Regulatory Approval
The latest Regulatory Approval coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Windows 11 bug: Phone Link's Cross Device Service swallows up to 30GB of RAM
A persistent memory leak in Windows 11's Phone Link Cross Device Service can silently consume up to 30 GB of RAM, causing severe system slowdowns. Microsoft has not released a fix, but users can disable the service or use workarounds to reclaim memory.
NordVPN Tops TechRadar’s 2026 VPN Picks — What Windows Users Should Know
TechRadar's latest VPN guide names NordVPN as the best service for most users in 2026, with Surfshark, Proton VPN, and PrivadoVPN Free winning in other categories. Windows users can find practical advice on which VPN fits their needs, how to set it up, and what to watch for in the evolving privacy landscape.
The Sinking City 2 Pre-Orders Go Live as PC Specs Demand Windows 11 and 70GB SSD for 30 FPS
Frogwares revealed PC system requirements for The Sinking City 2, requiring Windows 11 and a 70GB SSD to achieve 1080p at 30 fps. Pre-orders are now open for the August 18 launch, with the Standard Edition priced at $49.99.
GPT-5.6 Powers Microsoft 365 Copilot: Here’s What Changes for Users
On July 10, 2025, OpenAI named GPT-5.6 as the preferred AI model for Microsoft 365 Copilot, prompting a stock rise and delivering enhanced reasoning and multimodal capabilities to Office apps. The upgrade is seamless for users but requires IT admins to review data governance and cost implications. This move positions Copilot for deeper Windows integration and more reliable AI assistance.
Fix Windows Update Errors 0x80073712 and 0x800f0993: A Practical Troubleshooting Guide
Windows Update errors 0x80073712 and 0x800f0993 block updates for different reasons. This guide explains what each error means, why they appear on Windows 11, and provides step-by-step fixes including DISM repair, manual KB installation, prerequisite checks, and in-place upgrade repair.
AI Agents in 2026: No Single Winner, Just Four Markets That Windows Users Need to Understand
Techiexpert’s 2026 review of 12 AI agents on Windows 11 found no overall winner, with the market divided into four specialized domains. The results suggest that Windows users—from home consumers to enterprise IT teams—should choose agents based on their specific productivity needs rather than seek a single all-purpose assistant.
Windows' True Desktop Share Hits 72% After Removing 21% 'Unknown' Noise
StatCounter’s June 2026 data shows Windows at 56.61% overall, but once the 21.45% 'Unknown' category is excluded, its real share soars to 72%, revealing the OS's unchecked dominance. This report explains the source of the Unknown segment, recalculates the true platform shares, and provides actionable guidance for users, IT pros, and developers who rely on market-share data.
Pixel 11 leak signals end of cheap flagships: 256GB base storage and a €999 price tag
A Pixel 11 leak points to a 256GB base storage tier and a €999 starting price, with sales beginning August 20. The article breaks down what the leak means for home users, IT admins, and Windows users who rely on Phone Link, and offers guidance on whether to buy now, wait, or consider alternatives.
NEC Pitches Biometric Travel and Sports Entry, But Silence on Data Handling Leaves Windows Users Wary
NEC confirmed at Identity Week America 2026 that it is in talks with Star Alliance and MLB to deploy facial recognition for seamless travel and stadium entry, but the company refused to disclose critical privacy and data governance details. For Windows users who rely on biometric authentication daily, the missing answers raise concerns about how these large-scale commercial identity systems will interact with personal device security, what data flows are involved, and how to protect against cross-context biometric compromise.
Windows 11 Locked Up? The Step-by-Step Restart Survival Guide
When Windows 11 freezes, panic is the enemy. This guide walks through the safest restart methods in order—from software shutdowns to hard reboots—so you can regain control without losing data or damaging your system.
Samsung's Over-Ear Headphone Ambitions Could Finally Bridge the Galaxy–Windows Audio Gap
SoundGuys published a feature wish calling on Samsung to build a premium over-ear headphone to rival the AirPods Max and round out the Galaxy ecosystem. While no product exists yet, the idea highlights a big opportunity for Windows users: a headphone that integrates as seamlessly with Galaxy phones, tablets, and Windows PCs as AirPods do with Apple devices. This article breaks down what that would mean in practice, how Samsung got here, and what to do while you wait.
Microsoft 365 Copilot's UI Overhaul Reinstates the App Launcher and Introduces Collaborative AI Notebooks
Microsoft is rolling out a major Microsoft 365 Copilot redesign that restores the familiar “waffle” app launcher and adds a compact navigation bar. The update also introduces collaborative Copilot Notebooks, agent management, Work IQ search, and support for choosing among multiple AI models.
Windows 11 Multi-Monitor Mastery: Detect, Extend, and Stop Duplicate Display Errors for Good
Windows 11 offers robust multi-monitor support with profile memory, improved wireless display stability, and refined taskbar controls, but display duplication and detection failures still plague users. This guide explains what changed under the hood, how to set up and troubleshoot extended desktops using built-in tools like Win+P and driver resets, and what to expect from future updates.