We all know that Apple uses iCloud as its cloud storage service for macOS and iOS. Photos, messages, videos are all synced automatically if you work with a MacBook or an iPhone, or iPad. Now what if you work with an apple iphone or iPad, but uses a Windows laptop. In such instances, you will need to have iCloud on a Windows laptop. Apple continues to be improving iCloud support on Windows by giving more features including recently available password sync. So how do you access iCloud from Windows File Explorer?

How you can Access iCloud from Windows File Explorer:

iCloud can be obtained for download and you may install the latest form of iCloud in the Microsoft Store for Windows 10 or Windows 11. After you have installed the iCloud app on your Windows machine, you need to run the app and sign in together with your Apple ID.

You'll be able to see the screen as shown below. This will show you the choices to sync your iCloud drive, photos, emails, contacts, bookmarks, as well as passwords. If you need to sync your passwords, then you'll need to install the extension.

Now, you need to enable the check box against the iCloud Drive and then click the Apply button.

After you have carried this out, open the Windows File Explorer and you will begin to see the iCloud enabled on the quick access menu around the left side.

Whenever you open this, you're going to get the iCloud drive within the Windows File Manager and you will be able to add files or access the files within the drive from your File Manager in Windows. If you have enabled Photos to sync, you will then be able to see all of the iCloud photos in your Windows File manager.

By default, iCloud storage gives you 5GB of free cloud storage and if you want more storage, you'll be able to upgrade the storage right from the app.

Microsoft has released a brand new set of Windows 11 ISOs, because the company shipped the ultimate preview build of the season to insiders enrolled in the Dev channel.

In other words, the new ISOs are for Windows 11 build 22523 and therefore are specifically targeted at Windows Insiders, which means they ought to simply be used for testing and seeking out the latest improvements for that operating system.

Obviously, you are able to perfectly install these builds in a virtual machine to see what's new, though the ISO images allow you to also begin with scratch on a device where the current Windows 11 preview builds aren't in working order due to various issues.

The Windows 11 rollout continues

Meanwhile, the rollout of Windows 11 continues, and it's expected to gain in traction within the first months of 2022.

Microsoft has promised to accomplish the rollout of Windows 11 through the summer of 2022, and because of the holidays is here, don't expect it to make any major progress these days.

A new wave of computers should receive Windows 11 in January, if you haven't been offered the update already, you may either perform it manually or wait for Microsoft to push it to your device.

"The upgrade will roll out over time to in-market devices based on intelligence models that consider hardware eligibility, reliability metrics, age of tool and other factors that change up the upgrade experience. We expect all eligible devices to be offered the disposable upgrade to Windows 11 by mid-2022," Microsoft originally said captured. Obviously, the company strongly recommends against upgrading to Windows 11 if any safeguard holds are in place, as you could end up struggling with various problems because of the operating-system not ready for your device.

Windows 11 includes modern context menus, but on the other hand, it also sports changes that aren't everybody's bag.

For instance, the initial form of the operating system lacked the most popular refresh option in the context menu pretty much everywhere, therefore which makes it impossible for users to refresh the content they're looking at.

The only method to refresh a folder or the desktop was to access the old context menu options, also linked in the modern version of the context menu, although it is obvious that an extra step for such a simple task isn't at all convenient.

Microsoft eventually addressed this shortcoming on the desktop, bringing the refresh menu option back for Windows 11 users. However, this only happened on the desktop and never everywhere over the OS.

Other ways to refresh folders

But a feedback post within the Windows Feedback calls for Microsoft to make it happen in folders as well, using the suggestion already receiving over 300 upvotes.

Microsoft engineer Jen Gentleman has already taken care of immediately the suggestion, though she hasn't confirmed the refresh button is returning everywhere across Windows 11. Gentleman, however, highlighted other methods to refresh the files in a folder.

"Appreciate the feedback - it's been distributed to the team for future consideration. While Refresh isn't currently a top level option when right clicking a folder in File Explorer, for which it's worth, you are able to click the refresh button directly in the address bar without needing to open the context menu at all (and for those who prefer keyboard access, you are able to press F5 to refresh a folder)," she said.

Of course, there's no confirmation of the possible return from the refresh option in folders, but many likely, it's probably only a matter of time until this occurs with all this is such a small update anyway.

The Windows Subsystem for Linux, or WSL, is making its way to the Microsoft Store, therefore making it simpler for users not just to install it but also to obtain further updates.

Because of the Microsoft Store update model, WSL can therefore get improvements separate from operating-system updates and without relying on Windows Update.

Previously, WSL could be installed like a Windows feature right from the operating-system, and servicing it required dedicated Windows updates.

