In App Assets
The latest In App Assets coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
KB5095093 Preview Update Resolves Windows 11 Shutdown Snags and Vanishing Taskbar Icons
Microsoft has released the optional preview update KB5095093 for Windows 11, aimed at fixing issues seen on versions 24H2 and 25H2. It addresses long shutdown delays related to the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and a bug where taskbar icons would vanish or appear as gray placeholders. The update is available now via Windows Update as part of Microsoft’s latest C‑week non-security preview releases.
Windows 11 25H2's Quick Machine Recovery Automates Boot Repairs via Windows Update
Windows 11 25H2 introduces Quick Machine Recovery, a feature that allows PCs to automatically download and apply boot fixes from Windows Update when startup fails. Detailed in Paul Thurrott's June 2026 Field Guide, the capability gives users and administrators control over whether to permit automated repairs, marking a shift toward self-healing devices that reduce downtime and IT intervention.
Microsoft Teams to Surface Assistant Info from Entra ID in Org View Starting July 2026
Starting in July 2026, Microsoft Teams will display the Microsoft 365 Assistant field in the Organization view, allowing users to see who is designated as an assistant for each colleague directly on profile cards and in Org Explorer. The feature aims to streamline scheduling and communication in large organizations.
GitHub Copilot's Agentic Harness Outperforms Claude Code and Codex CLI on Token Efficiency, Benchmark Shows
GitHub published a benchmark on June 25, 2026, showing its Copilot agentic harness resolves coding tasks as effectively as Claude Code and Codex CLI while consuming significantly fewer tokens. The report highlights how model cascading, semantic indexing, and output pruning drive efficiency gains, potentially reducing costs and latency for developers. Independent verification is still needed, but the findings intensify the competition on operating cost in the AI coding agent market.
Bungie Decimated: Sony Axes Hundreds After Destiny 2 Concludes, Casting Doubt on Live-Service Future
Sony has laid off hundreds of Bungie employees, dismantling the Destiny team and cutting into Marathon development, just weeks after Destiny 2 concluded. The cuts signal a retreat from Sony's ambitious live-service strategy and raise serious doubts about Bungie's future. The move leaves PC and console players questioning the viability of persistent online games in an industry obsessed with them.
You Can Now Tell Windows 11 Exactly When to Update thanks to June 2026 Preview
Microsoft has released an optional June 23, 2026 preview update for Windows 11 that adds granular Windows Update controls, including calendar-based pause scheduling and point-in-time system restore. The preview also includes convenience and safeguard features such as quieter Widgets, accessibility tinting, Bluetooth fixes, and smaller update sizes, with broader availability expected during July’s Patch Tuesday rollout.
ChromeOS Flex Revives Dying Windows 10 PCs Before October 2025 Support Cliff
Windows 10 end of support in October 2025 leaves many older PCs vulnerable. ChromeOS Flex by Google offers a free, lightweight operating system that can be installed from a USB drive, providing automatic security updates and fast performance on aging hardware. This guide walks through the entire process—from creating the installer to setting up Linux apps—while addressing compatibility, trade-offs, and the environmental benefits of repurposing old computers.
AMD Patches Radeon Driver Disaster: Hotfix Rescues Windows 10 FSR 4.1 Setup
AMD issued Emergency Hotfix 26.6.3 after driver 26.6.2 with FSR 4.1 support failed to install on many Windows 10 systems. The preview driver fixes the installation bug and restores FSR 4.1 for Radeon RX 7000 owners, though it lacks WHQL certification.
Microsoft PowerToys to Introduce Alt+` Shortcut for Same-App Window Switching on Windows 11 and 10
Microsoft is developing an Alt Window Cycle feature for PowerToys on Windows 10 and 11, enabling quick switching between windows of the same application using the Alt+` shortcut. The utility, inspired by macOS's Command+` behavior, is currently in development on GitHub. Once released, it will enhance multitasking by providing a focused alternative to Alt+Tab.
Exclusive: PowerToys Alt+` Shortcut Brings Same-App Window Cycling to Windows 10 and 11
Microsoft is adding a new PowerToys utility called Alt Window Cycle, giving Windows 10 and 11 users the ability to switch between windows of the same application using Alt+`. This long-requested feature fills a gap in window management, offering a productivity boost for power users and bringing Windows closer to macOS and Linux functionality. The feature is currently in development and expected to arrive in an experimental PowerToys build soon.
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.