Microsoft released updates addressing more than 1,400 security vulnerabilities across Windows and other software, far exceeding September's previous record of about 1,000 fixes. One flaw, CVE-2026-96951, a Windows Shell security feature bypass, is already being exploited in the wild, while another, CVE-2026-108398 in the .NET Framework, was publicly disclosed before patching though not yet seen exploited. At least 78 of the fixes are rated critical, mostly allowing remote code execution.
krebsonsecurity.com
· 2026-10-13
Microsoft has released KB5126657 for Windows 10, available to Enterprise LTSC and ESU-enrolled devices via Windows Update. The update brings systems to build 19045.7807 (19044.7807 for LTSC 2021) and folds in this month's Patch Tuesday fixes, which addressed 1,411 vulnerabilities including one actively exploited zero-day. It also adds permanent Daylight Savings Time support for British Columbia and Alberta, a new Manitoba Standard Time zone, auditing controls for ReFS volumes on external storage, and a Storage Spaces fix.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-13
Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11 version 24H2 Home and Pro editions stopped receiving monthly security and preview updates as of October 13, 2026, with the October update being the final one issued. Enterprise and Education editions of 24H2 remain supported until October 2027, and Microsoft is urging affected users to move to the newer Windows 11 26H2 release.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-13
Framework has updated its budget-focused Laptop 12 with Intel's new Core Series 3 processors, offering configurations from a Core 3 304 chip with 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD at $799 up to a Core 7 350 model with 32GB RAM at $1,549. Buyers can save $100 by choosing Fedora Linux instead of Windows, and pricing on all tiers has reportedly risen beyond the company's original targets.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-13
Microsoft released two cumulative updates covering Windows 11 versions 23H2 through 26H2, bundling this month's Patch Tuesday security fixes with new features. The updates add File Explorer improvements, including better handling of previews for downloaded files and persistent folder states, plus support for Emoji 17.0. Users can install via Windows Update or download manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-13
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 says Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions will receive their final security update in November 2026. This follows the Home and Pro editions of 23H2 losing support in November 2025. Microsoft is urging affected users to move to Windows 11 26H2, which rolled out in September 2026 and will be supported for consumers until October 2029.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-10-12
Creative director Mike Lacher built and shared a free browser-based parody titled "Triple-A Minesweeper," which wraps the classic Windows game in modern AAA trappings: engine/audio-tech splash screens, cinematic loading sequences, a hand-holding handler character named Nora, and chatty side characters like 'The Don,' 'Clyde,' 'Dr. K,' and 'DJ Dan.' The parody even jokes about future 'loot boxes and brand integrations' supposedly arriving next year, and Nora visibly highlights safe tiles during play.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-11
A developer using the handle rsheldiii built a native port of Super Mario 64 for the discontinued Microsoft Zune HD, running through the unofficial OpenZDK homebrew kit without modifying the device's firmware. The project, based on the decompiled sm64ex PC port, plays mostly at full speed with sound, touch controls and save support, though users must supply their own ROM dump from a cartridge.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-11
Tom's Hardware installed Windows 7 on current gaming hardware and tested it against Windows 11 across eight DirectX 11 titles and two DirectX 9 titles. The outlet found Windows 7 posted notable performance advantages over Windows 11 in several of these games despite being 17 years old.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-10-10
Engadget's 2026 review roundup revisits its testing of Dell's XPS 13, noting that the entry-level 8GB RAM configuration struggled with Windows 11. Reviewer Sam tested a midrange model with more memory and found it performed significantly better, concluding the extra cost was worthwhile despite the base model's shortcomings.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-10
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
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