lenovo PC.

Previously, these users were blocked from receiving new builds as part of the Windows Insider program.

"We are actually offering new builds to Windows Insiders in China on Lenovo PCs beginning with Build 22598. These users should connect with the internet for a minimum of Fifteen minutes to allow the Lenovo PC Manager to auto update to the latest version (version 5.0.0.3292 or later) to get an essential fix with the app," the Redmond-based software giant explained.

Known issues

Microsoft says this new build also comes with the Begin app configured to automatically launch on Windows 11 devices, because it once to help users get started doing their computers after upgrading towards the latest build.

Worth knowing is that quite a few users might not be getting the new build, particularly if they're running Windows 10 and now joining the Dev and Beta channels. It is really an old glitch, and Microsoft says it's working on fixing it.

"Windows Insiders running Windows 10 who join the Dev or Beta Channels to obtain the latest builds may encounter a download error code 0xc8000402 while trying to download the latest build. Like a workaround, please join the discharge Preview Channel first, install Windows 11 from there (Build 22000.xxxx), and then change to the Dev or Beta Channel to receive the latest Insider Preview build. This problem is understood and will be fixed within an upcoming build," the company explains.

Changing the default browser on a modern version of Windows has been one pretty challenging process, even for power users.

Microsoft has obviously been under fire for the entire thing, as both other browser makers available as well as Windows users criticized the organization for making it ridiculously hard to switch from Microsoft Edge to a third-party alternative.

In some instances, changing the browser involved changing the default app to deal with every extension, something that beginners would undoubtedly neglect to do and therefore end up staying with Edge.

Recently, the Redmond-based software giant presented an optional cumulative update that improved the process, offering a one-click way to change the default browser in the Settings screen. This update is projected to visit live for all Windows 11 devices next week as part of the Patch Tuesday cycle.

However, Vivaldi says the company must result in the process much more convenient for users available. Company CEO Jon von Tetzchner told The Register that Microsoft first has to offer that cumulative update to all users, not just to those who know how to install an optional patch.

As mentioned, there's a chance the one-click option to set the default browser is going to be included in the April 2022 Patch Tuesday rollout starting off in a few days.

Microsoft should do better

Nevertheless, Vivaldi requires more substantial improvements about this front, with von Tetzchner suggesting the Eu competition agency might have to consider Microsoft's practices.

"While they've made an effort, the truth that it has been done the way it has results in the assumption that it is only being done to avoid being prosecuted for anticompetitive behavior, not to actually solve the underlying problem. Microsoft helps it to be as simple for those users to make use of other browsers, as it is to use Edge, and stop abusing their power to push Edge onto users. They continue to try to make it harder to switch to and employ other browsers. Good quality towards the EU following on this malpractice," Vivaldi says.

I've reached to Microsoft for an answer to these claims and will update the article accordingly.

Microsoft is still rolling out Windows 11 to eligible devices available, but just like every big company, it's also started the entire process of upgrading its very own number of computers to the new operating system.

And more importantly, it managed to complete the procedure in no less than five weeks, with Microsoft explaining that whenever this massive effort was over, no less than 190,000 devices were running Windows 11.

"Introducing a brand new operating-system, especially across a distributed workforce, naturally resulted in questions about device downtime and app compatibility. However, with established practices and evolved solutions at hand, historical obstacles became just that-a subject put to rest. The rollout of Windows 11 at Microsoft was probably the most streamlined up to now, frictionlessly delivering employees the latest operating-system in record time," Microsoft explains.

No app compatibility concerns

The app compatibility would have been a priority, but Microsoft says it relied on App Assure to make sure no such problems occur following the change to Windows 11.

"Data from App Assure, a Microsoft service available to all customers with eligible subscriptions, shows the organization had 99.7 percent compatibility for those apps in Windows 11-that eliminated the need for extensive testing. Additionally, it meant that employees' Windows 10 apps work seamlessly in Windows 11. Additionally, Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Windows Update for Business eliminated the need for exceeding one disk image and made it easier for employees to obtain Windows 11," it says.

The procedure was split into three different plans to plan, prepare, and deploy the new operating-system.