World Update 21: Australia of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 includes a collaboration with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service – widely acknowledged as the largest volunteer fire service in the world. Comprised of nearly 40,000 dedicated volunteers, the RFS is rooted in the NSW communities, studiously managing bushfires that remain a significant, reoccurring threat across Australia.  Players can experience the critical real-world operations of aerial firefighting with a new RFS-inspired mission using water bombing to put out a fire in New South Wales.  To learn more about their work in protecting the Australian wilderness, Xbox Wire talked with NSW’s director of aviation, Assistant Commissioner Jayson McKellar AFSM, about the yearly challenges the NSW Rural Fire Service faces in bushfire response, how flight simulations like Microsoft Flight Simulator can help educate players about aerial firefighting and what advances in technology have made the biggest difference to firefighter safety in recent years.  Read that interview on Xbox Wire.

Sim Update 5 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is now available, with significant improvements for every aspiring pilot player. One of the biggest changes is that now all career modes are fully unlocked. Heavy aircraft and Vertical Take‑Off and Landing (VTOL) operations are also available (i.e. helicopters). The update also improves frame rates and reduces stuttering – especially in large cities and complex airports. Find out more at the MSFS 2024 site.

Hello Windows Insiders I’ve now spent the past two months in this expanded role leading the Windows Insider Program. Two themes have stood out in my conversations with you. First, you want more transparency. You want to see what we’re doing, understand our decisions, and see progress through shipping. Second, a shared sense of pride. We want to be proud of what we build, and as Insiders, you’re proud to be the first to guide us with your feedback. When we get it right, we celebrate together. When we don’t, you push us to improve. We want Insiders to feel that same connection to what we’re building. Over the next few months, you’ll see us laser focused on the improvements we’re shipping. My ask of you: try the experiences, pressure test them, and let’s keep building a product we are proud of. Below are a few of the top improvements we’ve started rolling out to Windows Insiders over the past month, including some experiences rolling out in today’s flights.

Making the Windows Insider Program easier to navigate, with more control of the features you want

[caption id="attachment_178861" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Newly updated Windows Insider Settings screen showing the new Experimental and Beta channels[/caption] Everything starts with Windows Insiders. Before a feature or improvement reaches general availability, we deliver it to you first. Last week, we began rolling changes to make the Windows Insider Program easier to navigate, simpler to understand, and with more control to try the features you want. With these changes, we're moving to two primary channels, Experimental and Beta, with clearer expectations for what each offer. In Beta, we're ending controlled feature rollouts (CFR), so when we announce a feature and you take the update, you'll have it. In Experimental, we're also adding new feature flags, so you can choose which features to try. We’re also making it easier to move between channels or leave the program without a clean install. Alongside these changes, we've continued improving Feedback Hub to reduce friction when sharing feedback, with recent updates focused on more consistent window behavior, easier navigation, and accessibility improvements. See our Windows Insider experience blog post for the full breakdown of channel changes, feature flags, and how to switch channels. For more information on the transition over the next month and how to access the new changes, read last week’s Windows Insider blog.

Less disruption from Windows Update

[caption id="attachment_178902" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Showing ability in Windows Update to extend update pause[/caption] The theme is simple: fewer disruptions, more clarity, more control. This update moves Windows toward a single monthly restart by consolidating OS, .NET, and driver updates, and gives you more flexibility to time updates around your schedule. We've also made changes to the Power menu so you'll always see the standard Restart and Shut down options without having to install a pending update first. You decide when updates happen, not the other way around. These improvements are available in the Experimental channel. See our Windows Update blog post for more on how unified updates, improved pause controls, and the new Power menu work together to keep you in control.

Simplifying AI experiences across inbox apps

Last month we said we would reduce where Copilot shows up across Windows, focusing on bringing AI where it’s most valuable. You’re seeing those changes roll out. In Snipping Tool and Photos, we've removed the “Ask Copilot” button entirely. And in Notepad, we've replaced the generic Copilot icon with a clearer "Writing Tools" label that better describes what it does. This is part of a broader shift to make AI in Windows more intentional and realign the experiences to those that provide the most value to users, and you’ll see us continue to be deliberate about where Copilot shows up, with fewer more curated experiences. These changes have been gradually rolling out through Microsoft Store updates over the past month.

Delivering improvements to make File Explorer faster and more dependable

File Explorer is a go-to tool for hundreds of millions of people across diverse workflows. It is an experience customers depend on to be functional, and we want to make it loved. We’re making foundational architectural improvements and rolling them out incrementally to reduce hangs, improve responsiveness, polish, and drive consistent gains in performance. In parallel, we’re addressing long-standing user feedback with targeted improvements that make day-to-day experiences more stable and reliable. This has included fixes to deliver smoother, more responsive launch and navigation, making the Home experience more stable with fewer jarring transitions and improved visual polish, including sharper thumbnails. These improvements have already begun to roll out in the Experimental channel, with several rolling out in today’s flights.

More control over widgets and feed experiences

One of the areas we’re looking at closely across the operating system is the idea of “calm”. When you’re designing an experience for over a billion users, what are the right defaults that are easy, simple, and limit distractions? One of the most significant areas we’re addressing this is in Widgets and the Discover feed to make them quieter by default. We're changing default settings for launching and badging so you have more control over when these experiences show up and when they're allowed to seek your attention. When notifications do surface, we're setting a higher bar to make sure they're meaningful. We're also continuing to separate Widgets and the Discover feed into more distinct destinations, with calmer defaults that give you more control of what you choose to see. These improvements are rolling out today in the Experimental channel. We’ll soon also be reducing the default set of Widgets on lock to just Weather, putting customers in more control of curating the Widgets they want to see on lock. [caption id="attachment_178928" align="aligncenter" width="2061"] Comparing the in-market widget experience (left) with the new experience (right)[/caption]

Improving system performance

As part of our commitment to making Windows more responsive and consistent, we have also been making progress on system performance across several areas of the operating system. We have been actively investigating and pursuing memory savings across the system. Widgets is one of the areas we’re focused on, leveraging device characteristics and user behavior patterns to optimize memory for our users. This includes things like a smaller default memory footprint, giving back memory faster when not in use, putting the user in more control of pre-launch, and limiting pre-launch on devices with lower memory capacity. Several of these changes are beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders today and we will be sharing more of our improvements in Widgets and in other areas over the coming months. We have been improving responsiveness across key OS and app launch experiences. In mid-March, we began rolling out targeted performance/power tuning improvements for the most frequently used OS and app scenarios. While we continue to tune these policies for improvements, these optimizations accelerate app launch and core shell scenarios like the Start menu, Search, Action Center, and more. One other cool update was work the team recently did to update the Windows scheduler. By better handling processor power states (C-states), we improve user-perceived responsiveness in everyday use. This optimization is beginning to become available in retail for customers.

