In this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we look at Windows 11 struggling with its latest update, Windows 10 getting at least five more years of support after October 2025, big game sales, new preview builds to try, app updates, hardware reviews and more. much more.
Table of Contents:
Windows 11 and 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 might find a word or two about older but still supported versions.
This week’s Windows section kicks off with some non-security updates for Windows 10 and 11. The latter received KB5039302. It is full of interesting new features that are gradually rolled out to users who are willing to install optional updates. Interestingly, shortly after the release, Microsoft had to pause the launch because KB5039302 caused severe problems on users’ PCs and endless reboots. Fortunately, the update is available for download again, but there’s another known bug to watch out for.
According to the official documentation, KB5039302 breaks the taskbar on systems with Windows N editions (those without the Windows Media Player app and some other components). Microsoft is working on resolving the issue as soon as possible.
Windows 10, on the other hand, got KB5039299, which fixed a bunch of bugs, including the one that broke jump lists.
Windows 10 will reach the end of its life in less than two years, and analysts predict that the event will cause a tidal wave of computer upgrades. Some users upgrading from Windows 10 will opt for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs with ARM processors, which have been praised for their patchability. iFixit took these computers apart and found that modern Surface devices are now much more repair-friendly. Getting in is now much easier; Each component is marked with convenient QR codes and additional information, plus users have access to manuals and official parts.
Overall, both the Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11 scored an 8 out of 10 on iFixit’s repairability scale.
But if you’re a Windows 10 user and don’t intend to switch from your beloved operating system, you’ll be happy to know that 0patch will offer at least five years of additional support for Windows 10. The service won’t be free, but it will provide you with a lot of convenience and a much longer support period than the Extended Security Update Program of Microsoft.
Going back to the Surface, remember the Surface Duo, the weird dual-screen Android smartphone that failed? The device is pretty much dead after its second generation, but a recent Microsoft patent may be a glimpse of what the next generation could look like.
Finally, Microsoft announced that WSUS driver synchronization will be deprecated in April 2025. IT managers should already start planning to upgrade to newer systems.
Windows Insider Program
Here’s what Microsoft released this week for testing in the Windows Insider program:
| Windows 11 | Windows 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Channel | 26244 | Not applicable |
| The development channel | Nothing | Not applicable |
| Beta channel | 22635.3858 | Nothing |
| Release preview channel | Nothing | Nothing |
Windows Server also received a new build under version 26244. However, the release notes only contain one small change. As for the development channel, although there were no new items this week, Microsoft started enabling quite a few new features for those in build 26120.961 (KB5038575). They include accessibility improvements, some reworked user interfaces, changes to the Start menu, fresh emoji, and more.
Updates are available
This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updates (released and coming soon) that provide new features, security fixes, improvements, fixes, and more from Microsoft and third parties.
Files, a popular third-party file manager for Windows 10 and 11, Got a big update this week. Version 3.5 is now available for download with UI improvements (more rounded corners) and a host of small conveniences, such as a network drive widget, improved tooltips, and more.
Remember Project Natick from 2016? Eight years ago, Microsoft decided to sink some servers to see if keeping them underwater was a viable alternative to standard data centers. Despite positive results, Microsoft quietly stopped the underwater server project and decided not to continue building underwater data centers.
On the weird side, users have found that a single line in a text file can trip Microsoft Defender and cause a false positive. Moral of the story: don’t create text files with the string “This content is no longer available” if you don’t want your antivirus to panic.
Speaking of text files, we’ve published a short guide for those who miss good old WordPress. As expected, it is very easy to bring back the removed app to Windows 11 24H2 version. All you need is a bunch of files from the pre-24H2 installation.
If you’ve noticed that your desktop is full of random shortcuts after a clean install of Windows 11, it’s because the operating system now allows folder backups without asking or notifying users during the initial setup. Check out this article to learn how to deal with it.
Mozilla has released a small bugfix update for Firefox. Version 127.0.2 fixed issues with playing YouTube videos and misbehavior in private mode on Windows. Microsoft Edge has also received some updates. Version 128 is now available for testing on the Dev channel, and its public release is scheduled for late August 2024. The stable release received several fixes for bugs causing crashes and security fixes.
Other notable updates include the following:
And here are the newest drivers published this week:
Finally, here’s the latest edition of Microsoft 365 Roadmap Weekly, a series where we track new features and changes coming soon to Microsoft’s productivity apps. Recent additions include attaching folders in the new Outlook for Windows, PDF support in Word for iOS, new Copilot features for Excel, and more.
Reviews found
Below is the hardware and software we reviewed this week.
Robbie Khan reviewed the Turtle Beach Burst II Air, a wireless gaming mouse that boasts an incredibly light weight. Besides being lighter than a Mars bar, it offers great software, customizable on-device storage, great optical switches, and a 50/50 weight distribution. However, there are some drawbacks, such as questionable side grip, poor DPI switch placement, and more. Check out the full review Here.
The Burst Air II wasn’t the only mouse Ruby reviewed this week. Check out his other review, this time of the Endorfy Liv Plus Wireless: a multi-device gaming mouse with a bunch of neat tricks up its sleeve.
Stephen Parker reviewed the Beelink EQ13: a low-power mini PC with an Intel Alder Lake N200 processor. This small, inexpensive PC offers solid connectivity, great power efficiency, and the ability to expand its storage with another SSD. However, a $259 PC can’t be perfect, so find out more in the review here.
On the gaming side
Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts and more.
Playground games will be deleted soon Forza Horizon 4 From digital stores on Xbox and PC. The studio announced that due to license agreements, He was forced to download the game on December 15, 2024. Fortunately, you have plenty of time to secure the game in your collection. And the best part is that you can do it with a massive 80% discount. And a lot of people seem to be taking their chances as the game has reached over 70,000 concurrent players on Steam.
By the way, if you are an Xbox Game Pass subscriber who purchased one of the Ofek 4 DLCs, you’ll get the game from Microsoft for free so you can keep it in your library. net.
Valve has unveiled a series of updates for its PC gaming platform. Steam users can now try out a new built-in system for recording and editing gameplay footage. It’s called Steam Game Recording, it’s currently available in beta. The company also shared some details about the use of controller on the platform.
Nvidia has added a bunch of new games for GeForce NOW users. You can now to play Resident Evil Village, Drug Dealer Simulator 2, and Beyond Good and Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition.
Specials and freebies
Epic Games Store Department Sunless Sky: Sovereign Edition. You can grab this title for free until next Thursday. If that’s not enough, you should click on the Steam icon on your desktop, because the platform is currently offering a huge wave of discounts as part of its annual summer sale. It will last until July 11, 10:00 am Pacific time. As usual, you can find more deals in our weekly PC gaming weekend deals series.
Other game stories include the following:
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