Microsoft is officially discontinuing SMS verification for personal account logins, pushing users toward more secure passkey authentication methods. PCWorld reports that SMS-based authentication represents a major fraud risk, prompting Microsoft's aggressive transition to biometric and PIN-based passkeys. Users should switch to passkeys soon, which use device-stored keys and biometric data for enhanced two-factor authentication security. For a while now, it's been possible to authenticate your Microsoft account logins by receiving a six-digit code via text message. Windows Latest now reports that SMS verification will be phased out shortly.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft's May security update KB5089549 is failing to install on some Windows 11 devices running versions 25H2 and 24H2. The installation fails at 35-36% completion with error code 0x800f0922, caused by insufficient free space on the EFI System Partition. Microsoft offers temporary workarounds including Known Issue Rollback or registry tweaks while developing a permanent fix for future release. Microsoft's May security update KB5089549 is failing to install on some Windows 11 machines.

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PCWorld reports Microsoft's new Surface for Business lineup features Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and a notable privacy screen technology for protecting sensitive information. The 13-inch Surface Laptop maintains its $1,499 price while the Surface Pro increased significantly to $1,949, offering up to 17 hours battery life and triple monitor support. The standout privacy screen feature prevents others from viewing displays, making these incremental updates particularly appealing for business security needs. Microsoft announced new Surface for Business laptops and tablets on Tuesday. Sadly, you already know what to expect: three new Surface Laptops, in 13-and 15-inch display sizes, and a new Surface Pro tablet, too.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Your AI agent does not need you to carry your laptop like a pizza! Refusing to close your laptop while walking to and from meetings -- even through airports! Windows can prevent that from happening. Here's what's going on: AI-obsessed techies are moving through the world while their AI agents work busily at their own virtual desks, carrying their open laptops around like pizzas.

PCWorld highlights that Windows 11's default firewall lacks proper outgoing connection monitoring, allowing programs to send data unchecked and potentially exposing users to malware communication. The article covers essential security tweaks including enabling DNS over HTTPS encryption, activating Microsoft Defender Network Protection, and disabling obsolete protocols like NetBIOS and LLMNR. Implementing these network hardening measures transforms Windows into a more controlled system that blocks unauthorized connections and protects against credential interception attacks. Windows' built-in network protection is like a front door that is locked from the outside, but through which any resident can carry valuables outside without being checked. By default, Microsoft allows almost any program to send data out without being checked -- this is known as a lack of egress filtering. If you want to know which apps are sending data back to their developers, or wish to prevent malware from contacting its command server -- the so-called command-and-control instance -- in the event of an attack, you need to tighten the reins. With the right filters and targeted protocol hardening, you can transform the open Windows data highway into a strictly controlled border crossing that checks every outgoing packet thoroughly.

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Sony is ending PC releases for future major single-player narrative games like Spider-Man and God of War to strengthen its PlayStation console business. PCWorld reports this significant shift affects PC gamers who previously enjoyed these popular PlayStation exclusives on their platform. Existing PC ports will remain available, and co-op titles like Helldivers 2 may still come to PC as Sony refocuses against Nintendo, Microsoft, and Valve competition. Well, we knew it was coming, but now it's more or less official. According to reports coming out of a PlayStation Studios meeting today, major single-player narrative games from Sony's first-party publisher will no longer be coming to PC. That marks the end of a short but enjoyable time of games like and coming to PC gamers. Oh, and if you were still hoping for, maybe just give up on that particular pony.

Google is switching Gemini from fixed daily request limits to a compute-based system that considers prompt complexity, features used, and chat length. PCWorld reports this change reflects increasing demands from advanced agentic AI features, with limits refreshing every five hours under a weekly cap. Paid plans offer significantly higher usage allowances, with Ultra providing 20x standard limits compared to free tier access. Google is changing how it calculates your weekly Gemini usage limits, and it's another reflection of how powerful agentic AI features have broken flat-rate consumer AI plans. As of now, Google says it's switching to "compute-based" usage rather than a fixed number of requests per day.

ChatGPT Pro users can now connect banking and investment accounts from over 12,000 financial institutions through Plaid integration for personalized financial insights. PCWorld highlights that while the feature offers read-only access and 30-day data deletion, it raises significant privacy and security concerns for users. The AI-powered dashboard provides financial summaries and answers queries, but users must weigh convenience against potential data risks. If there's one area where LLMs excel, it's plowing through reams of data and teasing out patterns, trends, and insights. So it's not surprising that OpenAI is zeroing in on personal finance, with ChatGPT now capable of delving into our banking, checking, and investment accounts .