What’s ahead

We know there’s a lot of excitement for Taskbar customization – and that’s coming soon. We’re actively refining the experience to ensure it meets our quality bar before broader preview. I’m excited to share more on that work later this month, including how we’re improving Taskbar and Start, as well the work underway to enhance Search. Since March, we’ve also been traveling to various cities to meet with Windows Insiders, listen to feedback, and share how we’re thinking about the future of the program– first in Seattle and last week in New York. The team and I are excited to continue connecting with you at our upcoming meetups taking place in Hyderabad, Taipei, San Francisco and London in the months ahead. If you’re interested in attending, register here! The commitments we made in March reflect our focus on delivering real performance, reliability and craft improvements to Windows 11 throughout this year. With Microsoft Build next month, we’ll have more to share on how we’re making Windows even better for developers. Looking forward to seeing you there! For a complete view of what’s shipped in each build, check the latest release notes on the new Windows Insider Program Documentation Hub. Please keep the feedback coming. Marcus

Hello Windows Insiders, Today we are expanding the rollout of the new Windows Insider experience improvements to Canary Channel 28000 series devices, which will begin to move to Experimental (26H1). As a reminder, this does not change your current version of Windows, just bringing you the latest improvements to the Windows Insider experience.

Extending ISO download support

One of the areas of feedback we received was that many of you like to use ISOs to install your builds. We’ve heard you, and are committing to releasing ISOs available to download alongside regularly scheduled builds across all versions of the Beta and Experimental channels. To find ISOs for Windows Insider Preview Builds, see the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page. [Update 5/6/2026: Thank you for the great feedback regarding ISO availability. For clarity, we aim to release ISOs the week following their build flighting]

New builds this week

Today we are releasing new Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds. As a reminder, all Insiders can find the release notes for your device based on the new channel system, even if you haven’t moved yet. This is to make finding build information as easy as possible during the transition. See your channel release notes here:

• Beta (Including Beta Channel): Build 26220.8340
• Experimental (Including Dev Channel): Build 26300.8346

For those on other specific build versions, here are today’s new builds and release notes:

• Experimental (26H1) – Including Canary 28000 series: Build 28020.1921
• Experimental (Future Platforms) – Including Canary 29500 series: Build 29580.1000

As a reminder, you can always find your build number in the watermark on bottom right-hand corner of your desktop.

Notable new features:

[Run dialog update]

Release channel: Experimental We’re rolling out a refreshed Run dialog experience designed to bring a more modern look and improved usability. This update introduces updated visuals and a cleaner interface, along with new controls that make it easier to manage the experience from within Settings. The refreshed Run dialog is currently available as an opt-in experience for Windows Insiders on the Experimental channel, where you can enable it by going to Settings > System > Advanced and turning on the new Run dialog option. See the Dev blog announcement for more information.

New run dialog

[Feedback Hub app update]

Release channel: Experimental, Experimental (26H1), Experimental (Future Platforms) Thanks Windows Insiders that have been sharing feedback about the Feedback Hub – we’re now rolling out version 2.2604.301.0. This update contains a number of improvements based on what you’ve been telling us, including:

• Generally improved reliability.
• More tweaks to improve general design fit and finish, accessibility, and localization.
• The Community feedback section for non-English now allows you to switch view to English if you’d prefer.
• Collection titles and Official responses now will be automatically translated in top languages.
• The file upload limit when submitting feedback is back up to 500mb.
• Improved upvote and comment count accuracy for feedback.

Please keep the feedback coming! If you want to share any thoughts, you can file them in the Feedback Hub under Apps > Feedback Hub.

[Widgets is quiet by default]

Release channel: Experimental We’re working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience quiet by default. To do this, we’re testing a new set of default settings designed to reduce unexpected alerts and visual interruptions. These changes include:

• Disabling Open on hover by default
• Turning off taskbar badging  by default

• Opening to widgets experience on first launch

• Limiting taskbar alerts until you choose to open and engage with the Widgets experience

If you prefer more proactive updates, you can easily turn features like taskbar badging back on through Widgets settings. Thanks, Stephen and the Windows Insider Program team

Xbox mode will begin rolling out in select markets to Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops and tablets, bringing a console-inspired Xbox experience to more players than ever. Xbox mode is designed for the moments when you want your games to take center stage on Windows 11 PCs and handhelds. Xbox mode offers a streamlined interface that puts your library and recently played titles within easy reach while minimizing background distractions. Find out more on Xbox Wire. You can also head to the site to get all the details on new ROG Xbox Ally updates, including Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) being available in preview for Xbox Insiders using the ROG Xbox Ally X. When docked and connected to an external display, Auto SR delivers 1440p-like detail alongside smooth framerates on larger screens. As part of this preview, Xbox Insiders can easily control when Auto SR is applied to their games through Game Bar integration. Read about this and other updates – such as docked play defaulting to TV displays – on Xbox Wire.

Hey Windows Insiders, Today, we’re excited to share some improvements to the Windows Update experience that are now starting to roll out. These improvements are the direct result of your feedback. We are continually reading the feedback submitted about the Windows update experience. Personally, I’ve had the opportunity to read over 7,621 direct verbatims over the last few months. Across this feedback there are two key themes that persistently pop out: disruption caused by untimely updates and not enough control over when updates happen. The changes we’re rolling out today are focused on giving Windows users more control over their PC experience, while keeping devices secure by design and by default. Let’s get into what’s new!

More control

Updates are an important part of keeping your PC secure and running smoothly. But at the wrong time, they can also critically break your flow. To make this a better experience, we are focused on giving you more control of updates in four key ways:

1. Skip updates immediately during the out of box experience (OOBE)
2. Extend update pauses as many times as you need
3. Always-available options to shut down and restart without updating
4. More insights on available updates so you can make more informed installation decisions

1. Skip updates immediately during OOBE

Earlier this year, we added the control to immediately skip updates during device setup—giving you the option of landing on the desktop faster and getting updates later or getting updates right away and landing on a PC that has all the latest features and fixes. If you choose to skip updates, the latest features and security updates won’t be available until you take the update(s). With immediate choice built into setup, you decide when updates happen. [caption id="attachment_178903" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] OOBE screen showing ability to update later[/caption] *Note – this is not applicable to commercial devices where the out of box experience is being managed or in select cases where updates are required for the device to be functional.

2. New controls for pausing updates

The Pause updates experience for Windows Update now puts you more in control. First, with a new calendar experience, you can choose a specific day of the month you want to pause until, up to 35 days, enabling you to plan around expected travel, conferences, exams, or even just busy weeks. When 35 days just isn’t long enough, we are also enabling you to extend the pause end date as many times as you need.  This means you can now re-pause for up to 35 days at a time, with no limits on how many times you can reset the pause end date. [caption id="attachment_178902" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Showing ability in Windows Update to extend update pause[/caption]

3. Shutdown, Restart on your terms

Restarting or shutting down your PC should always be simple, predictable, and on your terms – even with updates waiting to be installed. We’re improving this experience by clearly separating power actions from update actions. With this change, the Power menu will always show the standard Restart and Shut down options, meaning you will always have a choice to just restart or shut down your device without having to install the pending update.  At the same time, update‑specific choices like Update and restart and Update and shut down will still be available when applicable. This gives you four clear options—and full control over what your device does next. [caption id="attachment_178904" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Showing ability to restart and shut down without installing pending updates[/caption] If you choose Restart or Shut down, Windows will perform exactly that action, without unexpectedly starting an update. If you’re ready to install updates, you can explicitly choose one of the update options. After a restart, Windows will attempt to restore previously opened applications faster, allowing users to return more easily to what they were working on. This change is about is about making the Power menu more predictable, so when you need a quick restart or want to power off before heading out, Windows does exactly what you expect.

