News

Microsoft is adding dark mode to more of Windows 11’s legacy UI, including Hyper-V. The change affects parts of the system that still use older interfaces, and Microsoft is choosing to improve them instead of removing them for now. Users who rely on these features should expect the older Windows 11 look to become darker and more consistent over time.

Windows PCs with outdated certificates will stop receiving security updates. Microsoft says the certificates used by Windows Update services must be replaced periodically so devices can keep getting monthly updates. The issue affects Windows PCs on older versions of Windows, while Windows 11 25H2 and later already have the latest certificates. Affected users should check Microsoft’s guidance and update their devices as needed.

Some Windows laptop users may see much slower Wi-Fi if their router is choosing the band automatically. The story says the same router and desk can produce very different speed results, and the fix is to stop relying on automatic band choice if it is causing poor performance.

Microsoft is trying to give Windows a fresh push. The story says Windows 11 is still the main focus, and Microsoft is building on it instead of moving on to Windows 12. This matters to Windows PC users because it points to more changes in the operating system they already use.

Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen says Windows 11 users should not run multiple antivirus apps at the same time. He found the issue while helping investigate a complex system failure on Windows 11 Enterprise PCs, and the advice is simple: use one anti-malware solution instead of two or more.

Microsoft’s free profiler can help Windows users find what is slowing startup. In this case, a full boot trace showed overlapping work instead of one obvious culprit. People who want to troubleshoot a slow boot can use the profiler to look for startup bottlenecks and see what is happening during the boot process.

Windows 11 includes a built-in remote desktop app that can save you from paying for a separate one. The story says Microsoft does not advertise it, but it is already there for people who need to connect to another PC.

Samsung phone owners may not be getting the fastest charging from the USB cable that came in the box. The story says that cable will not hit 45W charging, so users who want the best charging speed should use a different cable that supports it.

Microsoft 365 Family now includes 4TB less OneDrive storage, which affects subscribers paying the same price. People using the family plan may want to check their storage needs and review or cancel their subscription if the reduced storage no longer works for them.

Microsoft is testing a redesigned Windows Search for Windows 11. The new experience is meant to be faster, more capable, and more modern, which should matter to people who use Search to find apps, files and settings on their PCs.

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.