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Alex Lim

I'm Alex Lim, an IT Technical expert passionate about exploring the complexities of computer systems and networks. My journey in this field is fueled by hands-on experience, collaborating with like-minded professionals to share knowledge, as well as my own continuous learning. I blend these insights to provide reliable and practical solutions for those facing technical challenges. The ever-evolving world of technology is my sanctuary, where I often find inspiration for my work. My goal is to offer guidance that resonates with the real-life challenges and joys of working in the IT industry. You can reach me at [email protected] or follow him on Website | Twitter | Facebook

Why does my right-click menu show broken Firefox icons and how do I fix it? Understanding the “Open With” Menu Glitch Windows 10 and 11 users often report a cluttered “Open With” context menu containing multiple Mozilla Firefox entries. You notice this immediately when right-clicking a PDF or HTML file. Instead of a single, functional …

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Is Firefox Nightly’s new HDR support ready for daily use on Nvidia GPUs? Mozilla has activated proper HDR (High Dynamic Range) video support in the latest Firefox Nightly build for Windows. This update addresses a significant feature gap that previously separated Firefox from Chromium-based competitors like Edge and Chrome. For creative professionals and media consumers, …

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Why is Windows 11 embedding AI directly into folders despite low adoption rates? Microsoft is actively re-engineering the relationship between Windows 11 users and artificial intelligence. Recent analysis of Windows 11 preview builds indicates that Copilot is evolving from an external application into a native, embedded component within File Explorer. This shift aims to place …

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Why doesn’t my current AI PC support the new Microsoft Copilot+ features? Microsoft is aggressively positioning “Copilot+ PCs” as the mandatory standard for the next era of computing. Their marketing suggests that staying on current hardware leaves users unprepared for upcoming software advancements. While Microsoft categorizes all modern machines as “AI PCs,” they draw a …

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Why does my Windows 11 update just say Microsoft Corporation driver? The Problem with Generic Driver Labels Windows 11 currently presents a clarity issue regarding driver updates. Users frequently encounter updates labeled simply as “Microsoft Corporation – Driver Update” followed by a version number. This nomenclature fails to identify the specific hardware component receiving the …

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Will the Windows 10 21H1 update stop File Explorer from freezing my PC? You should pay close attention to the Windows 10 version 21H1 update if your system suffers from performance lags. Since the November 2019 Update, the integrated search platform in File Explorer has caused instability for many users. While the May 2020 Update …

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Is the New Windows 11 ‘Resume’ Feature the Android Handoff We’ve Been Waiting For? Understanding Windows 11’s ‘Resume’ Functionality Microsoft is actively refining its cross-device ecosystem to rival Apple’s seamless “Handoff” experience. The feature, currently known as “Resume,” serves as a bridge between your Android device and Windows 11 desktop. Its primary function is continuity: …

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Is it possible to stop WhatsApp from auto-updating on Windows 11 to keep the faster legacy app? The recent transition of WhatsApp on Windows 11 from a native Universal Windows Platform (UWP) architecture to a WebView2 framework has introduced significant performance overhead. WebView2 essentially wraps the application in a Chromium container, forcing the software to …

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Is Microsoft forcing us to use an account for offline activation in 2026? Microsoft Retires Legacy Phone Activation: What You Need to Know As of December 3, 2025, Microsoft has officially discontinued the telephone-based activation system for Windows and Office products. For over two decades, this method provided a reliable offline workaround for IT professionals …

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Why is Microsoft Lens shutting down in 2026 and what are the best free alternatives? Microsoft has officially initiated the sunset process for Microsoft Lens on iOS and Android as of January 9, 2026. This decision stems from a strategic pivot toward consolidating features into the Microsoft 365 Copilot ecosystem and OneDrive. While the application …

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Why does my Microsoft 365 app look different after the 2025 update? The Reality Behind the “Office is Dead” Rumors Recent viral discussions suggest Microsoft eliminated the “Office” brand overnight. These claims are incorrect. Microsoft clarified to Windows Latest that the Office brand remains active. The confusion stems from a specific naming convention change regarding …

