This week"s news recap is here, with Microsoft bringing big improvements and user-requested features to Windows 11, new preview builds, new tools in PowerToys, emergency updates for Windows 11, the MacBook Neo beating Windows laptops, and more.
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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.
The biggest news story of this week was about Microsoft unveiling its plan to fix Windows 11. It was not just a vague promise: Microsoft announced specific features and fixes that are coming this year (some will be available for testing this month). Those include the ability to change the taskbar"s position, File Explorer improvements, performance improvements, a big rework of Windows Update, less annoying AI features, and perhaps even the ability to set up Windows 11 with an offline account (another highly-requested feature related to the initial setup is already available for testing).
In addition, Microsoft confirmed that the forced rollout of the Microsoft 365 Copilot app had been paused.
While all of that sounds exciting and cool, Microsoft still has things to fix in the operating system right here and right now. To do so, the company released several out-of-band updates, including KB5084897, which fixes broken Bluetooth, and KB5085516 to address broken internet access in apps. Microsoft also published a guide about fixing the bug that recently crippled drive C on certain Samsung laptops. Microsoft confirmed that it was not Windows" fault, though.
Finally, Microsoft revealed Windows 11 version 26H1 lifecycle details and the end-of-support date.
Windows Insider Program
Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:
| Builds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Canary Channel | Builds 28020.1743 and 29553.1000 These builds include a redesigned Feedback Hub, File Explorer improvements, new features for shared audio, and more. | ||
| Dev Channel | Builds 26300.8085 and 26220.8079 The Dev build brings a recently disabled mouse utility, a redesigned Feedback Hub, and various fixes. The Beta Channel build received only a couple of improvements. | ||
| Beta Channel | |||
| Release Preview Channel | Nothing in the Release Preview Channel 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.
This week, Microsoft released PowerToys 0.98. It is a big feature update for everyone"s favorite set of tools for Windows 11, and its latest update adds a new taskbar-like module, a big revamp for the Keyboard Manager tool, improvements to the recently introduced CursorWrap tool, an easier way to make windows always on top, and more. If you want more useful tools for Windows 11, check out this simple app that makes the Copilot key less annoying and a modernized Task Scheduler that replaces the ancient-looking stock one.
Parallels, the maker of a popular virtualization tool for macOS, announced that Parallels Desktop is now fully supported on the MacBook Neo. Moreover, the company claims that this $599 laptop runs certain Windows 11 apps better than Windows laptops do natively.
On the browser side, we have Opera 129, which is now available in the Stable channel. It brought stability improvements and UI enhancements, plus Gemini integration. Opera GX, the gaming-flavored variant of the browser, is also now available on Linux.
Firefox is getting new features. This week, Mozilla announced that the upcoming version 149 would bring a built-in free VPN, new Smart Window mode for article summarization and product comparison, and a native Split View mode.
A fresh update also arrived for Vivaldi, a feature-packed browser that focuses on personalization and productivity without shoveling useless AI features down your throat. Version 7.9 brought customizable full-screen mode, improved Split View, and new features for the built-in Mail client.
Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:
- Microsoft is threatening to sue OpenAI over its $50 billion Amazon deal
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Microsoft releases Visual Studio Code 1.112 with integrated browser debugging
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Microsoft is blocking a Windows 11 & Server 2025 automatic installation feature
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Defender for Endpoint gets new Secure Score recommendations to boost security
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Microsoft delays rollout of unified contacts and enriched profiles for Outlook Mobile
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Microsoft reshuffles Copilot leadership as it doubles down on its superintelligence mission
Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week:
- AMD Radeon Software 26.3.1 with FSR 4.1 support and optimizations for Crimson Desert and Death Stranding 2.
- Surface Pro 11 for Business received a new firmware update with fixes for various touchscreen issues.
On the gaming side
Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more.
If you have an Xbox Series X or S and you wish you could disable the Quick Resume feature, Microsoft has good news. As part of the latest feature drop for Xbox Insiders, Microsoft announced the ability to specify which games can use Quick Resume. As for PC users, Microsoft is testing the ability to add any game or app to the Xbox app to make it easier to launch from a controller or a handheld console.
Mojang held this year"s first Minecraft LIVE, where the studio announced new content for the game and a sequel to the original Minecraft Dungeons. The second part is now in development, and it is coming this year. Unfortunately, details remain scarce, but developers promise that you will get to "visit never-before-seen locations, battle new foes, and do your best to save a world in crisis, alone or with up to three friends."
Also, Minecraft is coming to the real world. In 2027, Mojang plans to open a theme park in the UK where everything from the rides and attractions to the theming will be "unmistakably Minecraft."
Microsoft Flight Simulator received a new City Update. Update 14 features visual improvements and new content in the Netherlands and Belgium. The update is now available for free in the in-game marketplace (supported versions include 2020 and 2024).
NVIDIA announced new improvements for its GeForce NOW cloud streaming service. It now supports 90 FPS for VR mode and four new games. The bad news is that certain games are no longer available in the free tier, and you need to purchase a premium membership to play them.
New games are also available for Game Pass members, with the latest additions including South of Midnight, The Alters, Disco Elysium, Nova Roma, The Long Dark, and more.
Finally, here is this week"s Weekend PC Game Deals article, full of specials and discounts in the middle of Steam"s annual Spring 2026 Sale.
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.
- Sony WH-1000XM6 Wireless Headphones with Noise Cancellation - $398 | 13% off
- Logitech Zone 750 wired headset - $99.99 | 29% off
- BLUETTI Apex 300 Portable Power Station - $1,444 | $256 off
- Marshall Emberton III rugged Bluetooth speaker - $129.99 | 28% off
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Polk Audio Signa S4 TV Sound Bar with Subwoofer - $356.04 | 21% off
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ASUS The SFF-Ready Prime GeForce RTX 5060 Ti - $363.99 | 30% off
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OnePlus Buds 3 wireless Bluetooth earbuds - $99.99 | 44% off
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