Month: June 2018

Oculus Rift requires Windows 10 for brand new features

When Oculus upgraded its system software to Rift Core 2.0, currently in beta, it added a redesigned Home experience, multitasking for apps and windows in Dash and mirrored Oculus Desktop monitors. These are heavy-resource features, as reported by Oculus, and need Windows 10 to assist them. Zero cost consultation . the company is recommending Windows 10 all over the Oculus platform (Rift, Touch and core software). You can still use Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, people won’t have the new features as they quite simply appear.

Aside from the extra lifting power Windows 10 provides, Oculus points to Microsoft’s deprecated mainstream support in the earlier OS versions. Oculus claims that 95 percent very active Rift owners have actually been using Windows 10, as well as those not upgraded manage this step soon. There is a compatibility tool to evaluate and see when your PC is up to around snuff, too. All of the minimum and recommended specs are below:

Recommended Specifications:

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD Radeon RX 480 or greater
Alternative Video card: NVIDIA GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater
CPU: Intel i5-4590 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X or greater
Memory: 8GB+ RAM
Video Output: Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
USB Ports: 3x USB 3.0 ports plus 1x USB 2.0 port
OS: Windows 10 operating system

Minimum Specifications:

Video card: NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti / AMD Radeon RX 470 or greater
Alternative Graphics Card: NVIDIA GTX 960 / AMD Radeon R9 290 or greater
CPU: Intel i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200, FX4350 or greater
Memory: 8GB+ RAM
Video Output: Compatible HDMI 1.3 video output
USB Ports: 1x USB 3.0 port, plus 2x USB 2.0 ports
OS: Windows 10 computer system

New Windows 10 vulnerability bypasses OS defenses, says security researcher

Windows 10 PCs are located at risk from hackers exploiting a folder format to bypass key defenses within a OS, as reported by new security research.

The .SettingContent-ms file type is known to to run arbitrary, and very dangerous, code, Matt Nelson of Specter Ops security numerous studies have found.

The arbitrary code could possibly be run on a target machine through a user to spread out a Word document that has an embedded .SettingContent-ms file.

This embedded file would include a link with the arbitrary code, as well as in tests Nelson found neither Office’s built-in (Object Linking and Embedding) OLE protections nor the Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) defenses given by Windows 10 with Windows Defender stopped the code being executed.

Nelson claims that the code isn’t blocked by Office’s OLE protections owing to .SettingContent-ms not being included in Office’s list of “dangerous” file formats.

Meanwhile he been able to circumvent ASR protections by together with a link to the AppVLP program, utilized for application virtualization in Windows, alongside the website link to the arbitrary executable inside .SettingContent-ms file. This bypass was possible by reason of AppVLP being whitelisted among the ASR, creating an exception to ASR’s usual block on letting Office applications create child processes.

Nelson reported his findings to Microsoft in February from this year but on 4th June he stated Microsoft responded saying “that the degree of the issue is inside of the bar for servicing and the the case are going to be closed”.

However Nelson has his well-known suggestions for steps that users normally requires to protect against attacks exploiting this product.

“Ultimately, a .SettingContent-ms file mustn’t executing anywhere beyond your “C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel” path. Additionally, considering the file format only contains executing shell commands, anything being go over that file is controlled by command line logging,” he writes.

“It could be good idea to continually monitor child process creations from Office applications. There are some applications that is spawning within the Office applications, so monitoring for outliers can be handy. One tool that would accomplish this is Sysmon.”

Mozilla also issued web pages fix for Firefox that addressed an exploit connected to the vulnerability. The fix prevents a WebExtension to the browser which has the limited downloads.open permission from executing arbitrary code without user interaction on Windows 10 systems.

Microsoft we had not responded to a request for comment throughout the time of publication.

Building a slide deck, pitch, or presentation? Below are the big takeaways:

Windows 10’s SettingContent-ms formatting can be used to run arbitrary code on PCs – Specter Ops, 2018
A .SettingContent-ms file must not be executing anywhere beyond the “C:\Windows\ImmersiveControlPanel” path. – Specter Ops, 2018

Got a normal PC? Your power running Windows 7 might possibly be up

Microsoft has dropped support for Windows 7 about the range of PCs dating back turn of your respective millennium.

PCs whose processors lack support for multimedia instructions called SSE2 do not receive security updates for Windows 7, Microsoft has confirmed.

Hoaxes difficult first arose in March this coming year, when Microsoft issued a security update, (KB4088875), which generated a stop error on computers that didn’t support SSE2.

