Ed Tittel
@edtittel.bsky.social
Full-time freelance writer, blogger. Part-time consultant and expert witness. Microsoft Windows MVP 2018-2025: daily Windows blog at https://edtittel.com (contact info there, too).
I must observe that Copilot is good for some things. Case in point: working with RAPR.exe to identify and delete unneeded device drivers. Deets follow... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/copilot...
Copilot Assisted RAPR Analysis - Ed Tittel
Copilot assisted RAPR analysis provides PowerShell to count drivers, provide on-disk size, and identify duplicates. Good stuff!
www.edtittel.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:58 PM
I must observe that Copilot is good for some things. Case in point: working with RAPR.exe to identify and delete unneeded device drivers. Deets follow... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/copilot...
Over at WindowsCentral, Zac Bowden does a great job of describing and praising the Lenovo "market ethos." I'm a big fan, too. Check it out! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.windowscentral.com/hardware/lap...
Lenovo has become what Surface was supposed to be about — crazy cool PCs
As Microsoft pulls back on Surface, Lenovo steps up as the Windows ecosystem's new innovator. With fresh hardware ideas and crazy designs.
www.windowscentral.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Over at WindowsCentral, Zac Bowden does a great job of describing and praising the Lenovo "market ethos." I'm a big fan, too. Check it out! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.windowscentral.com/hardware/lap...
I've got a Lenovo ThinkCentre 50q (Snapdragon X CPU) to play with. I'll be setting up and writing about it tomorrow. Paul Thurrott beats me to that punch at www.thurrott.com/mobile/copil.... Worth reading. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
Lenovo ThinkCentre neo 50q QC Review
The Lenovo ThinkCentre neo 50q QC is an ultra-compact small form factor (SFF) PC with a Snapdragon X processor and Windows 11 on Arm.
www.thurrott.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:12 PM
I've got a Lenovo ThinkCentre 50q (Snapdragon X CPU) to play with. I'll be setting up and writing about it tomorrow. Paul Thurrott beats me to that punch at www.thurrott.com/mobile/copil.... Worth reading. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
Even in 25H2 Build 26200.7462, #Window11 still pops up the same two pesky spurious reclaimables. Here's how to exterminate them... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/more-sp...
More Spurious Win 11 Reclaimables - Ed Tittel
Don’t ask me why. But every now and then, MS drops a couple of old, outmoded, and obsolete packages into its Windows 11 updates. They also show up should you perform an in-place upgrade repair (“Reins...
www.edtittel.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Even in 25H2 Build 26200.7462, #Window11 still pops up the same two pesky spurious reclaimables. Here's how to exterminate them... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/more-sp...
To use the Recall AI feature on a Copilot+ PC, looks like one must login locally. Let me explain... #Windows11 #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/notific...
Notification Reveals RDP Recall Gotcha - Ed Tittel
Notification Reveals RDP Recall Gotcha: Works fine through a local login, but not through Remote Desktop Connection. Deets follow...
www.edtittel.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:27 PM
To use the Recall AI feature on a Copilot+ PC, looks like one must login locally. Let me explain... #Windows11 #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/notific...
Bizarre! Using USPS Zip+4 lookup, I got my answer via Firefox, but because of cache weirdnesses, NOT in Chrome. Go figure! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
January 5, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Bizarre! Using USPS Zip+4 lookup, I got my answer via Firefox, but because of cache weirdnesses, NOT in Chrome. Go figure! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
How to manually update Microsoft Defender" (12/31/25) is now available. Check it out! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.computerworld.com/article/1616...
How to manually update Microsoft Defender
It’s imperative to keep Microsoft Defender up to date even when Windows Update isn’t working. Here are several methods to manually update Defender.
www.computerworld.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM
How to manually update Microsoft Defender" (12/31/25) is now available. Check it out! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.computerworld.com/article/1616...
