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Microsoft has recently launched the Bing Wallpaper app on the Windows Store, providing an official solution for changing desktop wallpapers daily. The app features a variety of images from around the globe that have appeared on the Bing homepage, but it seems to come with several dubious hidden functions when installed on a Windows PC.

While some third-party software companies might include questionable functionalities and hidden payloads, Microsoft users expect higher standards. When similar behaviour is observed in Microsoft’s products, it tends to provoke a swift and highly negative reaction from Windows users.

There are some serious security and privacy concerns with the Bing Wallpaper app. The app not only automatically installs Bing Visual Search but also contains code to decrypt cookies stored in other browsers. Additionally, it introduces a ‘free’ geolocation web API to the system.

A developer found numerous concerning features embedded in Bing Wallpapers by Microsoft. These include attempting to alter the browser settings and set Edge as the default system browser. If Edge isn’t the default browser, the app will eventually prompt the default browser to enable the previously installed Microsoft Bing Search extension for Chrome.

Like a lot of companies recently, has quietly enabled an opt-out feature that scrapes for the content of your Word and Excel documents in order to train it’s AI system. By default, this is turned on and you need to manually turn it off so that you can opt out.

If you’re using Word or Excel to create proprietary content (ie novels, blogs, etc) or any other content that will be protected by copyright, then you’ll be wanting to turn this feature off straight away.

On a Windows PC, go into Word and then File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options > Privacy Settings > Optional Connected Experiences > Uncheck box: “Turn on optional connected experiences”

Microsoft have said that the feature is not intended specifically for AI training, but their Services Agreement includes a clause granting them a worldwide and royalty-free intellectual property licence to use user content.

Windows 11 comes with a cut down right-click context menu in File Explorer that has changed from the Windows 10 context menu. To get the classic menu back, you can modify the registry with a few clicks.

Go into regedit, then go to:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\CLSID\

Then right click the blank area on the right hand side of the windows and click New > Key, then paste the following as the key name:

{86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2}

Now, right-click on {86ca1aa0-34aa-4e8b-a509-50c905bae2a2} in the sidebar and select New > Key and name it:

InprocServer32

Double-click the “(Default)” key under InprocServer32 to open it and then close it by clicking OK. It should now show as blank instead of “(value not set).”

Now close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.

Once you’ve signed back in you can right-click on a file or folder in File Explorer and the classic right-click context menu.

Intel’s 13th and 14th generation CPUs, known as Raptor Lake and Raptor Lake Refresh, have been facing some stability problems due to a flaw related to raised operating voltage.

The processors were found to request higher voltages than necessary, causing instability, crashes, and random restarts. This issue, referred to as Vmin Shift Instability, affects the clock tree circuit within the IA core, making it susceptible to reliability issues under raised voltage and temperature.

The instability may cause permanent damage to the CPU, making it unreliable. There have been reports of frequent crashes and system instability, even after installing patches.

Intel has released some microcode patches to fix the issue, with the final update (0x12B) released in September 2024. The patches change the Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) algorithm and prevent the CPU from requesting raised voltages when idle or under light load1.

Intel has extended the warranty for affected processors by two years and improved its RMA process to help users with these issues.

If you’ve got problems with your 13th or 14th gen Intel processor, it’s recommended to check for the latest BIOS updates and contact Intel customer support for further help.

On the 14th of October 2025 Windows 10 will reach its end of support. After this, Microsoft will no longer provide software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Windows 10 computers will still work, but it’s recommended to upgrade to Windows 11 to make sure you have the latest features, security updates, and support.

The Extended Security Updates (ESU) program is offered by Microsoft for Windows 10, which allows users to continue receiving critical and important security updates after the end of support date. This is a temporary solution for people who need additional time to transition to Windows 11 or upgrade their current computers.

This will cost $30 (about £23) per computer per year. For businesses the cost is about twice that amount. Consumers can only purchase it for one year, whilst businesses it will be for three years.

It will only include critical and important security updates. It will not include new features, non-security updates or tech support.

It will be available closer to the end of support date.

Sometimes you wonder how anyone falls for an obvious scam; but the truth is, we’re all susceptible.

https://lifehacker.com/money/psychological-tricks-scammers-use-against-you

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