Microsoft and HP been employed by together to produce a brand new update that's specifically aimed to deal with a configuration settings issue on devices launched by PC the producer.

The new update is KB4583263 and just what it does is check the BIOS settings to find out if the HP Battery Health Manager is disabled.

Specifically targeted at business PCs, this update then enables the feature using the recommended setting of Let HP Manage My Battery Charging, which based on the parent company, should help optimize battery charging according to your usage patterns, essentially being able to boost the lifetime of your battery health and life.

What's important to know is the fact that on devices where the feature isn't available in the BIOS, no change has been made. HP recommends users to update their BIOS to obtain the battery optimization system, and only then your new update will do its job. Windows update KB4583263 doesn't update the BIOS.

"When the feature was initially introduced, customers had to manually enable HP Battery Health Manager towards the recommended setting of Let HP Manage My Battery Health. As usage patterns for business notebooks have changed with time, HP has updated HP Battery Health Manager with new and improved charging algorithms. This makes it more efficient at mitigating those factors that can accelerate battery swelling and chemical aging. HP is dealing with Microsoft to provide an HP means to fix enable this setting on select HP business notebooks which means you do not have to enable it manually," HP explains in a tech support document.

As BornCity notes, the brand new update is available for the following Windows 10 versions:

Windows 10 version 1809
Windows 10 version 1903
Windows 10 version 1909
Windows 10 version 2004

According to HP, the aforementioned profile for that battery charging optimization software helps prevent damages like battery swelling. If the BIOS is protected having a password, Windows Update is unable to install the update, then you need to disable this security feature prior to being in a position to deploy KB4583263.

"Let HP Manage My Battery Charging is the minimum recommended setting for HP Battery Health Manager on all HP business notebooks. This setting helps optimize battery health over time. Disabling HP Battery Health Manager results in accelerated battery swelling and chemical aging of the notebook battery and isn't recommended. To disable HP Battery Health Manager, select Maximize My Battery Duration because the default setting," HP says in the advisory.

Not every HP laptops are getting this update, and you may browse the full list within the box embedded at the end of the content. Keep in mind that the BIOS must offer the battery management software to receive the update and also the device should be running among the aforementioned Windows 10 versions.

On the other hand, it's worthwhile to learn that Windows 10 version 2004 isn't yet on all HP computers. Microsoft started the rollout of Windows 10 version 2004, or May 2020 Update, in May this year, and the event happened in phases, but the general availability is yet to be reached.

Meanwhile, Microsoft has finalized the work on another Windows 10 version. Windows 10 October 2020 Update, or Windows 10 version 20H2, is projected to be released towards the first wave of production devices as soon as this month, because the company has shipped the final build to users enrolled in the Windows Insider program.

This new version, however, includes fewer changes, in mind has been mostly on underneath the hood improvements and optimizations.

Microsoft has released new Microsoft Defender updates for Windows installation images in order to keep clients protected against the beginning.

The new update, which may be used for installation images of Microsoft's latest os's, are specially targeted at Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, and Windows 10 Enterprise, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2019.

"Initial hours of newly installed Windows OS deployments can experience Microsoft Defender protection gap, as the installation OS images could have outdated Anti-Malware Software binaries. These units will stay under protected until the first Anti-Malware software update finishes. Regular servicing of OS installation images to update Microsoft Defender binaries minimizes this protection gap in new deployments," Microsoft explains.

Once this update is deployed, the anti-malware client, the engine, and the signature versions are updated automatically.

"This package includes monthly updates and fixes to the Microsoft Defender AntiMalware platform and engine that's utilized by Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10. This package also includes the latest security intelligence update that's available up to the date of release," Microsoft says.

Don't make use of the update for live images

However, the software giant recommends against while using update for live images, because the company claims the operating system running in the virtual machine can eventually become damaged.

The package update tool can run on Windows 10 64-bit with PowerShell 5.1. After downloading the update from thee links (32-bit and 64-bit), you can deploy them for a Windows system image while using following command:

PS C:\> DefenderUpdateWinImage.ps1 - WorkingDirectory<path> -Action AddUpdate - ImagePath <path_to_Os_Image> -Package <path_to_package>

Once installed, the following versions ought to be running on your Windows installation image (needless to say, these will update when Microsoft publishes new packages because of its customers):

Platform version: 4.18.2008.9
Engine version: 1.1.17400.5
Signature version: : 1.323.2216.0

Microsoft keeps focusing on refining the knowledge using its Android launcher, which is something which makes total sense because of the app is installed on the top Duo as the default experience.

