Microsoft has released a new preview, Windows 11 build 27919, to Windows Insider program participants using the Canary channel. One of its key changes is a re-organized Search permissions page in Settings.
Author: Sergey Tkachenko
Gaming Copilot (Beta) Enters Testing on Game Bar for Xbox Insiders
Gaming Copilot (Beta) has launched within Game Bar for Windows PCs. It is already available exclusively to Xbox Insiders enrolled in the PC Gaming Preview program. Its main feature is to offer real-time support during gaming sessions.
Microsoft Enables GPT-5 Across Copilot Ecosystem in Major Update
Microsoft has rolled out OpenAI’s GPT-5 across its product suite, including Copilot, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, and GitHub Copilot. The release marks a synchronized deployment of the new model, now accessible via a smart mode in Copilot. The latter automatically selects between reasoning and response speed based on task demands.
Microsoft Pays Security Researchers Record $17 Million to Find Vulnerabilities
Microsoft has awarded a record $17 million to 344 security researchers across 59 countries through its Bounty Program, the highest total in the program’s history. These experts collaborated with the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) to identify over a thousand potential vulnerabilities.
Enrolling Windows 10 PC into ESU program for $30 still requires Microsoft Account
Microsoft has updated its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10, confirming that all enrollment methods now require a Microsoft Account. This includes the $30 one-time purchase option, which previously led some users to believe an account was unnecessary. But the latter license now covers up to 10 devices..
PCI-SIG Unveils PCI Express 8.0 Specification for 2028 Launch
The PCI-SIG consortium has announced the development of the PCI Express 8.0 interface. The new standard will deliver 256 gigatransfers per second (GT/s), doubling the bandwidth of PCI Express 7.0. The x16 configuration will support a bidirectional data rate of 1 terabyte per second (TB/s). Commercial devices featuring PCIe 8.0 are expected to enter the market in 2028.
Google Chrome 139 Released, Removes Support for Manifest V2 Extensions
Google has officially launched Chrome 139, a stable release based on the open-source Chromium project. An Extended Stable version is available for enterprise users, offering support for eight weeks. The next update, Chrome 140, is set for release on September 2.
AI Hype Meets Reality: 2025 Was Supposed to Be the Year of AI Agents – It Wasn’t
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated that 2025 would be the year AI agents begin operating at full capacity. Many companies adopted this vision. AI tools appeared in Google search, Microsoft Office applications, and live chat systems across numerous services. Organizations began replacing programmers with AI coding systems. Entire departments faced layoffs across many countries. These reductions occurred primarily in late 2024 and early 2025. Despite the expectations, the prediction has not materialized.
Microsoft Releases Exclusive 50th Anniversary Windows 11 Wallpaper
Microsoft has introduced a special edition of the Windows 11 "Bloom" wallpaper for company's 50th anniversary. This unique version appeared exclusively on the limited-release Surface Laptop 7 (50th Anniversary Edition), but now available for download.
Microsoft to Block External Links to Certain Files in Excel
Microsoft will begin restricting external links to file types blocked by the Trust Center starting October 2025. The company will complete the rollout of this policy by July 2026, according to public announcements.
