Windows Insider
Microsoft tests new privacy controls for Windows 11 desktop apps
Microsoft has begun testing new privacy controls that will let Windows 11 users choose which desktop applications can access their camera, microphone, and precise location. This new feature is shipping to systems upgraded to Windows 11 Insider Experimental Preview Build 26340.9233, and the goal is to make privacy permissions easier to understand in Windows 11 […]
Microsoft tests faster Windows File Explorer, new context menu
Microsoft has started testing a faster File Explorer and a less cluttered and more customizable context menu in Windows 11 preview builds rolling out to Insiders this week. As the File Explorer team explained in a Monday blog post, the changes focus on improving File Explorer speed, performance, and reliability and addressing customer-reported issues. The […]
Microsoft starts removing WMIC tool used by cybercriminals
Microsoft announced that it removed the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) tool from Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2, as well as from Windows 11 beta builds released this week. WMIC is a legacy built-in Windows command-line utility that helps interact with the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) system using text commands. This move is part of […]
Microsoft testing adjustable taskbar, Start menu in Windows 11
Microsoft has finally brought back the resizable taskbar and Start menu to Windows 11 in the latest preview version rolling out to Insiders in the Experimental channel. Starting with Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26300.8493, the taskbar can now be configured to use smaller buttons and moved to the bottom, top, left, or right side of […]
Microsoft rolls out revamped Windows Insider Program
Microsoft says it’s rolling out a revamped Windows Insider Program experience as part of the broader plans to address reliability concerns in Windows 11. For those unaware, the Windows Insider Program is a beta testing program that allows you to test early Windows releases and provide your feedback to Microsoft. Until now, Microsoft has not […]
Microsoft still working to fix Windows Explorer white flashes
Microsoft has confirmed that it’s still working to fully address a known issue that causes bright white flashes when opening the File Explorer on some Windows 11 systems. “Removed white flash when launching new File Explorer windows or tabs when File Explorer was set to open to This PC. Also removed white flashes when resizing […]
Microsoft testing Windows 11 batch file security improvements
Microsoft is rolling out new Windows 11 Insider Preview builds that improve security and performance during batch file or CMD script execution. As Microsoft explained today, IT administrators can now enable a more secure processing mode that prevents batch files from being modified while they run by adding the LockBatchFilesInUse registry value under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Command Processor. Policy authors can […]
Microsoft rolls out native Sysmon monitoring in Windows 11
Microsoft has started rolling out built-in Sysmon functionality to some Windows 11 systems enrolled in the Windows Insider program. Microsoft first revealed plans to integrate Sysmon natively into Windows 11 and Windows Server in November, when it also confirmed that it will soon release detailed documentation. Sysmon (short for System Monitor) is a free Microsoft Sysinternals tool […]
Microsoft updates Notepad and Paint with more AI features
Microsoft is rolling out new artificial intelligence features with the latest updates to the Notepad and Paint apps for Windows 11 Insiders. These changes are rolling out to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels, who have upgraded to the latest versions. Notepad version 11.2512.10.0 now streams AI-generated results for Write, Rewrite, and Summarize […]
Microsoft may soon allow IT admins to uninstall Copilot
Microsoft is testing a new policy that allows IT administrators to uninstall the AI-powered Copilot digital assistant on managed devices. The new RemoveMicrosoftCopilotApp policy began rolling out today to systems in the Dev and Beta Insider channels that have installed Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7535 (KB5072046). As the Windows Insider team explained in a […]