Search the Community

WinToUSB 8.5 by Razvan Serea WinToUSB allows you to install and run a fully-functional Windows on external hard drive, USB flash drive or Thunderbolt drive. It is so easy and efficient, with just 3 steps and a few minutes, you can create your first portable Windows 11/10/8/7 or Windows Server directly from an ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD, VHDX file or CD/DVD drive, or you can clone currently running Windows installation to USB or Thunderbolt drive as portable Windows. WinToUSB also supports creating Windows installation USB drive from Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server installation ISO, with it you can install Windows from the USB drive easily. Note: The WinToUSB Free Edition is solely intended for non-commercial, private, and personal use on home computers. It should be noted that technical support is not available for the free edition. Use of WinToUSB Free Edition within any organization or for commercial purpose is strictly prohibited. WinToUSB key features include: Creation of Windows To Go from ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD(X) or DVD drive.Improved Clone Windows 11/10/8/7 to USB/Thunderbolt drive as portable Windows. Creation of Windows To Go on Non-Certified Windows To Go USB drive. Encrypt Windows To Go with BitLocker to keep your data safe. Creation of Windows installation and bootable WinPE USB drive with BIOS & UEFI support. Download Official Windows 11/10/8.1 ISO file from Microsoft. Use any edition of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2010 to create Windows To Go USB drive. Windows To Go (Portable Windows) Creator WinToUSB allows you to install & run fully-functional Windows on an external HDD/SSD, USB flash drive or Thunderbolt drive, which means you can carry the portable Windows drive to anywhere and use it on any computer. Faster installation and cloning speed compared to competing products Support any edition of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server Creation of Windows To Go from ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD(X) or CD/DVD drive Clone currently running Windows to USB/Thunderbolt drive Creation of Windows To Go on Non-Certified Windows To Go drive Create BitLocker encrypted Windows To Go Workspace Create portable Windows for Intel-based Mac computers Support for creating VHD(X)-based Windows To Go Windows Installation USB Creator WinToUSB releases a feature called "Windows Installation USB Creator" which allows you to create a Windows installation USB drive from a Windows 11/10/8/7/vista/2022/2019/2016/2012/2008 installation ISO file with a few simple steps, with this feature you can create a bootable Windows installation USB drive to install Windows on both Traditional BIOS and UEFI computers by using the same USB drive. Bypass Windows 11 system requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Minimum hardware and Microsoft account) Install Windows on both BIOS and UEFI computers by using the same USB drive Windows PE Bootable USB Creator This feature allows you to create a bootable Windows PE USB drive, it can help you transfer the contents of a Windows PE ISO file to a USB drive and make the USB drive bootable, and this feature supports the creation of a bootable WinPE USB driver that supports both Traditional BIOS and UEFI computers. WinToUSB 8.5 changelog: Fixed bug: The program may crash in the latest version of Windows 11 Fixed bug: The installation source cannot be selected in some cases Fixed some bugs to improve product quality Download: WinToUSB 8.5 | 23.6 MB (Freeware) Links: Home Page | Free vs Pro Comparison | Screnshots Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

Windows 11 Dev Channel preview build 23615 adds support for the new USB 80Gbps standard by John Callaham Microsoft has released the latest Windows 11 build for Dev Channel members of the Windows Insider Program. The new build number is 23615. The big new feature is adding support for the new USB 80Gbps standard, which is just beginning to be added to some new Windows 11 notebooks. Microsoft is also releasing ISO files for the new Windows11 Dev Channel 23516 build. Here is the changelog: What’s new in Build 23615 USB 80Gbps We are excited to announce support for the latest generation USB standard, USB 80Gbps, in this build of Windows. USB 80Gbps support will initially launch on select devices based on the Intel Core 14th Gen HX-series mobile processors, such as the new Razer Blade 18. This is the first major version update of the USB4 standard and increases performance to 80Gbps from 40Gbps. It enables the next generation of high-performance displays, storage, and connectivity. It is fully backwards compatible with peripherals built for older generations of USB and Thunderbolt and works alongside all other USB Type-C features. FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Devices and Drivers > Buses. Changes and Improvements [Copilot in Windows] We are trying out opening Copilot automatically when Windows starts on widescreen devices with some Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. This can be managed via Settings > Personalization > Copilot. Note that this is rolling out so not all Insiders in the Dev Channel will see this right away. New Copilot Settings page. [Windows Share] For Microsoft Edge and other browsers that invoke the Windows share window, the Windows share window now supports the ability to share URLs directly to WhatsApp, Gmail, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn. In Microsoft Edge, you can invoke the Windows share window by clicking the share icon at the top right in the toolbar and choosing the Windows share options. New share targets for sharing links through the Windows share window. Fixes [Task Manager] Fixed an issue which was impacting Task Manager reliability for some Insiders. [Windows Share] Fixed an issue which was impacting Windows share window reliability for some Insiders. NOTE: Some fixes noted here in Insider Preview builds from the Dev Channel may make their way into the servicing updates for the released version of Windows 11. Known issues [Copilot in Windows] When first launching or after refreshing Copilot in Windows while using voice access, you’ll need to use “Show grid” commands to click in the “Ask me anything” box for the first time. [Widgets] Announcements from the Microsoft Start feed are still shown on the taskbar after the feed is hidden. Keyboard navigation from settings subpages back to the top-level Settings page is broken. Incorrect spacing and fonts used in some settings pages. You can check out the full blog post here.

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid combines a Windows 11 PC with an Android tablet by John Callaham Confirming a previous leak, Lenovo officially announced the ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid during its CES 2024 product reveals. It combines a Windows 11 notebook with a 14-inch OLED 2.8K touchscreen display that can detach from the keyboard and be used as an stand-alone Android 13 tablet. Lenovo's press release states the Windows 11-based keyboard stand uses the new Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, along with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. It also has its own 75Whr battery The Android 13-based display/tablet runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chips, and includes 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It also has two rear cameras (13MP and 5MP) and a front facing IR camera. Lenovo says the Windows 11-based keyboard, which it calls the Hybrid Station, can be connected to an external monitor or display to do work when the Android 13 screen is being used as a tablet. When the tablet is connected to the keyboard, Lenovo says the Windows half can support the "streaming of Android applications on screen in Picture-in-Picture window." Both the Windows 11 keyboard and the Android 13 tablet have Wi-Fi 6E wireless hardware. The keyboard has a fingerprint reader, two 2 USB-C ports, and an audio jack. The Android tablet has one 1 USB-C port. The Windows 11 keyboard weighs 2.14 pounds while the Android tablet will have a weight of 1.73 lbs pounds. That means the two halves, when linked together, will weigh 3.87 pounds. The ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid will go on sale in the second quarter of 2024. The price will be a bit high as the company will charge $1,999 for this Windows 11-Android 13 combo. The big question: Will this be attractive to people, or will they simply buy a cheaper Windows 11 notebook and Android 13 tablet?

