On this episode of Microsoft Weekly, we have a look at Xbox options arriving on PC, helpful apps for debloating Home windows 11, contemporary preview builds, mounted recognized points, gaming tales, browser updates, some {hardware} opinions, and extra.
Desk of contents:
- Home windows 10 and 11 information
- Home windows Insider Program
- Updates can be found
- Critiques are in
- Gaming information
- Nice offers to verify
Home windows 11 and 10
Right here we discuss the whole lot occurring round Microsoft’s newest working system within the Steady channel and preview builds: new options, eliminated options, controversies, bugs, attention-grabbing findings, and extra. And naturally, you might discover a phrase or two about older however nonetheless supported variations.
This week, Microsoft up to date the official Home windows Well being Dashboard with new particulars about sure recognized bugs and points in Home windows 11 model 24H2. The bug with the working system not permitting you to vary sure date and time settings has lastly been mounted within the newest non-security replace. Additionally, Microsoft offered a workaround for the difficulty that prevented Home windows updates from being put in through varied media, resembling USB or CD.
Now, right here is a few helpful stuff. First, we’ve a information from Steven Parker. The article describes tips on how to restore Dolby Digital (AC-3) assist in Home windows 11 model 24H2, which now not comes with one on clear installations.
Subsequent, a few debloaters for Home windows 11. One is WinScript, a neat-looking open-source app for Home windows 11 that may run a number of instructions without delay to do away with annoying advertisements, optimize your system, flip off telemetry, set up helpful third-party purposes with a bundle supervisor, and much more. One other app you might discover helpful on this regard is NoBloatbox, which lets you choose what bloatware you wish to take away out of your Home windows set up.
Lastly, Microsoft revealed a brand new weblog submit that introduced particulars for IT Admins about Home windows putting in characteristic updates throughout the preliminary setup (OOBE) on managed units.
Here’s what Microsoft launched this week for testing within the Home windows Insider Program:
| Home windows 11 | Home windows 10 | |
|---|---|---|
| Canary Channel | 27788 | Not Relevant |
| Dev Channel | Nothing this week | Not Relevant |
| Beta Channel |
22635.4870 (23H2) 22635.4880 (23H2) |
Not Relevant |
| Launch Preview Channel | Nothing this week | Nothing this week |
One of many greatest modifications on this week’s Home windows 11 preview builds, apart from the primary massive replace for MIDI in practically half a century, is the flexibility to customise widgets on the lock display. Construct 22635.4870 helps you to flip off sure widgets and depart solely these you want probably the most. Take a look at this text to be taught extra about it.
Along with the brand new builds, Microsoft shipped an replace for the Microsoft Retailer. The newest model, which is now out there for Home windows Insiders, permits customers to pick out what elements of the video games will probably be downloaded. This alteration is beneficial for many who don’t need sure elements, like high-resolution textures, campaigns, and extra.
Lastly, Optical Character Recognition is as soon as once more out there within the Images app for Home windows Insiders. Microsoft eliminated the characteristic from preview builds in November 2024, and it’s now again with a number of enhancements and squashed bugs.
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.
Regardless that we’re nonetheless at the start of the yr, Microsoft already has dates for its upcoming developer convention, Construct 2025. The corporate revealed that its important developer-focused occasion will happen on Might 19-22 in Seattle, Washington. Tickets and the schedule will probably be out there as we get nearer to the date.
We had loads of browser updates this week. Firefox 135 arrived with an extended checklist of assorted modifications. Mozilla introduced the redesigned new tab web page to all customers, bank card autofill assist, translation enhancements, further privateness enhancements, and different modifications.
Opera launched a brand new browser, Opera Air, in an try to make searching the fashionable web much less traumatic. Opera Air has varied built-in utilities that can assist you stay calm, do respiratory workouts, be taught some binaural tunes for further leisure, and extra.
Microsoft launched Edge 133 for all customers within the Steady channel, bringing an up to date downloads UI, an AI-powered scareware blocker, enhancements for the built-in value tracker, and extra. These within the Dev Channel acquired model 134.0.3096.1 with “Browser Necessities” enhancements and varied fixes.
In addition to the updates, Microsoft introduced upcoming modifications for Notifications API, which is able to quickly assist name notifications with customized buttons. Additionally, the corporate created a faux “information,” which, as an alternative of doing its job and explaining tips on how to uninstall Edge, merely trashes Google Chrome.
Talking of Chrome, the browser can also be getting some neat enhancements with the following characteristic replace. Model 134 will make picture-in-picture mode extra seamless with computerized activation when taking part in movies and switching out and in of tabs.
