Latest news with #WindowsInsider
The Verge
20-05-2025
- The Verge
Microsoft is putting AI actions into the Windows File Explorer
Microsoft is starting to integrate AI shortcuts, or what it calls AI actions, into the File Explorer in Windows 11. These shortcuts let you right-click on a file and quickly get to Windows AI features like blurring the background of a photo, erasing objects, or even summarizing content from Office files. Four image actions are currently being tested in the latest Dev Channel builds of Windows 11, including Bing visual search to find similar images on the web, the blur background and erase objects features found in the Photos app, and the remove background option in Paint. Image: Microsoft Microsoft is also planning to test similar AI actions for Office files soon, enabling you to summarize documents stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, or quickly create AI-generated lists from files. These Office AI actions will be limited to Microsoft 365 commercial subscribers with a Copilot license, and consumer support is 'coming later.' It's not clear if these AI actions can be disabled in the context menu, but they also join an 'Ask Copilot' option that Microsoft added to the right-click menu of the File Explorer recently. Alongside the AI-powered shortcuts in File Explorer, Microsoft is also testing some visual changes to the widgets feature in Windows 11, 'with a more organized, personalized, and engaging feed,' according to the Windows Insider team. 'In addition, we are introducing Copilot-curated stories into the feed.' This latest Dev Channel build also includes a new 'User Interaction-Aware CPU Power Management' feature, which Microsoft describes as an OS-level change to reduce power consumption on laptops and tablets. 'After a period of inactivity on your PC, Windows now conserves power by automatically applying efficient power management policies,' says the Windows Insider team. 'This happens seamlessly to save energy while you're inactive, with full performance instantly restored the moment you get back to it.'
The Star
13-05-2025
- The Star
An AI assistant will soon be on hand to help with Windows settings
AI is set to integrate most native Windows applications, including Photos and Notepad. — Microsoft Microsoft has announced a host of new features for PCs, including the arrival of an AI assistant specially dedicated to managing Windows settings. With Windows 11, Microsoft is aiming to simplify access to the operating system's (many) settings. And in the age of artificial intelligence, the Redmond firm is taking things to a new level, as it will soon be offering a special AI assistant tasked with responding to users' natural-language queries. The idea is to be able to report a problem ("the text on the screen is too small') or launch a command ("control my PC by voice') directly via the search field dedicated to settings. Novices can simply describe what they want to do, and the agent will suggest one or more solutions. This avoids the need to spend time searching through Windows settings, looking for the right option in the right menu. The experience should be much less frustrating, as the AI assistant is designed to provide all the relevant answers. With the user's consent, it can even perform or automate certain tasks. This new feature will soon be available to members of the Windows Insider program, who can test new features of the operating system in advance – so long as they have recent hardware, ie, a Copilot+ PC equipped with a Snapdragon processor. Other users will have to be a little more patient, as no official rollout to the general public has yet been announced. Generally speaking, AI is set to integrate most native Windows applications, including Photos and Notepad. This is already the case in Paint with the "Cocreator' function, which generates images from text descriptions. Finally, Microsoft has confirmed the forthcoming rollout of Recall, its controversial optimized search functionality based on screen captures at regular intervals, raising questions about privacy. It will nevertheless be possible to deactivate this function at any time. – AFP Relaxnews
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Yahoo
Microsoft rolls out AI screenshot tool dubbed 'privacy nightmare'
Microsoft has begun the rollout of an AI-powered tool which takes snapshots of users' screens every few seconds. The Copilot+ Recall feature is available in preview mode to some people with Microsoft's AI PCs and laptops. It is the relaunch of a feature which was dubbed a "privacy nightmare" when it was first announced last year. Microsoft paused the rollout in 2024, and after trialling the tech with a small number of users, it has begun expanding access to those signed up to its Windows Insider software testing programme. The BBC has approached Microsoft for comment. Microsoft says Recall will be rolled out worldwide, but those based in the EU will have to wait until later in 2025. Users will opt in to the feature and Microsoft says they can "can pause saving snapshots at any time". The purpose of Recall is to allow PC users to easily search through their past activity including files, photos, emails and browsing history. For example, Microsoft says a person who saw a dress online a few days ago would be able to use the feature to easily locate where they saw it. Privacy campaigner Dr Kris Shrishak - who previously called Recall a "privacy nightmare" - said the opt-in mechanism is "an improvement", but felt it could still be misused. "Information about other people, who cannot consent, will be captured and processed through Recall," he said. The feature is able to save images of your emails and messaging apps such as WhatsApp - meaning pictures and messages from others will be saved. This is no different to a user taking a screenshot themselves when they receive a message. "Think of disappearing messages on Signal that is stored on Recall forever," he said. And he said he was concerned that malicious actors could exploit the images saved by Recall if they gained login access to a device. Microsoft said Recall "does not share snapshots or associated data with Microsoft or third parties" and information is not shared between different users. "Recall requires you to confirm your identity before it launches and before you can access your snapshots," it said. And it confirmed pictures taken by Recall are stored locally on your computer. Users can choose which apps are used by the feature, and private mode on some browsers will not be snapshotted. Microsoft also says the user can delete screenshots which have been captured. The UK's data watchdog said it has "continued to engage with Microsoft on this matter". The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said it had "expectations that user transparency was improved and personal data was not used for purposes other than those for which it was originally collected". "The ICO does not grant prior approval for any products or services. "Organisations are accountable for demonstrating their ongoing compliance with data protection law and we will act should they fail to safeguard people's data protection rights". Microsoft re-launches 'privacy nightmare' AI screenshot tool Microsoft 'recalls' screenshot feature after outcry