"WSL has become available in the Microsoft Store. This is actually the same WSL you know and love but simply a different delivery mechanism. Installing WSL from the Store can make it easier to obtain the latest WSL updates in the future," Microsoft announced today once the company presented a brand new Windows 11 preview build.

Simpler to install

At the same time, the company can also be making it simpler to set up WSL by changing the outcome of the wsl.exe -install command. Starting today, this command points to the Microsoft Store version of WSL, so the experience overall is much more straightforward.

"Starting within this preview build, we've made it simpler for new users to get started with the WSL in the Microsoft Store by changing the `wsl.exe -install` command to set up WSL in the Microsoft Store by default," Microsoft explains today.

"Additionally, we've added some additional arguments to `wsl.exe -install` to learn effectively to configure your install, such as `wsl -install -no-launch` that will install a new WSL distro without immediately launching it. To determine a complete listing of available commands please run `wsl -help`. If you wish to get started doing the shop version immediately and already have WSL installed just run `wsl -update` to update immediately to the Store version!"

Users can already download WSL from the Microsoft Store, although it might take a few more hours prior to the listing shows up for everyone.

Microsoft has acknowledged another bug in Windows 11, this time in regards to the Outlook searches users perform after installing the brand new operating-system.

Specifically, Microsoft explains that some users who upgrade to Windows 11 would not be able to get any results for their Outlook searches due to the search index that's being deleted during the installing of the OS.

Within an advisory published recently, Microsoft also offered a workaround, explaining that users just need to trigger the rebuild of the search index in Outlook.

"After upgrade to Windows 11, Outlook searches return no results. This problem may happen with any account where the emails along with other items are stored locally in PST or OST files such as POP and IMAP accounts. For Exchange and Microsoft 365 hosted accounts, this problem will affect offline look for the information in the locally stored OST files. Throughout the Windows upgrade, the search index is deleted and gets rebuilt following the upgrade is completed," the organization explains.

The workaround

Fixing everything is pretty simple, also it doesn't take more than a couple of minutes.

First and foremost, Microsoft says users have to manually rebuild the search index, and also to do this, they just have to launch Outlook, choose the search engine as well as in the ribbon visit Search Tools > Indexing Status.

"If the indexing takes too much time and also you need to urgently search, you can set a registry key that will tell Outlook to use its built-in search while using steps indexed by this short article under the temporary workaround section: If the indexing takes too long and also you need to urgently search, you are able to set a registry key which will tell Outlook to use its built-in search using the steps listed in this article underneath the temporary workaround section: No search results for POP, IMAP, or Exchange accounts," the organization explains.

The bug impacts Outlook for Microsoft 365, Outlook 2019, and Outlook 2016.

Notifications are an essential part of the modern Windows experience, and Microsoft keeps refining all of them with more and more improvements.

This time, the organization is finding out how notifications are delivered to Windows 11 users, using the latest preview build shipped to insiders within the Dev channel bringing a new way to show high-priority notifications.

More specifically, Microsoft says 3 high-priority notifications will now be shown as stacked on Windows 11 devices for an approach that makes more sense, especially because they include information that users must absolutely be familiar with.

"For apps that send notifications for calls, reminders, or alarms that leverage Windows notifications in the OS, 3 high priority notifications will now be shown as stacked and shown simultaneously. What this means is at any time, you might see up to 4 notifications simultaneously - 3 high priority notifications and something normal priority notification," the company explains.

Phased rollout in the Insider program

Microsoft has just started the rollout of this feature in the Windows Insider program, also it explains that not everyone is setting it up right now.

Not even if they're area of the Dev channel, that's, as Microsoft wants to collect more feedback before it commits to broad availability within the Windows Insider program. In other words, even when you're part of the Windows Insider program and running Windows 11 build 22509, there's an opportunity you're not receiving the stacked notifications since the feature continues to be in the limited testing phase.

"We are beginning to roll this transformation out, so it isn't open to all Insiders at this time as we intend to monitor feedback and find out the way it lands before pushing it out to everyone," Microsoft explains.

Obviously, there's absolutely no timing information regarding when the new notification improvements could go live for production devices.

The newest Windows 11 preview build released by Microsoft to users in the Dev channel comes with new theme customization options, because the company permits the themes for that touch keyboard to grow with other input experiences.

Windows 11, which is currently rolling out to devices out there, includes several new customization options, by the looks of things, Microsoft really wants to continue this approach in the coming updates.

Keep in mind, however, the improvements which Microsoft includes in Dev channel builds don't have an ETA, so while they're available right now within the Windows Insider program, nobody knows for sure when they are supposed to go love production devices.

New feature rolling out in stages

Microsoft is also rolling the new theme customization choices for insiders in phases, because the company says it wants to collect feedback and only then decide if it's reliable enough for broad availability within the Windows Insider program.

