Wpad
The latest Wpad coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Why Atom’s Second Microsoft Solutions Partner Badge Matters Beyond the Headlines
Newcastle MSP Atom added a second Microsoft Solutions Partner designation, highlighting the evolving partner program and why IT buyers must verify specifics. The article breaks down what the badges mean, how to vet MSPs, and what Atom's AI designation teaser signals for Windows and Microsoft 365 projects.
Microsoft Halts July Windows 11 Security Update on Some Dell Laptops After Intel Driver Clash
Microsoft has blocked the July 2026 Windows 11 security update, KB5101650, on certain Dell laptops after discovering a conflict between a new USB-C feature and an Intel power-management driver. The incompatibility causes unexpected shutdowns, overheating, performance drops, and rapid battery drain. Affected users should not force the update; Microsoft and Dell are preparing a fix expected within days.
Windows Server 29621 Delivers Cloud Recovery, ReFS Boot, and NVMe Over Fabrics in a Single Lab Release
Windows Server Insider Preview Build 29621 bundles Quick Machine Recovery, ReFS boot, NVMe-over-Fabrics initiator, and Trusted Launch for Hyper-V VMs into one test build. Administrators can evaluate cloud-based boot repair, a new file system option for OS volumes, remote NVMe storage, and stronger VM startup protections—but significant limitations keep the release firmly in the lab.
YOLO26 Now Runs on Intel Integrated Graphics and NPUs: What Windows Developers Need to Know
Ultralytics and Intel have partnered to enable YOLO26 computer vision models on Intel CPUs, integrated GPUs, and NPUs via OpenVINO, allowing real-time inference on Windows edge devices without a discrete GPU. Developers can export models with a single command, though real-world performance depends on hardware and requires thorough testing. The move targets industrial, retail, and surveillance deployments, making AI vision more accessible on standard Intel-based Windows PCs.
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.