News

Microsoft’s October Patch Tuesday includes 1,408 CVEs and one already exploited Windows flaw. The exploited issue is a Windows Shell bug that can bypass Mark of the Web, and Microsoft says customers need to take action. The release also includes fixes for critical issues and a SharePoint Server flaw that was attacked before the update.

Some Windows PCs may wake from sleep because of third-party apps or Windows itself. If your PC is turning on when you did not expect it to, this could be the reason. The report does not give a fix, but it does point to possible causes to check on affected Windows PCs.

Global timekeeping is changing as the leap second is being scrapped. The change is meant to avoid infrastructure failures, and it matters to Windows users because timing issues can affect connected systems and services. No action is mentioned in the summary.

Memtest86+ 9.0 now supports ARM64 devices, including Snapdragon X laptops and Raspberry Pi boards. The update also adds new RowHammer and memory bus stress tests, plus USB reports. Windows PC users who want to check for bad RAM or memory-related instability can use the updated tool to test affected systems.

Microsoft is testing a new Settings app for Windows 11 in the Microsoft Store, and it could help speed up fixes for Settings and the move away from Control Panel. The preview build includes helper tools for tasks like renaming a PC and is currently aimed at Insider PCs. If you are not on the Insider program, there is nothing to do yet.

Microsoft may be turning Windows 11 Settings into a Microsoft Store app as part of Project Odeon. The change could speed up the long move away from Control Panel, which affects Windows 11 users who manage system settings there.

Microsoft is not patching some older Windows Server versions, and a small security firm is stepping in with new fixes for a dangerous security vulnerability. The 0patch service says the updates are for several dead Windows Server editions, which still remain exposed if they are not covered by Microsoft support. Users running those older servers should apply the available 0patch updates now.

Windows users should stop disabling SSD defragmentation just to “protect” their drive. The old advice from the Windows 7 era no longer applies, and the summary says SSDs have been paying for it ever since. If you have been turning off defrag on your SSD, you can leave Windows’ built-in maintenance alone.

Microsoft has announced the Xbox Nano controller, a smaller and cheaper controller for Xbox players. It is designed for people who want something portable, including younger players, people with smaller hands, or anyone who wants to play on the go. The controller is meant for Windows and Xbox users who want a compact option. Readers who want one can look for Microsoft’s new controller announcement and pricing.

One Windows setting helped spot a fake PDF before it was opened. The story says a malware file used a PDF icon, which could trick Windows users into double-clicking it. If you use a Windows PC, check the file details before opening anything that looks like a document but may not be one.

Microsoft says it has dismantled a criminal marketplace behind 1 billion malicious messages. The action affects people targeted by phishing campaigns, including Windows and Microsoft account users, because the network sold ready-made phishing kits that were used to steal data. Microsoft worked with international authorities and other tech and cybersecurity companies to take down Yam Store. Users should stay alert for phishing emails and avoid entering account details through suspicious links.

Microsoft says it helped dismantle a scam message network with Japan’s National Police Agency. The operation targeted a marketplace used by scammers to send phishing texts around the world, which may mean fewer fake parking ticket and package delivery messages for Windows users and other people. There is no action needed from readers.

Python 3.15 now delivers a native-by-default experience on Windows on Arm. Microsoft says the wider ecosystem has matured, with more package maintainers publishing native Arm64 wheels, which should make Python development on Windows on Arm easier for users and developers.

Microsoft is killing off Publisher, and LibreOffice now offers free support for PUB files. Windows users who still have Publisher documents can use LibreOffice to open them without converting the files. If you rely on PUB files, this gives you another way to keep working with them after Publisher is gone.

Windows 11 26H2 is reducing memory usage, which may give some laptops nearly 2GB of RAM back. The change may not help low-RAM PCs as much as expected. If you use a Windows 11 laptop, there is nothing to do yet other than watch for how the update affects performance on your device.

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 October 2026 Update for 24H2 Home and Pro. It bundles KB5124010 and adds Open apps maximized, new touchpad gestures, a Tips widget, plus fixes for File History and domain trust. People on Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro can install it now if they want the new features and fixes. The post also says it covers the Secure Boot deadline and how to move to 26H2.

Microsoft appears to be testing an AI tool for Edge that can diagnose browser problems and recommend fixes. If it rolls out, Edge users who run into browser issues could get guided troubleshooting instead of having to work through problems manually.

Windows 11 KB5127648 is rolling out now for Windows 11 26H2. Microsoft says it is the first cumulative update for that release and it brings Bluetooth improvements and Emoji 17.0 support, along with other changes. It is available through Windows Update, and Microsoft has also posted direct download links for the offline installer.

Google Drive has removed Photos backups, which affects people who used it to back up PC folders. The summary says Google Photos can still back up folders from Chrome, so users who need that feature should check the Chrome option now.

Microsoft Publisher has been retired and is already stopping working on some PCs. People who still use Publisher or open .pub files in Microsoft 365 for Windows are affected, and those files will no longer open there. If you still rely on Publisher, check your PC now and move your files to another format or app.

Windows 11's Dev Drive can be used for more than development, and one writer moved a game library onto it. The post says this was done to cut long load times, so Windows 11 users who want faster game loading may want to consider the same setup.

Windows 11 has a hidden performance power plan that some users can unlock. The story says it may offer only limited upside and should not be enabled on every PC, so readers who want to try it should be cautious and use it only if they understand the tradeoff.

Microsoft is rolling out a new in-house AI chip for its cloud products and services. The Maia 300 is designed to improve the cost and efficiency of running AI workloads and to handle newer reasoning models and agentic tasks. This matters for Windows users who rely on Microsoft 365, Edge, Xbox, OneDrive, or other Microsoft services that depend on Microsoft’s cloud. The change is behind the scenes, so there is nothing users need to do now.

A new NvidiaWatch tracker site monitors hundreds of GPU driver bugs. It is aimed at the Nvidia community and could help Windows PC users follow driver issues that may affect graphics performance or stability. Readers who use Nvidia GPUs can check the tracker to see whether a bug they are hitting is already listed.

A Redditor who bought a stolen rental PC had the machine remotely blocked by the rental firm. The story affects Windows PC buyers and renters, since a blocked system can stop working unexpectedly. In this case, Fragile, NZXT’s PC rental partner, helped by replacing the computer with a new one.

USB4 can silently fall back to USB 3 if a BIOS setting changes, according to this report. That affects Windows PC users with USB4 devices or enclosures that are not performing as expected. Check your BIOS settings and confirm USB4 is enabled if your drive or accessory suddenly seems slower than it should.

Windows 11 is getting a UI rejuvenation in the coming months. Microsoft’s design boss said the company cannot make every one of its billion users happy with the same design choices, so people should expect more changes to legacy features and the Start menu area. This affects Windows 11 users who want the interface to look and work differently. Microsoft has not given a way to opt out in the candidate summary, so readers should watch for the upcoming changes and check how they affect their setup.

Windows 11 26H2 is rolling out now, and Microsoft says you do not have to wait for it to reach your PC. Users can install the 2026 Update through Windows Update, the Installation Assistant, an ISO, or USB media. This affects Windows 11 users who want the update sooner. If you plan to upgrade, choose the method that fits your setup and make sure you are ready before starting.

Microsoft has given Windows 10 another year of security updates. That affects older PCs that are still on Windows 10, especially machines that do not have a clear path to Windows 11. People using those PCs can keep getting security updates for now, but the Windows 11 upgrade path remains narrow.