But Windows 11 isn’t necessarily for everyone. There’s a chance that upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 could bring performance problems to your PC.

Or maybe you’ve purchased a new computer or laptop that came with Windows 11, and you’re not a fan of the new operating system.

So is it possible to revert back to Windows 11 after you’ve upgraded? And what about new machines? Can a PC that came with Windows 11 be downgraded to Windows 10? Here’s what you need to know.

Can you revert Windows 11 back to Windows 10?

Short answer: Yes, but it might take some work.

Downgrading to Windows 10 isn’t necessarily as easy as you might think. When Microsoft releases a new operating system, it tries its best to get everyone to adopt the new system as soon as possible.

That being said, there are ways that you can revert Windows 11 back to Windows 10. In fact, the first method isn’t really that difficult. But it is only available if you have upgraded to Windows 11 within the last 10 days.

How to revert back to Windows 10 within the 10-day limit

If you’re on a Windows 10 system and upgrade to Windows 11, Microsoft gives you 10 days to decide if you want to go back to Windows 10. And fortunately, that process is relatively simple.

After completing those steps, your computer will restart and begin the recovery process to reinstall Windows 10. Just follow the prompts that you see and your system will eventually finish reinstalling Windows 10.

After 10 days, you’ll have to perform a clean install

If you’re on a new system or are past the 10-day upgrade window, reverting back to Windows 10 is a bit tougher. If you’re in that situation, you will actually have to do a fresh install of Windows 10 on your PC to go back.

This is a much more involved process that requires a bit more computer knowledge. Microsoft IT expert Kapil Arya has a detailed guide for how you can do that. But keep in mind that this process is somewhat difficult, so make sure you’re prepared for the task.

Windows 11 is great and will only get better in time

So there you go. You most certainly can revert Windows 11 back to Windows 10, no matter the device. Just keep in mind that, unless you’ve recently upgraded within 10 days, the process can be a bit tedious.

Additionally, it’s important to remember that Microsoft will continue to update the operating system to improve aspects that may be lacking. If you haven’t noticed any issues with Windows 11, you are probably fine to stay on it.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to change the scroll direction in Windows 11
• Here’s how to disable the Windows 11 startup sound
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The post Can you downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10? appeared first on KnowTechie.

One of the most concerning is ransomware, which encrypts your files or locks your computer until you pay a ransom.

If you use Windows 10, as most desktop users do, you have built-in defenses against ransomware. All you have to do is turn it on.

Why You Need Ransomware Protection

First things first, why should you use Windows 10’s ransomware protection? Ransomware sounds like something only big companies have to worry about, and while they’re the most popular targets, individuals aren’t safe, either. It has grown in all its forms lately, and its effects can be devastating.

Ransoms for individuals typically run between $200 and $400 and can go even higher. Even if you can afford that, 92% of ransomware victims who’ve paid the ransom didn’t get their data back. Your best defense is to prevent these attacks in the first place.

How to Use Windows 10 Ransomware Protection

Now that you know why it’s important to protect yourself from ransomware, here’s how to do it. First, Microsoft recommends downloading the latest version of Windows if you haven’t already. It’s a good idea to enable automatic updates while you’re at it.

Next, type “ransomware protection” in the search bar. You can also manually get to this menu by opening settings and clicking Update & Security, then Windows Security. Open Virus & Threat Protection and click Manage Ransomware Protection.

In the ransomware protection screen, you’ll see an option called Controlled Folder Access. Turn this on, click Protected Folders and add any folders with files you want to protect. The Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, and Favorites folders are included by default.

Windows’ ransomware protection will block any apps from tampering with these folders, stopping ransomware from encrypting them. This will prevent other, trusted programs from changing them, too.

You can grant them permission by clicking Allow an App Through Controlled Folder Access under this menu but do so sparingly. Remember, the fewer things have access to your sensitive files, the better.

Keep in mind you can only change these settings with an administrator account. If you’re running Windows 11, you can still use these settings through the same process.

Extra Steps to Protect Your PC

This built-in protection is one of your best defenses against ransomware. Still, it doesn’t hurt to take a few extra steps, too. Here are a few more ways to keep files safe:

• Back up any important data routinely.
• Never click links on suspicious websites or unsolicited emails.
• Only download apps from trusted, first-party app stores.
• Install and use an anti-malware program.
• Keep all your software up to date.

If you think you’ve become the victim of a ransomware attack, you can report it to authorities like the FBI or CISA. Follow these experts’ advice, and never pay the ransom, as you may not get your data back.

Stay Safe From Ransomware

Ransomware is a scary and very real threat, but you don’t have to be vulnerable. Stay safe with tools like Windows 10’s ransomware protection and good cyber hygiene. You can then use the internet freely without worrying about losing your valuable files.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Worried about ransomware? Try this trick that ‘Russian hackers hate’
• A ransomware attack has completely shut down Ireland’s health services
• 115,000 students in Baltimore can’t go to school because of a ransomware attack
• A new wave of ransomware attacks is targeting hospitals across the US at an alarming rate

The post Did you know Windows 10 comes with ransomware protection? Here’s how to use it appeared first on KnowTechie.

This article will introduce you to the Auto Dark Mode app, which allows you to schedule Windows 10 and 11 to switch between dark and light modes at specific times.

It is an absolute lifesaver, and we are sure you will get a ton of use out of it. So without further ado, let’s get started.

Light and dark mode, what’s the difference?

Let me ask you a question: How long are you spending behind your laptop or computer? Or, how often do you check your phone?

READ MORE: How to create a virtual desktop in Windows 11

In most cases, readers would answer three to four hours combined. If this is the case, you should know that frequent exposure to the light from your electronic device could harm your eyes and leads to myopia.

