Here Studio
The latest Here Studio coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
New Windows Server Preview Hardens VM Boot with Trusted Launch — But No Live Migration Yet
Windows Server Insider Preview Build 29621 introduces Trusted Launch VMs for Hyper-V, combining Secure Boot, virtual TPM, and encrypted vTPM state to protect guest workloads. The feature is PowerShell-only, limited to standalone Gen 2 VMs, and explicitly unsupported for live migration, clustering, or replication—making it a lab-only preview for the next Windows Server LTSC release.
Your Default Browser Doesn’t Matter to Microsoft Copilot, and a New Report Shows Why
Mozilla's Over The Edge 2.0 report reveals that Microsoft's Copilot assistant can bypass the Windows default browser and open links in Edge. This means users who prefer Firefox or Chrome may see links open in Edge without their consent, complicating workflows, especially during Windows 10 to 11 migrations. The report highlights that Microsoft already offers fairer browser choice in Europe due to regulations like the DMA, but hasn't extended those protections globally.
Windows 11's Hidden Productivity Boosters: End Task, Live Captions, and More
A new guide reveals six built-in Windows 11 customization options outside the Personalization tab, including a taskbar End Task shortcut, system-wide live captions, and granular animation controls. Most are officially supported and safe to use, while two registry hacks require caution. This article explains what each tweak does, how to enable it, and what the changes mean for everyday users, power users, and IT administrators.
Exchange Server’s July Patches Fix Critical Flaws, but Don’t Remove the Old Mitigation Until July 16
Microsoft's July 2026 Exchange Server security updates fix four new vulnerabilities and deliver a permanent patch for CVE-2026-42897, but admins must not remove the old mitigation until a service-side change completes by July 16. The update also enforces ESU requirements for legacy versions, warns of Office Online Server issues with mixed builds, and flags deprecated AD security groups for cleanup.
Windows 11 Home Finally Gets an Indefinite Update Pause—KB5101650 Ships With Recovery and Performance Fixes
Microsoft's KB5101650 July 2026 update for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 lets users pause updates for up to 35 days, renewable indefinitely. It also introduces point‑in‑time restore for system recovery, quietens the Widgets board, adds a screen tint accessibility option, and fixes a disk‑space bug. Some Dell laptops with Intel processors are blocked due to a compatibility issue—owners should wait.
Windows 11’s Search Gets a Sleek New Shutdown Box, but Alt+F4 Remains Stuck in the Past
Microsoft is testing a redesigned shutdown dialog in Windows 11 that appears only when power options are accessed through the enhanced Search feature. The classic “Shut Down Windows” box still appears with Alt+F4, leaving the operating system with two different shutdown interfaces while the update rolls out to Experimental-channel Insiders.
Windows 11 Is Showing More Ads: Here’s Exactly How to Turn Them Off
A Fox News report reveals ads on Windows 11, Samsung fridges, and Stellantis cars after software updates. This article explains where Windows 11 shows recommendations and ads, why it's happening, and provides a step-by-step guide to disable them for a quieter desktop.
Windows 10's final year: how to keep your PC secure without creating e-waste
Windows 10 users are not facing immediate obsolescence, as Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates program will provide critical security patches through October 13, 2026. The extra year gives owners time to plan upgrades, consider alternatives, and avoid unnecessarily turning functional PCs into electronic waste.
The Ad Creep Hits Windows 11, Samsung Fridges, and Your Car’s Dashboard
A Fox News investigation reveals that Samsung refrigerators, Stellantis dashboards, and Windows 11 are showing ads after purchase via software updates. While opt-outs exist, they're often buried. This guide explains how to disable promotional content on each platform and why IT admins need policy-based controls.
Google's Image Feed Rollout Skips Windows: What PC Users Need to Know
Google is adding a Pinterest-like image feed to its mobile app, rolling out over the next few weeks in the U.S. for Android and iOS. The feature, which includes personalized recommendations and Collections, will not affect desktop Google Images on Windows or any other platform. Confusion around an AI image generator in the feed is unfounded, as Google's Nano Banana model powers separate Lens and AI Overviews features, not this mobile Images tab.
Google Gemini copyright lawsuit: What it means for your Windows AI tools
Major publishers sued Google in July 2026 for allegedly using copyrighted books to train Gemini AI without permission. The lawsuit claims Google repurposed files originally supplied for Google Books and other services, potentially creating a substitute market for original works. For Windows users, the case highlights urgent questions about the legality of AI training data and the practical risks of using generative tools in everyday workflows.
Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked Tease Promises a Foldable 'New Shape' — Why Windows Users Should Keep Watching
Samsung's pre‑Unpacked post teases a foldable with a new form factor, slimmer design, better displays, and advanced AI. While the July 22, 2026 event will reveal specific devices, the announcement contains no Windows integration details, leaving Phone Link and DeX users to speculate about how a changed aspect ratio might affect cross‑device workflows.
As DRAM Shortage Cuts Smartphone Shipments 11%, Windows PC Buyers Should Brace for Impact
Smartphone shipments fell 11% in Q2 2026 to a 13-year low as AI data centers consume DRAM and NAND supply, driving up prices. Samsung and Apple held steady, but budget brands saw double-digit drops. The same memory chips power Windows PCs, so budget laptops, SSDs, and enterprise hardware are facing similar price and availability challenges. Buyers should lock in pricing and check specs carefully.