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Taras Buria
Neowin
@TarasBuria
Feb 18, 2024 04:00 EST
0 comments
In this issue of Microsoft Weekly, we look at new changes in Windows 11 processor requirements, new builds for each Windows Insider Channel, Patch Tuesday updates, Xbox updates, and app updates. There were a lot of updates.
Table of contents:
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 but still supported versions.
On February 13, 2024, Microsoft released a new wave of Patch Tuesday updates for supported Windows versions:
These updates relocate the Copilot icon to the right on Windows 11 version 23H2, supplement more organic voices for the Narrator, rectify File Explorer anomalies, and enhance security. Notably, beginning this month, Windows 11 version 22H2 no longer accepts optional non-security updates, as explained here. With Windows 10’s mainstream support drawing to a close in less than a year, Google anticipates those incapable of upgrading to Windows 11 to transition to ChromeOS Flex, which you can Get More Info about here.
In addition to cumulative enhancements, an intriguing revelation in the freshly released build 26052 – the initial build of the now-official Windows 11 version 24H2, is worth mentioning. Enthusiasts have found that the operating system now mandates a new instruction called POPCNT. Processors lacking this support cannot run Windows 11 version 24H2. Instructions to ascertain if your vintage system is compatible with the POPCNT instruction are provided here.
However, there is no cause for alarm. Officially backed processors will carry on running Windows 11 seamlessly. This modification will only impact legacy systems powered by processors from several decades ago. Owners of Windows 11 on unsupported hardware can utilize this novel utility to upgrade their systems to the imminent version 24H2. Additionally, the revamped Windows 11 setup application now offers alerts for any missing instruction sets.
Another broken thing in build 26052 is the ExplorerPatch app. You can no longer use its latest version with Windows 11 version 24H2. There is currently no information on what is the culprit, so we are waiting for news from the developers.
Finally, the recent Windows 11 preview builds made it impossible to bypass system requirements with the command that fools the OS into thinking it is a server SKU.
As for more positive findings, it appears that Windows 11 is getting a built-in AI upscaler. A feature ID in build 26052 lets you toggle on “Automatic Super Resolution” to “make supported games play more smoothly with enhanced details.” Unfortunately, it does not appear to be working, so all we can do is feast our eyes on the new toggle in the Settings app and wait for more details from Microsoft.
In addition, Windows 11 will soon receive improvements for Bluetooth discoverability to make it easier to detect and connect to uncommon device types and a dedicated notification center for Widgets.
Here is some more news about the recently released preview of the sudo command. As it turned out, sudo is not coming to Windows Server 2025. Microsoft said that the toggle was added to server build 26052 by mistake, and developers will remove all the sudo references in the upcoming updates. Ironically, at the same time, enthusiasts managed to make sudo work not only on Windows 10 but all the way back to Windows 7. With that said, turning on sudo on Windows 7 requires slightly more effort than flicking a single toggle in the Settings app.
There was also an update to the story about stealing BitLocker keys using dirt-cheap hardware. As it turned out, not only old devices are susceptible to this attack. Researchers have found a way to sniff BitLocker keys on recent hardware. However, the method is quite tedious and requires physical access to the target device.
Windows Insider Program
Here is what Microsoft released for testing this week:
Build 22635.3209 with quick access to new photos and screenshots on your mobile device.
Build 22631.3227 and 22621.3227 with the “Moment 5” update features.
Build 19045.4116 with fixes for Microsoft Edge, Remote Desktop, WebAuthn, and more.
One of the most interesting changes in build 26058 is a PowerToys utility that is now a native Windows feature. The latest preview build lets you toggle on a crosshair cursor if you need more visual assistance while working with your computer.
There are also slightly redesigned context menus with labels for the common file actions such as copy, cut, paste, rename, delete, and share. It’s a pretty neat-looking change provided your Windows 11 copy is set to the English language.
Lastly, Microsoft rolled out a fresh advertisement demonstrating why you should transition from Windows 10 to 11, also we released a technique capable of assisting you to install Windows updates more swiftly.
This segment addresses software, firmware, and other noteworthy updates (published and upcoming) delivering new functionalities, security patches, enhancements, patches, and more from Microsoft and third-party entities.
Developers, gear up for the primary event of 2024. Microsoft has officially confirmed that Build 2024, its principal developers conference, is to be held from May 21-23. Stay tuned for registration details and further information about ticket prices.
Files, a popular third-party file manager for Windows 10 and 11, has been updated to version 3.2. The latest release includes List View, thumbnail rendering improvements, the ability to edit album covers in audio files, and plenty of under-the-hood changes that significantly reduce the likelihood of crashes, especially when working with large files. Version 3.2 is now available for download from the Microsoft Store, GitHub, and the project’s official website.
Do you remember Wunderlist, that app Microsoft purchased nearly a decade ago and turned into what is now known as Microsoft To Do? Many will be glad to know that the app is back in a new shape and form. The founder of Wunderlist launched a new app called Superlist, which aims to be a middle ground between primitive task managers and overly complicated programs like Notion. Superlist is already available on the Web, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Skype Preview received another big update, proving once again that the service is far from dead. Version 8.113 introduced voice message transcriptions, a reworked reaction picker, and 25 new AR lenses made by Snap. It also fixed an annoying bug spawning multiple messages about missed calls in chats.