Dell shows off mockups of Windows 11 using Copilot AI to help change settings on PCs by John Callaham Without a doubt, Microsoft's biggest update to Windows 11 in 2023 was the addition of Copilot (formerly Bing Chat). The generative AI chatbot, which is also being tested by Windows Insider members for Windows 10, is being marketed by Microsoft as more than just a Cortana-like digital assistant. Indeed, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently said that Copilot will be "the entry point into this world of AI on the PC." However, it seems like computer makers are coming up with new ideas of how a generative AI feature like Copilot could be used in future Windows PCs. Today, Gizmodo posted an article about viewing a recent demo from Dell that showed how something similar to Copilot could make it easier to change settings on a PC. The demo included mockups of Windows 11 running with advanced Copilot-like features. Gizmodo said that Dell showed how a Copilot icon could be set up on the Windows 11 taskbar. Clicking on that icon could enable users to either type or speak prompts. These prompts could be used to ask Copilot to bring up a trackball's brightness controls or see which graphics driver version you have installed, instead of going through a ton of menu and settings options to find them on your PC. In another Windows 11 mockup demo, Dell showed how Copilot might be able to automatically set up Wi-Fi security settings when you try to log into a public Wi-Fi router. Users could type or speak into Copilot and ask it to have their PC run at the faster performance settings possible. That command is then accomplished by Copilot, again without the user having to make these changes manually. It's important to note that Dell's Windows 11 demo does not mean Microsoft is actively working to expand Copilot in these directions. This is simply a possible look at what Copilot could do in future versions of Windows. However, the fact that Dell went to the trouble of making these Windows 11 Copilot mockups shows that at least one major PC maker has some ideas about where these AI features could be used. Microsoft might want to take some notes as it looks to expand the use of Copilot in 2024.

Lenovo may announce a Windows laptop with a detachable Android tablet display at CES 2024 by John Callaham As we get closer to the start of CES 2024 in Las Vegas in the second week of January, we are starting to see some possible leaks of the product that might be presented at the trade show. Today, a Chinese social media account uploaded images and descriptions of what it claims are some of Lenovo's upcoming laptops that might be revealed during CES 2024. The social media account Apocalypse Chat Laptop (via Liliputing) put a special emphasis on one particular model, a new entry in Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus notebook lineup. According to the post, in normal mode, the device should work as a regular Windows laptop. However, it also reportedly has a detachable display that can be used as a stand-alone Android tablet. Aside from that description and the images, not much else has been revealed about this Windows-Android hybrid. There's no word on the notebook's hardware or software specs, and there's no info on a possible price or release date. One of the images does show a stylus being used on the stand-alone Android tablet, so it's possible it could be bundled with a pen. If this leak is accurate, it would not be the first time Lenovo tried to launch a Windows-Android notebook-tablet hybrid. At CES in 2011, it announced that the IdeaPad U1 would double as a Windows notebook with a display that could work as an Android 2.2 tablet. However, that device ended up not being released to the public. The Chinese social media account also includes more images and brief descriptions of some other upcoming Lenovo notebooks, including new products in its Legion gaming-themed notebooks and notebooks in the 2-in-1 Yoga lineup. As always, take each unconfirmed leak with a reasonable grain of salt.

NTLite 2023.12.9552 by Razvan Serea NTLite is a Windows configuration tool that allows you to modify your existing Windows install or an image yet to be deployed, remove Windows components, configure and integrate, speed up the Windows deployment process. Reduce Windows footprint on your RAM and storage drive memory. Remove components of your choice, guarded by compatibility safety mechanisms, which speed up finding that sweet spot. Windows Unattended feature support, providing many commonly used options on a single page for easy setup. Easily integrate a single or multiple drivers, update or language packages. Package integration features smart sorting, enabling you to seamlessly add packages for integration and the tool will apply them in the appropriate order, keeping hotfix compatibility in check. One of the important new features of NTLite (compared to its predecessors) is the ability to modify an already installed the operating system, by removing unnecessary components. Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 7, x86 and x64, live and image. Server editions of the same versions, excluding support for component removals and feature configuration. ARM64 image support in the alpha stage. Does not support Checked/Debug, Embedded, IoT editions, nor Vista or XP. NTLite 2023.12.9552 changelog: New Components: ‘GameInput Service’ (Win11 build 2792+) Components: ‘Bing Search (InboxApp)’ (Win11 build 2792+) Components: ‘Adobe Creative Cloud’ compatibility option Settings: ‘Remove registry logs of package install locations’ option Upgrade Components: ‘Flipgrid PWA (InboxApp)’, split from Edge Chromium Components: ‘Outlook PWA (InboxApp)’, split from Edge Chromium Updates: Detection of existing packages via a version as well, not just comparing identical ones This was used before only for cumulative updates, now for all existing packages and features, useful in WinPE OC integrations Updates: Listing feature packs on the existing package list Settings: Navigation bar – Gallery added ability to delete in images, as disabling did not stick before install UI-Translation: Thanks for Chinese Traditional (Matt), French (tistou77), Swedish (1FF), Turkish (Just) Fix Components: SMB1 removal leftovers if Computer Browser kept, also fixes a rare cumulative update error after remove reinstalls cleanup Components: OneNote removal was breaking Snipping Tool, a recent regression Download: NTLite 64-bit | 23.5 MB (Free, paid upgrade available) Download: NTLite 32-bit | 20.9 MB Link: NTLite Home Page | NTLite Features Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

Microsoft will continue working on its HoloLens mixed reality headset for the US Army by John Callaham Earlier today, we reported that Microsoft had quietly deprecated its Windows Mixed Reality platform and will remove it from a future Windows update. The move put into question Microsoft's previously announced plans to work with the US Army on a HoloLens-based headset labeled IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System). A recent test of 20 of these IVAS headsets was deemed a success by the Army, meaning the next phase of its evaluation would begin. However, with the deprecation of Windows Mixed Reality, we wondered what this meant for the future of IVAS. We contacted Microsoft about their decision to deprecate Windows Mixed Reality in general and the status of the IVAS headset for the US Army. We received this response from a Microsoft spokesperson: Through both hardware and software solutions, Microsoft remains committed to mixed reality and the metaverse by bringing the physical and digital together in open, accessible, and secure ways for our customers and partners. We recently announced Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides at Microsoft Ignite, bringing mixed reality and generative AI together for HoloLens users. We continue to work with the Army to develop IVAS into a transformational device that will significantly improve soldier safety, effectiveness, and capability. The positive feedback from early testing of the updated IVAS is a testament to our partnership with the government, commitment to the program, and ability to rapidly iterate to achieve results. IVAS is a great example of technology sharing between commercial products and fit-for-purpose government programs.  So, it appears that Microsoft will continue to work with the US Army on the HoloLens-based IVAS device. However, it seems that it will not offer any of its mixed reality software for consumers. Still, Microsoft is working to add support for its software products on other VR and MR headsets. Earlier this month, it launched Xbox Cloud Gaming and also its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint apps for Meta's Quest headsets. It also plans to offer those Office apps on Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headsets.