Also, scientific studies show that light mode could disrupt your sleep if you are exposed to light mode late at night.

“Our findings suggest that using dim, cooler, lights in the evening and bright warmer lights in the day may be more beneficial,” the University of Manchester writes in its study.

So, if this is ringing any alarm bells, do yourself a favor and switch from Light to Dark mode on your PC, phone, or Nintendo switch.

How to schedule dark mode in Windows 11 – Enter the Auto Dark Mode app

Auto Dark Mode is an app available for Windows 10 and 11, and it enables you to switch between these two modes automatically. It is very popular as it has a rating of five stars on Microsoft Store. You can get this app through the Windows Store or via GitHub.

READ MORE: How to change your username in Windows 11

Now, on Windows 10 or 11, go to Start, search for Auto Dark Mode, and install it. Once installed, launch it. The app’s appearance implies that it features a highly user-friendly interface that enables easy adjustments of light and dark mode timings.

Time tab

In the Time tab, you can disable or enable light/dark mode from a desired time in the morning to the night. However, if you don’t prefer to add hours, go with the “From sunset to sunrise” according to your PC’s location, and light/mode will automatically trigger on or off.

Switch Modes tab

There are other options too. For example, in the Tab Switch Mode, you can tell the app not to change the light/dark mode while playing games. Also, to save energy and prolong the lifetime of your battery, you can command switching from light to dark while your device is unplugged.

Apps and Personalization tabs

Finally, two more tabs, including Apps and Personalization, help you customize even more. For example, in the Apps tab, you can have Windows 11 disable scheduling from light to dark on certain applications.

READ MORE: How to change the scroll direction in Windows 11

Due to the importance of Microsoft Office, there is also a special command available for that package as well. Google Chrome has a similar tool as well.

There are two options in the Personalization tab, including Pick a wallpaper and Pick a theme. In the “Pick a wallpaper,” you can choose certain wallpapers for light and dark modes. This action gives artistic value to your device, which is compatible with the light mode.

Settings tab

Finally, in the Setting tab, you can hide the tray icon from the taskbar, use color filters, set the language, check for updates (you can have this option automated), set the frequency of checking for updates, and many more. 

Conclusion

Before the Auto Dark mode app, there were no other easy methods to automatically set dark mode on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine. And if there was, they required several time-consuming and cumbersome steps.

However, with Auto Dark Mode, you now have a user-friendly UI that allows you to effortlessly schedule dark mode in less than a minute or two. Seriously, it’s as simple as that. So give it a try and let us know what you think. Download it here.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to enable and disable Cortana in Windows 11
• 5 best Windows 11 utilities available right now
• How to turn airplane mode on or off in Windows 11
• How to use voice typing in Windows 11

The post How to schedule dark mode in Windows 11 automatically appeared first on KnowTechie.

Sure, it’s a useful tool and it lets you do things without ever having to take your eyes off the action. But what if you don’t need all those features?

The thing is, Windows 10’s game recording uses up system resources, and precious storage space, and you might not care about being able to take screenshots or video clips, or to easily share them on social media.

The same goes for the chat functions, as you might prefer to stay away from public chat when you’re gaming (and we can’t blame you).

So, can you disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10?

Short answer: Yes

While you could also permanently remove the Game Bar with PowerShell, we don’t recommend it.

It could potentially stop some Xbox services from working properly or give issues with your connected controllers, or any number of other issues. Sticking to the inbuilt toggles in Windows 10’s settings is a safer bet.

So, there you have it. To answer your question, you can totally disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10. Just be sure to follow the instructions we provided above, and you should be good to go.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Can you disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 11?
• The best games you absolutely need to look out for in December
• How to turn airplane mode on or off in Windows 11
• How to use voice typing in Windows 11

The post Can you disable the Xbox Game Bar in Windows 10? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Although it is great to have all of your emails in one spot, constantly receiving new messages can be irritating. Windows 10 likes to push a notification for every email received and this can make it difficult to concentrate if you have to focus on your work.

Luckily, you can disable the notifications and maintain the full functionality of the app. However, the process is not as obvious as most may like.

Here’s how to turn off the notifications for the Mail app:

If you want to remove notifications from one (or multiple email addresses), follow these steps:

1. Start the Mail app (one way to do this is by search for Mail in the search box on your task bar)
2. Click on the Settings symbol that’s located in the lower left-hand corner of the screen
3. Select Notifications
4. Turn off Show notifications in the Action Center for all connected accounts. Alternatively, you can select the account that you want, and uncheck Show a notification banner

If you want to stop receiving notifications from a single account, you can stop here. However, if you want to completely disable the Mail app banners, you need to also:

1. Open the Windows 10 Settings app
2. Select System
3. Click on Notifications and actions
4. Scroll down until you see Get notifications from these senders and click on it
5. Disable the Mail notifications

Keep in mind that following the second set of instructions will completely disable all Mail notifications. Try to first use the Focus assist mode that temporarily turns off all notifications.

Also, keep in mind that the mode can be manually activated and deactivated, but you can also set a schedule for it.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Windows 11 is finally here – here’s what to know
• How to FaceTime Android and Windows users on iOS 15
• You can finally manage your iCloud passwords on Windows
• If you love these Windows 10 features, you should hold off on upgrading to Windows 11

The post How to deactivate Mail app notifications in Windows 10 appeared first on KnowTechie.

This is usually done to streamline the users’ experience and to keep them from changing settings that could damage the system. However, it also buries many features that can help users have more control over their computers.

