Category: Software

Microsoft installs KB5001716 update on older versions of Windows

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

If you still run an older version of Microsoft’s Windows 10 or 11 operating systems, then you may have noticed that Windows update KB5001716 was installed recently on your devices.

It is an important update, here is why:

  • KB5001716 is an update for Windows Update Service components.
  • The update enables Windows to download and install new feature updates for the device automatically.
  • It furthermore detects issues with the Windows Update service and notifies you about any that it finds.

In other words, it is designed to push new versions of Windows onto systems that are no longer supported or about to reach end of support.

Microsoft supports consumer editions of Windows for 18 months. The systems receive security updates and other updates during that time. Updates stop once the version of Windows reaches end of servicing.

Microsoft notes:

f your device is out of support, it is no longer receiving security updates from Microsoft and may become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you update to the latest version of Windows. Each version of Windows is supported for 18 months. After support ends, you must update to a newer version of Windows to continue receiving Windows updates and security fixes.

Here is the (current) list of Windows versions that will receive the update:

  • Windows 11, version 21H2
  • Windows 10, version 22H2
  • Windows 10, version 21H2
  • Windows 10, version 21H1
  • Windows 10, version 20H2
  • Windows 10, version 2004

As you can see, Microsoft is pushing the update to all but the latest versions of Windows 11.

These versions of Windows do not receive the update at the time of writing:

  • Windows 11, version 23H2
  • Windows 11, version 22H2

While this won’t change anymore for Windows 10, expect Windows 11 Version 22H2 to be added to the list soon.

Most Windows users may want to upgrade to new versions of Windows, as it guarantees that security updates continue to be provided by Microsoft.

Users who do not want to upgrade yet or want to keep full control over the updating, may want to prevent the installation of KB5001716.

If the update is installed already, you may check out my guide on uninstalling Windows updates and blocking them afterwards.

Closing Words

Several Windows 10 and 11 versions reach end of servicing in the coming months. While most devices should be upgraded to a newer version by then, there will always be systems that are left behind.

In most cases, this may not be a deliberate decision and the update may help these users in keeping their systems supported.

Which version of Windows, if any, do you run currently? Any particular reason for that, if you do not run the latest version?

Android

Google Play Store could soon takeover updates for sideloaded apps

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Android Authority reports that Google is working on a new Play Store feature to take over ownership of sideloaded apps. This would allow Google Play to update apps not installed via the official Store.

A feature introduced in Android 14 allows application stores to update ownership of apps. When you download an app from a Store, this store has ownership. This means that it is responsible for pushing updates and other changes. It may also have the power to delete apps.

The option to change ownership was designed initially to prevent the installation of apps from a store that differed from the original.

Now, it appears that Google is working on a feature that allows Play Store to take over ownership. It seems that this is a manual process, for now at least.

The main benefit of this is that users may then update apps through the Play Store, provided that the app is also hosted on Google’s store for Android.

A leaked screenshot shows the listing of an app that was not installed from Google Play. The app shows an “update from Play” button. When users activate the button, Play Store is taking over ownership to update the app. Future updates will then be provided via Play Store and not the original Store.

Third-party app stores may also be able to use the feature in the future.

Closing Words

While the changing of ownership may be useful in some cases, for example when the original owner is no longer available or an app is no longer available in the original store, it may also cause issues for certain apps, especially if they differ from the Play Store version.

This should not work for apps that are not offered on the Play Store. Certain kinds of apps, including apps that let users download videos from YouTube, are disallowed on the Play Store. They can, however, be installed from third-party stores.

The best option to avoid this for now is to ignore the “update from Play” button when browsing the Play Store. It remains to be seen if Google will implement other changes related to the taking of ownership.

Do you sideload apps on Android? If so, what is your preferred download source for apps? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Skype

Skype is getting the Anti-Windows treatment: Microsoft removes all ads

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Is anyone still using Skype? Microsoft has just released a new development version of Skype and it comes fully loaded with new features and improvements.

Probably the biggest one is that Microsoft is removing all ads from Skype. The company announced the new Skype release on its Answers website.

There, Microsoft bids farewell to “ads in Skype channels and beyond”. It confirms that Skype is going ad-free, which means that users will no longer see ads in channels, in chats, or elsewhere.

We’re excited to announce that Skype is now ad-free! Our latest update removes all ads from Skype channels and the entire Skype platform, ensuring a smoother, decluttered and more enjoyable user experience.

Note: The change has not yet landed in stable versions of Skype. Microsoft has not revealed when it plans to make that version of Skype ad-free.

The new beta version of Skype includes other improvements, some of which are definitely noteworthy:

  • OneAuth for Skype supports Android and iOS now. The system unifies sign-ins. In other words, if you are signed into a Microsoft app, you will automatically be logged into Skype as well.
  • Revamped AI Image Creation. Now accessible via the chat window or the top bar. Microsoft says it does offer an enhanced user interface and better navigation as well.

