TechRadar News

• Scattered Spider is no longer targeting retailers, Google claims
• "Multiple" intrusions have been spotted in the US
• Insurance companies now seem to be in the crosshairs

The notorious Scattered Spider cybercrime gang is apparently stepping away from attacking high-end retailers and has begun targeting insurance organizations in the US, experts have claimed.

Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) cybersecurity researchers claim to have seen multiple attacks, and are now urging organizations to be on the lookout for potential threats.

"Google Threat Intelligence Group is now aware of multiple intrusions in the US which bear all the hallmarks of Scattered Spider activity. We are now seeing incidents in the insurance industry," chief GTIG analyst John Hultquist said in an email shared with TechRadar Pro.

DragonForce

Scattered Spider is a “loosely knit” cybercriminal organization operating within a larger hacking community known as “the Com,” known for targeting one industry at the time.

It recently targeted high-end retailers, mostly in the UK, including Harrods, M&S and the Co-op, and has also engaged with US companies, going for social engineering, SIM-swapping, and ransomware.

"Given this actor's history of focusing on a sector at a time, the insurance industry should be on high alert, especially for social engineering schemes, which target their help desks and call centers," Hultquist stressed.

Although Google did not discuss who the victims are, The Register says two US-based companies recently reported suffering a cyberattack: Erie Insurance, and Philadelphia Insurance Company. Neither confirmed the incidents were the work of Scattered Spider, but the news aligned suspiciously well.

The publication also says the crooks usually start their attacks with fake helpdesk calls, after which they trick the victims into granting access to their devices, which is later used to deploy the DragonForce ransomware encryptor.

There are multiple ways to defend against ransomware attacks, but the best one is to raise employee awareness about phishing and social engineering, since most attacks abuse people, rather than systems.

Via The Register

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Imagine starting your workday not just with a cup of coffee and a laptop, but also with a digital colleague that’s already set up your priorities, analyzed critical data, and prepared actionable insights. This is the near-future reality of workplaces powered by AI agents, which are already demonstrating advanced capabilities unimagined previously.

A day in the life with an AI agent

Take, for example, a tax consultant in this future scenario. She’s a part of a global team that manages vast volumes of financial data for clients around the world. Every client expects speed, accuracy, and insight, and she has an AI agent that helps deliver exactly that. The consultant begins her day by greeting her AI agent, which has been trained to suit her work style. It’s already reviewed updates to tax policy across the globe and compiled a personalized briefing with key updates and client priorities.

Throughout the day, the consultant and agent collaborate seamlessly. She speaks to the AI agent naturally, and it responds like a curious colleague, surfacing insights, raising considerations, and suggesting strategies, all informed by a memory of their working history. In meetings, the AI agent participates by summarizing discussions, scheduling follow-ups, and providing real-time data analysis.

By the end of the day, the consultant had made faster, more informed decisions and had spent more time on meaningful client interactions, while the AI agent handled the heavy lifting in the background. It’s a knowledgeable partnership enhancing her day-to-day effectiveness.

Agents are a new paradigm of computing

Behind the scenes, we believe this agentic experience will be powered by a three-layer framework of AI agents: Functional agents, which handle specific, repetitive tasks, freeing consultants to focus on strategic work, e.g., automatically gathering client data, reviewing changes to tax codes, and drafting compliance reports.

Optimization agents, which coordinate those tasks, dynamically adjust workflows to maximize efficiency, e.g., reallocating agent capacity during peak tax season and flagging high-priority clients based on filing deadlines or risk levels.

Responsible AI agents, which oversee compliance, security, and ethics, e.g., ensuring the consultant’s AI tools remain audit-ready, adhere to client confidentiality rules, and avoid using outdated or unauthorized datasets.

These agents go beyond assisting the consultant; they can work autonomously to complete a task. The consultant directs teams of agents, instructing them when they need a decision and quality checking the work. These hybrid human and agentic teams are underpinned by a responsible AI orchestration layer of technology, which manages the workflows within defined responsible AI principles.

This isn’t just about a step-change in technology – more broadly, it’s a total transformation of how we engage with technology. Agentic AI makes work feel adaptive, conversational, and context-aware. It’s a new mode of working where digital systems anticipate needs, communicate, and take action in real-time.

Preparing for the AI-enhanced workplace

As AI-human hybrid teams become more prevalent, organizations must lay the groundwork to use agentic AI wisely and effectively. Success with the technology will depend on establishing a robust, responsible AI orchestration layer informed by strong governance frameworks, but above all, creating “AI-ready” data, which is the foundation of an agentic workforce.

Without high-quality, well-structured, and trusted data, even the most sophisticated AI agents can falter. Equally, poorly governed AI agents – especially those interacting directly with customers, financial data, or regulated environments – can create reputational, legal, and operational exposure. Organizations need not just strong data governance, but clear accountability frameworks for how AI agents are deployed, monitored, and evolved over time.

There’s also the critical human factor: if trust erodes due to unexplained errors or opaque behavior, adoption can stall or stop. Organizations are beginning to prepare their workforces for the agentic AI future by providing foundational AI learning and actively gathering feedback to improve adoption.

Are you ready to welcome your new AI team members?

For organizations preparing for an agentic workforce, there are clear foundations required for success: invest in data and infrastructure, define governance early, and proactively bring the leaders and employees on the journey.

The potential in terms of productivity, experience, and growth with AI is material to every business. Execution, as always, is the challenge to achieve the promised value. Adopting AI isn’t just about providing the technology – it is also essential to create an “AI-ready mindset” where people are excited to learn new skills and feel a part of the transformative opportunities. Change management led by ‘AI-ready leaders’ is proving to be the key differentiator between businesses that excel with AI and those that struggle.

The views reflected in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

After 15+ years in AI and telecom, launching startups, building platforms and advising businesses of all sizes, I’ve seen one constant: missed calls cost money. For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), every unanswered call represents lost revenue, wasted marketing spend, and a missed chance to deliver great service.

AI voice agents are now solving that problem at scale. These agents don’t just answer phones, they engage customers conversationally, route inquiries intelligently, and ensure no opportunity slips through the cracks. What used to require large call centers can now be handled by cloud-based voice AI with minimal setup.

We surveyed SMB owners and managers nationwide. The impact was clear: 97% of businesses using AI voice agents saw revenue growth, and 82% saw improved customer engagement. But here’s the surprising part: only 22% have adopted the technology. Nearly one-third of SMBs plan to invest in AI voice agents within the next 12 to 24 months - a clear sign that momentum is building even as hesitation remains.

