Microsoft took to Computex in Tawan to reveal that soon you'll be able to use more than just your fingerprint or face to unlock your Windows 10 device. The Windows Hello Companion Device Framework will be opened up to other companies to take advantage of, meaning devices such as wearables will be able to unlock Windows 10 devices for another quick and convenient secure sign in method. Microsoft demonstrated the new feature using a band from Nymi, showcasing how a wearable could be used in the workplace. Other devices, such as smart cards, phones and other wearables will also be alternative options for quick sign in.
So far, Windows Hello hasn't been as prevalent as many would have liked. With only a handful of laptops initially supporting it at Windows 10's launch. The number is steadily increasing and many devices launched at Computex are including the functionality. At least Windows Hello's facial recognition has been shown as secure, with even twins not being able to fool it.
16/05/16 - More adverts coming to the Start menu
Microsoft has announced they are planning to double the amount of adverts shown on the Windows 10 Start menu as part of the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer.
The adverts, which Microsoft calls ‘Promoted apps’, will be much more frequent once the Anniversary Update, codenamed Redstone, finally rolls out this July. Announced at the Windows Hardware Engineering Community (WinHEC) series of conferences last week, ten promoted apps will be allocated on the Start menu of all Windows 10 PC’s, compared to the current five.
Promoted apps are used to encourage PC users to download certain Windows Store apps on new PCs based on their recommendations, yet Microsoft has always made sure to mention that promoted apps are never paid for. If you click on a promoted apps tile, it will take you directly to the Windows Store page for that app.
While some of the promoted apps are already installed, Microsoft says you do have the option to fully uninstall them, with promoted items able to be removed completely from the Start menu. The number of installed apps appearing on the Start menu by default is also expected to fall to just 12 from the current 17.
While Microsoft hasn’t officially announced the reasoning behind the move, it could be that the company are trying to encourage more developers to make the shift to the Windows Store. It’s likely that people won’t be best pleased with Microsoft tampering with the Start Menu yet again.
Back in March, Microsoft announced the free Anniversary Update pencilled in for July 2016, which is expected to introduce a bunch of different features and improvements including; changes to the action center, Start menu, Start screen as well as Microsoft’s version of Apple’s Handoff integration between desktops and smartphones.
06/05/16 - Windows 10 will soon cost £100 to upgrade
Our hopes that Microsoft might extend the free upgrade period to Windows 10 have been dashed by the company revealing the upgrade prices along with a reminder that time is running out. In a recent blog post, Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of Microsoft's Windows and Devices group wrote that "time is running out".
Anyone that isn't running the new operating system at the moment, has until July 29th to claim the free Windows 10 upgrade. After that date the OS has to be paid for, with an upgrade to Windows 10 Home costing £100 and Windows 10 Pro costing £130. This is likely to mean that Microsoft will up its nagging of Windows 7 and Windows 8 users, as it tries to get them to upgrade before the deadline. Of course, if you've got this far without installing Windows 10, it's probably because you don't want the operating system. Fortunately, the instructions below (Say never to Windows 10) will show you how to block the Windows 10 nagging screens and keep you on your current OS.
Microsoft has also addressed one concern as to whether there would be paid-for updates to the operating system. In a YouTube video (embedded below for you), Bryan Roper explains that upgrading to Windows 10 now will get you all future updates for free, as well. This includes the anniversary update (Redstone), which is coming soon and is partly demoed in the video below.
30/03/16 - Say never to Windows 10
There are plenty of reasons for people not to want the latest version of Windows, from driver compatibility to games performance. We've already written about how you can say no to upgrading to Windows 10 using GWX Control Panel for those not wanting to upgrade. There's now another tool, Gibson's Never10, available that arguably makes the process even simpler. As described on its website: "The elegance of this “Never 10” utility, is that it does not install ANY software of its own. It simply and quickly performs the required system editing for its user." Should you ever change your mind about upgrading, Never10 can revert the changes as well.
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