4. More insights on available updates

One of the key pieces of feedback after moving to simplified update titles at the end of 2025 was an ask to better understand driver updates. Often, driver updates would have similar, if not identical, titles. To help provide you with more insights, we have added the device class to the driver title - ensuring pending or installed driver updates clarify whether they apply to display, audio, battery, extension, HDC, or other applicable driver update classes.

Fewer disruptions

There are few things more frustrating than sitting down to use your computer, only to find that it requires an update. Worse, is when this happens multiple times in a given month. We know this has been a major pain point for Windows users, so as of today, we’re unifying the update experience to reduce the number of reboots you see every month. We are starting by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with the monthly quality update, reducing update experience to a single monthly restart. Windows quality updates include monthly security updates, emergency out-of-band (OOB) updates, and optional non-security updates if initiated by the user. For Windows Insiders in Experimental and Beta you will note weekly updates, Persistent Seekers in retail will see bi-monthly updates, and retail users who have not opted to get any updates early will see monthly reboots. For users checking out the Settings > Windows Update page, you will see all of these updates collapsed into a single Available updates section. [caption id="attachment_178914" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Showing all updates available under Available updates.[/caption] Updates will download in the background, then will wait for a coordinated installation and restart. This installation and restart will align with the next Windows quality update or other update that you manually approve. Users can always acquire all or specific updates earlier if desired by initiating download, install, restart (if applicable) for available updates. If none of these actions are taken, updates will be downloaded in the background and applied alongside the next scheduled Windows quality update.

Keeping you secure, by default

In line with Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative, Windows is grounded in keeping devices secure by design and secure by default, getting Windows devices onto the latest security update shortly after its released. However, we know sometimes users hit issues when attempting to take these security updates due to bandwidth constraints and update failures. Over the last few months, we have made steady progress in reducing the download and overall time it takes to apply a Windows update and will continue to work toward reducing overall update time over the course of this year. These improvements are particularly impactful for devices that spend less time online or in areas with poor connectivity, leading to higher rates of update success. Further, we are ensuring devices stay secure by default through automatic recovery for update failures – taking additional steps in the background to help the update complete successfully without user intervention. This means your device will automatically attempt to recover from installation failures in real time – causing some updates to take longer to complete, but ensuring they have a higher success rate.

Stay protected, with more flexibility

Updates are a critical part of helping keep your device secure and protected, and with these changes you now have more flexibility to take these updates on your terms. As always, we recommend taking these updates shortly after they are released to keep your device and your data secure. We are excited for these changes to reduce disruption and provide you with more control to all now be available, with many beginning to roll out to devices in the Dev Channel and the new Experimental channel today, which also starts rolling out today. We will have more to share around how these features will light up for commercial customers and the controls that will be available for admins around them soon. None of this would have been possible without your feedback, so please keep it coming! Thank you! Aria Twitter (X): @AriaUpdated

Hello Windows Insiders, Today is the day we’re beginning to move to the new Experimental and Beta channels as announced earlier this month.  As a reminder, most Insiders, those who are in the Dev and Beta channels today will transition to the new channels over time as follows:

• Beta Channel > Beta 
• Dev Channel > Experimental

For those in the Canary Channel, you will also be transitioned to specific versions of the Experimental channel, depending on whether you are in the 28000 series Canary channel or took the optional 29500 series update. The transition takes place as follows:

• Canary Channel 28000 series > Experimental (26H1)
• Canary Channel 29500 series > Experimental (Future Platforms)

Transition timeline

To ensure quality and reliability of the program changes, we will be rolling out the changes in a phased approach. Starting today, we will begin moving users in the Dev Channel to Experimental. Delivering on our promise to allow Insiders in Experimental to enable new experiences before they roll out to your device, if you are in the Dev Channel and do not see the new Experimental channel UI, you can enable it yourself by going to Settings > Windows Update > Windows Insider Program > Feature flags and toggling on the new experience. We will continue this rollout over the next few weeks, expanding to Canary Channel 28000 series to Experimental (26H1), Canary Channel 29500 series to Experimental (Future Platforms) and Beta Channel to the new Beta experience. We will announce when we begin starting the rollout for these channels.

Changes to the Beta experience

Based on your feedback to have clearer definitions between channels, we have committed to updating how we use the new Beta experience to reflect what is coming to retail in the following weeks. With this, there will be a realignment of experience when Beta Channel Insiders move to the new Beta experience. While Beta Channel Insiders can generally expect a similar experience after this transition, some may notice feature changes. Although these feature differences will be minor, users who are looking for the best continuity of all existing features should consider moving from the existing Beta Channel to Dev Channel, in preparation for the move to Experimental. While users can still move from Beta to Experimental after the changes are implemented on your device, moving beforehand ensures the best continuity of experience for those features.

Updating WIP build information communications

We will also be changing how we publish the update information for each build, moving to the Windows Insider Program Documentation Hub. Moving release notes to this site provides additional benefits including:

• Easier navigation between different channel and build release notes
• Dark and light mode support
• Better localization support
• Enhanced deep linking capabilities

We will still announce when we’re releasing new builds here on the Windows Insider blog and will link to each build’s release notes in the Windows Insider Program Documentation Hub. We will also highlight some of the more notable new features coming into WIP for the first time in the blog, but Insiders should check the release notes for more detailed build information.

New builds this week

With that, today we are releasing new Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds. Starting today, all Insiders can find the release notes for your device based on the new channel system, even if you haven’t moved yet. This is to make finding build information as easy as possible during this transition. See your channel release notes here:

• Beta (Including Beta Channel): Build 26220.8283
• Experimental (Including Dev Channel): Build 26300.8289

For those on other specific build versions, here are today’s new builds and release notes:

• Experimental (26H1) – Including Canary 28000 series: Build 28020.1873
• Experimental (Future Platforms) – Including Canary 29500 series: Build 29576.1000

As a reminder, you can always find your build number in the watermark on bottom right-hand corner of your desktop. Thanks, Stephen and the Windows Insider Team

At Double Fine Productions, an idea that emerged almost a decade ago during an internal game jam became Kiln, a pottery party brawler. (Say that fast five times!) To better understand the craft behind the concept, members of the team got hands-on experience with in-person classes. They learned techniques and gained an appreciation for the complexity of working with clay before translating those lessons into a game infused with cathartic creation and destruction. The result blends hands‑on creativity with social play, shaped by a studio culture that encourages experimentation, kindness, collaboration and respect. It's available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Xbox Cloud, PlayStation 5, Steam and with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It will be an Xbox Play Anywhere title, and arrive Handheld Optimized. Find out more about Double Fine and Kiln on Source. Head over to Xbox Wire to get a roadmap to the game and to read their launch day tips.

In Diablo IV, the Skill Tree system gives players the ability to pick a skill and choose an upgrade to get stronger. Now, that tree has evolved to support more player choices. These new branches don’t just make skills stronger – they make them different. “If you’re newer to Diablo IV, the system is more approachable than it looks. Click a node, try it out, and see how it grows. For the more veteran adventurers, theorycrafting just got deeper,” writes Blizzard’s Chelsea Leah. Find out more about this at Xbox Wire.

