News

Microsoft says one bad driver can crash all of Windows, and Intel’s Windows 11 26H2-ready GPU drivers are next to get the fix. The issue affects Windows PCs that rely on Intel graphics drivers. Microsoft is also updating its driver quality checks, so users should keep Windows Update and Intel’s driver updates installed when they become available.

Microsoft 365 shared plans are about to get less OneDrive storage. The change affects family members on shared Microsoft 365 subscriptions, so if you use that cloud space for files, you may need to review what is stored and how much space you have left.

Microsoft is expanding Copilot on Windows PCs so it can act on local files, organize them, make changes and run certain tasks using on-device AI models. The change affects Copilot+ PC users and is due in the coming months. If you use a Copilot+ PC, expect Copilot to have more control over files on your device. Microsoft says the aim is to combine local and cloud AI processing.

Microsoft is adding remote PC connections to the Windows App on Windows. People who use the app for Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, or Microsoft Dev Box, and also need direct access to traditional Windows PCs, can now use one app instead of separate remote access tools.

Windows 11 Search is getting quick actions for common PC controls. The taskbar search area will let users access inline controls for Bluetooth, muting, and window layouts. This affects Windows 11 users who want faster access to these settings. If the change reaches your PC, you should be able to use Search as a shortcut for these actions instead of opening separate menus.

Google says counterfeit TLS certificates for major services were stolen by hackers after three country-code top-level domains were hijacked. The issue could affect access to several leading global brands on Windows PCs and other devices. Google has not said more in the summary about a fix or any action readers should take.

Microsoft has opened pre-orders for the Surface Laptop Ultra and Surface RTX Spark Dev Box. The new hardware is aimed at developers, AI engineers, and technical professionals who want to run AI and development workloads on local Windows PCs.

A TeamGroup 4TB NVMe SSD is being sold for $399.99, making it the cheapest 4TB drive in this Prime Day roundup. The deal is for Windows PC users who want more storage, and the summary says it is a PCIe 4.0 drive. If you are looking to upgrade an SSD, this is the option highlighted here.

Windows still asks about a floppy-era setting when you format a drive. The story says this old Windows NT option has persisted for 30 years, so people formatting drives on Windows may still see it and should know it is a legacy setting rather than a new problem.

Microsoft has paused the Copilot entry on the Windows 11 taskbar. The change affects people who use the Search box, which had been turned into an Ask Copilot shortcut. Microsoft says it is doing this to incorporate feedback. Windows 11 users who saw the Copilot button in Search should no longer see it while the company works on the change.

Windows 11’s October update adds several new features, including changes to maximized apps, File Explorer, WinRE Wi‑Fi, and Copilot key options. It affects Windows 11 users installing the update, and it may change how some built-in tools work.

Microsoft’s Windows App can now connect directly to remote PCs, closing a major gap left by the move away from Remote Desktop. The change affects Windows users who rely on remote access, especially people connecting to work PCs or home machines. If you use the app, you can now try the direct connection feature instead of relying on the older Remote Desktop path.

Microsoft is ending support and updates for Office 2021 on October 13. People still using Office 2021 on Windows PCs will need to plan an alternative, since the software will no longer get updates after support ends. The summary says there are five options to consider.

Google Chrome 155 patches 247 security flaws, including four rated Critical. Windows PC users should update Chrome as soon as possible, since the fixes cover issues in Chromecast, Browser, Navigation, Track, V8, WebRTC, PDF, WebGL, Media, and ANGLE.

Microsoft has explained what is actually new in Windows 11 26H2 and how to check it. The update mostly turns on features your PC may already have received through monthly updates, and it also changes some defaults on work PCs. If you want to verify the update, check build 26300 in Settings or with winver.

ASOS customers are receiving a threatening push alert through the shopping app that suggests the service has been hacked. The report affects ASOS app users, but the summary does not say what action readers should take yet.

Windows’ built-in ransomware shield switch is off by default, and the candidate story says it can stop apps from saving files. The issue affects Windows PC users who rely on this protection, especially if they expect it to be on already. If you want the shield enabled, check the Windows security setting and turn it on manually.

Some old printers may stop working on Windows 11 because Protected Print Mode blocks third-party drivers unless users or admins opt out. Windows 11 users with affected printers may need to change that setting or use the workaround to keep printing.

A Microsoft database was exposed after a teenager changed one login field to "admin." The story says an estimated 17.3 trillion Microsoft rows became accessible. Anyone using services tied to that database should watch for security notices and follow any guidance from Microsoft if it is issued.

Microsoft is holding a special Windows and Surface event on October 7. The keynote could bring something meaningful for Windows and Surface users, although the summary does not say exactly what will be announced. If you follow Windows hardware and features, this is the event to watch.

Google is moving Gemini's advanced models behind a paywall, which affects free accounts. Free users will be limited to Flash Lite, while Pro features are moving to subscription plans. If you use Gemini on a free account, expect the change to take effect there and check whether you need to upgrade to keep the features you use.

A tiny keyboard key is getting a practical new role in Windows 11. The change is meant to shorten deep folder journeys and speed up troubleshooting for Windows PC users who work with files and system tools. If you use Windows 11, you can expect this shortcut to make navigation faster when the feature arrives.

Windows 11 26H2 has quietly shipped with a performance boost. Microsoft rolled up months of performance work into the update, including a Low Latency Profile for app launches. The change affects Windows 11 users on 26H2, and the summary says apps such as WhatsApp, Teams, Outlook and 4K YouTube stayed under 90% RAM use in testing. No action is mentioned, but the update is the one to watch if you want better responsiveness.

Windows 11’s File Explorer is getting a new shortcut that sends the squiggly ~ key straight to the user folder. The update will let people open folders like their user profile, Documents, Downloads, and sometimes AppData more quickly. This affects Windows 11 users who work with file paths in File Explorer. If you use AppData often, the change should make it easier to reach without typing the full path.

Google Wallet tap-to-pay is not working for some Pixel users. Google has not provided a fix yet, but the summary says there are a few things that have helped other users. If you are affected, try the suggested workarounds in the article.

Windows 11 has broken a long-standing Shift+click scrollbar shortcut in WinUI apps, including Notepad. The issue affects users of Windows 11 and apps built on WinUI, while Electron, Win32 and WPF still support the shortcut. A GitHub bug is open, and Microsoft is still patching missing WinUI basics.

Turning off 802.11b on a router can make smart devices feel snappier. The change affects homes where older Wi‑Fi support is still enabled on the ISP router, and the post says the setting is still switched on in plenty of routers.

Microsoft says Windows 11 26H2 is crashing some games and apps. The issue affects some PCs running the update, and Microsoft says it will fix the problem in the next update.

Microsoft says Windows 11 will use less RAM as it responds to rising memory costs. The change affects Windows 11 users, especially on PCs with 8GB of RAM, and Microsoft has made 8GB PC optimization official. Microsoft also explained why Windows 11 uses so much memory and said it is working on fixes.

A Valorant player says they inherited a hardware ban through a secondhand CPU, while Riot’s anticheat boss disputes part of the story. The issue matters to Windows PC gamers who buy used parts, because hardware bans can affect access to the game. If you use secondhand components, check the full history of the PC before you set it up.