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I’ve just heard about more exciting updates coming to Windows 11: Notepad and Paint are getting powerful new AI features. And they could make your business tasks a whole lot easier. For Notepad, a new “Rewrite” feature lets you select text and create alternative versions instantly. Imagine writing a draft, clicking “Rewrite,” and having Notepad give you multiple options – maybe a shorter summary or something with a more professional tone? The Notepad app is also getting a performance boost, launching up to 55% faster. Meanwhile, Paint is improving with tools like “generative fill”, letting you add AI-generated images to the project you’re working on. Need to visualize a product in a particular setting or change a graphic for a pitch? Simply describe what you want, and Paint can fill in the details. For example, you could add a building to a landscape, or remove unwanted elements from an image. Although these updates are still in testing, they showcase Microsoft’s push to improve productivity with AI. This is just the start of how the integration of AI into familiar Windows tools could improve efficiency, creativity, and overall workflow in your business. Hopefully the rollout will come soon. Are you looking forward to this? #Microsoft #AI #NewTools https://lnkd.in/g4TfzhQP

Microsoft are making it a whole lot easier to keep track of files shared in Teams meetings with a new Loop feature. Loop is a collaborative workspace tool that’s integrated into Teams, Outlook, and Yammer. It's great for keeping all your files, notes, and tasks in one place. Thanks to the new feature, any time you organize a series of Teams meetings, you'll get a prompt to create a Loop workspace. This will then gather all of the files shared during the meeting series. This means you and your team will have one organized space to keep working on shared files, even after the meetings end. Meeting organizers can also review, approve, or remove files as needed before they’re added to the workspace. And once a Loop workspace has been set up, your team can add new content or rearrange files however they like. This feature is rolling out now for Windows, Mac, and web, with even more updates on the way. Teams just keeps getting better at making collaboration easy. Ready to make the most of it in your business? We can help you get started – get in touch. #Microsoft #Teams #Loop https://lnkd.in/gFVrcMrx

Meta’s latest project has hit an unexpected snag… in the form of a bumblebee! Turns out, not even the biggest tech forces in the world can overcome the force of nature. Meta were planning to build a nuclear-powered data center, designed to meet the massive energy demands of AI tech. But a rare species of bumblebee was found on the site, and it’s forced Meta to put their plans on hold. AI eats up huge amounts of energy – and tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Google are trying to be environmentally conscious; hunting for cleaner, reliable power to keep their data centers running. For instance, Google just partnered with a nuclear startup to power its AI work with “24/7 carbon-free energy”. So, what's the takeaway? As AI grows, so does the need for sustainable, energy-efficient options. And this is something every business should keep in mind as we look to the future. Isn't it fitting that the humble bumblebee reminds us of the importance of balance between tech and nature? #Meta #AI #NatureVsTech https://lnkd.in/guzB6XEz

Happy Birthday to the internet! Yes - November 21 marks the anniversary of something truly incredible. On this day in 1969, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Stanford Research Institute made the first ever permanent link through a network called ARPANet. That simple connection sparked the creation of the modern internet as we know today. Can you imagine how different things would be without it?! The internet has transformed the way we work, connect, and grow our businesses. From instant communication with clients to cloud-based data storage and remote work, nearly every aspect of business relies on this powerful technology. It’s incredible to think that our tools, platforms, and even video calls stem from that one link made 55 years ago. Today, the internet isn’t just something we use to communicate information – it’s the backbone of business. Let’s celebrate its evolution and imagine what the next fifty years could bring for our businesses. #TechHistory #HappyBirthday #Internet https://lnkd.in/dpSJD_Z

How many emails do you usually have open at a time? A few at most? Well, it’s been reported that when people try to open too many emails at once, Outlook is crashing or producing an error message like “Out of memory or system resources”. The number of emails you’d need to have open all at once is probably too high for most people to encounter this issue (it’s 60 emails…). But if you’re experiencing crashes, make sure you don’t have too many emails open – just stick to a few at once. And if your system is low on memory, try closing other apps. If that doesn’t help, you could also try rolling back to an older version of Outlook or, better yet, try switching to the “New Outlook” app for Windows. Either way, be cautious about any quick registry fixes you might see online. Altering the Windows registry can mess up your system if it’s not done correctly, so it's best not to do this yourself. Would you ever have 60 emails open at once? #Microsoft #Outlook #EmailIssues https://lnkd.in/gisbHeYq

