Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.101.2312.0 Preview, focusing on maintenance and usability improvements in preparation for the stable release. Key fixes include restoring the functionality of the Win+Shift+/ shortcut for the Shortcut Guide, ensuring transparency in SVG thumbnails, and adding regression tests to prevent previous issues from recurring. Additional updates involve the migration of legacy Screen Ruler settings, the relocation of the "New" feature badge to Window Hopper, and the introduction of a PoetSearch plugin for PowerToys Run. This maintenance build emphasizes automated test coverage and defensive coding to enhance the user experience and streamline future development processes

Microsoft has released Windows Subsystem for Linux 2.7.12 on August 18, 2026, which addresses two specific issues in the stable 2.7.x branch. The first fix resolves permission errors related to plugin-mounted folders, ensuring that user permissions align with the actual user session, thus preventing access denied errors when using tools like Docker Desktop and VS Code Remote. The second fix tackles VHD ownership problems during cross-volume distribution moves, eliminating the need for manual ownership adjustments that previously left files owned by BUILTIN\Administrators. Users can easily update to this version via the command wsl --update, benefiting from these critical patches without opting into pre-release channels

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2293.0, which adds new Command Palette entries for triggering Windows Update reboots directly from the search menu, only appearing when a restart is needed. This release also introduces an AI-assisted release workflow that automates the conversion of Azure DevOps candidates into GitHub draft prereleases, while still requiring human approval. Additionally, the update includes improvements like a Color Picker refresh rate fix, stricter Image Resizer CLI validation, and a solution to prevent ZoomIt deadlocks. Overall, these updates enhance user experience and streamline development processes, making PowerToys a valuable utility for Windows users

Microsoft has released five new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, marking the permanent removal of the WMIC command and discontinuing the Drag Tray feature due to user feedback. The latest build includes a redesigned File Explorer context menu, enhanced Camera Roll Backup to OneDrive, and support for Emoji 17.0. The Beta channel focuses on stability improvements, addressing taskbar loading issues and crashes related to the Date & Time settings. Overall, these updates emphasize user interface refinement while indicating a shift towards utilizing PowerShell for system queries after WMIC's removal

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview 0.101.2282.0, which includes important fixes for the Command Palette Dock's stability, addressing issues related to monitor topology and resource leaks. This update introduces a standalone DevDocs extension that allows developers to access API references directly from the palette, enhancing usability without adding bloat to the core installation. Behind the scenes, Microsoft has overhauled its AI triage pipeline to improve management of its extensive open-source repository, including automated workflows and issue handling. While the release may not offer flashy new tools for users, it significantly strengthens the underlying functionality and provides useful features for developers

Microsoft has launched new Windows 11 Release Preview builds, introducing significant features such as taskbar relocation, allowing users to anchor it to any screen edge, as well as post-quantum ML-KEM cryptography for enhanced security. The 26H1 build includes improvements like voice isolation for better speech recognition, support for external fingerprint sensors with Windows Hello, and refined touchpad scrolling controls. Additionally, the updates enhance user interface elements, such as the Start menu and File Explorer, while also tightening security measures with just-in-time administrator privileges and removing the legacy WMIC utility. These feature-rich updates are now available through Windows Update for users in the Release Preview channel

On August 14, 2026, the PowerShell team released three updates: v7.6.5, v7.5.10, and v7.4.19, which include a fix for inconsistent dot-sourcing behavior in signed advanced-function scripts under Windows Defender Application Control. Notably, v7.6.5 is the first version to target .NET 10, while the earlier versions remain on .NET 8 and .NET 9, with the latter heading towards end-of-life in May 2026. The patch corrects a specific execution path issue affecting advanced scripts but does not introduce any new vulnerabilities or CVEs. Additionally, all three releases include an update to the Microsoft.PowerShell.Archive module and improvements to build pipelines for better stability and performance

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2262.0, the third preview in 48 hours, ahead of a stable v0.101 launch. Key updates include a search feature in the Shortcut Guide, adjustable Windows-key hold thresholds, and local image rendering for Markdown previews in File Explorer. Additionally, advanced paste functionality has been expanded to support third-party OpenAI-compatible APIs, while Microsoft has implemented a new AI-driven issue triage system for better project management. Overall, these enhancements aim to improve user experience and address long-standing issues as the project approaches a final release

Microsoft has released WinGet v1.30.100-preview, introducing the new --ignore-unavailable flag for the install command, which allows batch operations to skip missing packages instead of halting the entire process. This version also addresses a critical crash affecting the --disable-interactivity feature and includes updates to build agents and AI-driven issue triage to manage the growing backlog of issues more effectively. The AI component, powered by Copilot, helps identify duplicate issues semantically and adds a label for possible duplicates without closing any issues. Overall, this update enhances WinGet's functionality and efficiency, particularly for users managing multiple installations, while maintaining a focus on community-driven improvements and robust bug fixes

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2242.0, which includes an opt-in monitor window rotation feature for FancyZones, allowing users to move windows between screens using arrow keys. The Command Palette has undergone a significant search ranking overhaul to improve speed and efficiency, incorporating a new scoring system and expanded history storage. Additionally, the update addresses issues with Performance Monitor dock bands and includes .NET runtime updates for better toolchain alignment. Users interested in trying the preview can download it from the official GitHub releases page, although it may have occasional stability issues