If you wonder what will happen to Outlook if you delete Microsoft Edge, here is the simple answer: nothing. Do not believe false reports on the Internet claiming that Microsoft’s browser is required for the new Outlook app to run. What is needed is WebView2 Runtime, getting rid of which is not an easy task. Speaking of Microsoft Edge, there is a bug with the downloads UI, which forces you to make multiple clicks to open a downloaded file.
Microsoft is developing a number of enhancements for Teams, its business communication platform. A recent update transitioned the Microsoft 365 Chat application to Copilot. In addition, it will soon be possible for Teams users to participate in professional meetings using personal accounts.
In related news, Microsoft has revealed its intention to terminate Publisher. The corporation will cease its support in October 2026 and withdraw the application from the Microsoft 365 package. They claim that other software in the Office suite already have the capabilities of Publisher. What Microsoft will not be stopping is Azure IoT Central. Apparently, the previous announcement about its discontinuation was a misinformation circulated in error.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s President, published an article on the company’s official blog to illustrate Microsoft’s strategy to combat harmful AI-produced content, including the recent surge of explicit photos of the American pop star Taylor Swift.
Additionally, there’s been an update in the European Union’s examination of whether Apple and Microsoft should be regarded as gatekeepers. The European Commission declared that iMessage, Bing, Edge, and Microsoft Advertising should not receive the gatekeeper designation.
New drivers released this week are as follows:
This week also showcased the following important releases and updates:
Conclusively, check out the most recent additions to Microsoft 365 Roadmap. This site allows users to trace future features for Microsoft’s efficiency applications. The company is developing new features for Teams and Outlook and enhancing the file viewer in OneDrive for the web.
Stay informed about anticipated game launches, Xbox chatter, novel hardware and software updates, giveaways, discount offers, and more interesting news.
Xbox enthusiasts can finally relax. Contrary to speculation, Microsoft hasn’t forsaken Xbox, nor does it have plans to transfer its entire selection of games to PlayStation. It was during the eagerly-awaited Xbox Podcast that the gaming CEO unveiled plans for four imminent games for other consoles (one such game potentially being Microsoft Flight Simulator), while refuting rumors about Starfield and the prospective Indiana Jones titles being available on PlayStation 5. The podcast also contained some hints regarding future hardware, inclusive of a claim of the “most extensive generational leap to date”.
Further to this, Microsoft announced Diablo IV for Xbox Game Pass and pledged more Activision Blizzard games would soon feature on its gaming service.
Accompanying these announcements, Microsoft released a recent software update for Xbox consoles, introducing touch controls for remote play and a feature to adjust thumbsticks.
It was also revealed that Microsoft Flight Simulator will soon offer a free-new DLC made in conjunction with Dune. This allows users to pilot an Ornithopter through six fresh activities in Arrakis. Furthermore, Microsoft unveiled a Dune-themed Xbox Series X and a levitating Xbox Wireless Controller, available for purchase or through participation in a giveaway.
Mojang has updated Minecraft and Minecraft Java Edition with a new feature that lets you quickly jump into your world right on the launcher screen. Quick Play support is now available in the latest public versions of the game.
IGN wants to try to replace the now-dead E3 with a new event called IGN Live. Later this year, the website will host a gaming show in Los Angeles where visitors can expect “a curated list of leading exhibitors across gaming and entertainment.” Specific details remain unknown.
Finally, Nvidia added Halo Infinite and Skull and Bones to its cloud streaming service, allowing those without powerful hardware to play the latest and most demanding titles using the cloud infrastructure.
Deals and freebies
Dakar Desert Rally is free to claim in the Epic Game Store until the next Thursday. Get it while you can if racing all sorts of motor vehicles across sands is your thing. Also, you can still play No Man’s Sky for free until February 19, 2024.
As usual, you can find more deals and offers in our weekly Weekend PC Game Deals series.
John Callaham’s weekly “Look back” series provides throwbacks into the past, detailing the company’s products, partnerships, mishaps, and successes from years ago.
On February 17, 2024, Windows 2000 marked its 24th birthday. This week’s look-back article is dedicated to this old piece of Microsoft-made software, its development, various editions, different capabilities, and more.
And here is a randomly selected piece of trivia about the company, Windows, and other Microsoft-made things.
This week’s random fact about Microsoft comes from @wowstartsnow on X. Did you know that Microsoft experimented with mobile versions of Windows before Windows CE or Windows Mobile? In 1993, Microsoft was working on WinPad, an operating system for PDAs based on Windows 3.1. The idea was to let users sync emails, files, faxes, and other productivity data from a PC to a mobile device.
For better or for worse, Microsoft scrapped WinPad in 1994. The next year, Microsoft released Windows CE (codenamed Pegasus) for handheld computers.
You can find other issues of the Microsoft Weekly series using this link. Also, you can support Neowin by subscribing to our Newsletter to get regular news recaps delivered directly to your email.
Taras Buria
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