Copper Supply Chain
The latest Copper Supply Chain coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
KB5064071 Brings Freeform Selection to Click to Do and Window Recording to Snipping Tool
Microsoft rolled out KB5064071 to Dev and Beta channels, bringing Freeform, Rectangle, and Ctrl+Click selection modes to Click to Do, window‑only recording to Snipping Tool, and UI polish for Taskbar and File Explorer. The update also fixes numerous bugs while flagging known issues like install rollback error 0x80070005 and Arm64 Visual Studio crashes. IT teams should test the new features in lab environments and provide feedback to help refine these incremental but meaningful productivity improvements.
Windows 11 Build 26100.5061 Finally Brings Dark Mode to File Operation Dialogs
Microsoft has started rolling out dark-themed file operation dialogs in Windows 11 Release Preview build 26100.5061 (KB5064081). This long-requested change eliminates the jarring white pop-ups during file copying, moving, and access-denied prompts, though it's being deployed gradually. Third-party tools like StartAllBack already offer a more complete dark experience, but native support marks a significant polish win for dark mode fans.
KB5063878 Update Cripples Windows 11 WSUS Deployments; Microsoft Issues Rollback
The August 2025 Windows 11 24H2 cumulative update KB5063878 caused widespread installation failures with error 0x80240069 on WSUS and SCCM-managed systems. Microsoft deployed a Known Issue Rollback within 48 hours and provided registry workarounds; the incident underscores the need for enterprises to test updates in their specific delivery channels.
Hidden Windows 11 Dark Mode Upgrade Surfaces in Insider Builds – Here’s What’s Changing
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Insider builds reveal hidden dark mode treatments for File Explorer’s file copy, delete, and permissions dialogs—marking the first significant progress toward a complete system-wide dark theme since 2016. While many legacy surfaces remain bright, this incremental work signals a renewed engineering commitment to visual consistency.
VirtualBox 7.2 Lands Native Windows 11 on Arm Support and NVMe for All
VirtualBox 7.2.0 introduces native Windows 11 on Arm virtualization, a WDDM graphics driver for Arm guests, NVMe storage in the open-source base, and a redesigned UI. It also adds hardware video decoding on Linux, experimental 3D for Apple Silicon via DXMT, but removes 3D acceleration on Intel Macs. Users must shut down Arm VMs before upgrading due to saved-state incompatibility.
6 Lightweight Windows Apps That Crush Built-in Tools for Speed and Features
Windows built-in tools often slow you down with limited features and laggy performance. This guide explores six lightweight, free replacements—including VLC, Notepad++, and ImageGlass—that dramatically accelerate common tasks like media playback, text editing, and image viewing, while giving you more control over your PC.
Rufus 4.15 Final Release Fixes ARM64 Boot Crashes and Adds RISC-V 64 Support
Rufus 4.15, released on June 30, 2026, is the final update to the popular bootable USB tool, addressing Windows 11 customization bugs, silent installation failures, and UEFI:NTFS crashes on Snapdragon X ARM64 devices. It also introduces experimental RISC-V 64 support, marking the end of an era as developer Pete Batard steps away from the project.
SteamOS Outpaces Windows 11 on AMD iGPUs: How Proton and Lower Overhead Tip the Scales
SteamOS, Valve's Linux-based gaming OS, is outperforming Windows 11 on AMD integrated graphics processors thanks to the Proton compatibility layer and a leaner, console-like runtime. Tests on Ryzen APUs and Steam Deck show tangible frame rate boosts, challenging Windows' dominance in the growing handheld PC market. While Proton enables most games to run, compatibility gaps and anti-cheat issues remain, but Valve's rapid improvements signal a serious contender.
Microsoft’s 50th Anniversary Bloom Wallpaper: From Surface Exclusive to Community Sensation
Microsoft's exclusive 50th Anniversary Bloom wallpaper, originally bundled with a limited-edition Surface Laptop, has been widely shared by the community, offering a dark, gold-accented design optimized for OLED displays. The wallpaper merges nostalgia with modern aesthetics, sparking discussions about exclusivity and the evolving role of digital personalization in Windows 11.
Windows 10 ESU: Microsoft Account Now Mandatory for Security Patches After 2025
Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for Windows 10, priced at $30 per year, now mandates a Microsoft Account sign-in, effectively ending local account privacy for users who want to keep receiving security patches after the October 2025 support deadline. The policy forces a trade-off between ongoing security and digital autonomy, accelerating Microsoft's shift toward an account-centric ecosystem while leaving privacy-conscious users with fewer options.
Windows 11 Performance: Why You Should (or Shouldn't) Disable Sysmain
Sysmain, the legacy Windows service formerly known as Superfetch, preloads applications into RAM. While it once boosted performance on hard drives, modern SSDs and abundant memory make it often unnecessary—and occasionally a source of slowdowns. This article explores when to disable Sysmain for a faster PC, how to do it safely, and which hardware configurations benefit most from the tweak.
NTT DATA Forms Global Microsoft Cloud Unit, Sees 100 Agentic AI Deals in 90 Days
NTT DATA has launched a global Microsoft Cloud business unit to accelerate enterprise AI and cloud transformation, already generating nearly 100 Agentic AI client opportunities in just 90 days. The unit leverages 24,000 Microsoft-certified specialists across 50+ countries, focusing on secure, industry-tailored solutions that address critical skills gaps and compliance challenges. This strategic move deepens the NTT DATA-Microsoft alliance to meet surging demand for scalable, production-ready AI.
Windows 11 Insider Build 26200.5722 Introduces On-Device AI Settings Agent and Reliable eGPU Detection
Windows 11 Insider Build 26200.5722 combines an on-device AI Settings Agent, a Click to Do tutorial, task manager CPU metrics, and a crucial fix for Thunderbolt external GPUs. It also introduces a redesigned lock screen, multi-monitor notification center, and dozens of bug fixes, though known issues with Xbox controllers and Live Captions persist.