All news with #windows 11 tag

Windows 11 Trials Shared Bluetooth Audio on AI PCs

🔊 Microsoft is testing a new Shared audio feature in Windows 11 that uses Bluetooth LE Audio broadcast technology to stream audio to two Bluetooth devices simultaneously on eligible Copilot+ PCs. The option appears as Shared audio (preview) in Quick Settings in Windows 11 Build 26220.7051 (KB5067115). Initially it is limited to select Surface models with Qualcomm Snapdragon X and a few upcoming Samsung and Surface AI PCs, and requires compatible accessories such as Galaxy Buds2 Pro.

Microsoft fixes Media Creation Tool on affected PCs again

🛠 Microsoft has restored the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool after reports it failed to run on some up-to-date Windows 10 22H2, Windows 11 25H2 and Arm64 systems following the Windows 11 2025 Update. Microsoft says the issue was resolved in the optional KB5067036 preview update published October 28, 2025, and the updated tool is now available for download. As before, users can also obtain Windows ISO files directly to create bootable media.

Microsoft fixes 0x800F081F Windows Update failures

🔧 Microsoft has resolved a known issue that caused Windows updates to fail with error code 0x800F081F on Windows 11 24H2 devices. The problem affected systems that installed the KB5050094 January 2025 preview cumulative update and subsequent updates, and Microsoft traced the failures to missing language packs and feature payloads removed by ACR/MCR cleanup. Microsoft acknowledged the issue on October 15 and fixed it in the KB5067036 October 2025 preview update. Administrators who cannot install the optional preview immediately can perform an In‑Place Upgrade via Windows installation media or the Settings > System > Recovery workflow to restore missing components without losing files or apps.

Windows 11 to Prompt Memory Scans After BSOD Crashes

🔍 Microsoft is testing a new feature in Windows 11 that prompts users to run a memory scan when signing in after a blue screen of death (bugcheck). If accepted, the system schedules an Windows Memory Diagnostic to run at the next reboot, typically taking five minutes or less, and will notify users post-reboot if issues are found and mitigated. Initially all bugcheck codes will trigger the prompt while Microsoft investigates correlations with memory corruption, with targeting to be refined over time.

Microsoft adds policy to remove preinstalled Store apps

🛠️ Microsoft now enables IT administrators to remove selected pre-installed Microsoft Store apps on Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 and Education 25H2 devices using a new app management policy. The policy can be applied via CSP, Group Policy, or the Microsoft Intune settings catalog and is disabled by default until explicitly enabled by admins. Once enforced, targeted packages and associated local app data are deprovisioned and deleted from devices, removing the need for custom Windows images or brittle scripts.

Microsoft Disables Explorer Preview for Internet Files

🔒 Microsoft has updated File Explorer to disable the preview pane by default for files downloaded from the Internet or marked with the Mark of the Web. The change, included in Windows security updates released on and after October 14, 2025, is designed to block exploits that can leak NTLM hashes when previewed documents reference external resources. When preview is blocked, File Explorer shows a warning and users can manually unblock trusted files via Properties > Unblock or add the location to Trusted sites/Local intranet; a sign-out may be required for the change to take effect.

Microsoft fixes USB input bug that broke WinRE access

🔧 Microsoft released an out-of-band cumulative update, KB5070773, to restore USB mouse and keyboard functionality in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) after October 2025 security updates disabled USB input in recovery on affected client and server builds. The patch began rolling out on October 20, 2025 and Microsoft recommends installing the latest updates. If a device cannot boot to install the patch, workarounds include using a touchscreen’s touch keyboard, connecting PS/2 peripherals, or booting from a previously created USB recovery drive.

Microsoft October update disables USB input in WinRE

⚠ After installing the October 14, 2025 security update KB5066835, USB-wired mice and keyboards do not function in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), Microsoft confirmed. The devices continue to operate normally inside the Windows OS, but WinRE navigation is blocked, affecting Windows 11 (24H2, 25H2) and Windows Server 2025. Microsoft is working on a fix expected in the coming days; meanwhile users can rely on Bluetooth peripherals or legacy PS/2 input devices as a workaround.

Microsoft October Windows Updates Break Smart Card Auth

🔒 Microsoft warns the October 2025 Windows security updates are causing smart card authentication and certificate failures by switching RSA-based smart card certificates to use KSP instead of CSP. Affected systems may report errors such as "invalid provider type specified" or "CryptAcquireCertificatePrivateKey error" and Event ID 624 in the Smart Card Service log. Microsoft provides a manual workaround: set the DisableCapiOverrideForRSA registry value to 0, back up the registry first, then restart. This impacts Windows 10, Windows 11 and Windows Server releases; the company says the key will be removed in April 2026 and urges customers to work with application vendors to resolve compatibility.

Windows 11 updates break localhost HTTP/2 (127.0.0.1)

⚠️ Microsoft’s October Windows 11 updates (notably KB5066835 and the September preview KB5065789) have disrupted HTTP/2 connections to localhost (127.0.0.1), preventing local services and developer tools from completing requests. Users report errors such as "ERR_CONNECTION_RESET" and "ERR_HTTP2_PROTOCOL_ERROR" when applications attempt to connect to the loopback interface. Affected software includes Visual Studio debugging, SSMS Entra ID authentication, and Duo Desktop; community workarounds include disabling HTTP/2 via Registry entries or uninstalling the problematic updates.