The AI gap

So, what's holding others back? From what I’ve seen, it’s rarely a lack of interest. It’s inertia, often fueled by outdated assumptions. Some business owners worry their customers won’t engage with AI, others believe the technology is too expensive or too complicated to implement. But the data tells a different story.

Businesses that have embraced AI voice agents aren’t just overcoming these concerns, they’re gaining a competitive edge. Nearly half of adopters already self-identify as “industry leaders”, and that’s no coincidence. Many have fully integrated voice AI into daily workflows, particularly in customer support and sales, where responsiveness is critical. By contrast, only a small percentage of businesses that see themselves as just “competitive” have taken similar steps, highlighting a growing gap between early adopters and those still on the sidelines.

That gap doesn’t exist by accident. It reflects a deeper issue: confidence. Many business owners say they’re keeping up with tech trends, but few are acting on it. In fact, 60% admit they don’t feel confident implementing or integrating new technology. Yet those who have adopted AI voice agents are seeing measurable impact - particularly in high-volume, low-complexity areas like inbound sales and FAQs. The takeaway? Adoption doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing. Starting with a focused use case can unlock immediate value and build momentum.

Solutions that are fast and flexible

Beyond customer-facing results, voice AI reduces strain on internal teams. Instead of chasing down missed calls or manually responding to basic inquiries, staff can focus on higher-impact work. For small teams juggling multiple roles, offloading routine communication isn’t just efficient, it’s a morale booster. The time savings alone can meaningfully shift how resources are allocated and how teams perform.

Unlike large enterprises, where AI deployments often require dedicated teams and long lead times, SMBs need solutions that are fast, flexible, and easy to implement. The most effective voice AI platforms are built with this reality in mind, combining enterprise-grade performance with cloud-based delivery, simple integrations, and pricing models designed to scale with smaller operations.

As real-time responsiveness becomes the standard, these solutions not only help businesses meet rising customer expectations, they also unlock deeper operational insights. With built-in analytics and voice data intelligence, they turn everyday interactions into opportunities for smarter decisions and better service.

Solutions

The hesitation to adopt AI often comes down to what I call the three C’s: customer resistance, cost, and complexity. But let’s look closer:

- Customer resistance: Half of SMBs aren’t using or even considering AI voice agents, but among those who are, the vast majority say they have felt the impact of missed calls in the past. These business owners aren’t just guessing. They’ve seen opportunities slip away when no one picks up the phone. And it turns out, most customers don’t mind speaking to an AI voice agent if it solves their issues quickly and sounds and feels natural.

- Cost: Many businesses assume AI technology is expensive and out of their reach. But missed revenue adds up fast. Most SMBs estimate they lose $500 or more a month from missed calls, but considering call volumes, the actual figure is likely much higher. And like most technologies, AI voice agents are becoming more affordable and scalable.

- Complexity: This was once a fair concern, but today’s AI voice agents are built for non-technical users. They require minimal setup, are easy to use and simple to maintain.

Here’s what I usually tell people who are unsure about taking the first step:

- You’re not replacing people. AI voice agents are there to support your team, especially after hours or during high call volume. They help absorb routine inquiries so your staff can focus on more strategic tasks.

- Start with one clear use case. Whether it’s scheduling appointments, answering common questions, or covering evenings and weekends, choose one area to improve and start there. You don’t need to commit to a full transformation.

- Let the data guide you. Voice agents can reveal how many calls you’re missing, what customers are asking, and when they’re most active. This visibility helps shape better decisions.

AI Voice Agents are practical tools

At the end of the day, it’s about time and attention – two things every business is short on. If your team is spending both just trying to stay on top of missed calls, you’re already losing ground. Especially in today’s uncertain economy, it’s critical to invest in solutions that deliver results fast. That means technology that’s easy to implement, runs independently and proves its value quickly.

AI voice agents aren’t distant concepts, they’re practical tools solving real, everyday challenges. The businesses using them are more responsive, more efficient and often more profitable. If your goal is to lead, not just keep up, this is one upgrade that delivers immediate impact. And in today’s landscape, hesitation doesn’t just cost time. It costs growth.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Tuesday, June 17 (game #1240).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1241) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1241) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1241) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1241) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1241) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• M

• S

• G

• M

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1241) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1241, are…

• MEDIA
• SHARK
• GUPPY
• MOURN

Hi all, it's Marc here, back for a few days while Johnny takes a well-earned break.

The three-start-word method rarely lets me down in Quordle, and I've long played STARE, DOILY and PUNCH in the main classic game.

Today it worked brilliantly, giving me four letters for MEDIA, SHARK and MOURN, all of which I ticked off quickly.

GUPPY needed a little more thought, but by the time I got to it there were seemingly no other options.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1241) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1241, are…

• LARGE
• DROOP
• PARER
• JAUNT

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1240, Tuesday, 17 June: LEAPT, PRISM, ADMIN, WHINE
• Quordle #1239, Monday, 16 June: RETRY, SCALD, DINGO, FEIGN
• Quordle #1238, Sunday, 15 June: SHOCK, STEIN, BROIL, COVEN
• Quordle #1237, Saturday, 14 June: STICK, FERRY, THESE, IONIC
• Quordle #1236, Friday, 13 June: REPEL, LARGE, SNIDE, CARRY
• Quordle #1235, Thursday, 12 June: SCANT, BATCH, UNDER, PARSE
• Quordle #1234, Wednesday, 11 June: CRAVE, ROOST, ANGLE, FLOOD
• Quordle #1233, Tuesday, 10 June: DECRY, CHEEK, FILET, EASEL
• Quordle #1232, Monday, 9 June: DERBY, LEMON, WRITE, HOVEL
• Quordle #1231, Sunday, 8 June: REBAR, ALERT, PAYEE, FLUME
• Quordle #1230, Saturday, 7 June: FLUNK, ESTER, SPITE, CHEAP
• Quordle #1229, Friday, 6 June: ELUDE, KHAKI, VISTA, SMOKY
• Quordle #1228, Thursday, 5 June: CHIDE, RABBI, GUSTY, LANCE
• Quordle #1227, Wednesday, 4 June: BANAL, STOUT, SEDAN, HIPPO
• Quordle #1226, Tuesday, 3 June: FUGUE, SYRUP, FLACK, WORST
• Quordle #1225, Monday, 2 June: THINK, BELLE, CRONE, BOULE
• Quordle #1224, Sunday, 1 June: POINT, MERIT, WHOOP, APHID
• Quordle #1223, Saturday, 31 May: CRUMB, ELFIN, DRIER, QUITE
• Quordle #1222, Friday, 30 May: RAJAH, CAUSE, BLACK, ETUDE
• Quordle #1221, Thursday, 29 May: CRIER, DRAPE, STRUT, NEIGH

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Tuesday, June 17 (game #471).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #472) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Down time

NYT Strands today (game #472) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• CHOW
• BOWL
• HOWL
• ELBOW
• LOOM
• GLOOM

NYT Strands today (game #472) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 7 letters

NYT Strands today (game #472) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 5th row

Last side: right, 5th row

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #472) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #472, are…

• BLUE
• GLOOMY
• TEARY
• DOLEFUL
• WOEBEGONE
• MELANCHOLY
• SPANGRAM: SADNESS

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 2 hints

Hi all, it's Marc here, back for a few days while Johnny takes a well-earned break.

