automatic updates

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Lilbits: Samsung may be throttling Android app performance, Intel Core i7-12650HX leaked, Valve issues fix for Steam Deck stick drift

by Brad Linder Comments Off on Lilbits: Samsung may be throttling Android app performance, Intel Core i7-12650HX leaked, Valve issues fix for Steam Deck stick drift

Every few years one or more phone makers seems to be caught throttling performance of certain Android apps and games, often to help phones get high scores in benchmarks even when they’re not representative of real-world performance. This time it’s Samsung’s turn. The company’s Game Optimizing Service has been discovered on Galaxy S22 phones, and […]

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[Updated – replacement hardware on the way] Google bricks some Google Home devices with software updates (and inadvertently highlights conflict between auto updates and short user warranties)

by Brad Linder 11 Comments on [Updated – replacement hardware on the way] Google bricks some Google Home devices with software updates (and inadvertently highlights conflict between auto updates and short user warranties)

One of the key selling points of Chromebooks, Chromecasts, and Google Home and Nest devices is that they receive automatic updates delivered straight from Google’s servers. The devices download and install the latest bug fixes, features, and security patches automatically on smart home devices and media streamers — although you’ll need to reboot your Chromebook occasionally […]

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Windows 10 won’t automatically install every feature update

by Brad Linder 2 Comments on Windows 10 won’t automatically install every feature update

Microsoft’s Windows Update utility automatically downloads… well, updates to Windows. Up until now that’s generally included security updates, bug fixes, and major feature updates including, most recently, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update… which hit a bit of a rough patch when it turned out that the update caused some users to lose files, prompting […]

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Windows 10 is coming to Windows Update: be careful if you don’t want an accidental upgrade

by Brad Linder 24 Comments on Windows 10 is coming to Windows Update: be careful if you don’t want an accidental upgrade

Microsoft launched Windows 10 in July, making it available as a free updated for users running Windows 7 or later for the first year of availability. The company also placed a little Windows icon in the system tray of most users, prompting them to register for an upgrade. Soon the company will be rolling out […]

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Your PC might download Windows 10 even if you don’t plan to upgrade

by Brad Linder 33 Comments on Your PC might download Windows 10 even if you don’t plan to upgrade

Microsoft is making Windows 10 available as a free upgrade for computers running Windows 7 or later. If you don’t want to install Windows 10 you don’t have to, but if you choose to upgrade by July 29th, 2016, you don’t have to pay an extra penny. But Microsoft would really like you to upgrade… and the company’s […]

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Maybe you’ll be able to block Windows 10 updates after all

by Brad Linder 24 Comments on Maybe you’ll be able to block Windows 10 updates after all

Microsoft says Windows 10 represents a new stage for its flagship operating system: the transition to Windows as a Service. This means that the company plans to treat Windows 10 as a platform that evolves and grows over time… but that only works if users regularly download and install software updates. That’s at least one […]

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Windows 10 automatic updates can’t be disabled

by Brad Linder 38 Comments on Windows 10 automatic updates can’t be disabled

Windows Update is Microsoft’s service for sending security patches, bug fixes, and new features to Windows users over the internet. While the updates are often meant to fix problems, sometimes they introduce new ones — especially if they conflict with third-party software running on your PC. Up until now, you’ve had the option to disable […]