• Do you have a maintenance window?

    Restart WindowsIn businesses we typically set aside time during the month to manage and maintain systems. In home settings you should do the same thing. In particular, in a home setting where you turn your computer off, it often doesn’t give the system time enough to install updates, get browser installs, get the Microsoft 365 fixes, etc., etc.

    My dad turns his computer off and often I find that his funky issues are triggered by one of two things — either he hasn’t left it on long enough to get the updates it needs, or he left it on just long enough to get the update but not reboot the computer. Always set aside time (once I’ve approved updating) to review if your system is missing updates or needing a reboot.

  • Out of band for Windows 10

    Yesterday, Microsoft released an out-of-band update (KB5961768) fixing the issue where some machines require entering the BitLocker recovery key after installing the May updates.  It does not occur on all machines. You must have BitLocker enabled and the PC must be built with an Intel vPro 10th-generation processor. Check next week’s newsletter for more details.

    Note that this is on the Microsoft catalog site — not on Windows update.

    Should you install it? No. It is only needed for some business customers. If you are a consumer and do not have BitLocker enabled, you do not need this out-of-band update.

  • Manage your browsing experience with Edge

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    ISSUE 22.20 • 2025-05-19

    BROWSERS

    Mary Branscombe

    By Mary Branscombe

    There are a lot of useful features in the Edge browser that you might not have found — because they’re so well hidden.

    When I looked at all the different ways of taking screenshots in Windows recently, I included the screenshot tools in Edge and the handy Ctrl+Shift+S keyboard shortcut for opening that tool. One reason why that keyboard shortcut is so handy: there are so many extra tools for managing the browser that are crammed into the rather overloaded Settings and more menu, represented by the three-dot icon () on Edge’s toolbar.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.20.0, 2025-05-19).
    This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

  • Fewer vulnerabilities, larger updates

    PATCH WATCH

    Susan Bradley

    By Susan Bradley

    The increase in the size of patches is due to AI code.

    Microsoft once touted that updates would become leaner, but this month is exactly the opposite for those running Windows 11 24H2. That’s not due to the number of vulnerabilities, which is a mere 75 this month. It’s the result of updates for the various artificial intelligence tools, plus some new “features.”

    KB5058411 is a whopping 3.8GB.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.20.0, 2025-05-19).

  • Hobbies — There’s free software for that!

    FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT

    Deanna McElveen

    By Deanna McElveen

    I define a hobby as an activity that makes you happy, that no one pays you for, and that uses your brain and your hands. When I was young, a trip to the library expanded my hobbies. Today, everything I need is on the Internet.

    My hobby is flower gardening. (I was going to add “British crime dramas” but was told that watching TV is not a hobby.) I use the Internet to see the ratings for different soils, fertilizers, and natural pest fighters (Die, aphids!) before I head to our local greenhouse and farm-supply store. To manage my garden layout, I use Kitchen Garden Aid. You will find it listed below.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.20.0, 2025-05-19).

  • Apps included with macOS

    APPLE

    Will Fastie

    By Will Fastie

    Apple provides quite a long list of software applications that come with macOS at no additional charge.

    Of course, the question is not how long the list is but rather whether the apps are any good. The same question can be asked of the suite of apps that comes with Windows.

    That said, here’s the list.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.20.0, 2025-05-19).

  • Kevin Beaumont on Microsoft Recall

    Kevin Beaumont has a nice write up of the nuances of Microsoft Recall that is rolling out in the May security updates for 24H2.

    For those of you in businesses be aware of the following:

    1. Recall has to be enabled. It will not be turned on by default in a domain/business setting.
    2. In a consumer setting, you will be asked if you want to enable it.

    Here’s where Microsoft is making things blurry. It’s calling the images it’s taking snapshots. “Snapshots” implies the backup of the device as it does right before an update. That’s not what this is. It’s taking images of what you see on the computer and doing OCR and other AI processing on them.

    Microsoft, you need to be more consistent in your naming.

  • Master Patch Listing for May 13, 2025

    I’ve updated the master patch list here.  Please note I am not recommending installing updates at this time, we are just testing and reporting.

    So far in May I’m seeing some businesses report that they are seeing Bitlocker recovery keys being requested.  See . May 13 -KB5058379 Windows 10 leads to corruption and endpoints asking – Microsoft Community

    Note that I’m only seeing this in businesses, not consumer pcs.

