A quick Glimpse of Office 2024 Pro Plus LTSC Preview

Today's insider updates.

Windows 11 Build 25992 (Canary)
New SMB firewall rule
New SMB NTLM blocking exception list
Support for alternative SMB client and server ports
Changes to SMB over QUIC client access management certificates

Windows 11 Build 23585 (Dev)
Allows removing more inbox apps, including Camera, Cortana, Photos, People, and Remote Desktop Client (MSTSC)

Snipping Tool

A new version of the Snipping Tool application (11.2310.49.0) with improved support for HDR displays has become available to insiders on the Dev and Canary channels. Now, when HDR is enabled, the created screenshots and screen videos will have more correct colors.

Microsoft plans to bring up the Copilot feature to Windows 10 in a future update. They may also extend its support period.

It appears that the capabilities of Copilot will be similar for both Windows 10 and Windows 11, making it compatible with both operating systems. In Windows 10, users will find a dedicated button on the taskbar to launch Copilot, which will generate a sidebar similar to that in Windows 11.

The extended support for Windows 10 remains an ongoing discussion within Microsoft, with a final decision yet to be reached. It's worth noting that the current end-of-support date for Windows 10 is set for October 2025.

The latest Canary release, Windows 11 build 25992, adds native support for 7z and Tar archive creation. Just like you've been creating ZIP archives for decades. Right-click a file or folder, select Compress to..., and pick the desired compression option.

While the change is not mentioned in the release notes for the build, the new feature is not hidden and is available to everyone.

Starting with the Moment 4 update, Windows 11 can natively extract several archive formats, including RAR, 7z, and TAR, without you having to install the appropriate apps. The write support (archive creation) in stable version of the OS will become available in 2024. So now Microsoft is testing this feature with Insiders in the Canary channel.

Today's Patch Tuesday updates.

~~Windows 11~~

Windows 11 (version 23H2) -  KB5032190 (OS Build 22631.2715). Microsoft Update Catalog
Windows 11 (version 22H2) -  KB5032190 (OS Build 22621.2715). Microsoft Update Catalog
Windows 11 (version 21H2) -  KB5032192 (OS Build 22000.2600). Microsoft Update Catalog

~~Windows 10~~

2022 Update (version 22H2) -  KB5032189 (OS Build 19045.3693). Microsoft Update Catalog.
November 2021 Update (version 21H2) -  KB5032189 (OS Build 19044.3693). Microsoft Update Catalog.
October 2018 Update (version 1809) -  KB5032196 (OS Build 17763.5122). Microsoft Update Catalog.
Anniversary Update (version 1607) -  KB5032197 (OS Build 14393.6452). Microsoft Update Catalog.
Windows 10 (version 1507)  -  KB5032199 (OS Build 10240.20308). Microsoft Update Catalog.

Happy to see you all in 2024. Here are Insider updates, the first of this year.

Windows 11 Build 26020 (Canary) no longer has WordPad and Steps Recorder preinstalled - both are now deprecated. Also, there is now an option to pause/resume printing jobs. Other changes include several improvements for sharing, preview of natural voices in Narrator, a new energy saver icon for plugged-in PCs, and much more.

An option to pause and resume print jobs in the print queue for printers is now available in the Settings app, under Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. This feature enables users to temporarily halt printing for printer maintenance tasks, such as replacing a cartridge.

Windows 11 Build 23612 (Dev) adds dynamic weather to the Lock screen, several Voice Access improvements, fixes the Start menu, File Explorer and Widgets.

The lock screen will now display more detailed weather information. Hovering your mouse over the card will reveal more information, and clicking on it will open Microsoft Edge with a full weather forecast from MSN Weather.This change is enabled by default for Dev Channel Insiders using US English. Make sure that under Settings > Personalization > Lock Screen > Lock screen status, the Weather option is selected. If you do not want to see this block, then select the “Nothing” option. It does not depend on the selected lock screen personalization option, regardless of what you set there, Spotlight, Photos or Slideshow.

Microsoft is releasing Windows 11 Build 26090 for Insiders on the Dev and Canary channels. The update is notable for a newer Widget pane, improvements made to SMB, and several fixes.

* Microsoft is resuming testing of the Widget Bar improvements that were introduced in Build 26058. Among the changes is a new navigation bar on the left side, which allows you to switch between the widget panel and other integrated panels such as Discover. Changes are only available on the Canary channel.
* Administrators can now disable the SMB over QUIC client using Group Policy and PowerShell
* You can now use the preview version of Copilot for Windows with a local account, but you can only make 10 requests. After this, you will have to sign in using your Microsoft Account (MSA) or Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory).

Windows 11 version 24H2 will remove WordPad, as officially confirmed by Microsoft. Windows 11 24H2 is coming later this year. After the removal, the operating system will no longer ship any inbox app for opening RTF files.

WordPad will be removed from all editions of Windows starting with Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025.

The following files will be deleted from the operating system along with the WordPad shortcut:

wordpad.exe
wordpadfilter.dll
write.exe

Microsoft insists on using Word instead of WordPad for RTF. WordPad is now officially a "deprecated feature". Microsoft also points that there will no supported way to get the app back.

If you are one of those who cannot imagine your computer life without WordPad, you can download a special package that restores the classic app back in Windows 11. After that, you'll be able to use WordPad in all its traditional scenarios and tasks.

Microsoft has added a new page to the Microsoft Store app. Dubbed "What's New", it allows users to easily learn about new features, updates, and experimental features without stumbling upon them by accident. Simply open the Microsoft Store, locate the "What's New" section in the lower left corner above Library, and click or tap to see a list of new features.

The newly added page could also show the Store app version, so you could clearly see that you just received a new version, and check if it is the most recent one. Sadly, the section doesn't display the Store app version anywhere.

Earlier in January, Microsoft made a statement that the dedicated Copilot key won't be required for devices to pass Windows 11 certification. Despite that, Intel points that the key is a mandatory requirement for "new era PCs".

Over the past few months, leading tech companies including Intel, Microsoft, Qualcomm, and AMD have been promoting the concept of "AI PCs" as the industry moves towards integrating more AI-powered features into Windows. Intel has started sharing Microsoft's guidelines for OEMs to create AI-powered PCs, one of which includes adding a dedicated Copilot key.

Although certain new laptops like Asus's ROG Zephyrus come with the latest Intel Core Ultra chips, they do not meet Microsoft's strict requirements for an AI PC without a Copilot key. Despite this, Intel argues that these laptops still qualify as AI PCs.

Intel and Microsoft are encouraging OEMs to comply with Microsoft's requirements and potentially introduce the new key. It is possible that the ASUS laptop was released before Microsoft finalized its specifications for an AI PC.

At CES 2024, Dell simply added Copilot stickers to their devices, suggesting that the additional key requirement was a last-minute inclusion.

Windows 10 ESU cost revealed. In short, the price is $61 per device, which will double every year for three years. Unlike the Windows 7 ESU, which was exclusively for customers, the Windows 10 ESU will be open to everyone.

$61 per device for the first year
$122 per device in the second year
$244 per device in year three

Starting in October 2024, users can buy a 5-by-5 activation key subscription, which can be used on a single PC to continue using Windows 10 after October 2025.

You will need to purchase a separate subscription key for each computer on which you want to receive security updates after October 2025. If you choose to join the Extended Support Updates program after one or two years, you will still have to pay for the missing years of updates.

Windows 10 ESU is indeed an expensive offer. It high price may convince a lot of users to choose Windows 11 instead to avoid paying for security updates.

Microsoft recommends upgrading to Windows 11 before October 2025 as long as your device meets the minimum system requirements.


Post Credits: WinAero