BBC News
11-04-2025
- BBC News
Copilot Recall: Microsoft rolls out AI screenshot tool
Microsoft has begun the rollout of an AI-powered tool which takes snapshots of users' screens every few Copilot+ Recall feature is available in preview mode to some people with Microsoft's AI PCs and is the relaunch of a feature which was dubbed a "privacy nightmare" when it was first announced last year. Microsoft paused the rollout in 2024, and after trialling the tech with a small number of users, it has begun expanding access to those signed up to its Windows Insider software testing BBC has approached Microsoft for comment. Microsoft says Recall will be rolled out worldwide, but those based in the EU will have to wait until later in will opt in to the feature and Microsoft says they can "can pause saving snapshots at any time". The purpose of Recall is to allow PC users to easily search through their past activity including files, photos, emails and browsing example, Microsoft says a person who saw a dress online a few days ago would be able to use the feature to easily locate where they saw it. Still a nightmare? Privacy campaigner Dr Kris Shrishak - who previously called Recall a "privacy nightmare" - said the opt-in mechanism is "an improvement", but felt it could still be misused. "Information about other people, who cannot consent, will be captured and processed through Recall," he said. The feature is able to save images of your emails and messaging apps such as WhatsApp - meaning pictures and messages from others will be is no different to a user taking a screenshot themselves when they receive a message."Think of disappearing messages on Signal that is stored on Recall forever," he he said he was concerned that malicious actors could exploit the images saved by Recall if they gained login access to a said Recall "does not share snapshots or associated data with Microsoft or third parties" and information is not shared between different users."Recall requires you to confirm your identity before it launches and before you can access your snapshots," it it confirmed pictures taken by Recall are stored locally on your can choose which apps are used by the feature, and private mode on some browsers will not be also says the user can delete screenshots which have been UK's data watchdog the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), was "making enquiries with Microsoft" when the feature was originally announced in May it said it had been informed that a "series of changes" had been made to the product."We will be continuing to assess Recall as Microsoft moves toward launch", it said in a statement in ICO has been approached for comment.
Forbes
30-03-2025
- Forbes
New Windows 11 Account Bypass Hack Confirmed—What You Must Do Now
Windows 11 account bypass confirmed. There are two words that most Windows users really don't want to hear: bypass and hack. Given that hackers have just discovered a Windows Defender security bypass with potentially devastating implications, while other hackers are offering a $500,000 payload Windows attack for rent, and session cookie theft continues as a primary way to bypass 2FA protections, I can't say I blame them. On this occasion, however, I am prepared to go out on a limb and suggest that 'bypass hack' is something that many Windows 11 users will see as a very good thing indeed. Here's why this Microsoft Account hack is a good thing, along with a step-by-step guide to exploiting it. There are plenty of people, for plenty of reasons, who really don't want to sign into their copy of Windows 11 using a Microsoft Account, no matter how seamless an experience this brings to the Windows party. Some of these reasons may include privacy concerns, rightly or wrongly, and even fear concerning password recovery issues down the road. The truth of the matter is that people like choice, and that includes the choice not to trust Microsoft. Which is why there have been crafty hacks that allow you to bypass this Microsoft Account requirement when setting up a new Windows 11 computer if you know where to look for them. Hint: Google and Reddit. By far the most popular, I would say, was the use of a command line prompt entry of 'OOBE\BYPASSNRO' during the setup process. In a March 28 posting, Brandon LeBlanc, a senior program manager on the Windows Insider program team, and Amanda Langowski, a Windows Insider program lead announced that with the launch of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5516, Microsoft is 'removing the script from the build to enhance security and user experience of Windows 11.' This is all part of a plan by Microsoft to force users into having an internet connected Microsoft Account. Indeed, the posting said as much: 'This change ensures that all users exit setup with internet connectivity and a Microsoft Account.' So, what can you do if you still want to bypass the Microsoft Account requirement when setting up a new Windows 11 device after this option has been removed for all? Don't panic, there's a new hack for that. There are ways to bypass the out of box experience, as it is known when setting up a new Windows 11 device without using the bypassnro hack. But none of them have been anywhere near as simple to execute for the average user. Take the use of for example, which requires a hideously complex process that includes opening an installation image from Microsoft's ISO file and creating a response file, and, well, if you are a Windows masochist, you can find all the details here. For everyone else, thankfully, a new and simpler bypass hack was quickly posted to the social media platform X following the announcement by Microsoft. In a March 29 posting to X, a user called Wither OrNot revealed that the new bypass requires just two steps: Although using the same underlying command as employed in a more complex bypass some months earlier, which involved the use of the Windows developer console, Wither OrNot explained that the new bypass hack was 'found independently by examining C:\Windows\SystemApps\ which led to the extremely easy to execute two-step hack. Whatever, I recommend acting quickly if you want to take advantage of the new Windows 11 account bypass hack, as it likely won't be long before Microsoft blocks this one as well.