The more recent versions of Windows, such as Windows 10 and 11, have reduced the visibility and accessibility of the good old Control Panel in favor of a simpler, cleaner menu system. Unfortunately, the number of options that are available in the new menus is smaller than that in the regular control panel.

Now, you can still access the Control Panel, on any modern Windows version, but Microsoft has also hidden a more powerful feature. Appropriately called “God Mode,” this menu contains a wide variety of features and options that lets you alter almost any aspect of Windows.

The best part about God Mode is that it’s very straightforward. Every option is displayed right from the beginning and nothing is buried under countless menus. Here’s how you can access it:

Enabling God Mode on Windows 10 and Windows 11

Gaining access to God Mode isn’t difficult, but it is different from navigating menus throughout the OS.

1. Go to your Windows desktop
2. Right-click on a free spot on your desktop
3. From the contextual menu, hover over New, and then click on Folder

This will create a new folder on your desktop. We will use it as a container for the God Mode menu. You’re halfway there. Here’s what’s left to do:

1. Right-click on the new folder that you’ve created
2. Click on Rename
3. Type this address into the name field: GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}
4. Hit Enter to confirm the new name

Once you hit Enter, the name of the folder will disappear. Double-click on the icon and you will gain access to the God Mode menu. This folder/menu will allow you to modify over 200 parameters of your OS.

The various options that you can alter are grouped in categories that are displayed on the right-hand side of the screen. You can also click and drag icons from this menu to your desktop. This will create shortcuts, making it easier to find specific features that you may use more often.

If you want to delete the God Mode menu, simply drag the icon to your Recycle Bin. This will not have any impact on your system and it is possible to create another menu by repeating the steps above.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• You’ll be able to install Windows 11 on older PCs but Microsoft isn’t making it easy
• MS Paint is getting a much-deserved redesign in Windows 11
• You can finally manage your iCloud passwords on Windows
• You can now run Windows on iPad and Mac for as little as $20 a month

The post How to enable the god mode menu in Windows 10 and 11 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Essentially, it works by plugging in a mouse or keyboard. Then, Windows will download and execute RazerInstaller as SYSTEM. From there, it is a matter of simply using Explorer and Shift+Right Click to open up PowerShell. This would give users access to command prompts, and from there, as they say, the rest is history.

Jonhat, the person that discovered the bug has followed up on the weekend post, noting that Razer has now been in contact with them and that the company is working on a fix. Jonhat had originally contacted Razer privately, but after not receiving a response, went public with the information.

According to BleepingComputer, this is a local privilege escalation (LPE) vulnerability, which means anybody with nefarious plans would need physical access to the computer and the Razer product as well.

What happens that makes this vulnerability possible is that when you plug in the device, the setup wizard for Razer Synapse asks where you’d like it installed. It is during this step that users with bad intentions can gain access to admin privileges as outlined above.

After the post gained tons of traction on Twitter, Razer finally responded to jonhat and the company is working on a fix. They have even offered the security research a bounty for their finding, which is a bit surprising because jonhat went public with the findings.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Razer’s latest set of gaming earbuds stuffs RGB lighting into your earholes
• We’re never going to get The Elder Scrolls 6 because of freaking Skyrim remasters
• Screw the remastered GTA games, where’s our Metal Gear Solid remake?
• Legendary FPS Quake comes out of nowhere with a complete remaster on all platforms

The post The latest and greatest Windows 10 hacking tool? A Razer mouse appeared first on KnowTechie.

The thing is, Windows 11 is still very much a work in progress. There’s nothing saying Microsoft won’t change their mind on some of these things before the full release. That’s what the feedback loop from Insider Builds is all about, and Windows 11 is no different from Windows 10 in this regard.

Here’s what we know is going to be missing when Windows 11 releases.

Here’s what you’ll be missing in Windows 11 when you do upgrade

Okay, look. We all know that every major Windows update loses (or gains!) some things that people will get up in arms about.

When Windows 8 arrived, everyone hated the forced tiled Start Menu, and Microsoft had to change it to optional. I’ve been using Windows 11 ever since the developer previews came out, and I do miss some of the things on this list.

Your Task Bar can only be in one place

Okay, this is the thing that annoys me the most about Windows 11 so far. In Windows 10, I had my Taskbar docked on the right edge of my screen because I found having it along the bottom distracting. In Windows 11, the Taskbar is locked to the bottom edge of the screen, and the only thing I can change is whether the Start Menu icon cluster is in the left corner or in the middle.

Timeline

Timeline is disappearing in Windows 11. You might not miss it, though, as not everyone used the feature. It was intended to help you sync your activity between multiple computers that you may be logged into, but it never really took off.

Quick Status

Apps in Windows 10 are able to put snippets of information on your lock screen for things like appointments or incoming emails, which is called Quick Status. It won’t be making the transition to Windows 11, possibly as part of Microsoft’s focus on security, as programs putting personal information on the lock screen could be problematic.

Live Tiles

Part of the redesign of the Start menu for Windows 11 is to remove the Live Tiles feature. To be fair, it didn’t really get used all that much outside of the Microsoft Weather app. Microsoft is kind of replacing them with desktop widgets, which will live in a slide-out panel on the desktop.

Start Menu groups

The simplified Start menu in Windows 11 is removing the ability to group tiles together and to rename those groups. You can still rearrange where apps you pinned to the Start menu are displayed, though, so maybe that’s not a bad change.

Internet Explorer

Did you think Internet Explorer was already dead? It’s not, because multiple things still use parts of it in Windows 10. Windows 11 clears out all of those vestigial traces, cutting it out like an appendix. It’s now replaced by Microsoft Edge, and if you really, really need Internet Explorer for legacy apps, you can use the new IE mode in Edge.

