HomePod mini and Apple TV inventory is starting to dwindle at select Apple Store locations around the world, suggesting that new models may be imminent.
If you're unaware, the Media Creation Tool is a super-simple way to download a small program from Microsoft and bake it onto a USB drive that can then be used to install a copy of Windows on a PC. It's an excellent method for installing fresh and starting from scratch, especially if you need to do so for another computer, say, in aid of family tech support. The Media Creation Tool has been around in various flavors for years, and it's periodically updated as a separate piece of software… and the latest update has broken it for some users on Windows 10.
That's according to Microsoft itself, who filed it as a bug on October 10th (that's 11 days after the tool was updated). According to the official "Known Issues" page for Windows (spotted by Windows Latest), Windows 10 machines on the 22H2 release are seeing the tool "close unexpectedly, displaying no error message."
The fact that this was an update to the tool that immediately preceded the self-imposed deadline that Microsoft set for a Windows 11 upgrade is u
It doesn't say so in as many words, of course. According to the Google Ads & Commerce Blog (spotted by PCMag), it's a move meant for "improving navigation and introducing a new control." The new look groups all of the text-based links that are paid for into a single "Sponsored results" section, which can be collapsed by clicking or pressing a button. The new look is coming to Search on desktop and mobile, "currently rolling out globally."
On October 14, 2025, Windows 10, version 22H2 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions) will reach end of servicing. October 14, 2025 will also mark the end of support for Windows 10 2015 LTSB and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSB 2015. The October 2025 monthly security update will be the last update available for these versions. After this date, devices running these versions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.
However, Microsoft also wants Windows home users to know that there's the opportunity to receive extended support for another 12 months with Microsoft's Extended Security Update (ESU) program.
All in all, if you're still actively using Windows 10, the deadline is almost here. What should you do? Here are all your options:
There's really only one problem: my laptop is too old for a Windows 11 update. On October 14th, 2025, Windows 10 will reach the end of its life period, which means no new features or security updates. The former is not a big problem. The latter will be a disaster.
I'm not alone in this situation. Over 50 percent of users are still running Windows 10, and this figure is gradually dropping. How many will have updated in six months' time is anyone's guess, but whatever the percentage, one thing is clear. A large proportion of the world's 1.6 billion Windows PCs will still be running Windows 10 on October 14th, 2025.
What makes this challenging is that Windows 11 is so technically demanding that it's not possible to update all fully functional computers. Sadly, my six-year-old laptop is one of them.
A modern design with dark mode
CCleaner's user interface has been completely redesigned and now looks much tidier and more responsive. Users can now choose between a light, dark, or automatic theme depending on their personal preferences and/or Windows settings.
According to Piriform, CCleaner 7 improves compatibility with newer PCs. The tool now fully supports Arm64 devices, which should ensure noticeably better performance on newer Windows systems.
A better approach to uninstalling apps
CCleaner's uninstaller feature now uses a new engine that removes apps more reliably than the built-in Windows uninstaller. Multiple apps can be uninstalled in one go without repeatedly clicking on confirmations. Orphaned files and remnants are also deleted automatically.
The Browser Company's Dia app is now open to anyone on Mac. It's the first time the AI-powered browser has been widely available since its beta launch in June.
