Microsoft Tips, Tricks & Info
2026APR28
Table of Contents / Source:
Windows 11 now shows if your Secure Boot certificates are ready for June
Windows 11's April update made it easy to check your Secure Boot certificate status ahead of the June 2026 expiration deadline.
Further reading:
- Windows 11 April update now reveals if Secure Boot 2023 certificate is applied to your PC - windowslatest.com
- Why Windows Secure Boot can be bypassed so easily (and what Microsoft isn't telling you) - makeuseof.com
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Microsoft reveals huge Windows update changes coming to Windows 11 in major policy shakeup
Sitting down at your PC and realizing it needs an update is at least bothersome. At worst, it can derail your plans by requiring you to set aside time for the system to do its thing. But soon, Windows Update will be easier to control.
Further reading:
- Windows Update gets new controls to reduce forced restarts - bleepingcomputer.com
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Stop installing these 4 apps—Windows does it all now
Over the years, using the various versions of Windows, there was always a set of apps that you'd install as soon as the Windows installation was done. Your computer simply wasn't ready to use without these third-party apps. Microsoft clearly took notice, because there are quite a few of them that are pretty much optional at this point thanks to native Windows features.
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Mozilla says it patched 271 Firefox vulnerabilities thanks to Anthropic's Claude Mythos
Anthropic's buzzy announcement about using AI to improve cybersecurity earlier this month was met with plenty of skepticism. However, Mozilla shared some details that support use of the company's special Claude Mythos Preview model as a way to protect critical services.
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Stop Telling AI Your Secrets: 10 Chatbot Habits You Should Quit Today
Using AI the wrong way can get you into all sorts of trouble. I would never trust a chatbot with these 10 things, and you shouldn't either.
Further reading:
- 10 hacks for online privacy that everyone should know - lifehacker.com
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Google Meet can now take notes during in-person meetings too
Google Meet's "Take Notes for me" feature is one particularly useful implementation of AI. When you're on a video call, Gemini can dictate what's being said, offering summaries and highlights of the conversation. That way, your attention doesn't need to be split between the conversation at hand and writing down notes to remember key points later: You can just check the notes that are automatically generated as a Google Doc once the meeting is over.
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7 things you can do with your old Windows 10 PC instead of trading it in
Trading in an old PC might not get you that much of a discount, and there a lot of ways you can make it useful without giving it away.
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Amazon to end Kindle for PC on June 30, 2026; replacement may need Windows 11
Amazon plans to shut down its Kindle for PC desktop application on June 30, 2026, according to support documentation the company has published on its website. A replacement reading app is expected, but early indications suggest it may require Windows 11...
Further reading:
- Amazon’s May 20 Kindle Cutoff: Which Models are Affected and How to Keep Reading Anyway - pcmag.com
- Your Kindle's not obsolete, it just needs a jailbreak - and I'll show you how it's done - zdnet.com
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Amazon eero and Leo routers escape the FCC’s foreign router ban
The FCC's crackdown on foreign-made routers is in full swing, though one of the US' biggest companies just got conditional approval to keep its hardware on shelves, all while bringing in new ones.
Further reading:
- FCC alters the Wi-Fi router ban to include hotspots — pray it doesn't alter the deal any further - androidauthority.com
- FAQs on Recent Updates to FCC Covered List Regarding Routers Produced in Foreign Countries - fcc.gov
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Google Maps for Android Auto gets a subtle update that drivers will love
Google is making some small tweaks to Maps for Android Auto, which will now display more prominent labels.
Further reading:
- Android Auto isn't just for maps—here's 5 other things I do with it - howtogeek.com