Tablet mode

Windows 11 won’t have a dedicated mode to switch to when it detects you’re running in tablet mode, like on one of Microsoft’s Surface devices. Instead, it will reconfigure things as it needs to, based on things like if you connect a Bluetooth keyboard. That’s possibly the smart move, as it keeps more of the user experience intact.

Skype

Skype won’t be the go-to messaging app in Windows 11. Instead, Microsoft Teams is going to be replacing it with a prominent place in the Start menu cluster on the new taskbar. Better get used to using Teams, because it will be everywhere soon.

Cortana

While Microsoft’s digital assistant, Cortana, isn’t completely disappearing in Windows 11, she won’t be quite as prominently featured. She’s gone in the install process, and she won’t be pinned to your taskbar either. Maybe she’ll replace Clippy, as the business-focused helper in Microsoft Office.

Windows S mode

Did you ever use Windows S mode, which locked Windows 10 to only being able to install apps from the Microsoft Store? Well, it’s only going to be an option in Windows 11 Home edition, maybe because Microsoft figures anyone who needs the Pro version of Windows knows how to figure out if that program they just downloaded is sketchy or not.

Well, that’s a fairly long list of things that won’t be making it to Windows 11. Are any of them a dealbreaker to you? Let us know down in the comments.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Malware is being hidden in Windows 11 installers – here’s how to avoid it
• Microsoft moved the Start button in Windows 11 – here’s how to move it back
• Everything revealed about macOS 12 Monterey during Apple’s WWDC
• The US says China is to blame for a massive Microsoft Exchange cyberattack

The post If you love these Windows 10 features, you should hold off on upgrading to Windows 11 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Did you know there’s an interesting quirk of the ransomware-for-hire hacker groups that can be exploited to add another layer of protection to your own computer? It’s not even something you have to buy, as it’s part of your operating system.

See, KrebsOnSecurity reports that most, if not all, ransomware strains have one thing in common – they won’t install on a Microsoft Windows computer that has a virtual keyboard installed that uses a language from many Eastern European countries.

READ MORE: Did you know Windows 10 comes with ransomware protection? Here’s how to use it

Weird, right? The short answer as to why this works is because hacker groups hard-code exclusion lists for computers that are found in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), like Russia, Belarus, Armenia, and so on.

Most countries on this list won’t investigate cybercrime unless the victim is from inside one of those countries, making it only profitable for cybercrime groups if they stick to targets elsewhere.

Here’s how to add another language to Microsoft Windows

Now, this won’t keep you safe from all malware and ransomware, or even most of it. What it will do is stop ransomware that’s hard-coded to avoid computers using those languages, so you won’t be a target.

You should still keep your anti-virus running and up-to-date, and be wary of websites that ask you to download things.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Apple’s FaceTime is finally coming to Android and Windows
• Microsoft will unveil ‘the next generation of Windows’ later this month
• Windows is getting a major overhaul ‘soon’ according to Microsoft’s CEO
• Microsoft will finally put Internet Explorer out of its misery in 2022

The post Worried about ransomware? Try this trick that ‘Russian hackers hate’ appeared first on KnowTechie.

Yes, 11 at 11. Certainly portents Windows 11, right? Even the event announcement above shows an ’11’ in the light coming through the window, missing the shadow from the horizontal crossbar. That could mean that Microsoft has decided Windows 10 won’t be the last version of Windows after all.

To me, the two parallel beams of light coming through the Windows logo is related to the dual-screen changes to Windows that Microsoft was developing for Windows 10X. Microsoft recently decided that it wouldn’t make two versions of Windows, opting to roll those dual-screen optimizations into the main version of Windows 10.

That could be what CEO Satya Nadella and Chief Product Officer Panos Panay will show off at the event later this month. Will we see a new dual-screen device to show off the upgrade? Maybe even an updated Surface Duo no longer running Android?

Those are just some of our best guesses, though. We know that new system icons are coming, improvements to File Explorer, updates to multi-monitor use, and the Xbox Auto HDR feature, which is available on Insider Builds right now. We’re also likely to find out more about the changes coming to the Windows Store, which might include the addition of non-UWP apps and rival payment platforms.

We’ll be covering all the news on June 24, so tune in as we find out what the “next generation of Windows” actually is.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Windows is getting a major overhaul ‘soon’ according to Microsoft’s CEO
• Microsoft will finally put Internet Explorer out of its misery in 2022
• If you haven’t uninstalled Adobe Flash yet, Microsoft will be forcibly removing it in July
• Microsoft almost reduced its cut on the Xbox store, but decided to make more money instead

The post Microsoft will unveil ‘the next generation of Windows’ later this month appeared first on KnowTechie.

That time has obviously come and gone, and now Microsoft is getting in on the action with a Windows 10 update that fully removes Flash from PCs. This was announced in a new blog post.

Essentially, starting in June, the preview update for Windows 10 will add the “Update for Removal of Adobe Flash Player” and then in July 2021, that will be added to the Latest Cumulative Update for Windows 10.

Users that are still on Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 will also get a security update in July that includes the forced removal of Adobe Flash.

So, yeah, that’s the news. If you still have the unsupported Adobe Flash program on your computer, you should absolutely consider removing it before Microsoft forcibly removes it, as it can be a security risk.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Microsoft almost reduced its cut on the Xbox store, but decided to make more money instead
• Microsoft is reducing its cut to 12% for game publishers on the Windows Store
• Microsoft will finally let you play free-to-play games online without Xbox Live Gold
• Microsoft Edge’s Kids Mode will make sure your kids don’t stumble onto bad parts of the internet

The post If you haven’t uninstalled Adobe Flash yet, Microsoft will be forcibly removing it in July appeared first on KnowTechie.