Everyone experiences a bit of SADNESS from time to time, and in my case it really hit me during the Covid pandemic in 2020. I suspect I'm far from alone in that respect, and went through most of the emotions in today's Strands, from BLUE to GLOOMY to MELANCHOLY.

That didn't make it any easier to solve the puzzle, admittedly; this was a tricky one from start to finish. I needed a hint to get the first one, BLUE, then together with the theme clue of 'Down time' was able to establish what the concept was.

SADNESS, the spangram, was an easy spot but after that I had to work for every word, and needed another hint for the impossibly complicated WOEBEGONE.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday, June 17, game #471)

• FINAGLE
• FINESSE
• CONTRIVE
• ENGINEER
• NEGOTIATE
• SPANGRAM: FIGURE OUT

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Tuesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Tuesday, June 17 (game #737).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #738) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• SMACK
• BARM
• PEA
• WET
• RANKLE
• ASTRONAUT
• GRAY
• WHALE
• COLD
• COFFEE
• RIGHT
• SHIP
• EXACTLY
• WINDY
• LEAR
• DEAD

NYT Connections today (game #738) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Got an umbrella?
• GREEN: Completely true
• BLUE: Found within or formed from a specific word
• PURPLE: 'Slip' could be another

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #738) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: QUALITIES OF A RAINY DAY
• GREEN: SQUARELY
• BLUE: CONTENTS OF A POD
• PURPLE: BODY PART PLUS A STARTING LETTER

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #738) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #738, are…

• YELLOW: QUALITIES OF A RAINY DAY COLD, GRAY, WET, WINDY
• GREEN: SQUARELY DEAD, EXACTLY, RIGHT, SMACK
• BLUE: CONTENTS OF A POD ASTRONAUT, COFFEE, PEA, WHALE
• PURPLE: BODY PART PLUS A STARTING LETTER BARM, LEAR, RANKLE, SHIP

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: Perfect

Hi all, it's Marc on Connections duty today, back for a few days while Johnny goes on a well-earned vacation.

I stared at the board for at least five minutes before finding anything today; there was simply nothing that appeared to go together. Well, that's not entirely true – there were several options that had two or three words, for instance WINDY, WET and COLD for 'weather types' or EXACTLY and RIGHT for 'Correct'.

Eventually, I tried to let my mind think a little more freely, and placed DEAD and SMACK with EXACTLY and RIGHT in order to make a group that ended up being SQUARELY.

With green done, I looked again and tried to think in a devious NYT way. SHIP contained the word 'hip' within in and BARM the word 'arm', so that seemed plausible. A few seconds later I'd added RANKLE ('ankle') and LEAR ('ear') and was delighted when that turned purple.

That only left two groups, including the supposedly easiest yellow. I returned to that weather group, all three of which were still left on the board, and this time added GRAY to make my final group. Blue, which was unsolved by me, ended up being CONTENTS OF A POD, which I'm not sure I would ever have got.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Tuesday, June 17, game #737)

• YELLOW: THINGS TO BOOK FOR A VACATION CAR, FLIGHT, HOTEL, TOUR
• GREEN: METTLE FIGHT, GRIT, RESOLVE, SPIRIT
• BLUE: BAD THINGS FOR A WEBSITE TO DO FREEZE, GLITCH, QUIT, TIMEOUT
• PURPLE: FIGURES IN CLASSIC DISNEY ANIMATED FILMS ELEPHANT, FAWN, MARIONETTE, MOUSE

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

• Max is getting its own AI-assisted homepage redesign
• The streamer's landing page update will start rolling out in the US this week
• Its overhaul comes amid Netflix's latest layout being slammed by users

Listen up, Max users, because it's the latest streaming service to receive a major overhaul of its homepage.

Just weeks after Netflix unveiled its own user interface (UI) redesign – one that rage-filled Netflix subscribers have described as "dreadful" – one of its biggest rivals is also getting a landing page update. But, don't worry, Max fans, it won't be as frustrating to use as Netflix's latest redesign is.

In a Warner Bros. Discovery press release, Max's parent company confirmed an "enhanced browsing experience" would start rolling out in the US this week (June 16 to 22). It's unclear when people in other countries where Max is available, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, will receive the homepage refresh.

What is clear, though, is Max has taken a page out of the Netflix playbook and actually redesigned its landing page to mirror that of the best streaming service's old layout. Here's what Max's current homepage looks like:

Max's old homepage layout featured vertical tiles and its sections bar at the top of the page (Image credit: Max)

And here's how Max's redesigned landing page will look once it's distributed to its worldwide userbase:

Max's new layout reminds me of how Netflix used to look (Image credit: Warner Bros. Discovery/Max)

As you can see above, version 2.0 of Max's UI looks much cleaner than its forebear did. For one, the icon bar has been moved to the left-hand side of the page. Meanwhile, its movie and TV shows are laid out in rectangular tile form, rather than the vertical aesthetic that the previous homepage had.

If this format looks familiar, it's because it's a near-identical design to the Netflix app's homepage before its recent overhaul. I'm sure those of us who detest Netflix's new UI will be a little jealous with Max 2.0's layout, then.

There's more to this update, too. When Max users hover over a tile, a corresponding preview video will automatically play after a couple of seconds. Per Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), it "builds on the success of Max’s previous feature launch, which delivered video previews with audio on the homepage’s hero carousel earlier this year."

WBD is well aware that such a feature can be quite intrusive for users who are flicking through its library of the best Max movies and best Max shows. To combat this, the entertainment behemoth will allow customers to toggle this feature on or off in the settings and playback menu. So, if you don't want the automated video to play while hovering over a specific film or program, you can switch it off and never have to think about it again.

Max's new AI tool will help to identify must-see video preview moments from its most popular shows, including The Last of Us (Image credit: Liane Hentscher/HBO)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Max will soon support artificial intelligence (AI) as part of its user experience, too.

