Microsoft has been quietly testing a new Windows 11 AI app that works like Recall, except it only remembers what you choose to save.
I found it in an unlisted Microsoft Store listing and spent part of the summer using it, including to plan a beach trip!
Codenamed Project ted is called Context Vault, and an easy way to describe it would be a second brain for Windows.
You can save web pages, files, screenshots, copied text, audio, and video as "memories," organize them into collections, and ask AI questions about everything you've saved.
What intrigued me the most was its MCP server, which allows AI apps like Claude and Cursor to access your saved memories. I like that Microsoft isn't trying to lock all the context inside another one of its apps.
In my testing, Pantheon worked surprisingly well. Instead of searching through different folders, websites, and screenshots, I could ask AI about my saved information and get useful answers. It also worked without an NPU, thanks to cloud-based AI models.
But here's something funny. I kept forgetting to save things manually, and ironically, the one thing Recall does well, capturing your activity automatically once enabled, is what I missed most!
Microsoft hasn't announced Pantheon, and there's no guarantee it'll ever ship. I'd also want proper encryption, consent controls, and clarity about where memories are stored before trusting it with personal information.
I found it in an unlisted Microsoft Store listing and spent part of the summer using it, including to plan a beach trip!
Codenamed Project ted is called Context Vault, and an easy way to describe it would be a second brain for Windows.
You can save web pages, files, screenshots, copied text, audio, and video as "memories," organize them into collections, and ask AI questions about everything you've saved.
What intrigued me the most was its MCP server, which allows AI apps like Claude and Cursor to access your saved memories. I like that Microsoft isn't trying to lock all the context inside another one of its apps.
In my testing, Pantheon worked surprisingly well. Instead of searching through different folders, websites, and screenshots, I could ask AI about my saved information and get useful answers. It also worked without an NPU, thanks to cloud-based AI models.
But here's something funny. I kept forgetting to save things manually, and ironically, the one thing Recall does well, capturing your activity automatically once enabled, is what I missed most!
Microsoft hasn't announced Pantheon, and there's no guarantee it'll ever ship. I'd also want proper encryption, consent controls, and clarity about where memories are stored before trusting it with personal information.
13
14
238
Apple is reportedly days away from unveiling a touchscreen MacBook Pro, 14 years after Windows 8 got mocked for putting touch on laptops. And former Windows boss Steven Sinofsky, who led Windows 8, hasn't forgotten anything!
Reacting to Apple's October 28 event, Sinofsky wrote:
he headlines about adding touch to Windows? All those that said no one understands how to use it? That touch doesn't belong on a real™ computer"
He's got a point. Steve Jobs once argued that touchscreen laptops would make your arm want to fall off, and Tim Cook famously compared Microsoft's touchscreen strategy to combining a toaster and a refrigerator.
Meanwhile, Microsoft continued building touchscreen PCs, from the original Surface Pro in 2013 to today's convertibles and laptops.
Sinofsky also suggests that much of the Windows 8 backlash was really about Microsoft replacing the Start menu with a full-screen Start screen, which I think is a fair argument.
I've always thought touchscreens on laptops are a good idea, and I'm glad Apple is finally coming around. Credit where it's due, Apple's M-series chips could make this one of the fastest touchscreen laptops around.
But Apple shouldn't get to market touch on a laptop as a breakthrough just because it finally changed its mind.
Reacting to Apple's October 28 event, Sinofsky wrote:
he headlines about adding touch to Windows? All those that said no one understands how to use it? That touch doesn't belong on a real™ computer"
He's got a point. Steve Jobs once argued that touchscreen laptops would make your arm want to fall off, and Tim Cook famously compared Microsoft's touchscreen strategy to combining a toaster and a refrigerator.
Meanwhile, Microsoft continued building touchscreen PCs, from the original Surface Pro in 2013 to today's convertibles and laptops.
Sinofsky also suggests that much of the Windows 8 backlash was really about Microsoft replacing the Start menu with a full-screen Start screen, which I think is a fair argument.
I've always thought touchscreens on laptops are a good idea, and I'm glad Apple is finally coming around. Credit where it's due, Apple's M-series chips could make this one of the fastest touchscreen laptops around.
But Apple shouldn't get to market touch on a laptop as a breakthrough just because it finally changed its mind.
21
26
288
Microsoft's Windows design boss has confirmed that AI is now helping designers contribute directly to code fixes in Windows 11, and I sure hope it speeds things up, because five years after launch, Windows still looks like three operating systems stitched together.
Diego Baca, ct Design, explained on X:
"AI has already helped our design team accelerate significantly. We’re even seeing designers contribute directly to code fixes that improve craft, consistency, and quality. That’s exciting progress, and we’re only getting started."
Baca also admitted that consistency is an active priority, but reminded everyone that designing an OS for more than a billion people is difficult.
Well, he has a point, but compatibility shouldn't be an excuse for inconsistent UI.
On my Windows 11 26H2 PC, clicking Additional mouse settings still opens a decades-old dialog without dark mode.
Credit where it's due, Microsoft is finally rebuilding Search, Run, Properties, and Print Management using native WinUI 3. I love these changes, although I wish Microsoft had done this before launching Windows 11 five years ago!
Baca says Microsoft hopes to "earn back your enthusiasm for Windows through what we deliver, not just what we say."
With AI helping designers write code, I hope Microsoft can finally make Windows feel like one operating system again. I'm cautiously optimistic.
Diego Baca, ct Design, explained on X:
"AI has already helped our design team accelerate significantly. We’re even seeing designers contribute directly to code fixes that improve craft, consistency, and quality. That’s exciting progress, and we’re only getting started."
Baca also admitted that consistency is an active priority, but reminded everyone that designing an OS for more than a billion people is difficult.
Well, he has a point, but compatibility shouldn't be an excuse for inconsistent UI.
On my Windows 11 26H2 PC, clicking Additional mouse settings still opens a decades-old dialog without dark mode.
Credit where it's due, Microsoft is finally rebuilding Search, Run, Properties, and Print Management using native WinUI 3. I love these changes, although I wish Microsoft had done this before launching Windows 11 five years ago!
Baca says Microsoft hopes to "earn back your enthusiasm for Windows through what we deliver, not just what we say."
With AI helping designers write code, I hope Microsoft can finally make Windows feel like one operating system again. I'm cautiously optimistic.
27
36
567
Microsoft is testing an option to install Windows 11 on ReFS instead of NTFS, but surprisingly, it has also confirmed that Windows will block ReFS-formatted USB drives by default starting January 2027.
The October 2026 update already warns users about these drives with Event ID ry, Windows will block them from mounting unless an administrator overrides the restriction.
Your files won't be deleted, but you could lose access to your ReFS USB drive after an update.
Microsoft says ReFS on removable media has never been a supported configuration and cites security as one of the reasons.
In Microsoft's own benchmark, copying a 10GB file took 7.964 seconds on NTFS, compared to just 641 milliseconds on a ReFS Dev Drive with block cloning enabled. That's a massive 92% reduction under those conditions!
I understand why Microsoft might want to restrict unsupported storage configurations, but I wasn't expecting it to block ReFS on USB drives when we've been hoping for ReFS to eventually replace NTFS.
Microsoft hasn't confirmed whether ReFS will become the default file system for Windows 11, and perhaps it'll remain limited to specific workloads.
The October 2026 update already warns users about these drives with Event ID ry, Windows will block them from mounting unless an administrator overrides the restriction.
Your files won't be deleted, but you could lose access to your ReFS USB drive after an update.
Microsoft says ReFS on removable media has never been a supported configuration and cites security as one of the reasons.
In Microsoft's own benchmark, copying a 10GB file took 7.964 seconds on NTFS, compared to just 641 milliseconds on a ReFS Dev Drive with block cloning enabled. That's a massive 92% reduction under those conditions!
I understand why Microsoft might want to restrict unsupported storage configurations, but I wasn't expecting it to block ReFS on USB drives when we've been hoping for ReFS to eventually replace NTFS.
Microsoft hasn't confirmed whether ReFS will become the default file system for Windows 11, and perhaps it'll remain limited to specific workloads.
6
18
250
Google often gets away with blatant anti-competitive practices, and one of the latest examples is a Chrome download pop-up that shows up in Microsoft Edge.
This pop-up appeared when I opened Google in Microsoft Edge. It has a "Download Chrome" button, and "Send usage statistics" The "Download Chrome" button begins downloading the installer immediately.
It's not the first time Google has tried to convince Windows 11 users to ditch Edge for Chrome, and it gets away with the same practices Microsoft is slammed for. 🤷♂️
This pop-up appeared when I opened Google in Microsoft Edge. It has a "Download Chrome" button, and "Send usage statistics" The "Download Chrome" button begins downloading the installer immediately.
It's not the first time Google has tried to convince Windows 11 users to ditch Edge for Chrome, and it gets away with the same practices Microsoft is slammed for. 🤷♂️
57
23
331
Windows 11 is getting "accelerated app launches," and I tested it on a PC with just 4GB RAM.
Surprisingly, Microsoft Edge now opens much faster when other apps are already running, and Microsoft says this feature will eventually be available to other Windows apps, too!
was already running in the background and you opened it from the taskbar, Start menu, or a link, Windows would create an extra, temporary process just to tell the existing Edge instance to open. The process would then exit.
With the new accelerated launch feature, Windows skips that unnecessary process and sends the request directly to the running instance of Edge.
I tested it before and after installing KB5127936 on a Windows 11 virtual machine with a paltry 4GB RAM. Before the update, Edge opened fairly quickly when the PC wasn't doing much, but there was a noticeable delay when Store and Paint were open.
After the update, Edge opened surprisingly faster under the same conditions.
To be clear, this only improves warm launches, where the app is already running in the background. Opening Edge for the first time after a restart won't benefit from this feature.
This feature will also come to other apps, as Windows 11 keeps getting better!