My desktop currently shows 26+ days of uptime. Given that I keep up with updates, that's a new record! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
January 5, 2026 at 7:41 PM
My desktop currently shows 26+ days of uptime. Given that I keep up with updates, that's a new record! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
Fascinating. must-read, pre-CES Snapdragon X2 coverage from Daniel Rubino over at Windows Central. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.windowscentral.com/hardware/qua...
I tested Snapdragon X2 Plus early — and it’s a serious threat to Intel
Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X2 Plus delivers big CPU gains, an 80‑TOPS NPU, and the battery life boost Windows PCs desperately need in 2026.
www.windowscentral.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Fascinating. must-read, pre-CES Snapdragon X2 coverage from Daniel Rubino over at Windows Central. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.windowscentral.com/hardware/qua...
CES 2026 -- which starts tomorrow -- should include intros for next-gen Snapdragon X2-based devices. WindowsLatest shares a scoop... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.windowslatest.com/2025/12/30/e...
Exclusive: Lenovo confirms Snapdragon X2 Plus, Snapdragon X2 Elite (X2-E88-100) PCs for CES 2026
Exclusive details reveal Lenovo’s Snapdragon X2 series laptops for CES 2026, including Yoga and IdeaPad models, with full specifications.
www.windowslatest.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:16 PM
CES 2026 -- which starts tomorrow -- should include intros for next-gen Snapdragon X2-based devices. WindowsLatest shares a scoop... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.windowslatest.com/2025/12/30/e...
The Microsoft Store updates apps daily in the background. Sometimes that won't work. Here's why... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/manual-...
Manual Store Update Clears Ongoing Errors - Ed Tittel
For running or background apps, a manual store Update clears ongoing errors like "Failed Windows Update" in the MS Store. Go figure!
www.edtittel.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:13 PM
The Microsoft Store updates apps daily in the background. Sometimes that won't work. Here's why... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/manual-...
Just learned about a "naked PCIe" port tech called OCuLink. It's faster and cheaper than Thunderbolt 4. This is interesting... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/oculink...
OCuLink versus Thunderbolt - Ed Tittel
The OCuLink versus Thunderbolt tradeoff is more interesting than it first appears, but applies mostly to desktop PCs with open PCIe slots..
www.edtittel.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Just learned about a "naked PCIe" port tech called OCuLink. It's faster and cheaper than Thunderbolt 4. This is interesting... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/oculink...
Over at Ars Technica, senior tech reporter Andrew Cunningham does a great job of comparing and contrasting #Windows10 and #Windows11. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
Remembering what Windows 10 did right—and how it made modern Windows more annoying
Remembering Windows 10's rollout can help diagnose what ails Windows 11.
arstechnica.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Over at Ars Technica, senior tech reporter Andrew Cunningham does a great job of comparing and contrasting #Windows10 and #Windows11. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025...
With a nod to Raymond Chandler, I ponder #Windows10's upcoming decline in its era of "extended support." #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/windows...
Windows 10's Long Goodbye - Ed Tittel
Windows 10's long goodbye probably won't stretch out as far as Windows 7's did, but it's going to take 5+ years to fade below 10% share.
www.edtittel.com
December 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
With a nod to Raymond Chandler, I ponder #Windows10's upcoming decline in its era of "extended support." #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/windows...
When a WinGet update takes longer than usual, I speculate it's because an app is open. Copilot presents a plausible explanation. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/notepad...
Notepad++ Update Stalls WinGet - Ed Tittel
Notepad++ update stalls WinGet because its Win31 installer won't over-write its .exe file while that file is running. Go figure!
www.edtittel.com
December 29, 2025 at 6:05 PM
When a WinGet update takes longer than usual, I speculate it's because an app is open. Copilot presents a plausible explanation. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/notepad...
Based on available and planned offerings, Thunderbolt 5 seems like a powerful, capable solution in search of market need. Let me explain... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/thunder...
Thunderbolt 5 Status Approaching 2026 - Ed Tittel
Considering Thunderbolt 5 status approaching 2026, it's clear that this spec is extremely capable but there's small demand from buyers.
www.edtittel.com
December 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Based on available and planned offerings, Thunderbolt 5 seems like a powerful, capable solution in search of market need. Let me explain... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/thunder...
