Erling Haaland
The latest Erling Haaland coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Windows 11’s Hidden Permission Log Wastes Gigabytes: KB5095093 Preview Update Fixes It
Microsoft's KB5095093 preview update resolves a storage leak where the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal file grows without bounds, reclaiming disk space for Windows 11 users. The fix, acknowledged on June 29, 2026, is now available for manual installation and will be included in July's Patch Tuesday.
Microsoft's June Preview Patch KB5095093 Fixes Windows 11 Shell Failure After PC Setup
Microsoft's KB5095093 preview update, released June 23, 2026, fixes a Windows 11 bug that broke the Start menu, taskbar, and other shell elements on newly provisioned PCs. The issue primarily struck IT departments using Autopilot or custom imaging, leaving deployed machines with a blank desktop. The fix arrives as an optional update and will be included in the July Patch Tuesday rollout.
Windows 11's Battery Drain Isn't a Mystery—Stop the Background Apps Killing Your Laptop
Windows 11's battery life in 2026 hinges on controlling background apps, not outdated folklore tweaks. By using built-in tools like Energy Saver, battery usage reports, and background app permissions, users can reclaim hours of runtime. This guide provides concrete steps for everyday users, power users, and IT admins to stop hidden drains and optimize power settings effectively.
Microsoft’s Next Windows 11 Update Lands Late 2026 — and It’s a Speedy, Small Affair
Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H2, its next annual feature update, will ship in the second half of 2026 as a small enablement package. The update will be quick to install for users already on a recent version, minimizing downtime and streamlining IT deployments. This continues Microsoft's pattern of alternating between full OS refreshes and lightweight updates, promising a smooth upgrade experience.
Microsoft Tests Spotify Handoff from Android to PC in Latest Windows 11 Insider Build
Microsoft is testing an Android-to-PC continuity feature for Windows 11 Insiders in the Dev Channel, starting with Spotify. A new “Resume alert” lets users transfer playback from their Android phone to a Windows PC with one tap, pointing to broader cross-device handoff ambitions.
Thurrott’s 2026 Field Guide Refresh: Simplifying Windows 11 Sandbox and Hyper-V
Paul Thurrott’s Windows 11 Field Guide has been updated for 2026 with a refreshed chapter on virtualization, covering Windows Sandbox and Hyper-V Client. The guide provides clear instructions for enabling and using these built-in tools, now tailored to the latest Windows 11 interface and requirements. Home users and IT professionals alike will find practical steps to create isolated testing environments and virtual machines without third-party software.
Erling Haaland’s Xbox Setup Video Gives Microsoft the Kind of Endorsement Money Can’t Buy
Erling Haaland’s spontaneous social video of his personal Xbox setup gave Microsoft an authentic, unpaid endorsement that resonated with gamers worldwide. While scripted marketing often falls flat, this organic moment reinforced Xbox’s brand credibility, offered fans a point of pride, and highlighted the growing power of genuine celebrity influence in the gaming industry.
KB5095093 Arrives to Halt Windows 11’s Stealthy Log File That Gobbles Gigabytes
Microsoft has released KB5095093 to fix a bug in Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 that allowed the CapabilityAccessManager.db-wal log file to grow unchecked, consuming significant disk space. The update automatically compacts and trims the file, restoring lost storage without requiring manual cleanup. Users on small SSDs were hit hardest, but the patch now blocks the silent leak.
Chrome's New Guided Setup Steers Users Through Windows 11's Default Browser Maze
Google is testing a new guided setup in Chrome that visually walks users through the final Windows 11 Settings step to make Chrome the default browser. The feature, spotted in early Canary builds by Windows Report, adds step-by-step callouts to the confusing per-protocol default process. While it simplifies the switch for everyday users, power users may find it chatty, and IT admins should note it won't override managed policies. The change continues the long-running default-browser tug-of-war between Microsoft and third-party developers.
MediaTek Wi-Fi Vanished After a Windows 11 Update? Here’s How to Get Back Online
After recent Windows 11 updates, many laptops with MediaTek Wi-Fi adapters lose wireless connectivity because Windows overwrites the OEM driver with an incompatible generic version. A new guide from Driver Easy details the cause and walks affected users through restoring Internet access using a wired connection and manual driver installation. The fix is free and doesn’t require a repair shop, but users must act carefully to avoid future recurrences.
July 2026 and Still No Federal Privacy Law: The Windows Data Resilience Imperative
As of July 2026, the U.S. still lacks a comprehensive federal privacy law, leaving Windows users and Microsoft 365 admins to navigate a patchwork of state regulations. This article outlines the practical impact for everyday users, power users, and IT pros, explains how we got here, and provides concrete steps for using Microsoft’s compliance tools to build data resilience. The key message: proactive data governance is the best defense in a fragmented legal landscape.
Windows Insider Builds Hide Secret 'Device Rebuild' Feature in WinRE
A hidden feature ID, Servicing_DeviceRebuild_WinREUX, found in recent Windows Insider builds points to a future 'Device Rebuild' tool for the Windows Recovery Environment. Though currently inactive, it hints at a more robust repair option that could allow users to fully rebuild a PC directly from WinRE without external media. For now, it's a signal to keep an eye on Insider flights and maintain your own recovery backups.
Sony's Disc Phaseout for PS5 Games by 2028 Has Hideo Kojima Alarmed—Here's Why Windows Users Should Care
Sony will stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation 5 games starting January 2028, and Hideo Kojima warns that digital-only distribution reduces game purchases to revocable permissions. The article analyzes the announcement's impact on Windows gamers, detailing how the shift accelerates trends already affecting PC game ownership, preservation, and consumer rights. Practical guidance is provided for everyday users, power users, and IT professionals.