Windows 11 security issue makes selling your PC a risk

Both Windows 11 and Windows 10 are supposed to make it easy to reset your devices to securely remove all your files and settings, but now Microsoft has confirmed that there is an issue where certain files aren’t actually deleted .

This is a very concerning problem, as many people use the ‘Reset’ feature of Windows 11 and Windows 10 to completely wipe their data before selling or giving away their old devices.

The process itself claims to remove all of your data, but if some remains, whoever gets your device in the future could potentially find and open left-over files, for example, which could include private or sensitive information. And, because the ‘Reset’ feature claims all your files are deleted, you could be putting yourself at risk without even knowing it.

Affected versions

It's an embarrassing situation for Microsoft, especially because it seems the issue is with OneDrive , Microsoft’s cloud storage service that the company asks you use when you sign in to Windows.

As Windows Central reports , the affected versions of Windows are:

According to Microsoft , “When attempting to reset a Windows device with apps which have folders with reparse data, such as OneDrive or OneDrive for Business, files which have been downloaded or synced locally from OneDrive might not be deleted when selecting the “Remove everything” option.”

This is certainly a concerning development for anyone thinking about selling or giving away an old laptop.

Analysis: There is a fix – but is it too late?

The good news is that Microsoft has shared a workaround to stop this happening. To make sure all your files are wiped, sign out of OneDrive. If you can, also unlink OneDrive from the device. Then, go through the process of resetting your PC.

If you’ve already reset your PC, make a new account, log in and then open up the Settings app. Click ‘Storage’ then ‘Storage Sense’. Run Storage Sense to remove the Windowld folder (which you can also find and manually delete through the File Explorer app). This will remove the last remnants of your files and folders.

While it’s good that there is a workaround, it’s a bit of a faff, and a process that’s easy to forget to do. Worst of all, as we mentioned earlier, the ‘Reset PC’ process still claims your files are deleted and it’s save to give away the PC.

For anyone who has given away a PC or laptop (or sold one) after using the ‘Reset’ option, then this workaround comes too late. Frustratingly, there were reports of this issue earlier this year, but Microsoft has only now confirmed its existence. This delay may have caused people to use the feature assuming all their files have been securely removed.

This workaround also comes too late for people who have already given away their PCs. If that’s the case, then you may still not need to worry too much, as what data might have been left on there is buried away in the Windowld folder, which does eventually get replaced, so a user would have to know to look there.

Still, it’s worth changing any details such as passwords, if you kept them in a file on your OneDrive (which we recommend no one ever does anyway).

Microsoft is also working on a permanent fix for this issue, which the company says will be including in “an upcoming release.” Hopefully this comes sooner rather than later to ensure as few people as possible are affected by this issue.

The best cheap Roku sales and deals for May 2022

Roku sale prices are discounted regularly throughout the year as competition in the streaming stick world is seriously intense. Good thing you've landed here then, as we're here to tell you which Roku deals are best for your needs and where to find the hottest sales on them too.

Roku's Streaming sticks and boxes plug into your TV via an HDMI port, essentially turning any old HD/4K TV into a smart TV or boosting the number of apps on any modern smart TV that seems to be missing a few of your favorites. In a video streaming device world dominated by Amazon, Google, and Apple, Roku is the plucky underdog that continues to hold its own.

In addition to worldwide services like Netflix, Amazon, and Spotify, you'll find plenty of apps for your country. HBO Now, Hulu, Sling, and CBS All Access in the US and BBC iPlayer, All 4, and Now TV in the UK, for example. Frankly, Roku can't be beaten as far as the number and quality of streaming services it supports. And yes, there are options to view in 4K HDR too.

There are a lot of Roku devices out there in the wild, though, and some of them have been discontinued as they've been made obsolete by newer releases. Some, however, have an advantage or feature that new sticks don't cater for, so we've kept price comparison charts around for those models.

Generally, though, we've cut down the list to include the most relevant Roku streaming devices that are readily available and represent great value of money for you.