"To further personalize your Windows text input experience, we have expanded the 13 themes for that touch keyboard to now apply to our other input experiences, including IMEs, the emoji panel, and voice typing. Also available for those themed experiences is the theme engine that allows you to create a fully customized theme including background images. You can find all of this underneath the new "Text Input" section under Settings > Personalization. This isn't available to all Insiders at this time once we intend to monitor feedback and find out how it lands before pushing it out to everyone," the organization explains.

Windows 11 has created in stages to users out there, but Microsoft intends to complete the discharge through the summer of 2022.

Devices that aren't eligible for the disposable upgrade can stick to Windows 10, whose support will continue until October 2025, based on the original support insurance policy for this operating-system.

Microsoft started the rollout of the Windows 10 November 2021 Update, just like before, the organization isn't making the new version available for all users at the same time.

Instead, the software giant sticks with a phased rollout, meaning computers across the world are becoming the update in phases.

This release model allows Microsoft to spot bugs in their early hours and then block the update from reaching other similar configuration, therefore reducing the impact of the potential glitch in the update.

Downloading the November 2021 Update

The simplest way to download the newly-released update is to just head over to Windows Update for an automatic download and installation.

However, this process is only valid when the update has already been on your device.

"The November 2021 Update can be obtained initially to users with select devices running Windows 10, version 2004 or later who are interested in the latest features and are prepared to install this release on their device. If you'd like to install the brand new release, open your Windows Update settings (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) and select Look for updates. Eligible devices can also be offered the option to find the Windows 11 upgrade. When the update appears, you can just select Download and install to get going," Microsoft explains.

Simultaneously, you can also make use of the Windows 10 version of the Media Creation Tool to update a device, though it is obvious this isn't a recommended method because you could bypass potential upgrade blocks and for that reason wind up experiencing various bugs.

Microsoft hasn't shared an ETA as to when the update should become available for all devices out there, but I expect the rollout to succeed quite fast, especially because the November 2021 Update is a small release with only a few improvements under the hood.

All eyes are on Windows 11 nowadays, however this doesn't necessarily mean the company has ignored Windows 10.

In fact, Microsoft doesn't even have any other option than continuing to enhance Windows 10, especially as this operating-system will continue to be supported until October 2025.

As a result, Microsoft has recently announced that Windows 10 version 21H1 is now available for everybody, because it has reached the ultimate stage from the rollout. In other words, it's ready for broad deployment too, so if you use Windows 10 inside your company, you should theoretically have the ability to update the whole fleet of devices to version 21H1 just properly.

"Windows 10, version 21H1 is designated for broad deployment. As always, it is recommended that you improve your devices towards the latest version of Windows 10 as soon as possible to ensure that you can engage in the latest features and advanced protections in the latest security threats," Microsoft explains.

The Windows 10 support

Meanwhile, Microsoft can also be getting ready to release another Windows 10 feature update called November 2021 Update and designed to refresh the operating system with small touches here and there.

Microsoft remains dedicated to improving Windows 10, because the upgrade to Windows 11 isn't available for all devices out there.

"For customers who're utilizing a PC that won't upgrade, and who aren't prepared to transition to a different device, Windows 10 is the right choice. We will support Windows 10 through October 14, 2025 and we recently announced that the next feature update to Windows 10 is originating later this season. Whoever you hire, we're committed to supporting you and offering choice inside your computing journey," Microsoft said in the original Windows 11 announcement regarding the Windows 10 support.

Windows XP is already an old operating-system, but this doesn't necessarily mean everybody available is just prepared to ignore it.

Not at all, and Armenia is just the living proof in connection with this.

According to statistics supplied by StatCounter and noticed by German site WinFuture, Armenia continues to be very addicted to Windows XP, because the 2001 operating-system remains the leading platform in the united states.

Quite simply, Windows XP is a lot more popular than newer releases like Windows 7 and Windows 10, not to mention, Windows 11 doesn't even matter in Armenia.

Windows 10 the runner-up

More specifically, 53.5 percent of the computers in the united states are presently on Windows XP. This means that more than 1 in 2 Armenian PCs are run by an old operating system, and this is concerning for so a lot of reasons, such as the overall security.

Windows XP no more receives any updates since April 2014, so theoretically, all of the found vulnerabilities happen to be left unpatched. Given Windows versions share some code, there's an opportunity flaws discovered just like Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 also exist in Windows XP, which ought to be reason enough for those who are still running this old operating system to upgrade.

Obviously, moving to a newer Windows version from Windows XP isn't such an easy move to make. If these devices still run Windows XP, there's an opportunity they will use ancient hardware too, so buying a new PC is really the only way to go. So after the day, the transition isn't so convenient, and it's likely the main reason some people don't upgrade.

In case you're wondering, Windows 10 is the second most-used OS in the united states with 32.8 percent.