#1128 – Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?

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#1128 - Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?

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Breaking news?

I don't normally "do" breaking news, but this one seems a combination of important, interesting, inevitable, and even a little funny. It looks like Microsoft has quietly extended the ESU (Extended Security Updates) program for Windows 10 for another year. The support pages quietly changed its end-of date from 2026, later this year, to 2027.

I'll have more to say on this in coming weeks, but for now ... it looks like Windows 10 users got another year's reprieve!

Leo

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This Week on Ask Leo!

Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?

Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?
Apparently not, though they're pushing it hard.

With AI Mode, ads, and AI summaries crowding the page, it's getting hard to find real search results. I'll break down what Google is really doing, how it compares to ChatGPT, Kagi, and DuckDuckGo, and what to watch for.

Read: Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?

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How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?

How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?
Steps to take in the face of infection.

I'll walk you through the steps to clean an infected computer, from backups and full scans to the one method guaranteed to work... plus how to avoid the whole mess next time.

Read: How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?

-

If It

If It's All Digital, Won't You Lose It Anyway?
If you do, you're not doing it right.

Can digital photos and files really be lost forever? Yes, but it's almost always easily avoidable. I'll describe two simple habits that keep your precious files safe for decades, perhaps even centuries, to come.

Read: If It's All Digital, Won't You Lose It Anyway?

-

How to Back Up Windows

How to Back Up Windows
You know you want to. You know you should.

Don't risk losing everything! I'll show you how to back up Windows step by step, using free tools you already have. Protect your files, photos, and memories so you're ready when, not if, disaster strikes.

Read: How to Back Up Windows

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How to Protect Data on a Laptop

How to Protect Data on a Laptop
The four most important steps.

Laptops get lost and stolen all the time, and a password alone will not protect what is on yours. I'll cover four steps that lock down your data plus a real story about what can go wrong.

Read: How to Protect Data on a Laptop

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How to Back Up Windows

Don?t risk losing everything! I?ll show you how to back up Windows the right way, step by step, using free tools you already have plus one easy extra. Protect your files, photos, and memories so you?re ready when, not if, disaster strikes.

Watch: How to Back Up Windows


How to Protect Data on a Laptop

A strong password is not enough to keep your laptop data safe. Laptops get lost and stolen all the time, and a password alone will not protect what is on yours. I'll cover four steps that actually lock down your data, plus a real story about what can go wrong.

Watch: How to Protect Data on a Laptop


How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?

Malware on your machine and nothing seems to remove it? I'll walk you through the steps to clean an infected computer, from backups and full scans to the one method guaranteed to work. Plus, how to avoid the whole mess next time.

Watch: How Do I Remove Malware from Windows?


Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?

With AI Mode, ads, and AI summaries crowding the page, it's getting hard to find real results. I'll break down what Google is really doing, how it compares to ChatGPT, Kagi, and DuckDuckGo, and what you need to watch for.

Watch: Is Google Forcing Everyone Into AI Search?


If It's All Digital, Won't You Lose It Anyway?

Can digital photos and files really be lost forever? Yes, but it's almost always easily avoidable. I'll explain why digital actually protects your memories better than old film and paper ever could, and the two simple habits that keep your precious files safe for decades, perhaps even centuries, to come.

Watch: If It's All Digital, Won't You Lose It Anyway?


 
Posted: June 30, 2026 in: 2026
Shortlink: https://newsletter.askleo.com/9422
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I'm Leo Notenboom and I've been playing with computers since I took a required programming class in 1976. I spent over 18 years as a software engineer at Microsoft, and after "retiring" in 2001 I started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place to help you find answers and become more confident using this amazing technology at our fingertips. More about Leo.