Windows Package Manager v1.30.70-preview was released on July 22, 2026, primarily as a maintenance update to address critical regressions without adding new features. This version fixes a significant crash related to the --disable-interactivity feature and a configuration elevation bug affecting Desired State Configuration (DSC) operations, both of which were impacting automated deployment pipelines. The release includes 15 merged pull requests focusing on infrastructure improvements, including security updates and enhancements to the testing framework. Although it's a small update, it is essential for users relying on automation scripts, ensuring stability and reliability in their workflows

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28120.2546 for the Experimental 26H1 channel, featuring significant accessibility improvements, including instant plug-and-play HID braille display support for Narrator. The update also introduces new language packs for Voice Access, adding support for European Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Korean, while enhancing enterprise security by allowing auto-disconnection of Azure Virtual Desktop sessions when a smart card is removed. Additionally, there are minor UI tweaks, such as gamepad navigation for the Bluetooth quick settings and fixes for a crashing Graphics settings page. This experimental build is not recommended for daily use due to its instability, but it is available immediately for those enrolled in the Experimental track

On July 20, 2026, Microsoft released five new Insider Preview builds for Windows 11, featuring a redesigned Start menu, improved accessibility with HID braille display support, and Voice Isolation for Voice Access. The updates also introduce a calendar-based update pause, allowing users to block installations for up to 35 days, and enhancements for Bluetooth reliability and widget functionality. Additionally, a graphics kernel policy change enables PCs with over 32 GB of RAM to run larger local AI models, enhancing performance for power users. Overall, Microsoft is focusing on accessibility, performance improvements, and user feedback while maintaining a steady pace of updates rather than introducing radical changes

Microsoft has released the first preview build for Windows Package Manager v1.30 (1.30.50-preview), focusing on stabilization and critical bug fixes rather than introducing new features. The update addresses a high-severity crash issue affecting CI/CD workflows when using the --disable-interactivity option in conjunction with the experimental Resume feature. While the release includes additional validation corrections and compatibility tweaks, it is primarily intended for automation testers and preview channel users, with standard users advised to remain on the stable version 1.29.280. Future previews will gradually introduce new capabilities as the stabilization phase concludes, and interested users can manually access the preview build via the GitHub releases page

Microsoft has released updates for Windows Terminal, specifically versions 1.24.11911.0 and Preview 1.25.1912.0, to address critical issues while delaying the upcoming version 1.26. The updates include fixes for a tab-dragging crash, an NVIDIA driver deadlock, and memory corruption in the DRCS font subsystem, along with previous improvements like Kitty Keyboard Protocol support. Users can update through the Microsoft Store, WinGet, or GitHub releases to access these fixes. The release of version 1.26 has been postponed, with no estimated arrival time provided

Microsoft has released .NET 11 Preview 6 and servicing updates for .NET 8, .NET 9, and .NET 10, addressing 17 critical vulnerabilities and marking the approach of the November 10 end-of-support deadline for the older platforms. Developers using .NET 8 or 9 have about four months to apply patches and migrate to ensure ongoing security updates, as these versions will no longer receive support after the deadline. The latest updates include significant features such as C# unions, CoreCLR for MAUI, and important improvements to the JIT compiler, making .NET 10 the recommended Long-Term Support (LTS) version through November 2028. Microsoft emphasizes the urgency for developers to transition from older versions to .NET 10 before the end-of-support date, with tools like GitHub Copilot available to assist in the migration process

Microsoft has released the Windows Server vNext Preview Build 29621, featuring enhancements like Trusted Launch for virtual machines, NVMe-over-Fabrics storage support, and automatic boot failure remediation through Quick Machine Recovery. Users are required to perform a clean installation from the baseline build 29531 and should address a critical TLS race condition before deploying in lab environments. The preview will remain active until September 15, 2026, allowing users to provide feedback via the Windows Feedback Hub. Additionally, the update introduces ReFS boot capabilities while highlighting that older preview builds are unsupported and emphasizing the need for careful configuration

Microsoft has redesigned the Windows 11 Search Box for Windows Insiders, addressing user frustrations by removing promotional content and adding a privacy toggle to disable web and store suggestions, focusing instead on local results. The updated interface improves usability with enhanced typo tolerance, support for two-character file searches, and better ranking of system settings and cloud files. This redesign aims to create a cleaner, more relevant search experience, aligning it more closely with local-first search tools. Although the update will roll out gradually, it indicates a significant shift towards making the search box a functional system utility rather than a platform for promotions

Microsoft is set to retire nearly 70 products and services throughout 2026, emphasizing a major shift towards cloud services like Microsoft 365 and Azure, while legacy systems face strict end-of-support deadlines. The retirement includes significant products such as Windows 11 24H2 and Office 2021, with support cutoffs scheduled for March, April, July, October, and November. Enterprises are encouraged to migrate their systems before support ends, particularly with July 14 and October 13 marking critical deadlines for various services. As Microsoft consolidates its offerings, the cost of migration and the urgency for upgrading to newer platforms becomes increasingly relevant for IT teams managing aging infrastructure

