Users of Windows 11 received feature and security updates on Patch Tuesday, with significant enhancements introduced after four months of less notable updates.
The cumulative update KB5089549 is available for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2, raising their build numbers to 26200.8457 and 26100.8457, respectively. Windows 11 version 26H1, available on Snapdragon X2-based laptops, received update KB5089548, bringing its build to 28000.2113.
Key features in KB5089549 include:
- Xbox Mode: Replaces Game mode and Full Screen Experience for a streamlined gaming interface.
- Agents on the Taskbar: Allows interaction with AI agents directly from the Taskbar, supporting first- and third-party agents.
- File Explorer Enhancements: Improved support for various archiving formats, retention of View and Sort preferences, resolution of the white “flash bang” bug, and enhanced reliability of explorer.exe processes.
- Windows Driver Improvements: The Windows kernel will no longer trust cross-signed third-party drivers by default; only WHCP drivers and those on a trusted legacy list will be accepted after auditing for 100 hours and three reboots.
- Drag Tray Enhancements: Rebranded as the Drop tray with a new management interface and smaller peek view to reduce accidental activation.
For version 26H1, KB5089548 includes improvements to Narrator and Smart App Control, increased Microsoft 365 advertising visibility in Settings, refined Pen settings, a new Settings About page, and minor updates to File Explorer.
The Epic Games Store will offer two complimentary games for free until Thursday, May 14, at 4 PM BST. The games are exclusive to PC but can be played on devices like the Xbox ROG Ally in Windows Mode. The titles available are:
1. Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure - A puzzle RPG where players help the protagonist, Jemma, restore balance to her world by solving various tasks. The game has a user rating of 92% on Steam and takes approximately five to eight hours to complete.
2. Trash Goblin - A shopkeeping game where players, as a goblin, clean and restore trinkets for sale. It features 40 NPCs, over 120 quests, and more than 20 hours of story content, with a Steam rating of 88%.
Both games are valued at just under , with each typically retailing for .99.