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What's new, in plain English
Point-in-Time Restore is a built-in Windows 11 recovery feature that automatically takes snapshots of your entire system on a predictable schedule (typically every 24 hours, stored locally). Unlike legacy System Restore—which only targets system files and drivers—this feature rolls back your entire system state, including installed applications, configurations, settings, and local user files, to a healthy previous point. It is triggered directly from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), providing a reliable path to revive a PC even if it completely fails to boot.
Why it matters: It acts as an effortless, built-in safety net against catastrophic software glitches, bad driver updates, or broken system changes. If a routine update or bad installation bricks your PC or corrupts your desktop environment, you can quickly undo the damage without needing advanced technical skills, losing your mind over complex troubleshooting, or manually hunting down backups. More about it →
The Cause: The issue stems from how the operating system handles Dolby Digital (AC-3) audio decoding, specifically when legacy or built-in Windows audio decoders are utilized. The Trigger: Applications and games can fail to launch, freeze, or close unexpectedly (crash) when certain audio functions are invoked—such as adjusting system volume or triggering specific surround-sound/audio routines. The Scope: It primarily targets older or legacy applications relying on Windows' native audio decoding stack rather than newer software with self-contained audio engines. Notably, because it's baked into the core audio handling across these OS branches, upgrading or updating between these Windows 11 versions does not fix it.
Why it matters: Disruptive User Experience: For gamers and users running multimedia apps or older titles that depend on AC-3 audio, random crashes and sudden application closures mid-use create major frustration. Widespread Reach: Because the bug impacts multiple major iterations of Windows 11 (including the newer 26H2 release), a massive portion of the Windows user base is potentially vulnerable depending on the software they run. A Troubling Pattern for Quality Control: This marks the second notable audio-related bug to hit Windows 11 headlines in a short span (following separate USB audio and emergency update issues earlier), adding to ongoing user and community concerns regarding the stability and thorough testing of recent OS updates.More about it →
Google's free "Results about you" tool watches Google Search for your phone number, home address, email, and now government ID numbers: Social Security, driver's license and passport. When it finds one, it alerts you, and you can ask Google to remove that result. To start, open the Google app, tap your profile picture and choose Results about you, or go to google/resultsaboutyou.
Why it matters: Scammers and identity thieves look up personal details online. Taking them out of Google Search makes you much harder to find. It doesn't erase the information from the original website, though, and news and government pages usually stay up. You need a Google account and must be 18 or older. The ID-number feature is available in the U.S. More from Google →
SCAMWISE is a free scam detection service built by Savi Security. Visit Scamwise.com to submit a suspicious message or forward an email to submit@scamwise.com to get a fast verdict, clear explanation, and guidance on what to do next. No account required.
Why it matters: Scamwise is purpose-built for identifying scams, using advanced analysis that goes beyond comparing to static block lists. Our AI analysis checks hundreds of scam signals, reputable third-party databases, and the behavioral context of the message itself to provide a result. More about Scamwise.com →
Comcast is rolling out a free feature that turns your home WiFi into a motion sensor. It's part of a new service called Xfinity Shield, and Comcast's newest addition to it, WiFi Motion, works without installing a single camera.
Why it matters: WiFi Motion sends a notification to your phone when it detects movement inside your house. Comcast is including it at no extra cost for Xfinity Internet customers, giving people a basic way to know if someone's home, or shouldn't be, without buying a separate security system. More from Comcast →
Every online account you own is valuable to criminals looking to steal your identity, spread malware, or empty your accounts. Here's why you're a target no matter what, and how to protect yourself before it's too late.
Why it matters: You might think hackers won’t bother with you, but everyone is a target. Hackers can steal your accounts, send spam as you, install malware, or open new accounts while pretending to be you. Protecting yourself now is much easier than fixing the damage after an attack. Ask Leo (Youtube) →
The phone’s artificial intelligence can order groceries, book tables and take photos on a user’s behalf. But is it something people really want?
Why it matters: The A.I. in the new Pixel phones is part of Google’s ambition to redefine personal computing. The company is betting that A.I. will eventually supersede the operating system in importance as people rely on Gemini instead of using apps themselves. Apple will test a similar idea this fall with the release of Siri AI, a new version of its personal assistant (also powered by Gemini) for iPhones. New York Time - Tech Fix →