A few days ago, the software giant has released a brand new update for that Microsoft Launcher, which time, only minor improvements are included, though they're obviously welcome for everybody.

The brand new release brings the version number to 6.2.200706.8987, and based on the official changelog, what you're getting is an update for the app icons and the fonts which are used by Microsoft launcher.

There's also improvements for that app folder layout and also the gesture support, as well as additional refinements for that performance of the launcher.

Microsoft says a number of other known bugs are getting fixed too in this update, but no further specifics happen to be provided in this regard.

Microsoft Launcher for Android

Microsoft Launcher has become a must-have tool for the typical Microsoft user on Android, as it offers deep integration of services launched through the Redmond-based software giant on mobile platforms.

For example, among the features that I make use of the most may be the Sticky Notes support. On Windows 10, I personally use Sticky Notes every day in order to save very important quick notes and links, so with Microsoft Launcher placed on my Samsung Galaxy Note20, I can take all of this quite happy with me on the run.

At the same time, Microsoft Launcher also features the customization features that make an Android launcher really worth trying, including support for third-party icon packs. Quite simply, you are able to further change the look from the launcher by downloading other icon packs in the Google Play Store and then enabling them in Microsoft Launcher just like you'd do in Nova, for instance.

You can download the new Microsoft Launcherv for Android using this link.

Microsoft has released a brand new optional cumulative update for Windows 10 version 1809, and users can download it today in the Microsoft Update Catalog or by simply checking for updates manually on Windows Update.

The brand new cumulative update is KB4577069, and it boosts the OS build number to 17763.1490. It may be installed on the next systems:

Windows 10 version 1809
Windows Server version 1809
Windows Server 2019

Since it's an optional cumulative update, it's called a preview release, therefore it includes all the changes that might be part of the next updates shipping on the October 2020 Patch Tuesday.

There are several important alterations in this update, and one of these is the introduction of the warning in Ie that tells users the support for Flash Player is coming to a finish. Flash Player would be retired in December, at which point Microsoft will abandon it for both Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. In other words, no new security updates could be published after this date.

In addition, this update cuts down on the probability of missing fonts, whilst introducing fixes for Microsoft Office applications. Those who are using Microsoft Edge Legacy are also obtaining a welcome patch.

"Addresses an issue that might create the error "0x80704006. Hmmmm?-can't reach this page" when using Microsoft Edge Legacy. This issue is the place you attempt to reach websites on non-standard ports. Any website that utilizes a port listed in the Fetch Standard specification under bad ports or port blocking may cause this issue," Microsoft explains within the changelog, which you'll take a look at in full in the box following the jump.

There's also improvements for enterprises, including changes for group policies.

"Addresses a problem with setting the "Restrict delegation of credentials to remote servers" Group Policy using the "Restrict Credential Delegation" mode on the RDP client. As a result, the Terminal Server service tries to use "Require Remote Credential Guard" mode first and can just use "Require Restricted Admin" when the server doesn't support ??Require Remote Credential Guard,'" the organization says.

Worthwhile to learn is the fact that Windows 10 version 1809 is approaching its end of support. Previously, Microsoft wanted to retire this release in May 2020, but due to the lockdown that happened globally and which forced the majority of us to work from home, the organization decided to push back the EOL simply to make certain IT admins have plenty of time to prepare for that change.

So at this time, the target date for Windows 10 version 1809 to be retired is November.

"We have been evaluating the public health situation and comprehend the impact this really is wearing a number of our customers. To help ease a few of the burdens clients are facing, we will delay the scheduled end of service date for the Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core editions of Windows 10, version 1809 to November 10, 2020. This means devices will receive monthly security updates only from May to November. The ultimate security update of these editions of Windows 10, version 1809 will be released on November 10, 2020 instead of May 12, 2020," Microsoft explains.

At this time, the most recent form of Windows 10 is 2004, or even the May 2020 Update, however the software giant will quickly start the rollout of a new feature update called October 2020 Update and internally referred to as version 20H2. The final build was already shipped to testers, and the public rollout would start with seekers, using the update thus becoming available for people who manually look for updates in Windows Update.

To prevent users from locking Windows 10 computer, follow the steps given below to disable the lock screen in Windows 10.

Any user in Windows can lock the system by pressing the "Win + L" keyboard shortcut. Actually, you will find multiple ways to lock the Windows screen. This specific feature is extremely helpful when you're disappearing in the system but don't want others to access it. Whenever you lock the machine, others won't be able to make use of the system if they don't know the password or pin. If needed, you can also configure Windows 10 to lock automatically after some inactivity.

