Latest news with #upgrade
Forbes
20 hours ago
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms 2 Free Offers—Windows Users Must Now Choose
Decision time for 700 million users. Microsoft's sudden decision to kill its own October deadline for Windows 10 was many things — but above all it was a surprise. But now for the reality check. Doing nothing is not an option. This reversal means half of all Windows users must now decide. There are now two options on the table — both free — from which to choose. These numbers are stark. There are around 400 million Windows 10 users eligible to upgrade to Windows 11 — that means a PC with the right security hardware onboard. A further 240 million can't upgrade because their PCs fail that eligibility test. All told, that's at least 700 million users with three options to stick to Windows 10. Use Microsoft's cloud backup and extend support for free until october 2026. Use some of the company's rewards points to do the same. Or cough up $30. There is a fourth option of course. Those 400 million users should really take the free upgrade to Windows 11 that's still on the table. Windows 10 retaining security updates for 12-months might be table stakes, but Windows 11 is much more secure. In the same blogpost Microsoft used to confirm its u-turn, it also emphasized the free upgrade point. 'Security is at the heart of Windows 11... Windows 11 is secure by design and by default, with layers of defense enabled on day one to enhance your protection without the need to first configure settings.' I've said before that this u-turn is a mistake. The free 12-month extension should have been limited just to users with PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11. The threat now is inertia — users that would otherwise have upgraded not bothering until next year. The irony is that those upgrades had finally started to accelerate just as Microsoft issued its surprising news. The danger is that this acceleration will now rapidly slow back down to the crawl it was beforehand. That's not good for users or for Microsoft. So go ahead, upgrade to Windows 11 if you can and have not done so already. And if you can't, use the extended support wizard as soon as it's available. It's currently only available for Insiders, but that will change soon at it hits all PCs. For the rest, the best advice is to see what new PC bargains might crop up through the rest of this year. The Microsoft news will have disappointed PC m akers who want the refresh cycle to continue unabated. You should see some good bargain hunting through the shopping season in the fall as all that inventory chases an unexpectedly soft market. As for all those Windows 10 users, there are now two free offers on the table. Upgrade an eligible PC to Windows 11 or extend support for a year. No excuses for falling off support anymore, making the fared cyber nightmare a reality.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Free upgrades are more likely to be given out at a specific time BEFORE boarding, reveals travel expert
Paying hundreds, often thousands, for a business class or better seat is unattainable for most of us - but the occasional surprise upgrade can happen. If you're dreaming of turning left instead of right on your next trip, then taking heed of an expert tip could see mission accomplished. While it's rare to be one of those lucky souls upgraded for logistical reasons such as overbooked economy cabins, says Julian Kheel, founder and CEO at Points Path, it does happen, and timing is apparently everything. The expert told Travel + Leisure that making the approach at just the right moment could see your date with a fancy lunch and a flat-bed happen. He said: 'It's nearly impossible for the average traveler to get a free upgrade to business or first-class today. [It's] extremely rare, but it does happen once in a while.' The secret is all about not making the approach at the wrong time, such as when airline staff who make the decisions on last-gasp upgrades look harassed. He says mentioning it as fellow passengers are queuing to board is almost certain to fail, and piping up just as the doors are closing is also an unwise move - but go in early with the request instead. If you have a special reason - such as a birthday or anniversary, you might be able to charm your way into an elevated cabin. Those in the know say waiting to get on the plane is one way to kill your chances - because airborne cabin crew rarely make the decisions on upgrades, even if you can see empty rows in business or first. One airline cabin crew worker shared on Reddit recently: 'At my airline, [flight attendants] are not allowed to upgrade [passengers] to first class. 'Talk to [the] gate agent or ticket agent when you check your bags. They are the ones who assign seats and can upgrade you.' They did reveal a tip that might bring out the mile-high vandal in you though, saying one of the only ways to get moved up when you're in economy is if the seat you've been sold is broken or doesn't work. The cabin crew employee wrote: 'If you're on the plane and there's something physically wrong with your seat, like a broken armrest or tray table, that can also be a reason to ask if you might be moved to a better seat up front.' Earlier this year, Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away UK, revealed her top tips too, advising passengers on 'how to position yourself as a prime candidate' for a free of charge upgrade. The first tip from Dawn is simply just to ask. She told the Express: 'When you check in, smile warmly and simply ask, 'Are there any upgrade opportunities available today?' 'This phrasing is important - it's polite, direct, and shows you understand upgrades aren't guaranteed.' But the timing of this question is also just as important, says Dawn. She explains: 'Check in early, when more premium seats are likely available, but not during peak busy periods when staff are rushed. 'And always ask discreetly - never demand an upgrade in front of other passengers.' Even your clothes could also make all the difference, so Dawn recommends choosing your airport outfit very wisely – and making a bit of an effort with your appearance. She says: 'Smart-casual clothing sends a signal that you'll 'fit in' with the premium cabin environment. 'Think neat jeans or trousers, a collared shirt or nice top, and clean, decent shoes.' Telling the staff you're celebrating something like a honeymoon or big birthday could also lead to cabin crew giving you special treatment. Dawn adds: 'I've seen couples get upgraded because they mentioned their anniversary. One pair even received complimentary champagne in business class.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Millions of households told to check broadband deals now as you could get full fibre without paying a penny more
