One Cool Tip Newsletter

January 28, 2026

Your daily dose of tech-savvy brilliance!

😀Greetings!, Happy Windows Wednesday, Cool Tipper!

Get ready to streamline your digital life with simple, actionable tips delivered straight to your inbox.

Today's Cool Tip Theme: AI Actions in File Explorer

IN THIS ISSUE

• ⚠️ Windows 11 Update Bugs.
• 🚨 rn Security Alert.
• 📸 Awkward AI Prompt.
• 📂 AI Actions in File Explorer.
• 🏷️ Master File Tags.
• 📑 File Explorer Tabs.
• 🖱️ App Multitasking.

New here? Subscribe to the One Cool Tip Newsletter for daily updates. It's FREE!

• 😂 Laugh with Us! Enjoy our Tech Joke of the Day, Haiku and Cool Tip Comics.



• 🌐 Stay Informed! Check out ICYMI, and our One Cool Tip Video.

3️⃣

If you enjoy the One Cool Tip newsletter, please forward this newsletter to THREE friends or colleagues or share it on social media using the links below.

Leave a Tip!



Share this One Cool Tip Newsletter!

Today's Tech Trivia

Answer at the end of this newsletter.

⚠️Windows 11 January 2026 Update: New Bugs Confirmed⚠️

Microsoft’s January 2026 Windows 11 update is causing several system problems, including Remote Desktop failures, shutdown glitches, and Outlook crashes.

These issues affect multiple builds, and Microsoft has already issued emergency patches for some of them.

Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 update is creating headaches for users, with several bugs confirmed across multiple versions of the OS.

If your PC has been acting strange since installing the January 2026 Patch Tuesday update, you’re not alone and Microsoft has already begun rolling out emergency fixes.

What’s Going Wrong

• Remote Desktop sign‑ins fail
• Users report authentication failures when connecting through the Windows App. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and released an out‑of‑band fix.
• Shutdown and hibernation break on some systems
• PCs running Windows 11 23H2 with System Guard Secure Launch enabled may reboot instead of shutting down. A fix is now available, but only for affected configurations.
• Outlook Classic freezes or won’t open
• Outlook crashes for users with POP accounts or PST files stored in OneDrive or other cloud locations. This issue remains unresolved, and Microsoft recommends temporary workarounds.

What You Should Do

• Install the emergency patches if offered in Windows Update, they address the Remote Desktop and shutdown bugs.
• Use Outlook on the web if the desktop app is freezing.
• Avoid uninstalling the update unless absolutely necessary, since it contains critical security fixes.

If your system is stable, you’re in the clear. If not, these issues are known, and fixes are already in motion.

And in Other News...

🚨The “rn” Scam🚨

Cybercriminals are registering lookalike domains that swap the letter “m” with “rn”; a visual deception that tricks your brain into reading it as the real thing.

This scam, known as typosquatting, is currently targeting Microsoft and Marriott customers with fake password reset emails and loyalty account alerts.

What to watch for:

• Fake domains: rnicrosoft.com, rnarriottinternational.com.
• Real-looking emails: Logos, layouts, and tone mimic official messages.
• Mobile risk: Small screens make the “rn” trick harder to spot.
• Common bait: Password resets, invoice alerts, loyalty points.

How to protect yourself:

• Never click links in suspicious emails. Type the real website manually
• Expand sender addresses to check for typos
• Hover or long-press links to preview the actual destination

This scam is active now and has resurfaced multiple times over the past decade.

Stay sharp! One mistyped letter could lead to stolen credentials or financial loss.

Try this Cool AI prompt:

Copy/Paste this AI-powered prompt. Try it in the One Cool Tip AI Companion (free ChatGPT account required) or Copilot, Gemini or ChatGPT:

1. Upload photo(s) of person and pet.
2. Create a classic department store-style studio portrait from the late 1980s to early 1990s. Only include the people and/or animals in the uploaded photo. Awkwardly wholesome, mall-photo-studio energy. Soft beige and gray muslin backdrop with subtle mottling. Flat, even studio lighting with mild flash glare and gentle shadows under the chin. Subject posed stiffly but earnestly, slightly turned shoulders, hands folded or resting on knees. Styling includes oversized sweaters, tucked polos, denim, pleated khakis, sensible sneakers, and conservative jewelry. Hair is voluminous, feathered, or lightly permed. Expressions are polite, mildly uncomfortable smiles. Colors are muted pastels and warm neutrals. Shot on medium-format film with soft focus, slight grain, and a faint vignette. Composition feels affordable, mass-market, and deeply nostalgic. No modern fashion, no cinematic lighting, no high contrast, no luxury styling. Authentic department-store portrait realism.

