Windows 10 After Five years: Begin Menu vs. the Most Recent Redesign

Windows 10 has just turned 5, and a screenshot which was posted online to check the very first version of the operating-system most abundant in recent preview build shows just how far the operating-system has come during all this time.

And the first sign the knowledge about Windows 10 has changed in a major way is the one and only the beginning menu, which as you can see within this comparison shot now looks a lot more modern compared to original version.

The Settings app itself has received additional improvements, most of which were based on user feedback, even though it complements stating that Windows 10 continues to be missing some functionality that users happen to be asking for.

And also the the very first thing comes to mind is the tab support in File Explorer, something that would allow users to utilize multiple folders within the same UI from the file manager. Microsoft actually wanted to bring tabs to Windows 10 with the release of Sets, however the feature was eventually dropped with the company promising to bring it back at a later time.

New Start menu with theme-aware tiles

Returning to the main difference between your first and also the latest Windows 10 build, it’s pretty clear that Microsoft improved several key areas. The Start menu, for instance, now uses theme-aware tiles, which means that the operating system essentially gives up on the solids that many believed were absolutely awful.

And something thing that’s worth mentioning here’s living tiles aren’t going anywhere, despite all the rumors in this regard. Microsoft could keep live tiles around for any little longer, and the Start menu redesign implies that this is the direction the organization is embracing.

The following Windows 10 feature update arrives within the fall of the year as version 20H2.

Download Intel’s New 27.20.100.8336 HD Graphics Driver for Windows 10 64-bit

Intel has announced the supply of the new HD Graphics driver compatible with the 64-bit variant of Windows 10 DCH platform, namely version 27.20.100.8336, which reduces shutter seen in Overwatch (for 7th gen Core CPUs and higher), and more.

Specifically speaking, this release improves loading times for The exorcist: Battlefront 2 (DX12) on 10th Generation Core processors, and includes compatibility with Destroy All Humans and Othercide titles.

In addition to that, the current update removes green stripes and artifacts seen in Adobe Premiere Pro 2020 and Adobe After Effects, and resolves some graphics anomalies observed in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege (Vulkan) and Battlefield V (DX11).

However, build 8336 may still encounter certain issues with Sony Catalyst Production Suite, Red Dead Redemption 2, F1 2020, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Battlefield V, Rage 2, The exorcist Battlefront 2, and Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Considering this, if you wish to upgrade, save and unzip the archive, locate and run the available setup file (or run the downloadable executable), and follow all instructions displayed on the screen.

Finally, make sure to perform a system reboot to allow all changes to consider effect properly. If the task isn’t requested automatically, it would be smart to carry it our manually to prevent any issues.

That said, download Intel Graphics Driver 27.20.100.8336 for Windows 10 DCH 64-bit, apply it to benefit from the changes and improvements mentioned previously, and constantly check our website to stay up to date with the latest releases.

Windows 10 Really Deserves a Modern File Explorer

If you’re area of the Windows Insider program, you probably agree with me when I say that Microsoft is spending so much time on improving Windows 10 in a way that makes the operating-system feel more modern from one end to a different.

Whether or not the company seems to do this is something that’s totally debatable, but after the way, there’s without doubt that the work makes total sense.

And it’s because Windows 10 was supposed to be a contemporary operating-system in the very beginning. For this reason it has an app store, a digital assistant, as well as an Action Center, and thus many other new-generation features that weren’t offered on Windows 7.

A modern experience on the modern operating system would keep Windows 10 an essential part of Microsoft’s software arsenal and secure its leading spot in the global OS market share trends.

Within the last couple of years, Microsoft has gradually modernized several parts of its operating-system – recently, the software giant released a brand new icon pack that includes fresh designs for Microsoft Office and the pre-loaded Windows 10 apps.

But on the other hand, there’s something that has until now been left out, with essential updates still nowhere to be seen. And also the worse part is that this is an integral part from the Windows 10 experience.

File Explorer, which remains the default file manager in Windows 10, has indeed received a dark mode and a few other improvements within the recent feature updates, but apart from that, the refinements that everyone is hoping for are still nowhere to appear.

There are basically a couple of things that File Explorer deserves in Windows 10.

The first is really a modern look that aligns using the fresh direction that the OS itself has embraced. File Explorer still retains the legacy Windows interface, and despite Microsoft suggesting sooner or later that a modern version was coming, this long awaited overhaul is still nowhere to be seen.