Different notable updates embrace the next:
- Microsoft has up to date the Home windows 10 Prolonged Safety Replace program assist web page with new particulars
- Home windows Terminal and Home windows Terminal Preview acquired massive updates with new multi-window assist, reworked console structure, and extra
- Microsoft launched an up to date PowerShell script for bootable Home windows media
- Outlook for Mac now permits you to recall despatched emails
- NanaZip 5.0 Replace 1 is now out there with extra file format assist and different modifications
- Microsoft Groups acquired varied enhancements for its calendar
- Logitech Choices+ has been up to date with extra system assist and varied fixes
And listed here are the latest drivers launched this week:
- Nvidia 572.24 Hotfix with patches for Valorant and Closing Fantasy XVI
- Intel Wi-Fi 23.110.0 driver with hotspot enhancements and fixes for information switch slowdowns
Critiques are in
Right here is {hardware} and software program we reviewed this week
We revealed two opinions this week. Steven Parker reviewed the GEEKOM A6 mini PC, a small and inexpensive pc with improved reminiscence and storage. I had an opportunity to take a look at a unusual pair of headphones from Philips that had been made particularly for sleep (spoiler: they don’t seem to be excellent).
On the gaming facet
Find out about upcoming sport releases, Xbox rumors, new {hardware}, software program updates, freebies, offers, reductions and extra.
Extra Xbox video games are heading to the PlayStation 5. Following the announcement of Forza Horizon 5 transferring over to the Japanese console, Microsoft is bringing Age of Mythology: Retold and Age of Empires II: Definitive Version to the PlayStation 5.
If you’re ready for the following Want for Pace installment, EA has not-so-good information for you. As of proper now, all of Criterion Video games stuff is engaged on the following Battlefield (anticipated earlier than April 2026), not Want for Pace. In an interview with IGN, Vince Zampella mentioned that the sequence would possibly return in some unspecified time in the future, however it isn’t clear when.
Microsoft already had a gaming occasion this yr, and one other one is coming in February. The corporate revealed that the primary ID@Xbox showcase will happen on February 24, 2025, to showcase varied indie video games from totally different publishers. IGN will stream the occasion at 10 AM PT, 1 PM ET, and 6 PM BST.
Valve launched a small however helpful replace for Steam. The platform now contains a outstanding banner for deserted video games that haven’t acquired any updates or consideration from builders for an prolonged time frame. This alteration will assist players keep away from abandonware, particularly early entry abandonware.
Nvidia introduced a brand new batch of video games that are actually playable on the GeForce NOW streaming service. They embrace Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, SWORN, Alan Wake, Far Cry: New Daybreak, and extra.
Offers and freebies
The Epic Video games Retailer is giving freely two video games: Past Blue and Humankind. You may add these to your library at no cost till the following Thursday. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you possibly can rating a number of free titles on the Amazon Video games app, GOG, and the Epic Video games Retailer. They embrace Bioshock Infinite: Full Version, Surf World Sequence, Sands of Aura, and extra. Much more video games will probably be out there later this month.
As typical, extra offers can be found on this week’s Weekend PC Recreation Offers article.
Different gaming tales from this week embrace the next:
-
Age of Empires IV and Age of Mythology Retold are getting new expansions in 2025
-
Watch Canine and Watch Canine 2 acquired updates with Steam Achievements assist
-
Warhammer 40,000: Area Marine 2 bought a brand new replace with a brand new issue, an FOV slider, and extra
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Currys grew to become the primary Xbox-authorized restore suppliers within the UK and Eire
-
Star Wars Outlaws now helps DLSS 4 Multi-Body Gen on RTX 50 sequence playing cards
Nice offers to verify
Each week, we cowl many offers on totally different {hardware} and software program. The next reductions are nonetheless out there, so verify them out. You would possibly discover one thing you need or want.
- 15.6-inch KYY K3 Moveable Monitor – $69.99 | 46% off
- 2TB Seagate Xbox Storage Enlargement Card – $219.99 | 39% off
- Klipsch The One Plus Premium Bluetooth Speaker – $149.95 | 40% off
- 1TB Kingston NV3 PCIe Gen4 SSD – $56.99 | 29% off
- Klipsch Flexus CORE 100 2.1 Soundbar – $239.59 | 31% off
- Acer Swift Go 16 Intel Core 5 Extremely, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD – $659
- Klipsch R-620F Floorstanding Speaker – $259
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