Surprisingly, Microsoft Edge now opens much faster when other apps are already running, and Microsoft says this feature will eventually be available to other Windows apps, too!
was already running in the background and you opened it from the taskbar, Start menu, or a link, Windows would create an extra, temporary process just to tell the existing Edge instance to open. The process would then exit.
With the new accelerated launch feature, Windows skips that unnecessary process and sends the request directly to the running instance of Edge.
I tested it before and after installing KB5127936 on a Windows 11 virtual machine with a paltry 4GB RAM. Before the update, Edge opened fairly quickly when the PC wasn't doing much, but there was a noticeable delay when Store and Paint were open.
After the update, Edge opened surprisingly faster under the same conditions.
To be clear, this only improves warm launches, where the app is already running in the background. Opening Edge for the first time after a restart won't benefit from this feature.
This feature will also come to other apps, as Windows 11 keeps getting better!
22
60
888
Windows 11 could kill Control Panel faster, as Microsoft quietly tests a modular Settings app that can be updated via the Microsoft Store
Microsoft is testing a new app codenamed Project Odeon, which uses the Windows 11 Settings icon and looks almost identical to the Settings roject Odeon surprisingly works alongside the existing Settings app and can read real information from your computer, including your Windows version, network status, display information, and pending updates.
But it gets more interesting when you look under the hood.
Odeon has a hidden preview mode with a dummy Microsoft account, fake PC specifications, and six wallpapers. We also found several helper executables for changing system settings, including renaming your PC, managing printers, changing the time zone, and removing updates.
Microsoft is experimenting with a more modular Settings experience, where the interface/pages/features can be updated through the Store while separate components handle system-level changes.
That could be quite useful, especially when Microsoft is still trying to move decades-old Control Panel features into Windows 11 Settings.
Hands-on experience: windowslatest.com/2026/10/16/win…
Microsoft is testing a new app codenamed Project Odeon, which uses the Windows 11 Settings icon and looks almost identical to the Settings roject Odeon surprisingly works alongside the existing Settings app and can read real information from your computer, including your Windows version, network status, display information, and pending updates.
But it gets more interesting when you look under the hood.
Odeon has a hidden preview mode with a dummy Microsoft account, fake PC specifications, and six wallpapers. We also found several helper executables for changing system settings, including renaming your PC, managing printers, changing the time zone, and removing updates.
Microsoft is experimenting with a more modular Settings experience, where the interface/pages/features can be updated through the Store while separate components handle system-level changes.
That could be quite useful, especially when Microsoft is still trying to move decades-old Control Panel features into Windows 11 Settings.
Hands-on experience: windowslatest.com/2026/10/16/win…
10
31
417
Windows 11's dark mode improvements continue to ship, and we've now noticed that even Hyper-V Manager, one of the oldest legacy tools, is getting dark theme support!
Microsoft isn't rebuilding Hyper-V Manager using WinUI yet, but that doesn't mean it'll leave legacy features e many legacy Windows tools and dialogs, Hyper-V Manager currently doesn't support dark mode, even when the system is set to dark.
Windows 11's next update will bring dark mode to Hyper-V Manager, and I think it's the beginning of a bigger push across the OS.
Microsoft promised broader dark mode improvements in March 2026, and we're now seeing those changes appear in preview builds: windowslatest.com/2026/10/11/mic…
Microsoft isn't rebuilding Hyper-V Manager using WinUI yet, but that doesn't mean it'll leave legacy features e many legacy Windows tools and dialogs, Hyper-V Manager currently doesn't support dark mode, even when the system is set to dark.
Windows 11's next update will bring dark mode to Hyper-V Manager, and I think it's the beginning of a bigger push across the OS.
Microsoft promised broader dark mode improvements in March 2026, and we're now seeing those changes appear in preview builds: windowslatest.com/2026/10/11/mic…
9
23
388
Microsoft has confirmed the Copilot+ PCs lineup isn't dead.
Copilot+ PCs are a category of Windows 11 PCs designed specifically for on-device artificial intelligence tasks, and one of the requirements has been an NPU chip.
Microsoft is not giving up on the idea, and it's only r!
Windows boss Pavan Davuluri called Copilot+ PCs “your PC for everyday AI,” shipping in “tens of millions of PCs a year,” with “over 2 trillion inferences per month running locally” across search, imaging, and video calls.
“Today, over 40% of the laptops being built for business are Copilot+ PCs”, said Davuluri, adding that they’re “improving customers’ experiences across search, imaging, and video calls.”
Copilot+ PCs are a category of Windows 11 PCs designed specifically for on-device artificial intelligence tasks, and one of the requirements has been an NPU chip.
Microsoft is not giving up on the idea, and it's only r!
Windows boss Pavan Davuluri called Copilot+ PCs “your PC for everyday AI,” shipping in “tens of millions of PCs a year,” with “over 2 trillion inferences per month running locally” across search, imaging, and video calls.
“Today, over 40% of the laptops being built for business are Copilot+ PCs”, said Davuluri, adding that they’re “improving customers’ experiences across search, imaging, and video calls.”
32
21
214
This is the Surface Laptop Ultra, Microsoft's answer to the MacBook Pro.
Microsoft says the chip pairs the CPU with an NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPU for up to 1 petaflop of AI compute (FP4, sparse) and can run models of up to 120B parameters locally.
Here's everything you need to s:
- NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X with an 18-core CPU and 5120-core GPU, from $2,599.99
- NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X with a 20-core CPU and 6144-core GPU, from $3,699.99
Pricing:
- 24 GB, 512 GB, Platinum, Home: $2,599.99
- 24 GB, 1 TB, Platinum, Home: $2,999.99
- 24 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Home: $2,999.99
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Platinum, Pro: $3,299.99
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $3,299.99
20-core / 6144-core GPU models
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Platinum, Pro: $3,699.99
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $3,699.99
- 48 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $3,999.99
- 64 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $4,299.99 (marked "Pre-order – Exclusive")
- 64 GB, 2 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $4,699.99 (marked "NBP1")
- 128 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $5,899.99 (out of stock)
The 18-core chip tops out at 32 GB, and 48 GB and above are Nightfall only. The only 2 TB option is the 64 GB build.
Protection plans (Microsoft Complete):
- 2 years: $249
- 3 years: $319
- 4 years: $399
Offers:
- MacBook Pro trade-in: up to $1,000 cash back, from October 7 to November 23, 2026. US and Canada only.
- Holiday window: purchases made October 1 to December 2 can be returned, or price-adjusted, until January 31, 2027.
Microsoft says the chip pairs the CPU with an NVIDIA Blackwell RTX GPU for up to 1 petaflop of AI compute (FP4, sparse) and can run models of up to 120B parameters locally.
Here's everything you need to s:
- NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X with an 18-core CPU and 5120-core GPU, from $2,599.99
- NVIDIA RTX Spark N1X with a 20-core CPU and 6144-core GPU, from $3,699.99
Pricing:
- 24 GB, 512 GB, Platinum, Home: $2,599.99
- 24 GB, 1 TB, Platinum, Home: $2,999.99
- 24 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Home: $2,999.99
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Platinum, Pro: $3,299.99
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $3,299.99
20-core / 6144-core GPU models
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Platinum, Pro: $3,699.99
- 32 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $3,699.99
- 48 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $3,999.99
- 64 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $4,299.99 (marked "Pre-order – Exclusive")
- 64 GB, 2 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $4,699.99 (marked "NBP1")
- 128 GB, 1 TB, Nightfall, Pro: $5,899.99 (out of stock)
The 18-core chip tops out at 32 GB, and 48 GB and above are Nightfall only. The only 2 TB option is the 64 GB build.
Protection plans (Microsoft Complete):
- 2 years: $249
- 3 years: $319
- 4 years: $399
Offers:
- MacBook Pro trade-in: up to $1,000 cash back, from October 7 to November 23, 2026. US and Canada only.
- Holiday window: purchases made October 1 to December 2 can be returned, or price-adjusted, until January 31, 2027.
15
22
261
This is really cool: you can soon change Windows Settings directly from the new native Windows 11 Search UI.
Here's everything coming to Windows Search:
- Faster Search with lower memory usage thanks to WinUI 3.
- Inline Windows actions like turning on Bluetooth, Night Light, ystem controls such as mute, dim screen, or minimize all windows.
- Window arrangement actions to snap and organize apps from Search.
- Better matching for typos and synonyms so Search understands what you meant.
- Inline previews and richer results for files, web answers, weather, stocks, and more.
Windows is so back!
Here's everything coming to Windows Search:
- Faster Search with lower memory usage thanks to WinUI 3.
- Inline Windows actions like turning on Bluetooth, Night Light, ystem controls such as mute, dim screen, or minimize all windows.
- Window arrangement actions to snap and organize apps from Search.
- Better matching for typos and synonyms so Search understands what you meant.
- Inline previews and richer results for files, web answers, weather, stocks, and more.
Windows is so back!
45
68
909
Microsoft just announced a new Windows 11 Search experience, and it's fully native (built using WinUI!). Goodbye, WebView!
And this new Windows Search can also control your PC settings, such as turning dark mode on or off, and more... without even opening Settings.
Good stuff.
.
And this new Windows Search can also control your PC settings, such as turning dark mode on or off, and more... without even opening Settings.
Good stuff.
.
This is the new Windows 11 Search UI, coming later this year!
41
66
959
Microsoft might consider bringing Windows XP’s 3D Pinball to Windows 11, as the Windows boss puts it on the list.
“People love games and Windows, and we have such an amazing catalog on Windows from casual games all the way to AAA titles,” Davuluri said on the Inside Windows great history in Windows of having games in-box as well, and noted on 3D pinball, we will add that into the matrix for things to think about.”
However, Microsoft has not confirmed 3D Pinball is coming back to Windows 11. “Matrix” is the kind of word executives use when something enters the pool of ideas, not the roadmap.
Still, it is rare to hear the person running Windows talk about the XP classic at all.