Proton Mail desktop app launches for Windows and Mac in beta; Linux version in the works by John Callaham Proton, the company known for its secure online software products, finally launched what it first promised over a year ago. Its popular Proton Mail email client is now available in beta for Windows and macOS users. In an email press release, the company stated: Proton Mail’s new desktop app gives users the robust encryption of Proton Mail and Proton Calendar, with the convenience of a dedicated desktop app. Available on Windows and macOS, this release means that Proton Mail now has a dedicated app for all major platforms, further underscoring Proton’s commitment to making privacy and security as accessible as possible. Since the app is in beta, not all of the features found in the Proton Mail web app are available on the desktop yet. Those include offline mode, account switching, and more. These features will be added over time in future updates. At the moment, the Proton Mail beta app for Windows and macOS is only available for people who have signed up for the company's Visionary plan. That plan is now open for sign-ups until January 4, 2024, at the annual price of $359.88. The app will become available for all users sometime in 2024 The company also confirmed on this support page that it is also working on a Linux version of the Proton Mail desktop app, which should become available sometime in early 2024. Finally, Protonannounced that all paid Proton Mail users can now access the new auto-forwarding email feature: With email forwarding, you can automatically send incoming mail to any other email address. When forwarding to Proton Mail email addresses, messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one (including Proton) can see the contents of your messages. But you can also set up forwarding to external addresses, including CRM and customer support software. Another new feature is the ability to "snooze" emails and be reminded of them at another time.

Arc Browser for Windows beta invites are finally being sent out by John Callaham The Browser Company, a startup that's been developing its own web browser called Arc, is finally letting some people try out the long-awaited Windows version. As posted on its X (formerly Twitter) account, the first beta invites to try out the Windows port are now being sent out. It starts today. The first Arc on Windows beta invites are out - and yours is coming soon. 💥 isarconwindowsyet [dot] com pic.twitter.com/3n7ucU11Rh — The Browser Company (@browsercompany) December 11, 2023 We have received one of those emails, and it states that The Browser Company is "onboarding hundreds of beta testers to Arc" over the next several weeks. Starting in 2024, the number of people who will be given a chance to check out Arc will expand to thousands of people who are on the beta waitlist every week. You can sign up for that waitlist at the Arc site. The Browser Company has been trying out some new ideas for web browsers for the iOS and Mac versions, They include the use of built-in apps like a notepad and more. The Arc browser also supports what its developers call "boosts", which is supposed to let users customize the look of certain web sites. In a change from the normal web browser UI design, the Arc browser places the URL address bar on the left side instead of the top. It's also used for the search bar and tabs. Website tabs can also be organized into "spaces" in the browser for fast access. Tabs can be pinned as well on the sidebar, similar to bookmarks. Other features in the iOS and Mac versions of the Arc browser include a picture-in-picture mode that supports Google Meet, along with an ad blocker. Arc is supposed to be a secure browser, with no cookies support and a pledge not to share search data with others. One other interesting thing is that the Arc browser for Windows was actually developed by using Apple's Swift programming language.

W10Privacy 5.0.0.1 by Razvan Serea W10Privacy is a powerful and user-friendly privacy tool designed for Windows 10 users. With its intuitive interface, it allows users to easily customize and manage privacy settings, giving them control over data collection, telemetry, and other sensitive information. W10Privacy offers an array of key features for Windows 10 users seeking enhanced privacy and security. With a user-friendly interface, users can easily customize privacy settings and control data collection and telemetry. The tool enables seamless app management, allowing users to uninstall unwanted Windows applications. It also offers Cortana management options and the ability to control Windows updates. Advanced firewall configuration and Windows Defender settings give users added security measures. One-click optimization and predefined privacy profiles save time while securing privacy. W10Privacy key features: Customizable Privacy Settings: Take control of data collection and telemetry options to safeguard your personal information. Telemetry Control: Disable or limit Windows telemetry to prevent data sharing with Microsoft. App and Feature Control: Choose which built-in Windows apps and features to enable or disable. Update Control: Manage Windows update settings to prevent unwanted updates or choose specific update options. Firewall Configuration: Access advanced firewall settings to protect your network and data. Windows Defender Options: Adjust Windows Defender settings for better security and control. Privacy Profiles: Utilize pre-configured profiles for different privacy levels, saving time on customization. Individual Privacy Categories: Fine-tune settings for specific privacy categories, such as telemetry, location, or search. Context Menu Integration: Access essential W10Privacy features directly from the right-click menu. Privacy Analysis: Get a comprehensive overview of potential privacy issues and recommendations. Create Restore Points: Safeguard your system by creating restore points before applying changes. Control Windows Services: Manage and disable unnecessary Windows services for improved performance. Portable Mode: Run W10Privacy from a USB drive without installation for privacy on the go. Regular Updates: Stay up-to-date with the latest improvements and privacy enhancements. W10Privacy 5.0.0.1 changelog: Improved the integrated uninstallation process for Microsoft Edge browser. Links to the instructions and the FAQs in the program menu Update of the Italian texts - thanks to NAMP! Note: False positive virus detections may occur for W10Privacy. The software is designed to modify system settings, but it does not contain any actual viruses. Notify your anti-virus vendor to address the issue. Download: W10Privacy 5.0.0.1 | 2.4 MB (Freeware) View: W10Privacy Homepage | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

Canary and Dev Insiders can try out new Notepad and Microsoft Store updates by John Callaham Microsoft is rolling out new Canary Channel (Build 26010) and Dev Channel (23601) versions of Windows 11 for members of the Windows Insider Channel right now. Members of both channels are also getting updates for the Notepad app as well as the Microsoft Store. The Notepad app additions for version (version 11.2311.29.0) are as follows: Edit with Notepad: Easily access Notepad for file modifications directly from File Explorer. Just right-click on any file or multiple files in File Explorer to find the [Edit with Notepad] option in the context menu, a quick and streamlined way to open and edit files in Notepad. New Edit with Notepad option in the context menu in File Explorer.Character Count: Keep track of your document’s length with the new character count display in the status bar. When text is selected, the status bar shows the character count for both the selected text and the entire document. If no text is selected, the character count for the entire document is displayed, ensuring you always have a clear view of your document’s length. Character count for selected text in Notepad. Canary and Dev Channel users will also be able to check out some improvements in the Microsoft Store: Install as you browse: Introducing another quick way to get your favorite products: you can now install directly while browsing. Simply browse through the Store’s Home, Apps, or Games pages and hover over a product and click the install button. There are now fewer clicks to dive into new apps. Install an app directly as you browse in the Microsoft Store. Improving discoverability of instant games: A few months ago, the Microsoft Store introduced games that you can play without downloading. We’re making it easier to discover these games by having a dedicated page you can browse. Performance while browsing: We’ve made performance improvements in the Microsoft Store that will make it smoother for you to browse and scroll through various pages. Again these improvements are for the Canary and Dev channel Insider build of Windows 11 for now.

