Windows News
The latest Windows News coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
EU Commission Moves to Designate AWS and Azure as Gatekeepers Under DMA
The European Commission's preliminary finding designates AWS and Microsoft Azure as DMA gatekeepers, which could force interoperability mandates and phase out cloud lock-in tactics. This move directly impacts Windows Server, Azure AD, and hybrid environments, promising greater choice and lower costs for European businesses.
Riot Vanguard Goes On-Demand on Windows 11 25H2, Ends Mandatory Boot-Time Loading
On June 24, 2026, Riot Games announced that its kernel-level anti-cheat Vanguard will load on-demand on Windows 11 25H2 instead of at startup, improving boot times and system performance while maintaining robust cheat detection through hypervisor-based checks. The change leverages Windows 11 25H2's enhanced virtualization security and requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, marking a shift toward less intrusive but highly secure anti-cheat architecture.
EU Moves to Classify AWS and Azure as DMA Gatekeepers in Major Cloud Regulation Push
The European Commission has launched a DMA investigation into AWS and Microsoft Azure, a move that could force sweeping interoperability and data portability rules on the two cloud giants. If designated as gatekeepers, they would face mandates that reshape cloud licensing, AI integration, and pricing—with major implications for competition and for Microsoft's Windows ecosystem. The probe is expected to last six months, with potential fines of up to 10% of global turnover.
Windows 11 Update KB5095093 Brings Long-Awaited Bluetooth Fixes and Faster AirPods Pairing
Microsoft's optional KB5095093 preview update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 fixes Bluetooth reliability issues, speeds up Apple AirPods pairing, and resolves a mute synchronization bug. These improvements target long-standing user frustrations, but cautious adoption is recommended until the fixes roll out in a mandatory patch.
EU Commission Proposes AWS and Azure as DMA Gatekeepers, Reshaping Cloud AI Landscape
The European Commission has preliminarily proposed designating Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure as “gatekeepers” under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), after an investigation focused on cloud AI infrastructure and platforms. If finalized, the ruling would impose new obligations on both companies, potentially forcing them to open up their ecosystems and revise established practices.
Krita’s AI Diffusion Plugin: How to Set Up ComfyUI and Stable Diffusion on Windows 10/11
The Krita AI Diffusion plugin brings local Stable Diffusion image generation to Windows 10 and 11 artists using the ComfyUI backend. This guide covers installing Krita, importing the plugin, configuring ComfyUI, downloading models, and solving common errors like connection refusals and CUDA out‑of‑memory crashes.
Windows 11 Gains a 72-Hour 'Rewind' Feature: Everything You Need to Know About Point-in-Time Restore
Microsoft is rolling out point-in-time restore, a Windows 11 feature that lets you roll back your system state by up to 72 hours from the Windows Recovery Environment. It automatically creates daily snapshots, stores them in a secure TPM-bound partition, and provides a faster, more reliable alternative to legacy System Restore. The feature requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and an intact recovery partition, and is reaching general availability through a server-side update.
WidBar Beta Injects Now Playing and System Widgets Right into Windows 11's Taskbar
WidBar, a free beta app from developer Andrea Del Bello, places customizable live widgets directly on the Windows 11 taskbar. It currently offers Now Playing and System Metrics modules, with plans for extensibility, giving users at-a-glance information Microsoft's default taskbar lacks.
Acer Unveils Four Copilot+ Aspire AI PCs, Bringing AI to Everyday Computing
Acer announced four new Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs on May 29, 2026: the Aspire X 16 AI, Aspire 18 AI, Aspire C27 AI, and Aspire C24 AI, including both laptops and all-in-one desktops. These devices integrate AI capabilities through Microsoft's Copilot+ platform, offering enhanced productivity, creativity, and security features. The new Aspire AI range targets mainstream users seeking powerful and intelligent computing experiences.
AppControl Brings 3-Day Performance Tracking and Privacy Alerts to Windows 11 and 10
A new free utility, AppControl, offers Windows 10 and 11 users a rolling 72-hour log of app activity, hardware usage, temperatures, and privacy events, enabling retrospective diagnosis of PC slowdowns and unauthorized access.
Windows 11 24H2 Gets a Built-In Time Machine: Point-in-Time Restore Rolls Back Apps, Settings, and Files in Seconds
Microsoft has made Point-in-time Restore generally available for Windows 11 version 24H2, giving Home, Pro, and Enterprise users a fast, built-in rollback feature that can undo changes to apps, settings, and files. The feature replaces the unreliable System Restore with a snapshot-based approach that completes rollbacks in minutes, works without noticeable performance overhead, and is enabled by default. While it doesn't replace full backups, it dramatically reduces the friction of recovering from bad updates, software conflicts, or accidental modifications.
Microsoft’s Experimental Screen Tint: A New Eye Comfort Tool in Windows 11 Insider Preview
Microsoft has released experimental preview Build 26300.8497 for Windows 11 Insiders, introducing a new Screen Tint accessibility feature. This system-wide color overlay allows users to apply any custom hue and intensity to reduce eye strain and accommodate visual sensitivities. Early feedback highlights its potential for people with conditions like photophobia or Irlen Syndrome, though limitations such as lack of scheduling, HDR issues, and per-app controls suggest further refinement is needed before general availability.
Ventoy 1.1.15 Ships with Critical Secure Boot Certificate Support and Boot Fix
Ventoy 1.1.15, released on June 25, 2026, adds support for Microsoft's 2023 Secure Boot certificates and resolves a boot failure impacting users. The update ensures bootable USB drives remain functional on systems with Secure Boot enabled, addressing a critical compatibility need.