According to WBD, an in-house AI-assisted tool will also launch on the platform in the weeks ahead. It'll be used to "identify and suggest 'Drop-In Moments', aka recognizable scenes from specific movies and shows. This will be used as part of each production's cyclical video previews, with the AI tool highlighting – to the Max team – which previews most enticed viewers to click on a movie or TV series. These recommended sequences will be used more often on the homepage to further lure in more users looking for something new to stream.

What do you think of Max's forthcoming homepage redesign? Will it convince you to cancel your Netflix account and sign up to WBD's super streamer instead, which will be renamed HBO Max sometime in the next few months? Let me know in the comments.

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• Here are all of the new Max movies that joined the service in June 2025
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• The next Nintendo Direct has been confirmed for June 18
• The June showcase will be focused on the Switch 2 exclusive Donkey Kong Bananza
• The livestream will be 15 minutes long and offer new information about the game

Nintendo has announced that a new Nintendo Direct showcase will air this week, highlighting the Switch 2's Donkey Kong Bananza.

Revealed on the Nintendo Today app, the June 'Donkey Kong Bananza Direct' is scheduled to broadcast on Wednesday, June 18 at 6am PT / 12pm CEST / 2pm BST.

As usual, fans will be able to tune in to watch the showcase on Nintendo's official YouTube and Twitch channels.

The company confirmed via the livestream's YouTube description that the presentation will be "roughly 15 minutes" long and feature new information about the upcoming Switch 2 game.

No more information was shared, but we'll likely receive an extended gameplay look for Donkey Kong Bananza for the first time since the game was revealed during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct in April.

Donkey Kong Bananza is a Switch 2 exclusive title and is set to arrive one month from now, on July 17.

This new entry will be a 3D Donkey Kong experience, featuring some 2D side-scrolling elements, as well as an explorable, semi-open world filled with unique biomes and featuring numerous boss fights to encounter.

"Explore a vast underground world - by smashing your way through it! Bash, throw, and climb through just about anything in DK’s brand-new 3D platforming action-adventure game!" Nintendo said.

The Nintendo Switch 2 is finally here, and if you're looking to get your hands on the new console, you can check out our live coverage of Nintendo Switch 2 restocks for the US and UK.

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• Europol’s 2025 Internet Organized Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA) indicates E2EE (end-to-end encrypted) apps as an obstacle to investigations
• The report also calls for better rules on metadata collection and tracking
• This comes as the EU Commission has unveiled a new plan to create a roadmap for lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement

Criminals are increasingly exploiting end-to-end encrypted apps to impede police investigations, according to Europol’s 2025 Internet Organized Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA).

The report also warns that current metadata collection practices are too limited, further complicating the work of law enforcement. This is why Europol highlights the need to establish lawful access by design to encrypted communications, alongside EU standards for the targeted retention and access to metadata.

Europol's recommendations echo the EU Commission's plan for creating an encryption backdoor for law enforcement – something experts are said to be "deeply concerned" about.

The encryption conundrum

Online services, like the best VPN, email, messaging apps, and other apps, employ end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to guarantee your communications remain private between the sender and the receiver – end-to-end.

"Technically, E2EE blocks service providers from accessing communication content, rendering warrants for lawful access unserviceable within the EU. This creates a lack of visibility of, and ability to investigate, criminal activity," reads Europol's IOCTA report.

Encryption is the tech responsible for scrambling the content of internet connections into an unreadable form to prevent unauthorized access. (Image credit: Getty Images)

This isn't the first time that Europol has expressed its concerns about the use of encrypted technologies. Talking to the Financial Times in January, the group's chief, Catherine De Bolle, said that anonymity isn't a fundamental right and law enforcement should be able to decrypt encrypted messages to fight back crime.

Technologists, cryptographers, and other experts, however, have long argued against the risks of undermining encryption protections. According to the industry, an encryption backdoor for law enforcement will inevitably compromise the security of all.

Recent cyberattacks have demonstrated the need for strong encryption protections. For example, last year's Salt Typhoon incident targeting all major US telecoms led to US authorities warning all citizens to switch to encryption.

This may be one of the reasons why proposed legislations that seek to undermine encryption keep failing. Most recently, France rejected a new encryption backdoor provision in March, with Florida doing the same in May. EU lawmakers keep disagreeing on the Chat Control proposal, too, after three years of trying.

The new target, metadata

"When content is blocked by E2EE, metadata becomes essential for mapping networks and identifying suspects. However, the current legislative landscape lacks harmonized rules, and this results in fragmented national policies," reads Europol's IOCTA report.

Metadata refers to all pieces of information that aren't the content. This includes IP addresses, location, phone numbers, who you have spoken with, and when, but also the size of your data packets, the patterns they move to, timestamps, and so on.

Thanks also to AI-powered tools, metadata tracking is enabling law enforcement (or any other third party with the necessary skills) to get a pretty accurate picture of people's online behaviors even without accessing the encrypted content.

Authorities know that, and that's why they are pushing for new data retention obligations to be enforced. "Crucial metadata, such as subscriber information or IP logs, is often subject to short or inconsistent retention periods," said the Europol assessment, advocating for clear standards "for the targeted retention and/or expedited access to essential metadata."

Again, that's something technologists have long warned against, and that could make the work of no-log VPN and other privacy software impossible.

Law enforcement has begun realizing what the industry known for a while – metadata privacy matters (Image credit: J Studios/via Getty Images)

As mentioned, Europol isn't the only group pushing for greater access to users' encrypted data and their identities.

The EU is also working on lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement – the so-called ProtectEU strategy, which seems to follow recommendations collected as part of the EU Going Dark initiative.

The plan includes a roadmap to encryption alongside an evaluation to expand data retention obligations for service providers, as well. Experts have so far criticized such a plan and have asked to play a key role in this debate.

While taking a different approach against encryption backdoors, Switzerland is also considering amending its surveillance law to force online service providers to retain certain users' metadata. This has opened up a debate in the country over the need for online anonymity, with the likes of Proton and NymVPN vowing to leave Switzerland if the new rules pass.

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• Zoomcar filed a new 8-K form with the SEC confirming cyberattack
• It found out about the attack from the threat actors
• Over 8 million users could have had their personal data stolen

Car sharing marketplace Zoomcar has suffered a cyberattack in which it lost sensitive information on millions of customers.

In a new 8-K form filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the company said it was made aware of the attack on June 9, 2025, and a subsequent investigation determined the threat actors managed to steal, “a limited dataset containing certain personal information of a subset of approximately 8.4 million users”.

That includes people’s names, phone numbers, car registration numbers, postal addresses, and email addresses - but at this time, Zoomcar says it has no reason to believe financial information, passwords, or other sensitive identifiers were compromised.