MILLIONS of households have been told to check their broadband deals to see if they can get full fibre without paying a penny more. Around 11million homes across the UK could get full fibre broadband without realising, according to 1 Some of these customers may be eligible for a free upgrade for the super speedy connection. This is because many providers offer free upgrades to full fibre deals to customers - but you have to ask for it first. The internet speed is considered the fastest on the market and uses plastic or glass cables when installed rather than standard copper wire. The government previously set a goal that 85% of homes will have it by this year and it would be rolled out nationwide by 2030. One way to check if you are eligible for fibre broadband is by using online tools such as MoneySuperMarket's fibre broadband checker. Simply put in your postcode and it will show you all the suppliers offering the service. If you notice your provider is on the list and you don't currently have fibre broadband, then it may be worth getting in touch to see if they will offer you an upgrade. Matt Sanders, broadband expert at said customers could get a "better connection for no extra cost". "Even if you're already on fibre, you could find faster speeds for the same price by comparing deals, so it's worth looking into." Matt said customers should note down the key details of their current broadband deal, such as the connection type, speeds you've been promised and what you're paying. "This will make it easier to check if you're getting the service you were sold, and whether you could find a better deal by comparing packages when your contract is up." You can check your broadband speed by using a free broadband speed checker online. offers one and so does Which? You can try it out by searching HOW TO CUT BROADBAND COSTS If you're not happy with what your broadband firm is offering you, shop around for a new deal and switch providers. You can use price comparison websites like Uswitch to find the best deals based on your circumstances. You can also use a deal found on a price comparison site to haggle your existing provider down to a lower price. The regulator Ofcom has a list on its website of all the firms offering social broadband mobile phone tariffs. You can find it via Top tips on how to stay connected Here are some tips from Ofcom on how to improve your Wi-Fi connection and get more out of it: Use your landline or Wi-Fi calls: More people are making calls on their mobile network during the day, so you may find you get a more reliable connection using your landline or by turning on "wifi calling" in your settings. Move your router clear of other devices: Keep your router as far away as possible from other devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, TVs and monitors, as they can all affect your Wi-Fi if they're too close to your router. Also, place your router on a table or shelf rather than on the floor, and keep it switched on. Lower the demands on your connection: The more devices attached to your wifi, the lower the speed you get. Devices like tablets and smartphones often work in the background, so try switching wifi reception off on these when you're not using them. Try wired rather than wireless: For the best broadband speeds, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router rather than using Wi-FI. Plug your router directly into your main phone socket: Where possible, try not to use a telephone extension lead, as these can cause interference which could lower your speed. Test the speed on your broadband line: You can run a speed test using Ofcom's official mobile and broadband checker. If possible, carry out tests over a few days and see if there are any changes.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
HP's 4.5-Star 15.6″ Laptop (32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Just Crashed to 76% Off, Limited Stock Remaining
A lot of us need a new laptop. Look, we get that you're attached to your old laptop, we've all been there, but it's probably time for an upgrade to something a little more modern, something a little more powerful. After all, it's not meant to take several minutes to load anything in 2025, so you shouldn't suffer needlessly. There is another way, and it doesn't even cost that much. See at Amazon If you act quickly, you can make the most of this limited-time Amazon deal that brings this HP 16-inch laptop down to just $479 (76% off). It's got great specs, and it's an easy way to make working on trains, on desks, or even just being creative in your downtime a lot easier. That's a deal worth taking, so here are all of the details you need. This laptop has a 15.6-inch screen with a 1920 x 1080 display, so HD, and has a non-touch anti-glare coating that'll make sure you can always actually see what you're doing, even if you're on a train that keeps randomly throwing sunlight at you. It'll also mean that any pictures you're looking at or films you're watching will look amazing. The tech inside it is just as impressive. The 32 GB of RAM means that you'll be able to run multiple programs at once, and it'll be quick as well. That's always good if you're someone who works on a lot of projects that involve lots of alt-tabbing, as so many of us do. It also has a 1TB SSD, which is a chunk of memory to try and fill up with whatever it is you're doing. It comes with Windows 11 Pro as well, so there's no worry regarding the operating system, and it has both wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, which makes it all the more convenient. After all, sometimes you just need to switch it up because one has too much traffic or whatever else. We've all been there, we all hate it, this kind of connectivity means that you don't have to suffer through it again. That's a lot of utility and flexibility for just $479, and according to the Amazon listing, that's a massive 76% off the usual price of $1,999. That's the kind of deal worth shouting about, but we don't like typing with the caps lock on, so you'll just have to settle for this article instead. We do what we can. See at Amazon
CNA
3 days ago
- General
- CNA
Interactive: 8 speakeasy bars and restaurants in Singapore to check out behind closed doors
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