• Microsoft has started a new research panel
• It's aiming to get feedback on the Windows 11 interface from testers
• The program will consist of a number of studies going forward, focusing on different areas of the user experience

Microsoft is making further efforts to get feedback from Windows 11 users on how to improve the operating system, with a new program aimed at Windows testers.

Yes, this is part of the campaign to fix Windows 11 (pretty much everything Microsoft does these days is). As Windows Latest reports, invitations are being sent out for a new 'Windows Insider Panel' whereby testers are being asked to put themselves forward to offer feedback on the Windows 11 interface.

Those invited (via email) need to fill in a survey which gives Microsoft a good idea of the way in which they use Windows 11 (productivity, creative apps, gaming and so forth).

The Windows and Devices UX (user experience) research panel is going to run various studies going forward, and if you're a good fit for whatever Microsoft is looking at in the way of changing Windows 11 in any particular study, they might bring you in to provide your opinions.

In the email sent out, Microsoft observes that this is a chance to: "Join and help shape the future of Windows."

Analysis: a new hope

As if we hadn't received enough in the way of signals that Microsoft really is taking its revamping of Windows 11 very seriously, this is another clear sign. Indeed, the company has already run a meeting with Windows Insiders (testers) in Seattle, noting back at the time that it is "really directly influenced" by what it's hearing from Windows 11 users.

This new research panel is set to be an ongoing project and series of studies to improve the user interface of Windows 11, which is an exciting development. I suppose you could argue that it smacks of Microsoft getting a bit desperate and clutching at straws for ideas on how to make things better, but I'm inclined to give the software giant the benefit of the doubt here.

Indeed, I'm genuinely impressed at the lengths Microsoft is going to with this whole 'fix Windows 11' initiative, and while I was initially skeptical about all the big promises the company has made, it has, so far, followed through with them in a commendably thorough fashion.

Of course, there's still a long way to go on the path of improving Windows 11 in terms of not just its interface, but performance levels. However, if Microsoft can keep up this level of commitment, I'll remain optimistic – and that's been a very difficult feeling to muster with Windows 11 in the past.

• Microsoft is working to make WinUI 3 speedier
• This is the contemporary framework for the user interface of the OS
• With WinUI 3 being employed more widely across Windows 11, and tweaked for better performance, it's another key way in which the OS could be made faster

We've learned more about Microsoft's efforts to make Windows 11 faster, discovering another front that the company is working on to ensure the operating system becomes more performant in terms of core interface elements.

Windows Central reports that the big drive for better performance — which is part of the broader campaign to fix Windows 11 — doesn't just involve transitioning elements of the Windows 11 interface to use WinUI 3, but actually speeding up WinUI itself.

For the uninitiated, WinUI refers to the contemporary framework for the user interface (UI) of Windows. It's used by Microsoft for many of the core apps and elements of Windows 11, and can also be used by third-party software developers to make their own apps fit with the look and feel of the OS.

So, Microsoft is employing WinUI 3 in more places within Windows 11, but is also making it perform better, as software engineer Beth Pan makes clear in a post on GitHub, stating that: "Our mission is to make WinUI 3 the best native UI platform for Windows experiences and apps, and performance is at the heart of that effort."

Pan adds: "Making this a reality means delivering performance improvements at multiple levels, including within WinUI itself."

The software engineer further notes: "We've been zeroing in on launch time, using File Explorer and Notepad as our primary benchmarks, with an emphasis on improvements that broadly benefit most apps."

Pan then breaks down some of the performance boosts that have been achieved so far with File Explorer, including 41% and 63% fewer allocations and transient allocations, respectively, as well as 45% fewer function calls — and a 25% reduction in the time spent in WinUI code.

Analysis: a long-term commitment for fundamentals and quality, we're told

What does that mean in reality? Well, these changes are still very much in early development, and we don't know what the mentioned improvements actually add up to in terms of making File Explorer launch faster. There's no "it'll be x seconds quicker" here (of course, launch times will naturally vary on different configurations of hardware, anyway).

However, the gist is clear — there's a good deal of optimization work going on with core elements of Windows 11 along these lines, and it's bound to help with performance. Especially given that this work isn't happening in isolation.

