On this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we have a look at adjustments within the Home windows 11 supported CPU checklist, new Home windows 11 and 10 preview builds, some sport previews, fastened Begin menu layouts for Home windows 11 customers, and extra.
Desk of contents:
- Home windows 10 and 11 information
- Home windows Insider Program
- Updates can be found
- Evaluations are in
- Gaming information
- Nice offers to examine
Home windows 11 and 10
Right here we speak about all the things occurring round Microsoft’s newest working system within the Secure channel and preview builds: new options, eliminated options, controversies, bugs, attention-grabbing findings, and extra. And naturally, it’s possible you’ll discover a phrase or two about older however nonetheless supported variations.
The February 2025 Patch Tuesday updates are actually accessible for obtain. On Tuesday, February 11, Microsoft launched the most recent safety patches and fixes for Home windows 10 and 11, that are necessary for all customers. In case you use Home windows 10, you’ll be able to obtain KB5051974, whereas Home windows 11 customers can get KB5051987 and KB5051989.
Along with releasing new safety updates, Microsoft tweaked the checklist of supported processors in Home windows 11. For some motive, the corporate eliminated sure beforehand supported chips from Intel and added new SKUs from AMD. Additionally, Microsoft deprecated the Location Historical past function, which was liable for amassing and storing your PC’s location knowledge for Cortana and different functions.
Microsoft is engaged on some much-needed enhancements for Home windows 11’s Begin menu. Customers found new code bits that counsel that Home windows 11 will quickly allow you to open the Begin menu to the checklist of all apps by default, eliminating the necessity to click on the “All” button. If you wish to hold issues as is, there might be a brand new toggle that can present pinned apps first by default.
If you do not need to attend for Microsoft to repair Home windows 11’s Begin menu, you’ll be able to check out this easy Windhawk mod that gives you a correct Begin menu with a handy structure that’s just like what we had in Home windows 10 however with fashionable visuals. It’s extremely customizable and appears excellent on any Home windows 11 set up.
There have additionally been some updates to the checklist of identified bugs in Home windows 11 model 24H2. Microsoft printed a workaround for patrons with ASUS PCs who couldn’t replace their methods to Home windows 11 model 24H2. Now, updating BIOS/UEFI will elevate the block and let customers get to the most recent Home windows 11 launch. There are nonetheless a number of identified bugs and points that Microsoft is engaged on resolving, so count on extra information about that as we transfer additional into 2025.
Here’s what Microsoft launched this week for testing within the Home windows Insider Program:
| Home windows 11 | Home windows 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Channel | – | Not Relevant |
| Dev Channel | 26120.3281 | Not Relevant |
| Beta Channel |
26120.3281 22635.4945 |
Not Relevant |
| Launch Preview Channel | 22631.4969 | 19045.5552 |
Updates can be found
This part covers software program, firmware, and different notable updates (launched and coming quickly) delivering new options, safety fixes, enhancements, patches, and extra from Microsoft and third events.
Do you keep in mind that faux “How you can uninstall Edge” information from Microsoft? After the media picked it up, Microsoft eliminated the web page and changed it with an really helpful web page that highlights varied Edge options and presents customers the chance to study extra about them. Good job, Microsoft. Now, may you please cease injecting adverts into the Chrome web site?
Subsequent, we’ve got a brand new function replace for Microsoft Edge within the Dev Channel. This week’s launch introduced enhancements to personalization settings and a historically lengthy checklist of varied fixes throughout the browser.
Additionally, in a quite surprising transfer, Microsoft revamped Edge’s built-in Surf sport, giving customers lots of cool new stuff like reworked graphics, character customization, a brand-new sport mode, and extra. The up to date sport is now accessible for all customers throughout all channels, and you may play it by heading to edge://surf.
Microsoft can be engaged on a brand new function for PowerToys. Its Run launcher will quickly obtain integration with Home windows Package deal Supervisor (winget), permitting you to put in packages proper from the search field. Very neat.
Different notable updates embrace the next:
- Outlook for Android and iOS now enables you to decrease your e-mail drafts to navigate to different components of the app.
- Microsoft handed the US Military’s IVAS headset manufacturing to Anduril.
