Microsoft Weekly: new Game Pass tier, PowerToys updates, and more

Microsoft is reportedly working on a new Game Pass tier, new updates for PowerToys, a no-build week, and other news in this week's recap.

This week's news recap is here with interesting Windows stories from Microsoft veterans, new Game Pass tiers, reviews, botched non-security updates with new features, various deals, gaming news, 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 KB5079391, this month's non-security update for Windows 11 version 24H2 and 25H2. As usual, this optional release contains new features and various improvements across the operating system, including support for 1000Hz+ refresh rate monitors and more. However, shortly after, Microsoft pulled the update to investigate installation errors. Now, the only optional update available is KB5085518, the latest out-of-band update that addresses sign in issues in various Microsoft apps.

There are also new recovery updates for Windows 11.

Speaking of errors, a new report was published with details about stability issues in enterprise environments. According to it, Windows is giving business much more headaches than macOS, with Microsoft's operating system being more prone to crashes, hangs, and shutdowns compared to its Apple-made counterpart.

To finish this week's Windows section, here is a new piece of Windows trivia coming from Raymond Chen, a veteran Microsoft engineer. In his blog, Raymond shared a story about Windows 95 preventing system chaos from external installers by quietly restoring system files when buggy installers were messing with critical components. There is also an interesting story from a former Microsoft executive on why Windows GUI strategy has been such a mess all these years.

Also, check out this beautiful recreation of the original Windows 10 wallpaper but with a Windows 11 logo.

Windows Insider Program

Unfortunately, Microsoft had nothing to share for Windows Insiders this week. It appears that the promised Windows 11 fixes are taking a bit longer to materialize in preview builds.

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.

PowerToys received a minor update to version 0.98.1. It addressed various bugs in Command Palette, the ability to adjust window transparency with dedicated shortcuts in Always on Top, some tweaks to Keyboard Shortcut Manager, and more.

Files, one of our favorite file managers for Windows 11, also received a small update. Version4.0.37 added improved context menus, new compression tools, better scrolling, and various fixes.

Microsoft is working on several improvements for Teams. On mobile, the service is getting a new Catch up feature that lets users quickly swipe through missed messages, chats, threads, and other information. Catch up for Teams on mobile is expected to arrive in April. Also, Microsoft is getting rid of annoying CAPTCHAs for Teams meetings, replacing the system with a seamless bot detection mechanism.

OneDrive, another productivity service from Microsoft, is getting more AI. Microsoft has released AI Restyle to OneDrive Photos, allowing users to reimagine their images in various styles. If you want to slopify your photos a bit, feel free to try it now on iOS, Android, or the web. Keep in mind that the feature is locked behind the Microsoft 365 Premium subscription.

This week brought a couple of browser updates. Starting with Vivaldi, which received a big update last week, developers released version 7.9 to mobile users on iOS and Android. It introduced double-decker Tab Stacks, DeX improvements, and more. Also, Mozilla released Firefox 149, a big update with built-in VPN, native Split View, and other improvements.

Finally, if you use SwiftKey on iOS or Android, make sure you have connected your Microsoft Account to it if you want to continue sync your typing data across devices. On March 31, 2026, Microsoft will retire SwiftKey accounts and delete all their data. Only those who migrated to Microsoft Accounts will be able to retain their information.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Windows Kerberos hardening may cause authentication issues for some PCs next month

• Microsoft retires endpoint sensitive data alerting in Defender today

• Microsoft releases TypeScript 6.0, the last version built on JavaScript

• Microsoft is changing a Windows kernel policy that's been around for decades

• Microsoft's new Entra ID feature fixes a huge MFA limitation

• Microsoft forced to retract a major Exchange Online update as it breaks Outlook email

• Latest feature in New Outlook may finally make you ditch Outlook Classic

• Microsoft updates Visual Studio Code with new themes and adjustable AI reasoning

   

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

• NVIDIA 596.02 hotfix with patches for stutters in Arknights: Endfield.
• NVIDIA 595.97 WHQL with texture fixes in Halo Infinite, stability issues in Hitman: World of Assassination, and more.
• Intel Wi-Fi and Bluetooth drivers 24.30.1 with improved connectivity and important changes for PCs with the AX200 network card.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

Steven Parker reviewed the PNY GeForce RTX 5080 Slim OC, a dual-slot graphics card that manages to deliver high-end performance in a compact form factor without sacrificing performance or temperatures. Our testing showed that this GPU could be the next best thing after the RTX 5080 Founders Edition.

Also, we took for a spin a pair of Hollyland cameras, the Lyra and a VenusLiv Air. These cameras offer fantastic image quality at decent price. If you need a good webcam without breaking the bank, the Lyra will get the job done for you, while the VenusLiv Air is a more serious streaming machine for those who want more natural look with fantastic depth of field and streaming capabilities.

Finally, check out our review of the new Intel Core Ultra 7 270K / 5 250K Plus processors, which offer tremendous performance for the price.

On the gaming side

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

Microsoft is reportedly preparing a new Game Pass tier. News emerged this week about TRITON, a codename for the upcoming tier, which only offers first-party games from Xbox Game Studios. Microsoft has not confirmed anything, so details about TRITON, its price, and other terms remain unknown.

GSC Game World announced a massive story expansion for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, offering gamers a new parallels story that runs alongside the original campaign. Cost of Hope will allow you to explore two long-awaited regions that have been cut off for years and that every stalker in the Zone has dreamt of reaching: Iron Forest and the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

Forza Horizon 6 is coming in less than two months, and if you plan to play it on PC, now is the time to check if your rig can handle the upcoming racing game. Playground Games published hardware requirements, revealing that even modest PCs will be able to play the game comfortably. Of course, if you want 4K and ray tracing, get ready to step up your hardware game, particularly RAM.

Finally, check out this week's Weekend PC Game Deals where you will find the latest double giveaway from Epic Games and a massive list of various titles that you can now purchase with big discounts.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Sunday 29 March 2026 at 5:42 am AEST (my time).

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