Microsoft Weekly: Windows 11 25H2 is out and Game Pass is more expensive

This week's news recap is here, bringing you the latest news from the world of Microsoft. Windows 11 version 25H2 is here, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is now significantly more expensive, more Windows upgrade blocks are lifted, driver updates, gaming news, reviews, 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.

Windows 11 version 25H2 is now available. On September 30, 2025, this year's feature update for Windows 11 became available. You can get the update (the process should be easy and simple) by heading to Windows Update and toggling on the "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available." Microsoft plans to increase the rollout scope in the coming months. Alternatively, you can update or clean-install the operating system with the updated Media Creation Tool app. Keep in mind that MCT is currently broken on Windows on Arm systems.

Before you update, make sure to check the list of known bugs.

After releasing Windows 11 version 25H2, Microsoft announced a delay for Administrator Protection, but one very useful feature skipped all the preview rings and showed up in release, delighting users with multi-monitor systems.

Note that if you want to get all the new features (here is a list of them), you have to install KB5065789, the latest non-security update for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2. Microsoft also removed a long-standing upgrade block, which prevented certain users from upgrading to Windows 11 version 24H2 and now version 25H2.

On October 1, StatCounter published its latest findings, revealing some interesting data. For one, Google Chrome has reached a new all-time high and now sits at a whopping 71.86%. On the Windows side, Windows 7 is experiencing a sudden increase, and with less than two weeks until the end of Windows 10 support, the operating system suddenly jumped to 9%. On Steam, however, very few people use Windows 7, and the overwhelming majority is already on Windows 11.

We also published some useful stuff for Windows users. They include an article detailing how to check if your PC has a Trusted Platform Module. Also, we reported about updates for apps like WinToys (our favorite app for tweaking Windows 11), Flyoobe (a useful tool for skipping Windows 11's hardware requirements), ExplorerPatcher, another utility for those unhappy with the stock File Explorer, Start11 (this one for those who hate Windows 11's Start menu), and Rufus.

Microsoft is also working on a new OneDrive client for Windows 11, and you can check it out thanks to a recent leak that revealed the app in its full web-based glory.

To finish this week's Windows section, check out these absolutely amazing Microsoft Limited Edition Crocs, all plastered with Windows XP-era icons, including MSN, Clippy, Internet Explorer, and more.

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.

This week, Microsoft announced a new Microsoft 365 Premium tier, which combines Copilot Pro and Office apps for your whole family. With it, Microsoft increased usage limits on AI features for Microsoft 365 subscribers and unveiled a gorgeous set of new Office icons.

Additionally, Microsoft launched Copilot Agent Mode so that you can automate tasks in Word and Excel. By the way, earlier this week, Excel celebrated its 40th birthday.

Look out for more unsolicited app installs in the coming weeks. Microsoft revealed that Microsoft 365 Companion Apps would soon be force-installed on Windows 11 PCs with Microsoft 365 desktop apps.

Finally, check out a recap of everything new in September 2025 for Teams and Excel.

Firefox received two updates this week. Version 143.0.3 brought a pretty big list of fixes for bugs that affect extensions and their updates, problems with keyboard shortcuts resetting when opening extension settings, long load times on certain connections, security issues, and more. Version 143.0.4 was later released to address performance issues on Google websites.

Opera had big news this week. The company started rolling out Neon, its first agentic AI browser, which offers some interesting features, including Neon Do. You can ask the browser to perform various tasks on your behalf, and it will get things done even when you are away. The bad news is that Opera Neon is not free, and it will set you back $19.99/mo.

Finally, Microsoft released Edge 141 in the Stable channel, bringing some important changes to browsing history, passwords, and more. Also, Microsoft is working on some interesting features for Teams and Edge soon.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Microsoft to remove crucial SQL Server on Linux VM images, forcing temporary manual installs.

• Microsoft unlocks collaboration features by bringing Neat into MDEP.

• Satya Nadella promotes Judson Althoff as CEO of Microsoft's commercial business.

• Microsoft unveils open-source agent framework to unify AI development.

• Microsoft promises incredible cloud productivity for US government agencies with Azure Local.

• Microsoft is endorsing the use of personal Copilot in workplaces, frustrating IT admins.

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

• Nvidia 581.42 driver brings optimizations for Battlefield 6 and DLSS 4 for FBC: Firebreak.
• Nvidia App update introduced Project G-Assist for laptops and other improvements.

• Nvidia 581.47 hotfix is out to fix game crashes.

• Intel 32.0101.8135 non-WHQL with optimizations for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Beta.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

Steven Parker published a hands-on review of the Mixx Resonate Pro, waterproof bone conduction headphones with some interesting and useful features, such as 32GB of onboard storage so that you can take your music or podcasts with you while swimming, running, etc.

Robbie Khan reviewed the Xiaomi 15T Pro, a new high-end Android smartphone from Xiaomi, which boasts great design and build quality, a fantastic AMOLED display, and a decent price tag. It is not without quirks, but the 15T Pro still managed to score 8 out of 10.

Also, Robbie reviewed the MX Master 4, the latest flagship mouse from Logitech, which promises some interesting new features and design tweaks to make one of the most popular (and one of the most expensive) mice even better.

On the gaming side

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

Game Pass is becoming more expensive. Again. This week, Microsoft revealed a whopping 50% price increase for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It now costs $29.99 per month, which upset quite a lot of Game Pass users. However, to make up for the price increase, Microsoft announced 50 new games for Game Pass, most of which are coming from Ubisoft.

The good news is that you can still stack up some codes at the old price, as Amazon has plenty of them for you to grab.

Nvidia announced new games for GeForce NOW. The latest additions include Battlefield 6, Little Nightmares III, Jurassic World Evolution 3, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, and more throughout October.

Deals and freebies

The Epic Games Store is giving away the survival game Nightingale, so grab it while the offer lasts (until next Thursday). By the way, the Steam Autumn Sale is still running, so you can get a lot of games with big discounts. As usual, you can find more deals in our weekly Weekend PC Game Deals series.

Other gaming news includes the following:

• Colossal Order announced a free bicycle update for Cities: Skylines II, as its first expansion nears release.

• Battlefield 6's post-launch schedule has two new maps arriving before 2026.

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.

• 2TB Crucial T705 PCIe Gen5 Solid-state Drive (no heatsink) - $159.99 | 20% off
• SanDisk 2TB Extreme PRO Dual Drive USB - $149.99 | 21% off
• Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer and surround sound speakers - $399.99 | 18%
• MSI MPG 275CQRXF 27" 2560 x 1440 (QHD) monitor - $259.99 | 21% off
• YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver - $359.95
• ASRock Challenger Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB - $649.99
• MSI Gaming RTX 5050 8G Shadow 2X OC Graphics Card - $239.99
• Yamaha Audio SR-C20A Compact Sound Bar - $159.95 | 11% off
• REDTIGER F7NP Dash Cam Front Rear: $85.49 | 43% off
• 100-inch Hisense U7 Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV - $2,479.99 | 25% off
• Samsung 37” Odyssey G7 (G75F): $699.99 | 22% off
• 55-inch Hisense E6 Cinema Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV - $279.99 | 35% off

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