#windows-11

#windows-11

By default, just hovering over the Taskbar icon causes the Widgets pane to fly out, interrupting whatever you're doing. Also: Microsoft announces sweeping Windows changes - but no apologies Yes, you can restrict and even hide the taskbar icon -- and I'll show you how to do that. But not so fast. You can also tweak the Widgets feed to show stories that are more useful and interesting to you.

Microsoft's Aria Hanson noted that the changes were implemented in response to user feedback highlighting the disruption caused by untimely updates and the lack of control over update timing.

Windows 11 greets users with a confusing message: 'You're almost done setting up your PC.' This prompts frustration as users question what tasks remain incomplete.

The Copilot app cannot be removed arbitrarily. Three cumulative conditions apply: Microsoft 365 Copilot must also be installed on the device, the Copilot app must not have been installed by the user themselves, and the app must not have been launched in the past 28 days.

The new Dell Pro laptops will be offered with a wide array of display and chip options, including both AMD Ryzen AI 400 series 'Gorgon Point' and Intel Core Ultra Series 3 'Panther Lake.'

Microsoft is rolling out shared audio support to compatible Windows 11 PCs, allowing users to broadcast audio from the PC to two compatible audio accessories. Some PC models received this feature last October and November, while others received it as recently as late January. In a blog post, Microsoft explains that users can share music with a friend or watch a movie together while traveling.

You might wonder about the difference between this emergency method and a regular restart. The answer goes back to the final term -- "last resort". As BetaNews explained in 2023, the method is "an alternative to a hard reset." It's the closest thing to holding down the on/off button on your PC without actually pressing it. This emergency restart is useful when your computer has frozen to the point where nothing works, and it doesn't respond to anything except CTRL + ALT + DEL.

Microsoft's .NET Framework 3.5 development platform, which dates back to November 2007, is no longer included as an optional Windows component. Microsoft has changed its deployment model to standalone installer status for future Windows versions. In a bulletin published February 5, Microsoft said that beginning with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27965, .NET Framework 3.5 must be obtained as a standalone installer for applications that require it on newer major versions of Windows.

The optional KB5074105 patch, released on Jan. 29, resolved the missing password icon and marked the end of lingering issues from the August 29, 2025, KB5064081 update. Its optional status indicates the non-security update is designed to deliver stability improvements to users ahead of the next mandatory Patch Tuesday. The update includes 32 fixes and improvements, according to BleepingComputer. Its broad scope highlights Microsoft's attempt to improve overall system reliability.

It's hard to believe, but Windows 11 is nearly five years old, and it brought significant changes when it launched. Many of its core functions are similar to Windows 10, as Microsoft focused on other aspects, such as revamping the visual design, enhancing system performance, and introducing new features, including support for Android apps. Later updates expanded Windows 11 with interesting additions, such as the AI-powered Copilot.

Right now, the 24-inch Lenovo all-in-one desktop computer is down to just $400 at Amazon, after a whopping $199 discount. This bundle comes with everything you need to get started right away, including a pre-installed copy of Windows 11 Home, a wired keyboard, and a wired mouse. However, as you'd expect, the offer is only available for a short time. It's best to snap it up sooner rather than later, if you want to avoid paying the full $599 price.

But if you're like me and have a PC that would otherwise run Windows 11 just fine, don't give up so fast. There are workarounds, and we've covered them extensively at ZDNET. Senior Contributor Ed Bott wrote a comprehensive guide on how to upgrade your "incompatible" PC to Windows 11, and it's helped many of our readers (just take a look at the comments) upgrade systems that were initially deemed ineligible -- myself included.

The latter feature is aptly called "Coloring book," and lets you make blank coloring templates in version 11.2512.191.0 of Paint based on a text prompt. Users can access this feature by selecting the Coloring book option from the Copilot menu in Paint, and then describing what the design should be, such as "a cute fluffy cat on a donut." Paint will then generate four results that Paint users can click to add to their canvas. From there, you can presumably use Paint itself to color the image, or print it out to use traditional art materials.

When going through change, people need time to understand in their own way what exactly is happening and how it will affect them personally. Technical changes especially can bring about uncertainty for many people. Which means: It makes sense that people can become extremely concerned when we tell them that their ways of working are about to change, and they will need to build them up again from scratch.

It's hard to believe, but Windows 11 is nearly five years old, and it brought significant changes when it launched. Many of its core functions are similar to Windows 10, as Microsoft focused on other aspects, such as revamping the visual design, enhancing system performance, and introducing new features, including support for Android apps. Later updates expanded Windows 11 with interesting additions, such as the AI-powered Copilot.