If you grew up with Windows XP, there’s a good chance your first PC game was Pinball, probably played in a school computer lab while the teacher wasn’t looking. Back then, there was no MS Store, no Game Pass, no launcher, no account.
You went to Start > All Programs > Games, and there it was.
Windows used to have that kind of personality. Pinball, Solitaire, Minesweeper, Hover!, startup sounds, weird CD extras, all of it made Windows feel like something you could explore, not just a place for work, ads, and Copilot buttons.
Sometimes, an operating system can just be fun....
Here's everything we know so far about Pinball for Windows 11: windowslatest.com/2026/10/06/mic…
“People love games and Windows, and we have such an amazing catalog on Windows from casual games all the way to AAA titles,” Davuluri said on the Inside Windows great history in Windows of having games in-box as well, and noted on 3D pinball, we will add that into the matrix for things to think about.”
However, Microsoft has not confirmed 3D Pinball is coming back to Windows 11. “Matrix” is the kind of word executives use when something enters the pool of ideas, not the roadmap.
Still, it is rare to hear the person running Windows talk about the XP classic at all.
If you grew up with Windows XP, there’s a good chance your first PC game was Pinball, probably played in a school computer lab while the teacher wasn’t looking. Back then, there was no MS Store, no Game Pass, no launcher, no account.
You went to Start > All Programs > Games, and there it was.
Windows used to have that kind of personality. Pinball, Solitaire, Minesweeper, Hover!, startup sounds, weird CD extras, all of it made Windows feel like something you could explore, not just a place for work, ads, and Copilot buttons.
Sometimes, an operating system can just be fun....
Here's everything we know so far about Pinball for Windows 11: windowslatest.com/2026/10/06/mic…
23
32
281
Happy Birthday, Windows 11! Five years ago, on October 5, 2021, Microsoft made Windows 11 generally available for all supported PCs.
Windows 11 is now five years old, and it's finally getting the attention it deserves. Microsoft is fixing the things people complained about when 021, Windows 11 was pitched as the modern Windows. New Start menu, new taskbar, rounded corners, Snap improvements, Widgets, Teams in the taskbar, Android app support, a new Store, better security, and a cleaner UI.
Some of it was good, but Microsoft also removed a lot of muscle-memory features for no good reason. The taskbar became worse, the Start menu became less useful, the context menu needed two clicks for basic actions, and the new hardware requirements kicked out perfectly usable PCs.
Then some of the headline features, like Teams integration and Android app support, were eventually killed anyway.
What makes 2026 interesting is that Microsoft finally seems to be going back to the complaints it ignored for years.
The Start menu is getting more customization. The taskbar is becoming more flexible. Context menus are getting faster, simpler, and configurable. Windows Update is being improved. File Explorer, WinUI, performance, memory usage, and 8GB PCs are all suddenly priorities.
That doesn’t make the last five years perfect, but it does make Windows 11 feel like it’s entering the version it probably should have been closer to at launch.
Windows 11 is now five years old, and it's finally getting the attention it deserves. Microsoft is fixing the things people complained about when 021, Windows 11 was pitched as the modern Windows. New Start menu, new taskbar, rounded corners, Snap improvements, Widgets, Teams in the taskbar, Android app support, a new Store, better security, and a cleaner UI.
Some of it was good, but Microsoft also removed a lot of muscle-memory features for no good reason. The taskbar became worse, the Start menu became less useful, the context menu needed two clicks for basic actions, and the new hardware requirements kicked out perfectly usable PCs.
Then some of the headline features, like Teams integration and Android app support, were eventually killed anyway.
What makes 2026 interesting is that Microsoft finally seems to be going back to the complaints it ignored for years.
The Start menu is getting more customization. The taskbar is becoming more flexible. Context menus are getting faster, simpler, and configurable. Windows Update is being improved. File Explorer, WinUI, performance, memory usage, and 8GB PCs are all suddenly priorities.
That doesn’t make the last five years perfect, but it does make Windows 11 feel like it’s entering the version it probably should have been closer to at launch.
42
78
581
Microsoft has finally admitted why Windows 11 needs to use less RAM, and it comes down to something everyone buying a PC in 2026 already knows: memory is expensive again.
Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s Windows chief, said it clearly:
“I do think memory is top of mind for us right pecially as we look at the rising cost of memory for computers across the board. For us, as a Windows team, we have clear efforts around driving better utilization of memory.”
Microsoft has now made “memory optimization for 8GB and above” an official Windows priority for the rest of 2026.
Davuluri says the work is happening across the memory manager, memory compression, and the frameworks that sit on top of Windows.
“We do definitely have work when it comes to compressing memory and making sure we’re more efficient on the platform,” he said.
Microsoft is trying to make Windows take memory only when a capability is actually being used.
“You only take the memory cost as and when you use the capability. Otherwise, the base system gets a little bit more efficient across the board.”
I’m glad Microsoft is reducing Windows 11's memory management, WinUI 3, WebView2, and Chromium efficiency, and hopefully, one day, Microsoft will also fix its own web-based apps...
Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft’s Windows chief, said it clearly:
“I do think memory is top of mind for us right pecially as we look at the rising cost of memory for computers across the board. For us, as a Windows team, we have clear efforts around driving better utilization of memory.”
Microsoft has now made “memory optimization for 8GB and above” an official Windows priority for the rest of 2026.
Davuluri says the work is happening across the memory manager, memory compression, and the frameworks that sit on top of Windows.
“We do definitely have work when it comes to compressing memory and making sure we’re more efficient on the platform,” he said.
Microsoft is trying to make Windows take memory only when a capability is actually being used.
“You only take the memory cost as and when you use the capability. Otherwise, the base system gets a little bit more efficient across the board.”
I’m glad Microsoft is reducing Windows 11's memory management, WinUI 3, WebView2, and Chromium efficiency, and hopefully, one day, Microsoft will also fix its own web-based apps...
34
42
513
Tested: Microsoft cloned Outlook Classic’s look into a New Outlook theme, instead of building a native Windows 11 app
There’s now an optional “Enable classic Outlook style” toggle under Settings > General > Appearance, and I finally got it on my PC.
Once turned on, New Outlook change, folder list, icons, email list, compose window, Calendar ribbon, and even brings back Outlook Classic-style touches like Send/Receive, Undo, Folder tabs, tighter spacing, date groups, and a more compact mail folder list.
To Microsoft’s credit, it has done a surprisingly good job with cloning Outlook Classic's look into a New Outlook theme.
For example, the blue patterned title bar is gone, the older multicolor Outlook icon is back, the ribbon looks more familiar, folders are denser, and the whole app feels a lot closer to what holdouts are used to.
But it does not solve the real problem, which is that the New Outlook is still a web app running in an Edge-powered container.
Microsoft can apply Outlook Classic's skin to New Outlook, but that won't change the framework, and it won't address the fact that New Outlook still does not have all the features.
Microsoft needs to go back to building native apps for Windows 11 and consider bringing back the native Mail & Calendar apps!
There’s now an optional “Enable classic Outlook style” toggle under Settings > General > Appearance, and I finally got it on my PC.
Once turned on, New Outlook change, folder list, icons, email list, compose window, Calendar ribbon, and even brings back Outlook Classic-style touches like Send/Receive, Undo, Folder tabs, tighter spacing, date groups, and a more compact mail folder list.
To Microsoft’s credit, it has done a surprisingly good job with cloning Outlook Classic's look into a New Outlook theme.
For example, the blue patterned title bar is gone, the older multicolor Outlook icon is back, the ribbon looks more familiar, folders are denser, and the whole app feels a lot closer to what holdouts are used to.
But it does not solve the real problem, which is that the New Outlook is still a web app running in an Edge-powered container.
Microsoft can apply Outlook Classic's skin to New Outlook, but that won't change the framework, and it won't address the fact that New Outlook still does not have all the features.
Microsoft needs to go back to building native apps for Windows 11 and consider bringing back the native Mail & Calendar apps!
30
34
406
Microsoft confirms Windows 11's biggest September update is now crashing apps.
Microsoft says that after installing the September 22, 2026 update, KB5124010 or later, some apps that rely on Windows’ built-in AC-3 decoding might close unexpectedly.
In some cases, the app may rs, it works normally until you do something like play music, and then it just closes without warning.
This can affect games, media players, and even some productivity apps, depending on whether they still use Windows’ legacy built-in audio decoder.
Microsoft says many modern apps won’t hit the bug because they ship their own audio decoding components instead of depending on Windows for it.
The affected versions are Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2.
Microsoft says that after installing the September 22, 2026 update, KB5124010 or later, some apps that rely on Windows’ built-in AC-3 decoding might close unexpectedly.
In some cases, the app may rs, it works normally until you do something like play music, and then it just closes without warning.
This can affect games, media players, and even some productivity apps, depending on whether they still use Windows’ legacy built-in audio decoder.
Microsoft says many modern apps won’t hit the bug because they ship their own audio decoding components instead of depending on Windows for it.
The affected versions are Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2.
35
65
404
Satya Nadella keeps calling Copilot a “new OS for work,” which would be easier to digest if the app on Windows 11 wasn’t basically a Chromium app.
"With Copilot, we are executing rapidly against our vision to build a new OS for work that spans every model, every form factor, and fully embedded in Copilot and vice versa" - Satya Nadella.
I have the new Copilot app on my PC, the one replacing the terribly named Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
When I checked the installation folder, copilotapp.exe was just 4.99MB, sitting next to a full Edge 154 build of roughly 520MB, including a 349.6MB msedge.dll, Chromium resource packs, V8, ICU, FFmpeg, GPU components, and even Edge baggage like IE mode adapter, Widevine DRM, and Game Assist.
So the Copilot app is actually a browser, and it's also why calling it an OS “OS” feels odd.
Microsoft is talking about a new operating system for work, but on Windows 11, that “OS” is an app running inside a browser.
What do you think?