No disruption

Responding to the attack, the company activated its incident response plan, and took “immediate action” to contain the threat.

This was apparently too little too late, though, as the company was actually made aware of the incident by the threat actors themselves.

Zoomcar said they hackers reached out to “certain employees” claiming to have made the breach, suggesting they dwelled on the systems long enough to exfiltrate whatever information they sought.

It wasn’t explained why the attackers reached out to their victims, but it’s safe to assume they demanded payment in exchange for deleting the stolen files. T

he wording of the 8-K filing suggests Zoomcar did not pay any ransom. Instead, it implemented “additional safeguards” across the cloud and internal network, increased system monitoring, and reviewed access controls.

Furthermore, it brought in a third-party cybersecurity expert for further assistance, and notified regulators and the police about the incident.

“To date, the incident has not resulted in any material disruption to the company’s operations,” Zoomcar concluded.

However, the company continues to evaluate the scope and potential impacts of the event, including legal, financial, and reputational considerations, as well as any associated remediation costs.

Via TechCrunch

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• Microsoft 365 Local is an entirely on-prem solution for data sovereignty requirements
• It's built on Azure Local and Microsoft's private sovereign cloud
• Redmond wants to provide "digital stability" for all regions

Microsoft has launched a new version of Microsoft 365 which runs entirely on-premises, designed for low-latency and high-security needs, running on Azure Local.

The company detailed how the update, in preview now before a wider launch later in 2025, enables workloads to be deployed within data centers or sovereign cloud environments – a response to the growing desire for more controlled environments globally.

By launching on-prem versions of M365, the company aims to improve security, compliance and governance, with a particular emphasis on European customers who need to comply with data sovereignty regulations.

M365 on-prem

Among the key components of Microsoft's sovereign cloud are a sovereign public cloud, a sovereign private cloud and national partner clouds.

The public version is available across all European data center regions and ensures that data remains in Europe, under European law, and is controlled by European workers only.

Taking it one step further, the private cloud uses Azure Local as a foundation for on-prem and partner-operated environments. It's targeted at organizations that need operational autonomy and air-gapped systems.

Finally, national partner clouds like France's Bleu and Germany's Delos Cloud are designed to further meet local sovereignty standard within the EU.

Microsoft 365 Local only runs on Azure Local – the underpinnings for Microsoft's private sovereign cloud.

"Microsoft 365 Local provides customers with additional choice by bringing together Microsoft’s productivity server software into an Azure Local environment that can run entirely in a customer’s own datacenter," the company explained.

Speaking about current "geopolitical volatility" and Microsoft's desire to provide "digital stability," EVP and Chief Commercial Officer Judson Althoff added.

"Microsoft is proud to offer the broadest set of sovereignty solutions available on the market today and we will constantly look for new ways to ensure our European customers have the options and assurances they need to operate with confidence."

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• Intel reportedly planning to cut 15-20% of factory workers next month
• News comes as Intel reveals YoY revenue is flat, QoQ revenue could drop
• Lip-Bu Tan wants to streamline the workforce

Intel plans to lay off around 15-20% of its factory workforce as it looks to increase revenues and deal with ever-changing market conditions

A report from OregonLive claims the cost-cutting effort, scheduled to begin as soon as mid-July 2025, will primarily affect Intel Foundry, one of its core business divisions.

"These are difficult actions but essential to meet our affordability challenges and current financial position of the company. It drives pain to every individual," manufacturing VP Naga Chandrasekaran reportedly shared in a memo with employees over the weekend.

Intel set for even more layoffs

The news comes as Intel continues to struggle with its financial performance – revenue remained flat year-over-year during its first quarter of 2025, with predictions for second-quarter revenue suggesting a quarter-over-quarter dip.

The company has already made significant reductions to its headcount, including terminating 15,000 contract in August 2024.

It's believed that no voluntary buyouts will be offered this time, with Intel instead basing the layoffs on project priorities, performance and skill assessments. Factories relating to advanced chip development and workers in high-skilled roles could be among those less likely to be affected.

"We are taking a disciplined and prudent approach to support continued investment in our core products and foundry businesses while maximizing operational cost savings and capital efficiency," CFO David Zinsner explained in the company's first-quarter earnings release.

Besides saving cash, Intel's approach to layoffs also centers around streamlining the workforce and removing inefficiencies by eliminating certain areas of middle management – something that new CEO Lip-Bu Tan pledged to do as he turns the company back into a profitable business.

TechRadar Pro has contacted Intel to confirm its plans, but the company did not respond immediately.

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• One Pokémon player has lost over 1,000 hours of Pokémon Scarlet gameplay and 20 years of progress after transferring their data to the Nintendo Switch 2
• Redditor ThatOtaku26, and other users, have said their save files for the game are gone after completing the transfer process
• Players are recommending backing up data via the Pokémon Home app before beginning the transfer process

Beware if you're planning on transferring your Pokémon data to the Nintendo Switch 2, because one player has lost hundreds of hours of progress.

According to redditor ThatOtaku26 (via IGN), after going through the process of transferring their original Switch save data for Pokémon Scarlet to the new console, after booting up the game, they found that it was lost.

The user claimed that their save file consisted of over 1,000 hours of gameplay and said that they had also lost over 20 years of data brought over from previous generations of Pokémon games.

"I just got a Switch 2, did the startup and initial data transfer with no issues," said ThatOtaku26 in a now-deleted post. "My Scarlet save file is gone. It loads straight into the language selection and create a character screens. No data on my OLED. Just all gone.

"THERE WAS NO ERROR IN DATA TRANSFER AT ALL," the user added. "IT WENT FINE. ALL MY OTHER POKEMON DATA IS STILL THERE, BUT NOT SCARLET. I had mons from my original GBA up to current on there. Literally 20 years worth of data. There's nothing I can do. I don't even know if i wanna play anymore."

Other users have also been reporting the same issue, with one Redditor explaining that the same issue happened to them when transferring data to the OLED from the original Switch.

"Tears were shed," said Grouchy-Cress-215.

It seems that Pokémon Scarlet isn't the only game being affected, either, with one user claiming they lost all saved data for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and more.

Another user wrote, "The same thing happened to me but literally all my saved data isn't there anymore like BOTW, TOTK, MK8, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet, and so on," said Existing-Possible550. "I literally have to play everything from the start."

Luckily for those who haven't begun the process of transferring their data to the Switch 2, there is a way to safeguard your save files.

According to multiple users in the thread, backing up your data to the Pokémon Home app is vital if you don't want to lose your Pokémon.

