Microsoft Weekly: Long-requested features for Windows 11, leaked gamepads and leaked games

This week's recap is about big Windows 11 updates, leaked games, leaked gamepads, hardware reviews, and more.

It is time to catch up with this week's Microsoft stories. The last seven days were busy with Microsoft releasing Forza Horizon 6, new Windows 11 taskbar features (long-requested, mind you), plenty of preview builds, driver improvements for Windows 11, Patch Tuesday updates, bugs (of course), 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.

This week, Microsoft released the May 2026 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10 and 11. Those who left Windows 10 behind and switched to Windows 11 should download KB5089549. This update introduces Xbox Mode, File Explorer improvements, haptic feedback for supported trackpads and mice, reliability improvements, and other changes. Windows 10 users can download KB5087544 (if they are enrolled in the Extended Security Updates program.

Shortly after the release of this month's Patch Tuesday, Microsoft confirmed new bugs and released a new version of the Media Creation Tool with the latest builds.

Over the last couple of years, Microsoft has implemented plenty of new software features to help users recover their PCs from outages, buggy software updates, and more. The latest effort was announced this week, the so-called Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery, or CIDR. This feature is designed to resolve faulty drivers by removing them remotely. Microsoft plans to launch CIDR later this year. Microsoft also wants to make sure you do not need CIDR, as it works hard at fixing driver quality in its operating system and improving GPU drivers.

Besides reliability improvements, Microsoft is busy enhancing Windows 11 performance with the new Low Latency mode and a fully native user interface based on WinUI 3.

To finish this week's Windows 11 section, here is an interesting article about a Windows 95 UI relic that still somehow exists in the latest Windows version despite zero use.

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:

The latest Windows 11 build from the Experimental (Dev) channel finally adds the change where the taskbar appears. This feature is rolling out gradually, but you can force-enable it in the Flags section or the ViVeTool app. In addition, Microsoft confirmed that more taskbar and Start menu improvements and features are on the way.

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 announced a few Edge-related updates this week. The company is killing Copilot Mode in favor of native AI features on desktop and mobile devices. Also, Microsoft acknowledged the problem with passwords stored in memory as plain text and promised to fix it with an emergency patch. That patch arrived a couple of days later. However, Microsoft has yet to address customer feedback about the two features it is removing from the Edge browser.

If you use Copilot in Office apps, you will be glad to know that Microsoft is making it easier to access AI-powered capabilities in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Now, the assistant is accessible via a floating button in the bottom-right corner of the screen or when the user interacts with context (for example, highlights text). For those who do not like this idea, Microsoft also added the option to turn off the floating Copilot button. Naturally, this change sparked massive outrage among users.

Also, check out Usama's rumblings about Microsoft Teams and five things that he absolutely hates about this messenger.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Third-party file manager Files has been updated to version 4.1 with new features.

• Microsoft unveils MDASH, a multi-model agentic AI system that beats Anthropic's Mythos.

• Microsoft deepens SK hynix partnership as it seeks to reduce reliance on NVIDIA.

• VMware Fusion Pro 26H1 released with support for more guest OSes.

• Exchange Server has a "critical" security bug, but Microsoft does not have a proper fix yet.

• Microsoft patent reveals interesting details about canceled Surface Duo 3.

   

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

• NVIDIA 596.49 WHQL with DLSS 4.5 support for Forza Horizon 6, Directive 8020, and Subnautica 2. The driver also fixes enhanced smoothness when DLSS Frame Generation is used with V-SYNC and display flickering in Foundry Mari 7.0v2.
• Intel 32.0.101.8801 non-WHQL with Forza Horizon 6 support and more.
• AMD 26.5.2 with Forza Horizon 6 support and 007 First Light.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

Steven Parker reviewed another mini PC this week. The GEEKOM A9 Max 2026 Edition visited Neowin's testing lab, offering a small yet powerful Copilot+ PC with an 86 TOPS NPU, a premium build, dual USB 4 and 2.5 GbE ports, and low temperatures. This computer is not cheap, and the lack of front-facing USB Type-C ports is disappointing, but overall, it is a very solid device for those who need a small, yet powerful computer without relying on discrete graphics cards.

We also review the Luna Ring Gen 2, a titanium smart ring that stands out among the competition with a no-subscription app, accurate health tracking, and beautiful design. Like other smart rings, it is not cheap, but it makes up for that with quite a lot of wellbeing-related stuff.

Another review is about the Serafim S3, a lightweight mobile controller. It has great tactile buttons, comfortable grips, but also some weird stuff, including a questionable app that asks you to buy a subscription.

There is also a review of the Cuktech 30 Ultra, a powerful desktop charging station with five ports, 300W DC output, and a useful display to track various charging stats. It is a pretty cool charging accessory with only a couple of minor flaws.

We also had two game reviews. One is about Forza Horizon 6, Microsoft's long-anticipated racing game set in Japan. The game has a massive, beautiful map, meaningful gameplay improvements, better progression, and more. The second is a review of Far Far West early access, a game where cowboys and magic combine for an awesome co-op adventure.

On the gaming side

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

Xbox's new CEO, Asha Sharma, recently asked the community whether the company should rebrand Xbox to XBOX. While not a ground-breaking change, it does appear that the company is making its console all-caps, as the official account changed its name to XBOX, including the @XBOX handle.

Also, news emerged about Microsoft working on a special controller for cloud gaming. Leaked images revealed a rather odd-looking Xbox Wireless Controller, looking like something straight from the NES generation decades ago.

Speaking of cloud gaming, NVIDIA announced new games for GeForce NOW, which include Subnautica 2, Forza Horizon 6, Directive 8020, Battlestar Galactica: Scattered Hopes, and more.

Some unfortunate things happened this week to two major games. Forza Horizon 6, which was launched in early access on Friday, was leaked. Files were quickly cracked, giving pirates even earlier "early access" to the game. A couple of days later, the same thing happened to Subnautica 2.

Valve is reworking yet another part of Steam. This time, an overhaul is on track for the Steam Community Market. Valve wants to make it a nicer place to trade by updating pages, listings, search, filtering, and other parts of the user interface. The new experience is now available in beta, and the company wants to hear what you think.

Finally, here is this week's Weekend PC Game Deals issue, where you can grab two freebies from the Epic Game Store, purchase some Humble bundles, and get plenty of other games at big discounts.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Sunday 17 May 2026 at 12:40 pm AEST (my time).

News posts: 2023 5,800+ | 2024 5,700+ | 2025 5,700+ | 2026 (to end of April) 1,700

RIP Matrix