Microsoft Weekly: Windows 11 hardware components get big performance boost as 2025 ends

The final Microsoft Weekly of 2025 is here, with a recap of all the stories published this week. We have a big performance boost for one of Windows 11's hardware requirements, a closer look at certain PowerToys modules, 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.

Given that we are in the holiday season, not much has been happening in the world of Microsoft this week. We only had an announcement from Microsoft that BitLocker is getting hardware acceleration, which will give it a huge performance boost.

As for the Windows Insider program, build releases are on pause, so no more Windows Insider builds until 2026. However, if you are curious to test some hidden stuff, check out our guide explaining how to enable the redesigned Run dialog in the latest Windows 11 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.

Word and PowerPoint are getting a new feature that utilizes Neural Processing Units on Copilot+ PCs. The apps can now use on-device AI to improve accessibility by generating alt text for images, charts, and other visual content.

Earlier this year, Skype went six feet under, but GroupMe, a popular messaging app for US college students, lives. Earlier this month, Microsoft released several updates for the platform, including AI features, shared event albums, and more.

WhatsApp, on the other hand, completely ruined its Windows 11 app when it was replaced with a progressive web app. However, for some time, you can still roll back to the previous version and use it until it dies. Check out this guide to learn how to do so. Speaking of guides, we also published an overview of different Visual Studio versions and a closer look at some of PowerToys' utilities, particularly Advanced Paste and Awake.

If you ever wondered which browser is the worst in terms of privacy, you might have guessed it right. However, Chrome is not the one taking the number one spot. Google's browser is second, while the most privacy-invading browser turned out to be OpenAI's Chromium fork, which scored 99 out of 100 on Digitain's privacy risk-o-meter.

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

• NVIDIA Hotfix Driver 591.67 with patches for color banding and Control Panel issues.

Reviews are in

Here is the hardware and software we reviewed this week

Steven Parker has another NAS review for you. This time, it is the UGREEN NASync DXP2800 with a UPS. That is a full two-bay NAS for a low price with all the necessary ports, quiet operation, and premium build. Just look out for some minor UGOS quirks and the lack of UPS status notifications.

On the gaming side

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

Vince Zampella, the mastermind behind Call of Duty, Titanfall, and Battlefield 6, has passed away. He had been driving a 2026 Ferrari 296 GTS when it veered off the road in the San Gabriel Mountains before impacting a concrete barrier. Both the driver and the passenger have passed away from the event.

Mojang has released another crossover DLC for Minecraft. This time, Stranger Things showed up in the blocky world, offering gamers a mashup of the series on all platforms except for the Nintendo Switch.

A rather unfortunate event happened to Ubisoft this week. Hackers breached Siege's servers and started flooding users with in-game currency and bans. Ubisoft quickly stepped in, shut everything down, and issued a statement about what would happen to those affected.

Finally, check out this week's Weekend PC Game Deals article, full of strategy bundles, daily giveaways (some of them have already expired, sadly), and more.

Source

Hope you enjoyed this news post. Feedback welcome.

Posted Monday 29 December 2025 at 5:06 am AEST (my time).

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