According to the two security experts, this simple text string can easily corrupt your hard drive.

At first, many assumed that the hack was triggered only after opening a specific folder, extracting a ZIP folder, or clicking on a shortcut. But as it turned out, the text string is sufficient even if it is only visible on your desktop, or it is just a shortcut icon pointing to the corrupting text.

According to a set of tests executed by Bleeping Computers, the text string can also be effective in HTML files or URLs.

Every time the hack got triggered, the user would get the following message – “restart to repair hard drive errors.” 

In most cases, there is nothing wrong with the hard drive. However, you will need to run a drive scan and repair manually or automatically. However, it’s possible that this malware can run even more havoc on your computer than expected. 

All in all, you might end up needing to reinstall your Windows from scratch. Reinstalling Windows is not anything problematic, but the risk of losing data is present. Therefore, we recommend you keep all of your files backed up in case something like that happens. 

When The Verge asked about this issue, a spokesperson for Windows said that they were aware of it and they would look into it. The spokesperson also noted that Windows users should practice “good computing habits online,” to be cautious when accepting file transfers and when opening new files.

What do you think? Surprised something like this can cause issues with youir computer? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• You can now run Linux on your M1-equipped Mac, kind of
• The taskbar in Windows 10 is getting new weather and news widgets
• Telegram’s People Nearby feature can give hackers your exact location
• Russian hackers infiltrated the U.S Treasury department

The post A simple string of text can crash Windows computers and corrupt hard drives appeared first on KnowTechie.

You can see it in action below, with a mini-feed that pops up, similar to the Start Menu but consisting of cards with news reports, weather, and other pertinent information.

Microsoft is leveraging its Microsoft News network to populate the headlines, which has over 4,500 sources to draw from. An AI curator that’s been trained over recent months picks the stories shown and will learn from which stories you open or dismiss so you get more relevant news from that point on.

If you’re a Windows Insider on the dev channel, you’ll likely see an update to bring the feature to you today, with a roll-out to all users worldwide later this year. During the testing phases, it will be limited to Windows Insiders in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and India.

Any link you click in the taskbar widget will open in Edge, with content opening in the reading view by default. It’s not clear if you’ll be able to set the widget to open in other browsers at this time, but you will be able to disable the widget if you prefer an uncluttered taskbar.

There is one prerequisite to using the new feature, the presence of Microsoft’s Chromium-based Edge browser. That shouldn’t be an issue for any user who keeps their system up to date, as the October 2020 update brought the Chromium-based Edge browser by default, removing the older, legacy version of Edge.

Have any thoughts on this? Would you use this feature on the Windows 10 taskbar? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• The new Windows 10 update brings more customization and improved privacy features for Edge
• Can I run Android apps on Windows 10?
• Microsoft 365 now has a version designed for new M1-equipped Macs
• Microsoft Edge is adding new features including built-in promo codes and screenshot tools

The post The taskbar in Windows 10 is getting new weather and news widgets appeared first on KnowTechie.

Most of the interesting updates come to your included web browser, Microsoft Edge, which will include the Chromium-based version by default for the first time. That means no more legacy Edge, so you might actually want to try it out once updated. There are also improvements to multitasking, deeper personalization options, and an easier way to see which app is sending you notifications.

To update, head on over to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates. If your device has the update available, you’ll see Feature update to Windows 10, version 20H2 now, so click on that to update.

Just a word of caution before you do update, there are a couple of known issues with this build that Microsoft is working on, mainly with Conexant or Synaptics audio drivers. If you don’t use those, you should be fine to update.

Read on for the best parts of the new update coming to Windows 10.

Microsoft Edge

Image: Microsoft

This feature update for Windows 10 is the first to install the revamped, Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge by default. That’s a good thing, with Microsoft now actively helping the open-source Chromium project. Now it’s compatible with more websites than the old Edge and comes with a whole bunch of privacy features that you should know about. The most useful one is a privacy feature that tries to block sites from tracking you online, and there’s a new feature called Collections that lets you gather pieces of information together from multiple websites while you’re researching topics.

Image: Microsoft

To use the new privacy settings in Edge, go to Settings > Privacy and services. You’ll see the three options shown above: Basic, which allows most trackers; balanced, which blocks trackers from sites you’ve not visited; and strict, which blocks the majority of all trackers.

You’ll probably want to use the Balanced option, which is Microsoft’s recommendation. Strict might break parts of some websites, but you can use it and then change down to a lower rating if you find sites you need suddenly stop working. You can check the privacy setting at any time by clicking the lock icon to the left of the search bar. You’ll get a pop-up with information like if your connection is secure, and options to toggle tracking prevention, and a way to change individual site settings.

The new Collections feature is easy to use, if you’re on a website you want to save for later, click the + icon at the top right, which will open the Collections bar on the right of the page. Select Start new collection and rename it. You’re not limited to just adding the whole webpage to the Collection, you can click and drag images, or select then drag text as well, so you can build up notes without having to rescan the whole page again. Oh, and you can export those notes to Word or Excel. Nifty.

Customization

Image: Microsoft

Love it or hate it but the Start Menu is getting a makeover as well. Now it’s more streamlined, with transparent backgrounds on tiles instead of solid colors, so you notice the icons more. You might hate it if you’re used to picking apps by the background color, but it’s an overall improvement in my eyes. Those colors will change slightly if you’re running light or dark mode, and you can add an accent color to have the tiles match your taskbar if you prefer.