"With Copilot, we are executing rapidly against our vision to build a new OS for work that spans every model, every form factor, and fully embedded in Copilot and vice versa" - Satya Nadella.
I have the new Copilot app on my PC, the one replacing the terribly named Microsoft 365 Copilot app.
When I checked the installation folder, copilotapp.exe was just 4.99MB, sitting next to a full Edge 154 build of roughly 520MB, including a 349.6MB msedge.dll, Chromium resource packs, V8, ICU, FFmpeg, GPU components, and even Edge baggage like IE mode adapter, Widevine DRM, and Game Assist.
So the Copilot app is actually a browser, and it's also why calling it an OS “OS” feels odd.
Microsoft is talking about a new operating system for work, but on Windows 11, that “OS” is an app running inside a browser.
What do you think?
14
23
277
You might have come across a viral post on X, saying "Windows keeps a thumbnail of every photo you've ever deleted," secretly sitting in thumbcache_256.db.
To be fair, yes, Windows keeps a thumbnail cache. File Explorer has done this for years because scrolling through thousands fully slow if Windows had to generate every preview from scratch. macOS, Linux desktops, and Android also have thumbnail systems, so this is not some uniquely evil Windows habit.
But “every photo you’ve ever deleted” is where the claim falls apart.
Microsoft’s own Raymond Chen explained years ago that merely creating or copying an image does not automatically create a thumbnail cache entry.
Explorer, or another app using Explorer’s thumbnail cache, has to ask for it. In my own test, I downloaded images, opened them, deleted them, restarted the PC, and the thumbcache files didn’t even get a new modified date.
That doesn’t mean the cache is useless for forensics. Surviving thumbnails can absolutely outlive the original file, which is why you should know how it works and clear it if needed.
Disk Cleanup already has a Thumbnails option for this, and Windows Pro also has a policy to stop thumbnail caching.
To be fair, yes, Windows keeps a thumbnail cache. File Explorer has done this for years because scrolling through thousands fully slow if Windows had to generate every preview from scratch. macOS, Linux desktops, and Android also have thumbnail systems, so this is not some uniquely evil Windows habit.
But “every photo you’ve ever deleted” is where the claim falls apart.
Microsoft’s own Raymond Chen explained years ago that merely creating or copying an image does not automatically create a thumbnail cache entry.
Explorer, or another app using Explorer’s thumbnail cache, has to ask for it. In my own test, I downloaded images, opened them, deleted them, restarted the PC, and the thumbcache files didn’t even get a new modified date.
That doesn’t mean the cache is useless for forensics. Surviving thumbnails can absolutely outlive the original file, which is why you should know how it works and clear it if needed.
Disk Cleanup already has a Thumbnails option for this, and Windows Pro also has a policy to stop thumbnail caching.
6
17
250
Electron is one of Windows 11's biggest RAM offenders, and Discord's latest idea is to build a Game Mode to reduce background usage rather than abandon the framework.
Previously, Discord said it would restart itself when its RAM usage reaches 4GB.
Discord is now working on a matically reduces animations and visual effects when it detects you’re playing a game, so the app doesn’t waste CPU and GPU while your game is running.
That’s good, but it avoids the bigger problem: RAM management.
Discord is one of Windows 11’s biggest RAM offenders because it is built on Electron, which means the app brings a Chromium-based runtime along with the chat client.
Discord has already admitted the app can balloon past 4GB of RAM, and it previously tested automatically restarting itself when memory usage crosses that mark.
The new Game Mode focuses on CPU and GPU usage, not memory. That matters because RAM is now one of the most expensive parts of a PC again, and Microsoft, OEMs, and users are all being forced back into the reality of 8GB and 16GB machines.
Discord says its Electron upgrades improved CPU usage, and Game Mode is still a useful idea. Animations and effects shouldn’t compete with games. But if the app still needs a browser runtime to exist on Windows, the bigger performance question remains untouched.
It's about time Windows developers stop cooking Electron apps and eat RAM like it’s still cheap!
Previously, Discord said it would restart itself when its RAM usage reaches 4GB.
Discord is now working on a matically reduces animations and visual effects when it detects you’re playing a game, so the app doesn’t waste CPU and GPU while your game is running.
That’s good, but it avoids the bigger problem: RAM management.
Discord is one of Windows 11’s biggest RAM offenders because it is built on Electron, which means the app brings a Chromium-based runtime along with the chat client.
Discord has already admitted the app can balloon past 4GB of RAM, and it previously tested automatically restarting itself when memory usage crosses that mark.
The new Game Mode focuses on CPU and GPU usage, not memory. That matters because RAM is now one of the most expensive parts of a PC again, and Microsoft, OEMs, and users are all being forced back into the reality of 8GB and 16GB machines.
Discord says its Electron upgrades improved CPU usage, and Game Mode is still a useful idea. Animations and effects shouldn’t compete with games. But if the app still needs a browser runtime to exist on Windows, the bigger performance question remains untouched.
It's about time Windows developers stop cooking Electron apps and eat RAM like it’s still cheap!
54
43
689
Google researcher explains why Windows NT “puts Linux to shame.."
Before anyone turns this into another Windows vs Linux fan war, Laurie Kirk is not praising the Windows 11 Start menu, Copilot, ads, or any of the things people usually hate about modern Windows.
She is talking erneath it.
Kirk, a Google researcher who spent four years as a reverse engineer at Microsoft, says “the NT kernel really is an engineering marvel that still puts Linux to shame in many ways.”
That is a spicy statement, but the argument is interesting. NT was built around objects, handles, access tokens, ACLs, auditing, and a centralized security model from the beginning. Processes, threads, files, devices, registry keys, jobs, and tokens all fit into that model.
Linux took a very different path. UIDs, GIDs, file modes, ACLs, capabilities, namespaces, cgroups, SELinux, AppArmor, Landlock, and other layers all do their own jobs, and Linux became the foundation for servers, cloud, containers, Android, and most of the modern developer stack.
But Kirk’s 2026 question is the one that matters now: “What exactly is this AI agent allowed to do?”
And thhat changes the debate. An AI agent can read files, write code, execute commands, chain permissions, and act on your behalf much faster than a human ever could.
Suddenly, the old Windows NT ideas around identity, objects, permissions, and audit trails feel a lot more relevant than people might want to admit.
Before anyone turns this into another Windows vs Linux fan war, Laurie Kirk is not praising the Windows 11 Start menu, Copilot, ads, or any of the things people usually hate about modern Windows.
She is talking erneath it.
Kirk, a Google researcher who spent four years as a reverse engineer at Microsoft, says “the NT kernel really is an engineering marvel that still puts Linux to shame in many ways.”
That is a spicy statement, but the argument is interesting. NT was built around objects, handles, access tokens, ACLs, auditing, and a centralized security model from the beginning. Processes, threads, files, devices, registry keys, jobs, and tokens all fit into that model.
Linux took a very different path. UIDs, GIDs, file modes, ACLs, capabilities, namespaces, cgroups, SELinux, AppArmor, Landlock, and other layers all do their own jobs, and Linux became the foundation for servers, cloud, containers, Android, and most of the modern developer stack.
But Kirk’s 2026 question is the one that matters now: “What exactly is this AI agent allowed to do?”
And thhat changes the debate. An AI agent can read files, write code, execute commands, chain permissions, and act on your behalf much faster than a human ever could.
Suddenly, the old Windows NT ideas around identity, objects, permissions, and audit trails feel a lot more relevant than people might want to admit.
50
40
426
“We’re building Copilot as a new OS,” says Satya Nadella.
Satya Nadella is calling Copilot a “new OS for work,” and this time, the idea makes more sense because Microsoft is not really talking about replacing Windows 11.
It is turning Copilot into a work hub that sits above , Teams, code, agents, files, meetings, and business data.
The new Copilot app now has Home, Chat, Cowork, Code, and Autopilot. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can run inside Copilot, and changes still sync back to the normal Office apps.
So you have Code, which lets you describe an app, tracker, dashboard, or workflow in plain English and generate it inside the company tenant.
And my personal favorite is Autopilot, which is the bigger step: a persistent agent with its own identity, memory, workspace, and governance.
Microsoft is trying to move Copilot away from being a button stapled onto every app and toward becoming the AI layer across work.
This version of Copilot at least looks closer to the product Microsoft has been trying to describe for three years!
Satya Nadella is calling Copilot a “new OS for work,” and this time, the idea makes more sense because Microsoft is not really talking about replacing Windows 11.
It is turning Copilot into a work hub that sits above , Teams, code, agents, files, meetings, and business data.
The new Copilot app now has Home, Chat, Cowork, Code, and Autopilot. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint can run inside Copilot, and changes still sync back to the normal Office apps.
So you have Code, which lets you describe an app, tracker, dashboard, or workflow in plain English and generate it inside the company tenant.
And my personal favorite is Autopilot, which is the bigger step: a persistent agent with its own identity, memory, workspace, and governance.
Microsoft is trying to move Copilot away from being a button stapled onto every app and toward becoming the AI layer across work.
This version of Copilot at least looks closer to the product Microsoft has been trying to describe for three years!
40
29
223
Microsoft 365's social media account is now asking users to follow Microsoft Copilot, even though Microsoft 365 is more than just Copilot, as it includes all Office apps. And unsurprisingly, users are confused.
Microsoft 365 is still the subscription with Word, Excel, ams, OneDrive, and everything else.
But there's a separate app called 'Microsoft 365 Copilot.' That app journey has somehow gone from Office to Microsoft 365 to Microsoft 365 Copilot to Microsoft Copilot.
Office app > Microsoft 365 > Microsoft 365 Copilot > Microsoft Copilot.
At the same time, Microsoft already had a separate Copilot app, Copilot branding in Windows, Copilot+ PCs, a Copilot key, Copilot in Office apps, and now one unified Copilot account for Microsoft 365 updates.