Closing Words

I have to admit that I have not used Skype in a long time and I do not know how popular the solution still is. It is probably miles away from its prime, but it could still be the go-to tool for millions of users.

These will benefit from the removal of ads. While it is unclear when the change lands in the stable version of Skype, it cannot be too far away.

What about you? Do you still use Skype or do you prefer a different platform for chat and calls? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Cassettes

This private media converter runs locally in your browser

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Sometimes, you may need to convert a file to another format. Maybe it is because the original file format is not supported by your application or a service, or because you would like to reduce its size.

Plenty of tools exist to do that using dedicated programs on all major operating systems. Many are easy to use, but it may still be necessary to download and install a program before it can be used.

File Converter is a free private online service that supports media conversions without all of that. Just launch the dedicated website of the service and start converting. There is no need to install software or extensions, and the developer says that everything happens right in the browser.

The main file converter interface.

In other words, you do not need an active Internet connection to convert files. In theory at last. Here is why:

  • To access the site, you do need to be online (there is no offline mode)
  • Furthermore, the FFMpeg WASM file needs to be downloaded.

Good news is that your files are not transferred to a server on the Internet during the process.

As far as file support is concerned, it is pretty good. The service supports a wide range of image, video, and audio file formats. To name a few: job, png, webp, webm, mp4, or mp3.

Use of the service is super-simple. Drop files on the designated area on the webpage, or click on it to open a file browser. Once you have added at least one supported file, pick the desired output format from the convert to menu.

Last step is to click on the convert files button to get the process started. Since it happens locally, performance depends on the local machine.

What are the downsides?

There are not many, but if you have converted media in the past you may have noticed that I did not mention customizations.

The reason for that is simple: there are not any. You cannot change anything, including:

  • Quality of images or audio files.
  • Resolution of videos.

If you need that, you need to find a different tool for the job.

Also, the digital file needs to be on the local device already. This is true for the majority of converters, maybe even all though.

Closing Words

If you need to convert a batch of media files to a different format, without changing anything else about them, then File Converter may be a suitable tool for the job.

If you need more control, you could check out the native FFMPEG or other programs, such as Handbrake for video, fre:ac for audio, or XnConvert for images.

What about you? Do you use online or offline media converters? If so, which do you use and why? Feel free to leave a comment with your preferred tools below.

Windows 11 Start Menu Companion Phone Link

Microsoft should add an option to hide the Windows Start menu

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

I use the Windows Start menu a few times per year. It is been replaced by the taskbar and other means to launch programs.

While I run a few searches per year, which open in the Start menu, I do not really use it for anything else. Also, I prefer to use the third-party tool Everything Search for searches, as it is better in most regards.

I have no need for the Start menu anymore

The Windows Start menu offers just a few functions:

  • Launch pad for installed apps.
  • Interface for search results.
  • Shutting down, logging out, or switching users.

I do not need these, with the exception of the occasional use for searches. Also, Microsoft is adding more and more elements to the Start menu that I do not need or want.

I’m talking about the recommendations section that you cannot disable fully, as well as various placements for what I would call advertisement for Microsoft-owned subscription services.

Launch pad for installed apps

All apps that I use regularly are pinned to the taskbar. To launch apps not pinned there, I have the following options:

  • Runbox: using Windows-R to launch, is fast. You need to know the name or shortcut though.
  • Terminal: not as straightforward as Runbox, still might appeal to some.
  • Search: the Search is linked to the Start menu, but it does not need it.
  • File Explorer: manually launching an executable, e.g., a portable app that is not listed in the Start menu by default anyway.

Interface for search results

Search and Start menu are two separate functions, but they are linked as they use the same hull.

It would probably be easy enough to separate them, or split them again. Also, tools like Everything offer a better search experience in many cases.

Sign out or shut down

Windows offers plenty of options to do these, including:

  • Right-clicking the Start button.
  • Using Ctrl-Alt-Del.
  • Running shutdown /f from the command prompt window.

The Start menu is not going anywhere, quite the contrary

Microsoft works constantly on changing the start menu of its Windows operating system. It introduced the dual layout of the start menu in Windows 11 and has tweaked it since then.

It is also working on adding new account functionality to the start menu and extensions, which display content on the sides.

I do not really know how many Windows users use the Start menu on a regular basis. Many might. An option to hide the Start button would be an option to give users the option.

What about you? Do you use the Start menu on Windows? If so, for what specifically? Feel free to write a comment down below.

Windows 11: Microsoft bundling controls for recommendations and offers

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

One of the main points of criticism in regards to the ever increasing number of recommendations and offers in Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system is that they cannot be managed from a central location.

