They're wrong. It *is* your PC.

Let's talk Windows Update and Chrome  ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ [Windows Intelligence](#) [Windows Intelligence](#) ​ [Babbel logo](​ Remember when we controlled the applications running on our PCs? Now, Windows Update reboots your PC on Microsoft's schedule. And Google just flipped a switch and started deactivating the world's most popular adblocker. The desktop PC experience doesn't feel like it used to. Steven Sinofsky, who oversaw the release of Windows 7 and 8, once shared a [revealing quote]( he heard from a Microsoft executive in an internal meeting: "It is not the user’s PC, it is our PC." But I'm not willing to accept that. And you shouldn't, either. Windows Intelligence will always be about making your PC work the way you want it to. Today, we're going to tackle those issues head on: Standing up to Windows Update and confronting Chrome's big browser extension shutoff. 👋 Hey, before we get to the good stuff, just a quick note: I'll be stepping away for the next two weeks due to a family matter. Look for the next full issue of Windows Intelligence on Friday, November 8th. I'll be back in your inbox soon! [Chris Hoffman, AUthor] Chris Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 1 minute ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 1 minute 30 seconds ⌚ Top Thurrott Thoughts: 30 seconds ⌚ Just for Fun: 30 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] ​ 1. Windows 11's big 2024 update continues to roll out ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Windows 11's 2024 update (also called "24H2") is arriving on more and more PCs. Your PC may already have it — or it may not! Either way, Windows 11 PCs will be getting it soon. 🔎 KNOW MORE: This update continues a variety of small-but-interesting changes that haven't gotten a lot of press, like improvements to the Quick Settings pane and smaller, faster updates. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [this detailed look at what your PC is in for](). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Google Chrome is now disabling uBlock Origin ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Google Chrome has been warning the popular uBlock Origin adblocker would be axed soon. It's following through on its threat, with Chrome beginning to disable the extension in people's web browsers and not offering an easy way to reactivate it. 🔎 KNOW MORE: You have other options for adblocking on Chrome, like the more limited uBlock Origin Lite extension. However, if you want to use the full uBlock Origin experience going forward, you'll need to switch browsers. Scroll down to this week's Things to Try section for more. 📌 READ MORE: Here's [the latest](). (And, as a refresher, here's [my detailed explanation of why Google is doing this]().) --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Windows is getting an Android and iPhone trick ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Microsoft is working on a "Resume" or "Hand off" feature that will make it easy to move between tasks on a PC and a phone — and Android phone or an iPhone. 🔎 KNOW MORE: It's a little like the "hand off" feature Apple offers on Macs, but this will work between a PC and any type of phone. Imagine starting work on a document on your PC, leaving your desk, and being able to tap a notification to instantly continue on your phone. Neat. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [what we know](). SPONSORED MESSAGE Forget camera ready — get conversation ready 💬 [Taking a selfie in front of Eifel Tower](​ Picture this: You are chatting with locals at a cozy café in Paris, latte in hand. Or maybe you're navigating the bustling streets of Tokyo, making your way to the Oedo Antique Market. No matter where you’re traveling, [Babbel](will make sure you’re conversation ready in just three weeks. Think of Babbel as your private tutor in your pocket, full of: ⏳ Bite-sized lessons you can complete in just 10 minutes a day 🎲 Immersive podcasts, addictive games, and live online classes to help you learn 🗣️ Real-world vocabulary so you can do more than just asking where to find the bathroom ➜ [Join the millions who have already started their language journey with Babbel with a limited-time 55% discount!]( [CLAIM YOUR DISCOUNT​ ➜]( ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Stop Windows Update from rebooting your PC Windows Update isn't as bad as it used to be, but it still reserves the right to reboot your PC when you aren't using it. That's not great. ➜ With a big update rolling out, I wanted to share some advice for taking control of Windows Update: How you can stop those automatic reboots and ensure it automatically updates on your schedule. ⌚ You can restrain Windows Update in as little as 10 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. 