Microsoft Weekly: PowerToys updates, Microsoft Store updates, Windows updates, and more

This week's news recap is here with fresh updates for Windows 10 and 11, useful new features coming to File Explorer, Snipping Tool, and other parts of the system, a lot of new preview builds, a big PowerToys update, 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.

The August 2025 Patch Tuesday updates are now available. Windows 11 version 24H2 received KB5063878, while Windows 11 version 23H2 received KB5063875. Note that Windows 11 version 23H2 will soon be out of support. Microsoft issued a reminder that the operating system will receive its final Patch Tuesday Update in November 2025. Windows 10, on the other hand, received KB5063709. Finally, Exchange Server received a bunch of security patches, including fixes for a major cluster bug in Server 2019, and there is a new Defender update for new Windows images.

With the latest updates, Microsoft also reminded users to ignore a Windows Event Viewer error once again. Speaking of errors, Microsoft confirmed that Windows 11 KB5063878 cannot be installed. The company issued a fix for the error 0x080240069.

This week, we published a comprehensive overview of performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 in 2025, and the results might give you a valid reason to leave the outgoing operating system behind and move over to Windows 11. Speaking of the outgoing stuff, check out a list of every product and service that Microsoft is discontinuing later this year.

For Windows 365 users, Microsoft announced a new Windows 365 Reserve feature, which allows deploying pre-configured cloud computers with all the necessary apps and settings so that work can continue quickly from any secondary device (using any modern browser or the Windows App) while the IT department is fixing the main devices.

Remember Microsoft removing the simplified tray area from Windows 11? You can bring it back and even add more features with a very useful Windhawk mod. The Taskbar Clock Customizer lets you change date/time format, add additional data like resource usage, display weather, and even news headlines.

Microsoft is getting rid of PowerShell 2.0. The company announced that later this month, Windows 11 version 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 will ditch the old version from the Windows 7 era. Microsoft published a blog post with all the details that you need to know about the event.

Another thing that Microsoft has gotten rid of is the ability to pause app updates in the Microsoft Store. Now, you can only pause app updates for up to 5 weeks. While Microsoft has not announced this change, it is obvious that the company has implemented it for security reasons.

While it might be a bit early to talk about Windows 12 or whatever comes after Windows 11, Pavan Davuluri, Microsoft's leader of Windows and Devices business, was interviewed about the next chapter of Windows and what he sees in the next big installment of Microsoft's operating system.

Other interesting Windows stories we published this week include an overview of Universal Paint and Usama's ramblings about Teams and what he hates and loves about Microsoft's messenger.

Windows Insider Program

Microsoft released a lot of Windows 11 preview builds this week, giving every insider something to test:

The latest Windows 11 preview builds also have some interesting and long-requested changes. Microsoft is finally fixing the operating system's underwhelming dark mode by giving common file action dialogs a fresh coat of dark paint. It is a work in progress, but we are finally getting there. What is not fixed yet is File Explorer flashing white when opening new tabs, but you can solve this problem with this simple Windhawk mod.

Also, Microsoft released a small update for Notepad, which introduced reworked context menus with easier access to common actions like copy, cut, paste, select, and delete. Pretty neat!

Other interesting discoveries include more buttons for File Explorer and a new mode for Snipping Tool that lets you annotate the screen before taking a screenshot.

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 major update. Version 0.93 arrived this week with a redesigned dashboard, optimized memory consumption, and improvements for existing modules, such as Command Palette, Peek, and more.

Microsoft announced details about the end of Microsoft Edge support on Windows 10. As expected, the browser will remain supported for quite a while. According to a support document, Edge and WebView2 will stick around for the entire period of the Extended Security Updates program, which will last for three years for commercial users.

Speaking of Edge, check out an upcoming redesigned codenamed Olympia. Recent Edge Canary builds allow enabling a new interface with a heavy focus on Copilot. Olympia also has streamlined visuals for a more minimal and unique-looking experience.

An odd thing happened to Firefox this week. Users discovered that version 143 stopped working on certain Windows 10 versions. This sparked speculation about Mozilla ditching old Windows 10 releases, but the culprit was quickly found and explained by the company's engineers.

This week's Office updates include a new Excel feature that makes it easier to understand formulas. Additionally, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint are getting new brushes, while OneNote is finally getting "Paste as plain text" and improved formatting on mobile devices. Microsoft is also changing how you send emails in Outlook, bringing a new microphone indicator to Teams, and introducing the Microsoft 365 companion apps to all users.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Perplexity wants to buy Chrome for $34.5 billion with its $18 billion piggy bank.

• A new Exchange Privilege Escalation flaw exposes hybrid servers.

• Microsoft claims its new mssql-python driver is miles better than pyodbc.

• Microsoft ushers in the age of Universal Print anywhere with pull print functionality.

• VirtualBox 7.2 finally adds support for Windows on Arm guests.

• LibreOffice says Microsoft exploits you via vendor lock-in, offers free ODF migration guide.

• Simple Windows 11 requirements bypass app for unsupported PCs received an ISO upgrade.

   

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

• Nvidia 580.97 driver brings DLSS 4 support for GTA V and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II.
• Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 received a new battery-preserving feature in the latest firmware update.

On the gaming side

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

While Windows on ARM is not what you call a gaming platform, graphics in Snapdragon X-powered computers can run some light games. However, multiplayer games with anti-cheat software were a no-go until now. Thanks to Epic Games, Easy Anti-Cheat works on Windows on ARM.

That is not the only good news for Windows on ARM. This week, Microsoft launched a new version of the Xbox app, which finally allows you to download and play games using the Xbox app (games you own or from the Game Pass catalog). The update is currently available to Xbox PC Insiders.

Valve is preparing more updates for Steam. The company is working on redesigned store pages that will benefit users with larger monitors.

Rare released a new seasonal update for Sea of Thieves. This time, the update focuses on a new faction that players can only find during Season 17. Other additions of the season include Black Powder Barrels as the most powerful explosive, featuring a 10-second fuse for plenty of trap-laying, as well as skeleton ships, shipwrecks, and caches with plenty of smuggling goods to trade for coin.

Finally, check out this week's Weekend PC Game Deals issue, which includes indie freebies, bundled action hits, and more.

Other gaming news includes the following:

• S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is getting an Unreal Engine upgrade and a lot more in 2025.

• Sony's Helldivers and Microsoft's Spartans could soon be fighting together.

• Expanded free roam mode for Mafia: The Old Country confirmed.

• Star Citizen Alpha 4.3 landed with 100 mysterious Onyx Facilities for a new mission chain.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Monday 18 August 2025 at 2:56 am AEST (my time).

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