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Why is my Cisco switch stuck in a boot loop after the January 2026 DNS bug? Critical Advisory: Cisco Switch Boot Loops and DNS Failure Network administrators managing Cisco Small Business infrastructure are currently facing a widespread critical failure. Beginning January 8, 2026, specific switch models began entering continuous boot loops. This behavior stems from …

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Is Microsoft phone activation permanently gone for Office and Windows products? Critical Update: Microsoft Permanently Retires Phone Activation A Microsoft representative has officially confirmed the permanent discontinuation of the phone activation feature for all products, including Windows and Office. This statement removes previous uncertainty regarding the stability of the service. The shutdown became effective on …

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How Did the Roth Hospital Cyberattack Affect Patient Care in January 2026? On January 7, 2026, the Roth District Hospital in Middle Franconia detected an unauthorized attempt to access its internal network. Acting on security protocols, the IT administration severed the facility’s internet connection to isolate the threat. While this defensive maneuver successfully protected the …

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Is Microsoft 365 IMAP down right now for everyone? Microsoft 365 Advisory: Resolving IMAP4 Mailbox Access Failures (January 2026) Administrators and users relying on the IMAP4 protocol within Microsoft 365 environments should be aware of a recent service degradation that occurred in early January. While Microsoft has signaled a resolution, understanding the root cause is …

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Why Did Microsoft Just Rename the Office App Again? Executive Summary: The Shift from “Office” to “Microsoft 365 Copilot” Microsoft has initiated another significant rebranding of its core productivity hub on Windows 11. The application formerly known as “Office,” and subsequently “Microsoft 365,” has been renamed “Microsoft 365 Copilot.” This update is not merely cosmetic; …

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Is the AI Hype Finally Crashing? We are currently witnessing a massive wave of mandatory AI integration that few users actually requested. Major corporations like Microsoft, Google, and PayPal are aggressively embedding artificial intelligence into everyday products—from your email inbox to your office printer—often without a clear “opt-out” mechanism. This aggressive push is creating a …

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Is AWS silently increasing cloud GPU costs for AI models this year? Amazon Web Services (AWS) has initiated a significant pricing adjustment affecting its high-performance computing sector. Users relying on EC2 capacity blocks for machine learning must prepare for an immediate cost increase of approximately 15%. This change primarily targets instances utilizing NVIDIA H200 accelerators, …

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What is the Black Axe syndicate and how do they operate in Europe? Spanish National Police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated cell of the “Black Axe” criminal organization. This operation, coordinated with Europol and the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, resulted in 34 arrests. The network is responsible for widespread cyber fraud, human trafficking, and …

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Is your on-premise Apex Central vulnerable to the critical MsgReceiver exploit? Trend Micro has released an urgent security update for Apex Central (on-premise) for Windows. This patch addresses CVE-2025-69258, a critical vulnerability carrying a CVSS score of 9.8. System administrators managing on-premise deployments must prioritize this update to prevent potential system compromise. Technical Analysis of …

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Is the January 2026 Instagram data leak real or a scam? Security reports circulating in January 2026 allege a significant data breach affecting Instagram. Security firm Malwarebytes identified a database containing approximately 17.5 million user records. While the volume of data is concerning, forensic analysis suggests this is not a result of a new penetration …

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Will I lose access to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center if I don’t enable MFA by February 2026? Advisory: Mandatory MFA Enforcement for Microsoft 365 Admin Center (MC1215070) Urgent Action Required by February 9, 2026 Microsoft has issued a critical security mandate affecting all Microsoft 365 tenants. Effective February 9, 2026, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is …

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Can I finally uninstall the Windows 11 Copilot app using Group Policy? Microsoft has begun addressing enterprise feedback regarding the forced integration of Copilot. For IT administrators managing professional environments, the inability to remove the Copilot application has been a point of friction. With the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (effective January …

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Why is Windows Media Player showing “Unknown Artist” and missing album art? Microsoft has permanently discontinued the metadata services supporting Windows Media Player (WMP). As of December 2025, the servers responsible for identifying audio CDs and fetching album art, artist names, and track titles are offline. This shutdown affects both the modern Media Player app …