"If I get Switch 2 in the future, I will first transfer all my Pokémon to Home before data transferring," said TheJannikku. "I can't imagine how I would if that happened to me."

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• One Pokémon player has lost over 1,000 hours of Pokémon Scarlet gameplay and 20 years of progress after transferring their data to the Nintendo Switch 2
• Redditor ThatOtaku26, and other users, have said their save files for the game are gone after completing the transfer process
• Players are recommending backing up data via the Pokémon Home app before beginning the transfer process

Beware if you're planning on transferring your Pokémon data to the Nintendo Switch 2, because one player has lost hundreds of hours of progress.

According to redditor ThatOtaku26 (via IGN), after going through the process of transferring their original Switch save data for Pokémon Scarlet to the new console, after booting up the game, they found that it was lost.

The user claimed that their save file consisted of over 1,000 hours of gameplay and said that they had also lost over 20 years of data brought over from previous generations of Pokémon games.

"I just got a Switch 2, did the startup and initial data transfer with no issues," said ThatOtaku26 in a now-deleted post. "My Scarlet save file is gone. It loads straight into the language selection and create a character screens. No data on my OLED. Just all gone.

"THERE WAS NO ERROR IN DATA TRANSFER AT ALL," the user added. "IT WENT FINE. ALL MY OTHER POKEMON DATA IS STILL THERE, BUT NOT SCARLET. I had mons from my original GBA up to current on there. Literally 20 years worth of data. There's nothing I can do. I don't even know if i wanna play anymore."

Other users have also been reporting the same issue, with one Redditor explaining that the same issue happened to them when transferring data to the OLED from the original Switch.

"Tears were shed," said Grouchy-Cress-215.

It seems that Pokémon Scarlet isn't the only game being affected, either, with one user claiming they lost all saved data for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, and more.

Another user wrote, "The same thing happened to me but literally all my saved data isn't there anymore like BOTW, TOTK, MK8, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet, and so on," said Existing-Possible550. "I literally have to play everything from the start."

Luckily for those who haven't begun the process of transferring their data to the Switch 2, there is a way to safeguard your save files.

According to multiple users in the thread, backing up your data to the Pokémon Home app is vital if you don't want to lose your Pokémon.

"If I get Switch 2 in the future, I will first transfer all my Pokémon to Home before data transferring," said TheJannikku. "I can't imagine how I would if that happened to me."

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• Designed for APS-C (Super 35) mirrorless cameras
• Available for Sony E, Canon RF, Fujifilm X and L-mount systems
• It costs $919 / £779 (Australia price TBC) and will be on sale from July 10

I remember first casting my eyes on the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 zoom lens. It was the go-to lens for creatives cutting their teeth in the filmmaking world, and it seemed to be on every low-budget set.

It was a cutting-edge lens, in that it offered a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture across its versatile wide-angle zoom range, and it was relatively cheap.

Despite it being designed for DSLR cameras, such was its appeal that many users adapted it for other systems, such as mirrorless. Put simply, there was no other lens like it.

So it's particularly exciting for me that Sigma has just reinvented the lens for mirrorless cameras, with the new 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art, complete with some tasty upgrades.

The new 17-40mm F1.8 costs $919 / £779 (Australia price TBC) and comes in Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon RF and L-mount versions, with no word on a Nikon Z version yet. Sales are due to start on July 10, although the Canon version will come later in August.

The next go-to lens for aspiring filmmakers?

Sigma's 18-35mm was the world's first f/1.8 zoom lens when it launched in 2013. Its bright maximum aperture and zoom range versatility was key to its success – it could be the only lens you needed on set, plus it was a handy lens for stills, too.

That's not to say the 18-35mm was the perfect lens. It was heavy, plus its autofocus was a tad sluggish. Now, more than 12 years later, in steps the new 17-40mm F1.8 for mirrorless cameras with big upgrades across the board.

Firstly, the latest version is much lighter. In fact, at just 18.9oz / 535g, it's over 30% lighter than the 18-35mm.

It's also dust- and splash-resistant, and equipped with a customizable aperture ring offering both clicked or smooth adjustments.

(Image credit: Sigma)

Its complex lens construction comprises 17 elements in 11 groups, for what Sigma says is superior optical performance – that's a given for a mirrorless lens versus one designed for DSLRs.

You'll have already noted that the 17-40mm zoom range is wider and longer, too (it's a 25.5-60mm full-frame equivalent), making for an even more versatile optic.

In fact, the 17-40mm employs an inner zoom, meaning the length of the lens is unchanged as you change focal length. Focus breathing is suppressed too, which is also a boon for filmmakers, as is the 'High-response Linear Actuator' which supposedly delivers quiet, fast and precise autofocus.

The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art sounds like a phenomenal zoom lens for APS-C (Super 35) cameras, and I expect it to make itself at home on low-budget film sets for many years to come.

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• Sigma announces the world’s first f/1.8 full-frame zoom for mirrorless cameras – and it looks a treat for filmmakers

• Designed for APS-C (Super 35) mirrorless cameras
• Available for Sony E, Canon RF, Fujifilm X and L-mount systems
• It costs $919 / £779 (Australia price TBC) and will be on sale from July 10

I remember first casting my eyes on the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 zoom lens. It was the go-to lens for creatives cutting their teeth in the filmmaking world, and it seemed to be on every low-budget set.

It was a cutting-edge lens, in that it offered a bright f/1.8 maximum aperture across its versatile wide-angle zoom range, and it was relatively cheap.

Despite it being designed for DSLR cameras, such was its appeal that many users adapted it for other systems, such as mirrorless. Put simply, there was no other lens like it.

So it's particularly exciting for me that Sigma has just reinvented the lens for mirrorless cameras, with the new 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art, complete with some tasty upgrades.

The new 17-40mm F1.8 costs $919 / £779 (Australia price TBC) and comes in Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon RF and L-mount versions, with no word on a Nikon Z version yet. Sales are due to start on July 10, although the Canon version will come later in August.

The next go-to lens for aspiring filmmakers?

Sigma's 18-35mm was the world's first f/1.8 zoom lens when it launched in 2013. Its bright maximum aperture and zoom range versatility was key to its success – it could be the only lens you needed on set, plus it was a handy lens for stills, too.

That's not to say the 18-35mm was the perfect lens. It was heavy, plus its autofocus was a tad sluggish. Now, more than 12 years later, in steps the new 17-40mm F1.8 for mirrorless cameras with big upgrades across the board.

Firstly, the latest version is much lighter. In fact, at just 18.9oz / 535g, it's over 30% lighter than the 18-35mm.

