windows
Microsoft expands testing of Windows 11 admin protection feature
Microsoft has expanded its Windows 11 administrator protection tests, allowing Insiders to enable the security feature from the Windows Security settings. First introduced in October in a preview build for Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary Channel, admin protection uses a hidden, just-in-time elevation mechanism and Windows Hello authentication prompts that only unlock admin rights when needed […]
New UEFI Secure Boot flaw exposes systems to bootkits, patch now
A new UEFI Secure Boot bypass vulnerability tracked as CVE-2024-7344 that affects a Microsoft-signed application could be exploited to deploy bootkits even if Secure Boot protection is active. The vulnerable UEFI application is present in multiple real-time system recovery tools from several third-party software developers. Bootkits represent a critical security threat that is difficult to detect because […]
Windows BitLocker bug triggers warnings on devices with TPMs
Microsoft is investigating a bug triggering security alerts on systems with a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) processor after enabling BitLocker. BitLocker is a Windows security feature that encrypts storage drives to prevent data theft or exposure. According to Redmond, it “provides maximum protection” when used with a TPM “to ensure that a device hasn’t been tampered […]
Microsoft January 2025 Patch Tuesday fixes 8 zero-days, 159 flaws
Today is Microsoft’s January 2025 Patch Tuesday, which includes security updates for 159 flaws, including eight zero-day vulnerabilities, with three actively exploited in attacks. This Patch Tuesday also fixes twelve “Critical” vulnerabilities, including information disclosure, privileges elevation, and remote code execution flaws. The number of bugs in each vulnerability category is listed below: To learn more […]
Windows 11 KB5050009 & KB5050021 cumulative updates released
Microsoft has released the Windows 11 KB5050009 and KB5050021 cumulative updates for versions 24H2 and 23H2 to fix security vulnerabilities and issues. Both KB5050009 and KB5050021 are mandatory cumulative updates as they contain the January 2025 Patch Tuesday security updates for vulnerabilities discovered in previous months. Windows 11 users can install today’s update by going to Start > Settings > Windows Update and clicking on ‘Check […]
Microsoft to force install new Outlook on Windows 10 PCs in February
Microsoft will force install the new Outlook email client on Windows 10 systems starting with next month’s security update. The announcement was made in a new message added to the company’s Microsoft 365 Admin Center, tagged MC976059, and it applies to Microsoft 365 apps users. As Redmond explains, the new Outlook app will be installed on […]
Microsoft may have scrapped Windows 11’s dynamic wallpapers feature
Microsoft has many good ideas for Windows 11 that often do not ship, and one of them was “Dynamic Wallpapers,” which, as the name suggests, could have made the wallpaper dynamic, similar to third-party tools like Lively Wallpaper. Dynamic wallpapers are wallpapers that move and animate automatically, creating a visually engaging and interactive experience on the desktop. […]
New Five lesser known Task Manager features in Windows 11
Windows 11 is far from perfect, but it does make Task Manager significantly better. It’s modern, has a search bar, and easy-to-understand graphs. But what are some of the lesser-known features of the Task Manager? In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at some of our favourite Task Manager features. Generate live […]
Windows kernel bug now exploited in attacks to gain SYSTEM privileges
CISA has warned U.S. federal agencies to secure their systems against ongoing attacks targeting a high-severity Windows kernel vulnerability. Tracked as CVE-2024-35250, this security flaw is due to an untrusted pointer dereference weakness that allows local attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges in low-complexity attacks that don’t require user interaction. While Microsoft didn’t share more details in a security […]
Microsoft lifts Windows 11 24H2 block on PCs with USB scanners
Microsoft has lifted a compatibility block preventing Windows 11 24H2 upgrades after fixing a bug causing USB connection issues to some scanners. The company confirmed the issue two weeks ago following widespread user reports that started coming in on Reddit, Microsoft’s own community website, and other online platforms, saying the connection problems are caused by affected devices not switching from eSCL […]