Microsoft is bringing Window’s 11’s slimmed-down updates to Windows 10, shedding megabytes for quicker upgrades

Windows 10’s monthly updates will get a lot smaller, and therefore quicker to download and install, thanks to a feature that first debuted in Windows 11. Users with eligible devices can expect a decrease in update since the April 9, 2024 update which was 830 MB to around 630 MB with the latest update, released on April 23, 2024. 

The change was announced by Microsoft in a Windows blog post, writing that Windows 10 users will be getting a significant efficiency boost. Monthly Windows updates are typical for Windows 10 and Windows 11, and having to download bulky updates can be annoying and time consuming, especially for people with slower (or metered) internet connections. 

You can read more about what the shrunk-down update, KB5036979, will bring on Microsoft’s Support blog. Some of the developments that this update brings include account-related notifications (such as account activities, data backups, subscription management, and security settings) across the Start menu and Settings, an updated Widgets lock screen, a fix for a Bluetooth-related issue affecting certain wireless earbuds, an improved and more reliable Windows Search, as well as other quality-of-life updates. 

Woman sitting at a table in a modern corporate office, working at a laptop

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff)

Improved Windows 10 updates ahead

Microsoft explains that until now, Windows 11 cumulative updates were more efficiently packaged than those for Windows 10. This has now changed, with a reduction in the size of the monthly latest cumulative update (LCU) package.

If your device is running Windows 10, make sure you have done the following to make sure you’re ready for these new updates:

  1. Check if you’ve updated your system since the Windows 10 July 23, 2023 update (KB5028244).
  2. If you haven’t, download and install Servicing Stack Update (SSU) KB5031539
  3. Once the above step is finished, download and install a quality update from April 2023 or later. 

It’s good to see that Windows 10 users are still getting quality updates and that Microsoft is making adjustments to make them easier to install, especially as we approach Windows 10’s End-of-Life date on October 14, 2025. While I’m sure Windows 10 users appreciate that they’re still getting improved functionality, it remains sensible to prepare to update to Windows 11 (or whatever the next iteration of Windows is called which we expect to learn about soon). 

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It’s now quicker than ever to buy the items on your Pinterest board

Pinterest has made it even easier to purchase your inspiration with a new partnership with Woocommerce.

The official ‘Pinterest for WooCommerce’ extension is now available in the WooCommerce Marketplace, allowing sellers on both platforms the ability to offer Pinterest shopping functionalities directly from a Pinterest account.

The two companies say the exchange of services means over three million WooCommerce sellers will now be connected with Pinterest’s 400 million monthly users.

Social media meets ecommerce 

According to Pinterest data, 97% of the top searches on the site are unbranded, meaning shoppers are within the discovery stage of their journey. When they do purchase, Pinterest users spend two times more than people on other platforms. 

“By partnering together we provide the best integrated Pinterest shopping experience possible for WooCommerce merchants to be on the cutting edge of social commerce,” said Aleksandra Bettin, Vice President of Business Development at WooCommerce. 

“WooCommerce is highly invested in our merchants' success. Merchants need the right options to reach the right audiences–this integration with Pinterest helps them do that.”

WooCommerce ecommerce merchants can create or connect a Pinterest for Business account and automatically sync their product catalog, turning their products into browsable product Pins. 

Similar to an ecommerce platform, users will be able to measure conversions on their Pinterest ads and optimize these ads for shopping campaigns or retargeting by installing the Pinterest tag.

“WooCommerce is a critical partner to continue to grow our support for our Pinterest business community. Pinterest supports the entire shopping journey not just for Pinners, but for advertisers, merchants, and creators too. Our goal is to make it easier than ever for WooCommerce merchants to reach and convert Pinterest shoppers,” said Rachel Hardy, Head of Shopping Product Marketing at Pinterest.