The net is abuzz about hardware accelerated BitLocker. Too bad you can't actually use this technology yet... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/securit...
Microsoft rolls out hardware-accelerated BitLocker in Windows 11
Microsoft is rolling out hardware-accelerated BitLocker in Windows 11 to address growing performance and security concerns by leveraging the capabilities of system-on-a-chip and CPU.
www.bleepingcomputer.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:01 PM
The net is abuzz about hardware accelerated BitLocker. Too bad you can't actually use this technology yet... #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/securit...
Around Black Friday I bought an ASUS Zenbook A14 from Best Buy for US$550. That price has zoomed to US$999.99 now. Wow! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
December 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Around Black Friday I bought an ASUS Zenbook A14 from Best Buy for US$550. That price has zoomed to US$999.99 now. Wow! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
Hmmm. Nomo phone-based Windows activation. As Mr. Tkachenko puts it: "...the end of an era." #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz winaero.com/microsoft-di...
Microsoft Discontinued Activation By Phone for Windows and other Products
Microsoft has discontinued phone-based activation for Windows and all its software products. Users who attempt to call the traditional activation number
winaero.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Hmmm. Nomo phone-based Windows activation. As Mr. Tkachenko puts it: "...the end of an era." #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz winaero.com/microsoft-di...
When I can't see the ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 using Advanced IP Scanner on my LAN, I find myself undisappearing inbound PING (ICMP) via Firewall rules. Sigh. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/undisap...
Undisappearing X13 Gen 6 PING - Ed Tittel
Unexpected Firewall rules forbidding IPv4 and IPv6 inbound queries have me undisappearing X13 Gen 6 PING on that laptop...
www.edtittel.com
December 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
When I can't see the ThinkPad X13 Gen 6 using Advanced IP Scanner on my LAN, I find myself undisappearing inbound PING (ICMP) via Firewall rules. Sigh. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/undisap...
#WindowsInsiders status sez: no more releases until 2026. That's at least 11 days, given that 1/1/26 is no workday. I'm good with that: happy holidays to one and all! #MVPbuzz x.com/windowsinsid...
x.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:54 PM
#WindowsInsiders status sez: no more releases until 2026. That's at least 11 days, given that 1/1/26 is no workday. I'm good with that: happy holidays to one and all! #MVPbuzz x.com/windowsinsid...
After the in-app updater for MTPW sneaks the company's image backup tool onto one PC, I observe that WinGet enables no such shenanigans. Guess which one I recommend? #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/winget-...
WinGet Foils MTPW Sneaky Update - Ed Tittel
MTPW is the mostly excellent MiniTool Partition Wizard, which I’ve used and recommended for managing disk layouts on Windows for years. I just got bitten for MTPW v13.5 by what I call a “sneaky update...
www.edtittel.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:17 PM
After the in-app updater for MTPW sneaks the company's image backup tool onto one PC, I observe that WinGet enables no such shenanigans. Guess which one I recommend? #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/winget-...
Odd. I had little or no update action after 10 days OOO. This morning, winget drops me 8 updates in one swell foop. Go figure! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
December 19, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Odd. I had little or no update action after 10 days OOO. This morning, winget drops me 8 updates in one swell foop. Go figure! #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz
Here's a day-by-day travelogue that recounts how the ASUS A14 Zenbook (Snapdragon X based Copilot+ PC) behaved on a recent 10-day road trip. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/asus-a1...
ASUS A14 Zenbook Travelogue - Ed Tittel
As we drive to and from Los Angeles, CA, I put my new laptop to a road test. Here's the resulting ASUS A14 Zenbook travelogue.
www.edtittel.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Here's a day-by-day travelogue that recounts how the ASUS A14 Zenbook (Snapdragon X based Copilot+ PC) behaved on a recent 10-day road trip. #WindowsInsiders #MVPbuzz www.edtittel.com/blog/asus-a1...