Microsoft Adds Copilot Actions for Agentic Windows Tasks

⚙️ Microsoft is introducing Copilot Actions, a Windows 11 Copilot feature that allows AI agents to operate on local files and applications by clicking, typing, scrolling and using vision and advanced reasoning to complete multi-step tasks. The capability will roll out to Windows Insiders in Copilot Labs, extending earlier web-based actions introduced in May. Agents run in isolated Agent Workspaces tied to standard Windows accounts, are cryptographically signed, and the feature is off by default.

Microsoft adds Hey Copilot wake word to Windows 11 PCs

🤖 Microsoft has added the "Hey Copilot" wake word to Windows 11, letting users initiate conversations with the AI-powered Copilot assistant hands-free. The feature is opt-in and must be enabled in the Copilot app's Settings under Voice mode; when active a chime sounds and a microphone icon appears above the taskbar. Wake word detection uses an on-device 10-second audio buffer stored locally and never recorded, while request processing requires internet access. Copilot Vision can analyze screen content for troubleshooting and guidance, and optional connectors let Copilot generate Office documents and access third-party accounts.

Windows 11 KB5066835 and KB5066793 October 2025 Updates

🔒 Microsoft has released cumulative updates KB5066835 and KB5066793 for Windows 11 versions 25H2/24H2 and 23H2 as part of the October 2025 Patch Tuesday. These mandatory updates move systems to Build 26200.6899 (25H2/24H2) and 226x1.6050 (23H2) and address recent security vulnerabilities plus several functional issues. Notable fixes include a Chromium print preview hang, PowerShell Remoting timeouts, Windows Hello USB IR camera setup failures, and a gaming sign-in input bug. The update also removes the ltmdm64.sys modem driver and rolls out new AI, accessibility, and File Explorer features gradually.

Windows 11 Media Creation Tool Fails on Windows 10

⚠️ Microsoft says the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (MCT) version 26100.6584 released on September 29, 2025, may close unexpectedly on Windows 10 22H2 devices without showing an error. The company is working on a fix and recommends downloading a Disk Image (ISO) for x64 systems as a temporary workaround. Microsoft also notes the MCT is not supported on Windows 10 ARM64 machines, following earlier ARM64 compatibility problems after the Windows 11 25H2 rollout.

Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro reach end of support soon

⚠ Microsoft warned that devices running Windows 11 23H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving security updates after November 11, 2025. The November 2025 monthly security update will be the final update for those editions. Users should upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 or later to remain protected; note that some PCs may be prevented from upgrading by a safeguard for SenseShield code-obfuscation drivers.

Microsoft Releases Enterprise Windows Backup for Orgs

🔒 Microsoft has made Windows Backup for Organizations generally available, offering an enterprise-grade, opt-in solution to preserve Windows settings, user preferences, and Microsoft Store-installed apps. The capability is available after installing the September 2025 Windows Monthly Cumulative Update on Entra-joined devices and must be enabled by administrators through Intune or backup and restore policy settings. Backups are stored in Exchange Online in the tenant's selected Country/Region, are protected by encryption, and are accessible to Microsoft personnel only under strict oversight for troubleshooting or legal compliance, helping streamline migrations to Windows 11 during device setup.

Microsoft Blocks More Ways to Bypass Windows 11 MSA

🔒 Microsoft is removing further methods that allow creating local accounts and bypassing the Microsoft account requirement during Windows 11 setup. The change appears in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6772 (KB5065797) on the Dev Channel and is expected to reach production releases. Microsoft said it will remove known mechanisms in the OOBE experience because they can skip critical setup screens and leave a device not fully configured. Going forward, OOBE will require internet access and a Microsoft account to complete setup.

Microsoft to Force-Install Microsoft 365 Companion Apps

📌 Microsoft will automatically install the Microsoft 365 companion apps on Windows 11 devices that have the Microsoft 365 desktop apps, beginning in late October 2025 and completing by the end of December 2025. The suite — People, Files, and Calendar — integrates Copilot for contextual AI assistance from the taskbar. IT admins can opt out via the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center or disable app auto‑launch in each app's Settings.

Microsoft Media Creation Tool Fails on Windows 11 ARM64

⚠️ Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (version 26100.6584), released on September 29, 2025, may not run on devices with Arm64 processors after the Windows 11 25H2 rollout. Affected users report an error that reads, "We're not sure what happened, but we're unable to run this tool on your PC," blocking creation of bootable installation media. Microsoft says the tool does not support creating media for Arm64 devices and that the normally available ability for Arm64 systems to produce x64 media is also failing. As a temporary workaround, Microsoft recommends using a PC with an AMD64 processor to create installation media while it investigates and prepares a fix.

Windows 11 25H2 (2025 Update) Now Generally Available

ℹ️ Windows 11 25H2 (2025 Update) is now generally available. The minor release shares the same platform as 24H2 and is rolled out gradually, with devices on 24H2 updated via small enablement packages (<200 KB) while systems on 23H2 receive a full OS swap. Enterprise-focused changes include Wi‑Fi 7 support, improved vulnerability detection, and an optional Group Policy to remove select preinstalled Store apps. Microsoft also removed legacy tools such as PowerShell 2.0 and WMIC.