Excel Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Watch out, Windows Notepad users: Here comes AI

Microsoft has introduced an AI-powered Rewrite feature for Notepad, available to Windows Insiders running Windows 11. Users need the latest Canary or Dev build of Windows 11 and must be signed in with a Microsoft account linked to the Insider program to access the feature. The Rewrite process allows users to modify text by selecting it and using the Rewrite button or shortcut Ctrl + I, generating three distinct versions of the text. AI credits are required for content generation, with initial allocations set at 50 credits for users in select countries and 60 credits monthly for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The Rewrite feature is currently limited to Dev or Canary builds of Windows 11 and may take time to reach the standard version of Notepad.

Winsage

November 7, 2024

Buy a Microsoft Office 2019 license for Mac or Windows for $28

Stack Social is offering a lifetime license for Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows and Mac at an 87% discount. This version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, and Access, but does not include Microsoft Teams. While Stack Social is an authorized Microsoft partner, there is a possibility that Microsoft may discontinue the license in the future. Users need Windows 10 or 11, or Mac Monterey Version 12 or newer to install the software.

Tech Optimizer

November 5, 2024

CrowdStrike strikes again, this time crashing Office apps in Windows 11

Users of Windows 11 24H2 are facing connectivity issues, blue screen crashes, and failed rescue patches, leading Microsoft to block the update for certain affected devices. A specific problem has been identified where Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel, crash when CrowdStrike’s Falcon sensor antivirus software is installed, particularly when the “Enhanced Exploitation Visibility Prevention Policy” setting is enabled. Microsoft is collaborating with CrowdStrike to resolve this issue, which primarily affects organizations and managed IT environments. Individual users may consider reverting to a previous version of Windows 11 if they encounter other problems.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

How AI will shape the games industry: Exclusive insights from the AI Gamechangers newsletter

OpenAI recently achieved record investments in AI, with ongoing funding announcements for AI in gaming. The Pocket Gamer Connects and Big Screen Gaming conferences featured over 10 hours of AI-related content, indicating strong industry interest. The AI Gamechangers newsletter was launched to inform readers about AI's impact on gaming, covering various platforms and aspects of game development. It offers weekly interviews with industry innovators and curated news on AI in gaming. Notable contributors to the newsletter include professionals from Charisma.ai, Quicksave, Kinetix, and others, discussing topics like interactive narratives, AI in game studios, and legal implications for intellectual property. The consensus among industry leaders is that AI will significantly impact gaming, but its implementation should enhance human creativity. Additionally, AI technologies may transform legal processes in mergers and acquisitions by streamlining document analysis. An upcoming AI-powered cozy game, AuraVale, is also mentioned, along with future interview topics related to AI in game development.

Winsage

November 3, 2024

Get a Microsoft suite bundle for work and play for just $72

A bundle featuring Microsoft Windows 11 Pro, Office Professional Plus 2019, Project 2019, and Visio 2019 is available for .97 until November 3. Windows 11 Pro includes features such as Snap Layouts, Virtual Desktops, BitLocker, TPM 2.0, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and an AI-powered smart assistant called Copilot. Office Professional Plus 2019 includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with Excel offering functionalities like Power Query and Power Pivot. Project 2019 helps organize tasks and monitor progress, while Visio 2019 provides templates and tools for diagramming.

Winsage

November 3, 2024

Upgrade to Microsoft Office Pro and Windows 11 Pro with this bundle for 87% off

A lifetime license for Microsoft Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro is available through Stack Social at an 87% discount. The Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 suite includes applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access, and Teams. An alternative option, Microsoft Office 2019, is also available without Teams. Windows 11 Pro features include biometric login, Smart App Control, Windows Studio Effects, DirectX 12 Ultimate, Snap layouts, advanced voice typing, and Microsoft Copilot. Stack Social is an authorized Microsoft partner, but there is a possibility that Microsoft could revoke the license in the future. Users must have Windows 10 or 11 to access these deals. The offer may expire without notice.

Winsage

November 2, 2024

Microsoft: Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs are 5x faster than popular 5 year old PCs

Microsoft's Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs are faster and offer increased battery life compared to older Windows machines. Recent benchmarks show that these devices, powered by Snapdragon processors, can be up to five times faster than popular Windows PCs that are five years old. The evaluation used the Cinebench 2024 Multi-Core benchmark, comparing Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Elite 12 core and Snapdragon X Plus 10 core configurations against older models. The Copilot+ PCs provide up to 2.3 times more battery life for local video playback and up to 3 times more battery power for web browsing compared to five-year-old Windows devices. Testing was conducted under controlled conditions with specific settings for Wi-Fi and screen brightness.

