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Microsoft’s latest update for Windows 11 brought us a treasure trove of new features, including a redesigned File Explorer, built-in cloud backup, and even a dark mode for MS Paint (because who doesn’t love painting masterpieces at midnight, right?). But the crown jewel of this update is undoubtedly Copilot AI. It’s like Bing Sidebar on steroids.

Copilot AI offers local actions like switching on dark mode, taking screenshots, and more, all at the click of a button. Sounds cool, right? But what if you’re still on Windows 10?

According to Windows Central, Copilot AI might soon be coming to your rescue too.

Microsoft believes bringing Copilot AI to Windows 10 could help more people harness the power of its AI chatbot. As of September this year, Windows 11 was only installed on 23% of PCs worldwide, while Windows 10 runs on a massive 71% (that rogue 6% are doing their own thing).

An upcoming update will reportedly install Copilot directly onto your Windows 10 taskbar, offering the same seamless experience as on Windows 11.

And we hear whispers of an extension to Windows 10’s end-of-support date beyond 2025…

Microsoft has big dreams for Copilot, hoping it can boost productivity and revolutionise how we interact with computers. But to make this dream a reality, Microsoft needs to show everyone the real value of Copilot – how it can enhance your Windows experience while protecting your privacy and security.

However, let’s not sideline Windows 11. With its sleek design and innovative features, it’s still worth considering an upgrade. After all, who wouldn’t want to be at the forefront of technology?

As of now, Copilot is only available in select regions, but Microsoft plans to expand soon. Keep your eyes peeled.

And if you need help making the move to Windows 11, get in touch.

#Microsoft #CopilotAI #WindowsUpdate

The 21st of November 1969… a date that might not ring a bell immediately. But it’s a date of monumental importance in the world of technology.

On this very day, 54 years ago, the first permanent link was established between UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute on the ARPANet. And what’s the big deal, you ask? Well, this connection laid the foundation for what we now know as the internet.

Yes, the mighty internet – the backbone of our modern world, the invisible thread connecting us all – was born out of this humble connection.

Think about it. Without this momentous event, would we be able to Google anything and everything under the sun? Could we have survived the pandemic without Zoom meetings and Netflix binges? How would we ever know what our old school friends had for lunch if not for Instagram?

As business owners, we’ve come to rely on the internet more than ever. From reaching out to customers across the globe to managing remote teams, the internet has truly become a lifeline for our operations. Can you imagine running your business without it? I’d rather not!

So, here’s to the birth of the internet! It’s been a wild ride, and the journey is far from over. As we navigate it, let’s take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come since that first link was established.

And remember, no matter how much technology evolves, it’s the human connections that make it meaningful.

#InternetBirthDay #OnThisDay #TechHistory

Has all your storage space disappeared after upgrading to Windows 11?

You’re not alone!

The upgrade process creates a copy of your previous installation as a safeguard, in case any issues arise during the setup. However, once the upgrade is successful, these files linger around, eating up precious storage space. This can be a huge problem for devices with limited capacity.

How much space are we talking about here? Well, it could be as much as 12GB or more, depending on your previous configuration. Imagine all the photos, videos, and documents you could store with that extra space.

But don’t worry, there’s good news. Windows 11 includes a handy feature that allows you to delete these redundant files and reclaim your space.

Here’s how:

1. Open Settings
2. Click on System
3. Click on Storage
4. Click the Temporary files page on the right-side
5. Clear all the preselected items (if applicable)
6. Check the ‘Previous Windows installation(s)’ option
7. Click the Remove files button

Like magic, all those unnecessary files will be removed, and you’ll have your storage space back.

Of course, I can help if you’d rather someone else take care of it, or if you’re having a bigger problem with storage space. Get in touch. My team can help.

#StorageSpace #Windows11 #upgrade

Generative AI has been a game-changer since OpenAI’s ChatGPT made its debut. It can chat like a human, produce images, and even answer our most burning questions. But at what cost?

