Peter Fowler

How to get another free year of updates for your Windows 10 PC Buying Windows 10 a one-year stay of execution doesn’t have to cost anything.

Once again #Microsoft is trying to lock you into their products. This is only a temporary solution for Windows 10 and probably unnecessary if you still plan to move to a new Windows 11 PC asap. You could take the opportunity to move to a totally different OS like MacOS, Linux or ChromeOS Flex.

'Moving is easy with Windows 11' Microsoft tells us, promoting Backup app for transferring files from a Windows 10 PC - but you'll need to pay for OneDrive In a new promo video for the Windows Backup app

#Microsoft is doing everything it can to lock you into OneDrive! Once they have you only Office 365/OneDrive they have guaranteed annual revenue!

New Windows 11 update fails to install for some, and I'm hardly surprised at that – but some other reported bugs sound more worrying The July update for Windows 11 24H2 is proving troublesome

It just never gets any better! The only consistency is #Microsoft incompetence! Join the millions leaving Windows for Linux, ChromeOS and MacOS!

A Windows 11 update failing to install is nothing new, but Microsoft has spectacularly dropped the ball with the latest patch for June. First patch was paused and revised version is problematic too

Just when is #Microsoft going to stop trying to build fancy new features and fix the basic functionality of the OS so that it can reliably update?

4 myths about USB-C you shouldn't believe USB-C has reached ubiquity, appearing in everything from PC peripherals to laptops. These are some myths about the standard that we'd like to dispel.

USB-C has become so popular but some users don't fully understand why they have problems sometimes.

Mozilla is shutting down Pocket – here are the 3 best bookmarking alternatives Farewell Pocket, and bookmark these…

Further to my post on the demise of Pocket, here are some alternatives. As I mentioned, I use Raindrop.

Mozilla is shutting down Pocket Pocket had a nearly two-decade-long run.

Sad news that Mozilla is shutting down Pocket. Looks like I am going to be shifting even more to Raindrop!

Windows 11 24H2 seems to be a massive fail – so Microsoft apparently working on 25H2 fills me with hope... and fear There are reasons why 25H2 might be less buggy than 24H2, and we can at least hold on to that hope

As #Microsoft has obviously given up on 24H2, users can now look at a whole new group of bugs as Microsoft changes some of the 'under the hood' parts of the 40 year old code!

Windows 11 bug deletes Copilot from the OS – is this the first glitch ever some users will be happy to encounter? Windows 11 has been hit by a fair few bugs with Microsoft’s March patches – and Windows 10 is in the firing line of this Copilot glitch

#Microsoft stuff ups continue unabated in March. It appears #Microsoft is not getting ANY better at quality control and testing. This time it uninstalls its own Copilot feature. Some PCs are not even booting after updates! Oh dear! Try a better Operating System.

Microsoft is testing free Office for Windows apps with ads The free Office apps have started appearing in select countries

Not only would you have to put up with ads but you will be locked into #OneDrive. Great for #Microsoft to charge for storage. Why would you not just go to #LibreOffice?

'Arrogance is astounding': Microsoft subscription price hike brings backlash Microsoft has increased the price of its Microsoft 365 subscriptions, which it says has new AI features, but the price hike caused consumer outrage.

Arrogant #Microsoft. Having locked users into #Office 365 Microsoft suddenly ups the price from A$109 to A$159 per anum for single users. Apparently there is a way of opting for a non Copilot 'Classic' plan if you can work out how to do it!

Finding Windows 11 sluggish when you’re working with files and folders? You’re not alone – and it’s high time for Microsoft to sort out File Explorer One fix is now inbound, but more work is clearly needed on this central cog in the interface

#Microsoft should stop trying to add new features until it has Windows 11 running better than Windows 10 (or even Windows 7). Fix the problems before adding unnecessary features just to compete with their OS competitors!

New patch for Windows 11 24H2 reportedly plays havoc with File Explorer, and some folks are claiming it's broken their PC More bugs in the works for 24H2, and some nasty ones, too

File Explorer is the key component of #Windows and as such the 'Achilles Heel' of the OS. The erratic behaviour of File Explorer renders the OS useless!

I'm absolutely sick of Microsoft's Windows 11 24H2 update, as it's now causing Bluetooth and webcam issues Microsoft, enough is enough...

Is there no end to #Microsoft's sheer incompetence when it comes to #Windows 11 updates? I am now getting nervous delivering new Windows 11 PCs to users and then being faced with problem after problem. Maybe I need to recommend an alternative OS!