📌 Learn all the tricks in [my latest Computerworld column](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Keep using the uBlock Origin adblocker One of the most popular adblockers is getting axed by Chrome. If you have it installed in Chrome and it's still working, Google will likely disable it in the coming days. ➜ Good news: You can keep using uBlock Origin even after this Google-imposed shutdown. You have lots of options. ⌚ This could take as little as 10 seconds — it depends what you choose! 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 — and on Chromebooks, Linux PCs, and even Macs, too! Here's a quick look at your options: - Install uBlock Origin Lite: You can install a Chrome-compatible ["lite" version of uBlock Origin]() — with fewer features. (Here's [a discussion about the differences]() from the developer.) - Switch to another web browser: Other browsers haven't killed the classic uBlock Origin eextension. In the long run, [Firefox]( may be the best choice to continue using uBlock Origin, as all the other Windows browsers are based on the same underlying Chromium code Chrome uses. For now, any other browser — Brave or Edge, for example — will work. - Activate an enterprise policy: Google Chrome still has an enterprise policy that will let uBlock Origin function until June 2025. It's a short-term solution, but hey, it's something. Here are [the details](). [The uBlock Origin adblocker in Mozilla Firefox.] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Toggle the bookmarks bar in a snap I have a confession to make: I don't know whether I like the bookmarks bar in my web browser or not. Sometimes I want the bar there for easy access to links, and sometimes I want to hide it so it's not a distraction. ➜ I've embraced the indecision and find myself turning it off and on multiple times each day. It's not as annoying as it sounds — but only because of this shortcut! ⌚ This is a 1 second shortcut. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 — and with Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Brave, Microsoft Edge, and many other browsers. To toggle your bookmarks bar, press Ctrl+Shift+B in your web browser. That's it! This quick shortcut hides and unhides the bar. It's a lot faster than right-clicking your browser's toolbar and toggling the bookmarks bar from there. [Hiding and unhiding the bookmark bar in Google Chrome.] ​ [] [Top Thurrott Thoughts] Some standout links and expert analysis from our friends at Thurrott, who have been covering Windows since 1994: - ​[Intel and AMD Partner to Take on Arm]() - Very interesting. - ​[Amazon Announces New Kindle Family, First Color Kindle](=) - Nice! - ​[Microsoft May Be Readying New Surface Laptop With Intel Lunar Lake Chips]() - Competition is always good. - ​[Testing the Thurrott.com Swag Store!]() - Support the site! - ​[Redmond, You Have a Problem. A Quality Problem (Premium)]() - Another great editorial from Paul Thurrott. ​ SPONSORED MESSAGE Discover breaking AI news AI is everywhere, but do you really get it? You can, with [The Rundown AI](=) — the free newsletter that delivers the latest AI news, and explains why it matters, straight to your inbox. [SUBSCRIBE WITH ONE CLICK ➜]() ​ [And Just for Funsies...] People talk about their favorite Windows themes. Windows 7's "Aero Glass" was popular, and many people now remember Windows XP's blue "Luna" look fondly. And the Windows 2000 or Windows 98-era "Classic" theme? That never goes out of style. But the real best Windows theme is one that no one ever talks about anymore. You have to go all the way back to 1992 for it. Yes, I'm talking about Windows 3.1's "Hotdog Stand" color scheme with its yellows and reds. This was a real color scheme built into Windows 3.1. Was it a joke? Who knows! But it was a completely real option built into Windows 3.1. [Windows 3.1's Hotdog Stand color scheme.] For some reason, modern versions of Windows no longer have a "Hotdog Stand" theme. C'mon, Microsoft! Stand behind your design choices! But you can still find application themes with this timeless color scheme. Look: [Here's a Hotdog Stand Google Chrome theme!]( Human creativity knows no bounds. Cast your vote... ​[Which Windows theme was your favorite?]()​ See you soon... Hey, have a good weekend! As a reminder, I'll be pressing pause on the newsletter for the next two weeks to deal with a family matter. I'll be back in your inbox soon — including in the first half of next week for Top Tips and Cool Tools! --------------------------------------------------------------- 📊 Last week's poll results: Half of the people who responded are happy with Windows 11's taskbar, while 35% miss Windows 10's taskbar. Interesting! 🗳️ Before you go, be sure to vote in this week's poll: [Which Windows theme was your favorite?]()​ 🤚 Wait! Before you go: What'd you think of this issue? [Thumbs Up]( [Thumbs Down]() Hit the thumbs-up or thumbs-down to cast your vote and let me know. Want less email? [Update your reading preferences](=) to opt out of any individual publications — or [unsubscribe entirely]( from all of our newsletters. New here and not yet subscribed? Take two seconds to [sign up for our newsletters](): Windows Intelligence, Android Intelligence, or Cool Tools (or all three!). 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