It uses masses of data scraped from the web, including images published by artists and photographers – without consent or compensation. Sounds unfair, doesn’t it?

Enter Nightshade.

This clever tool, developed by a team of researchers, can ‘poison’ the training data by adding invisible pixels to artwork before it’s uploaded to the web.

The result? It confuses the AI training model, causing it to produce erroneous images. Imagine a dog turning into a cat, or a car morphing into a cow.

Ben Zhao, the professor leading the Nightshade team, believes this could shift the power balance back to artists and serve as a warning to tech firms that disrespect copyright and intellectual property rights.

Nightshade will be open-source when it’s released, so others can refine it and make it more effective. However, it should be used as a ‘last defence for content creators against web scrapers,’ the team advised.

Meanwhile, OpenAI allows artists to remove their work from its training data, but the process has been described as extremely onerous. Making this process easier might discourage artists from using Nightshade, saving OpenAI and others from potential disruption.

Do you think disruption is the answer here, or is there a better solution?

#ArtistsRights #GenerativeAI #Nightshade

Flashback alert! Today, we’re throwing it back to a time when shoulder pads were all the rage and E.T. was phoning home. Yep, we’re talking about the 1980s – more specifically, the 10th of November 1983.

40 years ago today, a young man named Bill Gates made a bold promise.

With all the confidence of someone who had just finished their Rubik’s cube, he announced the upcoming release of Windows, a fancy new graphical user interface for Microsoft DOS-based systems.

He promised to ship it by April 1984. Let’s just say that deadline came and went faster than a DeLorean at 88mph.

It wasn’t until November 1985 (yes, more than a year later) that Windows 1.0 finally saw the light of day. But hey, all good things come to those who wait, right?

Windows 1 and 2 were like the forgotten middle children of the family. They were there, they did their bit, but it was Windows 3 that really stole the show.

Here’s to 40 years of Microsoft Windows, the software that gave us Clippy, the Blue Screen of Death, and the iconic startup sound that still gives ’90s kids a warm, fuzzy feeling.

#MicrosoftWindows #40Years #TechThrowback

Ever thought of controlling your keyboard and mouse with just a tilt of your head? Sounds like sci-fi, doesn’t it? Well, not anymore. Google’s ChromeOS is getting an AI-powered boost that will allow you to do just that.

This new feature will be tucked under accessibility options for cursor and touchpad settings. Once enabled, you can say “bye bye” to your mouse and keyboard, letting your face do all the work.

But how exactly does this work?

We’re still waiting for the official word from Google. But one thing’s for sure, this technological leap could be a game-changer for people with mobility restraints or those who prefer hands-free computing.

Is it comfortable knowing Google is tracking your face? The answer may vary for different people. But let’s not forget, this isn’t Google’s first rodeo in making their devices more accessible. Remember the recent update on Google Maps that introduced a screen reader for blind or low-vision users? It seems Google is on a mission to make technology more inclusive, and we’re here for it.

Chromebooks are known for their user-friendly operating system and praised for their simplicity and productivity prowess. But while we marvel at these advancements, I still wouldn’t recommend Chromebooks for business use. Why, you ask? As impressive as these features are, they’re still in their infancy and can be inflexible. Businesses typically need more robust solutions.

What technology would you like to see made more accessible next?

#Chromebook #accessibility #AI

Noticed anything different about your friendly AI assistant, Google Bard?

Remember when Bard used to take its time, composing its responses in full before gracing us with its AI wisdom? Well, not anymore.

Much like its counterparts ChatGPT and Bing Chat, Google Bard is now delivering responses in real-time. That means its response appears on your screen as it’s being generated.

Have you experienced this new feature yet? Bard hasn’t officially updated its changelog, but I promise it’s there. Try loading Bard on the web, and you’ll see a message indicating this change.

Not a fan? Don’t worry, you can revert to the old response style by clicking the cog icon and choosing ‘Respond once complete’.

