Security News
Microsoft has announced the minimum system requirements for Windows 11 needed to properly install the operating system and get access to early preview builds. Windows 11 Home edition requires internet connectivity and a Microsoft account to complete device setup on first use.
During today's Windows 11 event, Microsoft announced that Android apps are coming to Windows 11 and can be run just like any other application installed in the operating system. To demonstrate the feature, Microsoft launched the TikTok Android app directly from the Start Menu and used it just like any other app, including support for the new Windows Snap Group feature.
Unlike Windows 10 feature updates, Windows 11 comes with several new features and improvements. Windows 11 comes with centered Start Menu and taskbar, similar to Windows 10X. Start Menu doesn't come with traditional live tiles.
Windows 11 will be a free upgrade for Windows 10 users and will be offered by Windows Update when it becomes available during the holidays. As part of the release of Windows 11, Microsoft plans to split Windows development into two branches - a Windows 10 branch for the enterprise that doesn't want to rush into a new OS and Windows 11 for consumers.
Windows 10 users are currently experiencing issues with the Microsoft Store, with the app unable to download and install apps and crashing after repeated attempts. When attempting to download apps from the Microsoft Store, users are seeing a loading or frozen page.
Microsoft has fixed a known issue causing applications to play high-pitched or squeaking noises while using certain apps in Windows 10 2004, Windows 10 20H2, and Windows 10 21H1. This issue was first introduced in the March 2021 KB5000842 preview cumulative update but continued through cumulative updates released afterward. "After installing KB5000842 or later updates, 5.1 Dolby Digital audio may play containing a high-pitched noise or squeak in certain apps when using certain audio devices and Windows settings," explains Microsoft on their Windows 10 Known issues and notifications center.
A high-severity vulnerability that VMware patched this week in VMware Tools for Windows could be exploited to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. Tracked as CVE-2021-21999 and featuring a CVSS score of 7.8, the issue is a local privilege escalation that requires for an attacker to have normal access to a virtual machine for successful exploitation.
Microsoft has announced that they have started auto-upgrading a larger number of Windows 10 devices nearing end of life to Windows 10 21H1. Earlier this month, Microsoft began training their machine learning algorithms by automatically upgrading a small amount of Windows 10 2004 users to Windows 10 21H1. Microsoft did this training to discover issues that may arise during the update process before upgrading a larger population of Windows 10 users. For most people, Windows 10 21H1 is still being offered as an optional update displayed when manually performing a 'Check for updates' in Windows Update.
Today, NVIDIA released the Game Ready WHQL Driver 471.11, and it now officially supports Windows 10 21H1, the May 2021 Update, for the first time. Previous Game Ready WHQL drivers had only supported up to Windows 10 20H2, the October 2020 Update.
Microsoft has released the optional KB5003690 Preview cumulative update for Windows 10 2004, Windows 10 20H2, and Windows 10 21H1. This cumulative update is part of Microsoft's June 2021 monthly "C" update, allowing users to test the upcoming fixes scheduled for next month's July 2021 Patch Tuesday. Windows users can install this update by going into Settings, clicking on Windows Update, and selecting 'Check for Updates.