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Microsoft does not want you to use iPerf3 to measure network performance on Windows
Microsoft has asked customers to ditch iPerf3 on Windows, recommending other tools instead.
iPerf is a fairly popular cross-platform tool that is used by many to measure network performance and diagnose any potential issues in this area. The open-source utility is maintained by an organization called Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) and officially supports Linux, Unix, and Windows. However, Microsoft has now published a detailed blog post explaining why you should not use the latest version, iPerf3, on Windows installations.
Microsoft will now urge you to ditch local accounts on Windows 10
Microsoft is now nagging Windows 10 customers to switch to a Microsoft account instead of using a local account.
About a week ago, we learned that Microsoft has begun to show full-screen ads in Windows 10, urging customers to upgrade to Windows 11 even though there is still more than a year to go before the former runs out of support. This move drew a lot of attention considering the company had come under fire in the same week for the slow performance of the Start menu, which had also begun showing advertisements for apps. However, it seems like the Redmond tech firm is not done notifying users about how they can improve their Windows experience, as can be determined from a recent Windows 10 Insider update.
How to dual-boot Windows 10 and Windows 11 on the same PC
Want to try Windows 11 without messing up your PC? Here's how to dual-boot Windows 11 alongside Windows 10 on your machine.
Windows 11 brings plenty of new features and a brand-new look, but sometimes, it's good to keep an older operating system around, since it's had more time to be refined and have any issues ironed out. If you want to try Windows 11's new features without giving up the reliability of Windows 10, dual-booting is an excellent way to do just that. This way, you can have both operating systems running at full native performance on your PC, as opposed to running Windows 11 in a VM, which can have some performance overhead.
Chrome on Windows finally gets much-needed camera and mic previews
Don't leave your next video meeting up to chance.
If you hate turning on your webcam for a meeting without knowing how you look, you may have lamented how little Google Chrome does to help you prepare for a video call. While the browser does let you control whether or not a website can access your hardware, it doesn't let you preview your webcam and microphone feed before you jump into a meeting. Fortunately, thanks to a recent update, Google Chrome will now let you double-check if your webcam and microphone are working properly with its own handy preview pane.
If you've been blocked from receiving Windows 11 for the past couple of years, Microsoft may have some good news for you
After placing a compatibility hold on certain Windows 10 devices due to an Intel driver bug over two years ago, Microsoft has finally fixed the issue.
Although Microsoft is keen on getting as many customers to upgrade to Windows 11 as possible - as is evident from its latest advertising push -, many simply can't upgrade because they are using older hardware that isn't supported by the Redmond tech firm's latest operating system. Then, there is another portion of users that have been restricted from receiving the update by Microsoft itself due to somewhat niche bugs and issues. Now, the company has removed one such upgrade block after a period of over two years.
How to install ADB on Windows, macOS, and Linux
A step-by-step guide to get you started with the Android Debug Bridge tool.
Most of the best phones on the market run Android, and it's preferred by many for being a more open operating system than Apple's iOS. However, several features of Google's OS can be accessed only through paths and methods that are hidden away from the average user. However, many of these capabilities can be accessed by using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). If you're wondering how to set it up, we're here to help with that.
How to use the PS5 DualSense controller on a Windows PC
Want to use your DualSense controller for PC games? Here's how to get started.
When you think of PC gaming, you probably think of a mouse and keyboard, which makes sense since those are the default input method for a computer. But while they're the most versatile, some games are just played best with a controller, and you might be tempted to buy one. But if you happen to own a PlayStation 5, you can use the DualSense controller with your Windows 11 (or 10) PC.
3 reasons you shouldn't pay extra for Windows 10 updates
Windows 10 is getting an extended support period for updates if you pay up — but you really shouldn't.
We've known for a while that Microsoft was going to offer an extended security update (ESU) program for Windows 10 after the end of the support period on October 14th, 2025. More recently, the company shed light on pricing for the Windows 10 ESU program, which can get you up to three extra years of security updates, but the price doubles every month. Right now, we only know the pricing structure for businesses, but I wouldn't expect a huge difference if you're a general user. Regardless, you shouldn't be spending money on these updates for Windows 10, and here are a few reasons why.
You'll have to pay for Windows 10 updates starting next year — here's how much
Microsoft has revealed how much Windows 10 Extended Security Updates will cost, and it won't be cheap.
Windows 10 is reaching its end-of-support date in October 2025, but Microsoft had already promised to give users a way to keep their devices protected if they don't want to or can't upgrade to Windows 11 just yet. Now, the company has revealed how much the Extended Security Updates (ESU) will cost once the program starts.
8 tips and tricks to up your OneNote game
Everything you need to know to become a OneNote power user.
