Microsoft announces Windows 11, generally available by the holidays
https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/24/microsoft-announces-windows-11-generally-available-by-the-holidays/
Microsoft today officially announced Windows 11, the next version of its desktop operating system.
Microsoft plans to release Windows 11 to the general public by the holidays, so we can probably expect it sometime around late November.
You will now also be able to run Android apps on Windows. These apps will seem like native apps that can be integrated into the taskbar.
Windows 11 will come with Teams built-in.
Microsoft promises better graphics for gaming thanks to Auto HDR, a feature that’s already available on Xbox.
More:
Introducing Windows 11 page and video.
219 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.neowin.net/news/remove-windows-11-ads-with-this-simple-free-app/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.tomshardware.com/software/windows/windows-11-24h2-will-enable-bitlocker-encryption-for-everyone-happens-on-both-clean-installs-and-reinstalls
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.techpowerup.com/322246/microsoft-is-switching-from-mhz-to-mt-s-in-task-manager-for-measuring-ram-speeds
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/forget-ads-on-the-start-menu-microsofts-latest-update-for-windows-11-wont-let-you-use-a-vpn-for-private-browsing
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://redteamrecipe.com/system32-important-files?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2_FZDsH3GimgMj70GSgavnTAmBjboNGJRo47fwYFH1Ec4bxsI_EO1Ytic_aem_AU-6gFJ1UzpYXj6UAkD3nMgpVBh7TMB7tr8wFf1xXHxKgrSkCiwalZGBLTuMZtn5ztwBa6wsA5Lku45-uLNpCbJe#heading-refsutil
Tomi Engdahl says:
Windows 11 hasn’t been as successful as Microsoft had hoped—and they still want you to switch.
NEWS
Microsoft’s Windows 11 upgrade pleas get even more desperate
Windows 11 hasn’t been as successful as Microsoft had hoped—and they still want you to switch.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2347757/how-microsoft-wants-to-urge-users-to-switch-to-windows-11.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR15NOzqOxmSTL2gsxCX0z4Box6zSzT8YcKhR8pso5So1YrRQhfYy6NmAp0_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw
Hanging over everything is the notice that “support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025” and “Microsoft will no longer provide security updates or technical support for Windows 10.” This would leave the system vulnerable to malware attacks and other threats.
In other words, Microsoft is emphasizing that switching to Windows 11 is the safest way forward. When comparing the two operating systems, Microsoft explicitly emphasizes the advantages of Windows 11 for things like backing up and restoring data.
Of course, personal preferences—like the Windows 10 interface or the gaming optimizations in Windows 10—are ignored. The increasingly controversial AI features and ads in the Start Menu are also cause for hesitation when switching to Windows 11.
Continuing to use Windows 10 costs money
Is the switch to Windows 11 inevitable? Not quite.
Microsoft offers a solution if you prefer Windows 10 (or you’re stuck with Window 10 because your PC isn’t eligible for Windows 11 due to not meeting its hardware requirements).
You can opt for the “Extended Security Updates” program, which guarantees further security updates but no feature updates. Unfortunately, Microsoft is going to charge quite a bit for this option, especially for companies.
Microsoft will charge $61 USD per device in the first year after support ends. From the second year onwards, that’ll climb to $122 USD. Then, in the third year, a whopping $244 USD. Companies with a certain number of employees or more will inevitably incur costs.
There’s currently no ESU program pricing plan for private users, but you can assume that you’ll be able to use Windows 10 until the end of 2028 at the latest—if you’re willing to accept additional costs.