Just like the power lock the screen is, there can be situations when you really need to avoid lock screen in Windows 10. For example, in work environments, you will possibly not desire a specific computer from being locked as it may prevent other users by using it. This kind of scenario can also be applicable to family computers where it's very common to share exactly the same user account with multiple people.

Regardless of reason, if you do not want Windows to lock screen, you can just disable Windows 10 lock screen.

Group Policy to Disable Windows 10 Lock Screen - GPO

Windows 10 Pro users can use the audience Policy to disable the lock screen. Follow the steps as shown below.

Click the Windows key to open the beginning menu.
Type "Edit group policy".
Click around the Edit Group Policy to open the audience Policy Editor.
Within the policy editor, go to the "Computer configuration → Administrative template → User interface → Personalization" folder.
Double-click on the "Do not display the lock screen" policy. You can find it around the right panel.
Choose the "Enabled" option.
Click on the "Apply" and "Ok" buttons.
Close the audience policy editor.
Restart Windows 10.

After restarting the machine, the modified policy is fully enabled. From here onwards, no user around the system can lock Windows. To revert the modification, set the policy status to "Not configured" in step 6.

Registry Answer to Disable Lock Screen in Windows 10

By allowing the "NoLockScreen" registry value, it is simple to disable the Windows 10 lock screen. If you don't have access to the group policy editor, follow this process.

Open the Run window. You are able to press "Win + R" to spread out it.
Type "regedit" and click on "Ok".
After opening the Registry Editor, go to the below folder inside it.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click around the "Windows" folder.
Select "New → Key".
Name the new folder as "Personalization".
Right-click around the "Personalization" folder.
Choose the "New → DWORD value" option.
Set the name as "NoLockScreen".
Double-click on the dword value you just created.
Type "1" in the Value Data field.
Click "Ok" to create the worth.
Close the Registry Editor.
Restart Windows.

After restarting the Windows, it will no longer allow users to lock the screen. With this, you've successfully disabled the Windows lock screen. To revert the change and let the lock screen, delete the "NoLockScreen" value or change its Value Data to "0".

The rollout of Windows 10 version 2004, or Windows 10 May 2020 Update, is still under way, and Microsoft hasn't yet announced a target date when general availability is supposed to be reached.

But simultaneously, the company can also be likely to finalize Windows 10 version 20H2, or 2009, when this month, so there's a strong possibility that we're not so far from the moment the May update would become available for all devices.

Meanwhile, Microsoft can also be keeping track of the following Windows 10 versions which are scheduled to be retired, and the next one out of the queue is version 1903.

Microsoft this week reminded users the following Windows 10 version 1903 editions are projected to visit dark on December 8 this season:

Windows 10 Home, version 1903
Windows 10 Pro, version 1903
Windows 10 Pro Education, version 1903
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, version 1903
Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1903
Windows 10 Education, version 1903
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, version 1903

Windows 10 version 20H2 coming

Needless to say, what this means is that devices still running these versions of Windows 10 would no longer be provided with other security updates. Upgrading to Windows 10 version 2004 should be a priority by the time the December 8 date is reached to make certain that computers continue to be serviced.

"These editions won't receive security updates after December 8, 2020. Customers who contact Microsoft Support after this date is going to be forwarded to update their device to the latest version of Windows 10 to remain supported," Microsoft says.

The organization is yet to announce a release date for Windows 10 version 20H2, but this you ought to see daylight in October or November as per the typical calendar.

If you are using a Dell laptop, Windows 10 makes it easy to format and reset it to factory settings. Here are the steps to format Dell laptop in Windows 10.

When it comes to laptops, Dell is among the most popular and trusted brands available for Windows 10 laptops. Automatically, Dell's Windows 10 laptops are preconfigured and able to go once you receive them. However, the preconfigured Dell Windows 10 laptop might have bloatware or maybe it is not being employed as it ought to, you can format Dell laptop and reset Windows 10. For instance, when the laptop is have contracted a virus or malware or maybe it's throwing strange errors or running slow, it's time to format. That way, you'll have a clean Windows 10 laptop with default settings.

While using Windows 10 Settings app, you can easily reset a Dell laptop without much effort. You don't have to use any third-party software or insert the Windows 10 installation media. The good thing is, as long as you stored your individual files in other drives/partitions, you won't lose data.

Without further ado, let me demonstrate the steps to format Dell laptop in Windows 10 and reset it to a clean state.

Note: Before following the steps, backup any personal data within the C drive simply to be on the safe side. As a starting point, take a look at all the folders within the "C:\Users\UserName" directory and backup any personal data.