credit: ChatGPT

How AI Actions in File Explorer Speed Up Your Windows 11 Day

AI is creeping into Windows in a practical place: the File Explorer right-click menu. If you manage lots of files, these new “AI actions” can save real time by launching smarter image edits and generating quick document summaries without the usual app-hopping.

Have you ever opened three different apps just to clean up a photo, grab a quick summary, and then email the result? 

That workflow is exactly what AI Actions in File Explorer tries to kill.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use 'AI Actions' in Windows 11 File Explorer.

Microsoft is wiring AI directly into the right-click menu so you can act on files in place instead of bouncing between apps. 

It feels small at first glance, but for anyone who lives in shared folders, OneDrive, or project libraries, this is the kind of friction that quietly eats hours every month.

Feature Explanation

AI Actions in File Explorer are context-aware shortcuts that appear when you right-click a supported file in Windows 11. 

You choose AI Actions from the context menu, then pick from a set of AI-powered tools that work with that file type.

For images in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format, you currently get four built-in actions:

• Bing Visual Search: Use the image to search the web for similar images, products, landmarks, or objects.
• Blur background (Photos): Open the Photos app, automatically detect the subject, and blur the background with adjustable intensity.
• Erase objects (Photos): Use Generative Erase in Photos to remove unwanted elements from a picture.
• Remove background (Paint): Open Paint and strip the background in one click, leaving a clean cutout of the subject.

If you have Microsoft 365 and a Copilot license, you also see a Summarize action in Copilot for files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. 

It generates a quick summary without opening the file, which is ideal for long reports or meeting notes.

The key idea: File Explorer becomes a launchpad for AI tasks, not just a place to double click things.

What You’ll Gain

• Faster edits: Clean up images without hunting for the right app first.
• Quicker decisions: Skim summaries of long documents before committing to a full read.
• Fewer clicks: Act directly from the right-click menu instead of juggling windows.
• Smarter search: Use images to find products, places, or references online.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Microsoft Web/Desktop (Windows 11 File Explorer)

Use AI Actions on an image file

1. Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Install Windows 11 version 25H2 or later if offered.
2. Press Windows key + E or select the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
3. Navigate to a .jpg, .jpeg, or .png file.
4. Right-click the file (or press Shift + F10) and choose AI Actions from the context menu.
5. Pick an action:

• Choose Bing Visual Search, Blur background, Erase objects, or Remove background.
• Complete the edit:
• Follow the on-screen controls in Photos or Paint, then save or export your updated image.

fig. 1 - New AI Actions in Windows 11 File Explorer Example

Use Summarize action in Copilot (Microsoft 365)

1. Confirm subscription: Ensure you have an active Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot license.
2. Store the file in OneDrive or SharePoint: Move or save the document to a Microsoft 365-backed location.
3. Right-click the file in File Explorer:

• Choose AI actions > Summarize action in Copilot.
• Review the summary: A Copilot-powered summary appears, which you can copy into email, chat, or notes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Time saver: Quick edits and summaries reduce app switching for busy professionals reviewing dozens of files per day.
• Low learning curve: Uses the familiar right-click menu, so there is almost nothing new to memorize.
• Integrated with existing apps: Leverages Photos, Paint, Bing, and Copilot instead of yet another standalone tool.

Cons

• Rollout limits: Availability varies by market and device, so not everyone will see AI Actions yet.
• Subscription dependency: The most powerful document summarization requires Microsoft 365 plus a Copilot license.
• File type constraints: Image actions only work with JPG, JPEG, and PNG, and Summarize is tied to OneDrive and SharePoint.

