Charleston, hi! This week’s theme is “patch smart and plan ahead.” Chrome hit a big version bump, Windows 11 users got a heads-up on odd UAC prompts, AI kept marching (with GPT-5 in the wings and OpenAI eyeing its own chips), and IFA delivered fresh hardware teases. I also tucked in fast grant options for scrappy founders. Grab some sweet tea and let’s make your tech behave.
News For The Week:
Chrome 140 lands: security fixes and new Stable rollout
https://chromereleases.googleblog.com/2025/09/stable-channel-update-for-desktop.html
Google promoted Chrome 140 to Stable on Sept 2. That means your Windows/Mac/Linux browsers will auto-update over the next few days—don’t forget the last step: Help → About Google Chrome → Relaunch. If your family or staff use multiple browsers (Chrome and Edge), patch both this week to shrink drive-by malware risk. (Chrome Releases)
Pro tip for small offices: enforce auto-updates with your RMM or Google Workspace policies and schedule a quick “relaunch hour” so tabs don’t linger unprotected. If you’re using Microsoft Edge, it rides the same Chromium fixes shortly after. (Chrome Releases)—◈—◈—◈—
Windows 11: why you’re seeing extra UAC prompts (and what to do)
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-says-recent-windows-updates-cause-app-install-issues-due-to-unexpected-admin-UAC-prompts/
Microsoft confirms August security updates are triggering unexpected admin prompts during some installs/repairs for non-admin users. It’s by design to close a privilege-escalation hole—slightly annoying, but safer. Expect a smoother fix on September’s Patch Tuesday; until then, install apps as an admin, or deploy via your RMM. (BleepingComputer)
If you manage mixed Win10/11 fleets, keep an eye on the Windows release health pages for 24H2/23H2 known issues and safeguards. We monitor these dashboards for clients and can apply mitigations without interrupting work. (Microsoft Learn)—◆—◆—◆—
OpenAI + Broadcom: custom AI chips to power future GPT-5 era
https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-set-start-mass-production-its-own-ai-chips-with-broadcom-2026-ft-reports-2025-09-05/
Multiple U.S. outlets report OpenAI is collaborating with Broadcom on in-house AI accelerators, targeting 2026 for mass production. Translation: more compute to run models like GPT-5 and successors without relying solely on Nvidia—good news for capacity, latency, and potentially cost. (Reuters, Investopedia)
Small-biz angle: as AI infra scales, expect steadier pricing and better performance for everyday workloads—bid writing, SOP drafts, and customer chat that actually follows your rules. We’ll keep you posted as details firm up. (OpenAI)—✦—✧—✦—
ChatGPT adds “Branch conversation” to explore ideas without losing your place
https://help.openai.com/en/articles/6825453-chatgpt-release-notes
On Sept 4, ChatGPT added Branch in new chat on web. Hover any message → … → Branch to spin off experiments while keeping your original thread tidy. For teams, this makes A/B testing prompts and drafts way less chaotic. (OpenAI Help Center)
Tip for home users: use branching to compare “formal vs. friendly” resumes or two vacation-planning itineraries side-by-side before you commit. (OpenAI Help Center)—▣—▢—▣—
GeForce Now jumps to RTX 5080 on Sept 10—faster cloud PCs, same price
https://www.theverge.com/news/771273/nvidia-geforce-now-rtx-5080-upgrade-release-date
Nvidia’s RTX 5080 upgrade hits GeForce Now next week with beefier memory and DLSS 4—up to 5K/120fps or 1080p/360fps streaming—without raising the Ultimate tier price. For creators and gamers who don’t want to buy a new tower, this is a compelling hardware-as-a-service move. (The Verge)
Small studios in Charleston can render, edit, or demo on the road with a mid-range laptop and a solid connection. We can test your workflow to see if cloud GPUs make sense. (The Verge)—◍—◌—◍—
IFA 2025: first Intel “Panther Lake” laptop previewed by Acer
https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/panther-lake-breaks-cover-in-acer-swift-16-ai-company-also-touts-worlds-largest-trackpad-with-stylus-support
Acer quietly showed a Swift 16 AI with Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake CPUs—think higher AI TOPS and an OLED 120Hz panel—targeting 2026 availability. It’s early days, but it signals where Windows laptops are headed for local AI tasks. (Tom's Hardware)