Tomi Engdahl says:
By Taras Buria – Microsoft published a new support page with details about codec support in the Windows Media Player app. As it turns out, the company is removing AC-3 Dolby Digital support in Windows 11 version 24H2. #Microsoft #AC3 #Windows11
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/nas/windows-11-24h2-may-block-connections-to-unsecured-third-party-nas-devices-microsoft-enables-smb-signing-for-enhanced-security
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microsoft blocks Windows 11 workaround that enabled local accounts
Many users use an e-mail trick to avoid creating a Microsoft account. This has now apparently been stopped by Microsoft.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2354686/microsoft-blocks-windows-11-workaround-local-accounts.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microsoft busts Windows 11 “myths and misconceptions” so you can upgrade from 10 worry-free
https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-busts-windows-11-myths-and-misconceptions-so-you-can-upgrade-from-10-worry-free/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microsoft deprecates Windows DirectAccess, recommends Always On VPN
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-deprecates-windows-directaccess-recommends-always-on-vpn/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-accidentally-lists-the-benefits-of-not-using-a-microsoft-account-on-windows-11
Tomi Engdahl says:
Taras Buria / Neowin:
Windows 11 changed the initial setup process to enable the automatic backup of folders to OneDrive without asking permission, annoying and confusing many users
Windows 11 is now automatically enabling OneDrive folder backup without asking permission
https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-11-is-now-automatically-enabling-onedrive-folder-backup-without-asking-permission/#google_vignette
Tomi Engdahl says:
Eduardo Baptista / Reuters:
Chinese state media: OpenAI told Chinese developers that they will lose API access from July 9 as they are in a “region that OpenAI does not currently support”
https://www.reuters.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/openai-cut-access-tools-developers-china-other-regions-chinese-state-media-says-2024-06-25/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microsoft starts rolling out Notepad’s spellcheck and autocorrect features to all Windows 11 users
More than 40 years after the text editor launched
https://www.techspot.com/news/103710-microsoft-starts-rolling-out-notepad-spellcheck-autocorrect-all.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Pretty handy if you need an extra break:
https://updatefaker.com/
Select your OS, hit F11 and enjoy your time off.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2388665/illegal-windows-11-version-lures-with-bloatware-free-design-dont-fall-for-it.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
Is Windows 11’s built-in antivirus enough for normal people?
See where Windows Security stands tall and where it falls short for regular, daily use.
https://www.pcworld.com/article/2379676/is-windows-11s-built-in-antivirus-enough-for-normal-everyday-users.html
It’s common sense that if you have a Windows PC, you need a third-party security suite to protect it. Right? Well, maybe not.
That might’ve been the common sense mantra for decades, but things are starting to change and it may not be true anymore. With added protections incorporated into Microsoft’s latest version of Windows, you may not actually need a separate security solution.
Are Windows 11’s built-in antivirus and security features enough for everyday users? The answer is, “Yes… but.” Here’s why.
Windows Security in a nutshell
Windows has always had some security measures in place to protect you against hackers, cybercriminals, and malware. Those security measures have dramatically improved over the past decade, and they’ve never been better than they are in Windows 11.
Although the additional requirements to even install the latest version of Windows might be annoying if you’re running older (ineligible) hardware, mandating secure boot and other protective features help make Windows 11 the most secure version of Windows yet.
Indeed, Windows 11 has several protective measures that come installed by default, and they’re packaged together as Windows Security. Together, these features make Windows 11 secure enough for the average user to not need third-party antivirus software. Mostly.
With Windows 11, Microsoft Defender Antivirus is fully integrated and installed with the operating system, and it stays on watch for you. It offers real-time protection to detect malicious files before they harm you, but you can also run manual or scheduled malware scans.
In third-party testing, Microsoft Defender Antivirus showed itself to be just as effective at detecting malware threats as other free antivirus solutions, though in our own testing it did throw up a few false positives. Better safe than sorry, but we understand that can be annoying.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus also offers basic ransomware protections by locking down your files and folders and preventing malicious alterations without admin approval.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus also leverages the cloud to provide faster malware identification, and is regularly updated with new malware signatures to keep your protection up to date.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is an anti-phishing, anti-malware tool that protects you from malicious websites and applications.
You can easily get around Microsoft Defender SmartScreen by clicking a few buttons, but the warning prompt should at least give you enough pause to double-check what you’re trying to do.
Windows Firewall filters network traffic to protect you against malicious apps and hackers who want to access your network and devices.
Windows 11 also has some bespoke “Guards” as part of Microsoft Defender that enhance its anti-malware protections.
Microsoft Defender Application Guard works across a range of Microsoft apps, including Edge and the Microsoft Office suite. It detects potentially malicious websites and/or files, and instead of opening them within Windows, does so within a sandbox that prevents any potentially malicious code from affecting your system.
When do you need more than just Windows Security?
Back to the original question: Are Windows 11’s built-in antivirus and security features enough for everyday users?
For the most part, yes. The actual security features are effective at what they set out to do. As far as detecting malware and prompting you with warnings when suspicious things happen, Windows 11 works and you probably don’t need a standalone antivirus solution.
But Windows Security still puts the onus of safety in your hands. Certain features need to be properly configured ahead of time, and the overall protection offered by Windows Security is baseline.
You still need to smart, careful, and aware by:
Not visiting shady websites
Not downloading unsolicited files
Not clicking links in emails or social media messages
If you trust that you’re good enough to keep yourself safe, and if you don’t mind shouldering the responsibility of maintaining good cybersecurity practices, then Windows Security should be enough.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://mashable.com/article/apple-silicon-m-series-chip-vulnerability-hackers-encryption-keys