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See how your people are using Copilot

Is Your Team Using AI Effectively? Copilot Can Tell You

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

How do you really know if your people are making the most of AI at work?

You’ve rolled out Microsoft Copilot. You’ve explained how it can save time, boost productivity, and make everyday tasks easier.

But here’s the question: are they actually using it—or is it quietly gathering dust?

That’s exactly what Microsoft’s new Copilot Dashboard feature, called Benchmarks, is designed to answer.

Built into Viva Insights (part of Microsoft 365), Benchmarks gives you a clear view of how employees are using Copilot—and how that compares to others.

You’ll see how many people in your organization actively use Copilot, which apps they’re using it in, and how often they return to it.

And it goes further.

Benchmarks can compare your company’s usage with similar businesses—by size, industry, or region.

In short, you’ll know whether your team is leading the AI charge… or falling behind.

Now, you might wonder about privacy. Comparing company data sounds sensitive, but Microsoft insists it’s handled securely. All external data is anonymized, aggregated, and processed through mathematical models to protect privacy.

From a business perspective, this is a smart move.

Many companies have been slow to fully adopt AI tools, even though the benefits are clear. A recent study found only about 5% of AI pilot programs make it past testing—mostly because businesses struggle to adapt processes and culture.

Benchmarks could change that by showing exactly where adoption is stalling.

Of course, visibility can make some employees uneasy. No one wants to feel like their AI habits are under a microscope. But this isn’t about punishment—it’s about progress. If you know which teams are using Copilot effectively (and which aren’t), you can target support and training where it’s needed most.

So, is your team using AI well? Soon, you won’t have to guess. Copilot will tell you.

Copilot connects Microsoft and Google

Microsoft Copilot Can Now Connect to Gmail

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

Tired of bouncing between Gmail, Outlook, and countless browser tabs just to find one email or confirm a meeting?

That digital juggling act has become the norm for many professionals—until now.

Microsoft Copilot is changing the game. With the latest Windows update, Copilot can now connect to your Gmail and Google Calendar alongside your Microsoft accounts like Outlook and OneDrive.

Turn it on, and Copilot searches across both ecosystems to help you work smarter and faster.

Can’t recall when you last emailed a client? Ask, “When did I last speak to Sarah?” Copilot will find it—even if it’s buried in Gmail.

Planning next week? It checks both calendars, so you avoid double-booking.

You’re always in control. Copilot only accesses what you authorize. Prefer to keep accounts separate? No problem — it still works seamlessly within Microsoft tools.

But if you do link your Google account, expect serious time savings. This is one of the first times Microsoft tech plays nicely with Google’s — a big win for anyone mixing apps from both worlds.

And Copilot isn’t just about searching and scheduling. It’s becoming a powerful creation tool. Turn quick notes into a Word doc, build a PowerPoint presentation, or generate a polished PDF—without opening extra apps. Longer responses now include an Export button so you can instantly send content into the format you need.

The update is live for Windows Insiders via the Microsoft Store, and it signals where Microsoft is headed: fewer apps, fewer steps, and more time for real work.

One question remains: How much do you trust your AI assistant?

Connecting Gmail and calendars means sharing sensitive data. Microsoft emphasizes that you stay in control and your data isn’t used to train AI—but it’s worth considering before you click “Connect.” For many, the convenience outweighs the concern. We’re finally moving toward a world where your tools work together — not against each other.

Ready to see what Copilot can do for your business?

Let’s talk about how to enable these features securely and make them work for your team. Contact us today to get started.

What do you want AI to remember about you?

New in Copilot: You Decide What It Remembers

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

How much do you want AI to remember about you and your business?

Microsoft is starting to answer that with a major update to Copilot — one that puts you in control of what it remembers and what it forgets.

Until now, Copilot has been great for quick tasks: summarizing content, drafting emails, answering questions. But every session felt like starting from scratch. That’s about to change.

Memory Management: You’re in Control

Copilot is getting smarter — and more personal — with the introduction of memory management. You’ll be able to tell it to “remember this,” and soon, manage those memories through a dedicated dashboard.

That means you can view, edit, or delete stored information anytime. Copilot can learn useful context about your business, but you stay in control of what it keeps.

Why It Matters for Your Business

Imagine the time saved if Copilot remembers how your team structures reports, your key clients, or preferred proposal formats. No more repeating the same instructions — just faster, more consistent output.

And when things change — a new client, updated preferences — you can adjust or clear that memory instantly.

Smarter Connections with Your Files

Another upgrade: Connectors. Copilot already integrates with OneDrive, and soon it will connect to Google Drive too. That means you’ll be able to ask it to pull documents, summarize folders, or surface insights — without opening each file manually.