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Is Microsoft Lens shutting down soon and what should I use instead? Microsoft Lens Decommissioning: Confirmed Timeline and Action Plan Microsoft has finalized the retirement schedule for the Microsoft Lens app on Android and iOS. While initial reports from 2025 suggested an earlier departure, the updated Admin Center notification (MC1131064) released on January 9, 2026, …

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Why do Windows 11 and Server 2025 have different KB numbers starting January 2026? Critical Advisory: KB Number Divergence for Windows 11 and Server 2025 Effective Date: January 13, 2026 (Patch Tuesday) System administrators managing mixed environments of Windows 11 (versions 24H2/25H2) and Windows Server 2025 must prepare for a distinct administrative shift. Starting with …

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Summary Microsoft Dataverse will manage deleted records at the environment level instead of the individual table level. Configuration of deleted-records keeping per table will no longer be supported. All supported tables will follow a single environment-level setting for deleted records. No action is required from users; deleted records will be automatically managed based on the …

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Summary Updates are being released for Microsoft 365 Apps in the Current Channel. Automatic updates from the Office Content Delivery Network (CDN) require no action from users. Administrators managing updates directly can download and deploy the latest version. Relevant release notes can be found through the provided link. Admin Impact: Low User Impact: Low Release …

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Summary New feature allows setting the least active assignment as default in messaging queues. Conversations will be assigned to the least active customer service representatives by default. This change applies to messaging and voice channels within Dynamics 365 Contact Center. No action is required from users or administrators regarding this change. Admin Impact: Medium User …

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Summary Preview Copilot features in Power Apps Canvas Apps will be removed, including Copilot Control, Copilot Answer Control, and Custom Copilot. Makers cannot add these controls to new Canvas apps; existing apps will still function but will not be supported in the future. No other functionality in Canvas apps will be affected by this change. …

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Why Should Windows Users Update Samsung Magician Immediately? If you manage storage on a Windows device, you likely rely on the Samsung Magician utility to optimize performance and handle firmware updates. Recent security findings have exposed a critical flaw in this software that demands immediate attention. The Vulnerability: CVE-2025-57836 Security researcher Sandro Poppi identified a …

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What are the current Exchange Online bulk email limits after the recent policy reversal? Microsoft has officially abandoned the “Mailbox External Recipient Rate Limit” (ERRL) policy originally scheduled for implementation in April 2026. This decision follows significant feedback from system administrators regarding the limitations of current bulk email options. While this specific restriction is cancelled, …

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Why do states give big tax breaks to profitable AI companies? Virginia forfeited approximately $1.6 billion in tax revenue during fiscal year 2025. This loss stems directly from tax exemptions granted to AI data centers. A financial report from the State Comptroller confirms this figure. This represents a 118 percent increase in lost revenue compared …

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Is your automation workflow safe from the recent n8n security breaches? Recent security audits have uncovered severe vulnerabilities within the n8n workflow automation platform. For organizations relying on n8n to connect disparate apps and services—including those integrating AI agents—these flaws present immediate risks. Multiple critical vulnerabilities (CVEs) have surfaced in rapid succession, exposing both self-hosted …

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Why is the tech industry expecting cuts at Microsoft despite AI growth? Industry reports indicate Microsoft may eliminate between 11,000 and 22,000 roles in the first quarter of 2026. This potential reduction aligns with the company’s historical pattern of announcing significant structural changes in January, the midpoint of its fiscal year. While officially unconfirmed, these …

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Why can’t I open encrypted emails in Outlook Classic after the January 2026 update? Microsoft confirmed a significant issue affecting Outlook Classic users on January 6, 2026. If you recently updated Microsoft Outlook 365 to Version 2511 (Build 19426.20218), you may lose the ability to open emails designated as “Encrypt Only.” Instead of the email …

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Will my mobile email stop working with Exchange Online after March 1, 2026? Microsoft is enforcing a strict security update for Exchange Online. Effective March 1, 2026, the service will block connections from mobile devices using Exchange ActiveSync (EAS) versions older than 16.1. This change (referenced in MC1197103) addresses security vulnerabilities and reliability issues inherent …

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