Group 1 - The article provides instructions for setting up a scheduled shutdown on Windows 7 using command prompt commands [2][3] - Users can set an automatic shutdown at 23:30 by entering the command "at 23:30 shutdown -s" in the command prompt [2][3] - To view scheduled shutdown commands, users can simply type "at" and press enter [2][3] Group 2 - To cancel a scheduled shutdown, the command "at ID /delete" can be executed, where ID corresponds to the task number [2][3] - A countdown shutdown can be set using seconds, for example, to set a shutdown in 10 minutes (600 seconds), the command "shutdown -s -t 600" should be used [3] - The command "shutdown -a" can be used to abort a shutdown operation [3]

Core Viewpoint - Microsoft has quietly discontinued the phone activation method for Windows, which has been a crucial offline activation option for many users, especially in secure environments where internet access is restricted [1][3][6]. Group 1: Activation Methods - Microsoft has traditionally offered two activation methods: online activation via the internet and phone activation for offline scenarios [3]. - Phone activation has been a reliable method since the Windows XP era, essential for organizations that cannot connect to the internet [3][10]. - The removal of the phone activation option effectively eliminates the last remaining offline activation method, following the previous removal of unofficial KMS activation [3][6]. Group 2: User Experience and Reactions - Users have reported that when attempting to use phone activation, they receive an automated message directing them to activate online instead [6]. - Despite the automated response, Microsoft's official support documentation still claims that phone activation is available, creating confusion among users [4][6]. - The discontinuation of phone activation has led to significant backlash from users, who feel that Microsoft is increasingly making the Windows operating system reliant on online services, detracting from its functionality as a local operating system [7][8]. Group 3: Impact on Specific Environments - The removal of phone activation poses a structural challenge for environments such as government units, industrial control systems, and other secure networks that cannot connect to the internet [10]. - These environments previously relied on a specific activation process that is now rendered obsolete, leading to operational difficulties [7][10].

Core Points - Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on October 14, marking the end of a 10-year and 3-month lifecycle for the operating system [2][36] - While enterprise users can purchase security updates until 2028, regular users will no longer receive updates [2] Group 1: Historical Context - Windows 10 was launched in 2015 after the poor reception of Windows 8, which faced significant criticism for its user interface and functionality [10][12] - The introduction of Windows 10 marked a return to a more traditional desktop experience, incorporating features like virtual desktops and task view, which improved user efficiency [12][14] - Windows 10 also included DirectX 12, enhancing hardware performance by approximately 20% compared to previous versions, which attracted many users to upgrade from Windows 7 [21][23] Group 2: Business Strategy Shift - Microsoft recognized the decline in PC sales and shifted its focus from operating systems to cloud computing and enterprise services under CEO Satya Nadella [29][31] - The company transitioned from a one-time software sales model to a subscription-based model, generating revenue through services like Office 365 and Azure [31][32] - This strategic shift contributed to significant revenue growth, with annual revenue increasing from $86.8 billion to $281.7 billion from 2014 to the present [32] Group 3: Windows 11 and User Experience - Windows 11 was released in 2021, with Microsoft announcing the end of Windows 10 updates by 2025, but users have reported minimal improvements over Windows 10 [36][39] - Ongoing issues with Windows 11, such as bugs and inconsistent UI, have led to dissatisfaction among users, raising questions about its advantages over Windows 10 [39][42]

Group 1: Apple Manufacturing and Technology - Tim Cook stated that Apple will assemble iPhones in the U.S. once suitable robotic arms are available, emphasizing that automation technology is central to this plan [1] - Cook indicated that Apple prefers to reduce reliance on manual labor to minimize risks, suggesting that U.S. workers would take on technical roles rather than basic assembly tasks [1] Group 2: Apple Security Vulnerabilities - A series of vulnerabilities named "Airborne" affecting AirPlay functionality were disclosed, impacting millions of Apple devices [2][4] - Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities for various threats, including espionage and ransomware, particularly in crowded public Wi-Fi areas [4] - Apple has released patches for 17 of the identified vulnerabilities and recommended users upgrade their devices to mitigate risks [4] Group 3: Apple Product Developments - The upcoming iPhone 18 series is expected to debut with 6-channel LPDDR5X memory, enhancing performance capabilities [5] - The new memory design aims to improve bandwidth, with the potential for future iterations to adopt even more advanced memory technologies [6] - Apple is also working on an advanced event camera system for future MacBook devices, as indicated by a newly approved patent [8] Group 4: Industry Developments - Samsung announced a rebranding of its high-end QD-OLED display technology, highlighting improvements in peak brightness and color performance [8] - The company has achieved a peak brightness of over 4000 nits, representing a more than 30% increase from the previous generation [8]

Core Insights - Microsoft transitioned from a paid upgrade model to a free upgrade strategy with Windows 10, marking a significant shift in its approach to operating system distribution [2][5][10] Group 1: Historical Context - Prior to Windows 10, users had to pay for upgrades from previous versions like Windows 7, Vista, and XP [1] - Windows 7 was highly successful, but Windows 8 faced backlash due to its radical interface changes, leading to a split user base and poor sales performance [3][4] Group 2: Strategic Shift - Under CEO Satya Nadella, Microsoft redefined its strategy to focus on cloud services and continuous user engagement, leading to the "Windows as a Service" model [5][6] - The free upgrade policy for Windows 10 aimed to unify the user base and reduce system fragmentation, with a goal of having 1 billion devices running Windows 10 within a few years [6][9] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The decision to offer free upgrades was influenced by competitors like Apple, which had already made its OS upgrades free, and the growing popularity of free Linux distributions [4][9] - Microsoft sought to retain users and prevent them from switching to alternatives like Mac or Chromebook by lowering the upgrade cost [9] Group 4: Data and Monetization - Windows 10 incorporated telemetry features to collect user data, which helped Microsoft optimize the OS and improve user experience, although it raised privacy concerns [7][8] - The company found alternative revenue streams through app store commissions, advertising, and subscriptions to services like Microsoft 365 [8] Group 5: Long-term Vision - The free upgrade strategy was a defensive move to maintain the Windows ecosystem and counteract piracy in emerging markets [10] - Ultimately, Windows 10 became the fastest adopted operating system in Microsoft's history, signaling a new era for the company [10]