Passkeys are designed to replace passwords with strong, phishing-resistant credentials that make sign-in quick, easy, and secure. With Microsoft Password Manager, users can now save and sync passkeys across devices signed in with their Microsoft account. Syncing passkeys enables a seamless sign-in experience, allowing users to access their credentials wherever they are signed in. Instead of being tied to a single device, passkeys can be securely available across devices while continuing to leverage device-based authentication such as biometrics or PIN. However, enabling this experience requires a thoughtful approach to security. Roaming cryptographic credentials must be protected during creation, sync, and recovery without weakening their security properties. In this post, we'll walk through the architectural principles that power passkey syncing in Microsoft Password Manager.

Architecture overview

Passkey syncing in Microsoft Password Manager is built on a layered architecture that's designed to securely enable roaming credentials. The system applies multiple independent protections across the boundaries between compute (where sensitive operations are processed), key management, storage, and device authorization. At a high level, passkey syncing in Microsoft Password Manager combines:

• Confidential computing for sensitive passkey operations.
• Hardware-rooted key protection for service-side encryption keys.
• Tamper-evident recovery storage for secure activation and recovery.
• Encrypted synchronization across registered devices.

These layers work together to protect passkeys during creation, synchronization, and recovery. The passkey service backend is deployed using Confidential Containers on Azure Container Instances (ACI), which leverage Trusted Execution Environments for protected execution of sensitive workloads.

Confidential compute for passkey operations

Sensitive passkey operations, including credential creation, assertion, and recovery validation, execute inside the Azure confidential computing environments backed by hardware isolation. This ensures that:

• Cryptographic material is processed inside protected memory.
• The host environment cannot inspect sensitive cryptographic material (such as passkeys and encryption keys) while in use.
• Only attested service code can access protected encryption keys.

By strictly controlling where passkey material can be decrypted and used, we ensure that sensitive cryptographic material remains protected within trusted execution boundaries, while strengthening operational integrity. Access to these operations is further gated by user verification using platform authenticators (for example, Windows Hello or device biometrics), with device-bound cryptographic keys used to authorize passkey operations.

Hardware-rooted key protection

Encryption keys that safeguard synced passkeys are protected using Azure Managed HSM. Access to these keys is restricted through attestation-based secure key release mechanisms. Before keys are released, the execution environment is verified using Microsoft Azure Attestation, ensuring that key material is only accessible within trusted confidential workloads and is not released to non-confidential environments. This provides a hardware-rooted trust anchor for service-side encryption operations. Passkeys are encrypted before synchronization and handled within authorized, hardware-isolated environments.

Secure registration and recovery

Microsoft Password Manager enables cross-device activation through a secure, auditable registration and recovery process. This process requires authentication via a user-defined knowledge factor (PIN), with all protections enforced within confidential computing boundaries. Recovery operations are validated within the confidential computing environment to ensure strong integrity guarantees. Recovery attempts are enforced using a securely maintained retry counter and associated recovery metadata, both recorded in a tamper-evident Azure Confidential Ledger. This prevents counter manipulation and rollback attempts. To protect against malicious brute-force attempts on the low-entropy PIN, the system enforces a fixed limit on consecutive incorrect attempts. Once this limit is reached, the system enters a lockout state. Recovery from lockout requires resetting the PIN through a secure flow that is initiated from a trusted device and authenticated via the user's Microsoft account. This design ensures that recovery mechanisms do not weaken the protections applied to synced passkeys.

Building for the passwordless future

Passkeys represent a major step forward in authentication. In Microsoft Password Manager, we've engineered a sync system that balances strong security protections with seamless cross-device usability. By combining confidential computing, hardware-backed key protection, and device-bound authorization, Microsoft Password Manager delivers secure passkey roaming built to withstand modern threats. These protections are designed as independent layers that collectively safeguard passkeys throughout their lifecycle. Synced passkeys are a strong step forward in our passwordless journey, bringing the simplicity and security of phishing-resistant sign-in to users. We're excited to continue this journey with new capabilities and experiences ahead.

IT practitioners don’t hand out praise easily. So when a solution architect, a head of workplace design and a modern workplace product manager start saying the same thing about an endpoint — simpler to manage, faster to deploy, easier to secure — it's worth paying attention to. Windows 365 Link turns one year old this month. To understand why it matters, it helps to understand the service it is purpose-built for: Windows 365 is a cloud service that streams a full Windows experience — your apps, your settings, your desktop — directly from the Microsoft Cloud to any device. Your PC, essentially, lives in the cloud. Windows 365 Link was built to take that idea further, giving organizations a simple-to-manage, secure endpoint for Windows 365 with no local data, no local apps and no local admin users, so they could scale Cloud PCs simply, securely and cost-effectively. In the year since its launch, it has expanded to new regions and found a home across industries as different as manufacturing, healthcare, retail and professional services. Windows 365 Link is helping a set of organizations with genuinely different challenges — an energy company looking to eliminate the management overhead that comes with running different devices for different roles; a global packaging manufacturer trying to give hundreds of factory workers seamless access to resources as they move station to station; a New Zealand telco rebuilding its entire desktop environment after separating from its parent company; and a Japanese IT infrastructure service provider developing a robust hybrid work foundation that balances convenience with security. What they found in Windows 365 Link wasn’t just a device; it was a way to stop reconciling complexity and start running IT the way it should work. Across organizations, the feedback tells a consistent story: https://youtu.be/KRymSGLgNOg Our growing partner network helps organizations quickly procure and deploy Windows 365 Link. We’ve onboarded more than 200 resellers across 20 countries. Feedback from partners with experience deploying Windows 365 Link highlights Windows 365 Link’s ability to simplify endpoint management and deliver reliable experiences:  https://youtu.be/3NUTul4a0gU Based on customer feedback, we make  regular updates to Windows 365 Link devices to further enhance user experience and streamline IT management. Key updates targeted for release this quarter include:

• Support for pairing Bluetooth® devices during the out-of-box experience, so you can use a wireless keyboard and mouse to set up the device

• Support for tenant branding including setting a custom wallpaper, logo and name on the sign-in screen, so you can provide a tailored experience for your users

• Support for unique peripherals via USB redirection with no endpoint configuration required (GA) and ability to configure specific USB devices via centralized IT Admin controls (Public Preview)

• Support for visibility into pending updates directly on the sign-in screen and ctrl+alt+del screen, so users know when updates are available

Support for tenant branding on the Windows 365 Link sign-in screen As we mark this milestone, we thank our Windows 365 customers and partners for their trust and collaboration. If you’re planning a device refresh for frontline or desk-based workers, consider Windows 365 Link as a more secure, simple-to-manage and cost-effective alternative to traditional desktops. For more on the potential benefits of deploying Windows 365 Link in shared spaces, read the Forrester Consulting study New Technology: The Projected Total Economic Impact™ of Windows 365 Link, July 2025, commissioned by Microsoft. We’re committed to expanding Windows 365 Link’s availability so more organizations can benefit from the power, simplicity and security of Windows 365.