File Explorer just needs the Fluent Design treatment in Windows 10, there are so many concepts available that envision what the whole thing would seem like. Microsoft, however, sticks with similar UI, which indeed serves its purpose right but doesn’t align when the windows are 10 modern facelift overall.

The 2nd the first is support for tabs. Essentially an element that will make File Explorer so much more useful because users would be able to use multiple folders at the same time in the same window, tabs have long been probably the most requested update for that file manager.

At some point, Microsoft even planned to create tabs take place in Windows, that the company didn’t just want to bring them to File Explorer but to all apps in the operating-system. This contemporary experience was run by a brand new feature called Sets and which was according to Microsoft Edge legacy. And because of the browser was eventually replaced by its Chromium sibling, the Sets feature was abandoned too, with Microsoft suggesting it would return sooner or later.

Both Fluent Design overhaul and the support for tabs are updates that Microsoft promised happens at some point but which are yet to determine daylight, despite Windows 10 already being at least five years old. In this whole time, File Explorer has remained largely exactly the same, despite being among the apps that everyone uses every day.

Microsoft is evolving the way it updates Windows 10, with one feature update to be sold each year, therefore if you’re looking to see File Explorer getting a modern overhaul, there’s a chance we might have to wait more than we initially hoped for everything.

Microsoft Outlook Will finish Up Deleting Your Emails: What You Need to Know

Microsoft Outlook is without a doubt one of the most popular email clients right now, and since adoption of Office 365 has increased substantially in the last couple of months, it seems sensible with this app also to benefit from a growing number of users.

Even though Outlook has a massive feature package, this doesn’t suggest that it always supplies a flawless experience from one end to a different.

And unfortunately, there are times when the Outlook app actually ends up hitting major bugs, as it’s the case of the one we’re likely to talk about today.

As it turns out, Outlook version 2006 build 13001.20266 or higher can end up crashing, eventually deleting three or even more mails from your account. This only happens should you configured Outlook having a POP account and enabled the Download Headers Only option.

To determine the form of Outlook that you’re running, launch the app and then head over to this path:
Outlook > Menu > Office Account > About Outlook

Microsoft says the bug also happens on newer versions of Outlook, therefore if your build is anything greater than the one mentioned previously, there’s a chance you might hit this problem.

IMAP and Exchange accounts aren’t affected by the e-mail removal bug.

Microsoft states that the easiest way to determine if Outlook experienced this issue would be to try looking in the Windows Event Viewer Application Log to check the app crashes.

To produce the Windows Event Viewer, click the Start menu after which type Event Viewer. Within the app, expand the Applications and Services Logs to look for any logs developed by Outlook.

When the email app crashed, the log should display the following information:

Faulting application name: OUTLOOK.EXE, version: 16.0.13102.20002, time stamp: 0x5efe7a9e
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 10.0.19041.207, time stamp: 0xcad89ab4
Exception code: 0xc0000409
Fault offset: 0x000000000008b48f
Faulting process id: 0x5748
Faulting application start time: 0x01d65a1988bf274f
Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE
Faulting module path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
tdll.dll
Microsoft says the organization has already been investigating the issue, but an ETA as to whenever a fix could be released still isn’t available. Worthwhile to learn is that your emails aren’t gone forever, as the POP account could allow them to be stored around the mail server. However, Microsoft says that users who need to fix everything right now and don’t want to wait for the company to generate a fix can simply revert Office towards the previous version. Quite simply, you are able to downgrade the entire productivity suite for an earlier release in which the bug didn’t exist.

Of course, doing this can’t be done from the Office UI, but however, the whole thing doesn’t require greater than a handful of clicks. Make sure that you are logged in with webmaster account, after which within the Start menu type run. In the dialog that shows up on the screen, type the following command to create Office to the previous version:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.12827.20470

A method reboot shouldn’t be required, but you should still close all Office apps and relaunch them afterwards. At this time, everything should be working properly, with Outlook no more crashing and deleting emails regardless of the mail accounts configured within the app.

At this time, it’s still unfamiliar once the issue is said to be fixed, as it’s still marked with an under investigation label on Microsoft’s page, therefore the workaround here’s pretty much the only way to go.

Microsoft Caught Using macOS in Windows 10 Tips App

Microsoft, the maker of Windows, has apparently used macOS to consider a screenshot that was then published in the very Windows 10 Tips app.

As its name suggests, the guidelines app is supposed to help users discover the features that are bundled with Windows, making it a little bit easier to master the operating-system.

