NewApp Digest
search bot

DMA

Windows 11’s Start menu search gets new, clearer labels, as Microsoft tries to avoid EU regulation trouble
Winsage
February 5, 2025

Windows 11’s Start menu search gets new, clearer labels, as Microsoft tries to avoid EU regulation trouble

Microsoft is changing the search functionality in Windows 11 for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The update will separate local search results from web-based results, which were previously combined in the Start menu search using Bing. The new Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27764 features two sections in the search window: “Windows” for local results and “Web search from Bing” for online queries. This change is particularly noticeable for users with their Windows 11 language set to German. The update is selectively rolled out in the EEA, indicating Microsoft may not implement similar changes globally. The aim is to improve user experience by reducing clutter and distractions from irrelevant web suggestions when searching for files or applications on the device.
Valorant is winning the war against PC gaming cheaters
AppWizard
November 4, 2024

Valorant is winning the war against PC gaming cheaters

In 2020, multiplayer games experienced a surge in cheating during COVID-19 lockdowns, with titles like Call of Duty: Warzone, PUBG, and Destiny 2 struggling against aimbots and wallhacks. Riot Games launched Valorant with its anti-cheat system, Vanguard, which has effectively deterred cheat developers. Vanguard employs a kernel-level driver that detects unauthorized access attempts and has led to a decrease in traditional software cheats, although some cheaters have shifted to hardware solutions like direct memory access (DMA) techniques. Vanguard has also been successful in detecting and blocking suspicious hardware-level DMA attempts. Currently, triggerbots account for about 80 percent of cheats in Valorant. Vanguard was introduced to League of Legends, resulting in over 175,000 account bans. A study from the University of Birmingham indicated that Valorant has the top anti-cheat system, while other games like Call of Duty: Warzone continue to struggle. Riot is exploring collaborations with Microsoft to enhance security and may adjust Vanguard's activation based on Windows 11 features. There are no plans for Linux support due to risks of kernel manipulation. The potential rise of AI-powered cheats presents a new challenge, as AI could replicate human gameplay, complicating anti-cheat efforts.
New WhatsApp button will let users of other apps text you - but there's a catch
AppWizard
October 31, 2024

New WhatsApp button will let users of other apps text you – but there’s a catch

A new WhatsApp update will introduce a button for third-party applications, allowing users to receive messages from apps like Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and iMessage directly in WhatsApp. This feature will be found in the Settings menu, enabling users to control cross-platform messaging and organize incoming messages into a separate inbox. However, WhatsApp does not guarantee the same security and privacy for these messages as it does for its native communications. Currently under development, this feature will be limited to users in the European Union due to the Digital Markets Act, which requires interoperability among messaging applications. Participation in this feature will be optional, addressing concerns about potential spam and scams.
Registry hack fixes WD SN770, SN580 Windows 11 24H2 blue screens (BSOD)
Winsage
October 13, 2024

Registry hack fixes WD SN770, SN580 Windows 11 24H2 blue screens (BSOD)

Windows 11 version 24H2 has introduced undocumented bugs affecting disk functionalities, including an inability to delete about 8.63 GB of data and a malfunctioning Windows System File Checker (SFC) scan feature. Microsoft is working on a resolution through the upcoming KB5044384 update. Users with Western Digital NVMe SSDs, specifically the WD_Black SN770 and WD Blue SN580, are experiencing blue screen crashes due to incorrect allocation of the host memory buffer size, which is increasing to 200 MB instead of the typical 64 MB to 100 MB. A workaround involves adjusting the HmbAllocationPolicy in the Registry Editor to set the allocation back to 64 MB. Users are encouraged to report issues via the Feedback Hub to help Microsoft prioritize fixes.
Windows 10 KB5044273 update released with 9 fixes, security updates
Winsage
October 8, 2024

