How to run Linux Mint live from a USB on Surface 5?

Problem:

How to run Linux Mint live from a USB on Surface 5?

Steps:

• Download the Linux Mint ISO file from the official website.
• Create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus
• When creating the bootable USB with Rufus, make sure to select the following options:
• Boot Selection: Linux Mint ISO file

Partition Scheme:GPT

Target System: UEFI (non-CSM)

• Restart your Surface 5 Laptop and access the boot menu.
• In the boot menu, select the option to boot from your USB drive
• [If you don’t see the option to boot from the USB drive, you may need to enable boot from USB in the BIOS/UEFI settings. ]

Fixing Grey Background when using Snipping Tool

Problem:

My OS is Windows 11. Just recently when I select to save an image, the resulting image is keeping a grey background within the selected target.

Resolution:

Disabling HDR in the Display Settings is indeed the most common way to avoid the grey background issue in Snipping Tool screenshots on Windows 11.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > System > Display.
2. Select the HDR-capable display (if applicable).
3. Under “Use HDR,” toggle the switch to “Off.”
4. Take your screenshot.
5. Remember to re-enable HDR if desired.

Microsoft unveiled new Surface Devices

Microsoft has unveiled new Surface devices. These are Surface Pro 9, Surface Laptop 5, and Surface Studio 2+

All three variants run Windows 11 OS.

The costs are as follows:

Surface Pro 9 :$999

Surface Laptop 5: $999

Surface Studio 2+: $4,299.

These devices will be available on October 25.

Surface Go 2 Firmware & Driver Update

June 24 release 

The following update is available for Surface Go 2 devices running Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Version 20H1, or greater.

This update addresses critical security vulnerability.

Windows Update Name	Device Manager
Surface – Firmware -1.0.2.0	Surface UEFI – Firmware
Intel – Net – 22.60.0.6	Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX200 160MHz – Network Adapters
Intel Corporation –Bluetooth – 22.60.0.6	Intel(R) Wireless Bluetooth(R) – Bluetooth

The above updates can be downloaded automatically via Windows Update or can be done manually.

On Screen Keyboard is not working in Kiosk Mode

Problem: The On Screen Keyboard is not working in Kiosk Mode.

Resolution: First back up the Registry. You may make a System Restore Point.

Now in Start Search type in Regedit and hit the Enter key. Once the Registry Editor open configure the following registries:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\TabletTip\1.7\EnableDesktopModeAutoInvoke = 1
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\TabletTip\1.7\DisableNewKeyboardExperience = 1
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\windows\CurrentVersion\ImmersiveShell\TabletMode = 1

Reboot.

Microsoft Classroom Pen 2

Microsoft Classroom Pen 2 will be available exclusively to education institutions starting on April 27, 2021. It will be sold in packs of 20 for a cost of $399.80 USD ($19.99 per pen) and includes batteries and replacement pen tips.

More here

If You are Facing a Problem with Your Surface Device

If your Surface device is not running properly then  Microsoft Surface Diagnostic Toolkit can help you find and solve problems.

Before starting the operation :

1. Make sure your Surface is connected to the internet.
2. You are connected to the main power and not on battery.
3. Save all your important files.
4. Find out which version of Windows you have
5. Keep your device’s serial number ready.

Diagnotic Kits:

• For Surface Pro X:  Download the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit for Surface Pro X running Windows 10 Home or Pro.
• For all other Surface devices, download the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit that matches your version of Windows:
  • Download the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit for Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro and in the file download dialog box, find the SurfaceDiagnosticToolkit_SA.exe file.
  • Download the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit for Windows 10 in S mode.

Select Run, and follow the on-screen instructions.

How much time will it take to complete?

According to Microsoft the diagnosis and repair time usually averages 15 minutes or less, but may extend up to an hour or longer, depending on internet connection speed, whether updates need to be installed.

Surface Go 2 April Driver-Firmware

Surface Go 2 Drivers and Firmwares are available for download.

Cumulative and current drivers and firmware for the Surface Go 2. This package contains drivers for all of the components in the Surface Go 2, as well as updates to the system firmware that have been released via Windows Update. The driver MSI files include all of the drivers and firmware needed to deploy custom images of Windows on your Surface devices.

Surface Laptop 2 Drivers and Firmwares

The following updates are available for Surface Laptop 2 devices running Windows 10 May 2019 Update, version 1903, or greater.

All these updates are available via Windows Update.Firmware updates can’t be uninstalled or reverted to an earlier version.

March 04 release:

Windows Update History Name	Device Manager Name	Version and Update
Intel Corporation – Display – 27.20.100.8681	Intel(R) HD Graphics – Display adapters	27.20.100.8681 Improves graphics and system stability.
Intel Corporation – Extension – 27.20.100.8681	Intel® Display Graphics Adapter Driver – Extension	27.20.100.8681 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.
Intel – Extension – 1952.14.0.1470	Intel(R) ICLS Client – Extension	1952.14.0.1470 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.
Intel – SoftwareComponent –  1.62.321.1	Intel(R) ICLS Client – Software devices	1.62.321.1 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.
Intel – System – 2040.100.0.1029	Intel(R) Management Engine Interface – System devices	2040.100.0.1029 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.
Surface – Firmware - 11.8.82.3838	Surface ME – Firmware	11.8.82.3838 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.

Surface Laptop (1st Gen) Drivers and Firmwares

The following updates are available for Surface Laptop 1 devices running Windows 10 May 2019 Update, version 1903, or greater.

All these updates are available via Windows Update.Firmware updates can’t be uninstalled or reverted to an earlier version.

March 04 release:

Windows Update History Name	Device Manager Name	Version and Update
Intel Corporation – Display – 27.20.100.8682	Intel(R) HD Graphics – Display adapters	27.20.100.8682 Improves graphics and system stability.
Intel – Extension – 1952.14.0.1470	Intel(R) ICLS Client – Extension	1952.14.0.1470 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.
Intel – SoftwareComponent – 1.62.321.1	Intel(R) ICLS Client – Software devices	1.62.321.1 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.
Intel – System – 2040.100.0.1029	Intel(R) Management Engine Interface – System devices	2040.100.0.1029 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.
Surface – Firmware - 11.8.82.3838	Surface ME – Firmware	11.8.82.3838 Addresses security updates and improves system stability.