Steps to Format Dell Laptop in Windows 10

Follow the steps the following to easily format Dell laptop in Windows 10.

First, click on the "Start" button around the Taskbar.
Next, click the "Gear" icon to spread out the Windows 10 Settings.
After opening the Settings app, click on "Update & Security".
Click the "Recovery" option. You can observe it in the left panel.
Now, click the "Get started" button underneath the "Reset this PC" section.
In the Reset window, choose the "Keep my files" option.
Here, click the "Reset" button. As I said before, this option will keep your personal files but removes all the installed applications and resets the Windows 10 settings for their defaults.
As soon as you click the button, Windows 10 will begin the formatting and resetting process.

The entire process will take a while. While resetting, the machine may restart many times. So, sit back and wait until the resetting process is finished.

After Formatting the Dell Laptop

Once the resetting is performed, you are able to log into the laptop together with your login credentials. Since all the installed third-party programs are removed, you need to reinstall them manually. I suggest using Ninte to set up the most typical software like browsers, media players, email clients, etc.

After establishing everything, produce a system restore point, do a full backup of your C drive, and create a Dell recovery drive. These multiple checkpoints can help you restore the machine to the known good shape without needing to format or reset the laptop.

If you have multiple user accounts, you can change users in many different ways. Here're the steps to change user in Windows 10.

Windows 10 makes it really easy to produce multiple user accounts. For those who have multiple people while using computer, it is better to produce separate user accounts for those users. This way, it's not necessary to share your user account details. Even if you're not sharing the PC, you may create user accounts to split up personal and work files. For instance, I have two user accounts within my system for private and work profiles. One of the biggest advantages of creating separate accounts is the separation of user files and programs.

For those who have multiple users accounts for yourself, it's pretty present with switch between them whenever needed. Thankfully, Windows 10 has lots of new ways to switch user in Windows 10.

In this quick guide, let me show the methods to alter users in Windows 10.

How you can switch user from Start menu

The start menu in Windows 10 enables fast user switching by displaying all of the user accounts underneath the User icon. This is how you can switch users from the start menu.

Open the Start menu. You can do that by hitting the beginning icon on the taskbar.
Click on the user icon on the left panel.
Select the user account from the flyout menu.
Once you click the user account, Windows 10 will switch user based on your selection.
If the account is password-protected, you need to authenticate to access the user account.

How you can switch user from lock screen

You can also switch between users from the lock screen. This is probably the most common methods to change users in Windows 10. Here are the steps to follow along with.

First, lock Windows with the "Win + L" key shortcut.
On the lock screen, you will notice you at the base left corner.
Click the user you want to change to.
Type the password or pin to log in to the user account.

That's all. It's that easy.

Switch user from Ctrl + Alt + Del screen

The Ctrl + Alt + Del is really a universal savior when Windows isn't responding. In the same Ctrl + Alt + Del menu, you can switch users. This particularly helpful when the system is acting strangely or unresponsive.

To start off, press the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keyboard shortcut.
Now, click the "Switch user" option.
As soon as you click on the option, you will be taken to the login screen.
Here, select the user you need to change to.
Enter the password or pin to log in to the user account.

Change user from Alt + F4 menu

This is among the lesser-known ways however, you may also alter the user in the Alt + F4 window.

First, minimize all open Windows.
While you are well on the desktop, press "Alt + F4".
Now, select "Switch user" in the dropdown menu.
Click the "Ok" button.

As soon as you read the action, Windows will give you towards the login screen where one can choose the user you need to change to.

Note: When the desktop isn't in active focus then the Alt + F4 might close the application that is already in focus. You can keep desktop in active focus by simply clicking on your desktop.

Windows 10 may be the preferred operating system around the desktop, but it's also a good choice for tablets along with other devices where touch is the main input method.

As numerous people have no doubt about, Microsoft is betting big on touch for future years of Windows 10, therefore the operating system has been optimized for such input from one end to another.

One important feature of the experience is the touch keyboard, which allows users with tablets running Windows 10 to type whenever this really is needed.

And today, Microsoft is announcing a significant refresh of the touch keyboard that gives us with the long awaited update this feature really needed.

"Some Insiders will start to see our new touch keyboard design rolling to their PCs. The updated design features a fresh aesthetic and lots of other small tweaks, including updated key sizes / layouts to optimize for typing comfort & accuracy. We have also done some try to help to improve discoverability and usability of available features," Microsoft says.