It's also dust- and splash-resistant, and equipped with a customizable aperture ring offering both clicked or smooth adjustments.

(Image credit: Sigma)

Its complex lens construction comprises 17 elements in 11 groups, for what Sigma says is superior optical performance – that's a given for a mirrorless lens versus one designed for DSLRs.

You'll have already noted that the 17-40mm zoom range is wider and longer, too (it's a 25.5-60mm full-frame equivalent), making for an even more versatile optic.

In fact, the 17-40mm employs an inner zoom, meaning the length of the lens is unchanged as you change focal length. Focus breathing is suppressed too, which is also a boon for filmmakers, as is the 'High-response Linear Actuator' which supposedly delivers quiet, fast and precise autofocus.

The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC Art sounds like a phenomenal zoom lens for APS-C (Super 35) cameras, and I expect it to make itself at home on low-budget film sets for many years to come.

You might also like

• I’ve tested all 4 of Sigma’s bargain f/1.4 primes for Canon cameras – here’s how to decide which one to buy
• I’ve shot hundreds of photos with the stunning Sigma BF – despite its flaws, it makes other cameras feel ordinary
• Sigma announces the world’s first f/1.8 full-frame zoom for mirrorless cameras – and it looks a treat for filmmakers

• Windows 11’s June update is failing to install for some people
• It’s complicated because Microsoft released an initial update this month – which was paused – and then a revised patch that replaced it
• This revised patch is also causing unfortunate bugs according to some reports

Windows 11’s latest update is proving problematic for some folks who can’t even install it, and others are running into trouble with bugs in the patch – or the fact that it doesn’t resolve the issues that it’s supposed to.

We need to rewind a bit here for context, and remember that Microsoft got off to a bad start with Windows 11 24H2’s update for June. The initial patch (codenamed KB5060842) was paused after Microsoft discovered that it was clashing with an anti-cheat tool, meaning games using that system would crash.

To resolve this, Microsoft released a second update (patch KB5063060) that replaced the first patch in Windows Update, but as Windows Latest reports, people are running into installation failures with that upgrade.

Some users are encountering the usual nonsensical and unhelpful error messages (bearing meaningless error codes like ‘0x800f0922’), while others say that the revised update gets stuck downloading and never actually finishes.

This is based on complaints from Microsoft’s Feedback Hub, readers contacting Windows Latest directly, and posts on Reddit like this one, which describes a worrying boot loop (of three to four reboots) before the user got back into Windows 11 to discover the update installation hadn’t worked.

There are people also saying they’ve run into bugs with KB5063060. Those include reports of the taskbar freezing when the PC wakes up from sleep, and issues with external monitors going wrong and Bluetooth devices being forgotten (so you must rediscover them every time Windows 11 is restarted).

There are some more worrying reports of PCs ending up freezing full-stop, so they need to be rebooted. And there are a few complaints (again on Reddit) that even after installing this second patch – which is supposed to work fine with games that use Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) – some games are still problematic.

“I still get the same problem playing Star Citizen," wrote one gamer. "Game freezing randomly and the Windows event log viewer showing the EAC error.”

There are further reports of Fortnite and efootball25 (which used to be PES) still crashing, so it seems that not all the wrinkles have been ironed out.

Analysis: a disappointingly messy rollout for June

(Image credit: Shutterstock / fizkes)

Installation failures are a long-running problem with Windows 11 (and Windows 10 for that matter). It’s therefore no surprise that, given the misfire with the initial update, more issues are now cropping up.

As Windows Latest points out, because there were two updates this time round, there may be issues with PCs that already grabbed KB5060842 and are now getting the second KB5063060 update, due to having a game with EAC installed that’s affected by the anti-cheat compatibility bug in the first one.

In such scenarios, it’s possible that Windows 11 trying to overwrite the first patch with the second is causing Windows Update to fall over. Those in this situation should be limited in numbers, though, as Microsoft pulled the first patch quite swiftly (so it didn’t get through to many PCs with games that use EAC, at least in theory anyway).

That’s just speculation, but whichever way you slice it, this has been a messy rollout of an update (well, a pair of updates technically).

What can you do if you’re stuck unable to install the revised June update? One approach is to download the update manually and install it directly, which you can do by grabbing the file from Microsoft's site (the x64 version, as the Arm-based one is for Snapdragon PCs).

That should install successfully, but I’d be rather wary of taking this approach if you’re not a reasonably confident computer user.

Alternatively, you can simply wait until Microsoft hopefully sorts out any issue(s) behind the scenes on its side, and the update might just succeed under its own steam later this week. There’s no guarantee of that, though, and you’re very much in a less-than-ideal situation.

Those who can install the revised update, but are still experiencing crashing with games (or elsewhere) can’t do much except wait and pray any issues are resolved. The only other possible route is to uninstall the patch, but that’s not recommended due to it leaving your PC without the latest round of security fixes provided with every cumulative update for Windows 11. (You also won’t get the newest features either, some of which are nifty additions).

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• Windows 11’s June update is failing to install for some people
• It’s complicated because Microsoft released an initial update this month – which was paused – and then a revised patch that replaced it
• This revised patch is also causing unfortunate bugs according to some reports

Windows 11’s latest update is proving problematic for some folks who can’t even install it, and others are running into trouble with bugs in the patch – or the fact that it doesn’t resolve the issues that it’s supposed to.

We need to rewind a bit here for context, and remember that Microsoft got off to a bad start with Windows 11 24H2’s update for June. The initial patch (codenamed KB5060842) was paused after Microsoft discovered that it was clashing with an anti-cheat tool, meaning games using that system would crash.

To resolve this, Microsoft released a second update (patch KB5063060) that replaced the first patch in Windows Update, but as Windows Latest reports, people are running into installation failures with that upgrade.

Some users are encountering the usual nonsensical and unhelpful error messages (bearing meaningless error codes like ‘0x800f0922’), while others say that the revised update gets stuck downloading and never actually finishes.

This is based on complaints from Microsoft’s Feedback Hub, readers contacting Windows Latest directly, and posts on Reddit like this one, which describes a worrying boot loop (of three to four reboots) before the user got back into Windows 11 to discover the update installation hadn’t worked.

There are people also saying they’ve run into bugs with KB5063060. Those include reports of the taskbar freezing when the PC wakes up from sleep, and issues with external monitors going wrong and Bluetooth devices being forgotten (so you must rediscover them every time Windows 11 is restarted).

There are some more worrying reports of PCs ending up freezing full-stop, so they need to be rebooted. And there are a few complaints (again on Reddit) that even after installing this second patch – which is supposed to work fine with games that use Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) – some games are still problematic.