Microsoft PC Manager (offline installer) 3.8.10 Beta by Razvan Serea With Microsoft PC Manager, users can easily perform basic computer maintenance and enhance the speed of their devices with just one click. This app offers a range of features, including disk cleanup, startup app management, virus scanning, Windows Update checks, process monitoring, and storage management. Microsoft PC Manager key features: Storage Manager- easily uninstall infrequently used apps, manage large files, perform a cleanup, and set up Storage Sense to automatically clear temporary files. Health Checkup feature -scans for potential problems, viruses, and startup programs to turn off. It helps you identify unnecessary items to remove, optimizing your system's performance. Pop-up Management - block pop-up windows from appearing in apps. Windows Update - scans your system for any pending updates. Startup Apps - enable or disable startup apps on your PC, allowing you to optimize your system's startup performance. Browser Protection - rest assured that harmful programs cannot alter your default browser. Also enables you to change your default browser. Process Management - allows you to conveniently terminate any active process, ensuring optimal system performance and resource utilization. Anti-virus protection - Fully integrated with Windows Security. Safeguard your PC anytime. Microsoft PC Manager is a completely free tool optimized exclusively for use on Windows 10 (version 1809 or newer) and Windows 11. Download: Microsoft PC Manager 3.8.10.0 Beta | 22.5 MB Download: Microsoft PC Manager Online Setup | Store View: Microsoft PC Manager Home Page Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

So there has been an on going thread about powerline adapters, well the OP finally got some - and I was curious about speed he is seeing, etc. So told him would post up links to some tools. This lead me to compiling the latest version of iperf3 I could find for windows Since I couldn't find one. So figured post it up if anyone is interested. Got the source from here https://github.com/esnet/iperf Found a blog post how to compile on windows here http://www.embeddedsystemtesting.com/2014/08/how-to-compile-iperf3-for-windows.html So few minutes later I end up with a copy of the current iperf3 that works on windows. Needs a few cygwin dlls, included in the zip. But other than that unzip and go. It has lots of new options compared to the older versions Been a fan of iperf for years, so will prob keep this current when new versions come out since doesn't seem like anyone else is posting up the windows builds, etc. You can grab all my compiled versions here https://files.budman.pw/ Any questions on its use, just ask -- post up some tests as well!! edit: updated this on 02/25/17 new build 3.1.6 http://software.es.net/iperf/news.html#iperf-3-1-6-released This version of iperf3 contains two minor fixes. Notably, one of them unbreaks JSON output with UDP tests. edit2: 5/23/17 Thanks to @Datalink for letting me know site was down. Back up now, if your having issues flush your dns had to move it to different host. Added site to my monitoring so next time it goes down will know right away BTW 3.1.7 just typo's so no reason to compile it 2017-03-06: iperf-3.1.7 released This version of iperf3 contains two documentation fixes, but is otherwise identical to the prior release. edit3: 7/6/17 Updated to new 3.2 build http://files.budman.pw/iperf3.2_32bit.zip CRC32: 9e4b913c MD5: ff7fc42f6ba29e9f83c8bb8e0066f722 SHA-1: 68ad3a0f0c2f30c1756f0a5eb39e1062e6beb6f4 http://files.budman.pw/iperf3.2_64bit.zip CRC32: add96290 MD5: 7a014ff67b1d678f546ead2360820d47 SHA-1: 98ed98ac6d392a4484e5151ab2f714390c99b52e edi4: 11/18/17 Updated to new 3.3 build https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.3_64.zip MD5: 49095ccb2442101d2a1ffc6213f3d1b9 SHA-256: 1fea7ae97b8ec5ab1c61ef1afcf7afd491d37ef41061a845f9bb8477425c66db https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.3_32.zip MD5: b6ad4c094a18196e0798e1a2825bc609 SHA-256: 919978ac0b574d7662d5b0e58174a6107002db96e7592929a9a28938516a2c5f edit5: 02/16/2018 Updated to new 3.4 build see post in thread https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.4_32.zip MD5: 3b805d0895e7bb4d005429ed5859dd00 SHA-256: 82a933bbf96731a615ee5ae40bc1e6986ffcdd0b83c7c4e9cd024a996b3c0808 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.4_64.zip MD5: e4c0d2d8bda22ebbb710a9a65aacddf9 SHA-256: 7a3f83d211d22102d05dcf0eb24f4ff8cd3d9083aada9a27c88ba7ced0a0eccc edit6: 03/05/2018 Updated to 3.5 build, see post in thread https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.5_64.zip CRC32: 18962237 MD5: 840a2d5e0f81d8a6dc0d8be854caf61a SHA-1: 1a18185c79645b082392dcd024b7e53900dc38bd SHA-256: 94a0ec4e486904a6a8ebe390eca37871f47a097599908c3647d6ad1d0bbdff59 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.5_32.zip CRC32: 21d8a0eb MD5: dd79fe69c86e62c780e45e6e0d2ec66d SHA-1: 2c63c1f9ef35be23170869a6a7eb048241aa2f14 SHA-256: bf4b95a58e54ceda101e33b0b908c581df1ce4a217f233e1092dc3278572de43 edit7: https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.6_64bit.zip CRC32: A9B23E64 MD5: 3530BD3C837EA146C8F98106FA94E395 SHA-1: 7E09239B207739714294A4EA1DA9C69623374740 SHA-256: DE958C4CF72DBC64DCBB42130BD466D9FD367E4519C5C3F78A6675CA87E12B7D edit8: Updated 7/6/2019 New 3.7 build, see post in thread https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.7_64.zip CRC32: 13EB9AD9 MD5: 96C2C058B0128BEC346BD0D034D7B31E SHA-1: 83978F54B7EDDA073CC4E865493AA6544862879A SHA-256: 93FB4641810C06DE554E97FD4E6B44CEFBD8ECB8EA8CFEA3CC550B823C3E89CE edit9: Updated 3/11/2020 updated cygwin, guess there was some bug in the cygwindll, see post in thread. https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.7_64_updated_cygwin1dll.zip CRC32: ABCA3CAA MD5: C3594A08967FD57BF36F757980480F9D SHA-1: DF6C8B3D18941DABBC5AB21ACB5844A062620092 SHA-256: B1A14F8B2435AAA98D26F8499DF23BF6532B5F0EA2288DA04E0C28333EDBC48E edit10: Updated 6/9/2020 New 3.8 build, see post in thread https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.8_64bit.zip MD5: 38A01DC0D4CC67058B094A96274A6F49 SHA-256: E37B0885EFA60106A3333CDAE878815B2306B434175F2BFBAF2DBF709BAB2049 edit11: updated 6/10/2020 New 3.8.1, see post in thread https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.8.1_64.zip CRC32: 69CE7B06 MD5: 1157B038DC04646B074A822A171E77A7 SHA-1: A692D6E5FAD3004A229C92661EC4448004EA269E SHA-256: CD337C2EEB5ACF02713867990E4F9F0656CC0CAEA850F3B3C289DD79305DF1A1 edit12: updated 8/17/2020 New 3.9, see post in thread https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.9_64.zip Name: iperf3.9_64.zip Size: 1542276 bytes (1506 KiB) SHA256: 15D2D3C2A8B9A69EFD9991FEFE5206E31D6055399F7A4C663C3CB6D77B6770F8 edit13: updated 5/31/2021, see post in thread https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.10_64bit.zip SHA256: 098f276552939acec2a9a7d6990e79bac17e45fb951d32ce59c2d764cdcaf15a edit14: updated 6/4/2021, released a new build https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.10.1_64bit.zip sha256 2cf3ff3671f9f4f57cf01ab8b2d960feb9e087d450f3b58aaf4ab82333262be0 iperf 3.10.1 fixes a problem with the configure script that made it make not work correctly in some circumstances. It is functionally identical to iperf 3.10. I didn't seem to have any issues with my 3.10 build, but redid to keep with current version numbers. edit15: updated 2/2/2022 - see post in thread about 3.11 being out and new compile of 3.10.1 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.11_64bit.zip sha-256 166F815BEEC86DE38CC26C243C344C67143575F380974EE0033C6CEF90398F84 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.10.1_64bit_compiled_2-2-2022.zip sha-256 212A5E346D018A63BD35212EFA1387CDEE1248979D89DB0DE3BADCAA897257CE edit16 updated 10/1/2022 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.12_64.zip SHA-256: 24222F681219D3814880D0E3FAB2165C1A88628D1DBD89CCBFADD4A853DD8AC7 edit17 02/16/2022 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.13_64.zip MD5: CE3AD0A3F1BFACDDCB8253BE0A5B4264 SHA-256: 28AD4F9146B112FE4AAFC092042A1769F38E4031E6FE9C5790BFFE56B696028C edit18 updated 7/1/2023 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.14_64.zip MD5: F2E950606D42EDC33BAEDC2A475791F7 SHA-1: DD1810A0A76A428274B45BBE97FDA8E026B3C552 SHA-256: A4D01475E70CB78352D1754A24A8DBF71DB848AF985CFAF5FB75D1E65F0FA664 edit19 9/15/2023 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.15_64.zip MD5: 368FDF957DA41124515BC56131B014F4 SHA-1: D23EA253A73F24812087A05EAEC3C5E1653ADF63 SHA-256: 15BCAE86ED07FAFBB6CF0A91D5ECED2CEEE65077C05059927C707D87077D3618 edit20 12/1/2023 https://files.budman.pw/iperf3.16_64.zip CRC32: AA6A0862 MD5: 5F7F24A0BB135DDE38C6182A9F60D6D4 SHA-1: 2C24A2499A1EFECC0B7F592705CB460864FE6072 SHA-256: 52063FF7CC8570A86A0AAAEF8221370AFB4A4EE93ACA2029B7DF4BAAD7032B15

