version 25H2 Archives

Winsage

August 23, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5761 (KB5064093) is being released to the Dev Channel. New features include the ability to resume apps from an Android phone on a Windows 11 PC, specifically for Spotify, which allows users to continue playback seamlessly. Users need to enable access to their phone and set up the Link to Windows app to use this feature. Improvements to battery iconography on the lock screen have been made. New features for Click to Do on Copilot+ PCs include a touch-friendly invocation method. The agent in Settings now provides direct navigation links from search results. Automatic Super Resolution settings have been simplified for Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PCs. A new keyboard shortcut has been introduced for inserting En dashes and Em dashes. The Windows share window now allows pinning favorite apps. Fixes include performance enhancements for loading the apps list in Settings, resolving Windows Hello recognition issues, and improving gaming performance with overlays. Known issues involve Recall functionality in the EEA, visibility of the Shared section in File Explorer, unresponsiveness in Storage settings, and issues with Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are rolled out gradually using Controlled Feature Rollout technology.

Winsage

August 15, 2025

Microsoft Delivers New Dev and Beta Builds of Windows 11

Users of Windows 11 in the Dev or Beta channels of the Windows Insider Program can install a new build. The cumulative update KB5064071 allows Dev channel users to upgrade from Windows 11 version 25H2 to build 26200.5751, and Beta channel users to upgrade from version 24H2 to build 26120.5751. Notable features in these builds include new selection modes in Click to Do, improvements to the Taskbar with new animations, enhancements in File Explorer with larger icons, and various fixes across multiple areas for a smoother experience.

Winsage

August 5, 2025

Windows 11 may get AI-powered ‘companions’ in upcoming update

Microsoft is testing a new taskbar feature called "Companions," which involves the integration of AI agents. Initial hints of this feature appeared in Build 26454 of Windows Server and have been noted in beta versions of Windows 11. Companions may be a key element of the upcoming Windows 11 version 25H2, expected to launch in autumn. The feature suggests a more personalized AI assistant, potentially succeeding earlier innovations like Copilot.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft Windows: Everything you need to know

Windows is the dominant operating system globally, developed by Microsoft, and serves over a billion users. The latest version is Windows 11, which debuted in October 2021, featuring significant visual and functional enhancements. Microsoft began rolling out the 24H2 update in mid-2024, introducing AI hardware support, enhanced security, and new features like Copilot and Recall. The upcoming 25H2 update is expected in late 2025, utilizing a lightweight enablement package for a swift upgrade process. Development on Windows 12, codenamed Hudson Valley, is ongoing, with a potential release in late 2026 or early 2027, focusing on AI-first computing and modular architecture. Users can check their current Windows version by pressing the Windows key + R and typing winver. Upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 is free for eligible systems, while Windows 11 Home costs 9 and Windows 11 Pro costs 9. The end-of-support date for Windows 10 is October 14, 2025, making an upgrade advisable for continued security and access to new features.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: 10 years of Windows 10

Windows 10 celebrated its 10th anniversary, while Windows 11 SE is being discontinued and will not receive the upcoming Windows 11 version 25H2, with support ending in October 2026. Microsoft plans to open-source WinUI, the user interface framework for Windows 11. The Flyoobe tool has been updated to assist users switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. Recent data shows a gradual increase in Windows 11's market share, while Microsoft Edge struggles in the desktop browser market. Microsoft provided guidance on upgrade paths for businesses transitioning to Windows 11. Updates for Windows Insiders include general fixes and new features across various channels. Microsoft reported a record-high profit of .2 billion and revenue of .4 billion for the last financial quarter. A new Surface Laptop Smurface Edition was announced, and Adobe has made creative applications available natively on Windows on ARM devices. Microsoft Edge introduced an AI-driven feature called Copilot Mode, while Opera filed a complaint against Microsoft in Brazil regarding unfair practices. Microsoft banned the developer account of LibreOffice for violating the Service Agreement. In gaming, Microsoft released the July 2025 update for the Xbox app, allowing game streaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming, and is preparing for the Gamescom show. EA decided to maintain game prices and announced a remaster of Plants vs Zombies: Replanted. A public beta for Battlefield 6 is forthcoming. Valve revealed updates for the Steam client, including a revamped store interface. Special discounts are available for the Back to School season.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft is killing a special Windows 11 edition for low-cost PCs

Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE, its operating system for low-end computers, which will cease support, including software updates and technical assistance, by October 2026. Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming version 25H2 and will not have any feature updates after version 24H2. Users will no longer receive new features, fixes, or security patches, leaving their devices vulnerable. Windows 11 SE was designed for educational institutions and budget-conscious consumers, but it has not gained significant traction. The Surface Laptop SE, which primarily ran Windows 11 SE, has a support lifecycle ending in January 2028.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft ending Windows 11 SE support October 2026 — Chrome OS competitor also won’t get version 25H2 update coming later this year

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 11 SE by October 2026, meaning users will no longer receive software updates, technical support, or security patches. Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming 25H2 update, with version 24H2 being its last significant feature release. Launched in 2021 for K-8 classrooms, Windows 11 SE is designed for budget-friendly student laptops and includes preloaded educational applications. It is only available on select laptops from OEMs for educational institutions and cannot be installed on personal devices. The lack of security updates will require schools to invest in new devices that support Windows 11.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5733 (Dev Channel)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26200.5733 (KB5062673) has been released to the Dev Channel, introducing new features, improvements, and fixes. Changes and Improvements: - File Explorer now shows people icons for work or school accounts under the “Activity” column and in the “Recommended” section, revealing Live Persona Cards from Microsoft 365 when hovered over or clicked. - The option to manage or clear Bing search history has been removed from Settings and can now be accessed directly through the Privacy dashboard. Fixes: - The Start menu crash issue has been resolved. - A fix has been implemented for taskbar preview thumbnail unresponsiveness. - The lock screen widget crash has been addressed, allowing users to add new widgets. - Multi-finger touchpad gestures have been fixed. Known Issues: - Some users may experience a rollback with a 0x80070005 error during installation. - An issue with dao360.dll causing application crashes is being addressed. - Blank icons may appear in the Start menu's “All” section after updating. - Reports of all apps being unpinned from the taskbar are under investigation. - In dark mode, low storage drive indicators may appear inaccurately. - Delays in intelligent text actions on Copilot+ PCs are noted. - Live captions may crash during live translation on Copilot+ PCs. - Connecting Xbox Controllers via Bluetooth may cause a bugcheck; users can resolve this by uninstalling a specific driver. Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel receive updates based on Windows 11, version 25H2, and features are gradually rolled out. Users should ensure that the toggle for the latest updates is turned ON to receive new features promptly. Some features may not be released beyond Windows Insiders and may change over time.

Winsage

August 1, 2025

Microsoft Ends Windows 11 SE: Support Ceases in 2026

Microsoft launched Windows 11 SE in late 2021 to compete with Google’s Chrome OS in the education technology sector, targeting low-cost devices for schools with a starting price around . The operating system was designed for Chromebook-like laptops, featuring restrictions on app installations to focus on educational tools and integration with Microsoft services like Office 365. Initial interest was noted, but adoption faced challenges due to schools' commitments to Chromebooks and limited app compatibility. By 2022, devices with Windows 11 SE appeared in schools, but market penetration remained modest, hindered by hardware requirements and competition from Chromebooks. Microsoft announced the discontinuation of Windows 11 SE in 2025, with support ending in October 2026, necessitating migration for schools using the OS. This decision reflects a strategic shift towards cloud-based solutions and highlights the challenges of competing against established platforms like Chrome OS.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft dubs latest Windows 11 release “most reliable version of Windows yet” — PCs that upgrade will see an improved experience compared to Windows 10

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 version 24H2 is the most reliable version of Windows to date, with unexpected restarts reduced by 24% compared to Windows 10. The update includes a redesigned Black Screen of Death (BSOD) and a new feature called Quick Machine Recovery to assist users with troubleshooting issues. Mainstream support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, after which users will not receive automatic security updates. Microsoft offers an extended security updates program for an additional year. A new PC transfer feature has been introduced to facilitate migration from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Windows 11 version 25H2 will be built on the same platform as version 24H2, ensuring compatibility and stability. Users are encouraged to upgrade to version 24H2 for enhanced reliability and to prepare for version 25H2.