This week's news recap is here. Fresh Windows 11 preview builds with the redesigned Start menu and Windows Vista flashbacks, the long-anticipated Xbox handheld, Patch Tuesday updates, gaming news, and more.
Quick links:
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.
June 2025 Patch Tuesday updates are out. Windows 10 received KB5060533 with build numbers 19044.5965 and 19045.5965. Supported Windows 11 versions received KB5060842 and KB5060999 with build numbers 26100.4349, 22631.5472, and 22621.5472. Later, Microsoft released an out-of-band update to address problems with games with Easy Anti-Cheat, causing system restarts upon launch, and a couple of recovery updates.
Microsoft launched Copilot Vision with Highlights for Windows. This feature enables AI to see what is happening on the screen and offer additional information, analysis, and context. Copilot Vision currently works with up to two apps, but its availability is limited to the United States (more countries are on the way, says Microsoft).
Now, here is some useful stuff for Windows users: a neat third-party maintenance tool that can run various checks, troubleshooters, and repair utilities; a useful guide about personalizing OneDrive folders with a touch of color, and more.
Windows Insider Program
Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:
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| Canary Channel |
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| Dev Channel |
This build introduces the recently announced Start menu redesign. It also packs Lock Screen widget improvements, Narrator enhancements, updates to the gamepad keyboard, and a lot of various fixes. Another Dev build introduced a Settings app agent, Recall improvements, seconds for the calendar clock, context menu enhancements, and more. |
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| Beta Channel |
The Beta build has the same changelog as the one from the Dev Channel. The same build as 26200.5651 from the Dev Channel. |
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| Release Preview Channel |
With build 22631.5545 for Widnows 11, Microsoft improved default browser settings and the Windows Share UI and fixed several bugs. |
This build introduces improvements to app defaults and multiple fixes for Windows 10. |
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The redesigned Start menu is the most exciting part of the new builds, but as usual, it is rolling out gradually. You can mitigate that by force-enabling the new Start menu using the ViVeTool app as described in our guide.
Interestingly, the latest builds introduced a funny bug where Windows 11 plays the Windows Vista startup sound on boot. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and said it is working on a fix in future updates. Meanwhile, if you use the latest Dev and Beta builds, you will get to enjoy 2006 nostalgia each time you turn on your PC.
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's browser updates include a fresh Dev Channel update for Microsoft Edge and secure password deployment in Edge for organizations. The latter arrived in the Stable Channel on June 13 with version 137.0.3296.83.
There was also a minor update for Firefox. The latter received version 139.0.4, which addressed several issues with the browser freezing when switching apps, failing to save wallpapers with proper names, and more. In addition to the update, Mozilla announced that Deepfake Detector is shutting down. The service will go dark on June 26, 2025.
Moving to Office updates, we have some changes to the new Outlook, which will block more files and allow you to perform more tasks when offline. OneDrive for Mac now supports external disks, Clipchamp lets you trim videos by cutting out parts of the transcript, and OneNote now supports Copilot Notebooks. Microsoft also announced an update on the removal of Exchange Online Basic Authentication in Office 365.
Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:
- Rufus received an update to version 4.8 with performance improvements for Windows images.
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Microsoft is committing to upskilling 1 million UK workers in AI this year.
Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week:
- Intel 32.0.101.6881 WHQL graphics driver with a single fix for Overwatch 2.
- AMD 25.6.2 non-WHQL with support for FBC: Firebreak, The Alters, and more.
On the gaming side
Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more.
A lot happened on the gaming side this week. At the Sunday Game Showcase, Microsoft and ASUS announced two Xbox handhelds: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. These portable consoles are a big deal for the world of handheld devices, as they run a special version of Windows, which was optimized for portable gaming consoles with fewer processes running in the background. As such, they offer much better battery life and performance. You can read more about how Microsoft optimized Windows 11 for handhelds in a separate article.
Next, we have plenty of new games and DLCs announced at the showcase; here is a recap:
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle received a new DLC called The Order of Giants. It will be available on all supported platforms this September.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 made a surprise appearance at the showcase. Activision released a teaser trailer where the game takes players to a futuristic experience set in 2035.
- Grounded 2 was announced. The sequel of the game for people with arachnophobia is coming next month, offering gamers a new miniaturized survival adventure.
- Obsidian Entertainment revealed the release date of The Outer Worlds 2 and details about companions.
- At Fate's End by Spiritfarer was announced, a new action game about fighting family. It is coming to consoles and PC somewhere in 2026.
- Skybound Games revealed Invincible VS, a brutal 3v3 tag fighting game by former Killer Instinct developers.
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Anno 117: Pax Romana received a November release date. Ubisoft also unveiled a special Governor's Edition.
Nvidia announced new games for its cloud-streaming gaming service, GeForce NOW. If you own one of the following games, you can play them on Nvidia's cloud. The new additions include Frosthaven Demo, Dune: Awakening, MindsEye, The Alters, Kingdom Two Crowns, and more.
Mojang finally has a release date for Vibrant Visuals and Chase the Skies updates. On June 17, Minecraft will get its long-anticipated visual overhaul, new features, fresh mobs, and more.
Deals and freebies
Steam is running a new Next Fest, during which gamers can try hundreds of games for free. The event ends on June 16, 2025. The Epic Games Store is giving away Two Point Hospital, a humorous hospital builder simulator. As usual, more deals are available in this week's Weekend PC Games Deals article.
Other gaming news includes the following:
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GOG store introduced the One-Click Mods feature with support for Fallout: London and others.
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Valve announced new accessibility details for game listings on Steam.
To finish this week's gaming section, here is an editorial from Paul Hill exploring the new $80 cost frontier in modern gaming.
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.
- JBL Bar 1000 and 700 sound bars
- Ring Floodlight Cameras
- Geekom Mini IT12 mini PC - $499 | $200 off
- Amazon Kindle Scribe (16GB) - $299.99 | 25% off
- LG gram Pro 16" Copilot+ PCs - $1,499.99 | 25% off
- GameSir Super Nova Wireless Controller for PC and mobile - $44.99 | 25% off
- Intel Core Ultra 7 Desktop Processor 265K 5.5 GHz - $259.99 | $144 off
- 12TB Seagate IronWolf Pro HDD - $218.49 | 13% off
- Polk Audio React 7" Wireless Subwoofer - $99.99 | 50% off
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AMD Ryzen 5 9600X - $179.99 | 35% off
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