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1863 to the Canary Channel. (KB 5083725)

What’s new in Canary Build 28020.1863

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[General]

• Fixed an issue that prevented some apps from signing in due to a false report of no internet connectivity.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel

• These builds can be unstable and may be released with limited documentation. Join Windows Insider – Get early access to Windows 11 features & updates

• Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required. As a reminder - Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Hello Windows Insiders, today we’re releasing Windows Insider Preview Build 29570.1000 to the Windows 11 Insider Canary Channel on the optional 29500 build series.

What’s new in Canary Build 29570.1000

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

• This update includes platform changes in moving to a new active development build.

[Gaming]

• Xbox mode is now available on Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined, full‑screen interface that puts your games front and center while minimizing background distractions. Xbox mode is designed for those moments when you want to lean back, pick up a controller, and focus on the game. Enter Xbox mode from the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or by pressing Win + F11. For more information, see Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Gaming and Xbox > Xbox Mode.

[Policy-Based Removal of Preinstalled Microsoft Apps]

• This update adds support for a dynamic app removal list to the “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages” policy for Windows Enterprise and Education. Administrators can remove additional MSIX/APPX-packaged apps by specifying their app package family names using Group Policy. The dynamic list is not currently available in Intune Settings Catalog. Validation must be performed using Group Policy or custom OMA-URI. For more information, see Policy-based in-box app removal.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Developer Platform > App Deployment.

[Context Menu]

• When right clicking on a .exe, .bat, or .cmd file, the context menu’s “Open” verb will now match the icon associated with the file’s default app.

[caption id="attachment_178900" align="alignnone" width="967"] The context menu’s “Open” verb matches the icon in the default app.[/caption]

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under File Folders and Online Storage > File Explorer.

[Touchpad] 

• We’re adding a new setting in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad so you can choose how large the right-click zone size is (this is the portion in the bottom-right of your touchpad where pressing a single finger will result in a right-click), between default, small, medium, and large. Note – this setting only appears for touchpads that have a pressable surface for this. Some manufacturers may provide customization for this in their own apps – if you’ve customized your setting using an app like this, a “Custom” entry will be added to the dropdown, which preserves that value.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Touchpad.

[Lock screen] 

• More widget options and support for lock screen widget personalization (previously referred to as “Weather and more”) are rolling out. After initial launch with Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), these updates are expanding to all regions. You can add, remove, and rearrange lock screen widgets such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, Traffic, and more. Any widget that supports the small sizing option can be added. To customize your lock screen widgets, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.

FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Desktop Environment > Lock screen.

[Input]

• Pen settings: we have made refinements to the Pen settings page including small changes to the options for the pen tail button. A new option, “Same as Copilot key”, enables the pen tail button to launch the same app as the Copilot key.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Devices and Drivers > Bluetooth – Keyboards, Mice, and Pens.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel

• These builds can be unstable and may be released with limited documentation. Join Windows Insider – Get early access to Windows 11 features & updates
• The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
• Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary

• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Hello Windows Insiders, today we’re releasing Windows 11 Builds 26100.8313 and 26200.8313 (KB5083631) to Insiders in the Release Preview Channel on Windows 11, versions 24H2 (Build 26100) and 25H2 (Build 26200). This update is available through two release phases: gradual rollout and normal rollout. A gradual rollout delivers an update in phases, so features reach devices over time instead of all at once, meaning availability varies by device.​​​​​​​​​​​​​ A normal rollout is the broad release to all eligible devices at the same time, usually when it reaches general availability (GA).

Gradual rollout

Windows 11 PC experiences

This section highlights new features and enhancements for Windows 11 PCs, including AI-powered capabilities, continuous innovation, and performance improvements.

• [Gaming] New! Xbox mode is now available on Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. Inspired by the Xbox console experience, Xbox mode offers a streamlined, full‑screen interface that puts your games front and center while minimizing background distractions. Xbox mode is designed for those moments when you want to lean back, pick up a controller, and focus on the game. Enter Xbox mode from the Xbox app, Game Bar settings, or by pressing Win + F11. For more information, see Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors
• [File Explorer]
  • Improves folder view consistency so customized settings (such as sorting files by name or adjusting icon size) now apply across all ways you open a folder. When you open the same folder from another app, such as a web browser, your preferences persist automatically. This improvement is especially helpful in the Downloads folder when Group by date is turned off.
  • Improves the speed and performance of File Explorer launch.¹
  • Removes white flash when launching File Explorer in dark mode if File Explorer was set to launch to This PC or when resizing the details pane.
  • New! Adds “preview anyway” button to preview pane in File Explorer for files downloaded from the internet after viewing warning.
  • New! Expands the list of archive formats that can be used in File Explorer to include uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet Packages (nupkg).
  • Improves reliability of relevant explorer.exe processes stopping after closing File Explorer windows.
• [Input]
  • New! You can feel haptic feedback effects on compatible input devices when performing certain actions, such as aligning objects in PowerPoint, snapping or resizing windows. These haptic signals can be turned on or off in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse, Touchpad, or Pen > Haptic signals. This experience is supported on Surface Slim Pen 2, ASUS Pen 3.0, and MSI pen 2 with haptic feedback. Support for additional compatible devices, including select mice such as Logitech MX Master 4, might become available as hardware partners release updates.
  • New! Voice typing on the touch keyboard now looks simpler and more intuitive. The updated design removes the full‑screen overlay and shows voice typing animations directly on the dictation key, helping you stay focused without extra visual distractions.
  • New! Adds a new Arabic 101 Legacy keyboard layout which can be added when selecting a keyboard for an Arabic language under Time & Language > Language & Region, for those that would prefer to use the keyboard design prior to recent changes with AltGr.
  • Improves reliability of setting custom tools under Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Wheel.
  • Improves persistence of Fluid Dictation setting in voice typing.
  • Improves reliability of keyboard navigation for emoji panel (Windows key + Period).
  • Improves reliability of typing when using the ADLaM keyboard.
• [Sharing] New! Drag Tray is now called Drop Tray, and its settings have moved from Nearby sharing to Settings > System > Multitasking. Drop Tray now uses a smaller peek view, which helps prevent accidental openings and makes it easier to dismiss when you work near the top of the screen.
• [Introducing Agents on Taskbar] New! Windows is adding a new way to monitor your agents from the taskbar. This experience supports agents across first- and third-party apps, with Researcher in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app as the first adopter. When Researcher works on a report, Windows shows progress on the taskbar so you can check updates at a glance. Hover over the Microsoft 365 Copilot icon to see real-time progress. When the report is ready, Windows notifies you. Select the notification or the icon to return to the app and review and use the results.
  • Developers can learn how to use this API with the Windows.UI.Shell.Tasks API.
• [Enterprise State Roaming (ESR)] New! ESR can now be managed through Windows Backup for Organizations policies. This makes setup easier for IT administrators. To learn more, see Enterprise State Roaming
• [Policy-Based Removal of Preinstalled Microsoft Apps] New! This update adds support for a dynamic app removal list to the “Remove Default Microsoft Store packages” policy for Windows Enterprise and Education. Administrators can remove additional MSIX/APPX-packaged apps by specifying their app package family names using Group Policy. The dynamic list is not currently available in Intune Settings Catalog. Validation must be performed using Group Policy or custom OMA-URI. For more information, see Policy-based in-box app removal.
• [Windows Driver Policy update] New! This update improves Windows security by changing how the Windows kernel trusts third‑party drivers. Default trust for cross‑signed drivers is removed, while drivers from the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP) and an allow list of trusted legacy drivers remain allowed. Windows audits driver compatibility for at least 100 hours and three reboots before enabling enforcement. After enforcement, a small number of cross‑signed drivers may be blocked. For more information, see the Windows driver policy documentation and the Advancing Windows driver security blog.
• [Enhanced security and performance for batch files] New! Administrators and Application Control for Business policy authors now have additional control over how the system processes batch files and Command Prompt (CMD) scripts. Starting with this release, administrators can enable a more secure processing mode for batch files. This mode prevents batch files from changing during execution.