In 2015, Pinterest introduced a ‘Buy it’ button for pinners to make purchases from the collection of ideas saved on their Pinterest board. At the time, any item with a blue price tag was labeled a buyable pin, which meant you could tap it and buy it with a credit card or Apple Pay.

As a shopping platform, Pinterest plans to combine the commercial intent of its audience with the ability to visually explore products as you would in a magazine or catalog.

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It’s now quicker than ever to buy the items on your Pinterest board

Pinterest has made it even easier to purchase your inspiration with a new partnership with Woocommerce.

The official ‘Pinterest for WooCommerce’ extension is now available in the WooCommerce Marketplace, allowing sellers on both platforms the ability to offer Pinterest shopping functionalities directly from a Pinterest account.

The two companies say the exchange of services means over three million WooCommerce sellers will now be connected with Pinterest’s 400 million monthly users.

Social media meets ecommerce 

According to Pinterest data, 97% of the top searches on the site are unbranded, meaning shoppers are within the discovery stage of their journey. When they do purchase, Pinterest users spend two times more than people on other platforms. 

“By partnering together we provide the best integrated Pinterest shopping experience possible for WooCommerce merchants to be on the cutting edge of social commerce,” said Aleksandra Bettin, Vice President of Business Development at WooCommerce. 

“WooCommerce is highly invested in our merchants' success. Merchants need the right options to reach the right audiences–this integration with Pinterest helps them do that.”

WooCommerce ecommerce merchants can create or connect a Pinterest for Business account and automatically sync their product catalog, turning their products into browsable product Pins. 

Similar to an ecommerce platform, users will be able to measure conversions on their Pinterest ads and optimize these ads for shopping campaigns or retargeting by installing the Pinterest tag.

“WooCommerce is a critical partner to continue to grow our support for our Pinterest business community. Pinterest supports the entire shopping journey not just for Pinners, but for advertisers, merchants, and creators too. Our goal is to make it easier than ever for WooCommerce merchants to reach and convert Pinterest shoppers,” said Rachel Hardy, Head of Shopping Product Marketing at Pinterest.

In 2015, Pinterest introduced a ‘Buy it’ button for pinners to make purchases from the collection of ideas saved on their Pinterest board. At the time, any item with a blue price tag was labeled a buyable pin, which meant you could tap it and buy it with a credit card or Apple Pay.

As a shopping platform, Pinterest plans to combine the commercial intent of its audience with the ability to visually explore products as you would in a magazine or catalog.

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It’s now quicker than ever to start a Microsoft Teams call

There could soon be no escape from a quick Microsoft Teams catch-up after the company released a new update that makes setting up a call easier than ever.

The video conferencing service will soon let users cast directly from their desktop to Microsoft Teams Rooms hardware, meaning there's no need for a formal meeting any more.

Instead, users can employ the new Teams casting feature to wirelessly connect to a Teams Room, no matter where in the world they are.

Microsoft Teams casting

In its entry in the Microsoft 365 roadmap, the company says it sees the upgrade as ideal for quick ad-hoc sessions that don't require setting up a formal meeting.

The feature will work across Windows and Mac versions of the Teams desktop client, with users able to broadcast their screen and cast content stored locally on their computer or accessible via Office 365.

The feature is still listed as “in development”, but Microsoft has listed a general availability date of March 2022, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. The tool will be made generally available to desktop users everywhere upon release.

The news is the latest example of Microsoft Teams working in harmony with other services and products in a bid for improved efficiency.

Recently, Microsoft revealed that users will soon be able to add apps built for Microsoft Teams across Office.com and the Office app for Windows, meaning there's now no need to switch between platforms in order to use specific apps.

The company is also working on a new feature that will let users run apps built for Microsoft Teams within its Outlook email service.

The move should make online collaboration and communication a much more seamless and smoother experience, meaning users shouldn't need to constantly switch between Teams and Outlook to stay on top of their work.

Microsoft Teams continues to go from strength to strength, with the latest figures from the company showing that the service now boasts over 270 million monthly active users.

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