Microsoft Weekly: Strange things on Windows 10 with X3D processors, killed games, and more

This week's news recap is here with some bad news for Windows 10 users with AMD's X3D processors, new Windows 11 builds with useful updates, big performance improvements for Microsoft Edge, Mozilla under fire, gaming news, 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.

A strange report appeared this week about Microsoft allegedly turning off Game Bar on certain Windows 10 editions, crippling some AMD Ryzen CPUs in the process.

Microsoft also updated its official documentation with new details about upgrading hardware on unsupported by Windows 11 PCs and some issues that might prevent Windows Update from getting to the latest Windows release.

Remember when Windows 10 had a bunch of updates with stupid names like Fall Creators Update? A new blog post from a Microsoft veteran revealed why the company decided to ditch those and switch to simpler names.

Finally, check out the exclusive wallpaper that Microsoft introduced with the 50th Anniversary Surface Laptop earlier this year. Now, you can get this wallpaper in its full-res glory without obtaining the exclusive laptop:

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:

Recent Windows 11 preview builds introduced a welcome change for the so-called SCOOBE or second-chance out-of-box experience. It is now a single screen with all the optional things you can turn on or off at your will.

There is also a rather odd change. Windows 11 version 25H2 and its new Start menu changed how desktop shortcuts work, and you might not like it, especially if you frequently check shortcuts' properties.

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 announced a big update for its AI services. The new GPT-5 by OpenAI is now available in all of Microsoft's Copilots, and if you use the Copilot app on your computer or mobile device, you can access it for free. Also, Bing Image Creator can now generate images for free using OpenAI's GPT-4o model. In other Copilot news, Microsoft launched Gaming Copilot so that you can have an AI assistant on the screen to help you get through challenging missions, teach you a thing or two about the game you play, and more. Plus, there is a new experimental Copilot 3D mode, which can turn 2D images into 3D objects.

October 14, 2025, marks the end of support not just for Windows 10. Microsoft is also ending extended support for Visual Studio 2015, which was released on July 20, 2015. Microsoft now recommends updating to a supported Visual Studio release as soon as possible (VS 2017 or newer).

Mozilla released two minor updates for Firefox. Version 141.0.2 landed with fixes for startup crashes on PCs with Nvidia graphics cards, and version 141.0.3 later patched issues with tracking prevention and regressions on certain websites. Developers also received quite a lot of flak for bloating the browser, which caused CPU usage spikes and increased battery usage.

Microsoft Edge received a big update with significant performance improvements, some deprecated features, and other changes (outlined in the new security baseline). By the way, if you happen to uninstall Edge and you do not know how to get the browser back, check out our guide detailing how to do it, even on Windows PCs without any browser.

Files, one of our favorite File Explorer alternatives, has received a new preview update. Version 3.9.14 now lets you check file signatures, customize dual-pane mode, and more.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Microsoft's new database migration tool has a temporary security cost.

• A researcher exposed Microsoft's flawed code that lets attackers access files on your computer.

• PowerToys could get a useful new clipboard feature.

• Teams will now ask you to hide sensitive info during screen sharing.

• New AKS feature brings simple network troubleshooting to Azure.

• Microsoft is discontinuing the Microsoft Lens app.

• Word can now read document overviews like podcasts.

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

• AMD Radeon Software 25.8.1 with RX 9060 support, optimizations for new games, and more.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

We published two reviews this week. Christopher White and his Golden Doodle, Tino, reviewed the Tractive GPS collar that can monitor your pet's location and health. It is a good real-time tracer with a pet activity monitor and no need for a new collar, but be ready for some false positives and paywalled features.

Meanwhile, I published a review of the 70mai 4K Omni, a high-quality dash cam with a rotating 4K sensor and a plethora of advanced features, such as remote controls, battery monitoring, advanced driver assistance systems, and more.

On the gaming side

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

Rare, a Microsoft-owned gaming studio, recently turned 40, and to celebrate the occasion, the studio announced a new Rare 40th Anniversary Edition 8BitDo Ultimate 3-mode Controller, a themed vinyl collection, and some retro-inspired designs.

Speaking of controllers, remember Xbox Design Lab? The service took quite a long nap, and after months in hibernation, it is back. Microsoft re-launched the portal, letting everyone customize their gamepads and create unique designs.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting an interesting crossover with the Jurassic Park franchise. A new DLC will let you explore the park, see dinosaurs, and enjoy the views of the iconic islands, Isla Sorna. Note that, unlike regular city updates, this DLC is premium and not free.

Microsoft announced new games for Game Pass subscribers. They include Assassin's Creed Mirage, 9Kings, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, and more. Three games will be leaving soon, so check out the full list here.

Amazon, another company with a gaming service, also dropped new stuff for subscribers, letting Prime Gaming members enjoy Thief, Civilization III, and 10 more games in August.

Finally, Nvidia dropped five more games for GeForce NOW subscribers. You can now play Mafia: The Old Country, Assassin's Creed Mirage, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, HUNTER x HUNTER NEN x IMPACT, and Titan Quest II.

Windows 11 is not the only thing that requires a TPM chip and Secure Boot. Battlefield 6 now lists Secure Boot as a must if you want to play the game or its beta. The same will happen to the upcoming Call of Duty release.

This week's Weekend PC Game Deals article includes two freebies from the Epic Games Store and plenty of other discounts across various marketplaces with PC games.

Other gaming news includes the following:

• Valve is ending Steam support on macOS 11.

• DOOM: The Dark Ages gets a customizable endless arena mode called 'The Ripatorium.'

• Xbox and Just Cause studio's co-op game Contraband has stopped development.

• Ashes of the Singularity II announced promising even larger battles, a new faction, and more.

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.

• LG 65-Inch QNED evo AI QNED92A Mini LED 4K TV - $1351.99 | 25% off
• ASUS SFF-Ready Prime GeForce RTX 5070 - $548.99 | Prime-only
• GEEKOM A6 Pink Edition - $449 | 15% of
• 13" Apple MacBook Air M4 - $799.00 | 20% off

• HP Envy 16-inch with Core i7-13700H, 16GB, 512GB, GeForce RTX 4060 - $1,149 | 29% off

• Corsair MP700 PRO 4TB - $399 | 30% off

• Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 Desktop - $1,099 | 25% off

• 22TB Toshiba X300 PRO High Workload Performance HDD - $428.99 | 29% off

• Google Pixel 9a 128GB - $399 | $100 off

• Anker PowerConf C200 2K with Adjustable FOV - $47.99 | 20% off

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