Microsoft released Windows 365, a cloud-based PC service that runs Windows 10 or Windows 11, on August 2, 2021. This new service is based on Azure Virtual Desktop. More information is available at these links:
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the standup of the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC). This will be a cyber defense collaboration with major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Verizon, etc. More information is available at www.cisa.gov/jcdc.
PrintNightmare (CVE-2021-34527 and CVE-2021-36947) is a security vulnerability connected with the Print Spooler service in Windows 10 and Windows Server. This should be corrected by installing the currently available July 2021 Windows Update.
Microsoft announced the upcoming release of Windows 11 on June 24, 2021. Windows 11 is set to be released on October 5, 2021.
Some of the changes include changes to the Microsoft Store and apps, as well as a new partnership with Amazon to bring their catalog of Android apps and games to Windows users.
Windows 11 will be available as an update to existing Windows 10 devices that meet its specifications. Windows 11 requires a Trusted Platform Module (TPM 2.0) chip. Processor requirements for Windows 11 and other versions may be found here. These requirements apply to physical PCs and Virtual Machines (VMs). Users can run a PC Health Check app to see if their current PC is compatible to run Windows 11.
Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 Home and Pro on October 14, 2025.
More information can be found at microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11.
Major technology companies will hold their annual developer conferences in the summer of 2021:
Microsoft now has made their Edge browser Chromium compatible with its latest release on January 15, 2020. New Edge browser extensions are also available.
The new Microsoft Edge will replace Microsoft Edge Legacy with the Windows 10 Update on on April 13, 2021. Other changes include vertical tabs and new privacy settings.
Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge is available to view older websites that do not run as intended using modern web browsers.
Adobe no longer supports Flash Player as of January 1, 2021, and recommends that all users immediately uninstall Flash Player to help protect their systems. They stated that developers should move Flash Player content to newer platforms such as HTML5 in a prior post.
Microsoft Windows update KB4577586 will also permanently remove Flash Player. This update will be installed automatically as part of regular Windows updates.
Foxit, a maker of document and imaging software, has a free lightweight PDF Reader app for Windows, Mac, and Linux as well as mobile apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. A list of free and paid Foxit products can be found at www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads.
Microsoft has released Windows File Recovery, a new Windows Store app that may help you deleted or corrupted data. Instructions and FAQ for this are available at support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4538642/windows-10-restore-lost-files
Windows 10 Activity History has local records of apps and services in use, files that were opened, and visited websites. This information may be periodically sent to Microsoft under the default options. These settings can be changed and are found at Start Button > Settings > Privacy > Activity History.