Microsoft Weekly: Windows 11 25H2 is getting close, so does the end of Windows 10

By Neowin ·
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This week"s news recap is here. Windows 11 version 25H2 is right around the corner, new details about extended security updates for Windows 10, a single preview build for Windows Insiders, new games at Tokyo Game Show 2025, new processors for Arm PCs, and more.

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.

It appears that Windows 11 version 25H2 is right around the corner. This week, users discovered that download links for Windows 11 version 25H2 and its enablement packages are now available for download. If you do not want to wait for the public release, you can check out this guide describing how to download and install Windows 11 25H2 right now.

There is a separate guide for those who want to install the update on an unsupported PC with apps like the recently updated Rufus 4.10, which received dark mode and Windows 11 25H2 support. There is another app for such ordeals, Flyoobe. It has also been updated to a new version with optimizations for Windows 11 version 25H2, where it should now run smoothly.

Image by DepositPhotos

Microsoft also released a bunch of Windows updates this week. While Windows 11 24H2 has not received its monthly non-security update, Microsoft pushed KB5068221, an out-of-band update, to resolve compatibility problems with Office applications. Other Windows 11 versions, though, received their scheduled non-security update, with Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2 getting KB5065790. As for Windows 10, it received KB5066198, the final non-security update ahead of the end of support.

Speaking of the end of support, Microsoft revealed that users in the European Economic Area will not have to give Microsoft any data or pay it to receive one more year of security updates. Additionally, Microsoft revealed plans to deprecate WHCP and HLK for Windows 10.

We also published several useful guides this week. Also, check out this guide that describes how to limit memory consumption in Microsoft Edge. Speaking of useful stuff, check out WindowSill, a new app from a Microsoft engineer that aims to upgrade your taskbar with an additional panel full of useful tools.

We also have a new piece of Windows trivia from Raymond Chen, a seasoned Microsoft veteran. In its latest blog post, Raymond explained the online nature of Windows 3.0"s WinHelp. Finally, check out two articles from Usama where he talks about a very "underrated" Windows feature and how his favorite Microsoft product is getting way too expensive.

Windows Insider Program

This week, we barely had any updates in the Insider program, with only one small build in the Canary Channel and a single update for the Photos app:

Builds
Canary Channel

Build 27954

Only general improvements and a single fix for networking in this week"s Canary build.
Dev Channel

Nothing in the Dev Channel this week
Beta Channel

Nothing in the Beta Channel this week
Release Preview Channel

Nothing in the Release Preview Channel this week

As for the Photos app, its latest update for Windows Insiders with Copilot+ PCs introduced automatic photo categorization. However, only four categories are available at this moment.

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.

Qualcomm announced the second generation of the Snapdragon X Elite processor family. Chips that will power the next wave of Arm-powered Copilot+ PCs are now official with two tiers: Elite and Extreme. They feature more cores, more cache, faster clocks, and a significantly improved Neural Processing Unit.

OneDrive, which, according to Microsoft, is not just a storage service, appears to be parting ways with Samsung. A fresh APK teardown revealed that the South Korean giant plans to remove OneDrive integration in favor of Samsung Cloud.

Finally, Microsoft released a small PowerToys update to resolve more installation issues. Version 0.94.2 does not contain anything but that, but look forward to version 0.95, which will bring a new module called Light Switch. On Saturday, we published a quick look at the upcoming tool that will let you automate theme switching in Windows 10 and 11.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

We have a new review from Christopher White this week, as he tried to recall how to ride a bike with the ENGWE LE20. This relatively inexpensive e-bike has good cargo capacity for your grocery hauls, solid range on a single battery, and it is overall well-made, with just a tiny bit of annoyances.

On the gaming side

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

Hideo Kojima and Jordan Peele are working on a new Xbox horror game. It is called OD: KNOCK, and we have the first trailer showcasing its graphics, a character played by Sophia Lillis, and a gloomy room with some spooky stuff.

Oxide Games released a new update for Ara: History Untold. Called v2.0 Revolutions, it brings a number of new and overhauled systems, a new unit type in the Renaissance age, redesigned leaders with unique mechanics, better AI systems, and more.

After reopening the Xbox Design Lab, Microsoft announced a new Ninja Gaiden 4-themed Xbox Wireless Controller. The new design is available for the standard controller and for the Elite, and it will set you back $95 or $184.98.

Also, Microsoft finally opened pre-orders for ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. Microsoft"s handhelds will be available for purchase in October, and you will have to pay $599.99 for the regular model and a whopping $999.99 for the Ally X.

Nvidia announced new games for GeForce NOW subscribers. With September coming to an end, Nvidia is adding ten games to the service. Those include ENDLESS Legend 2, Renown, Baby Steps, SWORN, Lost Rift, CloverPit, Mecha BRAK, and more. In addition, Nvidia also announced two more games that now also have support for the new RTX 5080 servers available for Ultimate members: Alan Wake 2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

If you want to play the latest Battlefield (its campaign trailer is out, by the way) or Call of Duty game, your PC must have Secure Boot and TPM enabled. Otherwise, those games won"t run. To help gamers figure out whether their PCs have the necessary features enabled, Valve added TPM and Secure Boot checks to the latest beta version of Steam.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is the latest Microsoft game to head to the PlayStation. At Tokyo Game Show 2025, Microsoft revealed that the flight sim will be available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro (including PlayStation VR) on December 8, 2025. Additionally, developers announced a new City Update focusing on Japan and its iconic landmarks.

Another game that will be available on PlayStation 5, albeit at a later date, is the new Forza Horizon 6. At TGS 2025, Microsoft revealed the first teaser, confirming that the game will be set in Japan, and its release is scheduled for 2026. No exact dates, sadly.

Deals and Freebies

The Epic Games Store is giving away two games this week. Those are Eastern Exorcist and Jorel’s Brother and The Most Important Game of the Galaxy. As usual, they are up for grabs until next Thursday. You can find more deals in this week"s Weekend PC Game Deals issue.

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.

This link will take you to other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series. You can also support Neowin by registering a free member account or subscribing for extra member benefits, along with an ad-free tier option.

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