Family Account
The latest Family Account coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Windows 11's New Taskbar Speed Test Is Just a Bing Shortcut—But Insiders Are Getting It Now
Microsoft has added a one-click speed test shortcut to Windows 11's taskbar for Insider builds, now in Release Preview. The feature opens Bing's web-based widget, which uses Ookla's backend, making it a convenient but limited tool compared to native or CLI alternatives. While useful for quick checks, it lacks native integration, exportable logs, and enterprise controls.
Six Fixes That Launch Red Dead Redemption on Windows: A Community Guide
Red Dead Redemption's PC port has been plagued by launch failures, but a community-developed six-step guide resolves most issues, from overlay conflicts to dual-GPU headaches. This article details each fix, explains the underlying causes, and provides a safe, prioritized checklist for getting the game running on Windows 10 and 11.
Windows 11 Insider Taskbar Gets One-Click Bing Speed Test: Web Shortcut Sparks Privacy Debate
Microsoft has added a one-click internet speed test launcher to Windows 11 Insider builds, accessible from the taskbar network icon. However, the feature simply opens a browser to Bing’s web-based speed test, raising concerns about accuracy, privacy, and enterprise control. While convenient for casual users, IT professionals will still need robust native tools for reproducible diagnostics.
Microsoft Adds Task View to Xbox Controller Long-Press in Windows 11 Insider Builds
Microsoft has rolled out a new feature in Windows 11 Insider previews that remaps the Xbox controller's guide button: a short tap opens Game Bar, a long press now opens Task View, and a sustained hold powers off the controller. This change aligns with the company's push toward controller-friendly navigation for handheld gaming PCs like the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally, but it also introduces usability risks that require careful tuning and user controls.
How Windows 11 24H2’s Focus Throttling Sabotages Performance, Making Windows 10 Feel Faster
A programmer’s investigation reveals that Windows 11 24H2 aggressively throttles CPU performance for minimized applications, explaining why Windows 10 feels snappier on identical hardware. The discovery, combined with File Explorer regressions, highlights fixable OS policies; Microsoft has shipped targeted patches and is gathering telemetry, but the 25H2 enablement package offers no immediate performance boost.
Windows 11 Insiders Test Xbox Controller Shortcut: Long Press for Task View, Tap for Game Bar
Microsoft is testing a new Xbox controller mapping in Windows 11 Insider builds where a long press of the Xbox button opens Task View, while a short press still opens Game Bar and a sustained hold powers off the controller. The change, part of build 26220.6682, targets handhelds, living-room PCs, and accessibility, but early testers face timing inconsistencies and Bluetooth driver crash risks. The feature aligns with the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, aiming to make controller-based Windows navigation more seamless.
Microsoft Prices Windows 10 Extended Security Updates at $30 as Support Nears End
Microsoft will end free support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, but users can buy an additional year of security patches for $30. A free option is available for those who sync their PC settings with a Microsoft account. Organizations have separate commercial ESU plans, while upgrading to Windows 11 or moving to a Cloud PC remain the recommended long-term paths.
Microsoft Lifts Nine-Month Windows 11 24H2 Block on Dirac Audio PCs After Driver Fix
Microsoft lifted a nine-month compatibility safeguard on September 12, 2025, that had blocked Windows 11 24H2 upgrades for PCs with Dirac Audio. The hold was applied in December 2024 after cridspapo.dll failures caused total audio loss. A vendor-supplied driver fix, distributed via Windows Update, resolved the issue, allowing affected users to upgrade safely.
Windows 11 Insider Build Maps Xbox Button to Task View, Unlocking Controller Multitasking
Microsoft is testing a redesigned Xbox button behavior in Windows 11 Insider builds that makes controllers capable of system-level multitasking. A short press still opens Game Bar, but a long press now launches Task View, while a sustained hold powers off the controller. The change is part of a broader push to optimize Windows for handhelds and controller-first scenarios, though timing ambiguity and driver instability remain concerns.
Microsoft Adds One-Click Bing Speed Test Shortcut to Windows 11 Taskbar in Latest Insider Builds
Microsoft is testing a new Windows 11 taskbar shortcut that opens Bing's speed test widget in the default browser. Designed for quick connectivity checks, it currently appears in Insider builds and aims to streamline troubleshooting, though it relies on web-based testing rather than native diagnostics. Power users will still prefer CLI tools for accuracy.
LatencyMon Exposes the Hidden Kernel Interrupts Causing Windows Micro-Stutters
LatencyMon, a free Windows utility designed for real-time audio diagnostics, exposes the hidden kernel delays caused by driver ISRs, DPCs, and hard page faults that lead to micro-stutters and system sluggishness. This article explains how to use LatencyMon to identify common culprits like network and graphics drivers, ACPI.sys, and storage bottlenecks, while weighing the risks of radical community fixes. Armed with concrete timing data, users can replace guesswork with targeted driver updates, power setting adjustments, and hardware swaps to restore smooth performance.
Windows 11’s Best-Kept Secrets: Hidden Tools That Supercharge Your Productivity
Windows 11 hides powerful, native productivity tools like Snap Layouts, Clipboard History, Focus Sessions, and a built-in screen recorder. This guide reveals how to use them, highlights privacy caveats, and shows you how to combine them into workflows that save significant time every day.
Windows 11 Insider Build Adds Task View to Xbox Controller's Guide Button, Preserves Game Bar and Power Off
Microsoft has remapped the Xbox controller’s Guide button for Windows 11 Insiders, adding a long-press action to open Task View while keeping a tap for Game Bar and a hold to power off. The change, in build 26220.6682, aligns with upcoming handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally but has caused confusion and compatibility issues, prompting staged rollout and user feedback.