While Microsoft initially indicated that it was working to resolve the mistake on Windows 7 machines, it later changed its advice, telling people who just love affected PCs to “upgrade your machines by using a processor that supports SSE2 or virtualize those machines”.

Consequently cumulative Windows 7 patches won’t install on PCs lacking SSE2 support out from the March update onwards. Individuals that want to have used Windows 7 on such machines will have to risk using PCs unpatched around the latest security threats.

Windows 7 was sold using condition that security updates would continues to issued until January 2020. But TechRepublic’s sister site Softwareonlinedeal highlights that Microsoft is eligible to make an amazingly change under its Business, Developer and Desktop Systems Policy, which states: “Older products probably will not meet today’s more demanding security requirements. Microsoft will be unable to provide security updates for older products”.

Since 2000, CPUs have supported SSE2, that has been commonplace in processors since 2004 – meaning you’re unlikely to get affected unless you’ve held in a Pentium III-era machine.

Recently Microsoft confirmed that laptops running on Intel Atom Clover Trail chipsets is not going to receive any Windows 10‘s feature updates marriage Anniversary Update, issued in summer property.

How to get macOS Mojave’s Dynamic Desktop on Windows 10

At its recent WWDC, Apple revealed today’s feeting version of macOS — Mojave. The OS update introduces plenty of new features, together with a dark theme and desktop Stacks. Will show you interesting additions is Dynamic Desktop which cleverly cycles on a set of 16 images of the desert taken at different times during the the day.

Good quality the idea of this, you might be on Windows 10, tips on you it’s now possible to get the feature upon your OS, plus for free.

WinDynamicDesktop is actually an open source app from developer Timothy Johnson which mimics the feature beautifully. It is possible to download it (with its source code) from GitHub.

In working order, just install and launch the training program. It will download the actual required images and also you just need to enter where you live so it can alter the update cycle dependent upon the sunrise/sunset times for your neighborhood.

Once you’ve done that, the desert image will look on your desktop. You could potentially update the room, and choose when it should start off with Windows, by right-clicking its icon while in the system tray.

Is Microsoft already killing off Windows 7?

In reality, gray-with-age Windows 7 gained share of the market in March and April 2018. Now, Windows 10, which arrived more or less not three years ago, is running on only 39.3% however Windows PCs, matched against Windows 7’s 47.3%.

It is my opinion it. Month in and month out, essentially the most popular articles I’ve posted using the web tells you ideas on how to still get Windows 7 legally. Hint: Windows 7 Pro SP1 OEM edition on Amazon runs for $199.

You need to? It’s no secret: Most people still prefer Windows 7 to Windows 10. (The less said of Windows 8.x appropriate.) And Windows 7 extended support won’t end until January 14, 2020.

Well, I’ll telling you why not. Microsoft definitely seems to be slowly but surely strangling its technical support for Windows 7.

Here is an example, as Computerworld’s own Woody Leonhard, recently noted, “Win7 and Server 2008 R2 already went through a months of problems with networking more often than not, and apoplectic network interface cards accumulate.”

Come on, Microsoft! You’re not Apple, where seems like as if every iOS update has fits with Apple’s own hand-picked Wi-Fi hardware. You’re any better then this.

What’s that, Woody? The May Windows 7 networking patch bug “is unique from the previous two months’ bugs?” OK. I stand corrected. Microsoft in fact is sucking dead gophers through rusty Chevy tailpipes on the subject of Windows 7 networking updates.

But, if I’m being honest, Microsoft has long had its share of bad updates and patches with all of the its systems, not just Windows 7.

You could also have noticed the fact that your Windows 7 patches have been completely putting on weight. It’s not your imagination. Since then October 2016, Microsoft started releasing Windows 7 patches that included most of the previous months’ patches.

True, if you’re using WSUS (Windows Server Update Services), you’re golden. But when you use Windows Update or Windows Update for Business, you’re bound to the fat updates.

The 2 main problems with this. First, those patch rollups are going to 300MB to 500MB proportions. That’s a lot of bandwidth for, say, an isolated office still using 3 Mbit/sec. DSL. Second, since every month’s plump patch package installs every fix since October 2016, if any patch breaks something, anything, the actual rollup fails and – well, that includes the picture.

But what’s really ticking me off today isn’t the. They’re old news. No, the original annoyance usually, with a year and a half of Windows 7 support yet, Microsoft staffers do not be answering Microsoft Community forum questions about Windows 7.

