Good Lock
The latest Good Lock coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Windows 11 Insider Build Lets You Resize and Hide Start Menu Sections, Reducing Forced Recommendations
Microsoft’s latest Windows 11 Insider build introduces long-requested Start menu customizations, allowing users to resize the menu, hide the Recommended section entirely, and adjust the size of recommendation tiles. The changes address years of feedback and offer native alternatives to third-party tools like Start11, with testers praising the cleaner, more personal experience.
Kyndryl Injects Microsoft Sovereign Cloud into Its Managed Framework, Delivering Deployable Data Control for Regulated Orgs
Kyndryl announced July 1, 2026 that it is expanding its sovereignty solutioning framework by integrating Microsoft Sovereign Cloud capabilities, including Azure, Microsoft 365, and Azure Local. The company aims to convert “digital sovereignty” into deployable controls through a combined offering of advisory, migration, and managed services to help regulated organizations better meet evolving data residency and regulatory requirements.
Valve Ships $1,049 Steam Machine, Expands SteamOS 3.8 Beyond Its Own Hardware
Valve has begun shipping its new Steam Machine starting at $1,049 and released SteamOS 3.8 as a standalone OS for any PC, creating a powerful Windows alternative for living-room gaming. With expanded Proton compatibility, support for third-party hardware, and a console-like experience, SteamOS now challenges Microsoft's dominance in the PC gaming space.
Samsung Messages Will Stop Working on July 6, 2026 — U.S. Galaxy Users Must Switch to Google Messages
Samsung has confirmed that its Messages app will cease to function on U.S. Galaxy phones as of July 6, 2026, pushing users to Google Messages. The move solidifies RCS as the default texting standard and improves cross-device integration with Windows PCs via Phone Link.
Nokia Picks Azure for SAP S/4HANA Migration, Bets AI on Enterprise Overhaul
Nokia signed a multi-year deal with SAP, announced June 30, 2026, to migrate its core ERP to SAP S/4HANA on Microsoft Azure using RISE with SAP. The transformation aims to turn ERP modernization into an AI strategy, leveraging Azure's AI services and SAP's embedded intelligence. The move reflects a broader industry shift toward cloud-native, AI-enhanced enterprise operations.
Star Citizen Sets July 2026 Windows 10/11 Minimum Specs—Is Your PC Ready for the 'Verse?
Cloud Imperium Games has published the official minimum PC requirements for Star Citizen as of July 2026, insisting on an SSD, 16 GB RAM, and a 4 GB VRAM GPU under Windows 10 or 11. While these specs allow the game to launch, the community-provided “playable” tier demands a six-core CPU, 32 GB RAM, and an 8 GB video card to avoid slideshow performance in the persistent universe.
Windows 11 26H2 Start Menu Overhaul Introduces Compact Mode, Advanced Privacy Controls, and a Performance Boost
Microsoft is planning a major Start menu redesign for Windows 11 version 26H2, set for release in late 2026. Leaked Insider builds reveal a compact layout option, the ability to hide sections like Recommended, enhanced privacy controls, and significant performance improvements—addressing years of user feedback and making the launcher more customizable and efficient.
Windows 11 Update Gets Major Control Overhaul: Skip, Pause, and Restart Without Forced Installs
Microsoft is testing major Windows Update improvements in Insider builds that let users skip updates during initial setup, repeatedly extend the 35-day update pause, and shut down or restart without forced installs. These changes address long-standing frustration over update control and represent a significant shift toward user agency in Windows 11.
How Microsoft PowerToys Text Extractor Makes OCR a Keystroke Away on Windows
Microsoft PowerToys Text Extractor is a free tool that uses OCR to copy text from anywhere on screen with Win+Shift+T. This article explores its features, installation, and practical applications.
Canon imageFormula DR-S150: A 45ppm Duplex Network Scanner Built for Windows-Powered Workgroups
Canon’s imageFormula DR-S150 is a network-ready desktop scanner that delivers 45 ppm duplex scanning and transforms shared office workflows. With built-in Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, and a responsive touchscreen, it operates independently of a PC and sends scans directly to email, cloud services, or network folders. The bundled Kofax VRS and deep Windows integration make it an exceptional choice for small workgroups demanding speed, reliability, and enterprise-grade features.
Anthropic’s Claude Mythos AI Model Uncovers Thousands of Critical Flaws in Windows Enterprise Software
Anthropic’s restricted Claude Mythos AI model, launched in April 2026 through Project Glasswing, has already helped vetted partners discover thousands of serious vulnerabilities in enterprise software, many affecting Windows systems. The governed approach to AI-powered bug hunting could dramatically accelerate patching cycles and reshape vulnerability management for Windows enterprise environments.
Microsoft Launches Copilot Cowork for M365: Pay-as-You-Go Agentic AI Arrives with Enterprise Controls
Microsoft has made Copilot Cowork generally available for commercial Microsoft 365 Copilot subscribers, bringing pay-as-you-go agentic AI that can both answer questions and take actions across Office applications starting in June 2026. The offering includes Work IQ, native Dataverse querying, and broad enterprise compliance controls via Microsoft Purview to support responsible deployment of autonomous workplace AI.
Android Antitrust Verdict Stands: EU Court’s Defaults Warning Resonates Across Windows Ecosystem
The EU Court of Justice upheld a €4.1 billion antitrust fine against Google for using Android defaults to entrench its services, setting a precedent that directly threatens Microsoft’s Windows bundling practices. The ruling reinforces that platform owners cannot exploit pre-installation and default settings to block competition, echoing historic EU cases against Windows and foreshadowing scrutiny of Microsoft’s AI integrations.