Microsoft OneNote is one of the best note-taking apps out there, especially for Windows users. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft OneDrive and other Microsoft products like Word, Excel, and Teams. This integration opens the door to easy file sharing and collaboration, but it offers much more even if you’re not a part of the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Microsoft is finally fixing Chrome's font issues on Windows 10 & 11
Does Chrome display blurry or thin text for you? Don't worry; Microsoft is working to fix it.
Have you noticed that the fonts in Chrome look a little funny on Windows 10 and 11 systems? It's not just you; it's a known issue that has been going on for a little while now. Fortunately, Microsoft knows of the issue, and it's working on a way to get strange-looking fonts on Chrome fixed.
How to use a GPU in VirtualBox
VirtualBox and GPUs aren't very fond of each other, but here's how you can make them work together better.
All your PC components play a vital role in ensuring smooth PC performance. Purchasing and using the latest PC parts delivers smooth web browsing, file management, video editing, and a high-end gaming experience on Windows. However, the story isn't the same on other operating systems.
How to get the Samsung Notes app on any Windows PC
If you use Samsung Notes on your phone but don't want a Samsung laptop, you can install the Notes app easily on any Windows 11 (or 10) PC.
Samsung has been making some of the best laptops you can buy for the last few years. Not only are Samsung Galaxy laptops very premium devices with excellent displays and top-tier specs, but the company has also invested in building a robust ecosystem, including some cross-device apps like Samsung Notes.
The newest Windows 10 preview build makes the lock screen useful
It'll come with some great new features.
How often do you stick around on the Windows 10 lock screen? It seems that Microsoft wants it to be a hub for information about your PC, but it has been sitting kind of barren for a while now, and there's not much to do past moving past it to use your PC. However, Microsoft is planning to change that with a new update for Windows 10. Available now on the Preview branch, you can add weather, traffic, and financial information to your lock screen, along with some other handy features.
Microsoft is now badgering Chrome users to switch from Google to Bing in latest annoying pop-up
Microsoft is once against showing intrusive notifications to Windows users on Chrome, urging them to switch from Google Search to Bing.
A few days ago, we learned that Microsoft is spamming the Windows 11 lock screen with QR codes which leads unsuspecting users to a promotion for the company's latest Copilot ads. Following backlash, the firm removed this "advertisement", but it seems that it hasn't learned its lesson just yet, as yet another dubious ad promoting the GPT-4-powered Bing has been spotted by several Chrome users.
How to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10
Not everyone is a fan of the look of Windows 11, and if you want to go back to the Windows 10 look, you can do so with these tools.
Windows 11 is a big shift compared to Windows 10 in terms of design, and that change is especially significant when you consider that Windows 10 was around for six years before Windows 11, so people got very used to how it looks. And while Windows 11 arguably looks much nicer, some people might miss that old look after upgrading.
Here are all the changes Microsoft made to Windows in Europe to comply with the DMA
Microsoft is rolling out changes to how Windows, LinkedIn, Edge, and Bing features work in Europe following the Digital Markets Act.
Back in November 2023, Microsoft announced that it is making some changes to Windows in order to comply with Europe's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is now in effect. A few days ago, Google also made modifications to its Search service and Chrome browser, and now, Microsoft has confirmed the rollout of several revisions across Windows, Bing, user data, and LinkedIn.
Microsoft is installing KB5001716 on Windows 10 PCs to get users to upgrade to Windows 11
Microsoft has rolled out a new Windows 10 update to get users to upgrade to newer versions of Windows.
Although Windows 10 is supported until at least October 14, 2025, its various versions continually run out of support with the passage of time. Microsoft ideally wants customers to upgrade to Windows 11, which is where all the AI goodness will happen. However, the latest stats indicate that Windows 10 still has double the number of users when compared to Redmond's latest operating system. The company is looking to change that with its latest Windows 10 update, KB5001716.
Windows 10 still has double the number of users of Windows 11
Windows 10's end-of-life date is on the horizon, but people continue to use it.
Windows 10 doesn't have a whole lot of time to live. Once its end-of-life date arrives on October 14, 2025, Microsoft will stop developing and distributing security patches for the operating system. After that, it's going to be risky to use a Windows 10 device online due to the potential security loopholes that Microsoft won't work to fix.
How to activate Windows
If you made a change to your PC or find that Windows isn't properly activated, all it takes is a few click to properly activate your OS
Running your desktop PC or a top laptop without activating Windows is not a good idea. You end up seeing an annoying watermark and pop-up messages to activate Windows, and you lose out on some personalized settings as well. Thankfully, activating Windows on your PC doesn't require much time.