To enable this setting, add the following value to the registry:

Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor

Value name: LockBatchFilesWhenInUse

Type: DWORD

Data to be set: 0 (disabled) or 1 (enabled)

Policy authors can also enable this mode by using the LockBatchFilesWhenInUse application manifest control, as documented in the Application Control for Business manifest schema.

• [Microsoft Store] Reduces unexpected errors when downloading and installing apps from the Store, in particular error 0x80070057, 0x80240008, and 0x80073d28.
• [Fonts] This update includes improvements to the Leelawadee UI font family for the Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts to improve glyph sequencing, positioning, and rendering.
• [Audio] Improves 3rd party driver compatibility with midisrv.exe.
• [Taskbar] Improves reliability of loading the system tray area of the taskbar.
• [Windows Hello]
  • Improves Windows Hello Face reliability.
  • Improves persistence of Windows Hello Fingerprint across upgrades.

• [Storage]
  • Improves the performance when navigating to see storage on large volumes via Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Settings > Disks & Volumes.
  • Increases the size limit for formatting FAT32 volumes via the command line from 32GB to 2TB.

• [Delivery Optimization] Improves memory usage, reducing likelihood it will use an unexpectedly large amount of memory.
• [Display and graphics] Improves persistence and availability of color profile options for supported monitors.
• [Kiosk mode] Simplifies configuration for allowed packaged apps in kiosks when Microsoft Edge is one of the allowed apps.
• [General Performance] Improves performance of launching startup apps after boot (apps which display under Settings > Apps > Startup).
• [General Reliability] This update brings underlying changes to help improve explorer.exe reliability, including on login, when interacting with taskbar flyouts and task view, when unpinning items from File Explorer’s Quick Access, and more.

¹Availability may vary by device and market.

Normal rollout

This non-security update includes quality improvements. The following summary outlines key issues addressed by the KB update after you install it. Also, included are available new features. The bold text within the brackets indicates the item or area of the change.

• [Secure Boot] With this update, Windows quality updates include additional high confidence device targeting data, increasing coverage of devices eligible to automatically receive new Secure Boot certificates. Devices receive the new certificates only after demonstrating sufficient successful update signals, maintaining a controlled and phased rollout.
• [Windows Security] This update improves event logging related to CVE‑2024‑30098 by including the name of the affected application. This change makes it easier to identify applications that rely on smart card certificates and may need updates following recent security changes.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.8271 (KB 5083728) to the Beta Channel. Changes in Beta Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, and improvements (including notable fixes) that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, and improvements (including notable fixes) rolling out to everyone in the Beta Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog post.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

[Settings]

• Based on feedback, we’re providing clarity regarding location options in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location. When Location services is turned off, options like Default location and Allow location override are unavailable because apps and services aren’t receiving location info. To make that clearer, these options will now appear disabled (greyed out) until Location services is turned back on.
• We have improved the reliability of navigating to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

[File Explorer]

• We have updated iconography placement in the File Explorer search box to be more consistent across different PCs.

[caption id="attachment_178893" align="alignnone" width="265"] Old search box.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178891" align="alignnone" width="224"] New search box.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178892" align="alignnone" width="225"] Existing search box on a Copilot+ PC.[/caption]

• Improved File Explorer reliability.
• Improved navigation pane usage for Voice Access users.

[Windows Hello]

• Improved reliability and performance of Windows Hello fingerprint after your PC wakes from sleep.

[Input]

• Improved performance of opening clipboard history.

[Fonts]

• We’ve made some font improvements, including updating the Leelawadee UI font family for the Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts to help improve glyph sequencing, positioning, and rendering for these scripts.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26220.8271).
• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
• Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8276 (KB 5083726) to the Dev Channel. Changes in Dev Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, and improvements (including notable fixes) that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, and improvements (including notable fixes) rolling out to everyone in the Dev Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

[Settings]

• Based on feedback, we’re providing clarity regarding location options in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location. When Location services is turned off, options like Default location and Allow location override are unavailable because apps and services aren’t receiving location info. To make that clearer, these options will now appear disabled (greyed out) until Location services is turned back on.
• We have improved the reliability of navigating to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.

[File Explorer]

• We have updated iconography placement in the File Explorer search box to be more consistent across different PCs.

[caption id="attachment_178893" align="alignnone" width="265"] Old search box.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178891" align="alignnone" width="224"] New search box.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_178892" align="alignnone" width="225"] Existing search box on a Copilot+ PC.[/caption]

• Improved File Explorer reliability.
• Improved navigation pane usage for Voice Access users.

[Windows Hello]

• Improved reliability and performance of Windows Hello fingerprint after your PC wakes from sleep.

[Input]

• Improved performance of opening clipboard history.

[Fonts]

• We’ve made some font improvements, including updating the Leelawadee UI font family for the Thai, Lao, Khmer, and Lontara scripts to help improve glyph sequencing, positioning, and rendering for these scripts.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26300.8276).
• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
• Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Fans of the Metro series from 4A Games can check out a recap of a recent broadcast from Xbox First Look on the latest title in that storyline: Metro 2039, due to be released this winter. “Like the previous games in the series, it will be a story-driven, single-player campaign, crafted with skill and passion by a global team founded and still majority-based in Ukraine,” writes Xbox Wire’s Will Fulton. In Metro 2039, you’ll step into the character of “The Stranger” and return to a post-apocalyptic Moscow overrun by a fascist regime. This will be the series’ first fully voiced lead protagonist. Head over to Xbox Wire to find out more about the game, its story and its creators.

College life is full in every sense of the word. Full schedules, full inboxes, full expectations. The pressure to keep up, stay productive and always be “on” is real. Windows is making it even easier to get ready for everything college brings – from job searches and exam prep to game nights and downtime with friends. Starting today, eligible U.S. students can get great deals on select Windows 11 PCs, plus the Microsoft College Offer with more than $500 in added value for free^[1]. With the purchase of a new PC, unlock a full year of work and play:

• 1 year of Microsoft 365 Premium^[2] Power your coursework, group projects and everything in between with Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus Copilot built in^[3].
• 1 year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate^[2] Unlock a library of hundreds of games, including new games like Forza Horizon 6 and Fable^[4]. Play on PC, Xbox console and on more devices with unlimited cloud gaming – plus, subscribers get benefits and rewards^[5].
• A free design-your-own Xbox Wireless Controller to personalize your gaming setup – match your team, school or your favorite game with custom colors^[6].

