Microsoft has announced the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1495 for users in the Canary Channel, allowing them to preview new features ahead of the broader rollout. This build emphasizes stability and performance improvements, such as a more efficient shutdown process, fixes for dialog truncation issues, and corrections for incorrect restart triggers. Language-related bugs in the Clock app for Australian users and intermittent errors with smart card readers have also been addressed.

Microsoft has unveiled PowerToys version 0.97.1, primarily aimed at enhancing stability and addressing user-reported issues from the prior version, 0.97.0. This update resolves various critical problems, including crashes linked to the Advanced Paste tool and bugs within the Command Palette, Peek, and PowerRename functionalities.

Microsoft has recently rolled out new updates for Windows 11 users in the Release Preview Channel, specifically builds 26100.7701 and 26200.7701. These updates are aimed at enhancing user experience and include several notable features and improvements.

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.7674 (KB5074170) for users in the Dev Channel, signaling the conclusion of the transition from older builds to the Beta Channel. This update introduces several features and improvements that align with those in the current Beta Channel, alongside important fixes like the reinstatement of the "Extract All" option for archives.

Microsoft has launched the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7670 (KB5074169) exclusively for Beta Channel users, which includes a variety of enhancements and fixes aimed at improving user experience. Key improvements in this update address issues with File Explorer, Search functionality, Settings, display anomalies, and sign-in complications with Azure Virtual Desktop.

Microsoft has launched a preview version of the Windows Package Manager, designated as version 1.28.110. This update brings a host of new features designed to improve user experience and streamline package management.

Microsoft has recently issued an out-of-band update for Windows 11 Enterprise LTSC 2024, identified as Hotpatch KB5078167, aimed at resolving significant issues affecting builds 26200.7634 and 26100.7634. This update addresses two primary concerns: difficulties with Remote Desktop connections that previously resulted in login failures, and errors that occurred when accessing cloud storage files following a January update.

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update, KB5078127, for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 to address various issues, particularly those causing application freezes after January updates. This cumulative patch not only includes security fixes from earlier updates but also offers a specific fix aimed at resolving freezing issues encountered when using cloud storage services like OneDrive or Dropbox with Outlook's PST files. Users experiencing unresponsiveness in Outlook, especially following updates on January 13th and 17th, may find relief through this update, which necessitates a device restart.

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update, KB5078132 (OS Build 22631.6495), for Windows 11 version 23H2 to rectify issues caused by a prior security update, KB5073455. Users reported problems with applications freezing and errors arising during interactions with cloud storage services such as OneDrive and Dropbox, particularly affecting Outlook users who store PST files on these platforms. These users experienced significant disruptions, necessitating forceful shutdowns or reboots to regain functionality.

Microsoft has recently released an out-of-band update, KB5078136, for Windows Server 2022. This update builds on OS build 20348.4651 and includes enhancements and fixes from earlier updates, notably the January security release and a previous out-of-band fix. It aims to resolve various quality issues that some users encountered following the installation of previous builds, including difficulties with file systems, applications freezing when using cloud storage services like OneDrive and Dropbox, as well as problems in Outlook where emails failed to save correctly.

Microsoft has recently released an out-of-band update, KB5078129, for Windows 10 ESU (Extended Security Updates) and Enterprise LTSC 2021 users. This update addresses significant issues that arose following a prior Windows update, which caused applications, particularly Outlook, to freeze or crash when accessing cloud folders like OneDrive. Users experienced complications when using PST files stored in these locations, leading to application hangs and even blue screen errors, resulting in the loss of sent items.

Microsoft has announced the release of an out-of-band update for Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019 and Server 2019, labeled KB5078131 (OS Build 17763.8281). This update specifically addresses issues related to cloud storage integrations, particularly with OneDrive, which had been causing applications to freeze and Outlook to stall during startup when saving files to network drives.

Microsoft has released the Windows Terminal Preview version 1.24.10212.0, which includes a range of enhancements and bug fixes aimed at improving user experience. Notable visual updates feature dimming of caption buttons when the terminal window is not in focus, facilitating smoother navigation. The update also resolves input method issues for users utilizing Chinese and Japanese IME systems, allowing for uninterrupted usage.

Windows Terminal has officially released version 1.23.20211.0, which introduces several enhancements and bug fixes aimed at improving user experience. This update features backported support for DECSET 2026 Synchronized Output from the Preview channel, enhancing output synchronization for a smoother experience.

Visual Studio Code has released version 1.108.2, introducing important fixes and enhancements aimed primarily at improving user experience. A significant highlight of this update is enhanced support for Cloud Agents, which now includes a pre-release option for Partner Agent integration. This feature allows early adopters to test new functionalities without impacting the broader user base, encouraging innovation while minimizing disruption.

Microsoft has unveiled version 2.3.331 of the Attack Surface Analyzer (ASA), a tool designed to help users assess the security of their operating system by identifying changes that may occur during software installations. This latest update focuses on enhancing the tool's performance and reliability through several key improvements.

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7653 (KB5074157) for Insiders in the Dev Channel, featuring a range of updates and fixes aimed at improving the user experience. This build showcases a revamped design for certain dialog boxes within the Settings, particularly in the "Accounts > Other Users" section, now using the modern WinUI framework and supporting dark mode, which enhances visual aesthetics and usability for users with domain-joined work or school accounts.

Microsoft has launched the Windows Package Manager (Winget) version 1.28.100 Preview, aimed at users who wish to test forthcoming features and improvements. This update marks a significant shift, as it transitions the versioning from 0.x to 1.x, aligning it more closely with the core package manager.

Microsoft has recently launched Windows Package Manager version 1.12.460, a maintenance release designed to enhance the existing v1.12. This update brings various improvements, including bug fixes and new features. Notably, it introduces support for the MCP server, enabling users to execute the command `winget mcp` to assist in configuring their clients directly within the Winget ecosystem. Additionally, the App Installer has transitioned to using WinUI 3, improving its overall user interface.

Microsoft has officially launched PowerToys version 0.97.0, marking a substantial update that enhances user experience through new features, stability improvements, and optimization tweaks. A key highlight of this release is the revamped Command Palette, which now includes a dedicated Personalization page, allowing users to customize their interface with background images and custom colors to enhance their creative expression.