- Microsoft revealed new options coming to Clipchamp in 2025.
- PassMark shared attention-grabbing findings about common CPU efficiency in 2025, main to numerous speculations about Home windows.
And listed below are the latest drivers launched this week:
- AMD 25.2.1 Preview with optimizations for Avowed, Civilization VII, Monster Hunter Wilds, and extra
- Intel 32.0.101.6559 WHQL with assist for Avowed, Hellblade 2 FPS enhancements, and extra
- Nvidia 572.42 WHQL with Avowed assist and DLSS 4 for Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle
Evaluations are in
Right here is {hardware} and software program we reviewed this week
Pulasthi Ariyasinghe printed a preview of South of Midnight. This isn’t a full evaluation of the completed sport however quite a fast have a look at what avid gamers can count on later this yr, on April 8, 2025, to be exact. In case you plan to play the sport, remember to take a look at our preview right here (no spoilers).
On the gaming aspect
Find out about upcoming sport releases, Xbox rumors, new {hardware}, software program updates, freebies, offers, reductions and extra.
Flip 10 Studios introduced the following Forza Motorsport content material replace. Replace 17 is now accessible on PC and Xbox, providing avid gamers the flexibility to drive each day vehicles which can be enjoyable, highly effective, and reasonably priced. The replace packs numerous new autos and varied enhancements to present ones.
There’s a widespread false impression amongst avid gamers that the existence of the Xbox Collection S hurts console gaming and sport growth because of the lack of horsepower. Nonetheless, the builders of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 argue the alternative. In a brand new interview, Warhorse Studios’ International PR Supervisor, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, mentioned that optimizing the sport for Xbox Collection S helped the studio make the sport run higher on different consoles as properly.
At its newest State of Play, Sony made a number of gaming bulletins. We now have the discharge date and a gameplay trailer for Borderlands 4, which is coming to the PlayStation 5, Xbox Collection X|S, and Steam on September 23, 2025.
The following is one other remaster from Sony (yay), and this time, it’s Days Gone getting a recent coat of paint. Look out for the sport to reach on the PlayStation 5 and PC in April. Additionally, we’ve got Lies of P: Overture with its announcement trailer and Saros, a brand new third-person roguelike from Husemarque, the maker of Returnal.
Offers and freebies
The Epic Video games Retailer is gifting away F1 Supervisor 2024. You possibly can add this racing-management title to your library totally free till the following Thursday, February 20. Extra offers and specials can be found, as typical, in our Weekend PC Sport Offers sequence right here.
Different gaming tales embrace the next:
- Mojang has a brand new CEO as Asa Bredin steps down
-
S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R. 2 patch 1.2 arrived with over 1700 enhancements for AI, optimization, quests, and extra
-
Nvidia added Batman: Arkham sequence, Civilization VII, and extra titles to its GeForce NOW streaming service.
-
Valve revealed particulars in regards to the upcoming seasonal gross sales, together with some adjustments for the Autumn sale.
Nice offers to examine
Each week, we cowl many offers on completely different {hardware} and software program. The next reductions are nonetheless accessible, so examine them out. You may discover one thing you need or want.
- R-N1000A Community Receiver with Phono, HDMI, and Constructed-in DAC, Silver – $999.95 | 44% off
- Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Professional – $699.99 | 48% off
- WD 16TB Components Desktop Exterior Laborious Drive – $249 | 19% off
- Samsung 16-inch Galaxy Book4 Professional – $1,099.99 | 37% off
- Apple AirPods 4 Wi-fi Earbuds – $99.99 | 22% off
- Acer CB272U 27″ WQHD 2560 x 1440 Dwelling Workplace Monitor – $149.99 | 40% off
- Acer Predator XB273U 27″ WQHD 2560 x 1440 Gaming Monitor – $189.99 | 29% off
- Xbox Wi-fi Controller Pulse Cipher Particular Version – $64 | 15% off
This hyperlink will take you to different problems with the Microsoft Weekly sequence. It’s also possible to assist Neowin by registering a free member account, or optionally subscribing for additional member advantages, together with an possibility of an ad-free tier.
No Comment! Be the first one.