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All articles tagged with #windows

technology18 days ago•3 min saved

Windows File History Backup Fails on September 2026 Patch Hit

Microsoft warns that September 2026 security updates may cause Windows File History backups to fail or not update on affected systems (Windows 10 21H2+ and Windows 11 23H2+). Symptoms include crash events in Event Viewer (FileHistory.exe and KERNELBASE.dll), false “Reconnect your drive” prompts, and backup timestamps or previous versions not updating. The issue spans multiple KBs across affected Windows versions. Microsoft has released out-of-band updates to fix other problems introduced by the September updates, but a fix for File History-related backup failures is still being worked on.

via BleepingComputer|

#backup #file-history #security-updates

technology23 days ago•7 min saved

Microsoft bets on AI-powered PCs at Oct 7 Windows + Surface event, but Windows 12 isn’t coming

Microsoft has announced its first major Windows-focused event in two years, set for October 7, 2026 in San Francisco, to spotlight local AI in PCs; despite Windows branding, the company says Windows 12 is not on the agenda. Expect reveals around the Surface Laptop Ultra, powered by the NVIDIA RTX Spark chip, with up to 128GB unified memory and local AI models up to 120 billion parameters, plus a Surface RTX Spark Dev Box and related ecosystem tweaks for Windows 11 to support the hardware. Attendees include Satya Nadella, Jensen Huang, and Pavan Davuluri.

via Windows Latest|

#ai #hardware #microsoft

technology24 days ago•30 min saved

Microsoft preps AI-driven Windows and Surface showcase on October 7

Microsoft has scheduled an October 7 Windows and Surface event in San Francisco to discuss how local AI will shape the PC, with Satya Nadella and Jensen Huang in attendance; RTX Spark PCs may be the highlight and Surface Laptop Ultra pricing could be announced, with The Verge covering the live event and no Windows 12 reveal expected.

via The Verge|

#ai #event #microsoft

technology28 days ago•4 min saved

Google debuts Gemini for Windows with a quick-access Alt+Space AI overlay

Google has released a native Gemini desktop app for Windows 10/11 that can be summoned with Alt+Space, overlaying a lightweight AI assistant over any app. The Windows client mirrors the macOS version, integrates with Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Docs) for context, supports cross-referencing and task handoffs to Gemini Spark, and includes native media creation capabilities, with more features planned. Download at gemini.google/desktop.

via Chrome Unboxed|

#ai #desktop #gemini

technology28 days ago•5 min saved

ClickFix Attacks Move to Mainstream with Fake CAPTCHA Tactics

ClickFix has become a mainstream malware delivery method that tricks users into pasting a single malicious command from a fake CAPTCHA overlay on compromised sites, bypassing code-signing and Gatekeeper protections and enabling infections on Windows and macOS; campaigns span Google Sheets-based control and blockchain-hosted infrastructure, with about 5,400 sites involved, but defenders like BlockBlock and uBlock offer mitigations, and researchers urge awareness over user-blaming.

via Ars Technica|

#captcha #clickfix #macos

tech1 month ago•44 min saved

AI-powered patch blitz breaks another Patch Tuesday record

Microsoft is set to break another Patch Tuesday record as AI-driven vulnerability discovery (from Anthropic Mythos and OpenAI) uncovers flaws across Windows and other software, driving monthly fixes from roughly 100 to 200 in June, at least 570 in July, nearly 400 in August, and over 650 in September, highlighting the patch pressure on IT admins and the risk of a growing patch gap.

via The Verge|

#ai #cybersecurity #microsoft

technology1 month ago•2 min saved

Microsoft Unveils Zenith: A Clutter-Free Windows for Local AI Dev on High-End PCs

Microsoft announces Project Zenith, a distraction-free Windows variant aimed at developers with 64GB RAM or more, enabling local running of large AI models (30B+ parameters) and a Linux-like workflow. Initially rolling out on AMD Ryzen AI Halo mini-desktop, Zenith pre-installs tools and emphasizes a configurable, developer-first baseline to streamline coding and local AI work while avoiding unnecessary Windows clutter.

via Engadget|

#ai #developer-tools #local-ai

news1 month ago•30 min saved

Microsoft’s Zenith: a distraction-free Windows for developers

Microsoft unveiled Project Zenith, a developer-focused Windows experience for new devices with 64GB+ unified memory. The setup ships preconfigured for development with curated tools (Visual Studio Code, GitHub Copilot, PowerToys, WinAppCLI, Windows Dev Skills) and enables running 30B+ parameter models locally on AMD’s Ryzen AI Halo chips, reducing reliance on cloud tokens while removing OS distractions to streamline coding.