Regardless, it does not make sense to shut down Microsoft 365's social media accounts and ask users to follow Copilot's social media account for Copilot and Microsoft 365/Office updates.
Microsoft 365 is still the subscription with Word, Excel, ams, OneDrive, and everything else.
But there's a separate app called 'Microsoft 365 Copilot.' That app journey has somehow gone from Office to Microsoft 365 to Microsoft 365 Copilot to Microsoft Copilot.
Office app > Microsoft 365 > Microsoft 365 Copilot > Microsoft Copilot.
At the same time, Microsoft already had a separate Copilot app, Copilot branding in Windows, Copilot+ PCs, a Copilot key, Copilot in Office apps, and now one unified Copilot account for Microsoft 365 updates.
Regardless, it does not make sense to shut down Microsoft 365's social media accounts and ask users to follow Copilot's social media account for Copilot and Microsoft 365/Office updates.
22
25
261
Google is using Microsoft Copilot to sell its new Googlebook laptops. Seriously.
On the official Googlebook page, Google has an Apps & Games section meant to show what this new ChromeOS and Android-powered laptop category can do, and Microsoft Copilot is sitting right there in the otion, Acrobat, Dropbox, Fantastical, and others.
Microsoft 365 is also featured, and Google’s own FAQ says Googlebook users can open, edit, download, and save Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint files.
Google once fought Microsoft so hard on Windows Phone that even YouTube became a problem.
Now Google is building a laptop meant to compete with Windows and macOS, while openly showing Microsoft’s productivity software as part of the pitch.
And Microsoft is doing the same in reverse....
Gemini is now on Windows. Google’s AI tools are getting native Windows and WSL support. And Microsoft apps are everywhere on Android.
On the official Googlebook page, Google has an Apps & Games section meant to show what this new ChromeOS and Android-powered laptop category can do, and Microsoft Copilot is sitting right there in the otion, Acrobat, Dropbox, Fantastical, and others.
Microsoft 365 is also featured, and Google’s own FAQ says Googlebook users can open, edit, download, and save Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint files.
Google once fought Microsoft so hard on Windows Phone that even YouTube became a problem.
Now Google is building a laptop meant to compete with Windows and macOS, while openly showing Microsoft’s productivity software as part of the pitch.
And Microsoft is doing the same in reverse....
Gemini is now on Windows. Google’s AI tools are getting native Windows and WSL support. And Microsoft apps are everywhere on Android.
10
13
181
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 quietly stopped backing up your files due to a new bug in the September 2026 update.
This issue specifically affects File History, which allows you to save files and folders to an external drive or network location, but after the September 2026 pped working.
Microsoft now says it's rolling out a new optional update that finally addresses an issue where File History might fail to back up or restore files to an external drive or network location.
In our tests, we found that the affected devices might incorrectly display a “Reconnect your drive” message even when a compatible backup drive is connected and working properly.
The broken backup feature is not the only issue in Windows 11's September 2026 update. The same patch causes issues with Remote Desktop sessions, audio, Claude Cowork (and some other WSL apps), and even errors on AMD PCs.
Microsoft is aware of all the issues and is rushing out fixes: windowslatest.com/2026/09/23/mic…
This issue specifically affects File History, which allows you to save files and folders to an external drive or network location, but after the September 2026 pped working.
Microsoft now says it's rolling out a new optional update that finally addresses an issue where File History might fail to back up or restore files to an external drive or network location.
In our tests, we found that the affected devices might incorrectly display a “Reconnect your drive” message even when a compatible backup drive is connected and working properly.
The broken backup feature is not the only issue in Windows 11's September 2026 update. The same patch causes issues with Remote Desktop sessions, audio, Claude Cowork (and some other WSL apps), and even errors on AMD PCs.
Microsoft is aware of all the issues and is rushing out fixes: windowslatest.com/2026/09/23/mic…
10
19
148
Microsoft just released emergency updates for Windows 11 to patch bugs introduced by the September 2026 update, including broken audio and Remote Desktop errors.
After this month’s security updates, affected systems became unstable, with admins reporting Remote Desktop gn-in problems, unresponsive servers, and related tools like MMC, File Explorer, Windows Update, and RDS Licensing Diagnoser freezing or refusing to respond.
This is now being fixed with today's emergency update, and the same update also fixes Claude Cowork issues on Hyper-V shared-folder issues with Linux VMs and some multichannel USB audio problems, but Microsoft says one USB audio bug is still not fixed.
September Patch Tuesday was already messy, and reports of other issues are still coming in.
Microsoft hasn't confirmed broken File History, explorer exe crashes, and AMD GPU errors yet.
After this month’s security updates, affected systems became unstable, with admins reporting Remote Desktop gn-in problems, unresponsive servers, and related tools like MMC, File Explorer, Windows Update, and RDS Licensing Diagnoser freezing or refusing to respond.
This is now being fixed with today's emergency update, and the same update also fixes Claude Cowork issues on Hyper-V shared-folder issues with Linux VMs and some multichannel USB audio problems, but Microsoft says one USB audio bug is still not fixed.
September Patch Tuesday was already messy, and reports of other issues are still coming in.
Microsoft hasn't confirmed broken File History, explorer exe crashes, and AMD GPU errors yet.
22
65
474
Windows 11's big September 2026 Update is causing major issues, and Microsoft has admitted that it's aware of three problems while it's investigating a fourth bug.
1. Anthropic says Windows 11 KB5124008 broke Claude Cowork's features. Microsoft later admitted that the update g issues with Claude and other Linux-based VMs.
2. Microsoft confirmed that some audio devices won't work, or the volume will remain at zero.
3. Remote Desktop Services might stop responding after Sept. 2026 security update.
4. Microsoft is also investigating reports of explorer exe crashes, particularly affecting enterprises.
5. Our findings suggest File History backups are now broken after the Windows Update.
6. We're also seeing reports of GPU issues on AMD systems.
Microsoft is investigating multiple reports and has promised to release a fix soon.
Windows 11 September Update bumps PCs to Build 26200.9445, and adds features like the movable taskbar, resizable Start menu, Bing-free search, faster File Explorer, and more.
Everything we found in our investigation: windowslatest.com/2026/09/12/mic…
1. Anthropic says Windows 11 KB5124008 broke Claude Cowork's features. Microsoft later admitted that the update g issues with Claude and other Linux-based VMs.
2. Microsoft confirmed that some audio devices won't work, or the volume will remain at zero.
3. Remote Desktop Services might stop responding after Sept. 2026 security update.
4. Microsoft is also investigating reports of explorer exe crashes, particularly affecting enterprises.
5. Our findings suggest File History backups are now broken after the Windows Update.
6. We're also seeing reports of GPU issues on AMD systems.
Microsoft is investigating multiple reports and has promised to release a fix soon.
Windows 11 September Update bumps PCs to Build 26200.9445, and adds features like the movable taskbar, resizable Start menu, Bing-free search, faster File Explorer, and more.
Everything we found in our investigation: windowslatest.com/2026/09/12/mic…
93
153
967
iPhone Duo’s photos could pass for Microsoft’s Surface Duo ads from 2020. Seriously.
As soon as I started watching Apple’s foldable iPhone demo, it felt like déjà vu. The device opened like a miniature notebook, worked as two surfaces, ran two things at once, propped itself at d hands-free, paired with a stylus, and kept switching between postures like a phone trying to become a larger productivity device.
That was Surface Duo’s whole pitch in 2020! I compared the marketing images from Microsoft and Apple, and the similarities cannot be overlooked.
- Book mode
- Compose mode
- Tent mode
- Side-by-side apps
- App Groups
- Drag and drop between screens.
Microsoft had already done the homework on what people might actually do with a pocketable productivity machine!
Apple’s engineering is impressive, and the iPhone Duo is not a 1:1 copy. It has one flexible screen, an outer display, better hardware, and Apple’s own software work.
But the use cases? AND the marketing? The “utility of two products into one” idea? They all come from Microsoft’s playbook.
As for what I have to say to Apple, I guess it’s the Surface Duo’s tagline: Do one better!
My findings so far: windowslatest.com/2026/09/11/iph…
As soon as I started watching Apple’s foldable iPhone demo, it felt like déjà vu. The device opened like a miniature notebook, worked as two surfaces, ran two things at once, propped itself at d hands-free, paired with a stylus, and kept switching between postures like a phone trying to become a larger productivity device.
That was Surface Duo’s whole pitch in 2020! I compared the marketing images from Microsoft and Apple, and the similarities cannot be overlooked.
- Book mode
- Compose mode
- Tent mode
- Side-by-side apps
- App Groups
- Drag and drop between screens.
Microsoft had already done the homework on what people might actually do with a pocketable productivity machine!
Apple’s engineering is impressive, and the iPhone Duo is not a 1:1 copy. It has one flexible screen, an outer display, better hardware, and Apple’s own software work.
But the use cases? AND the marketing? The “utility of two products into one” idea? They all come from Microsoft’s playbook.
As for what I have to say to Apple, I guess it’s the Surface Duo’s tagline: Do one better!
My findings so far: windowslatest.com/2026/09/11/iph…
13
28
268
If you look at the marketing material for the iPhone Duo on Apple’s website, many of them look eerily familiar to the Microsoft Surface Duo from 5 years ago!
Apple can get away with anything and call it innovation! And it's not the first time...
Apple can get away with anything and call it innovation! And it's not the first time...
iPhone Duo? Sorry, Apple. Microsoft did it first with the Surface Duo!
101
290
1,341
Apple events are fun, and a foldable iPhone sounds interesting, but I still remember the hype around Windows Phone 8 and the Lumia 920 launch.
That event felt like Microsoft and Nokia were about to change the smartphone market forever. What a time!
That event felt like Microsoft and Nokia were about to change the smartphone market forever. What a time!
7
16
155
Windows 11 just got five major new features with the September 2026 Patch Tuesday update!
1. Movable taskbar is finally here! You can now move it to the sides (vertical) or top of the screen, similar to Windows 10.
