Boost your laptop's battery in seconds

Plus: AI arrives in Microsoft Paint  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [Windows Intelligence](#) [Windows Intelligence](#) Brought to you by: [AI Tool Report logo](​ And we're back! The time around Thanksgiving here in the U.S. is normally a quiet one for the tech news, with seemingly everything else put on the back burner so everyone can focus on deals, deals, deals (and turkey.) This year was a little different, as Microsoft's chosen AI partner appeared to descend into complete corporate chaos. I've never seen anything like it. But let's talk PCs. Whether you picked up a new laptop during the recent sales, or you're still using your trusty old PC — just like I am! — I've got some quick advice for getting more power from that all-important laptop battery. [Chris Hoffman, AUthor] Chris Today's read: ⌚ 3 Things to Know: 2 minutes ⌚ 3 Things to Try: 2 minutes ⌚ Top Thurrott Thoughts: 30 seconds ⌚ Just for Fun: 20 seconds ​ [] [3 Things to Know This Week] ​ 1. Europe is getting a better version of Windows ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Microsoft is making some welcome changes to Windows — but only in the European Economic Area (EEA.) Still, it looks like those of us outside Europe may be able to get in on the fun. 🔎 KNOW MORE: The Digital Markets Act (DMA) requires companies make some changes to their software, and those changes are things many Windows users have long wanted. - You'll be able to change the default web search engine in the Start menu — no more mandatory Bing. Also, you'll be able to choose a "feed provider" for the Widgets pane — no more mandatory list of often-clickbait stories from Microsoft. - Microsoft also says Windows system components will use your default app settings when opening links. In other words, Windows won't force you to open Edge when you click various links. - In the fine print, Microsoft says it will use the region you choose when setting up your PC to determine if you're in the EEA. It may just take a few clicks to get this better version of Windows elsewhere in the world. We'll see! 📌 READ MORE: Here's [a quick analysis of the changes](). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Microsoft's AI partner is in chaos ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: If you haven't been paying attention to the news, you'll never believe what happened at OpenAI, Microsoft's partner in AI. 🔎 KNOW MORE: OpenAI, a non-profit organization that Microsoft invested billions of dollars in, has spent the last few weeks in absolute chaos — but things seem like they're calming down. - On November 17, OpenAI's board removed CEO Sam Altman and shocked everyone, including Microsoft. The board's accusations against Altman were so strong — and yet so vague — that law enforcement started investigating - One leak claimed an internal project named Q* is proving so capable that it was among the reasons the board dumped the CEO, as they feared Altman would rush to release it and not proceed safely. - No one really knows what's going on, but the power struggle is over, and Altman is back in charge. Meanwhile, Microsoft is full steam ahead and working on integrating OpenAI's upgraded GPT-4 Turbo model in Copilot. 📌 READ MORE: Look over [the latest happenings at OpenAI](). Or, take a break from the cut-throat corporate drama and read about [GPT-4 Turbo coming to Copilot](). --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. PC fingerprint readers are vulnerable (even Microsoft's) ➜ THE SHORT VERSION: Biometrics on Windows PCs don't seem very secure. Many fingerprint readers are apparently vulnerable — even some ones made by Microsoft itself. 🔎 KNOW MORE: Researchers successfully fooled fingerprint readers in a Dell, Lenovo, and even a Microsoft Surface PC. - Microsoft developed a Secure Device Connection Protocol designed to ensure fingerprint readers communicate securely with PCs. - Many companies apparently aren't bothering to enable this security feature. Even Microsoft isn't using its own security standard on the Surface Pro the researchers tested. - An attacker would need physical access to your computer to pull this off, so it's not the end of the world as a home user — but organizations with high security requirements should think twice before trusting fingerprint sign-ins. 