Microsoft Weekly: Executive criticism and reviews of Copilot ads

Welcome to this week’s Microsoft news recap! We’re diving into the latest happenings from the tech giant, including some rather amusing reactions to tone-deaf tweets from Windows executives, exciting new Windows 11 preview builds, Patch Tuesday updates, resolved bugs, and a myriad of other topics.

Quick Links:

Windows 10 and 11 Updates
Windows Insider Program Insights
Available Updates
Reviews and Opinions
Latest Gaming Developments

Updates on Windows 10 and 11

This section explores everything related to Microsoft’s operating systems, covering new features, controversies, bug fixes, and some noteworthy observations, including a look back at older versions.

The standout story this week features Pavan Davuluri, the head of Windows, who shared a controversial post on Twitter, announcing the evolution of Windows into an “agentic OS” designed to enhance productivity and security. User backlash was swift, leading to a firestorm of replies that prompted Davuluri to limit responses on his tweets.

Windows is evolving into an agentic OS, connecting devices, cloud, and AI to unlock intelligent productivity and secure work anywhere. Join us at #MSIgnite to see how frontier firms are transforming with Windows and what’s next for the platform. We can’t wait to show you!…

— Pavan Davuluri (@pavandavuluri) November 10, 2025

In a follow-up, Davuluri attempted to clarify Microsoft’s direction, emphasizing that the company is committed to enhancing its operating system based on user feedback. Meanwhile, criticism continued to flow, particularly regarding a shaky advertisement for Microsoft’s Copilot, perceived by many as ineffective.

Tech made simple. Copilot on Windows 11 helps you resize text like a pro.🔠 @uravgconsumer pic.twitter.com/4vMXIiBNv7

— Windows (@Windows) November 12, 2025

On the security front, Microsoft issued its latest updates for Windows 11, with the now unsupported Windows 10 receiving its inaugural update as part of the Extended Security Update program—KB5071959. These updates have significantly improved security and rectified numerous critical bugs. Additionally, an improved version of the Media Creation Tool was rolled out to remedy various identified issues.

Furthermore, Microsoft has broadened the availability of Windows 11 version 23H2 to support a larger number of devices. With this rollout, the previous version of Windows 11 is officially unsupported.

Enhancing user experience, Windows 11 has made significant strides in compatibility with third-party password managers this week. Improved integration capabilities for applications like Bitwarden and 1Password have been introduced, enabling users to securely access their passkeys seamlessly.

This week also marked the debut of a new update for Flyoobe, a well-regarded customization application that bypasses Windows 11’s hardware requirements. Version 2.0 features a complete user interface redesign, which is now available for preview. Alternatively, users can opt for tiny11, a lightweight and debloated version of Windows 11, which has incorporated the latest security updates and features as of November 2025.

For an enlightening recap, a former Microsoft software engineer has shed light on the challenges surrounding Windows, offering insights on potential solutions. Additionally, don’t miss out on this captivating “Windows 26″concept:

Windows Insider Program Updates

This week’s developments for Windows Insiders include:

Builds
Canary Channel	No updates in these channels this week.
Dev Channel
Beta Channel
Release Preview Channel	Build 22631.6269 This minor update addresses File Explorer slowdowns, adjusts Country and Operator Settings assets, and fixes a range of Group Policy and Configuration bugs.

The latest Windows 11 preview builds come with intriguing features; reports suggest Microsoft is testing haptic feedback capabilities for various OS actions. Notably, a toggle and intensity slider were uncovered in the newest Dev release, potentially enabling this functionality on laptops equipped with haptic trackpads.

Available Updates Overview

This section highlights the most notable software and firmware updates from Microsoft, including feature introductions, security improvements, and patches.

The ongoing tension between third-party browsers and Microsoft persists, as accusations arise against the company for allegedly incentivizing users to stick with Microsoft Edge through Microsoft Rewards points. These points can be converted into real value like discounts and subscriptions.