2. You can now make the taskbar smaller, similar to Windows 10.
the Start menu, switch between Large and Small, or keep using Automatic (Microsoft picks a size based on your screen resolution).
4. You can now fully customize the Start menu! This means you can hide the Pinned section and Recommended feed, and just have the All apps list.
5. And Windows Search is getting a local-only feature, which disables Bing and Microsoft Store results. It's also a lot better at detecting typos and finding your apps and local files.
Windows is so back, and Microsoft is finally listening to your feedback. Submit your ideas to the Feedback Hub!
My hands-on with Windows 11's big update: windowslatest.com/2026/09/08/win…
1. Movable taskbar is finally here! You can now move it to the sides (vertical) or top of the screen, similar to Windows 10.
2. You can now make the taskbar smaller, similar to Windows 10.
the Start menu, switch between Large and Small, or keep using Automatic (Microsoft picks a size based on your screen resolution).
4. You can now fully customize the Start menu! This means you can hide the Pinned section and Recommended feed, and just have the All apps list.
5. And Windows Search is getting a local-only feature, which disables Bing and Microsoft Store results. It's also a lot better at detecting typos and finding your apps and local files.
Windows is so back, and Microsoft is finally listening to your feedback. Submit your ideas to the Feedback Hub!
My hands-on with Windows 11's big update: windowslatest.com/2026/09/08/win…
70
93
917
Microsoft is accused of showing a Harry Potter ad disguised as a wallpaper on Windows 11 PCs that use the Bing Wallpaper app.
Bing Wallpaper is not installed by default, but it used to be a simple, clean app that did not quietly add ads to the desktop.
However, over the past per has been engaged in all sorts of sketchy stuff.
Not long ago, we spotted that Bing Wallpaper added a feature that would open Bing .com if you clicked anywhere on the desktop.
The feature was later pulled after outrage, and here we are again with another Bing Wallpaper controversy.
Bing app displayed J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter + Fantastic Beasts 11-film collection ad on September 7.
Bing Wallpaper is not installed by default, but it used to be a simple, clean app that did not quietly add ads to the desktop.
However, over the past per has been engaged in all sorts of sketchy stuff.
Not long ago, we spotted that Bing Wallpaper added a feature that would open Bing .com if you clicked anywhere on the desktop.
The feature was later pulled after outrage, and here we are again with another Bing Wallpaper controversy.
Bing app displayed J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter + Fantastic Beasts 11-film collection ad on September 7.
15
9
209
Windows 11 secretly supports animated profile pictures -- and it works in the Start menu and lock screen!
Here's my Windows 11 lock screen with Monkey D. Luffy laughing 😂
By default, Windows takes your profile picture, converts it into a bunch of static resized copies, and ke Start, Settings, and the lock screen. But the registry entries behind those images still point to file paths.
If you change those Image32, Image48, Image96, Image1080, and other values to your original GIF, Windows just reads that file instead!
That means animated profile pictures and transparent PNGs work on Windows 11.
To be clear, this is not an official Windows 11 feature, and Microsoft still does not support animated Microsoft account avatars. This is a local Windows workaround, so it's not something that changes your online Microsoft account picture.
Maybe it is time for Microsoft to make profile pictures fun again, properly this time!
How to enable it on any Windows 11 PC: windowslatest.com/2026/09/07/win…
Here's my Windows 11 lock screen with Monkey D. Luffy laughing 😂
By default, Windows takes your profile picture, converts it into a bunch of static resized copies, and ke Start, Settings, and the lock screen. But the registry entries behind those images still point to file paths.
If you change those Image32, Image48, Image96, Image1080, and other values to your original GIF, Windows just reads that file instead!
That means animated profile pictures and transparent PNGs work on Windows 11.
To be clear, this is not an official Windows 11 feature, and Microsoft still does not support animated Microsoft account avatars. This is a local Windows workaround, so it's not something that changes your online Microsoft account picture.
Maybe it is time for Microsoft to make profile pictures fun again, properly this time!
How to enable it on any Windows 11 PC: windowslatest.com/2026/09/07/win…
15
61
763
A Microsoft Distinguished Engineer says “typing code is absolutely over,” which sounds like a hot take until you look at what Microsoft is actually building.
David Fowler, who has been at Microsoft for decades and is a Distinguished Engineer, is not saying that software t he believes that typing code is no longer necessary.
And this lines up with where Microsoft’s developer tools are going:
- GitHub Copilot has moved from autocomplete to coding agents that can work in their own environments, make changes, run checks, and open pull requests.
- Aspire, the distributed app toolchain Fowler works on, is also being shaped around agents that can understand app structure, inspect logs, restart services, and debug broken flows instead of waiting for a human to paste errors back into chat.
- Microsoft is also using AI models to secure Windows 11 amid rising AI-assisted threats. The company fixed more than 500 security issues in Windows 11 in a month using AI!
At this point, Microsoft wants you to believe that “developers are moving up the stack.”
Code is getting cheaper to generate, but deciding what to build, reviewing the architecture, checking security, understanding performance, and knowing when the AI is wrong are becoming more important.
We’ve been tracking all of Microsoft’s AI developments and how they’re shaping Windows 11 for the future: windowslatest.com/2026/09/05/mic…
David Fowler, who has been at Microsoft for decades and is a Distinguished Engineer, is not saying that software t he believes that typing code is no longer necessary.
And this lines up with where Microsoft’s developer tools are going:
- GitHub Copilot has moved from autocomplete to coding agents that can work in their own environments, make changes, run checks, and open pull requests.
- Aspire, the distributed app toolchain Fowler works on, is also being shaped around agents that can understand app structure, inspect logs, restart services, and debug broken flows instead of waiting for a human to paste errors back into chat.
- Microsoft is also using AI models to secure Windows 11 amid rising AI-assisted threats. The company fixed more than 500 security issues in Windows 11 in a month using AI!
At this point, Microsoft wants you to believe that “developers are moving up the stack.”
Code is getting cheaper to generate, but deciding what to build, reviewing the architecture, checking security, understanding performance, and knowing when the AI is wrong are becoming more important.
We’ve been tracking all of Microsoft’s AI developments and how they’re shaping Windows 11 for the future: windowslatest.com/2026/09/05/mic…
19
19
186
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 is getting a new age-check system for apps, but promises it won't leak your birthday.
Microsoft is testing a new Windows Age API that lets apps ask Windows for your age group and restrict access based on local laws. Apps can also find out whether en verified.
In the upcoming release, apps that use this new Windows API won't ask every user to enter their DOB, as Windows can return a broad signal like Under 10, 10–12, 13–15, 16–17, or 18+.
The idea is child safety compliance, which is now required for apps with user-generated content, chat, media ratings, in-app purchases, or virtual currencies to adjust the experience based on age without building their own age-verification mess.
Microsoft says the APIs are documented ahead of availability and will be enabled in a future Windows 11 release later this year.
It's also worth noting that the feature is on Windows 11 PCs with a Microsoft account signed in, and apps must be registered with Microsoft’s Digital Safety platform before getting meaningful signals.
Everything we know so far: windowslatest.com/2026/09/03/win…
Microsoft is testing a new Windows Age API that lets apps ask Windows for your age group and restrict access based on local laws. Apps can also find out whether en verified.
In the upcoming release, apps that use this new Windows API won't ask every user to enter their DOB, as Windows can return a broad signal like Under 10, 10–12, 13–15, 16–17, or 18+.
The idea is child safety compliance, which is now required for apps with user-generated content, chat, media ratings, in-app purchases, or virtual currencies to adjust the experience based on age without building their own age-verification mess.
Microsoft says the APIs are documented ahead of availability and will be enabled in a future Windows 11 release later this year.
It's also worth noting that the feature is on Windows 11 PCs with a Microsoft account signed in, and apps must be registered with Microsoft’s Digital Safety platform before getting meaningful signals.
Everything we know so far: windowslatest.com/2026/09/03/win…
103
102
421
Windows on Arm has had such an amazing journey, and credit where it’s due: Qualcomm and Microsoft made it possible by never giving up on the idea!
I still remember when I wanted Windows Phones to remain a thing, and in 2017, at Computex, Qualcomm showed off this wonderfully ototype. It was a ridiculously thick phablet running full Windows 10, hooked up to a 46-inch monitor, keyboard, and mouse. (Sadly, Windows on mobile never happened, but that's a different story..)
At the time, Windows on Arm still felt like an experiment, and not many entertained the idea. In fact, most dismissed it, even though it was trying to solve a problem we’ve all had with Windows, such as power consumption and poor battery life.
And then there were other valid concerns about whether Windows could really move beyond x86 without giving up the apps and experience people expected from a PC.
There were multiple attempts to push Windows on Arm. How many of you still remember the “Always Connected PCs” branding/campaign? It didn’t work particularly well, but all of that eventually led to the X2 Elite Extreme and similar chips.
In 2026, we have powerful Snapdragon chips competing head-to-head with their rivals, and Microsoft has improved the Prism emulator, making x86/x64 emulation dramatically better.
Native Arm64 support has exploded, and today there are 7,000+ verified apps and games compatible with Windows on Arm.
Qualcomm says native apps now cover 93% of the time people spend in Windows apps, and Microsoft has now declared Windows on Arm a “first-class platform for any workload.”
I still remember when I wanted Windows Phones to remain a thing, and in 2017, at Computex, Qualcomm showed off this wonderfully ototype. It was a ridiculously thick phablet running full Windows 10, hooked up to a 46-inch monitor, keyboard, and mouse. (Sadly, Windows on mobile never happened, but that's a different story..)
At the time, Windows on Arm still felt like an experiment, and not many entertained the idea. In fact, most dismissed it, even though it was trying to solve a problem we’ve all had with Windows, such as power consumption and poor battery life.
And then there were other valid concerns about whether Windows could really move beyond x86 without giving up the apps and experience people expected from a PC.