How to delete X and move on with your life | TechCrunch As Elon Musk's X sees a decline in daily active users, some people are deciding to ditch the social network entirely, whether that's for Bluesky,

Useful article if you finally want to end your relationship with #X / #Twitter. The article shows how to delete your existing #X account and some alternative social networks you might consider joining, including this one #Bluesky.

Microsoft admits bug that kills PC’s audio is seriously widespread affecting multiple Windows 11 versions and Windows 10 – but a fix is coming Glitch that casts a silence spell on some PCs has no workaround, but Microsoft promises a solution is coming

Yet another #Microsoft stuff up not only affecting the delicate #Windows11 OS but earlier versions as well. Does Microsoft do any testing of its updates to their 40 year old software?

Google Gemini is your new smart home butler Google Assistant, who?

#Gemini is now taking over from #Google #Home and it is more flexible in taking instructions for controlling devices around the home. You can give a series of instructions and Gemini will work out each component.

Microsoft embarrasses itself with Windows 10 pop-up that hogs the desktop urging an upgrade to Windows 11 – then promptly crashes A taste of things to come, the more cynical might say, especially given what’s happened with the 24H2 update

How embarrassing #Microsoft! Users should upgrade to an Operating System that actually works reliably! #Linux, #ChromeOS or #MacOS and actually costs a lot less!

Time to check if you ran any of these 33 malicious Chrome extensions Two separate campaigns have been stealing credentials and browsing history for months.

Time to do a Chrome Extensions audit. Check for these malicious extensions and also remove others you no longer use.

Monitor Linux System Performance From the Terminal With These 5 Tools You don't have to use a GUI to get at-a-glance Linux system perfromance information.

I use #Glances but I am going to try some of the others in this article.

Passkey technology is elegant, but it’s most definitely not usable security Just in time for holiday tech-support sessions, here’s what to know about passkeys.

A long but interesting article on Passkey implementation progress. I agree that it is very confusing for users and just adds to the already copious number of 2FA methods already being used. The Passkey synchronisation across vendors has to be solved or at least understood by users.

Essential apps for hardcore Android users [Video] The idea that some apps are “must-haves” or “essentials” for your Android phone is bound to be subjective, especially with...

Some useful #Android apps that I was unaware of. I will be investigating some of the further.

Windows 11 suffers more bugs in latest update, with the Start menu hit hard by some frustrating issues December 2024 update is causing some serious glitches

#Microsoft is one of those companies that just keeps on giving over and over again. So we now have even more bugs with 24H2!

Here are the first things you should set up in Google Messages on Android [Video] This guide will take you through everything we think you should set up in Google Messages on your Android device.

With #RCS now working in #iPhones this article is well worth a read for Android users.

Watch Boston Dynamics’ electric Atlas do a backflip | TechCrunch A little early holiday surprise from Boston Dynamics this week, as Santa suit-wearing electric Atlas performs a backflip. The feat occurs about 13 minutes

Because it is Christmas!

Microsoft doesn’t care if your unsupported PC can run Windows 11 – it wants you to stop using it right now Sorry Microsoft, your new attempt to force people onto Windows 11 won’t make them love it

#Microsoft is really good at "leaving a bad taste in the mouth"! Surely it is time for the average consumer to give up on #Windows and move to something sensible like Android, iOS, ChromeOS, MacOS or Linux.

Google Maps widely rolling out on-device Timeline history notice A year ago, Google announced that Maps Location History would be moving to your phone, and this Timeline change is widely rolling out.

This is a major change to the Google Maps Timeline and users need to make their selection on a number options.

Major Windows 11 fails make Microsoft’s ‘Fix problems using Windows Update’ tool more useful than ever – but it might not work for you A secret weapon against Windows 11 problems

A tool like this should not be necessary but bearing in mind the problems #Windows Update has been facing recently it is just as well that #Microsoft has made it available. Personally, I would make a complete image backup before running the tool!

Google’s empire is under siege Google is the subject of several lawsuits.

#Google is certainly a huge advertiser but certainly not a monopoly worldwide! #Microsoft was a much bigger monopoly in the office until Open Office, Google & others provided alternatives. Chromium is the engine behind Chrome & Edge so I guess Microsoft would love to see Chrome sold off!

Windows 11 gets more adverts – and we’re not sure what’s going on with the latest ads, but they’re rather bewildering Call of Duty Black Ops 6 from the Microsoft Store, anyone?

Tell me again why we have adverts in software that we have paid for! Note paragraph 10 tells you how you may be able to stop some of the ads & nags!