PC problems news

Windows 11 Search is getting quick actions for common PC controls. The taskbar search area will let users access inline controls for Bluetooth, muting, and window layouts. This affects Windows 11 users who want faster access to these settings. If the change reaches your PC, you should be able to use Search as a shortcut for these actions instead of opening separate menus.

Windows still asks about a floppy-era setting when you format a drive. The story says this old Windows NT option has persisted for 30 years, so people formatting drives on Windows may still see it and should know it is a legacy setting rather than a new problem.

ASOS customers are receiving a threatening push alert through the shopping app that suggests the service has been hacked. The report affects ASOS app users, but the summary does not say what action readers should take yet.

Windows’ built-in ransomware shield switch is off by default, and the candidate story says it can stop apps from saving files. The issue affects Windows PC users who rely on this protection, especially if they expect it to be on already. If you want the shield enabled, check the Windows security setting and turn it on manually.

Some old printers may stop working on Windows 11 because Protected Print Mode blocks third-party drivers unless users or admins opt out. Windows 11 users with affected printers may need to change that setting or use the workaround to keep printing.

A Microsoft database was exposed after a teenager changed one login field to "admin." The story says an estimated 17.3 trillion Microsoft rows became accessible. Anyone using services tied to that database should watch for security notices and follow any guidance from Microsoft if it is issued.

Google is moving Gemini's advanced models behind a paywall, which affects free accounts. Free users will be limited to Flash Lite, while Pro features are moving to subscription plans. If you use Gemini on a free account, expect the change to take effect there and check whether you need to upgrade to keep the features you use.

A tiny keyboard key is getting a practical new role in Windows 11. The change is meant to shorten deep folder journeys and speed up troubleshooting for Windows PC users who work with files and system tools. If you use Windows 11, you can expect this shortcut to make navigation faster when the feature arrives.

Turning off 802.11b on a router can make smart devices feel snappier. The change affects homes where older Wi‑Fi support is still enabled on the ISP router, and the post says the setting is still switched on in plenty of routers.

A Windows game compression tool can save a lot of space, but the article says compressing every game is a mistake. The writer says games that use DirectStorage can stutter or stream assets more slowly after LZX compression, while many titles save very little space anyway. Windows decompresses these files on the fly, so the impact is often small on faster CPUs, but older processors may struggle. The advice is to check potential savings first, avoid DirectStorage games, and consider cleaning temporary files with Storage Sense instead.

A MakeUseOf article says the familiar 3-2-1 backup rule is missing a key step: testing restores. The writer found that backup files copied for months were corrupted, showing that having three copies on two media types with one offsite is not enough if the files cannot be restored. The article says Windows users should regularly restore a random file or folder, open it, and confirm the backup tool can retrieve it without errors. It also recommends keeping one immutable or air-gapped copy and treating verification as part of the backup plan.