Microsoft Weekly: Explore the latest Windows 11 updates, new features, and 25H2 ISOs now available

This Week’s Microsoft News Recap

Welcome to this week’s roundup of the latest news from Microsoft, featuring exciting updates regarding Windows 11 preview builds, Patch Tuesday fixes, insightful reviews, and noteworthy gaming developments.

Windows 11 and Windows 10 Insights

This week, we delve into the latest happenings surrounding Microsoft’s operating systems, particularly focusing on new features, removals, and bugs. The recent Patch Tuesday updates for September 2025 have been released, introducing KB5065429 for Windows 10, and KB5065426 and KB5065431 for various Windows 11 versions (24H2, 22H2, and 23H2, respectively).

A highlight from this month’s updates is the reintroduction of the long-awaited clock in the calendar flyout, much to user delight. Additionally, fixes have been implemented to improve NDI streaming and app installation performance.

Moreover, Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of several legacy web components, including Legacy Web View and Legacy Edge DevTools. Additionally, they are phasing out VBScript to facilitate upgrades from legacy VBA projects. An upgrade block preventing users from installing Windows 11 version 24H2 due to Dirac Audio bugs has also been lifted.

The ongoing situation regarding malfunctioning SSDs has seen developments, with Phison revealing that the issues were associated with preview firmware and not affecting systems with consumer-grade firmware.

Interestingly, an app’s brief disappearance from GitHub post-update was followed by its return, complete with enhancements. On another note, for those with unsupported PCs, the new version of nano11 offers a Windows 11 installation solution that requires less than 3GB of disk space.

In a fascinating side note, Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen shared insights into why Windows 95 lacked energy-saving instructions.

Windows Insider Program Developments

This week, Microsoft has released several builds for Windows Insiders:

Windows Insider Builds
Canary Channel	Build 27038 introduces File Explorer enhancements and the ability to enable the clock for the calendar flyout. Build 27943 includes fixes targeting issues with temporary file scanning, taskbar glitches, HDR functionalities, and various system bugs.
Dev Channel	Build 26220.6682 adds Emoji 16.0, improved accessibility features for Copilot+ PCs, Click to Do enhancements, and full-screen Microsoft 365 advertisements.
Beta Channel	Build 26120.6682 mirrors the changes in the Dev Channel build 26220.6682.
Release Preview Channel	Build 26200.6713 delivers various improvements, including new Click to Do features and File Explorer enhancements. Build 26100.6713 maintains the same changelog as build 26200.6713. Build 22631.5982 addresses sign-in errors, input bugs, and printing issues ahead of upcoming non-security updates.	Build 19045.6388 includes notable enhancements and fixes intending to elevate user experience on Windows 10.

For Copilot+ PC users equipped with an external camera, a new feature allowing the application of Windows Studio Effects is in testing. This functionality enables effects on rear-facing cameras and USB webcams, albeit exclusively for Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm-based Copilot+ PCs.

Windows Studio Effects settings on Copilot PC

Additionally, improvements to the copy/paste dialog in Windows 11 are on the way, featuring the much-anticipated dark mode support and a revamped status bar. Simultaneously, enhancements are also set for the taskbar, aiming for greater reliability and smoother animations. However, the Start menu will soon showcase Copilot recommendations alongside full-screen Microsoft 365 advertisements.

Finally, the ISOs for Windows 11 version 25H2 were officially released this week.

Software and Firmware Updates

This section highlights significant software and firmware updates—both released and forthcoming—providing new features, security improvements, and bug fixes.

Recent developments include Google’s release of Chrome 140, which complicates the installation of Manifest V2-based extensions, affecting popular tools like uBlock Origin.

Microsoft is enhancing Excel by integrating AI to simplify formula writing, while Word Online is introducing new grammar-checking functionalities, allowing users to rectify all grammar and spelling mistakes in a single click.

Furthermore, the Microsoft Store received noteworthy updates this week. Individual developers now have the opportunity to submit apps without incurring a fee, alongside updated policies addressing child safety and the use of generative AI.

Other Notable Updates:

VirtualBox 7.2.2 fix for TPM and Windows on ARM.
Rufus 4.10 beta featuring dark mode and support for Windows 11 25H2.
A senator raises concerns regarding Microsoft’s security vulnerabilities amid enterprise monopolies.
Microsoft’s unveiling of the Live Interpreter API for improved multilingual communication.
Commitment to European interoperability by Microsoft.

Drivers and Firmware Updates Released This Week:

AMD Radeon Software 25.9.1 with support for over 85 games using FSR 4.
Nvidia GeForce drivers 581.29 optimized for Borderlands 4 and Dying Light: The Beast.
Intel 32.0.101.7029 non-WHQL optimizations for Borderlands 4, Dying Light: The Beast, and additional titles.

Recent Hardware and Software Reviews

In our latest reviews, Steven Parker evaluated the GEEKOM A9 Max—a budget-friendly mini PC that qualifies as a Copilot+ device due to its AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor. This compact computer showcases excellent performance despite a few drawbacks, including the absence of front-facing USB-C ports and accessibility challenges for memory and SSD upgrades.

Gaming News Updates

Microsoft is refining the functionality of the Xbox controller button on Windows 11 by introducing a long-press feature that opens Task View. The button’s capabilities now encompass three functions: a single press to launch the Game Bar, a long press for Task View access, and a press-and-hold for powering off the controller.

In an exciting development, Xbox Cloud Gaming is set to expand to more devices following Microsoft’s partnership with LG, allowing cloud gaming in vehicles for rear-seat passengers.

Nvidia’s GeForce NOW recently underwent a significant upgrade, with the rollout of RTX 5080-class servers, granting users access to more advanced cloud gaming capabilities. However, this surge in popularity caused some service disruptions due to overwhelming demand.

Deals and Freebies

The Epic Games Store is currently offering three games for free—Ghostrunner, Monument Valley 2, and The Battle of Polytopia—available until next Thursday. For additional deals, check out our Weekend PC Game Deals article.

Here’s a quick look at other notable gaming updates:

MachineGames continues to work on the Wolfenstein franchise.
Valve rolled out updates to the Steam client, enhancing performance and adding a new customization tab.
The upcoming Ara: History Untold v2.0 update will introduce culture and influence systems to the game.