Microsoft has released Windows Package Manager v1.30.140-preview, which includes the new --ignore-unavailable flag for the winget install command, allowing batch installations to skip missing packages instead of aborting. The update also addresses a crash involving the Resume feature in non-interactive modes, corrects issues with Microsoft Store ID searches, and improves path validation for security. This version is a servicing update focused on stability rather than introducing new features, with eight commits made by six contributors. Users are encouraged to report any issues as this build is still in preview

Microsoft has released Windows 11 Release Preview builds 26100.9539 and 26200.9539, marking the last quality checkpoint before the general availability of Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. A significant change includes the removal of the PC-to-PC migration feature, redirecting users to Windows Backup and OneDrive for data transfer, emphasizing a cloud-first approach. The update also introduces enterprise improvements such as WinRE Wi-Fi reuse for automatic network reconnection and a comprehensive Bluetooth reliability overhaul, addressing audio playback issues. Additional enhancements include Copilot key remapping, support for Emoji 17.0, refinements in File Explorer, and new features for widgets and touchpad settings, all with no known issues reported for the builds

Microsoft recently released two PowerToys Preview builds, with the notable v0.101.2522.0 featuring a full migration of the Text Extractor to WinUI 3 and improvements to the Command Palette. The earlier v0.101.2512.0 build focused on hardening the application, fixing a longstanding keyboard regression in the Command Palette, and expanding the installer process to prevent update failures. The migration to WinUI 3 enhances the Text Extractor's performance, while improvements to the Command Palette ensure quicker responsiveness and better functionality. Additionally, Microsoft has increased its investment in continuous integration testing, resulting in more automated coverage for several features, indicating a commitment to a more stable preview pipeline

Microsoft has released Windows Server vNext Preview Build 29659, featuring major updates such as Trusted Launch for Generation 2 virtual machines, Quick Machine Recovery, and NVMe-over-Fabrics protocols. Insiders must perform a clean installation as upgrades from older builds are not supported, and there is a known issue with the flighting label incorrectly displaying "Windows 11" during setup. The new features aim to address critical pain points for enterprise administrators, although initial implementations require manual processes. Users can download the build from the Microsoft website, but must be registered as Insiders and use specific preview keys that will expire in October 2027

Microsoft has released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2512.0, focusing on maintenance and fixing a long-standing Command Palette focus bug that has troubled users for six months. This update enhances the installer by expanding its process-killer list to 65 targets and introduces automated test suites for the Environment Variables and Crop And Lock modules, addressing historical verification gaps. The Command Palette issue was resolved by adding a LosingFocus event handler, which prevents loss of keyboard focus when users click empty space in the window. Although no new features were introduced in this release, it provides significant stability improvements for users dealing with the Command Palette and installer issues

Microsoft has released WSL 2.9.11, a pre-release update focused on stabilizing the Windows Subsystem for Linux Container (WSLC) runtime, introducing a transactional Restart() operation that allows for atomic container restarts without losing port reservations or bind mounts. The update also addresses two Plan9 mount regressions that caused read-only flag issues and attachment failures due to recent Windows updates. This release follows a series of rapid updates, underscoring Microsoft's commitment to making WSLC a competitive alternative to Docker Desktop for Linux workloads. While the update improves functionality, it remains a pre-release, with the team continuing to enhance the API and CLI features for users

Microsoft has announced the release of .NET 11 Release Candidate 1, which is now available for production use and features C# 15 as the default language version. This version includes significant improvements such as in-process crash reporting for Unix systems, hardware FP16 instructions for enhanced performance, and new mobile app testing capabilities. Additional updates in the SDK facilitate reproducible container publishing and caching for Native AOT single-file programs. Microsoft emphasizes stability over new features for this release, encouraging developers to utilize Visual Studio 2026 Insiders or VS Code for their projects

Microsoft has released five new Insider Preview builds for Windows 11, introducing two new channels for versions 26H2 and 26H1, alongside updates to the 25H2 Beta stream. A key feature is the Cloud rebuild recovery option, allowing users to reinstall the OS directly from the Windows Recovery Environment without needing USB media. Accessibility improvements include per-display magnifier zoom and enhanced Narrator support for math equations in Microsoft 365 apps. However, users should be aware of existing bugs related to mouse cursor customization and Easy Anti-Cheat failures, as well as the temporary pullback of the modernized Print Management feature

Microsoft PowerToys v0.101.2492.0 Preview has been released, featuring significant updates including the migration of the Color Picker to WinUI 3 and the introduction of multi-zone clocks in the Command Palette. The Color Picker now uses Windows App SDK components and includes a new zoom magnifier, while the Command Palette allows users to pin multiple clocks with independent time zones. Additionally, the Awake tool now respects the Windows lock state, allowing displays to turn off when the workstation is secured, and the PowerDisplay CLI gains a new JSON output option for improved scripting. Other enhancements include fixes for the Keyboard Manager and the addition of a new AI integration plugin for PowerToys Run

Microsoft has launched the August 2026 Azure SDK, which includes the general availability of Azure AI Discovery and introduces 27 new stable management libraries for Go and JavaScript, alongside eleven new Azure.Provisioning betas in .NET. The new Provisioning packages aim to unify infrastructure-as-code with typed C# APIs, challenging existing solutions like Terraform and Pulumi. The release also enhances the Rust Cosmos DB SDK with significant updates, including change feed pull support and a preview for distributed transactions. Additionally, storage previews have advanced to support Apache Arrow for blob listings and improved integrity checks, indicating a strong focus on enhancing developer experience across multiple programming languages