Remember that Microsoft also has projects on the boil to improve File Explorer performance in various ways, and one of those is 'Low Latency Profile'. This is a recently revealed CPU trick that could be instrumental in making a whole lot of apps and Windows 11 interface elements operate a good deal more responsively.

Another heartening theme evident here is one of greater collaboration within Microsoft. Pan observes in the post: "The approach here is we do what we can from [the] framework side, and [obviously] other teams in Windows also investigated and [have] been doing work to improve overall launch perf, we connect/collaborate frequently to make sure the improvements will be end-to-end. It's a long-term commitment for fundamentals and quality."

This all sounds very positive for the future, and as someone else commenting on the GitHub post, claiming to be an ex-Microsoft employee, observes, "This was by far the most frustrating thing working with you guys, every team seemed to do their own thing. I hope you guys really push to fix that."

Thus far, the scope of the Windows 11 revamp is laudably wide, so let's hope the reality lives up to the promising early work we're seeing and that Microsoft is indeed pulling together to work more effectively between its different Windows groups.

• Windows 11's update for May has just arrived
• It packs a new Xbox mode that'll be welcomed by gamers
• There are also new features for haptic touchpads, useful changes for voice typing, and updates to the Windows 11 interface in general

Windows 11's May update has arrived, and it's quite a busy one, bringing in several changes for those who install the patch. There's some good stuff here, and I'm going to round up the highlights in this article.

Read on to find out what patch KB5089549 — which is for Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2 — packs, and if you're currently trying to decide whether or not it's worth making a beeline for it. Although I'd always advise a little caution with jumping straight to download an update, as it's worth waiting a day or two to see if there are any nasty bugs crawling around in the works.

Note that these changes may have already been grabbed by some folks who installed the optional update for Windows 11, which was made available at the end of April (as it was a preview version of this May patch).

1. Xbox mode — a big one for gamers

One of the major changes with the Windows 11 update for May is the deployment of Xbox mode. This is without doubt a keenly-awaited feature for many Windows 11 gamers — especially those with handhelds like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.

Xbox mode is a full-screen experience (in fact, it was previously called that, or the 'FSE' for short) with a simplified interface that's controller-friendly, and it also reins in Windows 11's resource usage to help games run more performantly. When you're planning a gaming session, this is the mode you can switch to on handhelds, laptops, or desktop PCs.

Note that this feature is in a controlled rollout, meaning that you may not see it immediately – or indeed that it could take some time to arrive (and we've discussed that elsewhere today).

2. Haptic goodness

The May update brings in haptic feedback for compatible input devices which will happen during certain actions — Microsoft mentions snapping or resizing windows, or aligning objects in PowerPoint. It should be a feature that seriously elevates the experience for laptops with haptic touchpads, as you'll get a nice physical 'snap' when those objects are aligned, for example.

Note that this also pertains to compatible stylus hardware which includes the Surface Slim Pen 2, Asus Pen 3.0, and MSI Pen 2. Microsoft adds that some mice, like the Logitech MX Master 4, should play nice with this feature in time (but not yet — only when the hardware gets an update).

3. Voice typing gets better

Voice typing is one of those Windows 11 features that flies under the radar, but it's something I still use from time to time (and in the past, I've found it invaluable and used it a lot to help with fending off Repetitive Strain Injury symptoms).

So, it's good to see that you can now rename files using voice typing, and on top of that, the May patch "improves the persistence of Fluid Dictation setting in voice typing". In other words, the fluid dictation feature, which gets rid of filler words ('you know' or 'like') and corrects grammar and punctuation errors automatically, will now remember the settings you use with it (instead of randomly resetting them).

On top of that, using voice typing when you've pulled up Windows 11's touch keyboard has been improved as there's no full-screen overlay anymore, and the voice typing animations appear directly on the keyboard's dictation key. That's a much neater way of working and a useful tweak.

4. Interface refinements – for File Explorer in particular

While not about a single feature as such, there's a good deal of work that has gone into honing Windows 11's interface and fixing problems with it, and this amounts to part of what makes the May update worth downloading.

