The most popular operating system in the world, Microsoft’s Windows is the software that powers hundreds of millions of PCs. Introduced back in November 1985, Windows has changed and evolved over time to grow as gaming, design, development, and productivity needs have shifted. Whether XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or, most recently, Windows 11, Microsoft’s OS is one of the most important pieces of software ever made.
It’s the holiday season, so it’s time for the latest Windows-themed ugly sweater. This time Microsoft has selected the Bliss default wallpaper from Windows XP for some holiday treatment. It’s available today from the company’s Xbox Gear Shop, priced at $69.99. Microsoft is supporting The Nature Conservancy this year with its sixth Windows-themed ugly sweater. Previous sweaters have included Clippy, Minesweeper, and Windows 95.
After bringing background removal to Paint, now Microsoft is rolling out the capability to Windows Photos. The feature is only available to Insiders for now, but it looks equally as handy as the one in Paint. You can remove a photo’s background with just a click and then even replace it with a solid color.
Microsoft’s Jared Spataro has been joking about the company’s terrible history of marketing names for products at Ignite today. “Simplicity and naming, well, they haven’t always been our strong suit,” admitted Spataro, while discussing the Bing Chat rebranding to Microsoft Copilot. “Anyone else remember Windows XP 64-Bit Edition for 64-Bit Extended Systems? Just rolls off the tongue,” he joked. Anyone else remember the 2007 Microsoft Office System?
40 years ago today — on November 10th, 1983 — Bill Gates took the wraps off Windows 1.0, with the key features being tiled applications, dropdown menus, and a user-friendly interface. Microsoft didn’t officially start shipping Windows until 1985.
The Steam Deck’s initial Windows support lacked audio output before addressing that in May of last year, but we’ve been waiting for an update on dual-boot ever since.
Now, Valve designer Lawrence Yang told IGN in an email that “Dual-boot support (and SteamOS general install) is very high on the list for folks working on SteamOS.” However, those OS folks have been working on the new OLED version. Now that it’s here, players should expect “meaningful updates” in the coming year.
Sources tell Windows Central that Microsoft is planning to bring its AI Copilot assistant to the Windows 10 taskbar in a future update. If true, this could bring Copilot to a bunch more people, as Windows 10 currently has around 1 billion monthly active devices, as opposed to the 400 million with Windows 11.
A Microsoft engineer pointed out a nice feature in the October 18th Windows 11 Insider Canary channel build — the ability to share Wi-Fi access using a QR code from the Wi-Fi settings window.
As they point out in a second post, users can also go there to view their Wi-Fi password in the Windows 11 22H2 update — it was only in Control Panel before.
A home space that helps keep an eye on work, the cat, and the kids — all at the same time.
The under-construction Fontainebleau has a big, fancy LED sign jutting up into the sky. What’s it for?
Well, last night, it was apparently there to show off the hotel’s desktop. And not for the first time, either.
According to a new Windows 11 Insider Preview blog post:
In the European Economic Area (EEA), Windows will now require consent to share data between Windows and other signed-in Microsoft services. You will see some Windows features start to check for consent now, with more being added in future builds. Without consent to share data between Windows and other signed-in Microsoft services, some functionality in Windows features may be unavailable, for example certain types of file recommendations under “Recommended” on the Start menu.
[Windows Insider Blog]
4
Verge Score
The Go 3 is a nice-looking and well-built device, but the $999 price makes no sense.
9
Verge Score
The 2023 Framework Laptop 13 has a new AMD option, and it’s a stellar performer.
PC shipments are still down, but the decline has slowed with analysts like IDC’s Linn Huang expressing optimism about more expensive “AI PCs” on the horizon:
“Generative AI could be a watershed moment for the PC industry. While use cases have yet to be fully articulated, interest in the category is already strong.
That’s good news for Microsoft and Intel with Windows 12 and Meteor Lake / Arrow Lake just around the corner.
[IDC: The premier global market intelligence company]
Microsoft has been on a mission to improve the quick settings interface in Windows 11, adding a new volume mixer to it recently. In an upcoming update you’ll soon be able to scroll through quick settings, meaning you’ll have access to more settings from the taskbar. The latest Surface Laptop Studio 2 even has Windows Studio Effects in this area, with options to control the webcam’s background effects, eye contact, and automatic framing.
5
Verge Score
Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop Studio 2 has new chips, a new touchpad, and a very, very high price tag.
