AskWoody Free – 20.41.F – 2023-10-09

ISSUE 20.41.F • 2023-10-09 • Read online • Text Alerts! • Gift Certificates You're reading the FREE newsletter You'll immediately gain access to the longer, better version of the newsletter when you make a donation and become a Plus Member. You'll receive all the articles shown in the table of contents below, plus access to all our premium content for the next 12 months. And you'll have access to our complete newsletter archive! Upgrade to Plus membership today and enjoy all the Plus benefits!   In this issue FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT: Pumpkin-spiced fall roundup — Top 10 free downloads Additional articles in the PLUS issue WINDOWS: Why aren't you using Edge? WINDOWS 11: Why I leave Windows 11 alone PATCH WATCH: Taming Copilot ADVERTISEMENT Pricing for teams & businesses | 1Password Review our team pricing and sign up for a Free Trial to get access to password manager, digital vault, password generator, digital wallet, and more. FREEWARE SPOTLIGHT Pumpkin-spiced fall roundup — Top 10 free downloads By Deanna McElveen There are many reasons for us to choose a program for a Top 10 list. It might be because we are an official, recognized mirror for the program. The program might be very popular among computer techs. Perhaps my columns for AskWoody brought the program extra attention. Or it might just be extremely popular with ordinary users. Whatever the reason, here are the past week's top 10 downloads from OlderGeeks.com. Peruse them with a two-handed grip on that mug of pumpkin latte (ew). Or a cup of real coffee. ADVERTISEMENT Here are the other stories in this week's Plus Newsletter WINDOWS Why aren't you using Edge? By Josh Hendrickson You're probably reading this newsletter from Chrome. But I'm not. I'm using Microsoft Edge. I know, I know. It's pretty easy to take potshots at Microsoft as a whole, let alone a browser that comes from the company. This is the maker of such "fine" products as Windows Vista, Windows 8, and Internet Explorer. Yes, I agree — the tech behemoth has missed the mark plenty of times. But let's also be fair: for every terrible version of Windows you can name, there is a great one you never wanted to leave (Windows XP or 7, anyone?). The company can put out good products, too, and even good hardware these days (hello, Surface). And the Edge browser is something different — it's Chrome, but better. WINDOWS 11 Why I leave Windows 11 alone By Will Fastie It's not that I think Windows 11 is perfect. It's just that I don't let it bother me. Too much, that is. Don't get me wrong — I am not suggesting that using third-party apps such as Start11 or StartAllBack to enhance Windows is a bad idea, or even that you shouldn't bother. We've come to look at Windows as highly customizable over the decades of its existence, and it is thus quite natural to want to continue working in the same manner without having to adapt ourselves to a new paradigm we didn't ask for. I don't do that. Here's why, along with a few things I think Microsoft got wrong. PAGTCH WATCH Taming Copilot By Susan Bradley I use devices that include artificial intelligence and cloud services, and you probably do, too. For example, I regularly ask Alexa about the weather: "Hey ,Alexa — what's the seven-day weather forecast?" That helps me know whether it's going to be cooler on the weekend so I can garden. I have apps that control thermostats, security cameras, and garage doors. Amazon can open my garage door and drop off packages so they don't get stolen by porch pirates. So it's not that I'm against using cloud services or voice-activated devices. Know anyone who would benefit from this information? Please share! Forward the email and encourage them to sign up via the online form — our public newsletter is free! Enjoying the newsletter? Become a PLUS member and get it all! Don't miss any of our great content about Windows, Microsoft, Office, 365, PCs, hardware, software, privacy, security, safety, useful and safe freeware, important news, analysis, and Susan Bradley's popular and sought-after patch advice. PLUS, these exclusive benefits: Every article, delivered to your inbox Four bonus issues per year, with original content MS-DEFCON Alerts, delivered to your inbox MS-DEFCON Alerts available via TEXT message Special Plus Alerts, delivered to your inbox Access to the complete archive of nearly two decades of newsletters Identification as a Plus member in our popular forums No ads We're supported by donations — choose any amount of $6 or more for a one-year membership.   The AskWoody Newsletters are published by AskWoody Tech LLC, Fresno, CA USA. Publisher: Susan Bradley (publisher@askwoody.com) Editor: Will Fastie (editor@askwoody.com) Your subscription: This email sent to manojdole1.copa@blogger.com To change your email address, view the instructions. Unsubscribe Subscription help: CustomerSupport@askwoody.com Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. AskWoody, AskWoody.com, Windows Secrets Newsletter, WindowsSecrets.com, WinFind, Windows Gizmos, Security Baseline, Perimeter Scan, Wacky Web Week, the Windows Secrets Logo Design (W, S or road, and Star), and the slogan Everything Microsoft Forgot to Mention all are trademarks and service marks of AskWoody Tech LLC. All other marks are the trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Copyright ©2023 AskWoody Tech LLC. All rights reserved.