    As always, thank you all for supporting the cause! Remember we use the “name your price” model where you can choose how much you will pay for a membership. Plus membership gives you full access, And if you donate $50 or more, you’ll get a special code to enable text messages sent to your phone each time the Master Patch List gets updated and when I change the MS-DEFCON level.

    More details about these updates in Monday’s newsletter.  You are missing out if you don’t sign up. All content is human made with our own blood, sweat, tears, fingers, and brain power — and it’s 100% AI free.  Therefore, if I’ve fat fingered any KB numbers or if you have any questions, as always post in the forums and I’ll follow up!

  • AutoSave is for Microsoft, not for you

    After 30 years, I get around the Microsoft Office apps pretty well. There are surprises from time to time. Yesterday, I noticed that AutoSave was not turned on for one of my Excel spreadsheets. I don’t use AutoSave very often but thought I should for this particular document. I was surprised.

    AutoSave in Office AppsWhen I attempted to move the AutoSave slider to On, Excel displayed the dialog you see to the left, asking which OneDrive account I wanted to use. The document is personal, so I did not want it in the cloud — I wanted to keep it local.

    Curious, I asked Copilot “In Office apps, does autosave work only for files stored in OneDrive?” The response was “Yes,” followed by further details including a note about using AutoRecover instead. (I give Copilot high marks for honesty, at least in this case.)

    In short, Microsoft allows this useful feature only if you are using OneDrive. It’s not an Office feature — it’s a OneDrive feature. At the very least, you need a Microsoft account to get that minimal amount of storage Redmond offers, or a full-fledged 365 account ($) for more space.

  • May 2025 updates are out

    Once again it’s the second Tuesday of the month. Time once again for the major “B” week release better known as Patch Tuesday.

    Remember at this time we are in test mode only.

    KB5058411 is out for Windows 11 24H2. Fixes an issue where the audio form your microphone might mute unexpectedly.

    KB5058405 is out for Windows 11 23H2. This includes the following fixes:

    • [Secure Boot Advanced Targeting (SBAT) and Linux Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI)] This update applies improvements to SBAT for the detection of Linux systems.
    • [Windows Update] Fixed: This update addresses an issue where you might be unable to update to Windows 11, version 24H2 via WSUS. The download might not start or complete, showing error code 0x80240069 and logs with “Service has unexpectedly stopped”.

    KB5058379 is for Windows 10 22H2.

    More details in next Monday’s newsletter.  And now we start testing and looking for issues and side effects.

  • Apple releases 18.5

    Apple’s iOS 18.5 is out. Notably, the emergency satellite features will be available as far back as the iPhone 13 instead of the previously announced iPhone 14. It also adds minor updates for Screen Time, Mail, and wallpaper; fixes bugs; and coincides with other Apple OS security releases for iPadOS, watchOS, and others.

    Many of the security bugs have already been exploited but — as is true for many Apple bugs — only for targeted users. Remember to ensure your device is set up for backup either to your computer or to the cloud.

    In addition, the following updates are released:

    iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5

    iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later

    12 May 2025

    iPadOS 17.7.7

    iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad 6th generation

    12 May 2025

    macOS Sequoia 15.5

    macOS Sequoia

    12 May 2025

    macOS Sonoma 14.7.6

    macOS Sonoma

    12 May 2025

    macOS Ventura 13.7.6

    macOS Ventura

    12 May 2025

    watchOS 11.5

    Apple Watch Series 6 and later

    12 May 2025

    tvOS 18.5

    Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K (all models)

    12 May 2025

    visionOS 2.5

    Apple Vision Pro

    12 May 2025

    Safari 18.5

    macOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma

    12 May 2025

  • Which antivirus apps and VPNs are the most secure in 2025?

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    ISSUE 22.19 • 2025-05-12

    PUBLIC DEFENDER

    Brian Livingston

    By Brian Livingston

    To protect yourself from malware, a strong antivirus program — constantly updated against threats that emerge every day — is a must. But your security and privacy can be enhanced by adding a virtual private network (VPN) and a secure browser to your computing environment.

    In today’s analysis, I cover the security features of the best antivirus apps and VPNs. These two applications are often bundled together in a suite. Sometimes, paying for a tough VPN also gets you a good antivirus app as part of the deal. In other cases, you’re better off selecting two unrelated apps that simply work well with each other.

    Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.19.0, 2025-05-12).
    This story also appears in our public Newsletter.