This week’s news recap is here, bringing you an overview of the most interesting stories from the world of Microsoft, including a big management shakeup at the company’s gaming division, updates to the Canary Channel, browser updates, new features for Notepad and Paint, and more.
Quick links:
- Windows 10 and 11
- Windows Insider Program
- Updates are available
- Reviews are in
- Gaming news
- Great deals to check
Windows 11 and Windows 10
Here, we talk about everything happening around Microsoft’s latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And, of course, you may find a word or two about older versions.
This week, Microsoft shared more news about the Extended Security Updates program for Windows 10. In addition to regular consumers, who can remain supported until October 2026, Microsoft is giving some extra updates for Windows 10 2016 LTSB and Windows Server 2016 for businesses that are willing to pay Microsoft $61 per device. Unlike the consumer version of the program, ESU for these editions is not limited to just 12 months.
Ericsson may not be the first company to come to mind when it comes to Windows 11 and hardware support, but it just made an important improvement to Windows 11. Ericsson Enterprise 5G Connect has been validated by Microsoft for enterprise users leveraging 5G Surface devices on the go. This solution is capable of automatically connecting to the best available 5G network, both on the private and public cloud, while being invisible to the user. Since all of this happens in the background, customers don’t need to worry about troubleshooting and diagnosing network issues.
Windows Insider Program
Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:
| Builds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Channel |
The changelog for this one is pretty big. There are improvements to the cross-device resume feature, plenty of accessibility improvements, new language support for the Settings agent, and more. The second Canary build of this week is basically a reintroduction of the Skip Ahead channel. Microsoft now has two Canary branches, allowing users to test a new version of the next platform update. |
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| Dev Channel |
This build introduced improved context menus, reworked device cards in the Settings app, and some bug fixes. |
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| Beta Channel |
Nothing in the Beta Channel this week |
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| Release Preview Channel |
Builds 26100.7918 and 26200.7918 These builds are a preview of what is coming to all users later this month as a non-security update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. There are new emojis, taskbar improvements, new camera settings, and more. |
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In addition, Microsoft released a highly-requested feature for Paint. With the latest update, which is available in the Canary and Dev channels, users can finally enjoy freeform rotate. Previously, it was only possible to rate a selection by 90 or 180 degrees. Besides that, it seems that Microsoft is adding image support to Notepad for whatever reason.
Updates are available
This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updates (released and coming soon) delivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties.
This week was rich in browser updates. Google, for one, patched a critical security vulnerability in Chrome, which was already exploited in the wild. If you use Google Chrome, make sure you are on version 145.0.7632.75 or newer. The vulnerability affects both Windows and macOS. A minor update with similar changes arrived for Firefox, with version 147.0.4 fixing a bug with blank new tab pages, and a single security vulnerability. By the way, Mozilla is finally ending Firefox 115 ESR support, the final version for Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
There were plenty of announcements for Microsoft Edge. Version 145 arrived in the Stable Channel for all users, offering some useful changes, such as a better password manager, enhanced Read Aloud, and more. Following that, Microsoft pushed Edge 146 to the Beta Channel with some important announcements. For one, Microsoft is dropping macOS 12 Monterey support. Edge 150 will be the final update for those still on macOS 12. Also, Microsoft is discontinuing the custom password feature for autofill, switching users to systemwide authentication for better security and convenience.
In addition, Microsoft is testing a new Edge trick for enterprises that could change how browser updates reach your workplace PC. This change should make it easier for IT Admins to manage browser updates. Finally, Edge for Business Edge received direct Copilot integration for Office documents and YouTube.
Moving from browsers to software, we have some news for Teams users. Microsoft 365 Copilot users can now automate project summaries and data monitoring with new “scheduled prompts” in the Teams Workflows app. There is also a new nag to select the default browser and install Edge, a new consolidated device settings hub, and more.
Microsoft also released a big update for OneDrive on macOS. The client for Microsoft’s cloud storage now has Liquid Glass to look better on macOS 26 Tahoe, a reworked activity center, and a lot more. It is a big feature release, and if you use OneDrive on macOS, it should make your experience a lot better.
Microsoft decided to retire one feature in Outlook because it was causing users too much confusion. Speaking of emails, a new report emerged about Microsoft uploading confidential emails for AI summarization, but the company quickly fixed the issue and explained that it was not an intentional behavior.
Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:
Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week:
- Intel 32.0.101.8509 WHQL. This update brought XeSS multi-frame generation to more graphics products from Intel, including discrete A and B Series graphics cards. Also, there are fixes for issues on Intel Core Ultra 300 Series processors and more.
- AMD released a new chipset driver. The latest release introduces some bug fixes and Windows 11 version 25H2 support to more drivers (keep in mind that the chipset driver is a set of multiple different drivers).
Reviews are in
Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week
This week, Steven Parker reviewed the OneOdio Focus A1 Pro, budget-friendly over-ear headphones with noise cancellation, transparency mode, good battery life, Bluetooth 6, and more. At $49.99, these are pretty good.
Another review from Steven Parker was about the Geekom X14 Pro, a stunning 14-inch laptop with an AMOLED display, USB 4, Windows Hello, a good set of bundled accessories, and more. It is not the cheapest laptop out there, but it delivers quite a lot despite some quirks here and there.
Meanwhile, I got to try the GameSir G8+ MFi, a fantastic mobile controller with features like Hall Effect sticks and triggers, remappable back buttons, good build quality, and more. It is not the cheapest gamepad out there, but it makes up for that by providing great, reliable gaming on iPhone and Android.
On the gaming side
Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more.
The biggest gaming story of this week and probably the current year so far is Phil Spencer’s departure announcement. Microsoft’s now-former gaming CEO is leaving the company after dedicating 38 years of his life to it. With Phil, Sarah Bond is leaving as well.
Due to the ongoing hardware crisis, manufacturers have problems with their existing consoles and future releases. Sony, for one, reportedly delayed the release of PlayStation 6 all the way to 2029, giving PlayStation 5 and Pro three more years on the market as the Japanese company waits for the RAM frenzy to calm down. The same problem hit Valve, which officially confirmed that the Steam Deck is in short supply in certain regions.
More bad news is coming from Ubisoft. The ill-fated publisher announced a new round of layoffs, which, this time, directly affects the maker of the Splinter Cell franchise, particularly those behind the remake that was announced in 2021. Despite all of that, Ubisoft is still working on new Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry games.
Obsidian’s fantasy RPG Avowed is now a year old, and to celebrate the occasion, the studio released the anniversary update with New Game+ mode, new races, and more. Additionally, the game is now available on PlayStation 5.
NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW streaming service crossed a major milestone this week. The service now supports over 4,500 games, giving users a lot of titles to play in the cloud. As always, NVIDIA added new games, including KILLER INN, Diablo, and more.
This week’s Weekend PC Game Deals article is here, offering you the latest batch of discounts on various titles across different PC storefronts, including the latest giveaway from the Epic Games Store. You still have time to grab a free copy of Return to Ash.
Other gaming news includes the following:
Great deals to check
Every week, we cover many deals on different hardware and software. The following discounts are still available, so check them out. You might find something you want or need.
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