In this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we take a look at this month’s Patch Tuesday updates, many new preview builds, one lifeless Insider Channel, gaming information, app updates, and much more.

Table of contents:

1. Windows 10 and 11 information
2. Windows Insider Program
3. Updates are to be had
4. Reviews are in
5. Gaming information
6. Great offers to test

Windows 11 and 10

Here we discuss the whole thing going down round Microsoft’s newest running gadget within the Stable channel and preview builds: new options, got rid of options, controversies, insects, fascinating findings, and extra. And in fact, you might discover a phrase or two about older however nonetheless supported variations.

Patch Tuesday updates for November 2024 are actually to be had. Windows 11 gained KB5046617 and KB5046633 (and a few setup updates); Windows 10 gained KB5046613, KB5046615, KB5046612, and KB5046665 (there may be even an replace for Windows Holographic). Besides safety updates, those patches delivered fixes for app crashes on Windows 10 and damaged Task Manager on Windows 11. However, in addition they brought about some confusion, with some customers reporting Windows Update flagging their techniques as out of toughen.

Also, Microsoft shared new workforce insurance policies to forestall fiascos, reminiscent of Windows Server 2022 and 2019 auto-upgrading to Windows Server 2025.

After the discharge of November 2024 Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft additionally notified customers that during December 2024, Windows 10 and 11 will obtain fewer updates. Due to the vacation season, Microsoft plans to skip the December 2024 non-security updates roundup.

Finally, Microsoft launched legit Windows 11 ISO information for Windows on ARM units.

Microsoft additionally has some updates for the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and 11. For one, the corporate is ditching quick video games at the Arcade tab. As of November 14, 2024, quick video games are now not to be had within the Microsoft Store. What is to be had (to not all, sadly) is a few Android video games. Microsoft companions with Tencent to carry hundreds of cellular Android video games to Windows 11 customers in China.

While Microsoft is busy upgrading Windows 11 with fashionable bits, quite a few legacy code nonetheless drags along. As it grew to become out, you’ll nonetheless get entry to the outdated Action Center from Windows 10 in the newest Windows 11 updates. All you must do is make a unmarried tweak within the gadget registry. Also, you’ll carry again the outdated File Explorer with a small instrument.

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft Released this week for checking out within the Windows Insider Program:

	Windows 11	Windows 10
Canary Channel	27749	Not Applicable
Dev Channel	–	Not Applicable
Beta Channel	22635.4510	19045.5194
Release Preview Channel	22631.4534 26100.2448	19045.5194

You would possibly be mindful Microsoft introducing a brand new “Edit with Paint” context menu choice in the newest Paint replace for Windows Insiders. If you aren’t keen on that adjust, here’s a information describing learn how to flip that menu access off. By the best way, different adjustments in that Paint replace are actually to be had to extra insiders.

As for extra helpful adjustments coming quickly to Windows 11, we have now a brand new shortcut to cause OCR within the Snipping Tool, a brand new “Windows Intelligence” segment within the Settings app, some updates within the paintings for the default app enjoy, and a brand new tab for tracking power intake in Windows 11. None of the ones adjustments are public but, so we will be able to need to look ahead to Microsoft to announce them in preview builds.

Windows 10 insiders additionally gained some information, albeit not-so-good one. Five months after the revival, Windows 10’s Beta Channel is lifeless once more. Microsoft introduced that construct 19045.5194 is the overall replace for Beta insiders, they usually all can be robotically migrated to the Release Preview Channel. With Windows 10 scheduled to achieve its finish of lifestyles in not up to 365 days, the announcement is infrequently unexpected.

Updates are to be had

This segment covers instrument, firmware, and different notable updates (launched and coming quickly) turning in new options, safety fixes, enhancements, patches, and extra from Microsoft and 3rd events.

Microsoft showed that the MSN logo is kinda again. The corporate provided one among its oldest services and products with a sparkly new brand and changed Microsoft Start with it. The results of this variation is a brand new MSN brand at the new tab web page in Microsoft Edge. Mobile apps will apply swimsuit quickly.

Microsoft Edge is in sizzling waters. Again. The browser used to be over again stuck auto-starting on techniques with Chrome, “offering” to transport knowledge from Google Chrome to Microsoft Edge. This time, Microsoft overtly admitted the conduct, pointing out it’s “giving people the choice to import data from other browsers.”

This week’s browser updates come with Firefox 132.0.2, with fixes for video streaming mistakes, reproduction notifications, and extra. Microsoft Edge used to be up to date to model 131 with Sidebar enhancements and different adjustments, whilst its Dev variant gained model 132.0.2945.0.

Other notable updates come with the next:

• Microsoft introduced Copilot to Power BI Mobile apps and introduced the primary Power BI worth building up in 10 years.

• Office apps for Mac gained a brand new widget for speedy get entry to to contemporary information.

• VMware Fusion and Workstation are actually loose for all customers, together with business and schooling.

• Microsoft launched .NET 9 with hundreds of enhancements.

• Microsoft is developing the arena’s first 3-D copy of St. Peter’s Basilica.

• DesktopGPT 1.0 is out, bringing AI to Windows desktops.

• Microsoft pulled an Exchange Server replace because of shipping/DLP rule conflicts.

• Visual Studio 2022 17.13 Preview 1 is now to be had.