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2241.0, a maintenance update that addresses four user-facing issues and stabilizes the build pipeline. The main fix involves the Mouse Highlighter, which corrects a timing issue that caused the ripple effect to freeze during rapid input by implementing a thread-safe ring buffer for event capture. Additionally, the update resolves localization issues with File Locksmith context menus, fixes disappearing selection highlights in Quick Accent lists, and corrects desktop icon positioning for per-monitor DPI awareness. This update also pins the CI pipeline to .NET 10 SDK version 10.0.302 to prevent runtime mismatches, with installers available for both x64 and ARM64 systems

Microsoft has released .NET 11 Preview 7, making NativeAOT the default in the CLI for improved startup performance and introducing new C# 15 features. Alongside this, security updates for .NET versions 8, 9, and 10 address ten critical vulnerabilities, including two remote code execution flaws that require immediate attention. Developers are encouraged to migrate from .NET 8 and 9 as they approach their end-of-support date on November 10, 2026. The release also includes significant library enhancements, such as new decimal types and ZIP password encryption, while emphasizing the importance of updating and testing before moving to production

Microsoft has increased Windows OEM licensing fees by 7% to 10% starting in July 2026, which is a sharper rise than usual, coinciding with significant surges in RAM and SSD prices. As a result, industry analysts predict that PC makers will likely pass these costs onto consumers, leading to further price hikes for pre-built PCs. The current price increases are exacerbated by ongoing supply chain issues and rising demand for memory driven by AI, creating a challenging environment for OEMs, especially smaller manufacturers. For consumers, purchasing new hardware now may be advisable to avoid even higher costs in the near future

Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.101.2222.0 Preview, focusing on stability and quality improvements rather than introducing new features. This update includes critical regression fixes for the Settings General page, resolves visual artifacts in Quick Accent through DWM cloaking, and enhances install path resolution for elevation-aware scenarios. Additionally, the UI test suite has been significantly expanded to ensure better reliability across various architectures. Although this release does not include new utilities, the emphasis on fixing existing issues and enhancing testing infrastructure is crucial for maintaining long-term stability and usability

Microsoft has released Windows Server vNext Insider Preview Build 29641 on August 10, 2026, which is the first preview based on the new Rubidium codebase. This build is available through the Experimental channel for Datacenter, Standard, and Azure configurations, but requires a clean install for users with earlier builds. Key features in this build include ReFS Boot, an NVMe over Fabrics initiator, Quick Machine Recovery, and Trusted Launch for Hyper-V VMs, though detailed release notes are not publicly accessible yet. Users are advised to install build 29531 or later to stay on the upgrade path, as upgrades from builds older than 29531 are not supported

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2211.0, featuring an on-device AI Paste function powered by Phi Silica, which operates locally without needing cloud services. The update finalizes the transition of the Mouse Jump feature from WinForms to WinUI 3, enabling future multi-device support and improvements to responsiveness and memory retention in the Command Palette. Additional enhancements include improved bug reporting, a new update channel selector, and various reliability fixes across the application. Overall, this release significantly bolsters PowerToys' functionality, transforming Advanced Paste into a local AI assistant for clipboard management

Microsoft Edge is set to fully remove support for Manifest V2 extensions by the end of 2026, aligning with Google Chrome's standards, which will significantly impact the functionality of ad blockers like uBlock Origin. The transition to Manifest V3 involves replacing persistent background pages with service workers, enforcing a limit of 30,000 filter rules, and banning remote code execution, which has raised concerns among privacy advocates about reduced user control and a potential increase in tracking. While Microsoft argues that these changes are aimed at enhancing security and performance, many users are left with limited options, prompting a shift toward alternative browsers like Firefox, Brave, or Vivaldi that still support legacy extensions. As the browser landscape evolves, users must adapt to these changes or face the consequences of losing access to important privacy tools

Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will reach its mainstream end-of-support on January 13, 2027, after which enterprises will need to pay for extended security updates. Unlike consumer editions that lost support in October 2025, the LTSC version follows a Fixed Lifecycle Policy, allowing extended support until approximately January 2032 at a cost that escalates significantly each year. Many organizations face challenges with legacy devices that may not meet the hardware requirements for upgrading to Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC, such as TPM 2.0 and newer processors. IT leaders must assess their current deployments to determine whether they can migrate to supported hardware, purchase Extended Security Update licenses, or replace outdated devices completely

Microsoft has released the fourth preview build of WinGet v1.30, which includes updates to the manifest schema, enhanced security for admin uninstallations, and critical fixes for unattended installs. This build specifically addresses an error that affected automation workflows involving the experimental Resume feature, which allows interrupted downloads to continue, although it remains unstable for production use. The changes also reflect Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to tighten security around per-user package management and improve testing infrastructure ahead of the stable release. Power users can test the preview build via the winget source, while contributors have been actively involved in making various updates and improvements to the codebase

Microsoft has confirmed that the broad rollout of Windows 11's quality updates is scheduled for Fall 2026, following a progress report on its March commitments. The report highlights seven key areas of improvement, including taskbar customization, File Explorer enhancements, and reduced disruptions from Windows Updates, although specific metrics were not provided. Additional initiatives focus on memory optimization for 8GB PCs and improved driver quality for devices like USB-C docks and AirPods. While the report suggests a shift towards addressing user frustrations, details about the Feedback Hub improvements remain unclear