Microsoft Weekly Update: Windows 11 Adoption Delay, PowerToys Enhancements, and More Insights

This week’s recap is here to provide you with the most recent updates from Microsoft over the past seven days. Topics include user adoption rates of Windows 11, new enhancements to PowerToys, updates on the Settings app, gaming news, hardware reviews, and more.

Windows 10 and 11 Updates

This section covers significant developments related to Microsoft’s operating systems, specifically the latest features, removed functionalities, controversies, bug fixes, and observations from current and previous Windows versions.

According to a recent statement by Dell’s CEO during the Q3 financial results for 2026, the transition to Windows 11 is occurring at a slower pace compared to Windows 10. The company highlighted that many users are hesitant to switch to the new operating system.

Windows Insider Program Updates

This week’s updates for Windows Insiders include:

Channel Builds
Canary Channel	No new builds have been released this week.
Dev Channel
Beta Channel
Release Preview Channel	Builds 26100.7309 and 26200.7309 These builds primarily include minor changes, with no significant new features introduced.

Users have found that recent preview updates for Windows 11 now include a new “App Updates”section in the Settings app. This will allow applications to be updated via the Windows Update mechanism if developers choose to support it, making it beneficial especially for devices that do not have access to the Microsoft Store.

App Updates in Windows Update — Image by Windows Central

Latest Software Updates

This section features software, firmware, and significant updates that provide new functionalities, security enhancements, and bug fixes from Microsoft and associated third parties.

Recently, PowerToys received important updates. The latest version, 0.96.1, reintroduces the Image Resizer module for Windows 10 users, along with fixes for bugs in Advanced Paste and Awake functionalities. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing a new utility called PowerMonitor to manage various monitor settings efficiently, including brightness and contrast.

Furthermore, a new feature from Microsoft 365 is in progress, allowing users to conclude conversations with Copilot simply by saying “bye”or “goodbye.”This feature, combined with the “Hey Copilot”command, will facilitate hands-free operation for users on Windows devices.

Recent Reviews

Check out the latest evaluations of hardware and software released this week.

Steven Parker’s review highlights the GEEKOM AX8 Max, an impressive mini PC featuring 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB of storage, priced at an affordable $500 with commendable power and thermal management.

For gamers considering new builds, we published guides that detail the best graphics cards for 1080p gaming in 2025 from major manufacturers such as AMD, Intel, and Nvidia, along with a comparison of top processors from Intel and AMD.

Latest in Gaming

Microsoft continues to enrich its gaming ecosystem with enhancements for its handheld devices like the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X. A new Default Game Profile feature optimizes hardware settings based on the game being played, ensuring extended battery life while maximizing frame rates.

In other gaming updates, a potential PC release of the Sony exclusive, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, was spotted on the official ESRB website, hinting at a forthcoming announcement. The title originally debuted on PlayStation 5 in June 2025.

Mojang has confirmed that the highly anticipated Minecraft update, Mounts of Mayhem, will be launched across all platforms on December 9, 2025, introducing exciting new features such as underwater mounts and other content additions.

Valve has shared more information about its upcoming Steam Machine, a gaming PC powered by Linux, promising it to be a value-driven option, although pricing details remain undisclosed.

This week’s Weekend PC Game Deals roundup also features a wide array of discounts from various digital outlets, including the latest offerings available for free from the Epic Games Store.

Excitingly, players can join the ongoing free-to-play event for Battlefield 6, running through December 2, 4 AM PT. EA noted that a remarkable 98% of matches have been free from cheaters due to enhanced security measures.

If you’re eager to enjoy these games but lack the necessary hardware, consider a GeForce NOW subscription, currently available at a 50% discount for three months.