This work includes, but isn't limited to, improvements for File Explorer, such as ensuring that your view (and sort) preferences are maintained more consistently (whereas, as you may have noticed, opening certain folders sees the view layout reset to something else, which is very annoying). Speaking of very annoying, this new update also (finally) puts an end to the 'flashbang bug' where distracting white flashes appeared on the screen in certain circumstances (such as when opening 'This PC').

There's also a performance tweak to ensure File Explorer's processes are properly put to bed when you close it, so as not to prove an unnecessary drain on system resources.

Away from File Explorer, Microsoft has made Windows Hello facial recognition more reliable, which is going to be useful for those who use it for their laptop logins. They've also improved the general reliability of loading the system tray (at the far right of the taskbar). Certain 'unexpected' errors when installing apps from the Microsoft Store have also been cured.

As this year progresses, we will no doubt see a lot more interface refinements and performance improvements, which will all be part of the big effort to fix Windows 11 in 2026.

• Microsoft's Xbox mode is still not showing up for some Windows 11 users
• The console-like UI arrived via the April 30 and the latest May update
• Currently, it's only available in select markets

Microsoft began rolling out Xbox mode to Windows 11 users on April 30 via an optional update, but it's still not showing up for some users for a few reasons.

As reported by Windows Latest, Microsoft has cautioned Windows 11 users that the Xbox mode may not appear for all users yet, even after the latest May 2026 update (KB5089549), because the feature is currently locked to select markets.

This was briefly noted in the original blog post, where the rollout was announced, but it also explains why users like myself still don't have access to the console-like UI via the latest update, which includes the April 30 optional update features.

Windows Latest also highlights that Microsoft is using a Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR), meaning the code for the Xbox mode is indeed on users' PCs, but remains inactive, requiring Microsoft to enable the feature via a server-side switch.

Essentially, Microsoft is doing this to keep tabs on issues like bugs or crashes, before enabling the feature for more PC users — and given the track record of Windows 11's bugs and frustrating issues, it's a good move but it will require extra patience from users.

However, some might be in luck and can find the mode via Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode (or it may be labelled 'Full Screen Experience') and then check the 'Enable Xbox mode' box. You'll finally have the option to easily switch between Xbox mode and the standard Windows 11 desktop.

For gamers using TVs or avoiding a mouse and keyboard, the Xbox mode is ideal as it provides the same navigation experience that's available on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X handheld, while also serving as Microsoft's way of competing with Valve's SteamOS game mode.

Once the rollout is complete, Microsoft will need to provide consistent updates to match up to SteamOS for gaming, or face a hard time winning fans over, considering Valve's frequent update activity.

• Microsoft is bringing in a new feature to boost the CPU briefly, in order to make Windows 11 apps and menus more responsive
• Critics have fired flak at Microsoft for 'cheating' and this being a general fudge of a fix
• A Microsoft exec has made it clear that this isn't some kind of cheat, and that other major operating systems do the same thing

Microsoft is going to boost Windows 11 performance by using a trick that briefly speeds up the CPU when opening apps or menus, and an executive has defended this concept after it came under some fire from online commenters.

Windows Latest spotted that Scott Hanselman, a VP, member of technical staff at Microsoft, and a key part of the team tasked with fixing Windows 11 this year, took to X in order to fight back at critics who've called Microsoft lazy for this particular idea, which goes under the label of 'Low Latency Profile'.

There's a general feeling among some that Microsoft is taking shortcuts and fudging a fix for performance here.

To recap on what the Low Latency Profile actually does, it boosts the processor speed for around one to three seconds or so, giving a brief bit of extra pep for when opening an app, or the likes of the Start menu, to ensure this happens a good deal more snappily. And based on early testing, it does indeed do the job in terms of making Windows 11 feel more responsive in these scenarios.

The accusations leveled are that Microsoft is 'cheating' by calling on the CPU in this way, but Hanselman points out that this is nothing new for modern operating systems.

Hanselman responded to one thread (among others) on X, which began: "What a disgrace MicroSlop boosting the processor performance right on time and briefly just to make apps open faster. No other company would dare to do the same." (Note that this is translated from Spanish.)