There were multiple attempts to push Windows on Arm. How many of you still remember the “Always Connected PCs” branding/campaign? It didn’t work particularly well, but all of that eventually led to the X2 Elite Extreme and similar chips.
In 2026, we have powerful Snapdragon chips competing head-to-head with their rivals, and Microsoft has improved the Prism emulator, making x86/x64 emulation dramatically better.
Native Arm64 support has exploded, and today there are 7,000+ verified apps and games compatible with Windows on Arm.
Qualcomm says native apps now cover 93% of the time people spend in Windows apps, and Microsoft has now declared Windows on Arm a “first-class platform for any workload.”
7
12
201
Windows 95’s taskbar didn’t come from Steve Jobs’ NeXT Dock, and a former Microsoft VP explains what did
For years, the Windows 95 taskbar has been compared to Steve Jobs' NeXT Dock, with some arguing that Microsoft simply copied the idea.
But the guy who actually built it says d.
Former Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore recently set the record straight: "The NeXT dock did NOT lead to the taskbar. Two things did." He'd know.
He ran the UI team on Chicago, the project that became Windows 95, and stayed at Microsoft for three more decades before retiring in 2022.
One of those two things was Cairo, a Microsoft project that was eventually cancelled but left behind a bottom-of-screen "tray" for dragging files between apps.
The other is that Windows 3.1 users kept losing track of minimized windows, so the taskbar buttons were built to fix that problem. Launching apps from them came years later (and we now call them pinned apps).
Brad Silverberg, former Senior VP of Windows, backed up Belfiore's account as well.
Here's the full story: windowslatest.com/2026/09/01/win…
For years, the Windows 95 taskbar has been compared to Steve Jobs' NeXT Dock, with some arguing that Microsoft simply copied the idea.
But the guy who actually built it says d.
Former Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore recently set the record straight: "The NeXT dock did NOT lead to the taskbar. Two things did." He'd know.
He ran the UI team on Chicago, the project that became Windows 95, and stayed at Microsoft for three more decades before retiring in 2022.
One of those two things was Cairo, a Microsoft project that was eventually cancelled but left behind a bottom-of-screen "tray" for dragging files between apps.
The other is that Windows 3.1 users kept losing track of minimized windows, so the taskbar buttons were built to fix that problem. Launching apps from them came years later (and we now call them pinned apps).
Brad Silverberg, former Senior VP of Windows, backed up Belfiore's account as well.
Here's the full story: windowslatest.com/2026/09/01/win…
7
15
220
Windows 11 is dropping its worst OneDrive dark pattern: after years of complaints, Microsoft will finally let you opt out easily!
We've spotted a new update rolling out on Windows 11 25H2, and it updates the OneDrive nudges with a new option that clearly says "Opt out of ou had options like "Skip for now," "Remind me in three days," or "Remind me later," while the second option was always "Continue."
Microsoft recently promised that it would make Windows 11 calmer and reduce upsells. It looks like this is the first move in that direction, and you can now opt out of OneDrive, even if you were forced to sync in the past, with just one click!
There are also plans to reduce overall upsells in Windows 11 and make the experience "calmer."
Here's everything we spotted in our tests: windowslatest.com/2026/08/30/win…
We've spotted a new update rolling out on Windows 11 25H2, and it updates the OneDrive nudges with a new option that clearly says "Opt out of ou had options like "Skip for now," "Remind me in three days," or "Remind me later," while the second option was always "Continue."
Microsoft recently promised that it would make Windows 11 calmer and reduce upsells. It looks like this is the first move in that direction, and you can now opt out of OneDrive, even if you were forced to sync in the past, with just one click!
There are also plans to reduce overall upsells in Windows 11 and make the experience "calmer."
Here's everything we spotted in our tests: windowslatest.com/2026/08/30/win…
13
34
456
Fact check: False. Windows 11 is not quietly running AI on your PC and hurting gaming or streaming performance.
We've written about what's actually going on, and why some X influencers are suddenly making this an issue: windowslatest.com/2026/08/30/win…
TL;DR for those who can't read a privacy page called "Text and image generation" for transparency on Copilot+ PCs with an NPU (40+ TOPS). This page also appears on regular PCs, again for the sake of transparency.
The "Text and image generation" AI toggle does nothing on a regular PC. Even on Copilot+ PCs, on-device AI workloads use the NPU rather than your CPU, RAM, or GPU.
Microsoft literally makes that obvious in the Settings page: Text and image generation uses on-device generative Al technologies to quickly respond to requests. Turning these settings off will not affect apps and features using cloud Al technologies.
Most viral posts on X claim Windows is secretly using your RAM for AI and that you should toggle everything off. You can turn it all off if you want, but it won't make any difference on a regular PC.
If you look closely at these viral posts, "Recent activity" is at zero. That alone tells you these supposed AI requests never happened on the "affected" PCs, so the claims that this feature is quietly consuming resources don't hold up.
The privacy page exists so you can see whether an app is using your hardware for on-device AI. It does not monitor or block cloud-based AI.
For example, ChatGPT in Chrome or Copilot in Edge works through the cloud, so that activity would not show up here.
On a Copilot+ PC, if you open Paint and create an AI image using an on-device model, that activity can be logged here. Paint also warns you and asks for permission before using an AI model.
It's a harmless privacy feature/page, but sure, Microsoft should have communicated better.
We've written about what's actually going on, and why some X influencers are suddenly making this an issue: windowslatest.com/2026/08/30/win…
TL;DR for those who can't read a privacy page called "Text and image generation" for transparency on Copilot+ PCs with an NPU (40+ TOPS). This page also appears on regular PCs, again for the sake of transparency.
The "Text and image generation" AI toggle does nothing on a regular PC. Even on Copilot+ PCs, on-device AI workloads use the NPU rather than your CPU, RAM, or GPU.
Microsoft literally makes that obvious in the Settings page: Text and image generation uses on-device generative Al technologies to quickly respond to requests. Turning these settings off will not affect apps and features using cloud Al technologies.
Most viral posts on X claim Windows is secretly using your RAM for AI and that you should toggle everything off. You can turn it all off if you want, but it won't make any difference on a regular PC.
If you look closely at these viral posts, "Recent activity" is at zero. That alone tells you these supposed AI requests never happened on the "affected" PCs, so the claims that this feature is quietly consuming resources don't hold up.
The privacy page exists so you can see whether an app is using your hardware for on-device AI. It does not monitor or block cloud-based AI.
For example, ChatGPT in Chrome or Copilot in Edge works through the cloud, so that activity would not show up here.
On a Copilot+ PC, if you open Paint and create an AI image using an on-device model, that activity can be logged here. Paint also warns you and asks for permission before using an AI model.
It's a harmless privacy feature/page, but sure, Microsoft should have communicated better.
24
50
610
Microsoft confirms it's accidentally sending Windows Defender "Turn on virus protection" alerts on Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server machines.
It's a false alarm, and Defender is actually not turned off by a new Windows Update.
The bug is causing this false alarm, and s off" alert will keep reappearing until Microsoft fixes the root cause.
You cannot disable the notifications, as the alert bypasses those settings and keeps showing up again and again.
"After installing the latest updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus, notifications might appear stating that 'Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off,' even though the antivirus is functioning correctly and all settings show it as active. These notifications can appear when Windows starts and intermittently afterward. They persist even if notification settings are turned off," Microsoft says.
You can verify that Defender is actually turned on by going to the Windows Security app.
Our findings and Microsoft's statement: windowslatest.com/2026/08/30/win…
It's a false alarm, and Defender is actually not turned off by a new Windows Update.
The bug is causing this false alarm, and s off" alert will keep reappearing until Microsoft fixes the root cause.
You cannot disable the notifications, as the alert bypasses those settings and keeps showing up again and again.
"After installing the latest updates for Microsoft Defender Antivirus, notifications might appear stating that 'Microsoft Defender Antivirus is turned off,' even though the antivirus is functioning correctly and all settings show it as active. These notifications can appear when Windows starts and intermittently afterward. They persist even if notification settings are turned off," Microsoft says.
You can verify that Defender is actually turned on by going to the Windows Security app.
Our findings and Microsoft's statement: windowslatest.com/2026/08/30/win…
13
29
229
Windows 11 is NOT using AI to "decrease your PC performance" or hurt gaming.
First, the feature "Text and image generation" works only on Copilot+ PCs with an NPU (40+ TOPS). It literally says, "Text and image generation uses on-device generative AI technologies to quickly "On-device generative AI." Nothing is sent to the cloud!
Even on Copilot+ PCs, it does not use your CPU, RAM, or GPU. It uses the NPU.
Second, if these apps actually used resources or even called on-device AI models, which work on Copilot+ PCs only, you'd see it under "Recent activity."
All the screenshots and videos going viral show Recent activity at ZERO requests. Pause the video or zoom in, and you'll notice!
We've got plenty of reasons to criticize Windows, but let's not frame anything for the sake of engagement.
First, the feature "Text and image generation" works only on Copilot+ PCs with an NPU (40+ TOPS). It literally says, "Text and image generation uses on-device generative AI technologies to quickly "On-device generative AI." Nothing is sent to the cloud!
Even on Copilot+ PCs, it does not use your CPU, RAM, or GPU. It uses the NPU.
Second, if these apps actually used resources or even called on-device AI models, which work on Copilot+ PCs only, you'd see it under "Recent activity."
All the screenshots and videos going viral show Recent activity at ZERO requests. Pause the video or zoom in, and you'll notice!
We've got plenty of reasons to criticize Windows, but let's not frame anything for the sake of engagement.
I had this shit enabled too and I didn't know about it
33
75
613
Microsoft open-sourcing WinUI, a core part of the current Windows Shell, is a massive move.
Can Apple open-source SwiftUI? 😏
Can Apple open-source SwiftUI? 😏
Microsoft is building Windows 11's native UI framework, WinUI, in public, once again proving its long-standing commitment to developers and the open-source community.