Microsoft has released TypeScript 7.0, a complete rewrite of the compiler in Go, which offers a significant performance improvement with build times up to 10 times faster than the previous version. The new architecture supports true multi-threaded compilation and enforces stricter defaults, such as requiring the strict flag and esnext module resolution for all projects. While developers can maintain compatibility with TypeScript 6.0 through a new compatibility package, the update also removes several deprecated features and introduces breaking changes, particularly in template literal inference and JavaScript analysis. The TypeScript Native Preview extension is available for VS Code users to take advantage of the performance gains, and TypeScript 7.1 is already in development, promising a stable programmatic API in the future

On July 6, 2026, Microsoft released four new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds, which include significant features such as Cloud rebuild, allowing OS reinstallation without USB media. The updates also introduce taskbar positioning and sizing options, enabling users to customize their screen space more effectively. Additionally, K-12 users can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro Education for free, promoting accessibility in educational environments. Other improvements include a refreshed Account Control flyout, fixes for Outlook, and enhanced support for voice access in multiple languages

Microsoft is eliminating approximately 4,800 positions globally, with the Xbox gaming division absorbing roughly two-thirds of the reductions. The restructuring includes the permanent closure of five first-party studios, ranging from Ninja Theory to Arkane Lyon, as leadership pivots massive spending toward AI infrastructure and a consolidated franchise strategy.

Microsoft released the Azure SDK for June 2026, marking a significant milestone with Rust reaching version 1.0.0, which stabilizes seven core crates and includes production-grade observability features. Python developers benefit from the first stable AI Transcription client and the Planetary Computer Pro, which introduces richer response models but also a breaking change in its API. The Azure Functions MCP extension now includes a complete set of native primitives with Entra ID authentication, while the Azure Developer CLI saw multiple updates that enhance its functionality and support for Go Functions. Additionally, infrastructure performance has improved with direct Blob-to-GPU streaming, resulting in significantly reduced model load times, and critical security updates were made to the Java Cosmos DB client ahead of the Node.js 20.x end-of-support date

Microsoft has announced that .NET 8 and .NET 9 will reach their end of support on November 10, 2026, meaning no more security patches or technical assistance will be provided after this date. Developers are encouraged to upgrade to .NET 10, which will be supported until November 2028, with the transition process beginning soon with updates to Visual Studio 2022. While existing applications will continue to run post-deadline, developers will need to handle their own security updates and will lose access to technical support. Transitioning to .NET 10 requires careful planning and testing, especially for organizations using third-party applications, as changes in the framework may affect performance and functionality

Microsoft has released five new preview builds of Windows 11 for Insiders, featuring a new taskbar size setting, GIPHY integration for the emoji panel, and expanded smart card policies for enhanced enterprise security. The updates aim to unify driver and firmware updates with monthly patches to minimize user reboots, while also introducing significant accessibility enhancements such as a customizable screen tint and improved Magnifier controls. Insiders can test these features across Beta and Experimental channels, with caution advised due to the nature of preview software. The builds are rolling out gradually, allowing users to experience the latest features before the official release

Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.100.2, addressing a memory leak affecting the Command Palette and Performance Monitor dock. The update stabilizes network tracking by reusing existing list items instead of generating new ones during metric updates, improving overall performance. PowerToys, a free and open-source utility suite with over 30 tools, continues to serve as a valuable companion for Windows users. The update can be accessed directly from GitHub, and users are encouraged to report any further issues

Windows Package Manager version 1.29.280 introduces an experimental source prioritization system that allows users to rank repositories and minimize disambiguation prompts. The update includes significant automation enhancements, such as a new --no-progress flag for cleaner CI/CD pipelines, the ability to preserve custom installer arguments during export and import, and a fully sortable list output. Microsoft has also improved the default installer selection process, prioritizing MSIX and MSI formats, while addressing various edge-case crashes and PowerShell GitHub API rate-limit issues. Although this release is a candidate version and users are encouraged to test it, it promises practical updates for managing mixed deployment environments and improving overall usability

Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.100.1, a stability patch addressing several bugs from the previous version, v0.100.0. This update resolves issues such as Color Picker window trapping, Keyboard Manager key remapping errors, and Quick Access XAML crashes, while also improving monitor wake behavior on dual-GPU laptops and correcting number-key rendering in Shortcut Guide. Power users can download the update from GitHub, which includes separate installers for x64 and ARM64 systems, available for both per-user and machine-wide installations. While this release does not introduce new features, it focuses on enhancing stability and performance, reflecting the project's commitment to quick fixes based on community feedback

Microsoft has released the KB5095091 Preview for Windows 11 version 26H1, which includes significant enhancements such as NPU monitoring, point-in-time restore, and a GIPHY switch. This production-quality update aims to provide stable code for daily use and is being rolled out gradually to select devices. Key features include the ability to monitor neural engine usage in Task Manager, a new recovery feature to roll back to recent restore points, and improvements to Windows Hello sign-in methods. Additionally, the update introduces a GIPHY-powered emoji panel, faster search capabilities, and various fixes for system reliability and performance

Microsoft's June 2026 cumulative update for Windows 11, KB5095093, introduces several enhancements, including a point-in-time restore feature and calendar-based update pause options for up to 35 days. The update improves Widgets, File Explorer, and accessibility tools, while also enhancing Bluetooth functionality and the emoji panel, which now relies on GIPHY for GIFs following the discontinuation of Google’s Tenor API. Additional improvements include a more efficient audio mixer for Bluetooth, support for multiple languages in voice dictation, and fixes for explorer.exe stability issues. The update is rolling out in phases for users of Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, and users are encouraged to install it before June 30 to avoid GIF service interruptions