Hanselman replied that: "All modern operating systems do this, including macOS and Linux. It's not 'cheating'; this is how modern systems make apps feel fast: they temporarily boost the CPU speed and prioritize interactive tasks to reduce latency."

Elsewhere, Hanselman further observes: "Apple does this and y'all love it."

Another complainant talks about mobiles, saying "imagine your smartphone boosting max CPU every time you touch something to be responsive", and Hanselman reminds them: "Your smartphone already does this. Constantly. Every touch wakes cores, boosts clocks, renders a frame, then drops back to idle milliseconds later. You've discovered dynamic frequency scaling. Welcome to modern computer science. Come on in! The water changes temperature often."

Analysis: feelings running hot

It's clear that Hanselman feels compelled to put some folks in their place here, and fair enough, these are valid points he's making, and there is a general vibe towards shooting down whatever Microsoft's trying to do, which is unfair.

However, I think the Microsoft executive needs to be somewhat mindful of where much of this flak is coming from – namely, many years of Windows 11, where people have felt they haven't been listened to, with Microsoft botching a number of fixes for the OS.

I've written many times about how faith and trust in Microsoft have been eroded over the past couple of years (well, going back way before that, really, but this has been especially true in recent times). And this kind of reaction is a symptom of that.

But yes, granted, it can't feel good to have many of the ideas that you have for fixing Windows 11 being shot down in a general atmosphere of 'let's see Microsoft mess this one up'.

On a broader level, some critics aren't directly criticizing Low Latency Profile, but rather they're saying that it's more of a band-aid that doesn't address bigger issues with the likes of core Windows 11 apps (notably the web-based efforts) running sluggishly. Or indeed issues around general resource mismanagement in Windows 11 – although overarching performance improvements are something that's on Microsoft's fix list, of course.

In short, there is a lot of fixing to be done with Windows 11, and Microsoft has to start somewhere. From where I'm sitting, the general attitude so far from Microsoft has been impressive, though, in terms of implementing some important fixes quickly and engaging with the community.

I feel the critics do need to give Microsoft more time and a chance, but at the same time, I realize how some frustrations run pretty deep with Windows 11 – and Windows 10 before it, for that matter – and Microsoft only has itself to blame for that.

One key question for me, though, is simple: why didn't Microsoft include this CPU trick in Windows 11 in the first place? Or at least start developing it as a performance fix at an earlier date, given that all other contemporary desktop platforms make good use of similar features.

The answer is likely bound up in solving power-efficiency and battery life issues – and that remains a concern about this feature now. Sources inside Microsoft have already said that any battery longevity impact will be minimal, mind, and it's likely that with the huge battery life levels we're seeing with some modern laptops, this gives Windows 11 more room to breathe anyway.

Interestingly, another observation Hanselman makes is that Low Latency Profile is going to work particularly well with Windows 11 laptops that have Arm-based (Snapdragon) chips, which are better suited to shifting power states swiftly than AMD and Intel CPUs.

• Windows 11 updates are being improved to stop installation failures
• An update that would previously have fallen over will now receive extra attention in the form of automatic attempts to recover
• This means the update process will take longer, but will hopefully be successful in the end where it would have failed in the past

Microsoft has been doing a lot of work to Windows 11 updates lately, and there's another move afoot that should hopefully cut down on annoying installation failures.

Windows Latest reports that if you notice a monthly update is taking a long time to apply, and the installation process (shown by a spinning circle with a percentage progress indicator) seems to be going on for a long time, you don't have to worry unduly that Windows 11 might have crashed.

In fact, this could be a good sign, as Microsoft explains in a recent post on Windows Update improvements: "We are ensuring devices stay secure by default through automatic recovery for update failures – taking additional steps in the background to help the update complete successfully without user intervention.

"This means your device will automatically attempt to recover from installation failures in real time – causing some updates to take longer to complete, but ensuring they have a higher success rate."

What this means is that before Microsoft made this change, an update that went down this path would simply have failed. With the new way of working, Windows 11 notices the point of failure, and then goes back to try and fix whatever the problem is.