On the browser front, significant updates have rolled out: Firefox 145 has been released, marking a crucial update that has ended support for 32-bit Linux while also enhancing privacy features and streamlining PDF file handling.

Meanwhile, Opera continues its experimental approach, unveiling various unique updates, including a collaboration with Spotify to create a dynamic theme for music enthusiasts.

Additionally, Vivaldi’s latest update, version 7.7, introduces a new privacy dashboard that enhances cross-device tab synchronization and upgrades various aspects of the browser.

The new Privacy Dashboard on desktop showing the amount of bandwidth and time saved next to the ads

On another note, Microsoft has launched Visual Studio 2026 and. NET 10, which boast significant performance improvements and have implemented over 300 user-requested features across the integrated development environment.

Here are additional updates and releases of note:

Microsoft discontinued a widely used KMS activation workaround for Windows 10 and 11.
The general availability of Surveys Agent for all Microsoft 365 Copilot users has been announced.
Anticipated features are set to debut in Edge, Excel, Outlook, and Copilot shortly.
Insights into the new architecture powering Azure AI’s superfactory have been shared.
A major annoyance in OneNote on Windows has finally been resolved.

Recent drivers and firmware updates include:

A low-latency audio driver for Windows on Arm is scheduled for release in 2026.
AMD has rolled out Windows 11 25H2 RAID drivers suitable for many chipsets.
The AMD 25.11.1 driver now supports Ryzen 7500X3D along with various gaming titles, including FSR Redstone Ray Regeneration for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

This Week’s Reviews

Here’s a roundup of the hardware and software reviews released this week:

This week, we examined the Baseus VD1 Pro, an affordable 4K dash cam that impresses with a standout feature: a built-in solar panel for its parking surveillance system. This camera bundle, priced under $200, includes a rear-view 1080p camera, ensuring you have everything necessary for effective recording.

Another highlighted review covers the Ugreen NASync DH4300 Plus, with a competitive starting price of $364.99.

Gaming News Updates

This week’s most significant gaming news revolves around Valve’s announcement of new hardware, which includes a console, a VR headset, and a controller. Although pricing details remain unconfirmed, the hardware promises to offer an intriguing approach.

If you were hoping for updates on The Elder Scrolls VI, Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard has tempered expectations, acknowledging that the game is still “a long way off.”

In news for Xbox users in India, Microsoft has expanded Xbox Cloud Gaming access. This cloud gaming service is now part of various Game Pass tiers, starting from approximately $5.63/month.

The original Red Dead Redemption is making a comeback, as the legendary title will soon be playable on current-gen consoles and mobile devices, encompassing platforms like Android, iOS, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2.

NVIDIA has introduced several new titles to GeForce NOW, including Black Ops 7, Anno 117, Rue Valley, Megabonk, and more, which are available for cloud play, provided you own the games.

Deals and Freebies:

Continuing our tradition, our Weekend PC Game Deals article is out, featuring a comprehensive list of discounts across various platforms, including an Epic Game Store giveaway and Ubisoft’s offer of a free copy of Immortals Fenyx Rising on PC.

Additional gaming news includes:

Fortnite is set to receive Xbox Play Anywhere support, along with Game Pass Ultimate perks.
FromSoftware’s new Elden Ring Nightreign DLC reintroduces a beloved Dark Souls boss.

This week’s deal roundup for gaming hardware and software includes:

Western Digital 10TB Elements Desktop External Hard Drive – $189.99 | 14% off
13-inch MacBook Air M4 256GB, 16GB RAM – $749.99 | 25% off
Bose Smart Dolby Atmos Soundbar – $399 | 20% off
ASUS Vivobook 16, Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512 GB SSD – $498.99 | 38% off
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Bluetooth Headphones – $298 | 31% off
ASUS TUF Gaming F16 (2025) Gaming Laptop – $949.99 | 27% off
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 Laptop – $299.99 | 30% off