I don’t believe, but I know plenty of people who just go to those forums for help. Other folks to the forums can still try to assist you, but you won’t be seeing you just aren’t a Microsoft ID offering aid. Thanks, Microsoft. Kudos.

Oh, one more thing, users of Windows 8.1, 8.1 RT, Traveler 10, Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, Surface RT, Surface 2 and Office 2010/2013? You’ll specifically see official forum support either.

And that just in, also from Woody Leonhard: “Even though Microsoft says it’s supporting Win7 until January 14, 2020, if you have an older machine ?a including any Pentium III ?a you’ve been blocked, and there’s nothing you’re capable of doing about it.”

Seriously? Seriously!

An eagle-eyed AskWoody denizen, DAVe3283, noted that earlier June 15, 2018, the June Monthly Rollup article KB 4284826 additionally, the Security-only article KB 4284867 no longer promised that “Microsoft is focusing on a resolution and can provide an update within the upcoming release” for older systems.

Sometime on or after June 15, the June KB articles for the Monthly Rollup while the Security-only update were modified to clear out the “Known issue” and also its resolution All of their prior KB articles were also changed incorporate this small amount of advice: “Upgrade your machines employing a processor that supports SSE2 or virtualize those machines.”

Yes, I am aware that, there can’t that many people still using Pentium III or older CPUs, nonetheless know frequently them. Wouldn’t it really be that hard to keep supporting these chips in addition to year and a half? After all, Microsoft has already done it since Windows 7 released.

So, yeah, Microsoft, pretty much everything looks to me as if you’re already abandoning Windows 7 regardless that we, your users, haven’t. I know it ticks you off that you’ve fallen next to 1 billion Windows 10 installations (which is how many you promised there would be in two or three years back in conjunction with the Build developer conference in April 2015). Work desk every hour counting at home, Microsoft said from this year’s Build that Windows 10 was on “nearly 700 million” devices.

What’s a 300 million shortfall between friends?

Seriously, though, Microsoft, us aren’t going to change from Windows 7 until it’s officially dead. That makes it harder on us to run it successfully for now is not doing you any favors.

Facebook for Windows Phone 8.1 Collapses Indefinitely

While Microsoft’s mobile platform altogether is in fact dead, there can be developers nowadays who are still partially purchased keeping their apps here alive, mostly by supporting the actual versions exclusively.

Facebook is one of them, as the site maintains its Windows 10 Mobile app but recently decided to abandon Windows Phone 8.1 completely.

To explain, if you’re still on Windows Phone 8.1, operate Facebook app not work on your device, as the content will no longer loads, though notifications are displayed. But, the Windows 10 sort of the Facebook app continues and working not surprisingly.

The only alternative for Windows Phone 8.1 users can be to load Facebook throughout their web browsers, though we’ve seen reports that even this workaround fails on random occasions. The content isn’t rendered correctly in Industry, and without Microsoft Edge, that’s exclusive to Windows 10 Mobile, the sole solution is to go to a third-party browser.

Without a doubt, options normally made available are very limited, speculate it turns out, UC Browser, which will be one of the few browsers still running on Windows Phone 8.1, correctly loads Facebook.
“The death of Windows Phone”

Developers leaving Windows phones isn’t a new thing and finally, all of them gives up on apps running on Microsoft’s mobile platform. Even though the migration to Android and iOS is mostly a trend that happened after some duration ago, the move was accelerated after Microsoft itself confirmed lacking plans for keeping Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile alive.

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore publicly acknowledged that no extra features and devices were within your works, recommending those who want full app support and improvements to switch to Android or iOS. And this is what many people have inked lately, leaving Windows Phone in close proximity to 0 percent business.

Microsoft Switching Windows Server 2008 SP2 to Monthly Update Rollup Model

Microsoft gives switch users of Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 to your monthly rollup patch model, staring in September, in response to an announcement this week.

The arrival of a particular monthly rollup patch model makes sure that IT pros simply cannot simply delete a problematic individual patch when things get wrong. Instead, knowledge to roll back Windows Server 2008 SP2 within the previous month’s patch state should your problem can not resolved.

Microsoft first began this monthly rollup patch model with Windows 10. Later, almost these two years ago, it extended this model to Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Microsoft’s argument because it back then was that systems which are not fully patched just find becoming problems later. Underneath the update rollup model, the patch releases are “cumulative,” on your blog . they contain past updates in addition to the new ones. This aspect indicates they a bit bulkier.

Deleting most people problematic patch likely had been a trusty IT pro response as time goes by. Instead, Microsoft urged organizations to stay fully patched and work things by helping cover their independent software vendors, so to roll oh no – the previous month’s patch state in the meantime.