WinToUSB 8.4 by Razvan Serea WinToUSB allows you to install and run a fully-functional Windows on external hard drive, USB flash drive or Thunderbolt drive. It is so easy and efficient, with just 3 steps and a few minutes, you can create your first portable Windows 11/10/8/7 or Windows Server directly from an ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD, VHDX file or CD/DVD drive, or you can clone currently running Windows installation to USB or Thunderbolt drive as portable Windows. WinToUSB also supports creating Windows installation USB drive from Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server installation ISO, with it you can install Windows from the USB drive easily. Note: The WinToUSB Free Edition is solely intended for non-commercial, private, and personal use on home computers. It should be noted that technical support is not available for the free edition. Use of WinToUSB Free Edition within any organization or for commercial purpose is strictly prohibited. WinToUSB key features include: Creation of Windows To Go from ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD(X) or DVD drive.Improved Clone Windows 11/10/8/7 to USB/Thunderbolt drive as portable Windows. Creation of Windows To Go on Non-Certified Windows To Go USB drive. Encrypt Windows To Go with BitLocker to keep your data safe. Creation of Windows installation and bootable WinPE USB drive with BIOS & UEFI support. Download Official Windows 11/10/8.1 ISO file from Microsoft. Use any edition of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2010 to create Windows To Go USB drive. Windows To Go (Portable Windows) Creator WinToUSB allows you to install & run fully-functional Windows on an external HDD/SSD, USB flash drive or Thunderbolt drive, which means you can carry the portable Windows drive to anywhere and use it on any computer. Faster installation and cloning speed compared to competing products Support any edition of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server Creation of Windows To Go from ISO, WIM, ESD, SWM, VHD(X) or CD/DVD drive Clone currently running Windows to USB/Thunderbolt drive Creation of Windows To Go on Non-Certified Windows To Go drive Create BitLocker encrypted Windows To Go Workspace Create portable Windows for Intel-based Mac computers Support for creating VHD(X)-based Windows To Go Windows Installation USB Creator WinToUSB releases a feature called "Windows Installation USB Creator" which allows you to create a Windows installation USB drive from a Windows 11/10/8/7/vista/2022/2019/2016/2012/2008 installation ISO file with a few simple steps, with this feature you can create a bootable Windows installation USB drive to install Windows on both Traditional BIOS and UEFI computers by using the same USB drive. Bypass Windows 11 system requirements (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Minimum hardware and Microsoft account) Install Windows on both BIOS and UEFI computers by using the same USB drive Windows PE Bootable USB Creator This feature allows you to create a bootable Windows PE USB drive, it can help you transfer the contents of a Windows PE ISO file to a USB drive and make the USB drive bootable, and this feature supports the creation of a bootable WinPE USB driver that supports both Traditional BIOS and UEFI computers. WinToUSB 8.4 changelog: Improved algorithm to enhance cloning efficiency Updated Italian and Korean translation Fixed some bugs to improve product quality Download: WinToUSB 8.4 | 23.6 MB (Freeware) Links: Home Page | Free vs Pro Comparison | Screnshots Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