First of all, the most notable addition belongs to the revamped emoji picker. Thanks to the integration of the emoji UI within the touch keyboard, users are now supplied with GIF support, so they can include animations in their messages. Needless to say, this selection is only obtainable in text boxes where GIF is supported, so for instance, you won't be able to place them in a browser's address bar.

However, if you're communicating with someone on WhatsApp web, this new feature should really prove useful making it simpler to send them a GIF.

"We are bringing emoji search to touch keyboard, so you no more need to hunt with the different categories to find the one you are looking for. More so, you can also now look for animated GIFs. All accessible from our new expressive input button in the candidate bar. (For additional - see our section above on evolving the emoji panel)," Microsoft explains.

The brand new touch keyboard comes with fresh keypress animations and sounds, as well as child key optimizations to type faster. A choice to undock the keyboard has additionally been added, and users can now drag the laptop keyboard round the screen by touching the gripper region at the from the keyboard. This is without a doubt a welcome touch, especially as previously, moving the laptop keyboard on the screen was a significant struggle, so using the new gripper, it's a lot more straightforward to do this.

Launching the touch keyboard much more tablet mode is definitely an automatic process, while you only need to type a text field and Windows 10 protects the whole thing for you personally. On the other hand, you may also launch it by tapping its dedicated icon within the taskbar.

"The touch keyboard may also be invoked on any PC from the touch keyboard button around the taskbar, although you may need to let the button. To do so, right-click or press and hang on the taskbar, then select "Show touch keyboard button" in the menu. When the touch keyboard is open, try typing or shapewriting around the keyboard and let us know the way it feels," Microsoft notes.

One really cool feature that's inspired by mobile devices concerns the cursor movement. Starting with this overhaul, you are able to move the cursor left and right with gestures on the spacebar, an experience that is available even just in Microsoft's SwiftKey on iPhone and Android.

The brand new touch keyboard experience on Windows 10 is currently in testing as part of the Windows Insider program.

Windows 10 is more than five years old, and while its adoption improved slowly at first, things have changed completely these days.

We've known for a while that Windows 10 was the number one desktop operating system, but the latest statistics reveal that its growth keeps improving every single month, and there's little the other platforms can do to prevent this impressive market performance.

Not really Linux, the woking platform that recorded an essential development in the very first 1 / 2 of the entire year, can slow down the adoption of Windows 10.

More specifically, Windows as a whole is now powering 86.98 percent from the entire PC market, while Linux currently runs on 2.69 percent from the devices out there. For Windows, this is actually a small decline from 87.03 percent in July, however for Linux, the drop continues to be massive, its previous market share was 3.57 percent.

Company, you've guessed it right. macOS is the big winner from the event, because it improved from 8.95 percent to 9.55 percent in only one month.

But this doesn't mean anything for Windows 10. Microsoft's latest operating-system increased its share from 59.37 percent in July to 60.57 percent in August, so this is the first month when Windows 10 breaks the 60 % milestone. It is really an important achievement for that 2015 OS version, because it implies that more than 6 in 10 PCs out there are now running Windows 10.

When it comes to reasons Windows 10 keeps growing at this type of fast pace, there's no doubt the demise of Windows 7 led to its accelerated adoption in 2020.

Microsoft stopped releasing security updates for Windows 7 in January this year, with the company insisting for everyone to move to Windows 10. Even though at first the transition progressed slowly, the migration is now gaining traction, especially in the enterprise world, so this is only the beginning of some other spike in Windows 10 adoption. What this means is that Windows 10 will probably grow even more in the coming months weight loss computers are upgraded from Windows 7.

This year's OS version dropped in just one month from 23.35 percent to 22.31 percent, based on NetMarketShare, so it lost a lot more than 1 percent market share in just Thirty days. The decline is huge for Windows 7, but however, this translates to faster adoption for Windows 10, and Microsoft has every reason to be happy about how things are visiting this site.

In the meantime, Microsoft is also working around the clock on providing users with new feature updates for Windows 10, and also the company clearly takes its time to make certain everything is running only the way they're supposed to run.

The May 2020 Update, or version 2004, was officially announced in May this season, and the rollout started later exactly the same month having a staged approach. This means that devices were obtaining the new feature update in waves, even though general availability was expected during the summer, we're still not there.

However, I expect GA to be reached rather earlier than later, as Microsoft is supposed to finalize another Windows 10 feature update when this month. Called Windows 10 version 20H2, this new feature update is scheduled to become carried out September, as the rollout to production devices should kick off in October or November.

Obviously, the rollout will happen in phases too, so once again the devices out there is going to be updated with Windows 10 version 20H2 gradually.