“I still get the same problem playing Star Citizen," wrote one gamer. "Game freezing randomly and the Windows event log viewer showing the EAC error.”

There are further reports of Fortnite and efootball25 (which used to be PES) still crashing, so it seems that not all the wrinkles have been ironed out.

Analysis: a disappointingly messy rollout for June

(Image credit: Shutterstock / fizkes)

Installation failures are a long-running problem with Windows 11 (and Windows 10 for that matter). It’s therefore no surprise that, given the misfire with the initial update, more issues are now cropping up.

As Windows Latest points out, because there were two updates this time round, there may be issues with PCs that already grabbed KB5060842 and are now getting the second KB5063060 update, due to having a game with EAC installed that’s affected by the anti-cheat compatibility bug in the first one.

In such scenarios, it’s possible that Windows 11 trying to overwrite the first patch with the second is causing Windows Update to fall over. Those in this situation should be limited in numbers, though, as Microsoft pulled the first patch quite swiftly (so it didn’t get through to many PCs with games that use EAC, at least in theory anyway).

That’s just speculation, but whichever way you slice it, this has been a messy rollout of an update (well, a pair of updates technically).

What can you do if you’re stuck unable to install the revised June update? One approach is to download the update manually and install it directly, which you can do by grabbing the file from Microsoft's site (the x64 version, as the Arm-based one is for Snapdragon PCs).

That should install successfully, but I’d be rather wary of taking this approach if you’re not a reasonably confident computer user.

Alternatively, you can simply wait until Microsoft hopefully sorts out any issue(s) behind the scenes on its side, and the update might just succeed under its own steam later this week. There’s no guarantee of that, though, and you’re very much in a less-than-ideal situation.

Those who can install the revised update, but are still experiencing crashing with games (or elsewhere) can’t do much except wait and pray any issues are resolved. The only other possible route is to uninstall the patch, but that’s not recommended due to it leaving your PC without the latest round of security fixes provided with every cumulative update for Windows 11. (You also won’t get the newest features either, some of which are nifty additions).

You might also like...

• Windows 11's hidden PC migration feature proves Microsoft isn't messing around when it comes to killing off Windows 10
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• The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't include a warranty card to prevent scalpers
• Resellers in Japan are now required to have proof of purchase before they can resell their Nintendo Switch 2
• Switch 2 owners in Japan need to send in their receipt along with their console to request a repair

In an attempt to combat scalpers in Japan, Nintendo has excluded a vital component from the Nintendo Switch 2 box, making it harder to resell the console.

As reported by IGN, owners of the latest Switch model in Japan have noticed that the console doesn't come with a physical warranty card, which is typically required for in-store hardware repairs.

Alternatively, owners are now required to have proof of purchase in the form of a receipt to get their Switch 2 repaired by Nintendo Japan’s official repair service, a change which has also made reselling the console much more difficult for scalpers.

For this reason, resellers on Japanese online retailers are being forced to include their receipts; however, it appears that Mercari Japan is now prohibiting receipts, a marketplace where people have been buying and reselling the console.

"I'm reselling the Switch 2 on Mercari, but recently, more and more people are listing it with receipts. You need a receipt for the warranty. Buyers want that too," said TeamSubRockman (X / Twitter translate).

"In conclusion, this is a clear violation of Mercari's terms and conditions. It's out of the grey area. Nintendo, you've set up so many traps, it's amazing."

With the original Switch, which did come with a warranty card in Japan, owners only have to send in a copy of the card to request a repair.

Now, with the new proof of purchase rule, Switch 2 owners in Japan are required to send in their receipt along with their console to be repaired, according to Nintendo Japan.

According to Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Warranty, in the EU, the Switch 2 warranty only covers the console for 24 months post-purchase and "does not cover the Product if it has been resold, or used for rental or commercial purposes."

Similarly, the Nintendo of America version of the warranty reads: "The original purchaser is entitled to this warranty only if the consumer can demonstrate, to Nintendo's satisfaction, that the product was purchased within the last 12 months."

In addition, proof of purchase is required for repairs outside of Japan, according to the Nintendo UK Terms of Service, and if owners are unable to supply a receipt, "the Product will be considered to be outside of your Nintendo Warranty and a service fee will apply for any repair work undertaken."

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• The Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't include a warranty card to prevent scalpers
• Resellers in Japan are now required to have proof of purchase before they can resell their Nintendo Switch 2
• Switch 2 owners in Japan need to send in their receipt along with their console to request a repair

In an attempt to combat scalpers in Japan, Nintendo has excluded a vital component from the Nintendo Switch 2 box, making it harder to resell the console.

As reported by IGN, owners of the latest Switch model in Japan have noticed that the console doesn't come with a physical warranty card, which is typically required for in-store hardware repairs.

Alternatively, owners are now required to have proof of purchase in the form of a receipt to get their Switch 2 repaired by Nintendo Japan’s official repair service, a change which has also made reselling the console much more difficult for scalpers.

For this reason, resellers on Japanese online retailers are being forced to include their receipts; however, it appears that Mercari Japan is now prohibiting receipts, a marketplace where people have been buying and reselling the console.

"I'm reselling the Switch 2 on Mercari, but recently, more and more people are listing it with receipts. You need a receipt for the warranty. Buyers want that too," said TeamSubRockman (X / Twitter translate).

"In conclusion, this is a clear violation of Mercari's terms and conditions. It's out of the grey area. Nintendo, you've set up so many traps, it's amazing."

With the original Switch, which did come with a warranty card in Japan, owners only have to send in a copy of the card to request a repair.

Now, with the new proof of purchase rule, Switch 2 owners in Japan are required to send in their receipt along with their console to be repaired, according to Nintendo Japan.

According to Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Warranty, in the EU, the Switch 2 warranty only covers the console for 24 months post-purchase and "does not cover the Product if it has been resold, or used for rental or commercial purposes."

Similarly, the Nintendo of America version of the warranty reads: "The original purchaser is entitled to this warranty only if the consumer can demonstrate, to Nintendo's satisfaction, that the product was purchased within the last 12 months."

In addition, proof of purchase is required for repairs outside of Japan, according to the Nintendo UK Terms of Service, and if owners are unable to supply a receipt, "the Product will be considered to be outside of your Nintendo Warranty and a service fee will apply for any repair work undertaken."

You might also like...

• Nintendo Switch 2 restocks live: US stock is still absent, while Amazon and ebuyer in the UK have inventory right now
• Here are the Nintendo Switch 2 launch games that arrived alongside the new console
• I’ve spent 150 hours with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and the Switch 2 Edition is an incredible upgrade