The Windows 11 version 26H2 (2026 Update) is now available for download as build 10.0.26300, featuring a movable and shinkable taskbar, a resized Start menu, an improved search function, and a faster File Explorer. The direct ISO is recommended for a clean install, as it contains all the new features and is a multi-edition image that unlocks the appropriate version based on your product key. Microsoft warns that installing the update on unsupported hardware will lead to a lack of updates and warranty coverage, so users should ensure their system meets the minimum requirements. Key enhancements include a revamped Start menu, AI capabilities in File Explorer, improved camera functionality, and enterprise-focused security features, while some legacy tools like WMIC have been removed

Xbox has launched its "Disc to Digital" feature for all users, allowing them to convert eligible Xbox One and Series X discs into free digital licenses linked to their accounts. This feature enables access to Xbox Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming while the physical disc continues to function as normal, but users must retain the disc to maintain digital access. Currently, around 1,568 games are supported, although not all Xbox One and Series X titles qualify due to various licensing and technical restrictions. The introduction of this feature has sparked speculation about a potential all-digital future for Xbox, known as Project Helix, as the company navigates challenges in maintaining physical disc production

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2712.0, which features several new additions including an opt-in Quick Access Shelf, the ability to launch the Command Palette from the Copilot key, and a new shortcut for the multi-monitor Dock. The update focuses heavily on enhancing the Command Palette, which is a key feature of the suite, and includes improvements to the icon-rendering pipeline and several smaller fixes. PowerToys has gained popularity among power users, offering a variety of utilities in a single download, and the latest preview builds on recent enhancements with the promise of further updates in the future. Users can install this preview version alongside their stable copy while Microsoft continues to develop more features for the upcoming v0.102

The Azure SDK September 2026 release marked a significant transition of several libraries from preview to stable, particularly in areas such as AI search, storage access signatures, database authentication, and code signing. Notable highlights included the first stable release of the Rust crate for Azure Storage SAS and the introduction of PostgreSQL authentication for both .NET and JavaScript, enhancing security through managed identities and token-based authentication. Management libraries featured prominently, with several resource-management packages achieving stability across various programming languages, reinforcing Microsoft's commitment to providing consistent APIs for infrastructure-as-code and automation. Overall, the September release demonstrated a steady pace of development within the Azure SDK program, emphasizing reliability and maturity in its offerings

Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 26H2, also known as the 2026 Update, which is now available for installation as of September 29, 2026. This update is delivered as a lightweight enablement package, allowing users to activate new features without a full OS reinstall, resulting in a small download and a single restart. Key features include AI integration in Task Manager, enhanced Start menu controls, and improved enterprise security measures such as post-quantum cryptography support. While there are some known issues, Microsoft is gradually rolling out the update and encourages users to enable early updates for a quicker installation

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2684.0, focusing on significant updates to the Command Palette, including a UI language selector, improved "Window Walker" search functionality, and theme-aware parameter boxes. The update also addresses a security issue in the Keyboard Manager regarding "Run program" mappings that unintentionally inherited administrator privileges, along with an installer fix for context-menu updates. This release follows shortly after the previous version, and aims to enhance the overall user experience while preparing for the upcoming stable release of PowerToys 0.102, slated for completion on October 5, 2026. Future updates for version 0.102 are set to include tabbed pages for the Command Palette, TypeScript and JavaScript SDK support, and various improvements to other PowerToys utilities

On September 25, 2026, Microsoft released four new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds focused on accessibility, energy recommendations, and cross-device continuity, skipping the Dev and Future Platforms channels. The Beta Channel Build 26220.9568 introduced features like a Pointer Indicator for low-vision users, a new contrast theme for the Magnifier, and hover previews for the Phone Link companion. The Experimental Channel Build 26340.9577 expanded Narrator's math reading capabilities to six languages and added Energy Recommendations directly in Quick Settings. While these features enhance usability, Microsoft cautions that they are experimental and may change or be removed in future updates

Microsoft has released WSL 2.9.13, a pre-release version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux that enhances its wslc container CLI with Docker-like features. Key updates include the addition of flags for pulling all tags and displaying digests, along with new command options that aim to provide a more familiar experience for Docker users. The release also addresses two significant security issues, including a mitigation for Redirection Trust and a patch for potential memory access vulnerabilities. Developers are encouraged to try the pre-release for its new features and improvements, while production users may want to wait for the stable version

PowerShell 7.7.0 Preview 5 was released on September 23, 2026, introducing a new switch, $PSStyle.AutoSizeDefaultFormatting, aimed at producing compact output for AI agents and narrow terminal windows. This version also improves startup reliability by allowing the per-user configuration file to fail open instead of crashing PowerShell, addressing common issues for cloud-synced users. Additionally, it includes several smaller fixes and improvements, such as enhancing remote credential prompts and streamlining tooling processes. The preview marks the transition to .NET SDK 11.0.100-rc.1, aligning PowerShell with the latest .NET ecosystem standards

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2652.0, which includes fixes to the Command Palette and Window Hopper, as well as stability improvements across the suite. This update, available on GitHub, is part of a rapid release cycle that began in late August and targets both x64 and ARM64 systems. Noteworthy changes include enhancements to the Command Palette's navigation and reliability, and improved functionality of the Window Hopper tool, allowing users to switch between windows more efficiently. The update is a fix-oriented release rather than a feature-rich one, and users are encouraged to verify the SHA-256 hashes before installation