W10Privacy 5.0 by Razvan Serea W10Privacy is a powerful and user-friendly privacy tool designed for Windows 10 users. With its intuitive interface, it allows users to easily customize and manage privacy settings, giving them control over data collection, telemetry, and other sensitive information. W10Privacy offers an array of key features for Windows 10 users seeking enhanced privacy and security. With a user-friendly interface, users can easily customize privacy settings and control data collection and telemetry. The tool enables seamless app management, allowing users to uninstall unwanted Windows applications. It also offers Cortana management options and the ability to control Windows updates. Advanced firewall configuration and Windows Defender settings give users added security measures. One-click optimization and predefined privacy profiles save time while securing privacy. W10Privacy key features: Customizable Privacy Settings: Take control of data collection and telemetry options to safeguard your personal information. Telemetry Control: Disable or limit Windows telemetry to prevent data sharing with Microsoft. App and Feature Control: Choose which built-in Windows apps and features to enable or disable. Update Control: Manage Windows update settings to prevent unwanted updates or choose specific update options. Firewall Configuration: Access advanced firewall settings to protect your network and data. Windows Defender Options: Adjust Windows Defender settings for better security and control. Privacy Profiles: Utilize pre-configured profiles for different privacy levels, saving time on customization. Individual Privacy Categories: Fine-tune settings for specific privacy categories, such as telemetry, location, or search. Context Menu Integration: Access essential W10Privacy features directly from the right-click menu. Privacy Analysis: Get a comprehensive overview of potential privacy issues and recommendations. Create Restore Points: Safeguard your system by creating restore points before applying changes. Control Windows Services: Manage and disable unnecessary Windows services for improved performance. Portable Mode: Run W10Privacy from a USB drive without installation for privacy on the go. Regular Updates: Stay up-to-date with the latest improvements and privacy enhancements. W10Privacy 5.0.0.0 changelog: Added over a dozen user apps that can now be uninstalled (Windows 11 23H2) Added over a dozen system apps that can now be uninstalled (Windows 11 23H2) Add/adjust various settings, not just for Windows 11 23H2 Expansion of the tasks that can be deactivated Microsoft Edge uninstall Users regularly report that uninstalling the “Microsoft Edge” browser via W10Privacy would not work. I was able to verify that on many systems the native Edge uninstaller, for whatever reason, is simply not able to cleanly remove Edge. The messages that come up here are diverse, e.g. B. does the uninstaller first want to establish a connection to the Internet in order to "repair" the Edge installation before Edge is uninstalled?! At this point, I've had enough of the nonsense that Microsoft is spouting - the setting < Uninstall "Microsoft Edge" software > in the "Edge" tab continues to call up the standard uninstallation mechanisms in the first step However, if the Edge uninstallation is not successful, the new W10Privacy program version will now remove Edge "the hard way": stopping the associated services, removing the associated services, deleting the relevant entries in the registry, deletion of shortcuts on the desktop, deletion of created tasks, deletion of paths in the file system. The mechanics ran without any problems on my test systems, but as always there is no guarantee that this will work to the desired extent on other systems! If Edge is to be reinstalled after deinstallation, the MSI installer can be downloaded from here. Note: False positive virus detections may occur for W10Privacy. The software is designed to modify system settings, but it does not contain any actual viruses. Notify your anti-virus vendor to address the issue. Download: W10Privacy 5.0 | 2.4 MB (Freeware) View: W10Privacy Homepage | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

NTLite 2023.11.9514 by Razvan Serea NTLite is a Windows configuration tool that allows you to modify your existing Windows install or an image yet to be deployed, remove Windows components, configure and integrate, speed up the Windows deployment process. Reduce Windows footprint on your RAM and storage drive memory. Remove components of your choice, guarded by compatibility safety mechanisms, which speed up finding that sweet spot. Windows Unattended feature support, providing many commonly used options on a single page for easy setup. Easily integrate a single or multiple drivers, update or language packages. Package integration features smart sorting, enabling you to seamlessly add packages for integration and the tool will apply them in the appropriate order, keeping hotfix compatibility in check. One of the important new features of NTLite (compared to its predecessors) is the ability to modify an already installed the operating system, by removing unnecessary components. Supports Windows 11, 10, 8.1 and 7, x86 and x64, live and image. Server editions of the same versions, excluding support for component removals and feature configuration. ARM64 image support in the alpha stage. Does not support Checked/Debug, Embedded, IoT editions, nor Vista or XP. NTLite 2023.11.9514 changelog: New Updates: OOBE update support, added to update list for Windows 11 22H2, 23H2 Settings – Windows Update – Tasks delete option (e.g. DevHomeUpdate, EdgeUpdate, OutlookUpdate) Settings – Windows Update – Windows Store – ‘Automatic update install’ option Components: ‘Text Input Management Service’ Win11 22H2+, needed for many things, added for completion Upgrade Unattended: ‘OEM SetupComplete’ option automated on Win10+ with OEM keys and removed the option Components: Win10 ‘Windows Feature Experience’ removal made more compatible, like Win11 Components: ‘Snipping tool’ split from ‘Snip & Sketch’ app removal Components: ‘WebView2 Runtime’ Legacy (non-updatable system version) split removal Components: Compatibility apps grouped Components: ‘Windows Setup’ compatibility option split from the OOBE one Components: Settings search on Win11 and Win10 2004+ now does not depend on ‘Cortana’ component Components: Win+Shift+S shortcut for ‘Snip & Sketch’ now does not depend on ‘Windows Feature Experience’ component Components: ‘On-Screen Keyboard’ now does not depend on ‘Windows Feature Experience’ component Components: Settings – Power Options now does not depend on ‘Sensor Service’ component UI-Translation: Thanks for French (tistou77), Swedish (1FF) Fix Components: ‘Azure Arc Setup’ detection, was mistakenly listed in some cases even if not present Components: Search as icon pre-deployment was broken if Windows Feature Experience – Desktop removed Download: NTLite 64-bit | 23.3 MB (Free, paid upgrade available) Download: NTLite 32-bit | 20.9 MB Link: NTLite Home Page | NTLite Features Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