via The Verge|

#ai-artificial-intelligence #amd #microsoft

technology1 month ago•2 min saved

ReactOS Gains Job Object Support, Moving Closer to Modern Windows App Compatibility

ReactOS merged initial kernel support for Windows Job Objects, enabling groups of processes to be managed as a single unit and paving the way for running modern Windows software (like browsers) on the open-source OS, with pre-Windows 8 functionality implemented and more features to come.

via Phoronix|

#job-objects #open-source #operating-systems

technology1 month ago•5 min saved

Windows Defender's Boot Driver Could Be Weaponized to Wipe Security Tools at Startup

Check Point Research disclosed a technique that abuses Microsoft Defender’s built-in boot-time removal driver, BTR.sys, to perform kernel-level file and registry operations and potentially delete Defender components during boot. The driver is embedded in Defender and can be triggered with a PoC tool (BTR_CLI); it requires administrative SeLoadDriverPrivilege, but there is no evidence of real-world abuse yet. This isn’t a traditional software vulnerability but an architectural trust boundary that could be exploited, and Microsoft notes it doesn’t require immediate servicing. Defenses include restricting SeLoadDriverPrivilege and monitoring for specific Sysmon/Windows events, since BTR.sys is hard to blocklist without disrupting Defender.

via The Hacker News|

#boot-time-remediation #defender #kernel

technology1 month ago•3 min saved

iTunes Lingers in 2026 as Apple Advances Modern Media Apps

Apple still supports iTunes in 2026, but it’s no longer a single hub: macOS uses separate Music, TV, and Podcasts apps with Finder-based device syncing, Windows has likewise split into multiple apps, and iTunes Store plus iTunes Match remain for legacy use; third-party tools can help manage libraries, keeping iTunes alive mainly for older setups.

via bgr.com|

#apple #apple-music #itunes

technology1 month ago•4 min saved

MacBook Air Shines in Ultralight Showdown Against ThinkPad X1 Carbon

The article compares the base models of the MacBook Air and Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition, finding the Air at $1,299 generally offers stronger price-to-performance (M5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) and a brighter mini‑LED display, while the ThinkPad at $2,249 provides more RAM (32GB), more ports, and an optional 2.8K OLED 120Hz screen. In benchmarks, the MacBook Air outperforms the ThinkPad, and battery life is competitive (Air ~18 hours video; ThinkPad up to ~19 hours on LCD or ~13 hours with OLED). The verdict: the MacBook Air is the better ultralight value for most buyers, but the ThinkPad remains the choice for Windows users who want more RAM, diverse ports, and OLED options.

via bgr.com|

#laptops #macbook-air #technology

security1 month ago•3 min saved

Microsoft fixes LegacyHive Windows zero-day after Nightmare Eclipse PoC disclosure

Microsoft issued August Patch Tuesday updates to fix CVE-2026-62832, a Windows User Profile Service zero-day nicknamed LegacyHive that could let an authenticated local attacker load another user's registry hive and gain administrator privileges. The Nightmare Eclipse PoC reportedly required credentials, limiting weaponization, and defenders published Defender detection queries while 0Patch released unofficial patches; several related zero-days remain unpatched.

via BleepingComputer|

#microsoft #security #vulnerability

technology1 month ago•5 min saved

Lazarus Group Exploits Windows Zero-Day to Deploy Backdoor Worldwide

North Korea’s Lazarus Group exploited a Windows zero-day (CVE-2026-68820) to gain SYSTEM privileges and install a backdoor named Troy as part of Operation Dream Job, targeting defense and aerospace firms in France, Germany, Brazil and India. The campaign blends social engineering (fake LinkedIn recruiters) with a trojanized SecurityPDF viewer to trigger a DLL side-loading chain, dropping the MISTPEN downloader and ForestTiger/ScoringMathTea for remote access, while hijacking compromised WordPress/SharePoint/Roundcube infrastructure for C2 via Microsoft Graph API/OneDrive and using AFD.sys privilege escalation to stay hidden.

via The Hacker News|

#backdoor #dreamjob #lazarus-group

technology1 month ago•136 min saved

Windows 11 KB5101684 update boosts reliability and speed on low-RAM PCs

Microsoft’s Windows 11 KB5101684 update adds reliability and performance improvements across versions 24H2/25H2/26H1. It enhances Explorer-related tasks (Jump Lists, recent files), file sharing, and Task View, plus lock/login screen stability and startup responsiveness for Start Menu/Taskbar. The post-update cleanup is lighter, making systems feel faster immediately after install. While benefits are claimed for all RAM levels, devices with 8GB RAM or less should notice the biggest gains in responsiveness.

via Windows Central|

#microsoft #performance #ram