Feature Access

• AI Actions in File Explorer is part of the Windows 11, version 25H2 feature wave and is currently rolling out to users.
• OS version: Windows 11 version 25H2 or 24H2 with the latest updates, sharing a common servicing branch.
• Availability: Varies by market and device; some PCs may be held by safeguard blocks if compatibility issues are detected.
• Subscriptions:
• Image actions: Available to consumer and business users on supported devices without extra subscription.
• Summarize action in Copilot: Requires Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot license, with support for both Microsoft accounts and Entra ID.

Score

Criterion | Score (0–10) | Justification

Value 9

Strong time savings for anyone who works with images and documents daily, especially in Microsoft 365 environments.

Usability 8

Right-click integration is intuitive, though some users may be confused by rollout gaps and licensing requirements.

Wow Factor 8

It feels quietly impressive when you realize you can clean up photos and summarize files without opening anything.

Total: 25/30 🌟 Excellent

AI Actions in File Explorer are a high-value, low-friction upgrade that feels like Click to Do for your files, and they compare favorably to similar quick actions in macOS Finder by leaning harder into AI-powered edits and summaries.

Key Takeaways

AI Actions turn File Explorer into a smart starting point instead of a passive file list. 

You get quick image edits and document summaries without opening full apps, and the experience will only get better as Microsoft expands Copilot across Windows 11. 

For now, treat it as a powerful bonus feature that may appear gradually as updates and licenses catch up.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: AI Actions in File Explorer.
• Platform(s): Windows 11 (version 25H2 and later, currently rolling out).
• Quick Benefit: Right-click files to run AI-powered edits and summaries in seconds.
• Access Type: Free core actions; Summarize requires Microsoft 365 subscription and Copilot license.

Try It Yourself

Right-click a JPG or Word document in File Explorer today and see which AI Actions appear, then try one real task, such as blurring a background or summarizing a long report. 

After you experiment, share this article with your team, family, or friends.

READ MORE

• Unlock Efficiency with Windows 11 File Explorer’s Duplicate Tab Feature.
• Master the New File Copy Feature in Windows 11’s Share Window.
• Unlock the Hidden Power of File Explorer with Alt+P.
• MORE Windows Wednesday Cool Tips.

Read the Full Cool Tip.

🆒Tell Me More

• AI Actions appear only when Windows detects a supported file type.

• Suggestions may differ depending on your region or Windows build.

• Microsoft is experimenting with context‑aware actions that evolve over time.

• Some actions require an internet connection for cloud‑based processing.

• Enterprise admins can manage availability through policy settings.

⏩Quick Tips

• 📁 Use the right‑click menu: AI Actions often appear here first. Right‑click a file and look for new suggestions.

• 🔍 Try selecting multiple files: Some actions only appear when you choose a group of items, like images or PDFs.

• 🌐 Stay connected: Cloud‑powered actions may not appear if your device is offline.



• 🧹 Clean up your folders: AI suggestions improve when your file names and folders are organized.

• 📝 Test with different file types: Try documents, images, and videos to see which actions appear.

✅ More Must-Read Tech Tips

👀 How Do I Master File Tags in Windows?

Are you maximizing the potential of file tags in Windows? 

File tags in Windows are keywords or terms that you can assign to files as part of their metadata. 

These tags help describe the contents of a file and make it easier to organize and locate files through search

Here's how to do it.

1. Open File Explorer. Use Windows+E shortcut!
2. Locate the file you want to tag.
3. Right-click and select "Properties" to access the file’s properties menu. Use Alt+ Ent shortcut!
4. Navigate to the Details Tab.
5. Type your tags, separated by semicolons.
6. Click Apply and OK to close the properties window.

Searching with file tags in Windows is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your ability to quickly locate files. 

Searching with Tags

Here's how to do it.

1. Open File Explorer. Use Windows+E shortcut!
2. Click on the search box located at the top right corner of the File Explorer window.
3. Type "tag:" followed by the name of the tag you’re looking for. 

• For example, if you’re searching for files tagged as ‘report’, type "tag:report" into the search box.

• To search for files with multiple tags, use operators like AND and OR. 
• For instance, "tag:report AND tag:2026" will show files that have both ‘report’ and ‘2026’ tags.

By using tags in combination with the search functionality, you can quickly filter through your files and find exactly what you need without remembering the exact file name or location. 

Discover more HERE. 

🤔 Have You Ever Wondered How to Use the File Explorer Tab Feature?

