Windows 11 22H2 is now ready for download in the Release Preview Channel. The feature update is available for commercial customers and regular testers. Yes, this is the final version that Microsoft plans to release later this year. The final version of Windows 11 22H2 is now available for devices enrolled in the Release Preview Channel for Business and regular participants of the Windows Insider Program. According to the announcement , build 22621 is available as an optional update through the “Windows Insider Program for Business” to allow organizations to validate the new version and their apps....

The next feature update could require the POPCNT instruction inside the processor. Computers without this feature will fail to boot Windows 11. The requirement increase will only affect very old hardware. Windows 11 24H2 will increase the processor requirement to make very old hardware incapable of running the next version of the operating system. On X, user @TheBobyPony has found that the latest preview of version 24H2 now requires CPUs with the “POPCNT” instruction in order to boot properly....

Microsoft is introducing a new Group Policy on Windows 11 25H2, called “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages from the system,” which allows Pro and higher editions to uninstall most pre-installed apps during setup automatically. This option is not available through the Settings app or on Home editions, and it only targets Microsoft Store apps, not third-party promotional software (as far as I can tell). Microsoft is quietly adding an option to remove most of the applications that Windows 11 bundles by default during the installation in the latest preview release of version 25H2 ....

To create a Windows 11 25H2 USB flash drive with the Media Creation Tool, download the tool from Microsoft, launch the setup, click “Accept,” click “Next,” choose “ISO file,” click “Next,” “Next,” and “Finish.” To create a Windows 11 25H2 ISO file, download the tool from Microsoft, launch the setup, click “Accept,” click “Next,” choose “USB flash drive,” click “Next,” select a location, and click “Finish.” The tool is available for version 25H2 starting September 30, 2025....

Microsoft is rolling out a preview of Windows 11 22H2 (build 22621.1928). The update is available in the Stable Channel as KB5027303. This non-security update continues enabling the features and changes part of the Moment 3 rollout. This update was previously available as build 22621.1926 in the Release Preview Channel. UPDATE 6/27/2023: Microsoft is rolling out the Windows 11 build 22621.1928 as the update KB5027303 in the Stable Channel. The update is available as an optional update with new changes, non-security fixes, and improvements that the company plans to make available as an automatic install on July 11 during the Patch Tuesday rollout....

Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 27783 in the Canary Channel of the Windows Insider Program with visual improvements for File Explorer, Magnifier, and Settings app. What’s new on Windows 11 build 27783 According to the official notes , these are the most significant changes rolling out for devices enrolled in the Canary Channel. File Explorer with Shared tab Build 27783 for Windows 11 updates File Explorer with a redesigned “Home” page that now includes a “Shared” tab to list files that have been shared with you through emails, Teams chats, and more....

Microsoft released a new policy to manage optional update previews for Windows 11. The new policy is known as “Enable Optional Updates.” The policy allows admins to decide how computers receive monthly non-security update previews. Microsoft has introduced a new policy to control optional updates for Windows 11 , but these new settings are meant for network administrators, not regular users. As part of the maintenance process, the company releases non-security updates as previews before the update rolls out to everyone with security fixes, and the new policy gives administrators a way to manage the rollout of these previews....

Windows 11 to get a minor feature update in February. The update will bring Android app support, Taskbar changes, and other improvements. The rollout will also make available the new Notepad and Media Player apps with dark mode support. Windows 11 will receive new features and visual changes outside its major feature update schedule in February 2022. In a recent article, Panos Panay, Chief Product Officer for Windows and Devices, announced that the company is planning to roll out several improvements that the development teams have already been testing in the Dev Channel of the Windows Insider Program ....

Microsoft may add an option to enable experimental features on Windows 11. The “Experimental Features” setting could allow you to enable features for moment updates. It’s unclear when (or if) this option will become available in the Settings app. On Windows 11, you may soon be able to manually turn on new experimental features planned for future releases. According to @thebookisclosed on Twitter , Microsoft is working on a new “Experimental Features” setting in the Settings app that will allow you to enable or disable upcoming features regardless of whether the device is enrolled in the Windows Insider Program ....

Microsoft introduces new touch gestures for Windows 11. The gestures will help navigate the Start menu, Quick Settings, and apps in full-screen mode. In addition, the swiping animation has been updated to be responsive and follow your finger. Microsoft is testing several new touch gestures for future updates of Windows 11 . Although the latest version of Windows has been optimized for touch-enabled displays, there’s always room for improvements, and with the release of build 22557, the company is introducing five new touch gestures that should make tablets a little easier to use with your fingers....

Windows 11 update KB5008353 rolls out as preview as build 22000.466. Only devices in the Beta and Release Preview Channels will get the initial preview. Build 22000.466 fixes problems with ARM64 devices, networking, account, HDR, Bluetooth, and more. Microsoft is making available the Windows 11 update KB5008353 for devices enrolled in the Beta and Release Preview channels of the Windows Insider Program. The update KB5008353 bumps the version number to build 22000....

Microsoft plans to reveal the next generation of its desktop operating system (likely to be called Windows 11) on June 24 during a special event . While it is unclear what the new version will offer, the company has released many previews related to the project. In this hands-on video, we will get a closer look at some of the new features and visual changes expected to arrive this fall with Windows 11 , codenamed Sun Valley....

Windows 12 release date is expected to be in 2025. The new version of Windows will be packed with new features powered by AI and will introduce a more advanced version of Copilot. UPDATED 1/26/2024: Windows 12 is the next version of the operating system that is expected to be released sometime in 2025 . (Presumably during the second half of the year). Previously, it was believed that the new version would roll out in September or October 2024, but this was a rumor....

If you miss the good old days of Windows 95, Slack developer, Felix Rieseberg built an app to run the ancient operating system on Windows 10 , Linux, and macOS to relive the experience. The Windows 95 app is a 128MB download from GitHub , and it allows you use the operating system and its popular programs, including WordPad, Microsoft Paint, Solitaire, Minesweeper, and just play around with the settings....

Android apps will improve on Windows 11 with the May update. The update bumps the kernel version to 5.15.94. It introduces security scans before installing apps, new memory management, and app link support. It also brings reliability and performance improvements. Microsoft releases a new update (version 2304.40000.5.0) for its Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 11 . The update is available through the Windows Insider Program (Dev and Beta Channels) and includes several fixes and changes to help improve Android apps and enables new features on Windows 11....

Microsoft will close the Xbox 360 Store and Marketplace in July 2024. Closing the store means no more new purchases for games or downloadable content. You’ll continue to be able to access already purchased games. After the store closes, you’ll be able to purchase Xbox 360 games from Xbox One, Series, X, or S. Microsoft has announced its plans to shut down the Xbox 360 Store and Marketplace (marketplace.xbox.com) as soon as July 29, 2024....

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass is a monthly subscription service that gives you unlimited access to download and play games on your Xbox One or PC. You can think of it as Netflix for gaming, but the only caveat is that you only get access to a select number of games. At the time of this writing, Microsoft is advertising over 500 high-quality titles . However, new games will continue to be added regularly, and you even get exclusive discounts....