Winsage

November 1, 2024

7 things you need to do to make search better in Windows 11

The Windows search tool allows users to find applications, music, and settings, as well as perform web searches. Many users find it cluttered with Bing results, leading to a slow experience. To improve search functionality in Windows 11, users can employ several strategies: 1. PowerToys Run: A rapid system search tool activated by pressing Alt + Space, allowing customization for executing shell commands and adjusting settings. 2. Search by Category: Users can filter search results by categories such as Apps, Documents, Web, Settings, Folder, and Photos by clicking the category or typing the category name followed by a colon. 3. Tweak Indexing Options: Users can adjust indexing options to include specific folders and libraries, speeding up searches by ensuring relevant files are indexed. 4. Enable Cloud Content Search: This feature allows Windows search to pull results from OneDrive, Outlook, and SharePoint, which can be activated through the Windows search settings. 5. Filter Results Better: Within File Explorer, users can refine search results by using the "Search options" drop-down to filter by modification date, file type, or file size. 6. Disable Bing Search: Users can disable Bing search results by modifying the Registry Editor to create a new key and setting its value to disable search box suggestions. 7. Use Everything: A third-party tool that provides faster file and folder searches by focusing solely on file names and updating in real-time.

Tech Optimizer

October 31, 2024

Best Antivirus Software for Small Businesses in 2024

Small businesses often face challenges in selecting antivirus software, as personal tools may lack robustness and enterprise solutions can be complex and costly. There are antivirus solutions specifically designed for smaller companies. Six top antivirus software options tailored for small businesses include: 1. Bitdefender: - Starting price: .99 for 5 devices for 1 year. - Covers: macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Windows Server. - Features: Unlimited VPN traffic, account breach monitoring, risk management, AI-powered Scam Copilot, integrated password management. 2. Norton: - Starting price: .99 a year for 6 devices. - Covers: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. - Features: 24/7 customer support, password management, cloud backup, secure browser. 3. Trend Micro: - Pricing: Contact for customized quote. - Covers: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. - Features: Endpoint detection, attack surface risk management, AI-driven threat intelligence. 4. ESET: - Starting price: .99 for 5 devices for 1 year. - Covers: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux. - Features: Certain plans include password manager. 5. Avira: - Starting price: .99 for 5 devices for 1 year. - Covers: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. - Features: Unlimited VPN traffic, device cleaner, blocks unwanted spam calls. 6. Microsoft Defender: - Starting price: .75 per user per month. - Covers: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. - Features: Built into Windows, integrates with Microsoft tools, automatic disruption of ransomware attacks. When choosing antivirus software, small businesses should assess their specific needs and budget, consider bundled plans for better value, utilize free trials, and schedule demo calls with sales teams for clarification.

Winsage

October 29, 2024

6 Of The Most Useful Microsoft Copilot Features

Microsoft Copilot is an AI chatbot integrated into Microsoft 365 apps, available to subscribers of Copilot Pro or Microsoft 365 Copilot. It functions similarly to ChatGPT, allowing users to input prompts and receive responses, while also offering tools to enhance productivity. In Teams, Copilot helps users catch up on meetings by summarizing discussions in real-time if transcription is enabled. Users can ask for a recap by clicking the Copilot icon and typing prompts like "What did I miss so far?" In Outlook, Copilot's Coaching feature provides tailored suggestions to improve email drafts regarding tone, reader sentiment, and clarity. Users can access this by clicking the Copilot icon and selecting Coaching after drafting their email. In Microsoft Edge, users can ask questions about the content of a specific web page without leaving it. This is done by clicking the Copilot icon and typing prompts related to the page being viewed. In Word, Copilot's Auto Rewrite feature allows users to generate rewritten content based on highlighted text without needing prompts. Users can access this by highlighting text and selecting Auto Rewrite from the Copilot menu. In PowerPoint, Copilot can convert a Word document into a presentation by summarizing the content and designing slides. Users need to upload the document to OneDrive, open a blank presentation, and select the prompt to create a presentation from the file. In Excel, Copilot suggests relevant formulas based on the user's data. Users can generate these suggestions by launching the Copilot chat box and selecting the prompt for creating formulas.