Abb Freelance
The latest Abb Freelance coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Microsoft’s June 2026 Optional Windows 11 Updates Bring Early Accessibility and Recovery Tweaks
Microsoft released optional June 23, 2026 non-security preview updates for Windows 11 24H2, 25H2, and hardware-scoped 26H1. The previews improve Narrator, Voice Access, Eye Control, add BitLocker QR code recovery, and fix VPN and graphics driver issues. IT pros are urged to test before the July 8 Patch Tuesday rollout, especially the 26H1 version restricted to devices with Pluton security processors.
Windows 10 Users Hit by AMD Driver Fiasco: Adrenalin 26.6.2 Cripples Radeon RX 7000 GPUs
AMD's Adrenalin 26.6.2 driver is causing driver incompatibility errors and Device Manager warnings on Windows 10 systems with Radeon RX 7000 GPUs. Users report Code 43 failures and unusable graphics after installation. The recommended fix is to roll back to version 26.6.1 using the AMD Cleanup Utility. AMD has not yet issued a statement, but a hotfix is expected soon.
Microsoft Flags Issue: Windows 11 Preview Update KB5095093 Breaks Office OLE Automation for Third-Party Apps
Microsoft's June 23, 2026 preview update KB5095093 for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2 introduces a known issue where third-party applications cannot launch Office apps via OLE automation. The optional update, which pushes builds 26200.8737 and 26100.8737, may disrupt enterprise workflows reliant on programmatic Office control. Until a fix is released, affected users should uninstall the update or avoid deploying it to production environments.
EaseUS Partition Master 20.5 Delivers All-in-One Clean Hub for Windows Storage Overhaul
EaseUS released Partition Master 20.5 with a unified Clean hub that centralizes disk space analysis, junk-file removal, application uninstallation, and data migration. The update turns the partition manager into a comprehensive Windows maintenance suite, directly competing with standalone cleaners and uninstallers.
Microsoft Slips KB5095189 into Windows 11 OOBE: First Boot Now Gets Cloud-Patched for 24H2 and 25H2
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Microsoft Rolls Out KB5103203, Boosting Phi Silica AI on Intel Copilot+ PCs to Version 1.2605.856.0
Microsoft's KB5103203 automatically updates the Phi Silica AI model to version 1.2605.856.0 on Intel-based Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11 26H1. The update enhances local AI tasks with likely performance and accuracy improvements. Users don't need to take any action, as it installs in the background.
Microsoft Ships Long-Awaited Point-in-Time Restore for Windows 11 24H2 and Later
Microsoft has released a built-in point-in-time restore feature for Windows 11 version 24H2 and later, available on all editions. The feature lets users quickly roll back their entire system to a previous state, filling a long-standing gap in Windows recovery options. It uses efficient snapshot technology and integrates with enterprise management tools, providing a major boost in system resilience for both consumers and IT admins.
KB5103204 ships Phi Silica AI v1.2605.856.0 to Qualcomm Copilot+ PCs on Windows 11 26H1.
Microsoft's KB5103204 update upgrades the Phi Silica on-device AI model to version 1.2605.856.0 for Qualcomm Copilot+ PCs running Windows 11 26H1. The automatic update aims to improve AI-powered features like Recall and Cocreate with better performance and accuracy. This reflects Microsoft's ongoing commitment to enhancing local AI capabilities on ARM-based Windows devices.
Microsoft Gives Devs First Look at GPU Crash Dump Standard via PIX
Microsoft has released a public preview of DirectX Dump Files, a new standardized format for capturing GPU crash state in Direct3D 12 applications. Integrated with PIX for Windows, the feature allows developers to automatically save a complete snapshot when a device removal occurs. AMD is the first GPU vendor to support the format, adding hardware-specific data to the dumps.
Microsoft Rolls Out Point-in-Time Restore for Windows 11 24H2, Enabling Instant Recovery From Crashes
Microsoft has released point-in-time restore for Windows 11 24H2 and later, offering automatic snapshot-based recovery that can roll back a PC in minutes. The feature is enabled by default on Home, Pro, and Enterprise editions, integrates deeply with Windows Update and WinRE, and is a major step toward reducing downtime from faulty updates or driver installations.
Thurrott Scraps 25H2 Mini-Edition: Windows 11 Field Guide Goes Lean and Continuous
Paul Thurrott scraps plans for a Windows 11 25H2 mini-field guide and instead transforms his flagship guide into a continuously updated, slimmed-down resource. The move responds to Microsoft's chaotic update cadence with Moment updates and Windows-as-a-Service, abandoning version-specific editions for a living document model. Subscribers will access a GitHub repository and a companion app receiving updates every two weeks.
Windows 11 Build 26300.8697 Offers Toggle to Disable Bing Web Results in Search
Microsoft is testing a new toggle in Windows 11 Insider Build 26300.8697 that lets users disable Bing web results from the Start menu and taskbar search. The long-requested feature, part of the upcoming 26H2 update, improves privacy and performance while giving users complete control over their local search experience. Early feedback from Insiders is overwhelmingly positive, signaling a significant shift in Microsoft's approach to user choice.
Microsoft Pushes Windows 11 25H2 Auto-Upgrade to Unmanaged PCs as 23H2 Support Deadline Looms
Microsoft has started an automatic Windows 11 25H2 rollout to eligible “unmanaged” Home and Pro PCs through Windows Update, targeting systems still on 23H2 (end of service November 11, 2025) and some PCs on 24H2 that are behind on cumulative updates. The move—confirmed via Microsoft release health documentation—signals a more forceful approach to keeping consumer devices current, though it has drawn criticism from users who prefer more control over update timing.