📌 READ MORE: Check out [the details of the exploit](). SPONSORED MESSAGE Learn how to save time and earn more with AI [Rosie from the Jetsons giving a high five](​ Sure, AI is all the buzz these days, but how valuable is it really? Turns out, pretty valuable, if you know how to use it. Luckily, [AI Tool Report]( is teaching people how to make the most of AI in just five minutes a day. Join over 475,000+ productivity pro’s who are using the AI Tool Report’s daily newsletter to keep up with the latest in trending tools, powerful prompts, news, and more. AI is moving fast — don't let it pass you by: 🤝 Subscribe for F-R-E-E and skim in just 5 minutes 🧠Join execs from Microsoft, Tesla, Meta, and more 🤖 Learn how to automate tasks and save hours every week! ➜ [The future won’t wait. Stay up-to-date on the latest in AI by subscribing to AI Tool Report today with just one click!](​ [​READ TODAY’S AI UPDATE ➜]( ​ [] [3 Things to Try This Week] 1. Boost your laptop's battery life Many laptops still don't get great battery life. If you're away from an outlet for a while, that's a problem. But a one-click feature in Windows can help. ➜ Microsoft is working on an upgraded "energy saver" mode for Windows 11. But both Windows 10 and Windows 11 already have a convenient battery-saver mode — and there's more you can do. ⌚ You can activate battery saver mode in 2 seconds. Other tips will take you a few more seconds to follow 💻 These tricks work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. 📌 Check out [my new guide to Windows Battery Saver mode](=) for the details --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Generate AI art in Microsoft Paint Microsoft just made Paint's AI "Cocreator" feature available to everyone without a waitlist on Windows 11. ➜ The Cocreator uses OpenAI's DALL-E 3 image generation model, just like Copilot, Bing Chat, and Bing Image Creator. But it's in Paint! ⌚ You can generate AI art in just 5 seconds. 💻 This is only on Windows 11. (But Windows 10 users can use a similar tool on the web.) To use Cocreator, launch Paint from the Start menu on the latest version of Windows 11. Click the "Cocreator" button on the toolbar to get started. All you have to do is describe an image and choose an art style. [An image generator with Cocreator in Microsoft Paint.] If you see a button asking you to join the waitlist, click it — you should instantly get access. (According to Microsoft, Cocreator is currently available in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, France, Italy, and Germany.) You will need to sign into your PC with a Microsoft account to use this tool. If you don't want to — or if you're using Windows 10 — ask [Bing Chat](=) to create an image or try [Bing Image Creator]( on the web. 📌 Look at [Microsoft's Cocreator support page]() to learn more. --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Check your PC's specs without extra apps PC hardware-checking apps have always been popular, but Windows offers a lot of information about your PC's hardware without any extra software needed. ➜ You can see details about your PC's CPU, storage, RAM, and graphics — including various model numbers, capacities, and speeds — in just a few clicks. ⌚ You can find this information in 5 seconds. 💻 This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. First, open the Task Manager — to do so, right-click an empty spot on your taskbar and select "Task Manager," or press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. On Windows 11, click the "Performance" icon in the left sidebar. [The Performance pane in Windows 11's Task Manager.] 🔟 On Windows 10, click the "Performance" tab at the top of the window. If you don't see it, click "More details" at the bottom of the window. [The Task Manager's Performance pane on Windows 10.] That's it — click the various components in your computer to see more information. If you ever want to check information about your PC or just see current system usage details, just head to this place in the Task Manager. ​ [] [Top Thurrott Thoughts] Some standout links and expert analysis from our friends at Thurrott, who have been covering Windows since 1994: - ​[Evernote is Testing Drastic Changes to its Free Plan]( - OneNote is a great alternative. - ​[Tiny11 2311 Fully Supports Windows 11 Version 23H2, Is Even Smaller]( - I may need to try this out. - ​[Google is Investigating a Drive Data Loss Issue](=) - Yikes. - ​[I’ve Been Using DuckDuckGo Search for Two Weeks and the World Didn’t End (Premium)]( - Google isn't the only game in town. - ​[Amazon Announces Q, an AI Chatbot for the Enterprise]() - Amazon is making an AI chatbot play. ​ [And Just for Funsies...] December is the time for ugly Christmas sweaters. And Microsoft is back with [an ugly Christmas sweater featuring Windows XP's famous "Bliss" wallpaper](). It's the hot new fashion accessory this holiday season. [Two people wearing Windows XP "Bliss" Christmas sweaters.] Microsoft's sweaters are apparently in serious demand — the sweater sold out very quickly. It's still a really cool design to take a look at, though. Since 2018, Microsoft has released a new ugly Christmas sweater each year. [Take a look at all of them over at XDA]( — last year's sweater featured Clippy! Until next time... That's it for this week! I'm looking forward to a bright future for Windows Intelligence and all of us here at The Intelligence. I wish you a bright future, too. Take care! 🤚 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. New here and not yet subscribed? 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