Microsoft Tips, Tricks & Info
2026MAY12
Table of Contents / Source:
Windows 11 update changes: Five key features to know
In the latest changes coming to Windows 11, it's clear the company is trying to find a better balance between keeping devices secure and giving us more say over when and how updates happen.
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Windows 11 has a DNS privacy setting I wish I'd checked sooner
One of the easiest privacy and security boosts you can make is to enable encrypted DNS on your operating system. It means that the DNS requests you make are protected and no longer sent in plaintext for anyone to read; it's an immediate and easy upgrade that almost anyone can make.
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This Free Windows App Shows You Everything Your Computer Is Secretly Doing
I installed AppControl on my Windows 11 PC and was shocked by how much was happening in the background without me knowing.
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NTLite tool allows users to remove Copilot and other AI features from Windows 11
As its slogan suggests, NTLite is a Windows customization tool that claims, "Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication." It's designed to give users more control over Windows 11, as is the case with its latest update.
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Chrome Is Quietly Downloading a 4GB AI Model Without Your Permission
Google Chrome automatically downloads an AI model to support features such as scam detection and tab organization. Here's how to remove it.
Further reading:
- Three Ways to Remove AI From Google - lifehacker.com
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These are the best ways to rid your Gmail inbox of spam
Gmail does a decent job at filtering junk mail to the Spam folder, but there are always the marketing emails, newsletters, and other mass messages that slip through to your inbox. Maybe you accidentally signed up for a mailing list, or you wanted those promo emails at one point, but now they've become too much. You can keep deleting them one by one—or you can take action to remove spam from certain senders once and for all.
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FCC Extends Update Deadline for Foreign-Made Routers, Drones Until 2029
Previously, foreign-made routers and drones were only allowed to receive software updates until early 2027, potentially leaving them vulnerable to hacking.
Further reading:
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The Hidden Effects Of Leaving Your Computer On All The Time
Understanding what happens inside a continuously running system helps users make smarter decisions about maintenance, rest periods, and everyday digital routines.
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Galaxy owners can now connect their phones to any Windows 11 PC
- Samsung has updated the Galaxy Connect app.
- The latest version expands support to all Intel Windows 11 PCs.
- Support was previously exclusive to Galaxy Book laptops.
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Spam calls are out of control, here’s how I silenced them for good
The common telemarketing and scam telemarketing calls which bother people daily have become an ongoing problem. The increasing occurrence of robocalls together with the rising number of data breaches makes it seem impossible to stop these calls altogether. The combination of proper settings together with specific apps and your daily routines will enable you to achieve almost complete success in blocking unwanted calls.
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Google Health kills the Fitbit we knew, but maybe that’s not a bad thing
Alongside its new Fitbit Air, Google this week announced that the Fitbit app is dead, to be replaced by “Google Health.” If you’d told me this would happen a few months ago, I’d be worried, but the end result actually seems like an overall win for everyone involved. Let’s take a closer look.
Further reading:
- A new era for your wellness: Introducing the Google Health app - google.com
- Fitbit Air has status light & double-tap gesture, gets Whoop size comparison - 9to5google.com
- New Fitbit Air details how it compares to Whoop — and how it actually works - androidcentral.com
- Forget the Whoop 5.0 — The new Fitbit Air is a screen-less, subscription-free fitness tracker for the masses - tomsguide.com