Microsoft has released PowerToys v0.101.2453.0 preview, featuring updates such as real-time search, modifier filtering, and bulk deletion for the Keyboard Manager, along with a virtualized grid view for Command Palette. The update also optimizes performance in Peek, reducing memory usage significantly while providing live folder counts, and fixes a bug in ZoomIt related to silent audio during recordings. This release addresses a long-standing community request and enhances usability across several utilities, including improved navigation and user experience. Users can download the preview from the official GitHub releases page, with installers available for various architectures

Microsoft's Xbox Disc-to-Digital program, launched for Insiders on August 31, allows users to convert eligible Xbox One and Series X discs into digital licenses without retaining the physical copy. So far, the XCT.Live database has documented 1,832 tests, revealing that 946 titles convert successfully while 288 fail, highlighting inconsistent publisher support across various games. Success rates are influenced by specific edition versions, as evidenced by titles like Hogwarts Legacy, and Microsoft emphasizes that digital licenses are tied to physical ownership, meaning selling the disc results in losing the digital license. The ongoing program is a response to the shift toward digital ownership in gaming, although uneven publisher participation and edition-specific issues indicate that it is still an early-stage rollout rather than a completed product

Microsoft PowerToys Preview v0.101.2432.0 introduces several new features, including read-only SQLite database previews in Peek, tap-versus-hold key remaps in Keyboard Manager, and enhanced Adaptive Card support in the Command Palette. The update also brings display-independent pixels to Screen Ruler, Mouse Pointer Crosshairs in Quick Access, and improvements to the project's CI and testing pipelines. Notably, a significant portion of the Keyboard Manager's updates was co-authored with AI, marking a pioneering integration of AI assistance in the open-source utility. Looking ahead, the team is transitioning to v0.102, which will incorporate WinUI 3 and additional enhancements to the Command Palette

Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 26H2 (build 26300.9278) to the Release Preview Channel as an enablement package, sharing the same codebase as versions 24H2 and 25H2. This update restores the ability to move the taskbar and introduces a compact small icon mode, while also reducing the integration of Copilot in the system UI based on user feedback. The release ensures that users of 24H2 can continue receiving updates before its end of service on October 13, 2026, with public ISOs available for download and deployment options for commercial environments. Overall, version 26H2 serves primarily as a refinement of existing features rather than a major overhaul, with the focus on enhancing user experience and system performance

PowerShell 7.7.0 Preview 4 introduces significant updates, including the New-TemporaryDirectory cmdlet, enabling safe directory creation in constrained language modes without requiring direct .NET type access. This version builds on the .NET 11.0 SDK preview, marking a substantial upgrade from the previous 7.6.x line. A critical security enhancement aligns PowerShell with the Windows Lockdown Policy, preventing interactive sessions unless specific script execution commands are used. Additionally, the preview offers support for Ubuntu 26.04 and includes various engine refinements and security patches for older versions, indicating a focus on stabilization leading up to the final release

On August 31, 2026, Microsoft released new Insider Preview builds for Windows 11, specifically Builds 28020.2818 for the Beta channel and 28120.2824 for the Experimental channel, as part of version 26H1. A significant enhancement is the upgrade to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), which now allows the automatic use of saved Wi-Fi profiles during cloud rebuilds, eliminating the need for IT admins to manually enter credentials. Additionally, the update includes support for Emoji 17.0, a refreshed Magnifier toolbar, and improvements to File Explorer Home, although the modernized Print Management tool has been temporarily removed for further refinement. The 26H1 track is specifically designed to support upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 processors, distinguishing it from previous versions

Microsoft has announced Project Helix, its next Xbox, which will feature a "family of devices" including high-end consoles, budget variants, and OEM-built machines from partners like Asus and MSI. The system will utilize a custom AMD "Magnus" SoC with Zen 6 CPU cores and RDNA 5 GPU, aiming for 4K resolution at 120 FPS and a significant performance boost over current models, although its pricing could range from $800 to over $1,200 due to rising component costs. To address concerns about physical media, Microsoft will offer a disc-to-digital conversion program for Game Pass Insiders as the company shifts towards a more digital-focused strategy. Developer kits are expected to be available in 2027, giving studios time to optimize for the new hardware as competition with Sony's PS6 intensifies

Microsoft has released the August 2026 Update (KB5120998) for Windows 11, introducing significant features such as native taskbar repositioning on all four screen edges and an overhaul of the Start menu. The update also enhances Windows Search with clearer source labels and auto-indexing, while incorporating new AI capabilities like Microsoft Execution Containers and process tagging. Additionally, enterprise users will benefit from rolling just-in-time admin privileges, and support for the 24H2 Home and Pro editions will end on October 13, 2026, marking the removal of the legacy WMIC utility. The update is available through various channels, prompting users to consider upgrading to version 25H2 before the end of support deadline

Microsoft released PowerToys Preview v0.101.2373.0 on August 26, 2026, shortly after the stable v0.101 build, indicating a return to active development. This preview adds command-line shims for utilities like FancyZones and Image Resizer, enabling scriptable automation and system administration tasks. The update also includes improvements such as enhanced installer reliability and better Keyboard Manager performance across restarts. Looking ahead, the v0.102 roadmap aims for continued modernization, tabbed navigation for Command Palette, and support for JavaScript and TypeScript extensions

Microsoft PowerToys v0.101 has been released in stable form following a rapid eight-day preview period, introducing several significant features such as Window Hopper for app-specific window switching and on-device AI integration in Advanced Paste. This version also includes an opt-in compact mode for the Command Palette, formalizes a Stable and Insider channel update split, and enhances various modules with improvements. Notably, Quick Accent and Mouse Jump have transitioned to the WinUI 3 framework, while other utilities like ZoomIt and PowerDisplay have received functional upgrades. The release reflects Microsoft's commitment to integrating local AI capabilities and improving user experience, while also indicating a potential future development of a native OS-level per-app switcher