Microsoft Weekly: new features for Windows 11, botched drivers, and PowerToys updates

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This week"s news recap is here, with Microsoft updating Windows 11 with new features, ReFS boot support in Windows Server, Copilot updates, odd features for Microsoft Edge, gaming news, and reviews.

Quick links:

  1. Windows 10 and 11
  2. Windows Insider Program
  3. Updates are available
  4. Reviews are in
  5. Gaming news
  6. 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 month"s non-security update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 is here under KB5077241, with build numbers 26200.7922 and 26100.7922. It contains new emoji, new camera settings, Quick Machine Recovery improvements, taskbar updates, built-in Sysmon, WEBP support for desktop backgrounds, and more.

Also, Microsoft updated the security baseline package for Windows Server 2025 with key defaults flipped and legacy risks shut down. The latter is finally getting boot support for the Resilient File System (ReFS) in the latest Insider Preview build.

Windows 365, Microsoft"s cloud-based service that lets you rent a PC in the cloud, is getting new clients. This week, Microsoft, in partnership with ASUS and Dell, announced two new mini PCs in different form factors. Also, Microsoft is working on new features for these devices, which should be available later this year.

Finally, Microsoft explained the confusion surrounding its recent announcement about driver deprecation. Microsoft clarified that if you have a computer connected to an old printer, it should continue working as is. For manufacturers and driver developers, though, legacy drivers can only be approved as exceptions. Microsoft wants everyone to use the modern printing stack and clean it of legacy drivers (it is ditching V3 and V4 drivers in favor of the Mopria standard that makes it easier for Windows to print on any printer)

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:

Builds
Canary Channel

Build 28020.1673

Emoji 16.0, new camera settings, better dark mode in File Explorer, a built-in network speed in the system tray (sort of), and more in this week"s Canary build.
Dev Channel

Build 26300.7939

This build brings improvements to shared audio, safer batch files, and various bug fixes.
Beta Channel

Build 26220.7934

This build has the same changelog as the one released in the Dev Channel. Plus, the updated Paint with freeform rotate is available to Beta Insiders as well.
Release Preview Channel

Nothing in Release Preview this week

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.

A useful PowerToys update is coming soon to Command Palette, a handy launcher for Windows 10 and 11. Microsoft is working on Lightning-fast mode, which is supposed to speed up the tool significantly. According to a Pull Request on GitHub, Microsoft aims to released Lightining-fast mode for Command Palette in version 0.98.

Microsoft announced several Copilot updates this week. For one, new AI-powered summaries are coming to Copilot Notebooks in March. The feature will automatically generate summaries and insights from the references so that when a user opens a Notebook, they will instantly get a high-level overview of their notebook content without having to manually synthesize it.

Additionally, Microsoft launched meeting conflict resolution in Outlook, two new features for combating phishing, and Copilot Tasks, a new way to get things done using Microsoft"s AI. With all that in mind, Microsoft published a new blog post where it said Copilot is the best productivity app for Windows.

Microsoft is also on track to redesign SharePoint with more focus on AI. In a recently added entry on its public Microsoft 365 Roadmap, Microsoft promised a "reimagined" SharePoint designed to be simple and intuitive, while focusing on SharePoint"s core functionality, which includes knowledge discovery, content publication, and building intranet solutions.

Speaking of redesigns, a new UI is rolling out to Planner, giving the service a modern, cleaner look with new features, such as real-time discussions, the Goals view, and more.

Finally, check out our regular recaps of everything that Microsoft added to Office apps this month, such as Teams and Excel.

This week"s browser updates include a major update for Firefox. Mozilla released version 148.0 with the promised AI kill switch that lets you get rid of all the AI-powered experiences and never see them again (not even subtle prompts to try a thing or two). The update also contains some fixes, security patches, translation improvements, and more.

Another entry in Microsoft"s roadmaps details an odd feature that automatically opens Copilot in Microsoft Edge whenever you click an Outlook link, just in case you need some AI help with your emails. Yikes!

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week:

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

This week, Steven Parker reviewed the Choetech USB-C Hub with eight ports and 100W power delivery. This laptop stand not only supports your laptop, but also gives it a bunch of extra ports, including memory card readers. It is not the cheapest one, but it does its job well.

On the gaming side

Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more.

The Xbox February 2026 update is here with 1440p streaming support for Xbox Cloud Gaming on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One S|X. There are also new system sounds for navigation and useful improvements for those owning the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally.

Valve is running its first Steam Next Fest of 2026. This regular event allows gamers to play thousands of demos of titles to check out what is coming in the near future. The event runs from February 23 through Mar 2, so you still have a couple of days to check some demos and maybe add them to your wishlist.

Playground Games published a new blog post where it detailed career mode in the upcoming Forza Horizon 6, which will be available on PC and Xbox Series X|S in May. Developers prepared a big career overhaul with improved progression, new modes, new challenges, and more to address gamers" criticism about broken progression and the lack of motivation to play the game.

NVIDIA has some good news for those who want to play Resident Evil Requiem but have no gaming PC or console. The game is now available on GeForce NOW (alongside a bunch of other titles), plus you can get it for free if you purchase a one-year membership. This will save you $70 on the $200 plan.

Finally, check out this week"s Weekend PC Game Deals, where you can grab the latest freebie from the Epic Games Store, new bundles from Humble Bundle, enjoy some free events, and more.

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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