Microsoft Weekly: Bad and good news for gamers, browser updates, and more

This week's news recap is here, and it brings good news and bad news. Bad news for those who want to purchase a new Xbox or who play Steam games on 32-bit Windows 10, good news for Windows Insiders, big browser updates, and more.

Quick links:

1. Windows 10 and 11
2. Windows Insider Program
3. Updates are available
4. Reviews are in
5. Gaming news

Windows 11 and Windows 10

Here, we talk about everything happening around Microsoft's latest operating system in the Stable channel and preview builds: new features, removed features, controversies, bugs, interesting findings, and more. And, of course, you may find a word or two about older versions.

In addition to acknowledging a new Windows 11 bug with DRM/HDCP video playback, Microsoft lifted one of the existing upgrade blocks, giving more users the chance to update to Windows 11 version 24H2. This time, Microsoft resolved the bug with apps becoming unresponsive when using the camera.

The original certificates for Secure Boot, a key Windows 11 hardware requirement, expire in June 2026, and to help users prepare for this event, Microsoft published a detailed FAQ document outlining what customers should know about updating their security certificates. Spoiler alert: There is nothing to do if you let Microsoft manage updates on your system and do not mess with Windows Update.

Windows 10 support is ending soon. To help you make up your mind and switch, Microsoft published a new blog post where it outlined how well its Windows on Arm efforts are going, with plenty of popular apps now available natively on Copilot+ PCs. While some think we will see a massive exodus to Linux, new data shows that users do not rush to switch from Windows 10 to Linux.

Ever felt like having a Google Search widget on your desktop? If yes, good news: Google's new Windows app lets you have Google Search and local search in a single UI. The app is available as part of Search Lab, and you can download it now.

Also, the Backup app for Windows 10 and 11 is getting Intune support.

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:

Recent Windows 11 preview builds have a bunch of interesting stuff hidden inside. For example, the Settings app is getting a new "Keyboard" section with some options coming straight from the legacy Control Panel, giving you fewer reasons to open this old part of Windows history.

Additionally, Microsoft released new updates for certain inbox apps. Paint now lets you save files as projects and adjust layer opacity. Notepad now has free AI text processing on Copilot+ PCs, and Snipping Tool allows annotating the screen before actually taking screenshots.

Updates are available

This section covers software, firmware, and other notable updates (released and coming soon) delivering new features, security fixes, improvements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third parties.

Microsoft 365 apps are getting more AI-related stuff. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced that Copilot Chat is now available in apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. You can talk to Copilot about your document, ask it to help you analyze a spreadsheet, ask something, pitch ideas, automate tasks, and more.

Speaking of Office apps, Microsoft issued a warning that Office 2016 and Office 2019 will soon be out of support. Microsoft will pull the plug on these app suites on October 14, 2025. If you are still using Office 2016 or Office 2019, it is time to upgrade to something newer. Microsoft not only wants you to leave the soon-to-be-unsupported apps, but it also urges everyone once again to use the universally hated new Outlook app.

Finally, Microsoft revealed that the Microsoft 365 Copilot app will soon be forced onto Windows PCs.

Firefox 143 arrived this week with some interesting changes, such as the ability to run websites as UI-less applications, Copilot integration, xHE-AAC playback on supported systems, Windows UI Automation support for improved accessibility, and more. Shortly after that, Firefox 143.0.1 arrived with a single fix for crashing tabs.

Vivaldi, a feature-packed Chromium-based browser, received a big update to version 7.6. It brings two big changes: deeper customization with the ability to drastically adjust the looks, and the new Tab button that simplifies tab management in a single place.

Google Chrome also got a big update this week. In fact, the company claims that it was the biggest update ever, which brought Gemini, AI Mode, agentic capabilities, and more.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Microsoft fixed PowerToys installation issues in version 0.94.1
• Windows 365 Boot received a bunch of new features

• Microsoft's massive $7B Wisconsin investment unlocks new AI innovation hub

• Developers can now access official Microsoft docs faster through the new MCP server

• Microsoft announces historic $30 billion investment in the UK, its largest ever

   

Here are the latest drivers and firmware updates released this week:

• AMD released guidance about the 1603 error when installing graphics and chipset drivers.
• AMD 25.9.2 with support for Dying Light: The Beast and the RX 7700

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

This week, Robbie Khan dropped a review of three headphones that cater to three completely different wallets. If you are interested in comparing headphones that range from $649 to $4,500, check out Robbie's Review here.

Steven Parker reviewed the REDMAGIC 10S Pro, a gaming phone with some serious specs, albeit not without quirks and some annoyances. If you are looking for a powerful Android smartphone, be sure to read the review here.

The upcoming 4X strategy game Endless Legend 2 was also reviewed by Pulasthi Ariyasinghe this week. The early access release is trying out a brand-new twist for the classic genre to improve on the mid- and late-game. Check out the complete review here.

On the gaming side

Learn about upcoming game releases, Xbox rumors, new hardware, software updates, freebies, deals, discounts, and more.

Remember when, earlier this year, Microsoft increased the price of its consoles and accessories? It did it again. This week, the company announced new prices for its consoles. The Xbox Series S now starts at $399.99, while the top-of-the-line Xbox Series X with 2TB of storage will set you back a whopping $799.99.

Microsoft released a big update for the Xbox app on PC. It now serves as a universal launcher for all your games across different storefronts, not just the Microsoft Store. Steam, Epic Games Store, GoG, you name it. Each game in the Aggregated Gaming Library has a store badge that indicates its origin and helps you sort things out. The new unified launcher will be particularly useful on the upcoming ASUS Xbox ROG Ally and other handheld devices. Additionally, Microsoft started rolling out Gaming Copilot for Game Bar and Xbox apps on mobile devices.

Microsoft also announced a new wave of games for Game Pass subscribers. The latest additions include RoadCraft, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Frostpunk 2, Wobbly Life, Hades, Sworn, Visions of Mana, and a lot more. Note that Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, Ninja Gaiden 3 Razor’s Edge, and Terra Invicta are leaving the catalog at the end of this month.

If you have an Nvidia GeForce NOW subscription, you can play more games now. The company announced a fresh wave of games, including Fata Deum - The God Sim, Town to City, Goblin Cleanup, Project Winter, Jump Space, Field of Glory II: Medieval, and more. By the way, GeForce NOW members can get Borderlands 4 as a subscription bonus.

Valve also has some news for you, especially if you run 32-bit Windows 10. On January 1, 2026, Valve will stop supporting Steam on 32-bit Windows 10 installations. While the client will continue running for some time, users are strongly recommended to switch to 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 to remain supported.

Electronic Arts revealed some interesting details about optimizing Battlefield 6 for the Xbox Series S. As it turned out, having a lower-spec console motivated developers to do better and put effort into ensuring the game runs well. This, in turn, helped improve performance on more powerful devices, such as the Xbox Series X.

Deals and freebies

The Epic Games Store is giving away two games: Samorost 2 and Project Winter. Both are free to claim until next Thursday. And if you are in the mood for some spending on PC games, check out this week's Weekend PC Game Deals article.

Other gaming news includes the following:

• Grounded 2 gets a test environment for players to try out upcoming early access features

• Age of Empires II: DE expansion Chronicles: Alexander the Great announced with a new campaign

• Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake will reportedly lean into being an RPG experience

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Monday 22 September 2025 at 2:15 am AEST (my time).

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