Now Microsoft will institute that rollup patch model for Windows Server 2008 SP2, a program that’s still supported until Jan. 14, 2020.

The monthly rollups for Windows Server 2008 SP2 will typically arrive on “update Tuesdays,” as well as the second Tuesday of the month. Like other monthly Windows system update releases, Microsoft will deliver two updates types. The “quality update” includes security and reliability patches. The “security-only update” just includes security fixes.

Also arriving on update Tuesdays might be .NET Framework monthly updates. These updates will patch the actual .NET Framework that’s installed. You won’t advance it to another location version, though. The .NET Framework monthly patches arrive via “Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services and Microsoft Update Catalog,” based upon a description.

On your third Tuesday in each month, Microsoft will issue a preview within the next month’s quality update for Windows Server 2008 SP2.

Microsoft intentions to kick off this rollup patch model for Windows Server 2008 SP2 in September, namely on Sept. 11 (or 9/11), which will be the second Tuesday of one’s month. In August, namely Aug. 14, the pioneer preview of September’s quality rollup will arrive.

EarTrumpet is the Windows 10 volume control app Microsoft are worthy of created

Microsoft helps make some steady improvements to audio control in Windows in recent years, but if used multiple outputs, headsets, or digital-to-analogue converters the chances are you already know that Windows 10 doesn’t handle them well. Thankfully, a third-party app happens to be trying to solve these issues recently as well as getting a big update today.

Former Microsoft engineer Dave Amenta, developer David Golden (of MetroTwit fame), and Microsoft MVP Rafael Rivera have collaborated to create EarTrumpet. The c’s “created EarTrumpet back in 2015 to fill several gaps from your audio management experience on Windows 10,” explains Rafael Rivera. EarTrumpet includes features most notably the ability to control classic and modern app volumes individually, a simple switch between default audio devices, in addition to the ability to move apps between playback devices.

EarTrumpet 2.0 debuts today, and also team in addition has added multi-channel peak monitoring, keyboard shortcuts, and support for Windows 10’s light and dark modes. The overall app can switch the system tray sound icon (you are able to disable the default in Windows 10’s settings) and manage the majority of the audio settings in Windows. I’ve been utilizing the latest 2.0 update in the last week, along with latest features really cause me to feel question why Microsoft hasn’t built this in line with Windows 10. If three talented software developers can easily make a free app in achieving this, surely Microsoft in addition to its thousands of Windows engineers are able to a way to reduce audio expertise in Windows 10.

The most recent EarTrumpet update can be obtained right now through the Microsoft Store, additionally it requires the recently released Windows 10 April 2018 Update.

Microsoft walks from Windows 7, Office 2013 support forums

Microsoft has quietly told customers that it will stop joining with the online support forums focused upon consumer doubts about Windows 7 plus a host of other products.

The announcement, which Microsoft posted over the past weekend to several inside the affected support forums, said the progress would arise next month.

“Effective July 2018, the Microsoft User discussion forums listed below will shift support scope and Microsoft staff don’t provide technical support there,” an identical messages stated. “There will be no proactive reviews, monitoring, answering or answer marking of questions.”

And additionally Windows 7, an additional products covered by the mandate include Windows 8.1 and Windows 8.1 RT, Office 2010 and Office 2013, the safety Essentials antivirus program as well early Surface and Surface Pro 2-in-1 devices.

In many of the messages, Microsoft stated that the stoppage impacts “products that reached end of support,” whether or not software such as Windows 7 and 8.1 have years left before they’re officially retired.

The discussion forums, that happen to be under umbrella site dubbed “Microsoft Community” found at the URL answers.microsoft.com, primarily can consist of peer-to-peer questions and questions. But Microsoft employees do post inside of the threads, providing clarifications, remedies to problems, and perhaps, mea culpas for screw-ups.

The Microsoft commentary, considered the “official” line of your company on the subject under discussion, could be the thing will be dropped in July.

An electric of support, including security updates, will continue until the Redmond, Wash. company’s schedule – the support lifecycle – says the affected products end their run. Support lifecycle dates for Microsoft products is to be found by searching this database.

In addition to being Susan Bradley explained, the TechNet group of business-oriented support discussion forums will always be unchanged. “Keep in your head that the focus of these answers.microsoft.com venue is consumer, not business,” Bradley wrote during an email answer a ask for comment. “Business posters should still look at to the TechNet forums.”