More integrations are expected over time, giving businesses a more connected, efficient way to work with their data.

Rolling Out Across Platforms

These features are coming to the web, Windows 11, and mobile. Some will be free, while others may be part of Copilot’s paid tier.

Copilot is evolving into a smarter, more personalized assistant — one that learns from you, but keeps you in the driver’s seat.

Balance Is the Key

The more Copilot remembers, the more useful it becomes. But with full control over what it retains, you can leverage its capabilities without compromising privacy or flexibility.

If you’re curious about how Copilot could support your business, let’s talk. We’re here to help you explore what’s possible.

Ready to See What Copilot Can Do?

Want to explore how AI tools like Copilot can streamline your workflows and boost productivity? Get in touch — we’ll help you find the right fit.

Don't waste time searching through settings

New: Windows 11 AI Agent helps with Settings

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

Have you ever gone hunting through your computer’s Settings app, clicking through menu after menu, just to make one small change?

It’s frustrating, isn’t it?

You know the option is in there somewhere… but where?

Microsoft is working on making that experience a lot easier in Windows 11 by adding something new: An AI Agent built directly into the Settings app.

This isn’t a chatbot like Copilot that you open separately. Instead, it’s woven right into the search box inside Settings.

You don’t need to know the exact name of the setting anymore. You can just type what you want in plain, natural language. Something like “make the screen brighter” or “turn on voice control”. And the AI will find the right setting or even apply the change for you.

What’s clever about this is that it all happens locally on your device. Which means the AI isn’t sending your requests off to the cloud or sharing your information anywhere.

It’s powered by a small, fast language model built into the system. The results come back almost instantly. Microsoft has tuned it to focus on the settings people use most, so you’re not scrolling through a long list of irrelevant suggestions.

This might sound like a small tweak. But think about how often your team wastes time figuring out how to enable a feature or fix a basic issue.

Instead of waiting for IT support or Googling instructions, they can now ask the AI Agent in plain English and get an answer right there in seconds.

That means less downtime, fewer interruptions, and employees who feel more confident about using their PCs.

This new feature is still in testing for Copilot+ PCs through the Windows Insider Program. But it’s a glimpse of where Windows is heading: Making technology easier, faster, and more helpful for everyone.

It’s a genuine time saver that can make everyday tasks run more smoothly. And when your people can get back to work quickly without fighting with their computer, that’s a win for productivity and morale. If you’re looking at upgrading to Copilot+ PCs or just want some advice on the right devices for your team, I’d be happy to help. Get in touch.

Better battery life for your laptop

Better battery life for Windows 11 laptops

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

When was the last time you finished a busy workday and still had plenty of battery left on your laptop?

Feels like wishful thinking, right?

Microsoft knows this, because it’s testing out a new feature for Windows 11 that could give your laptop a noticeably better battery life.

As someone who works with business tech every day, I think this could be a big step forward for businesses everywhere.

The feature is called adaptive energy saver.

Normally, Windows only switches on its energy‑saving mode when your battery level gets low. And you can set what “low” means in your settings. But adaptive energy saver takes a much smarter approach.

Instead of waiting for the battery to run down, your laptop will watch what you’re doing. And if you’re only carrying out light tasks like browsing the web, reading emails, or working in Word, it quietly switches on energy saver in the background.

From what Microsoft has shared so far, this doesn’t affect your screen brightness. Which is good news, because nobody wants their screen dimming and brightening all day.

Instead, it seems to focus on gently slowing down components like your processor and graphics chip when they’re not working hard. Those are two of the biggest power drains in a laptop. Easing off on them could mean you get a lot more time before you need to hunt for a charger.

It’s not switched on by default. You’d need to turn it on yourself in your laptop’s settings. And of course, not every test feature makes it to the final version of Windows 11, but this one feels like a no‑brainer to me.

The benefits for businesses are obvious. Your people can work for longer between charges, whether they’re in meetings, out visiting clients, or working from a coffee shop for the afternoon.

Fewer frantic dashes for a power outlet means fewer interruptions and less stress.

And over time, better battery efficiency could even help you extend the lifespan of your laptops by reducing how often they’re run down and charged up again.

Right now, adaptive energy saver is being tested in the Canary channel, which is where Microsoft tries out ideas before releasing them more widely.

I spend a lot of time looking for small changes that add up to a big difference for productivity. This is exactly the sort of improvement that does just that. It’s still in its early days, but if Microsoft rolls this out, Windows 11 laptops could soon feel like they’ve had a major upgrade without you having to buy a thing. If it’s time to upgrade your devices and you need expert guidance, get in touch.

Outlook will flag your most important emails

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

How much time do you waste sorting through emails every day, trying to figure out what really needs your attention?

If you’re like most business owners, the answer is probably “too much”.