Did you know the helpful Chrome extensions you use in your business could be a security risk? Recent research has found that even with Google’s latest security upgrades, some extensions are able to get around protections. This could leave your business exposed to threats like data theft and malware (malicious software). Scammers can use this loophole to track browsing activity, access sensitive information, and even control permissions on collaboration tools like Google Meet and Zoom – all without your knowledge. Imagine an unauthorized person viewing your team’s online meetings or accessing your business’s private data... It’s scary stuff. Unfortunately, most standard security tools aren’t able to detect malicious activity from a browser extension once it’s been installed. So while tools like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) have value, they can only do so much. The good news is there are some advanced tools that can help to make sure risky extensions are blocked before they wreak havoc on your business. If that’s something you want to explore, you can seek advice from IT experts (like us). For now, be careful with the extensions you use. Stick to trusted sources, monitor permissions, and regularly review your browser settings. And if you need help with that, get in touch. #Google #Chrome #ExtensionExploits https://lnkd.in/gbNB7Pjy

Having trouble with your printer after updating to the latest version of Windows 11? Others are too. The latest Windows 11 (24H2) update is causing printer compatibility issues, especially for ARM-based PCs (like Copilot+ devices). ARM is a chip manufacturer. Windows 11 on ARM should support most printers, but many businesses with HP, Canon, Brother, and other brands of printers are still having problems. The main issue being reported is that people can’t install printer drivers or use certain features after installing the 24H2 update. Microsoft have acknowledged the issue, and they’ve shared a workaround that should help while they work on a permanent fix. Instead of using the manufacturer’s installation tool, you can try adding your printer manually. To do this, head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, then click "Add device". If you’re not sure whether you have an ARM device, go to Settings > System > About, and look under “System type”. Some Intel and AMD systems are experiencing minor issues too – such as print queues stalling or printers disappearing - though this seems to be less common. Have you or your team had any printer issues since the latest Windows update? Get in touch and we can help. #Windows11 #PrinterIssues #Microsoft https://lnkd.in/gisbHeYq

Do you use Windows Hello, Microsoft’s secure sign-in tool? If so, you’ll be happy to hear there’s a fresh, streamlined experience coming your way soon. Windows Hello is the feature that lets you log in using your face, fingerprint, or PIN - no passwords needed. This upgrade will make the sign-in process even smoother and fit perfectly with Windows 11’s modern design. The new look will appear on the Windows sign-in screen, the Microsoft Store, and any place you use Windows Hello. Microsoft are also adding easier passkey options, so switching between devices and authentication methods will be simpler than ever. The update will roll out to everyone soon, though it’s only available to Beta Channel Insiders (who test out early builds of Windows 11) at the moment. For business owners like you, I’d say it’s better to hold off on the Beta version. Wait for the fully polished rollout, to make sure everything runs smoothly. Are you looking forward to seeing what it looks like? #Microsoft #WindowsHello #CyberSecurity https://lnkd.in/gD2G5AEh

Ever heard of "password spraying"? Probably not. But it doesn’t sound great, right? Although not many people know about it, password spraying is an increasingly common type of cyber attack. And, as a business owner, it’s important that you are aware of it. In a password spraying attack, scammers try the same easy-to-guess password on a wide range of accounts (instead of trying multiple passwords on one account). This can help them avoid detection, making it a popular tactic for breaking into business systems. Password spraying can give cyber criminals access to all your business data, slow down your operations, and even damage your reputation if they manage to get hold of customer information. What can you do to protect your business? Make sure you and your team use strong, unique passwords and consider extra layers of protection like two-factor authentication. Better yet, use a password manager tool to create better passwords that you don’t have to remember. Taking a few steps now to strengthen your security can make a big difference. And if you need help keeping your accounts secure, get in touch. #PasswordSpraying #DataSecurity #CyberCrime https://lnkd.in/gssNcGFv

Microsoft aims to lead the way in every aspect of tech, from productivity tools to how they build data centers. Their latest experiment? Building data centers using something called cross-laminated timber (CLT), instead of traditional steel and concrete. It’s estimated that using wood in the construction process will reduce Microsoft’s carbon footprint by 35%. That’s a big shift towards sustainability. Microsoft are also thinking ahead with alternative power solutions, preparing for the heavy demands of future developments in AI. Why should this matter to you, as a business owner? Because what Microsoft are doing isn’t just about reducing emissions – it’s about innovation. It’s a reminder that every part of a business (even the data centers we don’t see) can be optimized to make a difference. As a business owner, staying competitive means adapting all the time. What can you think about changing today to make a big difference in the months and years to come? #Microsoft #BusinessChange #BusinessInnovation https://lnkd.in/giGeQ7PR