Microsoft released the optional September 2026 preview update, KB5124010, for Windows 11, which introduces new features like Emoji 17, Copilot-key remapping, and fixes for Bluetooth and camera issues. However, it also poses significant risks, particularly for machines with Credential Guard, as it can disrupt the domain trust relationship, preventing users from signing in. Additionally, some USB Audio Class 1.0 devices may encounter Error Code 10 after this update, compounding existing audio issues. While the update offers enhancements, users in domain environments should test it thoroughly before deployment, as these bugs will be addressed in the upcoming October Patch Tuesday build

Microsoft has launched the public preview of Windows Admin Center version 2610, which combines the previous separate installers for Administration Mode (aMode) and Virtualization Mode (vMode) into a single download. This release introduces new capabilities for vMode, including Azure Arc onboarding, backup and restore features, and AD CS certificate management, while also highlighting the removal of the VMware-to-Hyper-V Conversion extension due to issues with Broadcom's VDDK availability. Users can now select which mode to install during setup, streamlining the deployment process, but they are still limited to running only one mode per installation. Additionally, the update includes improvements to Azure registration and bug fixes, indicating a maturation of vMode and its integration into Microsoft's hybrid-cloud solutions

Microsoft has released Windows Package Manager v1.29.380, which reflects a significant jump of 90 build numbers but includes only one merged pull request, focusing on stability rather than new features. The real value of this version lies in the full v1.29 toolkit it carries forward, which includes features such as Source Priority, a --no-progress flag for scripts, and upgrade-aware parameters for AI agents. The single change in this release involves normalizing relative paths to absolute ones for improved security and reliability, while additional fixes enhance supply-chain integrity through better code-signing practices. With the development team already transitioning to v1.30, this servicing release serves primarily as a maintenance update rather than an introduction of new functionalities

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2632.0, focusing on enhancements and bug fixes rather than new features. A notable improvement is the addition of "deep links" in the Command Palette, allowing users to generate and copy commands with added consent prompts and permission controls. The update also includes security measures for Workspaces, warning users before running unverified admin-launched programs, along with various fixes for bugs in Peek and localization issues affecting CJK and Turkish-locale users. Four installer variants are available for download on GitHub, catering to different installation preferences

Microsoft has released four new Insider Preview builds for Windows 11, including a significant Cloud rebuild feature that allows users to restore their PCs without a USB stick, pulling the OS image and drivers directly from Windows Update. Key additions include secure drive sanitization for permanently deleting data before reinstallation, and remote recovery controls for IT admins to trigger rebuilds. Users will also benefit from accessibility improvements, such as a new contrast theme for the Magnifier and updates to the Start menu, which now renames "Recommended" to "Recent." While the builds come with various fixes, users should be aware of potential performance issues and that features may change before their public release

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2601.0, featuring a significant performance improvement for the Grab And Move utility, reducing mouse-hook occupancy during resize from 15.03 ms to as low as 0.42 ms. The update also includes fixes for PowerRename and ZoomIt, alongside enhancements such as automated tests for ZoomIt and a Notepad bug fix. The Grab And Move overhaul addresses performance regressions by optimizing window resizing and repositioning processes. As this is a pre-release, users are advised to back up their data before installation, as it may not yet be stable for everyday work use

The latest preview build of PowerToys, version 0.101.2572.0, introduces the long-requested Auto Hide Cursor feature, which hides the cursor after keyboard input or inactivity and restores it with mouse movement. It also adds support for deploying Keyboard Manager remappings programmatically through Windows Desired State Configuration, allowing IT admins to manage key mappings without needing to restart PowerToys. Additionally, the update includes improvements to the Power Display tool for reordering profiles, as well as various bug fixes for features like Quick Accent and Advanced Paste. This pre-release is intended for testers, with multiple installer options available on GitHub, and is not recommended for stable production use

Microsoft has released WSL 2.9.12, a pre-release version of the Windows Subsystem for Linux that aims to enhance the native wslc container tool by aligning it with Docker's CLI functionalities through new commands. Key improvements include addressing user complaints about file ownership visibility and a networking issue that previously resulted in DNS configurations being lost. This update adds useful features for Docker users and includes four installers, although it is primarily intended for developers wanting to test the latest changes rather than for production use. Overall, the release represents a significant step towards improving container support on Windows while also providing fixes for existing issues

Microsoft has released new Insider Preview builds for Windows 11, enhancing desktop customization options and improving security measures. The Release Preview allows users to position the taskbar on all four screen edges and customize the size of the Start menu, while also introducing features like Memory Integrity and Administrator Protection for enhanced security. Additionally, the builds include updates for AI infrastructure and post-quantum cryptography, although users may encounter issues with certain features in the Experimental branch. Overall, these updates aim to improve user experience and system security, but users are advised to stick with the Release Preview for stability

Microsoft has released Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) 2.7.14, which focuses on security hardening with four critical backported fixes addressing issues such as memory leaks and authorization bypasses. This update allows the WSL team to prioritize stability while continuing active feature development on the master branch. The fixes include zero-initialization for memory safety, improved NUL-termination validation, and enhanced network security by restricting the daemon relay to loopback connections only. Users can apply the patch immediately using a PowerShell command to secure their existing distributions without manual intervention