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Winsage
August 21, 2025
Microsoft is testing a semantic search feature and a redesigned homepage within its Copilot app for Windows, available to Insiders on Copilot+ PCs. The semantic file search allows users to find documents and images using natural language prompts. The Copilot app includes a robust permission system for user control over what the chatbot can access. The updated homepage displays recent apps, files, and conversations for easier access to resources. The Windows Insider team confirmed that Copilot does not scan the entire system or upload files without user consent. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced the Windows 11 Canary build 27928, which moves more time and language settings from the Control Panel to the new Settings app.
Winsage
August 14, 2025
Pavan Davuluri, the executive responsible for Windows product development, discussed the future of Windows, emphasizing the role of artificial intelligence in its evolution. Key initiatives include enhancements to Windows 11, the introduction of Copilot+ devices, and advancements in Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop. Significant transformations in user interaction are expected, integrating voice, vision, pen, and touch. AI models will enhance file search functionalities with a semantic indexer for improved relevance and accuracy. A new AI agent in the Settings app allows natural language interaction. The integration of cloud capabilities aims to create a hybrid model combining local power with cloud functionality. Davuluri predicts that computing will become more ambient and pervasive, with multimodal interactions. He encourages users to explore AI features, highlighting Copilot as an entry point for experimentation.
Winsage
August 14, 2025
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27924 has been released to the Canary Channel, with ISOs now available for download. New features include the rollout of Copilot+ PC experiences, which will gradually introduce improvements to Windows Search and Settings. Advanced settings have been redesigned, now allowing users to enable long paths, manage virtual workspaces, and view Git information in File Explorer. Changes include adjustments to the pointer indicator and a temporary change in the keyboard shortcut for it. The Windows MIDI Services have undergone a breaking change requiring updates for applications using the MIDI 2.0 SDK. Fixes have been made for issues related to upgrades, widgets, remote desktop, and webauth.dll crashes. Known issues include problems with Windows Hello PIN and Group Policy Editor. An update for the Snipping Tool introduces window mode screen recording. Insiders are reminded that Canary Channel builds are early development versions and may not align with future Windows releases.
AppWizard
August 12, 2025
Google has approached the Supreme Court regarding an antitrust case that could significantly impact India's digital economy, particularly concerning its dominance over the Android operating system and the requirement for app developers to use Google's payment systems, which can impose commissions of 15-30%. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) found Google to be a dominant entity, concluding that its practices constituted abuse of power, resulting in a penalty of ₹936 crores. Google appealed this decision, leading to a reduced penalty of ₹217 crores from the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), which did not classify Google as a "gatekeeper." Google has since filed additional appeals with the Supreme Court, which is set to hear the case in November. A study on Indian farmers revealed that extreme heat, with temperatures exceeding 43°C, significantly impacts their livelihoods, leading to increased food insecurity and undernutrition. While average calorie consumption remained stable, the incidence of "strong undernutrition" rose, affecting approximately 3 million individuals. The study found that extreme heat forces families to seek non-farm employment and adapt their food sources, often leading to a decline in job retention and increased vulnerability due to limited access to credit. The findings suggest that climate change is exacerbating challenges in Indian agriculture, necessitating policy interventions to enhance resilience and support affected households. India's cabinet approved a one-time ₹300 billion payout to state-run fuel retailers to compensate for losses from selling subsidized LPG. Tata Motors reported a 63% year-on-year drop in Q1 consolidated profit, while Nayara faced scrutiny over Russian oil imports. The Supreme Court upheld a ruling classifying telecom towers as movable property, providing tax relief for telecom companies. Tesla India signed a nine-year lease for a showroom in Delhi, marking its expansion into the Indian market.
Tech Optimizer
August 8, 2025
Polymorphic malware is a type of malicious software that can change its code structure while maintaining its core functionality, making it difficult for traditional signature-based antivirus solutions to detect. It uses a mutation engine to create new variants by altering its code through techniques like code obfuscation, encryption, and junk code insertion. There are several categories of polymorphic malware, including polymorphic viruses, trojans, rootkits, and ransomware, each with unique characteristics. Detection of polymorphic malware is challenging due to its ability to evade conventional methods, prompting the use of behavioral analysis and machine learning for identification. To protect against such threats, a multi-layered security approach is recommended, including regular software updates, network segmentation, and employee training. Real-world examples like the Storm Worm and Conficker worm illustrate the significant impact of polymorphic malware, which has caused substantial financial losses. As cybersecurity measures advance, polymorphic malware continues to evolve, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning, leading to new challenges for security professionals. Cloud-based security solutions are emerging as effective tools to combat these threats.
Winsage
July 30, 2025
Adobe has released public beta versions of Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, and Media Encoder for Windows 11 on Arm architecture. These applications are expected to work well on Qualcomm Snapdragon X-based laptops and tablets. Certain features will be included in the final release of Premiere Pro, such as support for third-party extensions, ProRes support, and hardware-accelerated playback of H.264 and HEVC. However, some features will not be available, including the Loudness Radar effect and export to Wraptor DCP. For After Effects, issues include limited format support and the absence of certain features like Keylight and Mocha. Adobe recommends using the latest Qualcomm Adreno GPU driver for optimal performance. Beta versions of Audition and Media Encoder are also available for Windows 11 on Arm.
Winsage
July 29, 2025
Today marks the tenth anniversary of Windows 10, which was unveiled on September 30, 2014. Microsoft is offering a complimentary copy of the Windows 10 Field Guide to users in celebration. A new free newsletter is available for subscribers, providing three time-saving tips every Friday and complimentary copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides. Windows 10 was designed to operate across various devices and was announced as a free upgrade for users of Windows 7, 8.1, and Windows Phone 8.1 in January 2015. It was officially released on July 29, 2015, and received positive reviews for its adaptability and user-friendly experience, addressing design flaws from Windows 8. A free copy of the Windows 10 Field Guide is available at Leanpub until August 1, 2025.
Winsage
July 28, 2025
Users enrolled in the Dev or Beta channels of the Windows Insider Program can now install the preview cumulative update KB5062669. This update advances Windows 11 version 25H2 to build 26200.5722 for Dev channel users and updates Windows 11 version 24H2 to build 26120.5722 for Beta channel participants. The update introduces several features: - An Agent in Settings for AMD/Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs is now available for Snapdragon X-based Copilot+ PCs. - The Second Chance Out of Box Experience (SCOOBE) has been redesigned for a more intuitive setup process, with an option to disable it. - A new tutorial for Click to Do guides users on actions with images and text. - Windows Search now includes a grid view for image results in the left pane of the Search highlights result pane. There are also minor adjustments to the Lock screen configuration, updates to the Notification center, enhancements in Task Manager, and various fixes and newly identified issues.
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