Windows | Business Upturn

Google launches desktop app for Windows worldwide, blending search and Assistant

Rashmi Pandey — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:10:32 +0000

Google has rolled out its Google app for desktop to Windows users worldwide, marking a major expansion of its mobile‑centric Assistant‑style experience into the PC ecosystem. The application, now available globally via standard Windows‑store channels and official Google‑software repositories, is designed to bring search, voice‑assisted queries, reminders, calendar integration and other Google‑services features into a single, unified desktop window. The launch follows a limited‑availability test period in select regions and signals that the company is doubling down on integrating its core services across both mobile and desktop environments.

The Google app for desktop is built on the same foundation as the mobile Google app, with added shortcuts for commonly used tools such as Gmail, Maps, Google Drive, Photos, and Google Tasks. It supports keyboard‑based commands as well as microphone‑enabled voice searches, with users able to ask questions, set timers, check real‑time traffic, view calendar engagements or control smart‑home devices if they are linked to their Google account. The interface is kept minimal, with a centrally placed search bar, dynamic widgets for weather, sports scores and news highlights, and an integrated “feed”‑style stream of personalised information pulled from Google’s ecosystem.

Open‑source application‑data channels indicate that the app is optimised for Windows 10 and Windows 11, with native integration into the Start menu and taskbar, and the option to enable quick‑launch hotkeys or system‑level notifications for reminders, calendar alerts and news updates. The company has also emphasised privacy‑related settings, allowing users to control voice‑history storage, search‑history management and personalised‑content feeds through the same account‑wide controls used on mobile.

The global release aligns with Google’s broader push to make its core services the default “front‑end” for information access on PCs, even as the role of traditional browsers and standalone apps continues to evolve. The app’s availability across all major Windows markets from 14 April 2026 onwards is expected to deepen the integration between Google’s cloud‑based tools and the desktop‑workflow habits of hundreds of millions of Windows users.

Windows users hit by Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) due to Crowdstrike update and here’s how to fix it

Bhavya Rai — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 15:56:36 +0000

On Friday, many Windows users suddenly encountered the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), causing major disruptions around the world. Initially, it seemed like Microsoft might be at fault, but it turns out the problem was actually due to a recent update from CrowdStrike, a US-based cybersecurity firm.

What Happened?

The BSOD is a serious error screen that makes your computer freeze up and become temporarily unusable. These types of errors usually happen because of software problems.

The Cause

The issue was traced back to a recent update from CrowdStrike. This update included a problematic file that caused the BSOD for many users. It’s important to note that this wasn’t a Microsoft issue but rather something that originated from CrowdStrike.

Official Responses

Microsoft acknowledged the problem and said, “We’re aware of an issue affecting Windows devices due to an update from a third-party software platform.”

George Kurtz, CEO of CrowdStrike, clarified that they are working to fix the problem caused by a defect in a single update for Windows systems. He assured that this issue isn’t a cyberattack. He also mentioned that Mac and Linux users are not affected. CrowdStrike has identified the problem, fixed it, and users can get updates and support through their support portal.

How to Fix It

Here are two main ways to solve the BSOD issue:

Delete the Faulty File:
- Restart your computer in safe mode.
- Go to the folder with the CrowdStrike file.
- Delete the file that ends with the number 291.
- Restart your computer again.
Use Point-in-Time Restore:
- This feature lets you roll back your computer to a state before the update.
- Choose a restore point that is as recent as possible to avoid losing too much data.

Impact and Response

The outage caused significant problems, particularly at airports. Airlines like SpiceJet, Indigo, and Akasa experienced major disruptions at Mumbai and Delhi airports. Most systems are now getting fixes.

Sundareshwar K from PwC India described this as a “black swan” event, meaning it was an unexpected problem that highlighted the need for better cybersecurity strategies. Vishal Salvi, CEO of Quick Heal Technologies, said this incident serves as a wake-up call for businesses to focus on proactive defense and have solid backup and recovery plans.