But as some redditors noticed recently, one screenshot that’s published in the Tips app doesn’t originate from Windows 10 but from macOS, something that you wouldn’t necessarily expect in the company that currently helps make the world’s number 1 desktop operating system.

Exactly how should we tell it’s macOS and not Windows 10? The colored window control buttons which are aligned left really are a feature specific to macOS, during Windows 10, exactly the same buttons are aligned right and use a different design.

Screenshot fixes, now adopted Windows 10

While Microsoft has always been completely tight-lipped about this whole blunder, it appears as though the company acted fast to fix it. Shortly after the first reports went to the net revealing that Microsoft for some reason used macOS for a screenshot in the Windows 10 Tips app, the software giant published a new form of the look which was taken on its very own operating system.

While for a lot of this type of mistake is quite shocking given it’s two rivals we’re talking about here, similar accidents happen once in a while and involve various tech companies.

Very often, this happens within the mobile industry where employees of numerous phone makers are spotted using devices made by your competition. For instance, Samsung’s Twitter accounts previously posted messages from iPhones, despite Apple’s device considered the number one rival for the South Koreans’ flagship models like the Samsung galaxy s and Note lineups.

New Internet Explorer Options Going Live in Microsoft Edge

The Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is the successor towards the Microsoft Edge legacy browser (originally called Project Spartan), which in its turn is really a successor to Internet Explorer.

And needless to say, all of this browser adventure has forced Microsoft to find away out to provide support for those previous applications in newer releases, simply because some companies and developers invested in apps and services which were specifically built to support a particular browser.

So if one company built an internal app for Internet Explorer, moving to Microsoft Edge wouldn’t be a choice unless the new browser comes with support because of its app to begin with.

Microsoft’s solution for the whole thing was the Internet Explorer mode, which will come bundled using the Chromium version of Microsoft Edge and that allows users to load websites in the original Windows browser without leaving its modern successor.

And by the design of products, the built-in IE mode that’s available in the new Microsoft Edge gets more and more refinements, and most recently, the Canary version of the browser introduces new such options.

Specifically, Microsoft Edge now comes with an choice to allow sites to be reloaded in Ie mode.

“When browsing in Edge, if a site requires Internet Explorer for compatibility, you can decide to reload it in Internet Explorer mode,” Microsoft explains in the Settings UI of its browser.

“If this method is on, you can open sites that require Internet Explorer in Microsoft Edge using Ie mode. To reload the page in Ie mode, select Settings and more > More tools > Reload in Ie mode. If the option is off, it won’t appear under More tools.”

You’ll find the brand new option under:
Microsoft Edge > Settings > Default browser

The IE mode available in Microsoft Edge continues to be designed in the very beginning to simulate the native Ie experience, therefore it supports all document and enterprise modes, ActiveX controls, Browser Helper Objects, F12 developer tools for IE, and Internet Explorer settings and Group Policies.

However, what you’re not receiving includes Ie toolbars and Internet Explorer settings that concern the navigation menu, like search engines like google.

“IE mode on Microsoft Edge makes it easy to use all of the sites your business needs in one browser. It uses the integrated Chromium engine for modern sites, and it uses the Trident MSHTML engine from online Explorer 11 (IE11) for legacy sites. Whenever a site loads in IE mode, the IE logo indicator displays on the left side of navigation bar. You are able to click the IE logo indicator to show more information,” Microsoft explains.

Obviously, the Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge is only available once the browser is installed on a Windows system. Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 are all supported, and thus is Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and newer.

The migration to the Chromium engine allowed Microsoft to make Edge a cross-platform offering, so along with Windows, the applying can also be running on Apple’s Mac. A Linux version is also within the works, but Microsoft is yet to share an ETA for this release – it is believed, however, that the preview build could land after the year.

Microsoft Edge can also be available on cellular devices, so Android and iPhone users are now able to download the applying from the official app stores.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 Update Technique is Changing: Here’s What you ought to Know

Microsoft’s Windows 10 feature update strategy is pretty simple as it is right now, as the company typically releases two packs of improvements each year.

These updates unveil in the spring and in the fall based on a schedule which has received additional polishing but which has remained largely the same through the years:

The spring update – RTM in March, public release in April or May
The fall update – RTM in September, public release in October or November

While Microsoft originally tried to launch two major feature updates every year, this idea eventually proved to be a risky game, simply because the organization didn’t have enough time to check all of the improvements thoroughly before pushing them to users.

And this struggle led to feature updates shipping with more or less critical issues – the best example this is actually the October 2018 Update which received the go-ahead with a bug that removed some users’ files stored in libraries.

