The Dell Laptop Buying Guide 2026: Which XPS or Alienware Laptop Should You Buy? The Dell Laptop Buying Guide UK: Which Dell Laptop Should You Buy? When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Tech is expensive these days. AI data center for demand hasn't abated, and word on the street is that RAM and storage will continue to be pinched through 2030.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft set a record by fixing 1,416 security vulnerabilities in its October 2026 Patch Tuesday update, surpassing any previous single-month total. The update addresses 85 critical flaws, including 67 remote code execution vulnerabilities, a dangerous SharePoint elevation of privilege issue, and one actively exploited Windows Shell flaw. Windows and Office users are urged to apply these updates immediately to avoid serious cyberattacks and unauthorized system access. Yesterday was October Patch Tuesday, and Microsoft's security updates addressed 1,416 new vulnerabilities. Not only is that another record broken, but it's also the first time over 1,000 flaws were fixed in a single month.

The Dell Laptop Buying Guide UK: Which Dell Laptop Should You Buy? When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Your PC could lose Windows Update access in 2027. Microsoft's Windows Update certificates expire in May and June 2027. Fortunately, replacement certificates are available.

Your iPhone can then automatically install eligible Background Security Improvements as Apple releases them. These smaller protections do not replace regular iOS updates. You should still install full updates because they can contain additional security patches, bug fixes and broader changes throughout the operating system.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft's September security update has introduced a bug breaking File History on both Windows 10 and 11, causing backups to fail entirely. Affected users may see incorrect "Reconnect your drive" error messages or find previously backed up files showing no available versions. Microsoft is working on a fix, but the only current solution is to uninstall the September update to restore backup functionality. Many users who have installed the latest September security patches for Windows have found that the "File History" feature no longer works--deleted or corrupted files can no longer be recovered. File History automatically saves copies of files, allowing users to recover accidentally deleted or corrupted files using older versions that were stored hours, days, or weeks ago. By default, File History backs up all folders in the user profile (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop) to an external drive, such as a USB flash drive or a network attached storage (NAS) device. According to Microsoft, the issue is due to a bug that occurs in all current versions of Windows 10 and 11, including 21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1.

Mashable's Best: E-readers, robovacs, laptops, earbuds, smart home and more In My Bag Look Up Say More Trending Now Mashable Selects Creator Playbook Back to School Good Connection: Uplifting stories for a digital age Switch Off Mashable Voices Safety Net All Series The latest patch fixes issues created by the September Patch Tuesday update last week. Matt Binder joined Mashable's tech vertical in 2018, where he covers social media, tech policy, cybersecurity, online scams, cryptocurrency, AI, creator news, weird tech, and other related tech beats. Microsoft has released a new emergency patch addressing issues created by the last update. Microsoft's big September 2026 Patch Tuesday update addressed a record 966 flaws, including two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities, across Microsoft products when it was released last week on Sept. 8. However, just one week later on Sept. 14, Microsoft rolled out an emergency, out-of-band patch for the patch.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft's September update patches a record 973 security vulnerabilities, doubling the previous month's total, with 113 classified as critical. Two zero-day exploits are already being actively used by attackers, and flaws in Windows, Excel, SharePoint, and Windows Hello could allow remote code execution or privilege escalation. Users are strongly urged to update their Microsoft software immediately to protect against these serious risks. Yesterday was September Patch Tuesday, which means Microsoft released security updates addressing 973 new security vulnerabilities.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft will end support for Office 2021 on October 13, 2026, leaving users without official security or feature updates and potentially vulnerable to threats. A third-party tool called 0patch offers unofficial micropatches that fix vulnerabilities without altering original software code, providing security coverage for up to three years.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft has changed how Windows 11 handles updates, now bundling drivers and firmware together with monthly security patches. This means users will likely only need to restart their PC once a month during the regular Patch Tuesday cycle, reducing interruptions. The change applies to versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H1, though critical Microsoft Defender security fixes may still trigger immediate restarts when necessary. Microsoft now bundles updates for drivers, the .NET Framework, and firmware together with the regular security updates that go out on Patch Tuesday every month. This consolidation brings one huge advantage to Windows users: your Windows 11 PC now only needs to be restarted once a month to remain up-to-date and secure.

PCWorld reports that Nvidia will stop releasing new feature and performance updates for Windows 10 Game Ready Drivers after October 2026, shifting to quarterly security fixes only. This means Windows 10 gamers may experience bugs or poor optimization in newer game titles lacking critical driver updates. Full GeForce driver support ends completely by November 2029, making an upgrade to Windows 11 the recommended move for gamers. Even though Microsoft is providing security updates for Windows 10 until October 2027 via the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, graphics card giant Nvidia is pulling out before then. Apart from security updates, Nvidia is ending Windows 10 feature support--a major blow for gamers still on the much-beloved operating system.