On this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we take a look at what occurred throughout the closing week of 2024. Spoiler alert: not a lot. A brand new recognized challenge in Home windows 11 model 24H2, some app updates, and extra. We additionally printed our annual checklist of the most well-liked tales printed on Neowin in 2024. Try the recap right here.

Desk of contents:

1. Home windows 10 and 11 information
2. Home windows Insider Program
3. Updates can be found
4. Opinions are in
5. Gaming information
6. Nice offers to examine

Home windows 11 and 10

Right here we speak about every thing taking place 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.

Microsoft issued a warning that Home windows 11 model 24H2 installations made with sure media, reminiscent of flash drives created between October 8 and November 12, would possibly caught in a non-serviceable state, unable to put in any safety updates. For those who plan to clean-install Home windows 11 model 24H2, ensure that your media consists of December 2024 safety updates.

There are additionally scattered experiences about Home windows 11 22H2/23H2 December 2024 updates inflicting varied points with the Begin menu, Wi-Fi, and extra.

Home windows 11 customers who are usually not happy with the present state of the Begin menu and taskbar can obtain the most recent model of StartAllBack. This light-weight customization software acquired an replace to model 3.9, which introduced new taskbar choices and the power to revive basic drive grouping in File Explorer.

Home windows Insider Program

Nothing within the Home windows Insider program this week as a result of vacation season.

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.

In a shock vacation announcement, Microsoft revealed that PowerToys Run is getting a significant replace. Model 2.0 is coming in 2025 with a reworked consumer interface, extra highly effective extensions, and different modifications to supercharge the launcher.

WritingTools, a neat small app that makes use of Gemini 2.0 Flash to deliver Apple Intelligence-like options to Home windows customers, acquired a giant replace with new summarization options, improved settings, a brand new default LLM mannequin, and different enhancements. The app is free and open-source, and you’ll obtain it from GitHub.

Bear in mind the final week’s story about Microsoft 365 apps shedding their activation? Excellent news: Microsoft lastly resolved all these points. The engineering staff deployed a patch to repair product activation with no motion required from finish customers.

Different notable updates embrace the next:

• Microsoft plans to deploy in-house fashions to scale back its reliance on OpenAI for Copilot.
• PST assist can be accessible for Outlook on Home windows and Mac in 2025.

• Microsoft and OpenAI redefine the that means of AGI with a concentrate on earnings.

And listed here are the most recent drivers launched this week:

• Nvidia launched a hotfix driver to resolve intermittent stutters in Indiana Jones and the Nice Circle.

Opinions are in

Right here is {hardware} and software program we reviewed this week

This week, Robbie Khan reviewed a reasonably unconventional system for Neowin: an e-bike with an computerized gearbox and over 150 miles of electrical vary. There are some notable cons, so try the ENGWE P275 Professional assessment right here.

On the gaming aspect

Study upcoming recreation releases, Xbox rumors, new {hardware}, software program updates, freebies, offers, reductions and extra.

Following the Steam Replay 2024 recap for avid gamers, Valve printed “Better of 2024,” an inventory of video games that made probably the most cash on the platform this yr. They embrace Counter-Strike 2, PUBG, Palworld, Elden Ring, Black Fable: Wukong, and others.

Digital Arts reportedly rejected a Useless Area 4 pitch from Visceral Video games earlier this yr. Nevertheless, there is likely to be some hope for followers of the franchise as there are rumors that EA would possibly contemplate Useless Area 4 or a Useless Area 2 remake from a studio apart from Visceral Video games.

Nvidia and its GeForce NOW streaming service finishes 2024 with three new video games you possibly can stream from the cloud. The most recent additions embrace Headquarters: World Struggle II (Steam), Grocery store Collectively (Steam), and Ys X: Nordics (Steam).

The Epic Video games Retailer continues its each day giveaways, however if you wish to discover extra offers and specials, try this week’s Weekend PC Sport Offers challenge.

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 would possibly discover one thing you need or want.

• 2TB WD C50 Xbox Storage Growth Card – $189.99 (27% off)
• Onkyo TX-8470 2-Channel Stereo Receiver – $599 (25% off)
• Samsung FT45 Collection Skilled Monitor – $99.99 (52% off)
• 2 TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD – $137.99 (25% off)
• ASUS ZenWiFi Mesh System – $219.95 (33% off)
• MSI MPG 491CQPX QD-OLED 49-inch 240Hz Gaming Monitor – $929.99 (15% off)
• Onkyo TX-NR6100 7.2 Channel THX-Licensed Community AV Receiver – $399.99 (33% off)
• Edifier R1700BT 66-Watt Audio system – $125.99 (30% off)
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE – $280.09 (38% off)
• iPad Air 13-inch – $799.97 (16% off)

• SanDisk 8TB Desk Drive SSD – $499.99 (29% off)

• AMD Ryzen 9 9950X – $594.99 (8% off)

• Amazon Fireplace TV Soundbar Plus with a subwoofer – $314.99 (16% off)

• Fireplace TV 4K Sticks with Xbox Wi-fi Controllers – $74.99 (40% off)

This hyperlink will take you to different problems with the Microsoft Weekly collection. You can too assist Neowin by registering a free member account, or optionally subscribing for additional member advantages, together with an choice of an ad-free tier.

Microsoft Weekly picture by Ri_Ya on Pixabay