And listed below are the latest drivers launched this week:

• Intel 32.0.101.6297 non-WHQL with optimizations for Farming Simulator 25, Planet Coaster 2, and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake.
• Nvidia 566.14 WHQL with optimizations for S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

In addition to liberating a brand new driving force, Nvidia introduced that the brand new Nvidia App is now out of beta. While it isn’t able to switch the outdated Control Panel and the GeForce Experience app for nice, it’ll change into an non-compulsory element in long term driving force updates.

Reviews are in

Here are the instrument or {hardware} evaluations revealed on Neowin this week.

Steven Parker reviewed the GEEKOM “AI-Enhanced” AE8 mini PC. It is a contemporary, small pc with the newest {hardware}, a devoted NPU, USB4 ports, and a couple of minor quirks that would possibly aggravate with out breaking the deal. Check out the total evaluation right here.

On the gaming facet

Learn about upcoming sport releases, Xbox rumors, new {hardware}, instrument updates, freebies, offers, reductions and extra.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is now very as regards to its public debut, and MachineGames is teasing the sport with a brand new deep-dive video showcasing 14 mins of gameplay. For reference, the sport is launching on December 9, with early get entry to on December 6. By the best way, Xbox and IHOP partnered and created some unique Indiana Jones-themed menus and prizes.

Another giant sport coming very quickly to Xbox and PC is S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R 2: Heart of Chornobyl. GSC Game World launched complete gadget necessities forward of the release on November 20. If you wish to have to get a really perfect enjoy at a top solution or body price, you higher improve your rig, as the sport calls for relatively beefy {hardware}.

During the Warcraft thirtieth Anniversary Direct, Blizzard dropped a large number of information for enthusiasts of the franchise. Warcraft I and Warcraft II remasters are actually that can be purchased, bringing the vintage variations of the sport to trendy {hardware} with modernized controls, widescreen toughen, a greater consumer interface, and extra upgrades.

Warcraft III used to be no longer forgotten both. In truth, the sport gained its 2d remaster, Reforged 2.0. Activision said it simple and easy: “When something is broken, you fix it,” therefore model 2.0 with overhauled lighting fixtures results, UI enhancements, higher vintage fashions, and much more. Finally, Mists of Pandaria is coming to World of Warcraft Classic in 2025.

Age of Empires II used to be some other sport celebrating its anniversary this week. The name grew to become 5, and Microsoft made up our minds to unencumber DLC packs for current homeowners and Game Pass subscribers. Sadly, the sport’s worth went as much as a relatively steep $34.99 throughout all shops.

But wait, there may be extra. Half-Life 2 is now two decades outdated, and to honor the instance, Nvidia introduced a giveaway of a customized RTX 4080 SUPER graphics card with Gordon Freeman, orange accents, and different cool design components. By the best way, Half-Life 2 RTX (the bottom sport is up for grabs free of charge till November 18) is now to be had for wishlist on Steam, so move upload it for your listing if you happen to plan to shop for this sport.

The Game Pass library has gained extra video games. Over this week, Microsoft added 3 Spyro video games, letting everybody play Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon.

GeForce NOW, however, were given Farming Simulator 25, previous Call of Duty video games, and extra this week.

On the {hardware} facet, we have now contemporary rumors concerning the long-expected Xbox hand held. In a brand new interview, Phil Spencer hinted that an Xbox hand held console is at the radar; simply don’t be expecting it any time quickly. For now, the corporate needs to concentrate on bettering the gaming enjoy on current hand held consoles with Windows.

While you look ahead to an Xbox hand held, you might have considered trying to take a look at the usual Xbox console from Microsoft, particularly with a tempting $50 bargain throughout this vacation season. Microsoft introduced reductions for a few of its Xbox Series X|S consoles and controllers, plus offers on over 1000 PC and Xbox video games.

If you’re going to purchase an Xbox console or you have already got one, be sure you replace it to the newest instrument replace, which used to be launched this week. It presented pal requests, a brand new Home web page, AI seek, and much more. Also, Microsoft launched an replace to the Xbox Accessories app to let customers calibrate triggers and extra.

Deals and freebies

The Epic Games Store is letting everybody have Castlevania Anniversary Collection and Snakebird Complete free of charge till subsequent Thursday. As same old, extra offers and specials are to be had on this week’s Weekend PC Game Deals.

Other gaming information from this week come with the next:

• Half-life 2: Episode 3 fan challenge ‘Project Borealis‘ launches loose Prologue on Steam.

• The authentic Fortnite mode is returning to the fight royale for nice.

• GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition gained vintage lighting fixtures from the cellular port.

• Towerborne gained contemporary missions, a birthday celebration finder, and extra in a significant early get entry to replace.

• GOG introduced a Preservation Program to stay vintage video games on fashionable techniques “forever.”

• Ara: History Untold main replace revamps economic system control, provides mod toughen, and extra.

• Blizzard is hiring for an open-world shooter sport, in all probability set within the StarCraft universe.

Great offers to test

Every week, we duvet many offers on other {hardware} and instrument. The following reductions are nonetheless to be had, so take a look at them out. You would possibly in finding one thing you wish to have or want.

• Surface Laptop 7 – $875 | 12% off
• 2TB WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe SSD – $139.99 | 30% off
• 4TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB NVMe SSD – $299.99 | 13% off
• 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus 4TB NVMe SSD – $139.99 | 24% off
• Amazon eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router – $159.99 | 36% off
• 13-inch MacE book Air 2024 – $899 | 18% off
• 15-inch MacE book Air 2024 – $1,299 | 13% off

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

Microsoft Weekly symbol by way of mynd_roxycr on Pixabay.