To get the Microsoft College Offer, shop a wide range of Windows 11 PCs to meet your unique needs, with a variety of designs, display sizes and memory options at exceptional value. You can find great deals on qualifying PCs, including these limited-time, retailer-specific savings available starting today:

	Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x $499 from $749 at Best Buy[7] Great for students juggling classes, side projects and downtime, this device is built to support everyday college life. Ideal for streaming shows on the weekend, staying on top of online classes or getting assignments done.
	HP OmniBook X Flip $849 from $949 at Best Buy[7] Designed for students who want performance and a premium experience. This PC can handle demanding creative workloads and multitasking for school, plus a flexible flip design that adapts to your needs outside the lecture hall.
	HP Victus $950 from $1399 at HP[7] Built for play and performance, this PC keeps up with your coursework and your free time. Jump into games after class without switching devices. It’s a solid pick if gaming is part of how you relax and connect on campus.
	Alienware 16 Aurora $1299 from $1519 at Dell[7] Made for students who want one device that can handle it all – from homework sessions to streaming. It delivers smooth performance whether you’re juggling coursework or jumping into your favorite games after hours.

Check out qualifying devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft Surface on offer at retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Dell.com, HP.com, Microsoft.com and Walmart.

Study smarter with powerful productivity tools

Student life isn’t just busy – it’s fragmented. Notes here. Deadlines there. Messages everywhere. That’s where Windows 11 comes in: supporting students throughout their busy days to help them get organized and stay connected across every facet, including schoolwork and personal projects. Talking to students, the vast majority are already using AI to manage it all: 86% report using AI for their studies^[8] and according to another study nearly half of students surveyed view it as a tool to improve their understanding and build confidence^[9]. AI doesn’t replace your thinking – it supports it. Microsoft 365 Premium acts as your personal coach and study partner. With Copilot built directly into the apps students already use, it’s easier to research with ease, plan with precision, create with confidence and protect what’s important. Students using Microsoft 365 Premium unlock higher usage limits, expanded access to advanced Copilot features and AI agents that can take on more complex tasks as their workload grows^[3].

• In Word, Copilot can turn scattered notes into a clear structure, or suggest ways to improve clarity, tone and flow as you revise without overwriting your voice, so you stay in control from rough draft to final submission.
• In Excel, Copilot can help you better track a budget, deep dive on survey results and understand the “why” behind the numbers.
• In PowerPoint, Copilot can quickly build your first draft presentation, suggest slide structure and help refine wording so your points land clearly.
• In Outlook, Copilot can summarize long email threads, suggest quick replies and draft messages. Instead of reacting to every message, you get help catching up on your emails and responding thoughtfully – saving you time and stress.

If you need to go deeper, Researcher pulls trusted sources with citations for papers and projects, and Analyst (coming soon) turns your data into clear insights you can explain. Let’s look at how Copilot simplifies everyday tasks – whether you need help polishing your resume for an internship opportunity, or an extra hand keeping your budget in check: https://youtu.be/9mNCkTm-ywc

Polish your resume in Word with Copilot

https://youtu.be/hYftp6KvZNE

Track your budget in Excel with Copilot

On top of the Microsoft 365 and Xbox subscriptions available on offer with eligible Windows PCs, students can also take advantage of Copilot in Edge^[10], which helps you learn by breaking things down in real-time within the context of your coursework: It can summarize what you’re reading, explain concepts in simple terms or help you explore a topic without bouncing between tabs. Copilot can also create quizzes, flashcards and podcasts from your material so you can prep for exams, identify gaps in your knowledge and build your confidence: https://youtu.be/4j3chZtjQvc

Study smarter with Copilot in Edge

See how else Copilot has your back with classes, projects and campus life.

Game on with the best PC games on Windows

Our commitment to making Windows the best place to game starts with having the most PC games across storefronts and platforms^[11]. With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you get access to hundreds of high-quality games on Xbox console, PC, and supported devices, including new titles like Forza Horizon 6^[4]. Plus, play on any screen with unlimited cloud gaming and get in-game benefits in League of Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and more^[4]. You also get Fortnite Crew, EA Play, and Ubisoft+ Classics included. Play and earn in the Store with Rewards^[12]. Find your community with Xbox and play where you want. Plus, with Xbox Design Lab, you can customize colors for your new Xbox Wireless Controller’s body, back, bumpers and thumbsticks so it matches your individual style^[5]. Whether you’re gaming between classes, competing with friends or unwinding after a long study session, a customized controller makes every play feel more personal. Your game. Your look. Your controller. When classes wrap up, students have even more ways to play with Xbox and Windows beyond what comes with the offer. Xbox mode brings the best of the Xbox experience to your PC. Rolling out to Windows 11 devices this month in the U.S. and other select markets, Xbox mode is a console-inspired, controller-optimized, dedicated gaming experience. You can seamlessly switch between Xbox mode and the Windows desktop, combining immersive gameplay with the flexibility of a PC on the same device. https://youtu.be/mKepo62-Lls

Xbox mode on Windows 11

Level up your laptop with a new Windows 11 PC

College is demanding. Technology shouldn’t make it harder. With the ultimate college bundle, it’s easy to find a Windows 11 PC that supports your learning, creativity and downtime, all with more than $500 in added subscription value included. Windows is built to keep up with busy student life, delivering performance and reliability you can count on so your PC stays fast and responsive throughout the semester. You’ll also have peace of mind with security built in, including features like Microsoft Defender antivirus and secure sign‑in that help protect your files, photos and personal info from day one, so you can focus on learning. When you choose a Copilot+ PC, you get even more – with long battery life^[13] and advanced on-device AI built to help you hit deadlines, multitask confidently and stay ahead all semester long. Available to eligible U.S. college students who purchase a qualifying PC at Microsoft.com, retailers – including Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart – and directly from original device manufacturers, including Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo and Surface. Offer valid from April 15, 2026, to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 30, 2026, while supplies of eligible PCs last. Visit the offer page for full details, eligibility requirements and additional terms. [1] Offer ends June 30, 2026. Eligibility requirements apply, and students will need to verify their academic status using their college .edu email address. Redemption requires a Microsoft account and following the provided steps after purchase of a qualifying PC. [2] For new subscribers only. Valid payment method required; subscriptions auto‑renew. See terms and conditions for details. [3] AI features only available to subscription owner and cannot be shared; usage limits apply. Learn more. Minimum age limits may apply to use of AI features. Details. [4] Forza Horizon 6 coming May 19, 2026. Fable coming late 2026. [5] Game library and benefits vary over time, by device, and Xbox Game Pass plan. xbox.com/gamepass. Select devices (xbox.com/cloud-devices). Rewards require Microsoft account and vary by Rewards Level. Terms apply. xbox.com/rewards. [6] Upgrades available; additional fees apply. [7] Discounted pricing available for limited time, while supplies last. Available on select configurations only. See retailer for details. [8] Digital Education Council, Global AI Student Survey 2024. Digital Education Council Global AI Student Survey 2024 [9] Consumer Trend Index, August 2025. (Microsoft-conducted survey of more than 1,200 U.S. students) [10] Feature and app availability and functionality may vary by region, device type, and browser version. [11] Based on Steam’s catalog of PC games. Source: The Preferences Powering PC Gaming report by Ampere Analysis, commissioned by Microsoft, September 2025. [12] Microsoft account required. Rewards vary by Rewards Level. Terms apply: xbox.com/rewards. Gameplay rewards for 18+. Microsoft.com/msa [13] Battery life varies significantly by device and with settings, usage and other factors.