And it also means the era of native Windows 11 apps is coming back! Fewer web apps, hopefully 🤞
Microsoft velopment is now happening on GitHub, and soon, developers will be able to contribute:
"Mainline WinUI development is now taking place on GitHub. WinUI engineers and other Microsoft developers are creating branches, opening pull requests, reviewing, validating, and merging changes right here in this repository."
"Our day-to-day engineering work now happens in the open, so you can follow progress as it happens instead of waiting for changes to land." -- Microsoft
WinUI is not just for Windows apps, as it also powers the Windows shell, so the level of transparency and open-source commitment here is quite insane.
More to come, as Windows is so back at Microsoft 🥳
16
27
565
Breaking: Microsoft confirms reports of major cursor issues in Windows 11 after big update.
Windows 11's big update (KB5120998) that restored Windows 10-era features is breaking the mouse cursor on some PCs, and Microsoft now says it's investigating the reports.
The company ports indicating that mouse cursor personalization settings are being changed or reverted to certain standard settings.
Based on reports we've seen, Windows 11 reset all mouse cursor settings, including its size and a custom scheme, so you're switched back to the default standard style.
"Attempts to restore the previous cursor customization are reported to be unsuccessful," Microsoft noted in the changelog.
However, in worst cases, your cursor could look huge or change its color, and you won't be able to switch back to anything, not even defaults.
Microsoft argues that it's "investigating to determine if this is an issue caused" by Windows Update, but all public reports suggest it's indeed due to the patch, and removing it fixes the cursor + other bugs.
Windows 11 KB5120998 (26200.9278/26100.9278) added the most requested features, like a movable taskbar, a resizable Start menu, and Bing-free Windows Search.
We're also seeing reports of other issues, including blurry font and missing desktop background wallpaper (Windows update applies a solid color/black in most cases).
It's an optional update, and you should avoid it for now....
Windows 11's big update (KB5120998) that restored Windows 10-era features is breaking the mouse cursor on some PCs, and Microsoft now says it's investigating the reports.
The company ports indicating that mouse cursor personalization settings are being changed or reverted to certain standard settings.
Based on reports we've seen, Windows 11 reset all mouse cursor settings, including its size and a custom scheme, so you're switched back to the default standard style.
"Attempts to restore the previous cursor customization are reported to be unsuccessful," Microsoft noted in the changelog.
However, in worst cases, your cursor could look huge or change its color, and you won't be able to switch back to anything, not even defaults.
Microsoft argues that it's "investigating to determine if this is an issue caused" by Windows Update, but all public reports suggest it's indeed due to the patch, and removing it fixes the cursor + other bugs.
Windows 11 KB5120998 (26200.9278/26100.9278) added the most requested features, like a movable taskbar, a resizable Start menu, and Bing-free Windows Search.
We're also seeing reports of other issues, including blurry font and missing desktop background wallpaper (Windows update applies a solid color/black in most cases).
It's an optional update, and you should avoid it for now....
70
69
706
it's that time of the year again: developers, developers, developers!
decades later, Windows still remains the most open operating system for developers, and it keeps getting better.
decades later, Windows still remains the most open operating system for developers, and it keeps getting better.
Microsoft is building Windows 11's native UI framework, WinUI, in public, once again proving its long-standing commitment to developers and the open-source community.
And it also means the era of native Windows 11 apps is coming back! Fewer web apps, hopefully 🤞
Microsoft velopment is now happening on GitHub, and soon, developers will be able to contribute:
"Mainline WinUI development is now taking place on GitHub. WinUI engineers and other Microsoft developers are creating branches, opening pull requests, reviewing, validating, and merging changes right here in this repository."
"Our day-to-day engineering work now happens in the open, so you can follow progress as it happens instead of waiting for changes to land." -- Microsoft
WinUI is not just for Windows apps, as it also powers the Windows shell, so the level of transparency and open-source commitment here is quite insane.
More to come, as Windows is so back at Microsoft 🥳
26
20
320
Microsoft is building Windows 11's native UI framework, WinUI, in public, once again proving its long-standing commitment to developers and the open-source community.
And it also means the era of native Windows 11 apps is coming back! Fewer web apps, hopefully 🤞
Microsoft velopment is now happening on GitHub, and soon, developers will be able to contribute:
"Mainline WinUI development is now taking place on GitHub. WinUI engineers and other Microsoft developers are creating branches, opening pull requests, reviewing, validating, and merging changes right here in this repository."
"Our day-to-day engineering work now happens in the open, so you can follow progress as it happens instead of waiting for changes to land." -- Microsoft
WinUI is not just for Windows apps, as it also powers the Windows shell, so the level of transparency and open-source commitment here is quite insane.
More to come, as Windows is so back at Microsoft 🥳
And it also means the era of native Windows 11 apps is coming back! Fewer web apps, hopefully 🤞
Microsoft velopment is now happening on GitHub, and soon, developers will be able to contribute:
"Mainline WinUI development is now taking place on GitHub. WinUI engineers and other Microsoft developers are creating branches, opening pull requests, reviewing, validating, and merging changes right here in this repository."
"Our day-to-day engineering work now happens in the open, so you can follow progress as it happens instead of waiting for changes to land." -- Microsoft
WinUI is not just for Windows apps, as it also powers the Windows shell, so the level of transparency and open-source commitment here is quite insane.
More to come, as Windows is so back at Microsoft 🥳
35
77
982
Windows 11's big update is breaking cursor styling (if you use a cursor that is not the default), changing cursor size, removing desktop wallpapers, causing font rendering, and other issues.
The update is called Windows 11 KB5120998 (OS Build 26200.9278 or 26100.9278). It's forced.
This big release added a movable Taskbar, Bing-free Windows Search, and a customizable Start menu, making it one of the biggest Windows Update releases of the year.
However, we recommend that you skip the optional update if you care about these problems, at least for now.
Optional updates are usually as stable as Patch Tuesday releases, but even Patch Tuesday updates can have a bad release on odd days.
Microsoft has not yet acknowledged the issues with Windows 11's latest update.
Here's everything you need to know: windowslatest.com/2026/08/28/do-…
The update is called Windows 11 KB5120998 (OS Build 26200.9278 or 26100.9278). It's forced.
This big release added a movable Taskbar, Bing-free Windows Search, and a customizable Start menu, making it one of the biggest Windows Update releases of the year.
However, we recommend that you skip the optional update if you care about these problems, at least for now.
Optional updates are usually as stable as Patch Tuesday releases, but even Patch Tuesday updates can have a bad release on odd days.
Microsoft has not yet acknowledged the issues with Windows 11's latest update.
Here's everything you need to know: windowslatest.com/2026/08/28/do-…
37
27
412
Microsoft just shipped one of the biggest updates for Windows 11, with a movable taskbar, Windows Search without Bing and Microsoft Store results, and the ability to customize the Start menu!
1. Taskbar: You can now move the taskbar to the top, right, or left side, similar to so enable a smaller taskbar that shrinks the entire taskbar, not just the icons, as it did earlier on Windows 11.
2. You can now entirely disable Bing and Microsoft Store results in Windows Search, which makes it faster and more reliable.
3. You can now customize the Start menu, including the ability to fully remove the Recommended feed (now called Recent), and just have Pinned apps or the All apps list. It is now possible to choose which section appears and hide everything else.
Moreover, you can now make the Start menu smaller if you dislike how it dynamically adjusts.
This is one of the biggest Windows updates of the year, and it shows Microsoft is listening to top feedback. Keep it coming!
Hands on with the new experiences rolling out today: windowslatest.com/2026/08/27/win…
1. Taskbar: You can now move the taskbar to the top, right, or left side, similar to so enable a smaller taskbar that shrinks the entire taskbar, not just the icons, as it did earlier on Windows 11.
2. You can now entirely disable Bing and Microsoft Store results in Windows Search, which makes it faster and more reliable.
3. You can now customize the Start menu, including the ability to fully remove the Recommended feed (now called Recent), and just have Pinned apps or the All apps list. It is now possible to choose which section appears and hide everything else.
Moreover, you can now make the Start menu smaller if you dislike how it dynamically adjusts.
This is one of the biggest Windows updates of the year, and it shows Microsoft is listening to top feedback. Keep it coming!
Hands on with the new experiences rolling out today: windowslatest.com/2026/08/27/win…
149
139
1,625
AGI?! Microsoft just rebranded the "Microsoft 365 Roadmap" as the "AI at Work Roadmap" because it wants to centralize the tracking of AI-powered innovation.
Yes, seriously. And this could be another one of the worst rebrands in Microsoft's ecosystem.
Starting today, the s now called the AI at Work Roadmap.
"The AI at Work Roadmap provides a single destination to discover upcoming innovations across Microsoft 365, Copilot, agents, and related AI-powered experiences," the company noted in an admin portal update spotted by Windows Latest.
"Beginning in September 2026, roadmap information for Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Dataverse will also begin publishing to the AI at Work Roadmap, making it easier to track innovation across Microsoft's business applications, productivity, and AI portfolio."
So, do not Google/Bing "Microsoft 365 Roadmap" if you want to know what's next. Instead, search for the "AI at Work Roadmap." 🤞
Yes, seriously. And this could be another one of the worst rebrands in Microsoft's ecosystem.
Starting today, the s now called the AI at Work Roadmap.
"The AI at Work Roadmap provides a single destination to discover upcoming innovations across Microsoft 365, Copilot, agents, and related AI-powered experiences," the company noted in an admin portal update spotted by Windows Latest.
"Beginning in September 2026, roadmap information for Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Dataverse will also begin publishing to the AI at Work Roadmap, making it easier to track innovation across Microsoft's business applications, productivity, and AI portfolio."
So, do not Google/Bing "Microsoft 365 Roadmap" if you want to know what's next. Instead, search for the "AI at Work Roadmap." 🤞
8
9
100