It was pretty clear that rolling out two major feature updates every year wasn’t the best idea, not just for Microsoft however for users too, so this past year, the software giant switched to a different approach. The fall update was converted into a smaller service pack-like release that brought only bug fixes and other improvements under the hood.

Essentially, the autumn update had become the release polishing the experience with the spring update, an idea which at some level worked for everybody.

But situations are going to change again next year when Microsoft is anticipated to introduce Windows 10X. With the official launch scheduled for that spring, Microsoft wants to switch to a 1 update each year strategy for the full version of Windows 10 too.

Quite simply, how Microsoft intends to update Windows 10 and Windows 10X would be something like this:

The spring update becomes a feature update for Windows 10X
The fall update turns into a major feature update for Windows 10

No other smaller updates, not one other service pack-like releases, just one major update that Microsoft tests thoroughly before shipping and which is designed to run smoothly simply because the company now has enough time for dealing with any potential issues.

At first glance, this really is again an approach that makes sense for users, albeit in the long run, there’s an opportunity that lots of may not agree with having to wait up to 12 months for a new feature update.

However, this is what the Windows Insider program is really for. People who want to try out new features ahead of time and help shape the way forward for Windows can join the testing program, while everyone else can just stick with the production build of Windows 10.

At the end of the day, everybody wins out of this new approach, especially because eventually Microsoft has got the opportunity of focusing more enhanced stability and reliability for each Windows 10 feature update.

Obviously, this new Windows update technique is yet to be confirmed, mostly because Windows 10X itself is a piece in progress. In the meantime, Microsoft is also focusing on bringing some Windows 10X features to full Windows 10, together with a refined Start menu experience.

Nevertheless, what users have to know is that the full Start menu that debuted in Windows 10X won’t include the exact same look to Windows 10, despite all the feedback in this regard. The good thing is that some features truly are making the switch to the desktop, until then, Windows 10X and Windows 10 will stay two distinct platforms that will spearhead Microsoft’s operating-system efforts.

This Huge Fluent Design Icon Pack Could make Windows 10 Look Really Modern

Fluent Design is Microsoft’s big bet for the future of Windows 10 and several other products, because the company uses this new design language to provide its portfolio a brand new and modern look and feel.

But on the other hand, it’s not a secret that implementing Fluent Design and completing the makeover in Windows 10 takes more than anticipated, and users themselves have asked Microsoft to hurry in the whole thing on several occasions.

The organization, however, is clearly taking things gradually, which is actually a pretty good approach, as this way Microsoft could make sure that everything is implemented only the way it’s said to be.

Fluent Design-based icons, for example, really are a work-in-progress in Windows 10, and more recently, the company released a brand new look for a area of the icon set that you get in the operating-system.

Enter fan-made Fluent Design icon pack

But since it takes so long for Microsoft to refresh all of its icons, someone on reddit will quickly put together both official icons and fan-made artwork in one large pack that helps provide Windows 10 with a truly modern look.

The icons, which include new designs for folders, Adobe software, Notepad, Office, PowerToys, Visual Studio, along with other general apps in Windows 10, can be enabled in the operating-system with dedicated software that allows such tweaks or manually using the built-in options and also the registry.

In terms of when Microsoft should really complete the Fluent Design makeover in Windows 10, an ETA can’t be offered, and it’s all because the design language is further enhanced with new improvements regularly. This really is something which makes total sense, as a result a strategy allows Windows 10 to remain a brand new platform have a tendency to stays up-to-date using the latest concepts when it comes to UI and UX.

How to Clear Spotify Cache in Windows 10

If the Spotify cache is applying up disk space or maybe it is corrupted, fundamental essentials steps you need to follow to clear Spotify cache in Windows 10.

Whenever you play songs in Spotify, it automatically caches those media files around the disk. This allows Spotify not to download exactly the same songs when you play them again. Caching is an awesome feature since it cuts down on the data usage on repeated songs and gives a seamless listening experience.

However, under certain situations, like sudden power failure, corrupted Spotify cache is a huge possibility. In other cases, Spotify might be using up lots of disk space to cache media files. In those kinds of cases, it is better to clear Spotify cache. Once you delete the Spotify cache, any problems related to playback and account settings will mostly be resolved.

So, without further ado, let me show you the steps to pay off Spotify cache in Windows 10.

1. Spotify Cache Location

This is where Spotify saves its cached data. With respect to the Spotify version you are using, follow the relevant cache path. Replace UserName with your actual Windows username.

