Windows news you can use: August 2024

[ThomasTrombley]

Windows 11 is getting better and better by the month! Get started with the latest improvements to Windows client and server security, device and app management, and productivity boosters. Join us as we celebrate three years of Windows 365 and the public preview of hotpatching on Windows Server 2025.

New in Windows security​

• [MFA] Start planning and enable mandatory Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication (MFA) today. This will be required to sign in to the Microsoft Azure portal, Microsoft Entra admin center, and Microsoft Intune admin center starting on or after October 15, 2024. If you use Intune admin center to access other services, such as Windows 365 Cloud PC, the same level of protection will apply.
• [Windows 365] Check out new Windows 365 features that help provide a more secure workspace. As part of these innovations, configure single sign-on using Microsoft Entra authentication and try out new functionality in in-session passwordless authentication, faster re-authentication, new mobile application management (MAM) customizations, as well as watermarking and screen capture protection. You can also control your organization’s encryption keys with Microsoft Purview Customer Key, set up Microsoft Purview forensic evidence, and ensure unidirectional clipboard transfer.

New in update and device management​

• [AUTOPATCH] Check out auto-remediation PowerShell scripts to help resolve policy conflicts that might impact Windows updates in Windows Autopatch. This solution is for you if you currently use Microsoft Intune and don’t use third-party application patching solutions with Microsoft Configuration Manager.
• [INTUNE] Identify and address performance issues caused by CPU or RAM spikes with the new Resource performance report within Intune Advanced Analytics. Use it to evaluate device performance across models, make informed decisions about hardware replacements, and even negotiate with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
• [APPS] Did you know you can use Windows Package Manager (WinGet) to install and manage Microsoft Store apps on your Windows 11 devices? First, download WinGet 1.8, run the command winget upgrade winget, or update App Installer from the Microsoft Store. Then download the app that you want to distribute offline to another device with a similar command: winget download Calculator -s msstore. Finally, use the following PowerShell cmdlet to install this app on another device: Add-AppxPackage -Path C:\Users\username\downloads\9WZDNCRFHVN5\Calculator.appx.
• [Windows 365] New GPU-enabled Cloud PCs are now generally available for Windows 365 Enterprise and Frontline editions. Browse the FAQ section to see what this opportunity means for your context. For those who already use Cloud PCs and Microsoft Intune, check out the Cloud PC recommendations report with newly added AI-driven insights.

New in Windows Server​

• [Windows Server 2025][PREVIEW] You can now preview hotpatching on Windows Server 2025 Evaluation VMs in Azure. Just create a virtual machine (VM) using the “Windows Server 2025 Preview” image from Microsoft Server Operating Systems Preview. Hotpatching will be enabled by default in the image unless it was disabled at provision time. To learn more about hotpatching, read our documentation.
• [AZURE][PREVIEW] Try Windows Server Datacenter: Azure Edition in the desktop experience.

New in productivity and collaboration​

The August 13, 2024 security update brings the following improvements to your Windows 11 devices, which are rolled out gradually.

• [TASKBAR] Drag apps from the Pinned section of the Start menu and pin them to the taskbar. Try WIN + T shortcut to bring the keyboard into focus, then press the first letter of an open app to switch to it right away. You can also press Home and End to focus on the first and last items in the taskbar.
• [FILE EXPLORER] Right-click a tab in your File Explorer to see an option to duplicate it.
• [WINDOWS APP][PREVIEW] Connect to any of your Windows devices through a new Windows App (in preview). Use it to connect to Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, Remote Desktop Services, and Remote PC from a variety of operating systems and web browsers. Note: This app replaces the Windows 365 app in the Microsoft Store. Once installed, just turn on the Preview toggle.

Install the August 27, 2024 non-security update to preview what’s coming next month! Here are some highlights:

• [WINDOWS SHARE] Pair your Android device to your Windows PC to facilitate content sharing through Windows Share.
• [ACCESSIBILITY] Enjoy a faster and better Narrator and Voice access experience, among other improvements.
• [WIDGETS] If you’re in the European economic area (EEA) region, use widgets more securely and create them more effectively with improved APIs.

Windows Insider Preview news​

Here’s a summary of this month’s new experiences available to you as a Windows Insider. Remember to visit Windows Insider Blog for complete details. Note that many new features are rolled out gradually and belong to different build versions.

• [DEV][PREVIEW] Check out a few improvements to the taskbar, settings, and more. As these features roll out, find the Widgets entry-point to the left of the system tray on the taskbar in build 26120.1542. With build 26120.1340, set your mouse pointer precision and scrolling direction in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse. Improve your energy savings by turning off HDR under System > Power & battery > Energy recommendations. Additionally, you’ll now get a pop-up notification when your laptop battery reaches 20% if your Energy Saver is set to “Always on.” With build 26120.1350, it’s now safer to install an MSIX package with added source verification procedure, as well as to share content between your Android device and your Windows PC. And, if you run Windows 11 build version 22407.xxxx.x and higher, visit Microsoft Store for an updated experience.
• [BETA][PREVIEW] Take advantage of the simplified system tray on your taskbar. If you see undesirable jump lists when you hover your mouse cursor over apps on the taskbar, you can turn them off under Taskbar behaviors in Settings > Personalization > Taskbar in build 22635.4010. Likewise, you can disable undesired notifications from certain apps in Settings > System > Notifications > Notification suggestions in build 22635.4082.
• [CANARY][PREVIEW] The Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27686 brings you the new Windows Sandbox Client Preview. Inside it, use the ellipsis icon (…) to access runtime clipboard redirection, audio/video input control, and the ability to share folders with the host at runtime.

Want to stand out from the crowd? Don’t wait to get started with these Windows 11 opportunities. As you preview these features and capabilities, send your technical feedback through Feedback Hub (WIN + F). Let us know what you’re trying out this month in the comments below!

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