Autonomous Driving Regulation
The latest Autonomous Driving Regulation coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Patch Tuesday: Critical Fixes for Exploited SharePoint and AD FS Zero-Days Among 570 Flaws
Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday addresses a record-breaking 570 vulnerabilities, including two actively exploited zero-days in SharePoint Server and Active Directory Federation Services. Organizations must prioritize patching internet-facing SharePoint farms and AD FS servers, while also addressing critical remote-code-execution flaws in Windows, Office, and more. The release coincides with the end of extended support for SharePoint Server 2016 and 2019, making migration a security necessity.
Windows 11 Hotpatch Blocks Optional Previews, IT Must Split Update Rings
Microsoft's new Windows servicing guide confirms that hotpatch-capable devices cannot receive optional non-security preview updates, forcing IT administrators to create separate update rings for reboot-free security patching and early fix validation. The limitation applies to Windows 11 Enterprise, where hotpatch reduces restarts but blocks access to monthly previews, requiring a dual-ring strategy and careful contingency planning for urgent fixes.
India’s ₹1.27 Trillion Semiconductor Push: What It Means for Your Windows PC
India has approved a ₹1.275 trillion semiconductor expansion focused on chip design, packaging, and materials, rather than just fabrication. The move could diversify the component supply chain for Windows PCs and support advanced packaging technologies critical for next-gen processors. While immediate impact is limited, the long-term plan aims to build a full chip ecosystem.
Q2 2026 Phone Shipments Crash 11%—Memory Shortage Hits Budget Buyers Hardest
Global smartphone shipments fell 11% in Q2 2026 as a severe shortage of DRAM and NAND memory forced budget phone makers to raise prices or cut specs, while Samsung and Apple gained share by holding steady. The memory crunch, driven by AI data-center demand, could soon push up prices for Windows PCs and laptops. Consumers and IT buyers should act now to avoid higher hardware costs.
Windows 11 Just Got Less Annoying: July Patch Fixes Widgets, Adds Emergency Restore
Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday update (KB5101650) delivers long-awaited quality improvements: quieter Widgets, a calendar-based Windows Update pause, Point-in-Time Restore for quick recovery, and numerous File Explorer and Bluetooth fixes. While features roll out gradually and a Dell hold applies to some PCs, this update marks a shift toward reliability over flashy AI.
Sega's Commitment to RTX Spark Gives Windows on Arm Gaming Its First Real Fighting Chance
Sega has announced that Virtua Fighter Crossroads, planned for 2027, will support Nvidia’s Arm-based RTX Spark PC platform, with future Sega titles also expected to follow. The commitment gives Nvidia’s hardware a concrete software roadmap and offers Windows on Arm gaming its strongest opportunity yet to gain mainstream traction.
Maryland Schools Roll Out Enterprise Microsoft Copilot: No AI-Grading, Strict Data Rules
St. Mary’s County Public Schools has launched an enterprise version of Microsoft Copilot with a phased rollout: administrative staff first, teachers on January 1, 2027, and students later in 2027. The deployment is governed by a strict AI-use policy that bans using the tool for grading, discipline, or performance evaluations, mandates training for all staff, and requires labeling AI-generated materials. IT staff must carefully configure data boundaries and auditing to maintain compliance.
Windows 11 Search: The Settings That Make It Find Your Files—No Registry Hacks Needed
A new MakeUseOf guide shows three effective ways to improve Windows 11 search without hacking the registry: Enhanced indexing, selective content indexing, and search filters. However, the viral tip to disable Bing via a registry tweak is unreliable on current builds. Use Microsoft’s official settings first and avoid unsupported hacks.
Windows 11 Gaming Performance on Steam Machine Matches SteamOS in Early Tests, but Caveats Abound
Early benchmarks of Windows 11 on Valve’s Steam Machine show gaming performance virtually identical to SteamOS, with Windows pulling ahead in CPU tests. Valve’s newly released drivers make the switch possible, but lack official support and a dual-boot option, leaving owners to balance compatibility needs against the risks of long-term driver neglect.
Microsoft Kills Surface Go and Laptop Go, Leaves Only Two Models: What This Means for Buyers
Microsoft has discontinued the Surface Go and Surface Laptop Go lines, paring its consumer hardware down to only the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. The move comes as a prominent reviewer abandons his Surface Laptop 7 for a MacBook Pro M4, citing stagnant design. Our analysis explains what the lineup changes mean for home users, businesses, and developers, provides a practical buying guide, and looks at what’s next for Windows hardware.
Johns Hopkins Gives Teams Chats a 90-Day Lifespan—Are You Ready for the October 15 Purge?
Johns Hopkins University will automatically delete Microsoft Teams chats after 90 days starting October 15, 2026, with an initial wipe of all messages before July 17. The policy spares channels but forces users to move important conversations to permanent repositories. This article explains what's changing, who's affected, and the practical steps to take before the deadline.
Microsoft Deploys 3M’s Dust-Tolerant Fiber in Azure, First Among Hyperscalers
Microsoft has become the first major cloud provider to deploy 3M’s dust-tolerant Expanded Beam Optical fiber in its Azure data centers. The technology eliminates the painstaking cleaning and inspection required by traditional fiber connectors, speeding the construction of AI clusters. Azure customers won’t see a new feature, but they may benefit from faster expansion of GPU capacity and new regions.
Windows 11 25H2: The Official Media Creation Tool Gets You a Bootable USB or ISO — Here’s How
Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool now delivers Windows 11 version 25H2 for x64 PCs. This guide explains how to create a bootable USB or ISO, perform in-place repairs, and clean-install the OS—along with what Arm64 owners need to know.