This is why you could be waiting a fair old while, but hopefully for a positive result in the end — a successful update, rather than being dumped back to the desktop with a 'failed to install' message pinned to the latest patch in Windows Update.

Analysis: putting a stop to the stop codes

This is another useful move for Windows 11 updates, and it'll hopefully mean an end to what has been one of the most long-running bugbears for Windows 11 updates, and it's something that's been a persistent thorn in the side of Windows 10 users, too.

We've regularly seen a rash of installation failures with certain updates ever since Windows 10 first arrived back in 2015. This has been a problem that just keeps popping up, where there are many reports of an update falling over (often with a weird and meaningless 'stop code' error), and with any luck, going forward we won't see this nearly as much.

It's important to note that Microsoft also says it has "made steady progress in reducing the download and overall time it takes to apply a Windows update" and is working on getting this time down ever further over the course of 2026. So, while some updates may take longer, this is only under the circumstances in which they would otherwise have completely failed. (As an aside, it's also worth remembering that currently, you may experience a lengthy update, with multiple reboots, for a specific reason pertaining to the Secure Boot feature).

Microsoft's other important changes for Windows 11 updates recently include providing a facility I've personally wanted for a long time, namely the option to delay a patch indefinitely (or for as long as it takes until a bug you're concerned about is fully fixed). The controls for when updates are installed have also been refined, and unexpected sudden reboots for upgrades should be a thing of the past before long. On top of that, you can now skip applying updates in the Windows 11 setup process, should you wish.

To be fair to Microsoft, it's solving pretty much all the major issues around Windows 11 updates.

• Windows 11 is getting a new 'Low Latency Profile' feature
• It gives the CPU a brief boost to help apps and menus load faster
• It's just rumored, and still in early testing, but we're told that we shouldn't worry about it having a detrimental impact on laptop battery life

Windows 11 is getting a feature designed to speed up performance when the system tackles spikes of demanding activity — like the workload created when opening an app — by putting the accelerator to the floor with the CPU briefly.

Windows Central reports that this is apparently part of the so-called Windows K2 project, otherwise known as 'The big drive for this year to fix everything that's wrong with Windows 11'.

There's a good deal of focus on shoring up performance with K2, and according to leaker Zac Bowden, the new processor-boosting trick is already in testing with the Windows Insider Program. Indeed, Windows Latest has already enabled it (using a configuration utility) and tried out the functionality.

Sources inside Microsoft told Bowden the feature is known as the 'Low Latency Profile' and it kicks in, boosting up the frequency of the CPU briefly – from between one to three seconds – while performing bigger operations. That includes firing up an app, or opening parts of the Windows 11 interface, for example the likes of the Start menu or right-click context menus.

The result is up to 40% quicker launch times for Microsoft's apps such as Edge and Outlook, and menus are up to 70% faster to load, we're told. Third-party (non-Microsoft) apps running in Windows 11 should get the benefit of this low-latency functionality, too.

Based on Windows Latest's testing, it seems that the feature does indeed provide an impressive boost to loading speeds.

Low Latency Profile will work seamlessly in the background, coming to life automatically when needed. It isn't yet clear if there will be a switch to enable or disable it, but that isn't the case currently.

Analysis: laptop worries and general skepticism

Windows 11 seemingly feels a lot more responsive with the new Low Latency Profile in place, and based on those claimed percentages for speed-ups — albeit they are best-case scenarios — I'd imagine it would do. Menus opening at not far off twice the speed is the kind of performance tweak Windows 11 could really do with, and it should make the overall experience of using the OS a good deal more pleasant.

Presumably File Explorer will get the benefit of this — as technically it's an 'app' for Windows 11, or a process that powers your desktop folders — but it isn't mentioned (by Bowden, or Windows Latest), so that isn't clear. Mind you, Microsoft is already doing a whole lot of work to speed up File Explorer anyway.

An obvious worry is the effect of these brief CPU boosts on battery longevity in the case of Windows 11 laptops, but Bowden notes that the sources who leaked the details say that any impact on battery life is 'minimal'.