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 28020.1812 to the Canary Channel. (KB 5083824)

What’s new in Canary Build 28020.1812

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

• This update includes a small set of general improvements and fixes that improve the overall experience for Insiders running this build on their PCs.

[Touchpad]

• We’re adding a new setting in Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Touchpad so you can choose how large the right-click zone size is (this is the portion in the bottom-right of your touchpad where pressing a single finger will result in a right-click), between default, small, medium, and large. Note – this setting only appears for touchpads that have a pressable surface for this. Some manufacturers may provide customization for this in their own apps – if you’ve customized your setting using an app like this, a “Custom” entry will be added to the dropdown, which preserves that value.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Input and Language > Touchpad.

[Sharing]

• Based on feedback we’re making some refinements to drag tray, using a smaller peek view to reduce accidental invocation and make it easier to dismiss when interacting near the top of the screen.

[Windows Security app]

• We have recently started to roll out enhancements to the Windows Security app > Device security > Secure Boot experience, which shows green, yellow, and red icon badges as well as new text that reflects your device’s Secure Boot state and certificate status. Microsoft is updating Secure Boot certificates on consumer devices and some business PCs, and you can now check your certificate status with this new feature. This experience is disabled by default on enterprise IT managed devices and servers.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Windows Security.

[Feedback Hub Improvements]

• Thanks Windows Insiders who have been sharing such great feedback about the new Feedback Hub version. As some of you may have already noticed, we're currently rolling out version 2.2604.101.0 to Dev and Canary. This includes design refinements based on your feedback, such as:
  • Improved the default window size, and now it will remember window size across session.
  • You can now use the mouse back button to go back between pages.
  • If you were seeing less community feedback than usual, that should be addressed now.
  • Upvote buttons for feedback should display correctly for Insiders using the Chinese display language now, … and more.

Please keep the feedback coming! You can share your thoughts under Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Feedback Hub.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel

• These builds can be unstable and may be released with limited documentation. Join Windows Insider – Get early access to Windows 11 features & updates

• Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary Channel.
• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required. As a reminder - Insiders can’t switch to a channel that is receiving builds with lower build numbers without doing a clean installation of Windows 11 due to technical setup requirements.

• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Hello Windows Insiders, today we’re releasing Windows Insider Preview Build 29565.1000 to the Windows 11 Insider Canary Channel on the optional 29500 build series.

What’s new in Canary Build 29565.1000

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

• This update includes platform changes in moving to a new active development build.

[General]

• Improved velocity of Bubbles screensaver for monitors with higher refresh rates.

[Sharing]

• Based on feedback we’re making some refinements to drag tray, using a smaller peek view to reduce accidental invocation and make it easier to dismiss when interacting near the top of the screen.

[Windows Security app]

• We have recently started to roll out enhancements to the Windows Security app > Device security > Secure Boot experience, which shows green, yellow, and red icon badges as well as new text that reflects your device’s Secure Boot state and certificate status. Microsoft is updating Secure Boot certificates on consumer devices and some business PCs, and you can now check your certificate status with this new feature. This experience is disabled by default on enterprise IT managed devices and servers.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Windows Security.

[Feedback Hub Improvements]

• Thanks Windows Insiders who have been sharing such great feedback about the new Feedback Hub version. As some of you may have already noticed, we're currently rolling out version 2.2604.101.0 to Dev and Canary. This includes design refinements based on your feedback, such as:
  • Improved the default window size, and now it will remember window size across session.
  • You can now use the mouse back button to go back between pages.
  • If you were seeing less community feedback than usual, that should be addressed now.
  • Upvote buttons for feedback should display correctly for Insiders using the Chinese display language now, … and more.

Please keep the feedback coming! You can share your thoughts under Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Feedback Hub.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel

• These builds can be unstable and may be released with limited documentation. Join Windows Insider – Get early access to Windows 11 features & updates
• The builds we release to the Canary Channel represent the latest platform changes early in the development cycle and should not be seen as matched to any specific release of Windows. Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
• Many features in the Canary Channel are rolled out using Control Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• Some features may show up in the Dev and Beta Channels first before showing up in the Canary

• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• To get off the Canary Channel, a clean install of Windows 11 will be required.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8170 (KB 5083632) to the Dev Channel. Changes in Dev Channel builds and updates are documented in two buckets: new features, and improvements (including notable fixes) that are being gradually rolled out for Insiders who have turned on the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available (via Settings > Windows Update*) and then new features, and improvements (including notable fixes) rolling out to everyone in the Dev Channel. For more information, see the Reminders section at the bottom of this blog.

Changes and Improvements gradually being rolled out with toggle on*

[Storage]

• We’re increasing the size limit for formatting FAT32 volumes via the command line from 32GB to 2TB.
• Improved the performance when navigating to see storage on large volumes via Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Settings > Disks & Volumes.
• Updated Settings > System > Storage, so rather than seeing a UAC prompt immediately when you go to the page, you’ll only see it when going to view temporary files.

[Network]

• Fixed issue causing Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage to show large unrealistic values in recent Insider builds.

[Windows Security app]

• We have recently started to roll out enhancements to the Windows Security app > Device security > Secure Boot experience, which shows green, yellow, and red icon badges as well as new text that reflects your device’s Secure Boot state and certificate status. Microsoft is updating Secure Boot certificates on consumer devices and some business PCs, and you can now check your certificate status with this new feature. This experience is disabled by default on enterprise IT managed devices and servers.

Feedback: Share your thoughts in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Windows Security.

[Feedback Hub Improvements]

• Thanks Windows Insiders who have been sharing such great feedback about the new Feedback Hub version. As some of you may have already noticed, we're currently rolling out version 2.2604.101.0 to Dev and Canary. This includes design refinements based on your feedback, such as:
  • Improved the default window size, and now it will remember window size across session.
  • You can now use the mouse back button to go back between pages.
  • If you were seeing less community feedback than usual, that should be addressed now.
  • Upvote buttons for feedback should display correctly for Insiders using the Chinese display language now, … and more.

Please keep the feedback coming! You can share your thoughts under Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Feedback Hub.

Reminders for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel

• Updates are based on Windows 11, version 25H2 via an enablement package (Build 26300.8170).
• Many features are rolled out using Controlled Feature Rollout technology, starting with a subset of Insiders and ramping up over time as we monitor feedback to see how they land before pushing them out to everyone in this channel.
• The desktop watermark shown at the lower right corner of the desktop is normal for Windows Insider pre-release builds.
• For Windows Insiders who want to be the first to get features gradually rolled out to you, you can turn ON the toggle to get the latest updates as they are available via Settings > Windows Update*. Over time, we will increase the rollouts of features to everyone with the toggle turned on. Should you keep this toggle off, new features will gradually be rolled out to your PC over time once they are ready.
• Features and experiences included in these builds may never get released as we try out different concepts and get feedback. Features may change over time, be removed, or replaced and never get released beyond Windows Insiders. Some of these features and experiences could show up in future Windows releases when they’re ready.
• Some features in active development we preview with Windows Insiders may not be fully localized and localization will happen over time as features are finalized. As you see issues with localization in your language, please report those issues to us via Feedback Hub.
• Check out Flight Hub for a complete look at what build is in which Insider channel.

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team