Are you tired of cluttered desktops and multiple File Explorer windows? 

Do you want to streamline your file management process? 

File Explorer in Windows 11 is a tool that helps you manage your files and folders quickly and easily. 

You can open it by selecting it on the taskbar or the Start menu, or by pressing the Windows logo key + E on your keyboard.

Here’s how to create a new tab:

1. Open File Explorer (It's usually on the Taskbar for easy reference).
2. Click the + icon in the top bar to open a new Explorer tab.
3. Right-click a folder and select Open in New Tab.
4. Or, press Ctrl + T to open a new tab .

You now have two tabs to review files.  

Find out more HERE.

🙋‍♂️ Here's How to Open Multiple App Instances in Windows.

Have you ever found yourself juggling between tasks and wishing for a quicker way to access multiple instances of your favorite apps? 

What if the key to enhanced productivity lies right beneath your fingertips?

Here's a Cool Tip.  Hold down the Shift key when opening a Windows app.

Holding down the Shift key when opening a Windows app opens a second instance of the app.

Here's how to do it.

1. Locate the app icon on your taskbar.
2. Hold down the Shift key.
3. While holding the key, click on the app icon.
4. Voilà! A new instance of the app will launch.

Embracing this simple shortcut can significantly boost your efficiency, allowing you to manage your digital workspace like a pro.

Learn more HERE. 

Source❓Did you share this newsletter with three friends yet?

😎 Cool Facts

• 1.5 Billion: Over 1.5 billion devices run Windows worldwide. Source.

• 1995: File Explorer has existed since Windows 95, evolving through more than a dozen major redesigns. Source.

• 32 Billion: Microsoft invests billions annually in AI research and infrastructure. Source.

⌨️Today's Cool Keyboard Shortcuts

Try these Cool Keyboard shortcuts for Windows File Explorer:

• Win + E: Open File Explorer

• Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder

• Alt + Left Arrow: Go back

• F2: Rename selected file

• Ctrl + L: Jump to the address bar

😜 Tech Joke of the Day 😅

My PC and I have an open relationship.

I open apps, it closes them.

🔎 Do you have a Cool Tip or tech question? Email us at onecooltip.com@gmail.com.

Cool Tip Haiku

Folders whisper soft

AI reads between the lines

Work flows quietly

Explore Search Trends with Gemini

Paste To Link In Word: The Tiny Shortcut That Saves Big Time

Looking for your next adventure?

Call Denise at Travel For You.

314.660.3039

Sign Up for the Monthly Newsletter - Deals and Specials

http://www.travelforyouvacations.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TRAVEL.FOR.U/

Mastering Google Gemini: 3 Essential Features You Need Now

How to Use the New Windows 11 File Explorer Gallery

Ever wondered how to make the most out of your Windows 11 experience? 

Do you want to view and manage your stored photos?

Watch

The original 'File Explorer' had a much worse user interface.

Trivia Answer: B) A moth

On September 9, 1947, engineers working on the Harvard Mark II computer investigated a malfunction and discovered a moth trapped in Relay #70, Panel F.

They carefully removed the moth and taped it into the system logbook with the note,

"First actual case of bug being found."

While the term "bug" had been used in engineering previously to describe small faults, this event by Grace Hopper's team cemented the term "debugging" in computer science folklore.

----------

Tomorrow's Cool Tip is waiting to amaze you.

Until then, go forth and conquer the tech world with your newfound knowledge!

Be sure to visit www.OneCoolTip.com for Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

And if you Like One Cool Tip, please support with TipJar!

Enjoy!



Rodger

Chief Cool Tipper

onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Please Share the One Cool Tip Newsletter!

You asked for it. You got it. There is now a One Cool Tip Newsletter archive. Did you delete a newsletter and want to read it again? Check it out HERE.

Want to help One Cool Tip grow? Please forward this email using the link above. And if you see an OCT social media post, please LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE!

Have you subscribed to the One Cool Tip YouTube channel? Subscribe HERE.

Connect with One Cool Tip!!

As an Amazon Associate, One Cool Tip may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Our media content is intended solely for informational purposes only. Please do not construe anything here as legal, tax, investment, financial, marital or other advice.

Copyright © 2026 | www.OneCoolTip.com | All Rights Reserved