Windows News
The latest Windows News coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Microsoft Tests New Search Control in Windows 11: Disable Bing Web Results Globally
Microsoft is testing a hidden feature in Windows 11 Insider build 26300.8697 that lets users disable Bing web results and Microsoft Store suggestions from the search pane, a privacy option previously limited to EU users under the Digital Markets Act. The experimental control can be activated using third-party tools, offering a glimpse into a potential global rollout of more granular search privacy settings for all Windows 11 users.
CalendarBridge’s Zero-Knowledge Sync Wins Over 100,000 Users Tired of Calendar Chaos
CalendarBridge announced that its privacy-preserving calendar sync platform has passed 100,000 users and synced over 4 million events across Microsoft 365, Google, Outlook, and iCloud. The zero-knowledge architecture ensures that no unencrypted event data ever touches its servers, offering a secure solution for professionals juggling multiple calendars. With real-time, two-way sync and AI scheduling, the service is gaining traction in enterprise environments while remaining true to its privacy-first mission.
Microsoft’s Secure Boot KEK Certificate Expired June 24, 2026—Here’s What It Means for Windows Systems
The Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 certificate expired on June 24, 2026, disrupting Secure Boot on PCs that never received the 2023 replacement key. Systems without the updated firmware may experience Secure Boot disabling, boot failures, or missing security revocations. Users should verify Secure Boot status, apply pending firmware updates, and plan for future certificate expirations.
Windows 11 25H2: Why Mid-2026 Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade and How to Do It Right
Windows 11 25H2, released September 30, 2025, becomes the recommended upgrade target in mid-2026 as older versions near end of support. This guide details when to upgrade, a step-by-step preparation checklist, common risks, and post-upgrade tasks to ensure a smooth and secure transition.
Windows 11 Field Guide Update Unearths Cellular Configuration and Wi‑Fi Properties Secrets
A recent update to Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 Field Guide uncovers the deeper layers of cellular configuration and Wi‑Fi property management inside the Settings app. It provides practical walkthroughs for eSIM management, metered connections, DNS over HTTPS, and hidden networking tweaks that can save data and boost privacy.
Chrome on Mobile Gets Google Wallet Autofill for Passports, VINs, and Travel Docs — Will Windows Be Next?
Google’s June 23, 2026 update to Chrome on Android and iOS introduces Google Wallet autofill for passports, VINs, driver’s licenses, and travel details, secured by biometrics. The feature is absent from Chrome on Windows, creating a cross-device gap that Microsoft Edge and Wallet already partially address. The move intensifies the three-way autofill race among Google, Microsoft, and Apple.
Windows Dark Mode Isn't a Personality Trait—It's a Configurable System Behavior
Computerworld's latest Android dark-mode guide treats dark mode as a configurable system behavior, not a permanent identity. Windows 11 users can adopt the same philosophy by scheduling theme switches, refining per-app and browser dark mode settings, and dynamically adapting wallpapers. The result is a more comfortable, battery-efficient, and personalized computing experience.
Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5 Revives Pixel 6, Ships Build CP31.260608.007 with No-Wipe Caveat
Google released Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5 (build CP31.260608.007) on June 23, 2026, bringing back support for Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro after they were skipped in Beta 4. The update includes a critical warning that downgrading to stable may require a factory reset, urging caution from beta testers. The build focuses on bug fixes and stability improvements ahead of the final QPR1 release, with implications for Windows-Android cross-device integration.
Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5 Fixes Critical Bugs, Re-Adds Pixel 6, and Demands Factory Reset
Google's latest Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, released on June 23, 2026, delivers essential stability improvements and re-enables support for the Pixel 6 series. However, the update comes with a strict factory reset warning, urging users to back up their data before installation.
Stop OneDrive from Hijacking Your Folders: How to Turn Off Folder Backup in Windows 11
A detailed guide on disabling OneDrive folder backup in Windows 11, restoring local folders, and troubleshooting common redirection issues.
Microsoft’s Under-the-Hood Trick to Make Windows 11 Faster: Low Latency Profile Surfaces in 2026 Builds
Microsoft is testing a 'Low Latency Profile' in early 2026 Windows 11 builds, using short CPU boost windows to dramatically speed up app launches, Start menu, and search. The feature targets user interactions with precision bursts to enhance perceived responsiveness without compromising battery life, and is rolling out gradually to Windows Insiders.
Windows 11 Ethernet Status Says Connected, But Your Internet May Be Down — Here's Why
Microsoft’s updated Windows 11 Field Guide (June 23, 2026) explains that Settings may show an Ethernet connection as “Connected” even when the internet is actually unreachable. It clarifies that Windows’ “Connected” status doesn’t always match the user expectation of working internet access, helping explain the common “Can’t reach this page” problem and reduce unnecessary troubleshooting.
Louisiana’s 2026 Tech Laws Force Windows Admins to Rethink Cyber Incident Response and Data Handling
Louisiana’s 2026 Cyber Help Compliance Act, Data Privacy Rights Act, and Government Data Sharing Act impose strict cybersecurity incident reporting deadlines, data portability rights, and mandatory APIs on government agencies. Windows administrators must overhaul incident response, data classification, and API infrastructures to avoid heavy fines and civil liabilities, with early adopters leveraging Microsoft Purview, Defender, and Azure API Management to meet the new requirements.