Between customer queries, supplier updates, internal messages, and the occasional bit of junk, your inbox can feel overwhelming.

And if you or your team miss something important because it got buried, that can cause delays, confusion, or worse.

Well guess what?

Microsoft is adding a clever new tool to help with this.

Outlook for iOS and Android will soon use Copilot, Microsoft’s AI assistant, to flag your most important emails. It’s called Priority view and will sort your inbox into two simple categories: High Priority and Needs Replies.

That means when you open Outlook on your phone, the emails that matter most will stand out straight away.

We all know how easy it is for important messages to slip through the cracks, especially when you’re busy or juggling multiple roles. With Priority view, you’ll spend less time digging through your inbox. And that leaves you more time for other, more important things.

For employees, it can take away some of the stress of keeping up with emails. No more worrying that they’ve missed something vital buried under a pile of newsletters or group updates.

It’s worth noting that this feature will be rolling out gradually. It could take until late 2025 before everyone sees it. Also, it’s only available to businesses using Microsoft 365 with a Copilot license, as Copilot is a paid add-on.

But if you’re already considering AI tools to help your business work smarter, this is one to watch. Curious about how Copilot could help your business? Whether it’s with Outlook, Teams, or other tools, or you want to chat about making your email setup more efficient, get in touch. Helping you stay on top of your tech is what we’re here for.

Windows 10 hits end of life in just over two weeks

Free support for Windows 10 ends in TWO WEEKS

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

What would it take for your business to come to a standstill?

It might not be a flood, a fire, or a power cut. It could be something as simple as sticking with an old operating system.

In just over two weeks, Microsoft will officially stop providing free support for Windows 10.

It’s reaching end of life. That means no more security updates, no bug fixes, and no help from Microsoft if something breaks.

For businesses still running Windows 10, this isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a serious risk.

Without security updates, every Windows 10 machine becomes a potential entry point for cybercriminals.

And with cyberattacks on the rise, this isn’t a “maybe someday” kind of problem. It’s a right-now threat. You wouldn’t leave the front door to your office wide open – so why leave your systems vulnerable?

Some businesses are hoping they can buy themselves a little time with Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESUs). Yes, they’ll be available. But they aren’t free. And they’re just a temporary sticking plaster, not a long-term solution. They also get more expensive each year, and don’t give you access to any new features or improvements. Just basic protection.

The better choice is to upgrade to Windows 11. It’s faster, more secure, and better equipped to support the way businesses work today.

But here’s the thing: Upgrading isn’t always as simple as pressing a button. Some older devices won’t meet the system requirements for Windows 11. That means you might need to plan for new hardware too. Which is why waiting until the last minute isn’t a good idea.

Right now, time is short. If you’re still on Windows 10, you need to act immediately.

Your first step is to find out which devices can be upgraded, and which ones can’t. From there, you’ll need a clear plan to make the switch quickly, with as little disruption as possible.

That’s exactly where we come in. My team and I can help you move to Windows 11 smoothly, safely, and quickly. Whether it’s reviewing your current setup, helping you choose the right new devices, or handling the upgrade for you from start to finish, we’ve got you covered.

Please don’t leave this until the clock runs out. Get in touch today, and let’s make sure your business stays protected.

Notepad's quiet little upgrade

Exciting new formatting tools for Notepad

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

When was the last time you opened Notepad and thought, “I wish I could make this text bold or add a heading”?

Probably never, right?

But Microsoft is quietly giving Notepad a little upgrade that could make a surprising difference. Especially for those of us who use it to jot down quick notes, meeting minutes, or even team checklists.

Notepad has always been the simplest of simple tools. It opens instantly, saves fast, and doesn’t get in your way. That’s exactly why so many people love it.

Now, Microsoft is testing a light touch of formatting features. Things like bold and italic text, hyperlinks, headings, and even basic bullet points.

The idea is to give us just enough control to make our notes clearer, without turning Notepad into a full-blown word processor.

The formatting is based on something called markdown. That’s a widely used, no-fuss way to add structure to plain text using simple symbols. For example, putting a couple of asterisks around a word makes it bold.

It’s neat, clean, and doesn’t add any of the heaviness you’d associate with Word or other big editing tools. And if formatting isn’t your thing? No problem. It can be turned off completely.

Some people worry that adding features like this risks bloating the app and making it slower. But in this case, the changes are minimal and optional. It’s more like giving your notebook a nicer pen. Not turning it into a printing press.

And with WordPad now officially retired, there’s definitely a gap for a tool that sits somewhere between “plain text” and “full document.”

For businesses, especially smaller ones without complex systems for documentation, this could be a handy middle ground. Being able to better structure your notes can save time and make your messages clearer.