Microsoft Edge (again)

Image: Microsoft

You know how once you’ve opened a bunch of tabs on your browser, trying to remember where any specific one is almost harder than searching for the topic again? Well, Edge now has a nifty feature where pressing Alt + Tab opens all of the tabs (or the last three, or five, or none) in a pop-up, so you can easily choose the one you want. That’s going to honestly save me so much damn time every hour of every day.

There you have it, some of the new features coming alongside the latest update for Windows 10!

What do you think? What are some of the features you are most excited about? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review Roundup: Microsoft Surface Duo – another disappointing foldable
• Someone managed to stream games through Microsoft’s xCloud on a freaking refrigerator
• Microsoft Edge now has a price comparison feature and a super-practical screenshot tool
• Chrome 86 is now available – here’s what to know

The post The new Windows 10 update brings more customization and improved privacy features for Edge appeared first on KnowTechie.

See, the problem is that Microsoft no longer supports Windows 7. So, every time someone finds a weakness in the code and exploits it, there will be no patch update to secure the OS. As if Bill Gates doesn’t have enough to worry about! This puts your PC at risk of attack; a circumstance nobody wants to find themselves in. So, what is the FBI’s advice here? Let’s take a look.

A threat to security

The US authorities might not see Windows 7 as a threat to national security in the same way as TikTok. However, they do urge both personal and business users to secure their PC if Windows 7 is the operating system. They state that “[as] of May 2019, an open-source report indicated 71 percent of Windows devices used in healthcare organizations ran an operating system that became unsupported in
January 2020. Increased compromises have been observed in the healthcare industry when an operating system has achieved end of life status. After the Windows XP end of life on 28 April 2014, the healthcare industry saw a large increase of exposed records the following year.”

What does this mean? Well, they’re saying that if you use outdated software, you’re more prone to having your data stolen. We’ve had PC security threats like this since the invention of MS-DOS. 1986 saw Brain – the first MS-DOS virus – released onto IBM PCs. It may not have been as advanced as some of the more dangerous modern viruses out there. However, it does show us one thing; we never learn from our mistakes. We’ll continue to follow blindly what we think is right. In this case, continuing the use of Windows 7.

Time to update from Windows 7

Look, EVERY time ANY platform releases an OS update, people start to complain. This is partially justified; why release a seemingly unfinished product. Well, let’s be honest, it isn’t really fair to berate a brand if an ecosystem as massive as an OS isn’t completely watertight on release.

It might be a piece of software, but it is still prone to human error. It is created by humans, after all. The point here is don’t be put off by what others are saying. Shop around for some expert opinion.

Image: Microsoft

The advice of the FBI, here, comes in the form of four bullet points. Firstly, they suggest you update your OS to the latest supported version. Secondly, they recommend getting your anti-virus up to scratch. Thirdly, (this is most likely for business users) they suggest isolating any computers that you can’t update and auditing the network config for weaknesses. Finally, (again for business users) they say you should check up on any systems using remote desktop protocol, as these are easily exploitable in Windows 7.

It will all be OK…

…if you just update to the latest damn software. Honestly, it isn’t that bad. I use Windows 10 and my PC is nice and secure. It also does what I want it to. Just give it a try, you might like it! But in all seriousness, update your PC to the latest system software. This way, you know you are protected from malicious attacks because the people who created it are constantly fixing exploits. You can upgrade fo free direct from the Microsoft store.

That said, for businesses using multiple pieces of software, updating can be a bit more difficult, but that is why the FBI’s bullet points 3 and 4 exist.

If you’re not keen on Windows full stop, then why not try a macOS device? Or perhaps you could even head down the Linux route? Whatever you choose to do, just try and ensure your software is kept up to date and you shouldn’t need to worry too much about your PC security.

What do you think? Are you still running Windows 7? Is there a reason you haven’t updated? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• What is Windows Polaris and what can we expect from it?
• Can I run Android apps on Windows 10?
• What is Windows 10X?
• You can now use Alexa’s wake word on any Windows 10 PC

The post Windows 7 user? Then the FBI wants you to secure your computer appeared first on KnowTechie.

So, what can you do? Trawling Walmart for a laptop might not be your first choice, but if it’s all that’s on offer, you do what you gotta do. Oh, there’s a $140 EVOO laptop – let’s take a look at that because hey, you might not be reimbursed by work for this. Ars Technica thought the same, and bought one, so (in their own words) “you don’t have to.” Umm, yikes. That can’t be good.

I mean, just look at the specs, it’s not exactly going to win any power contests

A free year of Office 365 is a nice bonus since that’ll cost you $70 on its own. Maybe that will make up for the rest of the laptop…

• Includes Office 365 Personal for One Year and 1TB Microsoft OneDrive Storage
• 11.6″ Ultra-Thin Laptop
• AMD A4-9120 Processor
• 32GB Storage
• 2GB RAM
• Mini HDMI
• 0.3MP Front Camera
• Windows 10 Home

Okay, hold up. 32GB of storage. That might be fine for a Chromebook or an Android device but on a Windows 10 laptop? Ars explains further, that that 32 is really 29.8 because of how Windows counts, and then it’s really only 25 or so that’s usable space.

In fact, they found “only… 11.4GiB free” on the first boot. Will Windows even update with that amount of space? Spoiler: No, no it won’t. Windows Update wants 8GB of space on the C: drive to update, so that means that anyone who buys this piece of shit will be stuck without feature updates and probably security updates going forward.

Okay, so what about wiping the drive and installing Linux?