Although the BSOD problem from CrowdStrike’s update has mostly been resolved, it shows how crucial it is to have strong cybersecurity measures and backup plans to handle unexpected tech issues.

How to set up dual monitors in Windows

Bhavya Rai — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:19:40 +0000

Setting up dual monitors can transform your workspace into a multitasking haven, whether you’re crunching numbers, editing photos, or simply enhancing your gaming setup.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up multiple monitors in Windows, ensuring you harness their full potential without the hassle.

Connect your monitors to your PC

First things first, let’s get physical. Plug in your monitors using appropriate cables like HDMI, DisplayPort, or USB-C. Ensure both the monitors and your PC are powered on. If you’re unsure about which cable to use, HDMI and DisplayPort are generally safe bets, but newer monitors may support USB-C for a streamlined connection.

Once connected, power up your system. Ideally, your second monitor should mirror your primary display right away. If not, double-check all connections, including cables and adapters if necessary. Sometimes, a quick reboot can jolt everything into place.

Configure the displays

Now that your monitors are humming with life, let’s fine-tune their setup.

Navigate to Display Settings: Use Windows search to find and open “Display Settings.”
Detect and Adjust: If any monitor isn’t displaying correctly, hit “Detect” to refresh connections. If that doesn’t work, try unplugging and re-plugging the cables. You can also experiment with different display ports or cables.
Choose Display Mode: In the Display Settings, use the drop-down menu to select between “Extended displays” or “Duplicate displays.” Extended mode expands your desktop across both screens, perfect for boosting productivity. Duplicate mode mirrors your primary screen, ideal for presentations or sharing content.
Fine-tune Each Monitor: Click on each monitor to adjust settings individually. You can tweak resolution, brightness, and even enable HDR mode if supported. For advanced adjustments like refresh rates, dive into “Advanced display settings.”
Optimal Placement: Arrange your monitors side by side for a seamless experience. Align them at eye level to reduce strain and maximize comfort during prolonged use.

Setting up dual monitors in Windows 10

If you’re rocking Windows 10, here’s how to get dual monitors up and running:

Access Display Settings: Right-click on your desktop and select “Display Settings.”
Configure Layout: Arrange your monitors by dragging them to your preferred positions. This helps define which is your primary display and where the secondary monitor sits.
Choose Display Mode: Similar to Windows 11, decide between extending your desktop or duplicating it. Extended mode offers flexibility, while duplicate mode simplifies sharing content across screens.
Customize Each Monitor: Click on a monitor to adjust its resolution, orientation, and other display settings according to your needs.

With your dual monitors set up and customized, you’re now primed to conquer tasks with enhanced efficiency and style. From spreadsheets to streaming, this setup opens new avenues for seamless multitasking. So, whether you’re diving into work or indulging in entertainment, dual screens ensure you stay productive and engaged without missing a beat.

The Windows transition to Arm just found its missing puzzle piece

Bhavya Rai — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 12:41:17 +0000

The transition to Arm architecture for Windows has progressed rapidly, with many key applications releasing Arm64 versions. However, one major application had been missing from the list—Slack. Fortunately, that has now changed.

Slack has released an Arm64 native client, addressing a significant gap in the ecosystem. Given Slack’s importance as a communication and productivity tool, this update is a significant relief for many users who rely on it daily.

Key Points:

Improvements in Emulation: While recent improvements in emulation are noteworthy, a native version of Slack ensures optimal performance on Arm devices, making the transition smoother and more efficient.
Beta Availability: The Arm64 native client for Slack is now available in beta, allowing users with Windows on Arm devices to experience the benefits immediately.

The Impact of Copilot+ on the Transition to Arm

The release of Slack’s Arm64 client coincides with the anticipation of Microsoft’s Copilot+ range of Windows on Arm products. This upcoming product line is expected to be a significant catalyst in the “true” transition to Windows on Arm, promoting the development of more native apps and improving the overall user experience.

