If you like to install Microsofts patches as soon as they roll out the chute, hey, have at it. But if youre even a little bit skeptical, heres how to make sure your machine isnt in the first cohort of cannon fodder.Credit: Thinkstock/Microsoft Remember the frenzy after last monthrsquo Patch Tuesd <a href=https://www.stanleycup.it>stanley italia</a> ay How everybody and his twice-removed cousin mdash; even the N forkinrsquo; SAmdash; told you to get patched immediately because of this big, spooky Crypto API security hole that was <a href=https://www.stanley-cup.es>stanley cup</a> supposed to bring down Windows As We Know It, like, right now Guess what. It never materialized.To its credit, Microsoft never said the Chain of Fools/CurveBall CVE-2020-0601 fix was a Critical patch. That didnrsquo;t keep most of the increasingly echo-like Windows blogosphere from crying, Fire! If you prefer to wait and see if the latest Windows patches turn to dreck, there are a few simple steps to take right now.Watching out for Windows 7The last free, pushed Win7 patches arrived a month ago. If you paid for Win7 Extended Security Updatesmdash; yes, even a business of one can get themmdash; yoursquo;re due a patch tomorrow. One little problem: We havenrsquo; <a href=https://www.hydro-jugs.us>HydroJug</a> t seen the patch and donrsquo;t know absolutely, for sure, how itrsquo;ll arrive. If you havenrsquo;t paid for Win7 Extended Security Updates, we also donrsquo;t know what the morrow will bring. Windows 7 already has one manually downloadable patch to fix the bad patch last month which introduced the l Rruv Microsoft refreshes SharePoint and OneDrive with Copilot integration
Microsoft cuts prices, adds HDMI, plans HALO edition Editorrsquo note: This article headlines our TechGear section and newsletter. To see more of Mikersquo articles and reviews of cool gadgets, go to TechGear. Also, please be sure to subscribe to the TechGear newsletter for hands-on reviews and analysis of the stuff that makes IT fun.Microsoftrsquo Xbox 3 <a href=https://www.polenes.com.es>polene espana</a> 60 dominated both gaming news and the rumor mill this week.Microsoft cut prices on all Xbox 360 models, with discounts ranging from $20 to $50. The biggest cut is for the midrange Premium model, which drops from $400 to $350. After rumors circulated for a few days, Microsoft officially announced plans to offer High-Definition Multimedia Interface HDMI support for the $350 Premium version of the Xbox 360. HDMI was previously available only on a more expensive Elite model. Look for the HDMI sticker on the box.Meanwhile, widely circulated rumors suggest that all future Xbox 360 consoles will run both cooler and quieter than previous models, which would address the two biggest complaints users have about the console.Microsoft is planning a new $400 Halo Edition to commemorate <a href=https://www.stanley-cup.pl>stanley termos</a> the upcoming release of Halo 3. The Xbox main unit, controller and wireless headset will all feature a dark-green Halo-inspired design. The device sports a 20GB hard drive and, yes, HDMI support. Not that the game needs additional promotion. Microsoft announced <a href=https://www.owalas.com.de>owala deutschland</a> this morning that Halo 3 for Xbox 360 preorders have already passed the 1 million ma