Cyber Monday: Microsoft Office 2021 Professional for Windows now 72% off by Steven Parker Today's highlighted deal comes via our Apps + Software section of the Neowin Deals store, where you can save 72% on a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 for Windows. Get all these essential Microsoft apps for your Windows PC This bundle is for families and small businesses who want classic Office apps and email. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote. A one-time purchase installed on 1 Windows PC for use at home or work. Lifetime license for MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, & OneNote One-time purchase installed on 1 Windows PC for use at home or work Instant Delivery & Download – access your software license keys and download links instantly Free customer service – only the best support! Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (for Windows) includes: Microsoft Office Word Microsoft Office Excel Microsoft Office PowerPoint Microsoft Office Outlook Microsoft Office Teams Microsoft Office OneNote Microsoft Office Publisher Microsoft Office Access Good to Know ONE-TIME PURCHASE INSTALLED ON 1 DEVICE Redemption deadline: redeem your code within 30 days of purchase Access options: desktop Full versions No subscriptions – no monthly/annual fees Version: 2021 Updates included No faffing about with subscriptions, just classic apps that don't expire.Here's the deal: A lifetime subscription to Microsoft Office normally costs $219.99, but this deal can be yours for just $59.97, that's a saving of $149. For full terms, specifications, and license info, click the link below. Get this deal for just $59.97 | Ends: 12/03 @ 11:59PM See all discounted Neowin Deals on offer. This is a time-limited deal. Get $1 credit for every $25 spent · Give $10, Get $10 · 10% off for first-time buyers. Although priced in U.S. dollars, this deal is available for digital purchase worldwide. We post these because we earn commission on each sale so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. Other ways to support Neowin The above deal not doing it for you, but still want to help? Check out the links below. Check out our partner software in the Neowin Store Buy a T-shirt at Neowin's Threadsquad Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: An account at Neowin Deals is required to participate in any deals powered by our affiliate, StackCommerce. For a full description of StackCommerce's privacy guidelines, go here. Neowin benefits from shared revenue of each sale made through our branded deals site.

Hi, I'm running Windows 10 22H2 version 19045.3570 And this morning after updating “Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable Package 14.38.33130.0”, and having rebooted my laptop, all my desktop icons ended up on the left side, so I tried to drag them to their original positions on the right side, as soon as I released the left-click of the mouse, they returned to the right side, where they had been moved following this update. DISM and sfc /scannow showed no problems! Not wishing to install a third-party application, having never encountered this problem before, I had to perform a system restore, which completely solved the problem! All my desktop icons back where they belong! I'm not saying that everyone could encounter this problem, but don't be surprised if it happens! Another great job by Microsoft! Problem solved by system restore!

Microsoft PC Manager (offline installer) 3.8.4.0 Beta by Razvan Serea With Microsoft PC Manager, users can easily perform basic computer maintenance and enhance the speed of their devices with just one click. This app offers a range of features, including disk cleanup, startup app management, virus scanning, Windows Update checks, process monitoring, and storage management. Microsoft PC Manager key features: Storage Manager- easily uninstall infrequently used apps, manage large files, perform a cleanup, and set up Storage Sense to automatically clear temporary files. Health Checkup feature -scans for potential problems, viruses, and startup programs to turn off. It helps you identify unnecessary items to remove, optimizing your system's performance. Pop-up Management - block pop-up windows from appearing in apps. Windows Update - scans your system for any pending updates. Startup Apps - enable or disable startup apps on your PC, allowing you to optimize your system's startup performance. Browser Protection - rest assured that harmful programs cannot alter your default browser. Also enables you to change your default browser. Process Management - allows you to conveniently terminate any active process, ensuring optimal system performance and resource utilization. Anti-virus protection - Fully integrated with Windows Security. Safeguard your PC anytime. Microsoft PC Manager is a completely free tool optimized exclusively for use on Windows 10 (version 1809 or newer) and Windows 11. Download: Microsoft PC Manager 3.8.4.0 Beta | 22.4 MB Download: Microsoft PC Manager Online Setup | 1.6 MB View: Microsoft PC Manager Home Page Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

Hi I have an external hard disk , and i have created an exFat partition and a folder called audio with only audio files , mp3 and aac I created this partition exFAT just because I want to share with windows in windows it 's pretty easy , i can select all of them and set them read only , but i don't know if macos (ituens or Swinsian or other applications) will respect it is there a way to avoid mac application to overwrite my audio files from Itunes or Swinsian ? thanks

Researchers have successfully bypassed Microsoft's Windows Hello fingerprint authentication by John Callaham A security group hired by Microsoft to test its Windows Hello fingerprint authentication hardware and software has posted word they were able to bypass that technology on a number of laptops, including a Microsoft Surface product. The Blackwing Intelligence group revealed their findings in October as part of Microsoft's BlueHat security conference but only posted their results on their own site this week (via The Verge). The blog post, which has the catchy title "A Touch of Pwn", stated the group used the fingerprint sensors inside the Dell Inspiron 15 and the Lenovo ThinkPad T14 laptops, along with the Microsoft Surface Pro Type Cover with Fingerprint ID made for the Surface Pro 8 and X tablets. The specific fingerprint sensors were made by Goodix, Synaptics, and ELAN. All of the Windows Hello-supported fingerprint sensors that were tested used “match on chip” hardware, which means that the authentication is handled on the sensor itself which has its own microprocessor and storage. Blackwing stated: A database of “fingerprint templates” (the biometric data obtained by the fingerprint sensor) is stored on-chip, and enrollment and matching is performed directly within the chip. Since fingerprint templates never leave the chip, this eliminates privacy concerns of biometric material being stored, and potentially exfiltrated, from the host — even if the host is compromised. This approach also prevents attacks that involve simply sending images of valid fingerprints to the host for matching. Blackwing used reverse engineering to find flaws in the fingerprint sensors and then created their own USB device that could perform a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attack. This device allowed them to bypass the fingerprint authentication hardware in those devices. The blog also pointed out that while Microsoft uses the Secure Device Connection Protocol (SDCP) "to provide a secure channel between the host and biometric devices" two of the three fingerprint sensors that were tested didn't even have SDCP enabled. Blackwell recommended that all fingerprint sensor companies not only enable SDCP on their products but also get a third-party company to make sure it works. It should be pointed out that bypassing these fingerprint hardware products took "approximately three months" of work by Blackwing, with a lot of effort, but the point is they were successful. It remains to be seen if Microsoft, or the fingerprint sensor companies, can use this research to fix these issues.