Benefits of Windows on Arm:

Increased Battery Life: One of the most exciting aspects of Windows on Arm laptops is the potential for almost double the battery life compared to x64 and x86 versions.
Enhanced Performance: With native apps like Slack and new emulation software, users can expect efficient and seamless performance.

Challenges and Delays:

AI Feature Delay: Despite the advancements, there have been some setbacks. One notable delay is the Recall feature in Copilot+ PCs, which has been postponed due to security concerns.

The release of Slack’s Arm64 native client marks a significant step forward in the Windows transition to Arm. It promises better performance and efficiency for users, aligning well with the upcoming Copilot+ products. Despite some challenges, the future looks bright for Windows on Arm, offering enhanced battery life and improved performance for a growing number of native applications.

Why is AMD giving up on Windows 10?

Bhavya Rai — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 11:50:48 +0000

AMD has confirmed that its new Ryzen AI processors will not support Windows 10, marking a significant shift in its hardware and software compatibility strategy. The Ryzen AI lineup, featuring a neural processing unit (NPU) capable of up to 50 trillion operations per second (TOPS), is designed to meet the demands of future computing needs, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence (AI). This decision aligns AMD with the latest advancements in AI and operating systems, specifically Windows 11 and Ubuntu, as highlighted on the AMD product page.

Key Points of the Transition

Focus on Future Technologies:
- The Ryzen AI processors are built to support advanced AI applications and Microsoft’s Copilot+ features, which require at least 40 TOPS.
- These processors, including the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Ryzen AI 9 365, are optimized for Windows 11 64-bit and Ubuntu, reflecting the focus on cutting-edge AI capabilities.
Dropping Windows 10 Support:
- AMD’s decision to exclude Windows 10 support for its AI processors aligns with Microsoft’s plan to end support for Windows 10 by 2025.
- Despite this, Windows 10 remains popular, with approximately 70% of users still using it compared to 26% for Windows 11.
Market Implications:
- The slow adoption rate of Windows 11 suggests a reluctance among users to upgrade, potentially complicating Microsoft’s transition plans.
- AMD’s move is not expected to impact entry-level laptops still running Windows 10, as the AI processors are aimed at more advanced applications.

Broader Impact and Future Considerations

Desktop CPUs and Windows 10:
- Currently, AMD has not extended this decision to its upcoming Ryzen 9000 series desktop CPUs, allowing desktop users to continue using Windows 10.
- This cautious approach reflects the widespread usage and continued demand for Windows 10 in desktop environments.
Extended Support for Windows 10:
- Recognizing the slow transition to Windows 11, Microsoft plans to offer paid security updates for Windows 10 for up to three years beyond its official end-of-life, extending its usability to 2028.

AMD’s strategic decision to support only Windows 11 and Ubuntu for its Ryzen AI processors underscores a commitment to future technologies and AI-driven applications. While this move sets a clear direction for the future, it also reflects a recognition of the current market dynamics, ensuring that desktop users and those still reliant on Windows 10 are not left behind. As the industry continues to evolve, the balance between innovation and user adoption will remain a critical factor in shaping the landscape of computing technologies.

Here’s how Microsoft Phone Link for iOS allows users to access photos from their smartphone

Sakshi Vats — Tue, 16 May 2023 19:38:52 +0000

The eagerly-awaited Phone Link for iOS has begun to be made available to Windows 11 users by Microsoft. Android users already have access to the features, which enables them to link their smartphones to their PCs. Now, Windows 11 PC owners with iPhones can connect their devices to their computers. The iOS version of Phone Link presently provides the most fundamental features, including calls, messages, and contact access, unlike the Android version. Additionally, it integrates iCloud Photos with the Windows Photos app, enabling users to view images from their iPhones on their PC.