The Roku Express 4K Plus was released in April of this year and allows you to stream your favorite content in 4K Ultra HD resolution with support for HDR10+. The affordable streaming stick includes a Roku voice remote so you can launch movies, search for titles and adjust the volume completely hands-free. The 4K streaming device launched in the US and UK with a starting price of $39.99/£39.99. Even though the Roku Express 4K is a new release, we've already seen slight discounts on the streaming device, and we're hoping to see a record-low price during the upcoming Black Friday 2021 sale.

Roku continues to give rival streaming devices something to worry about as the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus is super modern, super small and, most importantly, super cheap. Not to mention, unlike many of the older models it's been released in the UK too. Now Brits can finally join the 4K Roku party like the US has been enjoying for years! You're even getting HDR content from supported apps too.

While Amazon's 4K Fire TV Sticks are similarly priced and have a more intuitive remote design, plus Alexa support, you might find the wider range of streaming services on the Roku more appealing.

This is the cheapest streaming device in the Roku family. The Roku Express is newer and cheaper than the other standard Roku Streaming Stick and does all the same jobs. If you want to turn any HDMI TV into a Smart TV for as little as possible - this is for you.

However, we'd be tempted to keep an eye out for a good deal on the 4K version mentioned earlier just to avoid having to buy one once 4K content becomes the norm.

This Roku was not released in the UK. So don't expect many (if any) UK prices. The Roku Ultra is the most feature-packed of all the Roku media streamers. It has all the quality 4K and HDR streaming and ports of the Roku Premiere Plus. So what do you get for the extra cash? The remote control gets the most attention on the Ultra as it can be used for voice search, it has extra buttons to make it a handy game controller and there's even a little speaker to help you find it via a button on the console. There's also a USB storage slot and an optical out audio port.  We're loving the option for private listening via the bundled-in JBL headphones headphones that you can plug into the remote too.

If you're not bothered about the extra audio ports, expandable storage and using the Roku for gaming, then you should opt for one of the Roku deals we mentioned earlier and save a big chunk of cash.

EA blows the final whistle on 30-year FIFA Partnership

EA has announced that the FIFA series will be dropping the football body’s license, and will instead be called EA Sports FC.

The news comes after months of speculation that FIFA 22 would be the last FIFA game, with EA considering renaming the series due to high licensing fees from FIFA.

In a post on EA’s website , EVP and Group GM of EA SPORTS, Cam Weber revealed that next year will see the launch of EA Sports FC. However, for those worried that the game may go the eFootball 2022 route, with scant licensing for leagues, clubs, and players, it seems EA has maintained most of its partnerships.

“Everything you love about our games will be part of EA SPORTS FC – the same great experiences, modes, leagues, tournaments, clubs, and athletes will be there,” Weber said.

"Ultimate Team, Career Mode, Pro Clubs, and VOLTA Football will all be there. Our unique licensing portfolio of more than 19,000+ players, 700+ teams, 100+ stadiums and 30 leagues that we’ve continued to invest in for decades will still be there, uniquely in EA SPORTS FC. That includes exclusive partnerships with the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, the MLS – and more to come.”

Weber added that this is intended as more than just a renaming of the series too and that EA will look to innovate, “ensuring EA SPORTS FC is a symbol of change.” Details on what that change could be aren’t clear, but he says this independence will allow the series to “innovate, create and evolve”.

One more kickabout

However, despite early speculation, FIFA 22 will not be the last title in the series. There will still be one more FIFA, which is set to arrive later this year. In the post, Weber said, “EA SPORTS FC will allow us to realize this future and much more…but not before we deliver our most expansive game ever with our current naming rights partner, FIFA, for one more year.

“We are committed to ensuring the next FIFA is our best ever, with more features, game modes, World Cup content, clubs, leagues, competitions, and players than any FIFA title before.”

However, if you are excited about hearing more news on the series, don’t expect it any time soon. The post on EA’s website says we won’t hear anything about the game until Summer 2023.

This ends a 30-year partnership and a massive change for one of the most successful game series in the world. We will have to see if this name change generates any sort of negativity, but seeing what the developers can do with the series without the say-so of FIFA itself is potentially interesting.