Microsoft released the optional KB5127936 preview cumulative update, bringing 41 changes to Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 26H2, upgrading them to builds 26200.9818 and 26300.9818. Key additions include a faster, more customizable File Explorer context menu, a Cloud rebuild feature that can reinstall Windows using files from Windows Update without USB media, and a refreshed Xbox Game Bar navigation with quicker access to power and exit options.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-29
Microsoft's October 13 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 introduced a bug that disables the Smart App Control security feature and prevents users from turning it back on through normal settings. Microsoft has acknowledged the issue and published a Registry workaround involving two new keys while it prepares an official fix.
zdnet.com
· 2026-10-20
Microsoft says Windows Server 2025 will gain Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) once the October 2026 security update is installed, extending a feature previously limited to Windows 11. QMR boots a failing machine into the Windows Recovery Environment, runs a recovery tool, and sends crash data to Microsoft so it can remotely remove faulty drivers or updates. On Server 2025, cloud-based remediation is off by default and must be turned on through Group Policy settings.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-20
Microsoft says months of fixes to Windows 11 have made the OS up to 20 percent more responsive, with improvements to Start, File Explorer, Search, Edge and memory management. The company says PCs with 8GB of RAM or less can now keep up to 2GB more active data in memory, and Widgets now load on demand to free over 200MB of memory. Microsoft also cited less disruptive Windows Update behavior, faster Windows Hello sign-in, quicker Bluetooth/AirPods pairing, and a new taskbar repositioning option.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-15
Microsoft released its October Patch Tuesday update, addressing roughly 1,410 security vulnerabilities including two zero-day flaws across supported Windows versions. The release is also the first official update for Windows 11 26H2 and the final supported update for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions. It also includes fixes for File Explorer and Bluetooth issues, plus the ability to remap the Copilot key.
zdnet.com
· 2026-10-14
NTDEV's open-source Tiny11 Builder now includes a GUI, simplifying the process of creating slimmed-down Windows 11 installation images from official Microsoft ISOs. The tool uses PowerShell scripts and DISM to strip preinstalled apps, services, and components, offering both a standard Tiny11 build that retains Windows Update and Defender, and a more extreme Tiny11 Core variant that removes them entirely.
techspot.com
· 2026-10-13
Microsoft has told IT administrators that security certificates used by Windows Update services will expire on preset dates, and devices that don't install specific updates beforehand will lose access to future updates. Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 certificates expire June 19, 2027, requiring the September 2025 update or later; other supported Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2022 versions share that expiration but need the July 2026 update. LTSB/LTSC releases of Windows 10 Enterprise 2019 and Windows Server 2016/2019 face an earlier May 17, 2027 cutoff.
techspot.com
· 2026-10-10
Microsoft announced that Windows Update certificates will expire on May 17 and June 19, 2027, and devices running unsupported Windows versions at that point will lose access to update services entirely. The company has already pushed replacement certificates to supported systems, but it listed specific security updates that must be installed on various Windows 10, 11 and Server versions before the deadlines to maintain update access.</br>Microsoft urged IT administrators to inventory devices on outdated or unsupported Windows versions now and ensure monthly updates are deployed across their fleets ahead of the rotation.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-09
Recent analysis reveals that Windows' hot-patching mechanism is designed to handle only one authorized patcher, typically Windows Update. If a function has been altered by an unauthorized process, the system detects this during the patching process and triggers a reboot to prevent potential issues. Race conditions may occur if a function is patched after initial safety checks, leading to partial patches that could destabilize the system.
devblogs.microsoft.com
· 2026-10-06
Microsoft has released Windows 11 version 26H2 to the stable channel as a 174 KB 'enablement package' that activates features already delivered through prior monthly updates rather than introducing new code. It shares the same underlying build as 25H2 and 24H2, part of the Germanium release, and adds no new functionality on its own but switches on dormant tools across the Start menu, Taskbar, File Explorer, Search, Task Manager, AI settings, and more.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-30
Microsoft has paused rollout of KB5002907, an update meant for outdated Microsoft 365 Apps installations, after users reported it deactivated or removed perpetual Office 2016 and Office 2019 installs. Belgian MSP owner Christian Van Hautte said five unrelated clients contacted him within about ten minutes on September 24, with dozens of PCs showing an 'Unlicensed Product' error. He found that re-entering original product keys restored activation, and said the update installed automatically despite being labeled optional.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-09-26
Microsoft is testing a new Windows 11 recovery feature called Cloud Rebuild in Insider Beta Preview Build 26220.9343. It reinstalls Windows directly from Windows Update even when the existing installation is corrupted or won't boot, eliminating the need for a USB recovery drive. The tool is accessed through the Windows Recovery Environment, which can now also reuse saved Wi-Fi credentials to connect during recovery.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-09-11
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