Microsoft 365 Archives

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Stay secure with Windows 11, Copilot+ PCs and Windows 365 before support ends for Windows 10

Windows has been the most widely used operating system globally since its launch in 1985, currently powering over a billion active devices each month. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025, meaning Microsoft will stop providing security and feature updates, as well as technical support for Windows 10 PCs. Users can check their eligibility for upgrading to Windows 11 through the Settings menu or the PC Health Check app. Windows 11 features enhanced security, improved performance, and a modern user interface, with built-in accessibility tools and AI capabilities. The Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will provide critical security updates for personal devices from October 15, 2025, to October 13, 2026. Organizations can subscribe to ESU for continued security updates for a year, with the option to renew annually. Windows 365 offers a cloud-based solution for transitioning to Windows 11 without needing to replace all devices immediately. Various Windows 11 and Copilot+ PCs are available from partners like Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Samsung, and Surface.

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5661 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5661 (KB5060838) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features, improvements, and fixes. Key updates include: - A new personalized homepage for Recall, featuring recent snapshots and a list of top apps and websites. - A new setting allowing users to reposition hardware indicators for brightness, volume, airplane mode, and virtual desktops on the screen. - A Boolean option in the Configure Start Pins policy for administrators to apply Start menu pins just once. - AI actions in File Explorer are being reintroduced after a temporary removal. - Recent flights now display the selected country or region during device setup under Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Fixes include resolving input functionality issues, fixing explorer.exe crashes for users with the Italian display language, addressing performance issues in File Explorer, and correcting sorting issues in Windows Update history. Known issues include touch navigation problems in the new Start menu, issues with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth, and delays in intelligent text actions in Click to Do on certain PCs. Users may also experience a two-step process to access the latest flight in the Dev Channel and potential rollback errors during installation.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Get all the power of MS Office for life—and for less than $30

Microsoft Office 2019 is available for a one-time payment of .97, representing an 86% discount off the regular price of 9.99. This package includes Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows, which features Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Access, and OneNote, but does not include Microsoft Teams. The purchase grants lifetime access, future updates, and customer support, and is valid for installation on one Windows PC. Upon purchase, users receive links and software license keys via email for downloading within seven days.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Get Office 2021 for Mac without the monthly fee nonsense

A one-time payment option is available for Microsoft Office Home & Business 2021 for Mac at a price of .97, reduced from the regular price of 9.99. This offer provides a lifetime license, eliminating the need for monthly payments or renewals. The package includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (Basic), and OneNote. The license is connected to a Microsoft account, allowing redownload on a new device. The deal is available for a limited time.

Winsage

June 21, 2025

This Windows safety feature is crashing Google Chrome

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has caused issues for users of Google's Chrome browser, leading to crashes or failures to launch on Windows systems since June 3. Chrome support manager Ellen T confirmed that the problem is linked to Microsoft Family Safety, stating that Chrome cannot run when this feature is enabled. Other browsers, like Firefox and Opera, are unaffected. Users have found a temporary workaround by renaming the Chrome executable file or disabling the "filter inappropriate websites" setting in Family Safety, though this compromises parental controls. There has been no official communication from Microsoft regarding a fix, and a Chromium engineer noted on June 10 that no updates have been received from Microsoft about resolving the issue.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft Ends FrontPage RPC in Secure 365 Update

Microsoft plans to block outdated protocols, including FrontPage Remote Procedure Call, as part of its "Secure by Default" initiative to enhance cybersecurity within its Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This decision aims to phase out legacy technologies that pose security risks, reflecting a broader industry trend toward prioritizing robust cybersecurity over maintaining older systems. The impact will be significant in enterprise environments, where legacy systems are often critical, requiring IT teams to identify dependencies on these protocols. While Microsoft provides guidance for migration, the responsibility lies with customers, which may strain relationships with long-time clients.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Old apps and third-party providers blocked: Major Microsoft 365 security impact

Microsoft is implementing default blocks on legacy protocols and third-party applications for Microsoft 365 to enhance security. This includes deactivating the RPS protocol for SharePoint and OneDrive, as well as blocking the FPRPC protocol. Administrators will now need to give explicit approval for third-party applications to access files and pages, limiting user consent. These changes will begin in mid-July 2025 and are expected to be completed by August. Additionally, new security settings for Windows 365 will disable clipboard, storage, USB device, and printer linking by default on newly set up cloud PCs, with VBS, Credential Guard, and HVCI activated by default for those using a Windows 11 Gallery image. These updates for Windows 365 are planned for the latter half of 2025.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been causing disruptions for users of Google Chrome on Windows for over two weeks, with issues reported since June 3rd. Users have experienced unexpected closures or an inability to launch Chrome due to a bug in Family Safety. Other browsers like Firefox and Opera are unaffected. A workaround involves renaming the Chrome executable file, and users can also disable the "filter inappropriate websites" setting in Family Safety to restore functionality. There is no timeline for a fix from Microsoft, and attempts to contact the company for comments have gone unanswered.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

This Microsoft feature is accidentally ‘blocking’ Google Chrome on Windows – The Times of India

Microsoft's Family Safety tool is causing disruptions for users trying to launch Google Chrome on Windows devices, with issues reported since June 3. Users with the Family Safety feature enabled experience Chrome failing to open or crashing. Alternative browsers like Firefox and Opera are unaffected. Chrome support manager Ellen T confirmed the issue is linked to the Family Safety feature. Microsoft has not issued a public statement or timeline for a fix, and a workaround involves renaming the Chrome executable or disabling the "filter inappropriate websites" option in Family Safety.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft to remove legacy drivers from Windows Update for security boost

Microsoft is removing legacy drivers from the Windows Update catalog to enhance security and compatibility within its Windows ecosystem. The initiative aims to provide users with the most optimal drivers for various hardware devices. The cleanup process will begin with expiring drivers that have newer replacements, making them unavailable for any Windows system. Partners can republish removed drivers if they present a valid business rationale. Microsoft plans to expand the cleanup to include additional categories that may pose security risks. The company is also implementing changes to pre-production driver signing and has introduced new security defaults for Windows 365 Cloud PCs and updated security protocols for Microsoft 365 tenants.