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

The May 2026 release of Microsoft's Azure SDK introduces a stable Rust client stack and enhances Azure AI Search with new agentic retrieval capabilities. This update also includes a preview for hosting custom AI agents on Azure, alongside a stable Azure Batch library for .NET developers. Additionally, several resource management libraries across .NET, JavaScript, Python, and Go have been released, while a variety of beta releases focus on PostgreSQL authentication and resource provisioning. Developers can access these packages immediately on the official SDK releases page, with the Azure SDK team providing monthly updates

The Windows 11 Experimental Preview Build 29613 has introduced significant improvements to the audio settings, now featuring live volume meters and direct device switching within the Settings menu. This update enhances user experience by allowing easier management of input and output devices, as well as hiding disconnected hardware to reduce clutter. Microsoft's focus on refining core system panels rather than just adding flashy features indicates a commitment to improving usability for technicians and everyday users alike. Additionally, the rebranding of the Canary stream to Experimental aims to streamline feedback and maintain effective testing workflows, emphasizing minor UI enhancements over groundbreaking changes

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Experimental Build 28120 to fix caption rendering delays and HD Audio driver instability. The update improves responsiveness when adjusting subtitle settings and enhances audio stability during device switching or sleep cycles. These updates focus on resolving everyday issues rather than introducing new features, highlighting the importance of incremental fixes for usability. Insiders are encouraged to thoroughly test their audio and caption settings and report any remaining issues to Microsoft

Windows 11 Experimental Preview Build 26300.8697 introduces several important fixes aimed at improving user experience, including resolving interface bugs and enhancing stability. Key updates include a more reliable Start menu that tracks installed apps without requiring a restart, and adjustments to the taskbar that prevent icons from being cut off. The build also addresses critical hypervisor errors that previously caused blue screens during heavy workloads, ensuring smoother operation for virtual machines and gaming applications. Overall, these patches enhance the usability of early builds, making them more suitable for daily tasks without adding unnecessary bloat

The latest Windows 11 Insider Beta 26H1 build focuses on enhancing the reliability of the built-in HD Audio driver without introducing any additional features or background services. This update addresses common audio drop issues that often occur after routine updates, eliminating the need for users to resort to registry tweaks or third-party solutions. The patch aims to stabilize audio connections, ensuring that users do not experience frustrating sound interruptions during regular maintenance. Overall, this straightforward update is designed to improve user experience by preventing audio-related headaches without complicating the system further

Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.8690 addresses significant stability issues, specifically hypervisor crashes that previously resulted in blue screens during restarts or gaming sessions. The update enhances the Start menu by allowing instant refreshes of installed applications without requiring a sign-out or system reboot, improving user experience. Additionally, changes made in the Settings under Apps > Startup are now applied immediately, eliminating persistent phantom entries. Users working with virtual machines or testing new software are encouraged to install this update to improve their workflow stability before future builds are released

TypeScript 7.0 has reached its release candidate stage, featuring a complete rewrite of the compiler in Go to enhance parallel processing and significantly reduce compile times. Developers can install the preview build via npm while maintaining version 6.0 using a compatibility package to avoid conflicts. This update introduces new compiler flags for managing worker threads, replaces the old watch mode with a more efficient file watcher, and implements stricter defaults that require projects to adjust their tsconfig.json files to prevent build failures. The new version promises faster builds, particularly for large codebases, while also enforcing changes in configuration that developers must address to smoothly transition to the new release

The Windows 11 Insider Experimental Build 29610.1000 addresses several reliability issues encountered by Canary testers, including the KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE crash and false Windows Defender alerts. This update also removes a duplicate energy saver toggle from Quick Settings, streamlining user navigation. Additionally, it improves performance for browsing large drives in the Settings app, reducing delays and enhancing responsiveness. As Microsoft reorganizes the Windows Insider Program labels, testers are encouraged to stay updated and report any remaining issues before the next experimental release

The Windows 11 Insider Experimental Build 28120.2302 addresses UI lag issues in the Start menu, Search, and Action Center, resulting in faster app launches. This update includes minor bug fixes and performance tweaks that aim to provide a smoother user experience, although it is still considered too raw for casual users. Testers should back up their systems before installation, as early builds often cause conflicts with third-party overlays and audio drivers. While the build is designed for experimental testing, everyday users are advised to wait for more stable releases in the Beta or Release Preview channels

Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 28020 introduces a new screen tint feature designed to reduce daytime eye strain by applying a customizable color wash to the display. This tool, located under the Accessibility settings, includes six presets and a strength slider, allowing users to adjust the intensity of the tint while maintaining color accuracy. The feature automatically disables older color filters to avoid display conflicts but can be used alongside the night light function. Although the build does not include significant new features, it addresses user needs and offers improvements, making it worth checking out, especially for those who spend long hours in front of screens

Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26300.8687 introduces several improvements aimed at reducing update fatigue by aligning driver, firmware, and .NET patches with monthly quality updates, requiring only one restart each month. File Explorer now supports middle click functionality for opening folders in new tabs, and search has been enhanced to better tolerate typos, improving user experience. The update also addresses cursor drift issues on portrait monitors, replaces Tenor with GIPHY in the emoji panel, and improves taskbar reliability. Testers are advised to use this build on spare machines due to potential localization issues and the experimental nature of some features

The Windows 11 Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.8680 update introduces several enhancements aimed at improving user experience and accessibility, including quieter notifications and refined File Explorer functionality. It disables aggressive notification prompts and adjusts Widgets behavior, allowing users to engage more calmly with their desktop environment. Additionally, the update features a new screen tint overlay to reduce eye strain and upgraded magnifier controls for precise scaling. File Explorer also sees fixes for path handling and performance issues, making it more efficient for users working with large ISO files and improving overall system management

PowerToys 0.100 introduces a complete overhaul of the Shortcut Guide, which now auto-detects active applications and presents relevant shortcuts in a streamlined interface. The update enhances the Command Palette with a built-in extension gallery and supports independent dock configurations for multiple monitors, improving workflow management. Additionally, PowerDisplay sees improved reliability with a new Max Compatibility Mode, faster startup times, and better monitor detection, while ZoomIt receives practical recording upgrades. The migration to .NET 10 reduces the installer size by 15% and significantly enhances the auto-update process, ensuring settings are preserved and configurations remain intact during updates