That’s often the savior of underpowered devices, and that’s what Ars tried next. At this point, the time spent is probably equal to buying a properly-specced laptop, so really this is an “I spent my cash so I’m making it work” moment, rather than a productive use of your time.

Even simple web browsing was sluggish, and when they took the laptop apart to see what’s under the hood, they found why. Let’s start with no cooling. Literally, all the cooling was handled by a sheet of copper. Is that going to work without a fan? No, no it is not.

EVOO only managed to stop it cooking itself (and your thighs) by downclocking the CPU to 1.5GHz from the normal 2.5GHz of the chip. Really, this isn’t so much a laptop but rather an expensive subscription to Office 365. Don’t buy it. If you need something cheap, look through used ads for laptops as almost anything in this price range will be more powerful.

What do you think? Can you imagine a reality where you’d ever buy this laptop? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to choose the right RAM for your computer – 2020 edition
• How to choose the right storage for your computer – 2020 edition
• How to choose the right motherboard for your computer – 2020 edition
• How to choose the right CPU for you – 2020 edition

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Walmart sells a $140 laptop – keep looking, it ain’t worth it appeared first on KnowTechie.

That could be a mobile game that you can’t live without, or maybe you don’t want to deal with a second to-do app to keep yourself organized. Whatever the reasons, it’s a good question. So, can you run Android apps on Windows 10?

Will my Android apps run on Windows 10?

Short answer: Yes (with a little bit of work)

You’ve got two options currently if you want to run your Android programs on Windows 10. There’s the Microsoft Your Phone app, which lets you mirror your Android phone onto your computer desktop, so any apps you have installed can be run on a virtual desktop.

Then there’s the emulation route, which sets Android up in a virtual machine and then lets you run Android on your desktop. It’s a bit more work to set up, but it does have the advantage that you don’t need an Android device, to begin with.

BlueStacks is our favorite of these options, as it’s well-established and lets you run multiple Android apps or games simultaneously when most emulators will only let you run one.

What do you think? Plan on using either of these methods to run Android apps on Windows 10? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Which Android phone has the best camera?
• When will Android 11 release?
• Can Android devices use iCloud?
• This gorgeous wallpaper can crash your Android phone

The post Can I run Android apps on Windows 10? appeared first on KnowTechie.

That’s going to change in the future, with Microsoft working on a new version of Windows 10, Windows 10X. Originally slated for dual-screen devices like larger versions of the Galaxy Fold, it’s been modernized further to handle the complexities of devices that can change orientation easily.

Microsoft showed it off this year at CES, with initial release meant for later this year. The world has changed since then, and now we’ll have to wait to see when Windows 10X will arrive to power mobile devices.

So, what is Windows 10X really?

Short answer: It’s Microsoft’s new, pared-down version of Windows for running on mobile devices

Okay, before I expand on that – no, this is not Windows Mobile reincarnated. Instead, think of it as Microsoft’s version of ChromeOS, or even iPadOS. To begin with, it was focused on dual-screen devices, but Microsoft has revised that due to the coronavirus situation, and now it will be focusing on single-screen devices at launch.

It’s a simplified version of Windows 10 with a heavy dependency on cloud services. Sound familiar? Yes, that means it will directly compete with Google’s cloud-heavy devices, Chromebooks. Don’t expect any devices running Windows 10X to arrive in 2020, those have been pushed back due to the ongoing pandemic.

What do you think? Are you interested in Windows 10X? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Well, it’s official: Microsoft Edge is now the world’s second most popular desktop web browser
• Apple quietly launched a new 13-inch MacBook Pro with better keyboard and improved speed
• Zoom’s biggest competitor, Google Meet, is now free for everyone with a Google account
• Microsoft pulled the plug on Wunderlist – these are the best alternatives

The post What is Windows 10X? appeared first on KnowTechie.

There’s a ton of tech news we weren’t able to cover throughout the day (hey, give us a break, we’re a small independent outfit), so to help you stay up to speed with everything we didn’t get to, we rounded up some of the biggest stories, which should help you keep up to date. Hence the tech hangover. 

Here’s some tech news you probably missed out on today (and when we say you, we mean us, but also…you).

YouTube is the next Big Tech company to get book treatment

Image: Boing Boing

A few months ago I finished the book about Uber, written by New York Times journalist Mike Isaac. It was awesome. You should buy it and read it. It’s good. And with all the shit surrounding YouTube, I’m guessing this will kick ass too.

Silicon Valley giants like Facebook, Twitter and Uber have for some time been subjects of books, movies and long exposés—and now it’s YouTube’s turn, with a new book deal for Bloomberg journalist Mark Bergen’s “Like, Comment, Subscribe.” – Axios

Microsoft patches Windows 10 after the NSA quietly told it about a major vulnerability

Image: Josiah Motley / KnowTechie

Uh yeah, it’s never a good sign when the NSA has to come in and tell you how to code your software. Thanks, NSA?

The National Security Agency alerted Microsoft in recent weeks to a significant issue affecting its Windows 10 operating system, ubiquitous within corporations and among consumers, two senior federal cybersecurity officials told CNBC.

Cookies track you across the internet. Google wants to phase them out

Image: 13 – Drawing Cartoons

One of the best ways Google’s ad business makes money off you is by tracking your cookies. This will crush the online ad business. What’s the play here?

Google has announced plans to limit the ability of other companies to track people across the internet and collect information about them, a significant change that has widespread ramifications for online privacy as well as the digital economy. –NBC News

Popular Apps Share Intimate Details About You With Dozens of Companies

Image: Unsplash

Is anyone surprised here?