Bradley is called in Windows circles expertise on Microsoft’s patching processes: She wrote for decades on the topic for the Windows Secrets newsletter and moderates the PatchMangement.org subsciber list, where IT administrators discuss tradecraft. Her “Patch Watching” column now appears on AskWoody, the website where Computerworld columnist Woody Leonard holds court on updating Windows and Office.

The withdrawal of this support forums took Bradley without warning. “I had an ‘Uh, grip on. Windows 7 continues supported until 2020, so what on earth gives?’ moment a few days ago,” she said upon seeing the announcement.

Her assume the reason for the advance?

“Remember that Microsoft’s fiscal year end was June 30. So, this being a reallocation of resources,” Bradley said. “As a bean counter, I am sure the decision. [But] in the form of person still with Windows 7 [PCs] under my control, no reflect a realistic look at the use of your jewelry.”

Others saw different motivations behind the modification. Chris Goettl, director of product management for security at Ivanti, suggested that should be another with a long list of moves produce older versions of Windows and Office less attractive, and spur people to adopt Windows 10, Office 365 along with newer software. “It’s fewer than subtle,” Goettl said within the interview, as for the latest through the campaign.

He added that your pull-back is a hint that Microsoft does not have a intention of giving an inch on Windows 7 support, and it’s also set to expire Jan. 14, 2020. “For real, marketed they won’t extend support past 2020,” Goettl said. “They’re telling everyone ‘this is happening’ and that customers shouldn’t put it off hope likely playing chicken.”

Despite the fact that Microsoft did not bow to pressure four years ago to boost the support deadline for Windows vista, some go on to believe that search for, when Windows 7’s time expires, if a lot of customers are still running the 2009 operating system. “They’re not bluffing,” Goettl asserted, citing this move as the latest proof.

Neither Bradley nor Goettl regarded as Microsoft would follow up by also leaving from the discussion forums on TechNet, the portal for administrators. “I’d be amazed,” said Goettl. “Those [people] can be the real customers.”

But Microsoft’s economizing will affect corporate customers, while individuals pose the majority of questions together with provide answers around the affected forums. “The only concern I actually have is the feedback loop after Patch Tuesday,” admitted Bradley. “I still see trending issues come from the consumer venues, so my concern is that a patching issue will occur, but it will not be generally known as quickly.”

Windows 10 dual-screen laptops with e-ink are coming at the moment

Intel has demonstrated off the right dual-screen laptop prototype that would be in stores by the end of the year.

Over the past three decades laptops have stayed faithful at the concept of a screen blended with a physical keyboard, but Intel and PC makers may change that status quo if the dual-screen laptop is embraced by consumers.

Gregory Bryant, Intel’s senior second in command of client computing, told Softwareonlinedeal that is expected foldable displays, bendable objects, and “things that are great for in your purse”, presumably meaning traveling with a laptop devices running on Intel without Arm-based chips.

At Computex, the chip maker introduced its Tiger Rapids dual-screen PC prototype, which mimics a Moleskine pen-and-paper notebook is slimmer than an apple iphone.

The main or left screen is usually a standard 7.9-inch LCD display running Windows, while right screen is a low-energy e-ink or electronic paper display, purpose-built for scribbling on.

The prototype device is known for a battery life of 13 to fifteen hours in support of one USB-C port to demonstrate that the Tiger Rapids concept is aimed at mobile wireless computing.

The era of the a part-smartphone-part-laptop has gained momentum among some consumers intrigued by the idea that Microsoft could also be building a dual-screen smartphone.

As PC World reports, the rumored Microsoft method is closer to a second Intel prototype that utilizes two traditional displays connected having a hinge. However, unlike Tiger Rapids, Intel hasn’t confirmed that any PC brands have adopted this idea.

Nevertheless, Asus and Lenovo are stored on board because of the dual-screen idea. Asus introduced its Project Precog dual-screen prototype which has had two 4K screens that might fold and flip debts direction. The display uses artificial intelligence to calculate what the user really wants do strategies to configure a couple of the screens.

To provide an example, by holding your fingers out it predicts you need a keyboard and surfaces a gentle keyboard. The rii is due out in 2019 but Asus has the 2018 ZenBook Pro having 5.5-inch touchscreen built in the touchpad.

Lenovo also teased a Yoga Book 2 who’s dual touchscreen displays, enhanced inking with an AI-enabled keyboard who will be available later the year 2010.

As for Intel’s Tiger Rapids, which is actually more a single for PC makers than the product for consumers, it’s intended to be a fully fledged PC but geared towards mobile computing. The prototype comes with a 7th generation Intel Core processor and runs Windows 10.