This week is a big one for Microsoft, with its Ignite event taking place. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at Windows-related news stories you may have missed.
Over the years, Microsoft has introduced new features and functionality that have changed how some of us operate in Windows. We’re no longer looking to see what we’ve lost, but instead thinking about how great things are now.
It does seem that way.
If you like to multitask and keep a lot of tabs open, you may find that a new tab is opened every time you make a change to anything. This can quickly clutter your browser and make it difficult to find the tab that you need.
The new File Explorer tabs will change the game so that users who have been hesitant to upgrade from Windows 10 are finally willing to do so. Plus, it’s a lot faster than opening a new Explorer tab.
Windows 11 Insider Previews: What’s new in the latest build?
If you want to experience File Explorer tabs right now, then you can get your hardware on the Insider track. I recommend waiting for them to officially arrive, though. Being an Insider opens the door to bugs and other issues. But watching how tabs work with File Explorer is one of those compelling little reasons tempting me toward Windows 11. (While I will still need new hardware for the majority of my systems because I’ll need new hardware, those purchases are starting to make more sense.)
Upcoming Event: Microsoft Ignite
This week, Microsoft will be showcasing its latest products and updates to the IT community during the company’s Microsoft Ignite event. The show this year is a hybrid event, taking place both in person in Seattle and as a live streaming event. No doubt, executives will go over Windows 11 and Windows 365 as well as Intune, Defender, Teams, Loop, and Surface. If you’re like me and have been lost trying to understand what Microsoft Loop is, all you need to know is that it’s an interface tool included in Microsoft 365 that adds collaboration capabilities to any of the suite’s products. So if you’re working on a team, you can now collaborate accordingly on your documents. Additionally, Microsoft has signaled their own announcement coming on Oct. 12 during Ignite but has been quite about what it will be. Rumors point towards several new Surface devices including Surface Pros with 12th-gen Intel processors and ARM-based laptops running Windows with 5G support. It’s been 10 years since the first generation of Surface devices went on sale and I can argue that for anybody looking for a lightweight travel laptop with integrated cellular capabilities my Surface Go is hard to beat.
Windows 11: the next Windows that serves up a mixed bag?
Microsoft recently noted that Copy Large Multiple files might take longer than expected to finish quick in the Windows 11 22H2. That’s why they continue to advise “Copying large multiple gigabyte (GB) files might take longer than expected to finish on Windows 11, version 22H2. You are more likely to experience this issue copying files to Windows 11, version 22H2 from a network share via Server Message Block (SMB), but local file copy might also be affected. Windows devices used by consumers in their home or small offices are not likely to be affected by this issue.”
To work around this issue, you can use an old-fashioned answer such as ROBOCOPY to move files on your machine or between systems. Microsoft will be rolling out a fix in the next release.
The drivers forgot to eat breakfast
Microsoft and Nvidia have been working to fix games that are experiencing issues such as video stuttering. If you’ve been having problems with FPS/frame rate issues on Windows 10 22H2, a video driver update may help resolve your issue.
The process for updating your PC’s drivers varies depending on whether you’re running Windows 11 or on an OEM machine. If you have a home-built computer, check relevant webpages for driver updates. If you use the software of major vendors HP, Dell and so on, it should be easier. You can find those details by opening Device Manager and scrolling through Display adapters and Network adapters. When you identify the correct make and model, manufacturer websites often let you run a detection tool to determine the newest compatible driver update.
I also recommend that you keep your drivers updated if you’re running Windows 10 or 11. Thanks to Microsoft’s move to monthly updates, you’ll be able to keep your computer up-to-date for upcoming releases and security fixes. Remember to stay on top of keeping your drivers up-to-date so that once a year when Microsoft launches a new update you’re prepared for it!
