Tag Archives: microsoft

Google signs up 150 million people for two

Google, in observance of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, plans to auto-enroll 150 million users in two-step verification and require two million YouTube creators to turn the security feature on by the end of 2021. Having a second form of authentication when you login to your accounts dramatically decreases the likelihood of an attacker gaining access to …

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Facebook, WhatsApp outage shows danger of relying on one company for messaging

Facebook’s worldwide outage this week of its key services, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, was annoying for some — and a cause for celebration for others — but it represented a breakdown in a critical line of communication.  WhatsApp, with more than 2 billion users on its service, serves as a primary form of communication, especially for family and friends …

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Windows 11: How to set Google as your default search engine instead of Bing

More than 93% of US web searches are done with Google, but Windows 11 is set to Microsoft’s Bing search engine by default. If you prefer the results you get from Google’s search engine, it’s easy enough to make Google search the default. We’ll show you how. Windows 11 doesn’t let you set a default search engine systemwide across all …

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Microsoft launches a 20th Anniversary Special Edition Xbox controller

Microsoft today opened a new 20th anniversary Xbox controller for preorder, to celebrate the two decades since the original Xbox system was released. The controller costs $70. The controller’s design, with its neon green highlights, translucent plastic shell and original Xbox logo, evokes the original system launched in 2001 — the American computer company’s first foray into console gaming, against …

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The Steve Jobs deal with Michael Dell that could have changed Apple and tech history

In the decade since Steve Jobs passed away, on Oct. 5, 2011, the iPhone, Mac and iPad have helped turn Apple into one of the most valuable companies on the planet, with over a billion people now making Apple’s technology part of their daily lives.  It’s a big change from 1997 when, after returning as interim CEO to an Apple …

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Download the latest Windows ISO: How to create a Windows 11 install USB drive

Windows 11 will start rolling out to eligible devices today, but not everyone will get it right away. The free update brings plenty of new features, complete with a new start menu, widgets and a refreshed interface. Even the Microsoft Store is getting a big update (though don’t expect to see Android apps right away). Now playing: Watch this: Windows 11: Will your computer be …

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Acer Aspire Vero laptop review: Recycled plastic never looked so good

The 15.6-inch Aspire Vero is one of Acer’s first laptops to ship with Windows 11 alongside updated versions of its ultraportable Swift 5 and entry-level Nitro 5 gaming laptops. The Vero is entirely new, though. Well, not entirely new, as it’s Acer’s first laptop made from post-consumer recycled plastics, and it ships in packaging made from recycled materials that are also 100% recyclable.  …

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Microsoft’s strict Windows 11 device requirements have one exception. What to know

Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system is rolling out today. The new operating system doesn’t have the most lenient requirements for people who want to upgrade compatible devices. To do so, you’ll need 64-bit processors selected, 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, UEFI secure boot and TPM 2.0.  Despite pushback from users, Microsoft said in an August blog post that it would keep …

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Windows 11’s new ethereal vibe, from the hypnotizing startup sound to the swirly wallpaper

Announced earlier this summer and rolling out starting today, Windows 11 offers key selling points of simplicity and ease of use. (Well, and the fact that Microsoft is killing Windows 10 in 2025.) But despite this emphasis on straightforwardness, Microsoft still aims to evoke a sense of wonder with its branding for Windows 11 — and that’s particularly evident in its …

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Surface Pro 8 review: A familiar companion for Windows 11

If Windows 11 has a flagship launch day companion device, it’s the Surface Pro 8. The Surface Pro has always been the lead ship in Microsoft’s PC hardware armada, which has grown in recent years to include budget laptops, ARM-powered hybrids and even a dual-screen phone.  I’ve always liked the Surface line, partly because it’s a rare case of a …

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