Microsoft Weekly: Windows 11 25H2 Release Imminent, Marking the Approach of Windows 10’s End

This week’s news roundup brings you the latest in technology and gaming. Key headlines include the imminent release of Windows 11 version 25H2, updates on extended security for Windows 10, a single preview build for Windows Insiders, exciting announcements from the Tokyo Game Show 2025, new processors designed for Arm PCs, and much more.

Updates on Windows 10 and 11

In this section, we’ll explore the latest happenings within Microsoft’s operating systems, focusing on both stable and preview builds. This includes new features, the removal of existing functionalities, issues faced by users, and intriguing discoveries.

Windows 11 version 25H2 is on the horizon, with users reporting that download links for this upcoming version, along with its enablement packages, have already surfaced.

For those looking to upgrade on unsupported hardware, there are tools available. Recent updates to Rufus 4.10 and the newly revamped Flyoobe app support Windows 11 version 25H2, offering improved functionality for installations on these devices.

Windows 11 25H2 on unsupported PC — Image by DepositPhotos

Moreover, Microsoft has issued multiple updates this week. While Windows 11 version 24H2 did not receive its scheduled monthly non-security update, an out-of-band update (KB5068221) was released to rectify issues with Office compatibility. Conversely, older versions like Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2 were updated with KB5065790, while Windows 10 received its final non-security update, KB5066198, marking the end of its support lifecycle.

In other news, Microsoft announced that users in the European Economic Area will no longer need to share data or incur charges for an additional year of security updates. Importantly, they also plan to phase out WHCP and HLK for Windows 10.

This week, informative guides were also published, including an introduction to WindowSill, a newly launched application created by a Microsoft engineer, designed to enhance your taskbar functionality with valuable tools.

Raymond Chen, a recognized Microsoft expert, shared intriguing trivia about the online capabilities of Windows 3.0’s WinHelp in his latest blog entry. Additionally, Usama produced two articles discussing an underrated Windows feature and the rising costs of his favorite Microsoft product.

Insights from the Windows Insider Program

This week saw limited activity within the Insider program, showcasing just one humble build in the Canary Channel and a minor update for the Photos app:

Builds Overview
Canary Channel	Build 27954: This release includes general improvements and a single fix addressing networking issues.
Dev Channel	No updates were made in the Dev Channel this week.
Beta Channel	No updates were available in the Beta Channel this week.
Release Preview Channel	Similarly, there were no releases in the Release Preview Channel this week.

The latest update for the Photos app, available for Windows Insiders on Copilot+ PCs, introduces automatic photo categorization. Presently, only four categories are accessible.

The Microsoft Photos app in the Microsoft Store

Available Updates

This section provides an overview of software, firmware, and critical updates that have been released or are forthcoming. Microsoft and third parties are continuously improving their offerings through security fixes, feature enhancements, and patches.

Qualcomm has announced its second-generation Snapdragon X Elite processor series, designed for the upcoming Arm-powered Copilot+ PCs. This new lineup features two tiers, Elite and Extreme, boasting increased cores, cache, velocity enhancements, and a markedly superior Neural Processing Unit.

In a surprising development, OneDrive is poised to sever its integration with Samsung, opting instead to focus on Samsung Cloud, following a recent APK teardown that exposed these shifts.

Lastly, Microsoft pushed out a minor PowerToys update (version 0.94.2), which resolved several installation issues. Anticipate the rollout of version 0.95, featuring a new module called Light Switch, which aims to automate theme switching in Windows 10 and 11.

Other noteworthy updates include:

Microsoft, Google, and Apple are under scrutiny regarding protections against online scams.
Office applications are receiving subtle color tweaks from Microsoft.
Microsoft 365 Copilot is expanding its AI capabilities, moving away from exclusive use of OpenAI’s models to include Anthropic’s models.
LinkedIn data will soon be utilized by Microsoft to enhance AI functionalities and ad targeting.
An AI marketplace is reportedly in the works to compensate publishers for their content.
Windows ML is now generally available for developers.

Product Reviews This Week

Check out our latest reviews of hardware and software:

This week, reviewer Christopher White explored the ENGWE LE20 e-bike. This budget-friendly model offers excellent cargo space for shopping, impressive battery life, and commendable construction, though it comes with a few minor inconveniences.

Latest Gaming News

In the gaming world, notable collaborations are brewing. Hideo Kojima and Jordan Peele are teaming up for a new horror title on Xbox called OD: KNOCK, which recently showcased its first trailer featuring impressive graphics and a creepy atmosphere.

Among other announcements, Oxide Games has rolled out an update for Ara: History Untold, dubbed v2.0 Revolutions, which includes various system enhancements, new Renaissance-era unit types, redesigned leaders, and improved AI mechanisms.

Additionally, following the reopening of the Xbox Design Lab, Microsoft unveiled a new Xbox Wireless Controller themed around Ninja Gaiden 4, available for the standard and Elite models, priced at $95 and $184.98, respectively.

Pre-orders for Microsoft’s new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X have opened, with the standard model priced at $599.99 and the X variant at an astounding $999.99, both releasing in October.

Nvidia has announced an exciting expansion to its GeForce NOW subscribers, adding ten new titles including ENDLESS Legend 2 and Baby Steps. Furthermore, two games, Alan Wake 2 and S. T.A. L.K. E.R.2: Heart of Chornobyl, are now optimized for the new RTX 5080 servers available to Ultimate members.

If you’re eager to play the latest Battlefield or Call of Duty titles, be aware that your PC must have Secure Boot and TPM enabled. Valve’s latest Steam beta has introduced checks for these features to assist gamers.

In a noteworthy announcement at the Tokyo Game Show 2025, Microsoft revealed that Microsoft Flight Simulator will be launched on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro on December 8, 2025, complete with a City Update focusing on Japan’s landmarks.

Also, Forza Horizon 6 is set to join the PlayStation 5 lineup at an unspecified date, with its first teaser suggesting a Japanese setting, anticipated to launch in 2026.

Deals and Free Offers

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles this week: Eastern Exorcist and Jorel’s Brother and The Most Important Game of the Galaxy, available until next Thursday. For further deals, take a look at this week’s Weekend PC Game Deals.

Other gaming-related news encompasses:

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will launch featuring 18 maps and wall-jumping abilities.
The cancelled Perfect Dark reboot aimed to rejuvenate the Secret Agent genre.
Palworld, a farming sim from Pocketpair, incorporates gunplay.
Ubisoft’s Avatar game’s ‘From the Ashes’ expansion releases on the same date as the corresponding film.
EA is reportedly nearing a significant $50 billion deal to go private.
Microsoft may reduce cloud services for an Israeli Defense Ministry unit following a surveillance review.
The Minecraft Mounts of Mayhem update introduces an underwater mount with unique benefits.

Every week, we offer an array of hardware and software deals. Here are some discounts to consider:

Steam Deck LCD is currently 20% off
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SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 Gaming Mouse – $42.99 | 28% off
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5090 Gaming OC (32G) – $2, 347.59 | 16% off for Prime members
MSI Gaming RTX 5070 12G – $529.99 | 22% off
39″LG 39GX90SA-W WQHD OLED Curved Gaming Monitor – $896.99 | 44% off
Western Digital 24TB Gold Enterprise Class HDD – $449.99 | 10% off