Why is this a big deal, you ask? 🧐 Well, despite being a cosmetic change, real-time responses add a touch of human-like interaction. It’s like having a conversation with a friend who responds while you’re still talking (we all have that one friend, right?). Plus, you can cut off the response to save time if it’s not going the way you want.

Although, let’s not forget that it’s not about how they answer, but the quality of their responses that truly matters.

What do you think about this update? Do you use a chatbot regularly? If so, which one do you prefer and why?

#GoogleBard #RealTimeResponse #AIChatbot

Good news: Microsoft has upped its game with the security features it rolled out as part of its October 2023 Windows 11 update. And it’s making your digital experience safer and more secure than ever before.

In the latest release, Microsoft introduces innovative features like a new page to manage passkeys for apps and websites, a ‘Presence Sensing’ feature and a cloud backup application for your apps, settings, and credentials.

The ‘Presence Sensing’ feature is particularly interesting. It allows you to control devices that can determine your presence near the computer. You can even set it to lock your device when you leave while an external display is connected. Now that’s smart.

Passkeys are another addition to enhance security. They replace passwords on Windows 11 for accessing a growing number of applications. Say goodbye to remembering complex passwords and hello to easy, secure access.

The cherry on top? The Windows Backup application. This new feature allows you to back up your files, settings, apps, and credentials to your OneDrive account. It’s not just about data safety, but also about making transitions smoother when switching computers.

There’s also an Enhanced Phishing Protection. As part of this, Windows 11 will now warn you when copying and pasting an unsafe password. That’s yet another extra layer of protection.

Have you installed the October 2023 update yet? Or maybe you’re still on the fence about upgrading to Windows 11? My team can help – get in touch if you need a hand.

#Windows11 #MicrosoftUpdate #CyberSecurity

Have you heard about the latest thing Microsoft is doing to keep you using its browser, Edge? It might raise your eyebrows…

When you use Edge to download Google Chrome, Microsoft now presents you with a poll asking why you’re looking for an alternative. Yes, it wants to know why you’re straying away from its browser.

This is not the first time we’ve seen the company pushing hard to make Edge your default choice. If you use Edge you will have seen the constant ads, banners, and pop-ups nudging you to stick with it. But this new tactic takes things to a whole new level, don’t you think?

Here’s how it works: You open Edge, head to the Chrome download page, and as soon as the download begins, Microsoft throws up a sidebar with a survey. ‘Why do you need another browser?’ it asks. It’s a question that could be seen as both straightforward and confrontational.

So, what does this mean for us, business owners and managers? Is this just a harmless survey or a passive aggressive step from Microsoft? And more importantly, would it encourage you to stick with Edge instead of Chrome?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one. Comment below if you think Microsoft is overstepping its boundaries.

#MicrosoftEdge #GoogleChrome #BrowserWars

Do you create graphics for presentations or something else at work? Want them to look better AND save time? Microsoft Designer can help you improve your design game.

It’s a user-friendly web application that lets you create graphics for many purposes, from social media posts to invitations. And the best part? It’s as easy as typing a description.

With the integration of DALL-E, an AI language model from OpenAI, you can transform your text descriptions into stunning visuals. But if you’re feeling more hands-on, you can also choose a blank page and create your masterpiece from scratch.

It’s an online tool and you use it in the browser.

Click the link below and sign in with your Microsoft account. You’ll see a prompt box and some graphic samples. The prompt box lets you describe what you want designed, while the samples can inspire you if you’re feeling stuck. And if you want to add your own images, you can do that too.

Once you’ve got your design, you can customise it as much as you want. The toolbar offers a range of settings, including starting a new design, browsing previous designs, and duplicating, resizing, or renaming your current design. And when you’re finally ready to unveil your masterpiece, you can download it as a ‘.png,’ ‘.jpg,’ or ‘.pdf.’

Go and have a play right now. Is this the design tool you’ve been waiting for?

#MicrosoftDesigner #GraphicDesign #BusinessTips