Microsoft Weekly: Windows 11 26H1 is coming soon, anti-slop tools for Windows, and more

This week's news recap is here, bringing you the most interesting stories from the world of Microsoft, including the upcoming Windows 11 26H1 release, some anti-slop tools for the operating system, the first preview build of 2026, 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.

At CES 2026, ASUS confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H1 is coming in the first quarter of 2026 on devices equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processors. All the other existing computers will get new features and platform updates in the second half of the year, once Microsoft releases Windows 11 version 26H2.

Bloatware in Windows 11 is a major problem these days, and with Microsoft not willing to listen to feedback from its customers, third-party devs and enthusiasts offer their solutions to the problem. FlyOOBE, a popular tool for debloating Windows 11, has been updated this week with a new tool for detecting and removing AI components. If you are sick of unsolicited AI everywhere, try it out.

Later, the maker of FlyOOBE released a new tool called Winslop, which aims to give users a flexible, modular utility for debloating Windows 11 and removing AI slop.

Other useful stuff for Windows 11 this week included a new support document from Microsoft that explains how to properly remove junk files from your computer, and free up a few dozens of precious gigabytes.

Finally, Microsoft confirmed that Windows activation over the phone is now dead. However, users still have one method for offline activation.

Windows Insider Program

Here is what Microsoft released for Windows Insiders this week:

In addition to releasing a new Dev and Beta build, Microsoft issued an important message to Windows Insiders who are currently in the Dev Channel. The channel will soon move to higher builds, and the ability to switch to Beta without reinstalling Windows will close soon. If you do not want to risk using less stable Dev builds, it is time to switch.

Also, there are signs of Microsoft injecting even more AI into File Explorer. Users discovered that recent Windows 11 preview builds have a blank button on the toolbar, which will reportedly work as a Copilot button so that you can have a chat with AI right in your File Explorer window. Ugh...

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.

Outlook for Windows is getting an interesting meeting feature. Microsoft is working on a new capability that will allow customers to set up and schedule meetings through the Outlook chat interface available in the side pane. Additionally, Microsoft confirmed an annoying bug plaguing users of Outlook Classic.

A useful update is coming to Word as well. Microsoft announced that users will be able to paste links more quickly by simply highlighting a word and pressing Ctrl + V. Pressing Ctrl + K or selecting the corresponding option is no longer necessary. Very nice. What is not nice is the fact that Microsoft is taking away the ability to send documents from Word to Kindle. Microsoft killed that feature, so now, you have to use other methods to send documents to your e-reader from Amazon.

Finally, Microsoft shut down fake news about its renaming Office apps to Copilot. Many users got confused by poor wording, but as it turned out, Office apps are not going anywhere with their name, at least for now.

If you use PowerToys, particularly its Peek and Light Switch modules, look out for a few more features in upcoming updates. The app may soon let you keep Peek on top of all windows, while Light Switch may get the ability to customize wallpapers for each mode.

Speaking of useful tools, Raycast for Windows received a new update, which introduced a properly modern Run dialog that lets you do much more and much better than the standard Run dialog in Windows 11 and its upcoming redesigned variant.

On the browser side, we only have two updates for Microsoft Edge. One patches a high-severity security vulnerability in Edge 133, while the other adds more Copilot nudges to Edge 134 in the Beta Channel.

Here are other updates and releases you may find interesting:

• Microsoft cancels Exchange Online configuration change because no one liked it.

• Microsoft acquires Osmos to bring autonomous AI data engineering to Fabric.

• Microsoft warns IT admins against using this unsupported Exchange Online configuration.

• Samsung patches high-risk security vulnerability in its SSD software; update yours now.

• Rumours suggest Microsoft may cut up to 22,000 jobs in early 2026.

• Microsoft reveals itself as the firm behind the controversial Michigan data center.

   

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

• NVIDIA 591.74 WHQL driver with DLSS 4.5 support and bug fixes.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

Christopher White has a new NAS review for you. This week, he published a detailed review of the Zettlab D4 NAS, an interesting storage device that uses AI in its operating system to work with your local profile. Check out its in-depth review here.

We also have a new gamepad review, this time, the Hyperkin The Competitor. This interesting-looking mix of Xbox and PlayStation Controllers ticks all the boxes of a good, budget controller. It has Hall Effect sticks and triggers, a removable USB Type-C cable, swappable sticks, customizable rear buttons, and more. It also works with PC and Xbox, plus you get a free month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with it.

Finally, Steven Parker reviewed the Honor Magic8 Pro, a high-end smartphone with a fantastic display, plenty of storage, a big battery, and good cameras. There are some software quirks here and there, but overall, the device turned out to be fantastic.

On the gaming side

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

The first Xbox Developer Direct in 2026 is now confirmed. Microsoft announced the date of its January 2026 gaming event, where the company will show some of the upcoming games, including Forza Horizon 6, Fable, and more.

The first wave of new games for Game Pass in 2026 is here, and it packs a few big titles, including Star Wars Outlaws, Atomfall, Resident Evil Village, and more. Additionally, Microsoft announced that Xbox Cloud Gaming is coming to Hisense TVs.

NVIDIA is expanding the number of platforms where its cloud streaming service GeForce NOW is officially available. This week, the company announced that GeForce NOW is heading to Linux with an official app. In addition, a native client is coming to Amazon's Fire TVs. Additionally, there are new games that you can play if you own them on Steam, Epic Games, or Xbox.

Deals and freebies

Epic Games Store is giving away Baloons TD6, a tower defence game. If you're into games like this, you can grab it for free until next Thursday. As usual, you can find more deals in the latest Weekend PC Deals article.

Other gaming news includes the following:

• 007 First Light system requirements are here, and they are surprisingly reasonable.

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 7's massive Fallout crossover lands with Ghouls, Deathclaws, more.

• Minecraft's kittens, puppies, and other baby animals are getting a major upgrade soon.

• Avowed announced for PS5, will land alongside a massive anniversary update.

   

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Monday 12 January 2026 at 5:10 am AEST (my time).

News posts... 2023: 5,800+ | 2024: 5,700+ | 2025: 5,700+

RIP Matrix