If you want to turn them all off elegantly, you either have to go through various sections, or use a third-party application like WinAero Tweaker, or O&O’s ShutUp10++, or one of the many other tools that help users do that.

Recommendations & offers in Windows 11 Settings

Windows 11 Recommendations & Offers Setting
New group of Settings to control ads and promotions in Windows 11. Image source: Phantom of Earth

Microsoft is working on introducing a central location for recommendations and offers. While it is doubtful that this will cover all promotions that Microsoft throws at users nowadays, it at least merges related settings from various locations into a single group in the Settings app.

Discovered by Phantom of Earth and published on X, Recommendations & offers provides the following options at the time of writing:

  • Personalized offers — Get personalized tips, ads, and recommendations based on Windows activity.
  • Allow websites to access my language list.
  • Improve Start and search results — By tracking which apps get opened.
  • Show notifications in Settings.
  • Recommendations and offers in Settings — Allow Windows to show product recommendations and offers in Settings.
  • Advertising ID.

The new group is found under Settings > Privacy & Security. You do need to run the latest Beta of Windows 11 and may need to enable it by running the command .\vivetool /enable /id:49666228,48433719 from an elevated PowerShell prompt.

Closing Words

Clearly, this new group of Settings is still inferior to what tweaking apps offer. It may still expose more of these settings to users who do not use the tweakers or configure their systems using Registry tweaks or policies.

What is your take on this new group of settings? Move in the right direction? Feel free to leave a comment down below.

Ice

This free Windows app promises to make your PC run cooler

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

Heat is a major problem for electronic devices, especially in the Summer months. Overheating may lead to a whole range of issues, including crashes or reduced performance.

To combat this, PC users have discovered thousands of solutions. From pointing a fan at the PC during the hottest hours to liquid cooling systems or reducing the voltage and frequency of core components such as the processor.

Camomile is a free app that promises to do the latter. It reduces voltage and frequency of the processor to bring down its temperature. I took the app for a test and it surely dropped the temp from 43 degrees Celsius to 36 degrees Celsius in a matter of minutes.

The app displays the current temperature in its interface. I ran several other temperature apps beside it to check the accuracy, and it was good.

Camomile App for Windows interface
App drops temperature of the processor when run

This comes with a bit of a trade-off, as it works similarly to energy-saving techniques. In short, performance may drop slightly when the app is doing its work.

Still, if you are in a dire situation, with CPU temps reaching much higher degrees than I experienced, then you may not mind as much.

Lowering has additional positive effects, including:

  • It may extend battery life.
  • It may reduce the fan noise.

Wayne mentioned the app over on Betanews. Some users reported that Malwarebytes was flagging it as a PUP. Similarly, Dr.Web and CrowdStrike Falcon are flagging the software as well. I did not notice any issues during installation of afterwards.

It does not offer much in terms of functionality. You can enable cooling mode and disable it. Other than that, it displays a temperature graph and temperature information for other components.

Closing Words

There are numerous ways to cool down PC components, especially in the Summer months. Sometimes, all that is needed is to get rid of the pesky dust to get the fans operating at full capacity again.

At other times, you could consider installing more fans or fans that are more powerful than what you have currently. While water-based cooling solutions are cool, they also require a level of expertise that many PC users shy away from.

An app like Camomile may also be sufficient. Surely, you may also use different tools for the same purpose. With that said, Camomile is easy to use and it certainly does reduce the temperature of the processor by a few degrees when run.

What about you? How do you fight heat in Summer to keep your PCs and devices going?

Microsoft continues to abuse Windows for advertising

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

If you’d ask a 100 Windows users whether they wanted ads displayed to them on a regular basis, chance is that the vast majority would answer with “no”.

This is not keeping Microsoft from pushing the boundaries and introduces more ads in Windows. While Microsoft uses terms such as recommendations, many of them are at their core still ads.

Up until now, most recommend to use Microsoft services, including Game Pass, OneDrive, or Microsoft 365. These are all subscription-based services. While they offer value, it is clearly not for everyone.

Microsoft is already pushing OneDrive via the recently introduced Windows Backup feature. This is not a full backup solution, as it limits backups to a few folders and some data.

While free to use, apart from the Microsoft account requirement, Microsoft is pushing two services with its recommendations:

  • Microsoft accounts, as these are required to make use of the OneDrive backup feature.
  • Microsoft 365 and OneDrive subscriptions, to increase the default 5 gigabytes of storage.

The first is obvious. You need a Microsoft account to use it. Microsoft has not made it a secret that it prefers this account type over local accounts. Among the reasons are better customer retention and that it gathers more data about customers.