Regular win32(exe) Spotify cache location:

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Spotify\Storage\

Microsoft Store downloaded Spotify cache location:

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Packages\SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0\LocalCache\Spotify\Data

2. Clear Spotify Cache in Windows

If you have installed the regular win32 (exe) version of Spotify then adopt these measures to delete Spotify cache.

Close Spotify if it’s running.
Open Run dialog box with “Windows Key + R” keyboard shortcut.
Copy the below path.
%LocalAppData%\Spotify\Storage\
Paste it within the blank field of Run window. Click “Ok”.
Select all of the files and folders using the “Ctrl + A” shortcut.
Delete all the selected folders and files.

That is all. You’ve successfully cleared the Spotify cache. Now you can close the File Explorer window.

3. Clear Microsoft Store Spotify Cache

Should you installed Spotify from Microsoft Store it saves the cached data inside a different place. However, it is only as easy to delete the cache.

Close Spotify if it is running.
Open Run window with “Windows Key + R” shortcut.
Copy the path below.
%LocalAppData%\Packages\SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0\LocalCache\Spotify\Data
Paste it in the blank field and press Enter.
Select all the folders and files in the “Data” folder.
Press “delete” key on your keyboard to delete them

That’s all. Once you delete the cache folders, Spotify cache is cleared.

Spotify Download Location

Spotify download location and the cache location and different. You can generally find the download location directly on the Spotify settings page. Open Spotify, click on the user icon, and choose “Settings”. Scroll down, click on the “Show advanced settings” button and you will see the download location under the “Offline songs storage” section. As needed, you may also change Spotify download location with just several clicks.

How to Fix App Issues Brought on by Windows 10 Cumulative Update KB4565503

Microsoft presented new Windows 10 cumulative updates the 2009 week as part of the July 2020 patching cycle, and unfortunately, here i am talking about new problems that are experienced by users after setting them up.

What’s more concerning is that the problems seem to happen on Windows 10 version 2004, or Windows 10 May 2020 Update, that is the most recent feature update released for that operating-system.

The culprit appears to be cumulative update KB4565503, which boosts the OS build number to 19041.388 and brings important security improvements to Windows 10 devices.

Based on user reports, KB4565503 removes some Windows 10 apps after it’s installed, although we should mention in the beginning this isn’t happening on all devices.

For instance, I installed this update on my small laptop already running Windows 10 version 2004 with no app was removed. Users who considered the WWW to complain concerning the problem usually claim that the next three apps are nowhere to appear after installing this cumulative update:

WordPad
Notepad
Microsoft Paint (classic version)

While it’s not clear why cumulative update KB4565503 deletes these apps on Windows 10, the only way to resolve the whole thing would be to just reinstall all apps manually.

As a matter of fact, removing the update doesn’t bring back the apps – restoring the computer to some previous state utilizing a restore point does, because the affected apps will also be contained in the backup.

So technically, the workaround comes down to a manual installing of the affected apps, something which shouldn’t take greater than a short while. But of course, this isn’t something you must have to do after installing a Windows 10 update, so hopefully Microsoft is already considering the whole thing along with a fix obtained care of.

Reinstalling the removed apps

Fortunately, reinstalling the apps which were removed by this cumulative update is something that’s pretty easy to do, as long as you are logged along with an administrator account.

All you need to do is follow this path:
Windows 10 > Settings > Apps > Optional features > Add a feature

In the list, just select the apps that you would like to reinstall and you’re good to go. A reboot shouldn’t be necessary, however in some cases, it is recommended make sure that the installation completes successfully.

At the time of writing, this appears to be the only workaround on devices where the apps went missing after installing this cumulative update.

Microsoft is yet to acknowledge this problem, and based on the official KB page, KB4565503 includes just one known issue related to the Microsoft IME.

“When with a couple apps, for example Microsoft Excel, people that use the Microsoft Input Method Editor (IME) for Chinese and Japanese might get an error, or even the app might stop responding or close when attempting to tug while using mouse,” Microsoft says.

The app removal bug doesn’t appear to affect other Windows 10 versions, which is actually very good news. Windows 10 May 2020 Update is still in the early days, as the update is rolled out to devices around the globe in stages. The discharge began in late May and is still underway, with Microsoft by using this phased approach to spot bugs as fast as possible and stop them from hitting more devices.

The organization hasn’t announced an ETA as to when all devices should be able to install the May update, but general availability is usually reached some three months after the first wave of production devices gets a new feature update.