This week"s news recap is here, bringing you the latest Microsoft stories from the last seven weeks, including details about Windows 11 user adoption, new modules for PowerToys, a new section in the Settings app, gaming news, hardware reviews, 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.
Dell revealed that Windows 11"s adoption is much slower compared to Windows 10. In the Q3 results for the financial year 2026, Dell"s CEO said that people have been quite slow in migrating to Windows 11.
Windows Insider Program
Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:
| Builds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Channel | No new builds this week. | ||
| Dev Channel | |||
| Beta Channel | |||
| Release Preview Channel | Builds 26100.7309 and 26200.7309 Not much is new in these builds. There are only "minor changes" without any specific improvements or new features. | ||
Users discovered that the recent Windows 11 preview updates contain a new "App Updates" section in the Settings app. As it turned out, it will serve as an update mechanism for applications whose developers decided to allow updates via the Windows Update mechanism. This could be useful on systems without the Microsoft Store and other, more niche scenarios.
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, we had a bunch of PowerToys-related news. For one, Microsoft released version 0.96.1 to bring back a missing module on Windows 10. Image Resizer is now working as it should on the now-unsupported Windows 10. The update also fixed bugs in Advanced Paste and Awake. Also, Microsoft is working on a new monitor utility. PowerMonitor will let you control various monitor settings using a handy flyout. Brightness, contrast, volume, and more.
A new entry on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap website revealed that Microsoft is working on a new feature that allows ending conversations with Copilot by simply saying bye or goodbye. Paired with the new "Hey Copilot" command, this will enable complete hands-free experiences for voice on Windows devices.
Also, check out our recap of everything new in Excel in November 2025 and our weekly overview of new stuff that is coming soon to Outlook, Teams, Edge, Copilot, and other productivity apps from Microsoft.
Reviews are in
Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week
Steven Parker published a review of the GEEKOM AX8 Max, a mini PC with 32GB of DDR5 memory and 1TB storage. This small device costs only $500 and has plenty of ports, power, and good thermals. It is not flawless, so check out the complete review here.
For those who want to build a new gaming PC, we published two guides detailing the best graphics cards for 1080p in 2025 from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia, and another one with the best processors to buy from Intel and AMD in late 2025.
On the gaming side
Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more.
Microsoft is adding more features to its recently launched handheld consoles. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X have received the new Default Game Profile feature that tunes the hardware according to the needs of supported games to ensure the best battery life with the maximum frame rates possible.
It looks like another Sony exclusive is heading towards PC. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for PC appeared on the official ESRB website, which could indicate its imminent announcement. The game originally launched on PlayStation 5 in June 2025.
Mojang revealed the release date for Minecraft"s next big update, Mounts of Mayhem. It will arrive on all supported platforms (Bedrock and Java) on December 9, 2025. New content in the update includes the Nautilus, underwater mount, the Camel Husk, spears, and other changes.
Valve shared more details about the new Steam Machine, a Linux-powered gaming PC that is coming soon. While we do not know the exact price just yet, Valve says that the device will be a "good deal." However, the company does not plan to subsidize its costs.
As usual, we also published our weekly Weekend PC Game Deals article, where we gathered plenty of discounts across various digital storefronts, the latest freebie from the Epic Games Store, and more.
By the way, you can still join the free-to-play event in Battlefield 6. The game is available for everyone for free until December 2, 4 AM PT. Speaking of Battlefield 6, EA recently announced that 98% of all matches have been cheater-free thanks to tougher security in the game and its anti-cheat mechanisms.
If you want to play all these games but you do not have a device that can run them, you may consider purchasing a GeForce NOW membership, which is now 50% off for three months.
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.
- NETGEAR Nighthawk Multi-Gig 2.5Gbps Cable Modem - $224.99 | 25% off
- MSI Katana 15 HX - $1,369.99 | 17% off
- Dell 32 Plus 4K QD-OLED Monitor S3225QC - $599.99 | 29% off
- Apple AirPods Max - $399.99 | 27% off
- 256GB Samsung P9 microSD Express Memory Card - $47.49 | 14% off
- XFX Radeon RX 7900XT 20GB VRAM Graphics card - $580.60 | 12% off
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 2024 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD - $699.99 | 23% off
- Dell Tower Desktop ECT1250 - $699.99 | 21% off
- PowerColor Reaper Radeon RX 9070 16GB - $519.99 | 15% off
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