AI using language to understand some history ,  https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/08/ai-built-from-1800s-texts-surprises-creator-by-mentioning-real-1834-london-protests/  

Microsoft released KB5064081 (OS Build 26100.5074) for Windows 11 24H2.    Highlights for the Windows 11, version 24H2 update:  Recall* opens to a personalized homepage that puts your recent activity and top-used apps and websites front and center, making it easy to pick up where you left off. After turning on snapshot collection, the homepage highlights key productivity features like Recent Snapshots, which show the latest snapshots to help you quickly resume tasks, and Top Apps and Websites, which display the three apps and websites you’ve used most in the past 24 hours. When you launch Click to Do* for the first time, you'll see a quick, interactive tutorial. It shows how to complete tasks faster by demonstrating actions on both text and images—such as summarizing large blocks of text or removing image backgrounds. When an app requests access to location, camera, microphone, or other device capabilities, Windows shows a redesigned system dialog box. To emphasize the privacy prompt, the screen dims slightly, and the prompt appears at the center of the screen. When you use Search from the Windows taskbar, a new grid view will help you more quickly and accurately identify the desired image within your search. More widget options and support for lock screen widget personalization (previously referred to as “Weather and more”) are rolling out.  * Experiences for Copilot+ PCs only   See the list of improvements included in in the update at KB50664080 for Windows 11 24H2.  The update for Windows 11 23H2 and Windows 11 22H2 addresses non-security issues.   Update:  To get the update, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. The link to download the update can be found in the Optional updates available section.

@HJ I am surprised you don't have specialized property valuation software which is Windows-only.

I still run Windows 11 on a couple of (newish) machines - one desktop, one notebook. I don't have anything mission-critical anymore, but there are a couple of nice-to-haves that are not supported in Linux. My train simulator games are monstrous and inefficient and will never be ported over to Linux. Also I have a very nice photo management program that *might* run under WINE - or not. Mainly I keep Windows 11 running to offer support to family and friends. I don't run Edge, Office, Lightroom, Photoshop or any other "must have" programs that are Windows-only. I have made it a point to use cross-platform stuff like Libre Office, GIMP, Firefox for many years. I really have no ax to grind with Microsoft aside from their lack of support for older still useful hardware. They were never able to stop me from installing and using Linux on any machine.  

Same here Ray!  (once again, we seem to have parallel experiences with computer OSes)  I remember Windows 3.0; 3.1; Win95; Win98; and WinME.  WinME was indeed problematic, and I bought a new machine with WinXP as soon as I started hearing good things about XP.  I skipped Vista (on purpose), and reluctantly went with Win7 when I could no longer stay on XP.  Win7 was probably the best version of Windows I ever ran, and if MS hadn't trotted out Win8, I wouldn't have found Linux when I did.  Win7 was end of the line for me and MS products....I found Linux, and I have told that story on this forum numerous times.   I don't miss Windows AT ALL.  I do have Windows VMs, but that is only because OTHER professionals require a MS program that cannot be substituted with a Linux alternative.  I still have a WinXP VM that hasn't been opened in years, but still perfectly functioning and the VM is faster than WinXP ever was on hardware.  I have Win7 that also hasn't been opened since Win7 support ceased....although I do fire it up on occasion and verify it's still functional....it IS!  My go-to Win VM is Win10, and I have a version of Windows 11....Tiny 11....ready to roll, when/if needed.    Over the years, the list of "required Windows programs" has been whittled down to Quickbooks Desktop, at my CPA/accountant's requirement.  But QB is herding the world toward their ONLINE version, and I REFUSE to put my financial data online.  If a breach were to happen, I just can't imagine the world where Intuit would indemnify me for that.  My bank...probably; Intuit....I doubt it?!  And my accountant has realized that Intuit is a competitor to him, as they now offer bookkeeping/accounting services through their online SAS.  So he has finally relaxed his Quickbooks requirement.  If we can agree on a suitable alternative, and there's a native Linux version that suits my purposes, I may finally have ZERO need for Windows....not even a VM.