The release of the Photos Link app for Windows 11 was originally announced by the business last month. According to Microsoft, the new feature is being implemented across 85 nations and 39 languages.

On a Windows 11 PC, the Phone Link for iOS programme now supports phone calls, iMessage messaging and receiving, contact access, and phone alerts.

However, because iOS has limitations on texting, the new iPhone integration does not permit group messaging or the sharing of images and videos. It is important to note that the Phone Link software provides greater Android phone connectivity and even enables users to “stream” some apps and control them from the desktop screen.

The service has now been made available to all customers, as promised, and it was stated that the functionality would be available starting in mid-May.

Only iPhone models running iOS 14 or later are supported with Phone Link for iOS, according to Microsoft. You need a PC running Windows 11 with Bluetooth connectivity enabled in order to use this function. You can get the Phone Link app from the App Store. On a Windows 11 PC, users can click the Start button and look for the Phone Link app after it has been installed. Choose iOS when installing the app, and sign in with the same Microsoft account on your PC and phone.

Through Wi-Fi, a mobile data network, or an on-the-fly hotspot, the iOS Phone Link software can link up with your iPhone. The iPad cannot use the feature. Last month, Microsoft originally revealed that the Phone Link app will be coming to iOS.

After that, one can scan the QR code shown on the PC to link both devices, enabling users to use the Windows 11 PC to access your iPhone.

WhatsApp Beta version now available for download on Microsoft’s App Store

News Desk — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 06:09:24 +0000

WhatsApp has been rumoured to be developing separate apps for Windows and Mac users for quite some time. The WhatsApp Windows beta app, on the other hand, is now available for download. Microsoft’s Windows app store has a beta version of the Windows app available for download. It’s a Universal Windows Platform programme, meaning you won’t need to connect your phone to utilize the Windows app, according to sources.

Microsoft’s Windows app store has a beta version of the software available for download. A redesigned writing pad and multi-device support are among the changes included in the WhatsApp Windows app. Because the software is built on the Universal Windows Platform, you won’t need your phone to be in working order to use the WhatsApp beta app for Windows. Because the app is still in beta, it’s possible that new features could be added or some existing ones will be removed.

Users would have to join their WhatsApp account from “Linked Devices” via a QR Code after installing the app, according to the WhatsApp features tracker. The chats will begin to sync, and you will be able to use and test the new beta app for the first time. Because WhatsApp is still in beta, some functionality (such as archived chats, status updates, and stickers) are unavailable; they will be included in future releases.

You’ll also see a new Feedback option, indicating that WhatsApp is interested in hearing from you.
The goal of developing a standalone app for Windows is to improve the user experience. Users on the desktop will no longer need to connect their phones every time they want to use WhatsApp on the web.

Microsoft to discontinue OneDrive app support for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1

News Desk — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 06:15:56 +0000

Microsoft has stated that the personal desktop OneDrive app will no longer get upgrades. This applies to the operating systems Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.

Though files can still be accessible from the OneDrive app, regardless of the Windows version; however, they will no longer automatically upload to the cloud. Microsoft suggests updating to a newer version of Windows before March of next year to avoid any complications with OneDrive. Users who have systems that can’t run Windows 10 or Windows 11 can still back up their files by uploading them to the OneDrive online app, according to Microsoft.

OneDrive for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 will lose support on January 1st, along with updates and the ability to sync. The adjustment was made to “focus resources on new technologies and operating systems, and to provide users with the most up-to-date and secure experience,” according to Microsoft.

If you’re unfamiliar with the OneDrive software, it’s a file sync client that let you save your files to the cloud. When you select “Save as” and OneDrive as the destination, your system saves the file using the OneDrive desktop software.

There are a few options available to users who have been affected by this change. Users can manually upload and download files using the OneDrive online app. Installing Windows 10, which will be supported until October 2025, is also an option. Apart from that, customers can save their files online using a third-party cloud storage provider.