Microsoft Weekly: Removing ports from Xbox controllers and fixing the Copilot key

This week's recap is here with Microsfot fixing the Copilot key, removing ports on Xbox Controllers, releasing new Windows 11 builds, and more.

This week's news recap is here, with Microsoft fixing the Copilot key on your laptop's keyboard, releasing new Windows 11 preview builds with new accessibility features, removing ports from Xbox controllers, adding new games to Game Pass, 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 acknowledged a new bug in the latest Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 11. The company confirmed that some users cannot download and install important updates, with Windows Update throwing the 0x80010002 error code. Fortunately, the bug does not affect all Windows 11 users. What does affect Windows 11 users is a new exploit for a long-standing Windows LPE vulnerability.

On the bright side, Microsoft made it easier to install mandatory Windows 11 updates with centralized Secure Boot deployment scripts.

Microsoft is also fixing the universally hated Copilot hardware key. The company admitted it was a bad idea, and it promised to let users remap it to the Right Control key. However, you do not have to wait for that update, as there is a small app that already lets you remap the Copilot key. Speaking of Copilot, Microsoft is also changing the recently added Copilot button in Office apps following the initial user backlash.

Another change in Windows 11 that Microsoft implemented following years of consumer feedback is the updated taskbar. Now, you can finally change its position and switch to a compact mode. We published a closer look at this feature, so check it out here. If you want to try it out, download and install the latest build from the Experimental (formerly Dev) Channel.

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:

In addition to releasing new builds for testing, Microsoft pushed new ISO files, allowing users to get to the recent preview builds faster by clean-installing them or performing an in-place upgrade.

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.

The Surface lineup received a big update this week. Microsoft announced three new computers powered by Intel's Core Ultra 300 processors. The new lineup is aimed at business customers, and it features interesting capabilities like a built-in privacy screen similar to the one in the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. However, the problem with the new Surface devices is their astronomical price.

Microsoft is improving accessibility in Word. The company announced a faster, more efficient Editor experience with Narrator that streamlines how errors, context, and suggestions are presented to users.

Mozilla had a bunch of updates this week. For one, the company announced a major redesign for Firefox, which you can already enable and try. The new "Nova" UI is available on desktop, while on Android, users finally received the "Shake to Summarize" AI feature, which was initially launched on iOS in September 2025. Finally, Mozilla had to step in to clarify things about browser crashes on certain Intel-based systems in the latest release.

A big redesign is also available for Vivaldi, a popular feature-packed Chromium browser. Version 8.0 arrived with "the most significant design overhaul in the browser history," offering users a more seamless UI, richer customization, and overall a more modern look.

Finally, more leadership changes at Microsoft happened this week. The XBOX division is hiring a new Chief Strategy Officer and a new Chief Technology Officer, while Yusuf Mehdi, a Microsoft veteran who manages Copilot, AI, Windows, Surface, and Microsoft 365, is leaving the company after 35 years.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Stardock releases DeskScapes 2026, adding live wallpaper support in Windows 11.

• Microsoft blames macOS for the annoying Teams bug.

• LibreOffice bashes Microsoft for "absurd" OOXML format and Excel's handling of dates.

• Microsoft just removed major "friction" from VS Code in its latest weekly update.

• Microsoft admits one of the most basic, useful Outlook features is broken.

   

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

• AMD Chipset Drivers 8.05.04.516 with new drivers and support for the recently announced Ryzen AI 400 processors.
• AMD Radeon Software 26.5.2 for Polaris and Vega graphics cards. It fixes intermittent crashes in Apex Legends on Radeon RX 400 / 500 Series.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

This week, we reviewed the BOOX Go 10.3 Gen 2, an insanely thin Android tablet with an E-Ink Carta 1200 display, stylus support, dual speakers, and rich software with great note-taking capabilities. It aims at users who want a more versatile device than a simple reader, and it does its job well, as long as you are willing to spend some time climbing the learning curve.

Also, Steven Parker reviewed the HONOR 600, a mid-range Android phone with "flagship-class" cameras, good performance, and an iPhone-inspired design.

On the gaming side

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

Sony has decided to change its mind about console exclusives once again. The company is shutting down PC ports and returning to console-only first-party games. However, certain multiplayer games are still coming to PC. Other bad news from Sony this week is about the cost of the PlayStation Plus membership. Sony said that "ongoning market conditions" forced its hand to increase the price by $1-3, depending on the subscription length. Obviously, players are not happy, and they are calling out Sony for forcing gamers to pay the "Concord Tax."

Valve announced improvements to Steam tags. The updated system is removing 28 tags and adding 17 new ones to help you find the games you want and better understand what a specific game is about. New tags include stuff like Bullet Heaven, Cleaning, Falling Blocks, Zoo, Wolves, Cult, Poker, Language Learning, and more.

Microsoft also has some updates for its gaming audience. This week, the company announced a brand-new feedback hub for XBOX, giving gamers a new way to share their opinions on gaming and console-related feedback. Users can upvote other people's suggestions, and Microsoft can reply to address criticism, clarify things, or elaborate on specific topics.

New games are heading to Game Pass. This week, Microsoft announced the latest additions, such as Forza Horizon 6, Dead Static Drive, Remnant II, Winter Burrow, Luna Abyss, Escape Simulator, Kabuto Park, Jurassic World Evolution 3, and more. Check out the full list here, including titles that are leaving the subscription by the end of this month. As usual, new games are available for GeForce NOW as well, and if you sign up for the Ultimate membership, you can get a free copy of the upcoming 007 First Light.

This week, the new Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller hit store shelves, and users noticed that the gamepad lacks one of the previously available ports. It appears that Microsoft is removing the Expansion Slot, taking away the ability to attach the Chat Pad and other compatible accessories. Speaking of Forza Horizon 6, Playground Games published a new blog post detailing upcoming improvements and fixes for atrocious Drivatar behavior, stutters on PCs with AMD graphics cards, and more. The studio also confirmed that the game is coming to PlayStation 5 later this year.

Finally, here is this week's Weekend PC Game Deals with plenty of discounts on popular franchises, plus a new giveaway from the Epic Games Store that should make the fans of Tomb Raider games happy.

Other gaming news includes the following:

• Helldivers 2 is getting new upscaling tech on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation next week.

• Bungie is pulling the plug on Destiny 2, final update lands next month.

• Ubisoft delivers a Rainbow Six Vegas-inspired map to Siege alongside a major ranked rework.

• Fallout 4 console mods get a huge storage boost, up to 100GB on Xbox Series X|S.

   

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Sunday 24 May 2026 at 7:42 am AEST (my time).

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