A quick look back at the actual launch of Microsoft Windows 1.01 38 years ago today by John Callaham Ten days ago, we wrote a feature that offered a quick look back at the official announcement of Windows 1.0 by Microsoft, 40 years ago on November 10, 1983. We mentioned at the time that Microsoft was planning to actually launch its OS sometime in April 1984. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Instead, the PC world had to wait over two years before Microsoft actually put Windows 1.0 (actually Windows 1.01) on sale. That happened 38 years ago today, on November 20, 1985. We won't go into any of the details about the OS that we discussed in our last feature on Windows 1.0. However, there's lots of evidence that after that initial press event in New York City to reveal the OS, its development hit some early snags. Technologizer has a column written by Tandy Trower, who was a product manager for the first release of Windows. Previously while at Microsoft, Trower was a product manager for BASIC, and had even managed some of its earliest PC games like the first Flight Simulator. However, he wrote that at one point he had "just gone through one of those infamous grueling project reviews with Bill Gates" about the company's BASIC strategy and how it was getting hit by competitors. He spoke to Steve Ballmer, then the head of product marketing for the company, "and suggested that perhaps I was the wrong person for this job." Trower then wrote that a couple of weeks after that meeting, Ballmer came back to him and suggested he take over the management of Windows 1.0. By that time, the OS had gotten hit with a "vaporware" and plans to license it to IBM, similar to the license to MS-DOS, didn't work out, with IBM developing its own GUI OS called TopView. That meant Microsoft would have to sell Windows 1.0 directly to users, which it didn't have to do with MS-DOS. Trower wrote: Since I had been the product manager that had the most experience with marketing technically oriented products through retail channels (rather licensed to PC vendors), Ballmer thought the job might be a good fit. In addition, he pointed out that since Windows was intended to expand the appeal of PC through its easier-to-use graphical user interface, it should appeal to my more end-user product experience and interests. Trower accepted the job and joined the Windows team in January 1985. He later suggested to Ballmer and Gates that Windows 1.0 should include a number of small applications to show what the OS could do. When the OS finally shipped, it included a number of apps that are still included in the latest versions of Windows, including Notepad, Paint, Calculator, Clock, and more. There was also a simple word processor program called Write. However, Windows 1.0 was still not close to being ready to ship, according to Trower, by the summer of 1985. He wrote that Ballmer made the decision to release an early build, which was called the Premiere Edition, to "key application vendors, analysts, and members of the press for feedback". Trower even mentioned another early Microsoft team member who went onto much bigger things: We worked all through the summer, typically seven days a week, to finalize things and thoroughly test the code. One of my program managers, Gabe Newell–now the head of the successful game company Valve–would pound on the software until late into the night and morning hours and then sleep in his office. In the end, Windows 1.01 finally launched 38 years ago today. As we have mentioned before, it was not a critical or sales success for Microsoft, and it wasn't until the release of Windows 3.0 many years later that the OS finally managed to defeat all of the other IBM PC-based GUI operating systems to become the huge product that it is today in the industry.

Microsoft confirms new background removal features in Windows Photos among other additions by John Callaham Several days ago, many people in the Windows Insider Program noticed that the Windows Photos app had quietly been updated with the new ability to remove and replace background images. Today, Microsoft finally and officially announced that this update to the Photos app is now available for all members of the Insider program. In a blog post, Microsoft stated: With a single click, you can remove the background and save the resulting image or copy it to the clipboard. Another option is to replace the selected background with a solid color. Use the color picker to select the right hue, either by clicking on the palette, entering a hex color code, or setting the RGB values. Microsoft also noted some other new improvements in the Photos app. One is the revamped Filmstrip feature, which is now placed below the main image you are viewing. It also has larger thumbnails and the scrollbar is larger. Also, the feature is turned off by default when you view an image in the Photos app. You turn it on by pressing the F key or by clicking on the Filmstrip Icon in the bottom left corner. The app also has a new Timeline Scrollbar for all the folders in the app and it's now based on the time range of your images. The app also lets you share a photo that's backed up on your OneDrive cloud storage account. Right-clicking on a photo brings up a menu, and you can click on Share, and then Using OneDrive, to send a link to the photo via email. Microsoft also notes a few more changes to the Photos app: Based on community feedback, we’ve made it easier than ever to print your photos by bringing the Print button to the top command bar when viewing a single image, as well as offering 7:5 aspect ratio in the Resize tool. Various performance and stability updates to improve the Slideshow feature, navigation between tabs, and opening images. All members of the Insiders program can update the Photos app to version 2023.11110.8002.0 or higher to get these updates. There's no word on when they will be made generally available for all Windows Photos users.

Microsoft is reportedly planning to bring Windows Copilot to Windows 10 as well by Mehrotra A At Build 2023 Microsoft announced Windows Copilot, a generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) that is available on Windows and provides helpful insights while also assisting users with day-to-day activities. Now, it looks like the Redmond giant is planning to bring Copilot to Windows 10 users as well. According to a report from Windows Central, Microsoft may be planning to bring Copilot to Windows 10 as well. The main reason behind the company's decision is to add more users to Copilot which can be leveraged in the future to sell the idea to developers. Microsoft will also have an easier time selling developers on the idea that they should build plugins for Copilot when they can say Copilot is available on 1.4 billion devices, compared to just 400 million on Windows 11. According to the report, Windows Copilot will work similarly to how it does on Windows 11. The button will sit on the taskbar and will have the same experience as it does on Windows 11 right now. Microsoft is planning to bring the same Microsoft Copilot to Windows 10 in an update coming soon. Just like Windows 11, this update to Windows 10 will place a Copilot button directly on the Windows 10 taskbar, which will open the exact same Copilot sidebar experience found on Windows 11. The report also notes that the Copilot experience across Windows 10 and Windows 11 will be the same including the plugin compatibility. Microsoft has doubled down on Copilot lately, with the company recently announcing the general availability of Microsoft 365 Copilot for enterprise customers. On the Windows side of things, Copilot officially launched on Windows 11 on September 26. We did a deep dive into Copilot earlier this year and if you are unhappy with Copilot then luckily there are ways to get rid of it on Windows 11. Windows Copilot is currently unavailable in the European Union due to the Digital Markets Act so it will be interesting to see if that changes when Copilot launches on Windows 10.

The Microsoft Tips app has been deprecated and will be removed from a future Windows release by John Callaham Microsoft will soon shut down one of its own Windows apps from the Microsoft Store that's designed to offer help for people who are using the OS. The company's Deprecated Features site has been updated today (via PhantomOcean3) to indicate the future shutdown of the Microsoft Tips app. The new listing stated: The Tips app is deprecated and will be removed in a future release of Windows. Content in the app will continue to be updated with information about new Windows features until the app is removed. The listing didn't offer an explanation of why the Microsoft Tips app will be going away soon. It's possible that the company decided to pull it because it now has the new generative AI based Copilot for Windows feature that can also offer help on various Windows matters. The Tips app was just the latest tutorial app that Microsoft created for various Windows versions over the decades. This particular version was launched in Windows 10 and was also available to download in the Microsoft Store. The app continued to be available with the upgrade to Windows 11. The Tips app offered a quick way for people to learn more about the Windows OS with tips, tutorials, videos, and more. It got updated as new features were added to the OS. On some Windows PCs, like Microsoft's Surface products, the Tips app could be used to learn about specific features on those devices, like information on how to use the Surface Pen or how to switch between notebook and tablet mode. Microsoft has not yet announced exactly when the Tips app will be removed, although we suspect it could happen as early as next Tuesday, November 14. That also happened to be when Microsoft holds its monthly Patch Tuesday event for Windows and other company software.