Windows 10 KB5044273 update released with 9 fixes, security updates

Microsoft has released the KB5044273 cumulative update for Windows 10 22H2 and 21H2, which includes nine changes and essential security updates from October 2024 Patch Tuesday. Users can manually check for updates in Settings, and the update will automatically install. After installation, Windows 10 22H2 will be at build 19045.5011 and 21H2 at build 19044.5011. The update addresses several issues, including: 1. A new feature may reposition the profile picture and change the background color in the Start menu. 2. Resolves instances of Microsoft Edge becoming unresponsive in IE mode. 3. Fixes media playback issues with certain surround sound technologies. 4. Adjustments to the Microsoft Entra single sign-on notice for compliance with the European Digital Markets Act. 5. Updates to Country and Operator Settings Asset profiles for mobile operators. 6. Addresses unresponsiveness in Windows Server when using File Explorer and the taskbar. 7. Introduces opt-in notifications for Windows Update upon user sign-in. 8. Fixes directory enumeration issues related to lengthy symbolic link target names. 9. Resolves synchronization issues with Work Folders files when Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is active. A known issue persists where users may encounter 0x80070520 errors when changing their profile picture.
Microsoft announces sweeping changes to controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs
Winsage
September 28, 2024

Microsoft announces sweeping changes to controversial Recall feature for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs

Microsoft's Recall feature, designed for Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11, aims to provide an AI-driven "photographic memory" to help users manage information overload. Due to privacy and security concerns, Microsoft halted the initial preview and redesigned the feature, which will now only activate if the system drive is encrypted and a Trusted Platform Module (TPM version 2.0) is enabled. Recall will be opt-in, allowing users to choose whether to enable or disable snapshot saving during setup. Users can also remove Recall from OEM and retail versions of Windows 11, while Enterprise users will need to deploy it separately. New privacy settings will notify users when snapshots are saved and allow them to pause the feature or exclude certain content. Recall is designed to filter out sensitive information and requires biometric authentication for access. Microsoft has conducted multiple security reviews and testing to ensure the feature's safety and has committed to bug bounties for serious security issues.
WhatsApp Confirms Far-Reaching Feature And New Design Are Almost Here
AppWizard
September 27, 2024

WhatsApp Confirms Far-Reaching Feature And New Design Are Almost Here

WhatsApp is introducing a feature called "third-party chats," which will also be available on Facebook's Messenger app, initially exclusive to users in the European Union. This change is a response to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) aimed at reducing monopolistic practices among tech companies. The feature allows users to manage messages across different platforms more easily, and users can choose to consolidate chats into a single inbox or maintain separate folders. Meta aims to enhance the messaging experience with features like reactions, direct replies, typing indicators, and read receipts, with plans for group creation and voice/video calling capabilities by 2027. Security will be prioritized, requiring third-party services to use the same encryption protocols as WhatsApp and Messenger.
Windows 10 KB5043131 update released with 9 changes and fixes
Winsage
September 25, 2024

Windows 10 KB5043131 update released with 9 changes and fixes

Microsoft released the September 2024 non-security preview update for Windows 10, version 22H2, designated as KB5043131. This optional cumulative update allows Windows administrators to test fixes and improvements before the mandatory October 2024 Patch Tuesday update. Key fixes include resolving issues with the Microsoft Edge browser freezing in Internet Explorer mode, synchronization failures with Work Folders when Defender for Endpoint is active, and media playback interruptions with certain surround sound technologies. Users can install the update via the Settings app under 'Windows Update' or manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The update elevates Windows 10 22H2 systems to build 19045.4957 and introduces several enhancements, such as a repositioned profile picture in the Start menu, updates to Microsoft Entra single sign-on notices, improvements to Country and Operator Settings Asset profiles, and fixes for unresponsive behavior in File Explorer and the taskbar. Known issues include an inability to change account profile pictures after installation. Additionally, Microsoft reopened the Windows 10 beta channel in June, introducing the first beta build since 2021, followed by a second beta build in August that included fixes for the Unified Write Filter and the Bind Filter Driver.
Search