Another U.S. outlet got hands-on and echoed the same take: bigger on-device AI and a wild haptic trackpad. Hardware teasers now help you time upgrades later—don’t buy twice. (Tom's Guide, PC Gamer)—△—▲—△—
Software supply-chain: CISA & NSA publish joint SBOM guidance
https://www.nsa.gov/Press-Room/Press-Releases-Statements/Press-Release-View/Article/4292020/nsa-cisa-and-others-release-a-shared-vision-of-software-bill-of-materials-sbom/
On Sept 3-4, U.S. agencies released “A Shared Vision of SBOM for Cybersecurity.” In plain English: more transparent software ingredient labels so you can react faster when a component goes bad. Great for regulated firms and anyone with vendors. (NSA)
Action items: ask software vendors whether they offer an SBOM, track it in your asset list, and require timely vulnerability notices in contracts. We can help you add this to vendor questionnaires. (Executive Gov, ICBA)—◐—◑—◐—
iPhone users: update WhatsApp & iOS after targeted exploit news
https://apnews.com/article/0e5081c3eeb44e47e39ddd38c29a6771
AP reports WhatsApp patched an exploit chain used in targeted attacks against a small number of Apple users. If you use WhatsApp for business, update the app and your iPhone/iPad/macOS now. (AP News)
Apple also patched a recent zero-day (CVE-2025-43300) across platforms—more reason to run updates this weekend and consider Lockdown Mode for at-risk users (journalists, executives). Need help checking versions across family or staff devices? We’ve got you. (The Hacker News, Malwarebytes)—○—●—○—
Founders’ corner: quick grant—Skip Instant Grants #138 ends today
https://helloskip.com/dashboard/opportunity/1k-instant-138
Deadline: today (Sept 5). Skip’s live-streamed $1k Instant Grants are low-lift entries—handy for a backup drive, router upgrade, or web refresh. If you miss it, they run Tuesdays/Fridays; also browse the U.S. Chamber’s CO list for September deadlines. (Skip, U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
Want help crafting a tight 150-word pitch? Send bullet points (what you sell, who you help, what the grant buys) and we’ll spin it into a crisp entry. (Skip)—✺—✺—✺—
Windows 10 end-of-support next month: ESU options and timing
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-support-ends-on-october-14-2025-2ca8b313-1946-43d3-b55c-2b95b107f281
Windows 10 support ends Oct 14, 2025. Your PC won’t stop working, but it stops getting security updates. Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program offers a one-year bridge for consumers and multi-year options for orgs—useful if you need a bit more time to upgrade hardware. (Microsoft Support, Microsoft Learn)
Charleston SMBs: we can inventory machines, check Win11 compatibility, price ESU only where needed, and schedule upgrades to avoid last-minute chaos. (Microsoft Learn)—◻︎—◻︎—◻︎—
Windows Tips For The Week:
- Make Patch Tuesday painless. In Windows 11: Settings → Windows Update → Pause for 7 days on Tuesday morning, then unpause after we validate patches on your model(s). Keeps you safe without surprise downtime. (Microsoft Learn)
- Tame the new UAC prompts. Install/repair apps as an administrator this week, or deploy via your RMM/MSI with admin rights to avoid user confusion from the August changes. (BleepingComputer)
- Check Chrome/Edge version. Open chrome://settings/help (or edge://settings/help) and click Relaunch. Target: Chrome 140. (Chrome Releases)
- Windows 10 game plan. Use the Microsoft checker to confirm end-of-support and review ESU only for must-keep PCs; otherwise move to 11 before October 14. (Microsoft Support, Microsoft Learn)
AI Prompt Ideas:
“Grant Pitch Polisher for a 1-Person Business”
You are a grant-writing coach. I’ll paste my 5 bullet points (what I sell, customer, traction, what $1k buys, impact). Return: (a) a 120-word pitch for a live drawing, (b) a 200-word version for applications, (c) 3 tagline options, and (d) a 1-sentence ‘why now’. Keep it plain-English, warm, and local to Charleston.
Whether you’re updating browsers, plotting the Windows 10 sunset, auditioning cloud GPUs, or starting to lean on GPT-5-era tools, Holy City Computer Services can help Charleston’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families stay safe and productive. Call 843-670-4153, email support@holycityit.com, or visit https://www.holycityit.com. We’ll secure it, speed it up, and keep it simple.