Microsoft Weekly: Microsoft reworks Windows Insider Program and hands out some batteries

This week's news recap is here, with Microsoft redesigning the Windows Insider program, handing out free batteries for Xbox controllers, and confirming some Windows bugs. New builds are also available, plus some updates here and there, along with gaming news.

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.

The biggest story of this week was Microsoft redoing the Insider program. On Friday, Microsoft announced a major revamp of the Windows Insider program, which includes fewer channels, no controlled feature rollout, simplified channel switching, a reworked UI in the Settings app, and more. Now, channels are easier to understand, and features are easier to discover. More importantly, you are no longer playing the rollout lottery, and everything in the changelog is now accessible right away (you can toggle on/off specific features in the new Experimental channel).

A reworked Windows Insider Program is not the only user request that Microsoft is now implementing. The company is also now removing Copilot references across Windows 11 apps, including Notepad, Snipping Tool, and more. Instead of the Copilot icon and branding, we are getting better, easier-to-understand icons and feature names/descriptions.

Another thing users want from Microsoft is design improvements for Windows 11. This week, March Rogers, Partner Director of Design at Microsoft, published the company's plans to improve Windows 11's design. He also explained that the legacy Control Panel may stick around for a while, as there are a lot of things, particularly network and printer drivers, that Microsoft should not break.

While there are technically no "known bugs" in Windows 11, Microsoft still confirmed an issue with PC reset in Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 after the latest hotpatch updates. The company reassured users that a fix is in the works and will be available soon. Also, Microsoft clarified that an incorrect lock screen "bug" is not actually a bug but a feature.

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders 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.

Microsoft Edge 147 arrived this week. The latest feature update for the browser introduced improved cookie settings, Copilot in Immersive Reader, multiple security patches, and other changes, such as the removal of XSLT support. It is not the most earth-shattering release, but now you know what is inside the latest Edge feature update.

Firefox 149.0.2 was released this week as well. It fixed incorrect page printing, wrong error messages, and other issues, including security vulnerabilities. As for Google Chrome, the most popular browser in the world, it finally received vertical tabs support and a smarter reading mode.

While Microsoft is slowly toning down its Copilot efforts, other companies are still not happy with what the software giant is doing. This week, Mozilla slammed Microsoft for forcing Copilot on its customers, claiming Microsoft is trying to limit user choice.

Word on mobile is getting new Copilot features. Just like on the desktop, you can now prompt Microsoft's AI assistant to help you write. Explain a document idea using natural language, and Copilot will draft a document for you. Additionally, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are now getting modernized comments with improved clarity and usability. As for Copilot on the desktop, the AI is now much smarter at handling complex edits.

Teams, everyone's favorite business messenger (or not), is getting a long-overdue feature and a compliance update. Microsoft announced that a future update will bring the ability to test your microphone and speakers before joining a meeting. Why this feature took so long to arrive remains an open question. Better late than never, eh?

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Microsoft removes the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel option for new unmanaged M365 devices.

• Microsoft released a new Defender update for Windows 11, 10, and Server ISO installations.

• Ventoy 1.1.11 anniversary update has been released with stability improvements.

• Microsoft is retiring a PowerShell installation method on Windows.

• Microsoft is preparing a big Windows Terminal redesign.

• Microsoft's new Harrier models top benchmarks, outperforming Google's Gemini Embedding 2.

• GitHub Copilot CLI adds a new feature to massively boost AI performance by almost 75 percent.

• PowerToys may soon get a useful window management utility for Windows 11 and 10.

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

• Intel 32.0.101.8629 WHQL with gaming support for the Intel Arc Pro B70 and B65.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

Steven Parker published a hands-on article about the SKG G7 Pro Fold 3.0 neck massager, something you may find useful if you spend a lot of time sitting at your desk. This comfortable gadget with remote controls is light and comfortable to wear, but beware of its price and some other quirks. There is also a similar one, but for your back.

Another review published this week is about the ORICO X50 Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD. This storage solution offers blazing speeds (up to 6,000 MB/s) and innovative cooling to keep temperatures under control and avoid thermal throttling. No protection from materials, though.

On the gaming side

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

Microsoft announced a big Xbox Achievements redesign. The company is updating visuals and also adding new features, like the ability to hide their achievement history or showcase a particular game to flex their 100% completion or a rare achievement. The reworked achievement system is now available for testing in the Xbox Insider program.

If you recently purchased an Xbox Wireless Controller and did not find the bundled AA-sized batteries, Microsoft has an apology and a very neat gift for you. The company admitted a misstep and promised a free rechargeable battery (with a cable) for all affected buyers. You can learn how to claim your $25 set here.

NVIDIA GeForce NOW received new games this week. The company now lets you play Samson, Morbid Metal, DayZ, and Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition. If you own these games, you can play them on NVIDIA's cloud.

New games are also available for Xbox Game Pass members. Those include Final Fantasy IV, DayZ, FBC: Firebreak, Hades II, Replaced, Little Rocket Lab, and many more.

This week's Weekend PC Game Deals has plenty of freebies and discounts, including the latest giveaway from the Epic Game Store and a free copy of Graveyard Keeper (it went free after the sequel announcement). Multiple discounts are listed, too, as usual.

Valve continues tweaking and improving Steam. This week, the company announced a revamped Steam Workshop to improve mod discovery and Steam Deck support. These improvements are now available for those testing Steam beta updates.

Other gaming news includes the following:

• 11 years on, Pillars of Eternity finally gets turn-based battles from Obsidian.

• No Man's Sky now lets you adopt alien critters for Pokémon-style battles.

• Starfield's biggest update yet, new Terran Armada DLC, and PS5 port, are all now live.

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.

• Razer Kiyo V2 1440p 60 FPS Webcam with a built-in microphone - $69.99 | 30% off
• Apple 2026 MacBook Air 13 - $949.99 | 14% off
• AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D - $409.95 | 14% off
• Beats Studio Buds+ wireless earbuds - $99.95 | 41% off

• Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Speaker - $119 | 20% off

• Onkyo TX-8470 2 Channel Stereo Receiver - $537.99 | 40% off

• Logitech K585 Multi-Device Slim Wireless Keyboard - $38.49 | 23% off

• Denon AVR-S570BT AV Receiver 5.2 Channel - $379 | 16% off

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