It’s not flashy, but it’s thoughtful.

And it’s another small sign that Microsoft is modernizing even the most basic tools in Windows 11 without losing what made them useful in the first place.

Keep an eye out for the update if you’re using Windows 11. And maybe give those bold headings a try next time you’re scribbling a to-do list.  

Microsoft simplifies hacker names for faster recovery

Microsoft plans a naming system for hackers

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

Ever tried to follow a show where the main villain had four different names?

Impossible, right?

But that’s exactly what it’s like in the world of cybersecurity right now.

One hacking group can be tracked under completely different names, depending on who’s writing about them. Whether it’s Microsoft, Google, CrowdStrike, or another security firm.

It’s confusing. And worse, it can slow down how quickly us experts, and the businesses we protect, can respond to a cyberattack.

That’s why Microsoft and security firm CrowdStrike are teaming up to fix this problem.

They’ve announced plans for a new, unified naming system for hacking groups. Think of it like giving each cybercriminal gang one official label that everyone agrees on. It’s not just about tidying up the names. It’s about making it faster and easier to understand who’s attacking, how they operate, and how to stop them.

Right now, let’s say there’s a hacking group targeting businesses like yours. Microsoft might call them Salt Typhoon. Another security company might call the same group GhostEmperor, or OPERATOR PANDA.

Unless you know they’re all the same threat, it’s easy to miss the full picture. And that’s a big problem when every second counts in a cyberattack.

The new naming system Microsoft’s working on will organize these groups by type and origin using weather-themed terms. For example, Chinese state-backed groups will get “Typhoon” in their name, Russian ones will get “Blizzard.” Other attackers like ransomware gangs or commercial spyware developers will be labelled using words like “Tempest,” “Storm,” or “Tsunami.”

It’s a simple idea, but a powerful one.

And it matters to your business more than you might think.

The more clearly cyberthreats are identified and communicated, the quicker your IT team or your cybersecurity provider can spot patterns and act. It means better threat intelligence, fewer missed warnings, and a stronger, faster response when something suspicious appears.

Ultimately, this kind of collaboration between big players like Microsoft, CrowdStrike, Google, and others helps level the playing field for smaller businesses. You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to benefit. Simply knowing that everyone’s speaking the same language when a threat hits can make all the difference.

This is one of those behind-the-scenes changes that won’t make headlines but could have a big impact on keeping your business safe. It’s another step towards making cybersecurity a bit less chaotic, and a lot more effective. Want help keeping your business better protected from cyberattacks? Get in touch.

Still using Windows 10?

Still using Windows 10? You must act NOW

Written by Pat Midzio on . Posted in Video Tech Update.

What would happen to your business if one of your key tools suddenly stopped being safe to use?

That’s the situation many businesses are heading for right now. With Windows 10.

Because time is running out. Fast.

Microsoft has confirmed that free support for Windows 10 ends on October 14 when it reaches end of life.

That’s only a few weeks away. And with the time it takes to plan, budget and roll out a full upgrade across your business, it’s dangerously close.

Here’s the thing: When support ends, it really ends.

That means no more security updates. No more bug fixes. No help from Microsoft if something goes wrong.

Yes, you’ll still be able to use your Windows 10 devices. But you’ll be doing so in the dark, with a big target painted on your back for cybercriminals.

What’s even more worrying is that many business owners haven’t realized this is coming. A recent survey found that 18% had no idea support was ending. Another 14% had considered it but hadn’t started planning. That’s a lot of businesses at serious risk of disruption, data breaches, or worse.

And yes, Microsoft will offer Extended Security Updates (ESUs). But they’re not free. It’s a temporary patch, not a solution. And the price goes up every year.

The better option? Moving to Windows 11 now, while there’s still time to do it properly and without stress.

Windows 11 isn’t just the next version of Windows. It’s built to be faster, more secure, and better suited to the way modern businesses work. It’s designed for hybrid teams, packed with productivity features, and includes the latest security tools to help protect against today’s threats.

You’ll notice smoother performance and better integration with tools like Microsoft Teams, OneDrive and Copilot.

But there’s a catch. Not all devices that run Windows 10 can run Windows 11.

You might need to upgrade your hardware too. That’s why you need to act now, rather than waiting until you’re forced into last-second decisions that cost more and cause more disruption.

The bottom line? October 2025 is a deadline. And the longer you leave it, the harder and more expensive the transition becomes.

If you haven’t started preparing, please, do it now. Ask your IT support partner: “Are we ready for Windows 10 end of life?” If the answer’s anything but a confident “yes,” make a plan.

Not just about upgrading to Windows 11, but about whether your IT support partner is as much of a partner as you thought.

Need a hand making the upgrade? My team and I can help. Get in touch.