The default 5 gigabyte limit is shared across several services, with backup being one of them. It is relatively easy to get near the limit, considering that Pictures, Music, and Video folders can be backed up.

Add the fact that backups will run automatically starting with Windows 11 version 24H2, and you end up with lots of customers who need more storage for the backup solution. This in term brings in revenue for Microsoft, as subscriptions increase.

Backup ads in the Notification area

Reports suggest that Microsoft is pushing a rather scary sounding notification to user systems. It states “Your PC is not fully backed up” and shows a yellow exclamation-mark image.

It is interesting to note that Windows Backup will never fully back up the system. Microsoft’s notification may lull some users into a sense of security when they activate the “back up now” button.

These backups won’t help if Windows fails to boot, for instance after a botched security or Windows update.

You need a full backup solution for that, and that is something that Microsoft does not offer.

While you can dismiss the notification, it will reemerge eventually. There does not seem to be an option to turn it off entirely, at least not in the Windows Settings or in the Backup app.

Closing Words

The recommendations seem to generate enough revenue or other positive effects for Microsoft to ignore the criticism surrounding them. Whether there will be a breaking point remains to be seen.

For now, expect more recommendations / ads in Windows going forward.

Do you mind this on your systems, or are you unaffected?

How to use Windows’ emergency restart feature

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

If you are a Windows user, you may have encountered situations where the system appears to be stuck. Programs do not open at all anymore or very slowly, or you see a dreaded loading animation on the screen that does not go away, no matter how long you wait.

The good old “have you tried turning it off and on again” fixes these kinds of issues often.

The IT Crowd: Have you tried turning it off and on again

Sometimes however, turning off the computer or restarting it is not as easy as it may sound. What if clicking on the Start icon does nothing? While there are numerous ways of turning off the PC, not all are equal.

Note: if nothing works, pressing and holding the power button of the PC will restart the computer eventually.

Emergency Restart in Windows

One of the ways that users tackle an unresponsive PC is by pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del. This keyboard combination displays several actions in a fullscreen window.

The main actions are lock, switch user, sign out, and cancel. There is also a power button in the lower right corner, which you may use to restart or shut down the PC.

The Ctrl-Alt-Del window of the Windows operating system

What many may not know is that there is also an emergency restart option hidden on the screen. All you have to do to activate it is to hold down the Ctrl-key on the keyboard before clicking on the power button.

Instead of displaying the restart and shut down options, Windows shows the emergency restart screen.

The Emergency restart option of the Windows operating system

Here, you simply click on the ok button to restart the PC immediately.

Windows informs you that any work that has not been saved may be lost during the process. It even warns, rather dramatically, that this should only be used as the last resort.

Closing Words

So, if you run into a situation where the usual options to restart the Windows PC may not work, you could give this emergency restart option a try, provided that you can still get into the Ctrl-Alt-Del interface.

What is your preferred way of restarting or shutting down Windows when things do not work anymore?

Thunderbird 128

Thunderbird 128 Email client is now available

Posted on by Martin Brinkmann

The team behind the open source email client has released the long-awaited Thunderbird 128 to the public. The version is not yet available as an update, only as a direct download from the official website.

You can upgrade from current stable versions of Thunderbird to the new release, but need to run the installer to do that.

As far as system requirements are concerned, Thunderbird 128 won’t run anymore on pre-Windows 10 or macOS 10.15 devices. Users who use add-ons or customizations may run into issues, but this is the case for every new major release. It may be a good idea to wait a few release cycles as many of the issues may have been sorted out by then.

The official release notes are quite long, which is to be expected.

Thunderbird 128: a quick rundown

While there have been a good number of changes, Thunderbird 128 looks and behaves for the most part like Thunderbird 115. This is good for consistency.

There are differences though. UI density, for example, affects the multi-message view now as well. I prefer to use compact, as it shows more messages and information on the screen at the same time.

You can change density and other layout-related preferences by selecting View of the menu at the top.

On Windows, Thunderbird is now using the native notifications system. There is also support for operating system accent colors and custom account colors are now shown in the form field when composing a message.

If you want to display full names and email addresses of all recipients in a message list, you can do so now with the new preference mail.addressDisplayFormat. This needs to be set in the advanced configuration, which you may access via Tools > Settings > Config Editor.

The new version improves its OpenPGP implementation as well.

Closing Words

Thunderbird 128 looks like a polished version of Thunderbird 115. The big update does not interfere with the layout nearly as much as the last major update of the email client.

Many of the changes are cosmetic in nature, but these do not get in the way either. This may be different for users who use lots of add-ons or customization options, as extensions need to be updated to remain compatible with the new Thunderbird release.

Again, most users may want to wait a couple of months before they start considering upgrading to the new releases.

What about you? Do you use Thunderbird? What is your take on the new Thunderbird 128?