A new study shows how popular apps, including Grindr, OkCupid, Tinder, and the period-tracking apps Clue and MyDays, share intimate data about consumers with dozens of companies involved in the advertising business. –Consumer Reports

Amazon taps AI to discover why customers buy seemingly irrelevant products

Image: Joe Rice-Jones / KnowTechie

I feel extremely seen right now.

Why do customers buy products seemingly irrelevant to their web and voice assistant searches? That’s a good question — and one a team of Amazon researchers sought to answer in a study scheduled to be presented at the upcoming ACM Web Search and Data Mining conference in February. – VentureBeat

And in just case you missed some of our stuff earlier, here’s what you may have missed:

• Apple is telling AG Barr to kick rocks over its request to unlock the Pensacola shooter’s iPhones
• Instagram is finally looking to add direct messaging for web users
• Samsung has a $499 phone with a removable battery and it’s coming to the US very soon
• Tesla vehicles will soon be able to speak to pedestrians – here’s a preview from Elon Musk
• The most anticipated Android games of 2020
• Gamers spent over $61 billion on mobile games in 2019
• The latest Samsung Galaxy phone has been leaked because of course it has
• Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 7 today, so it might be time to upgrade
• For the second year, PlayStation will not grace the E3 show floor with its presence
• Geo-blocking: What is it, why it exists, and how to circumvent it
• Review: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro Open Studio headphones
• The best iPhone XR cases
• This insanely useful learn to code bundle is just $29 right now
• Digital Decluttering: Clear your cyber-space as we enter a new decade
• Review: EyeQue VisionCheck – At-home vision testing done right

Notable Mentions

How digital sleuths unravelled the mystery of Iran’s plane crash 

Annual global PC shipments grow for the first time in 8 years 

The Military Is Building Long-Range Facial Recognition That Works in the Dark 

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

The post Tech Hangover: YouTube got a book deal appeared first on KnowTechie.

That means no more security updates. So while Josiah will be masturbating through tears in 30 days, some of us are shedding a single one as we reluctantly update our computers to Windows 10. Both enterprise and home versions of the classic operating system (released October 2009) will be left out in the cold.

Microsoft, naturally, is quick to suggest simply buying a new computer, which kind of makes sense. I’m running Windows 7 on a single, antiquated laptop and I know that Windows 10 would likely brick the GPU and there’s no point in upgrading to Windows 8 because that was straight trash.

And Windows 9 doesn’t exist.

Some are calling the death of Windows 7 the end of the PC era and that’s just deep-fried malarkey. While Windows 10 is a much more touchscreen and tablet-friendly OS, it feels like anyone declaring that is also trying to sell me a new 2-in-1 laptop.

If you are caught out in the cold on this, then you haven’t been paying attention

Microsoft has been pushing upgrades to Windows 10 since it existed and has been warning users that support for Windows 7 would eventually end. They just didn’t want to believe it. Support for Windows 8 ended in 2016, XP in 2014, so Windows 7 users thought maybe, maybe they’d survive.

So, of course, they skipped the free upgrade window when Windows 10 hit the market back in 2015. Which means upgrading now would cost about $139. With a third of Windows users still using Windows 7, that could be a nice upgrade payday for Microsoft. If Windows 7 users actually upgrade that is. Sure, there won’t be any new patches or malware updates, but that doesn’t mean the OS will just cease to work.

It just means it’ll be the most unsafe OS being used. There really is no way to keep it secure when Microsoft stops pushing security updates. It’s like getting into a car after someone cut out the seat-belts and the driver’s seat is stuck all the way back. Sure, the car will run but do you want to drive it?

One of the better options for Windows 7 users isn’t switching to Windows 10, but switching to Linux. You’ll never have to spend your morning pacing around while your PC runs Windows security updates. Linux has that security and stability built-in, and Microsoft is finally developing Office apps for Linux desktops.

Whatever you do, do it before your PC becomes a hive of scum and villainy. With a third of the world’s Windows-based PCs running Windows 7, it will take as long as a mildly warmed up Hot Pocket to ooze onto the plate for malware scammers to target these now vulnerable PCs. You could scoff, but think about it.

Microsoft hasn’t been quiet about this, it has been loud about Windows 7 support ending because your Windows 7 PC will be at risk

Don’t be that one stubborn person logging on to the company network from a Windows 7 PC bogged down with malware and trojans.

Yes, Windows 7 was probably the best OS from Microsoft ever. Windows 10 doesn’t even come close. I still use 2010 office apps because the later versions just have too much UI, too much crap on the screen. Windows 10 felt like that for a while.

It felt like I was using a tablet on the PC. The first iteration was straight wet garbage. It’s gotten better. If you know run commands, you’ll have no problem getting used to Windows 10. Everything is still there. You can still get to Administrative Tools. Stop whining.

Or you can upgrade to Linux. Or buy a new PC. Whatever you do, stop using an insecure OS. Windows 7 is dead. It’s time to load it onto a canoe, push it out into the river and shoot a flaming arrow into its stomach. It’s done. It had a good run, we’ll miss it, but it’s time to move on. Death is always hard, but in the end, there is acceptance and whether it’s Windows 10 or Linux, we’ll accept the inevitable upgrade. There’s no other choice.

What do you think? Have you made the switch to Windows 10 already or will you roll the dice? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• You can now use Alexa’s wake word on any Windows 10 PC
• Microsoft is pulling the plug on Wunderlist – Check out these great alternatives
• Microsoft’s Project xCloud expands its streaming test to over 50 titles
• WTF is up with the new Microsoft Edge logo?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. Click here for more.

The post Microsoft officially ends support for Windows 7 today, so it might be time to upgrade appeared first on KnowTechie.