This is still in early testing, Bowden reminds us, and so the concept could change considerably before it comes to fruition. In any case, it clearly illustrates that Microsoft is thinking in some depth about how Windows 11 can be made a good deal more performant in ways that will be meaningfully felt in everyday usage.

One thing I would caution is that if folks are concerned about the impact on thermals that this feature may have on an older laptop with, say, an ailing cooling system, it seems like a sensible idea to include that switch to turn off Low Latency Profile.

Skeptics also remain on the subject of how good this feature might actually turn out to be. As one Redditor observed: "'I'll only believe when I see the results, but I really hope it is true, I miss the old Microsoft."

We all hope it's true, let's face it — and it's looking promising based on the early testing conducted by Windows Latest. (Although granted, we need to take that with some seasoning, as it was a limited use of the feature in a very early state, inside a virtual machine).

• Microsoft will be doing more to File Explorer to make it faster
• This goes beyond the existing work to help it load more quickly the first time it's used
• It includes 'targeted optimizations' to further speed up launch, and 'foundational engineering to eliminate unnecessary disk reads, reduce hangs, and improve responsiveness across the board'

A Microsoft executive has confirmed that work on speeding up File Explorer won't be limited to just preloading the app when Windows 11 first boots, and in fact there are multiple further performance boosting tweaks planned.

You may recall that when the preloading change went into testing late last year, there was some grumbling about it being rather a fudge of a fix, and complaints that it didn't address all of the issues with the performance of File Explorer (the app that drives your desktop folders).

Windows Latest reports that Tali Roth, who is Microsoft's Head of Product, Windows Shell, explained on X that there's more to come with File Explorer, responding to a post which noted that many felt that the preloading solution was 'inelegant'.

Roth said that Microsoft is "driving targeted optimizations to File Explorer launch by improving load order and optimizing critical paths, along with removing unnecessary work and visual animations."

Roth added: "Beyond launch, we're doing the foundational engineering to eliminate unnecessary disk reads, reduce hangs, and improve responsiveness across the board, many of which will also directly benefit launch performance."

Analysis: foundational changes

If you missed the whole incident around preloading, this move was about tackling the fact that on some Windows 11 PCs, File Explorer can take ages to open the first time you use it (with subsequent folders opening more swiftly). Microsoft's tactic was to shift the main loading process of File Explorer to happen when Windows 11 first boots, so that it's available more snappily the first time it's run.

Of course, that does add to the workload of Windows 11 when it's first firing up the desktop and all the initial processes therein – but Microsoft has successfully made the change without any noticeable additional sluggishness here.

That said, it is still something of a fudge of a performance fix, so it's good to hear that Microsoft is exploring other ways to speed up File Explorer. Especially given that the preloading is only about the first-run experience for File Explorer anyway, and it doesn't do anything to pep up how fast the app responds on subsequent usage.

The aim to bring in general optimizations for File Explorer and reduce drive activity sounds pretty in-depth, with the reference to "foundational engineering" being the key clue here as to how far Microsoft is digging down into the inner workings of Windows 11 to smooth over performance.

Microsoft is very much in a mood for making big promises about Windows 11 this year, of course, and as I keep repeating, it's one thing to say these things and another to actually realize them. To be fair to the company, though, progress is being made speedily enough, and so far, the early results of the 'fix Windows 11 campaign' look impressive.

There's a long way to go yet, though, and as far as File Explorer is concerned, the obvious question is: why were the foundations of this critical part of the Windows 11 interface in a shakier-than-ideal state to begin with, anyway?

• Microsoft has explained why some standard monthly updates require multiple reboots of late
• This is due to extra changes the update packs for Secure Boot certificates
• The rebooting behavior has made some Windows 11 users worry the update is going wrong, but rest assured, everything is working as intended

Microsoft has explained why Windows 11 updates are taking a lot longer recently, and in some cases can require multiple reboots – and thankfully, this isn't anything to worry about.

Windows Latest spotted that Microsoft posted a message to its Windows release health dashboard to note that: "With recent and upcoming Windows updates over the next few months, a limited number of consumer and business devices might experience one additional restart during installation. This one‑time restart occurs after a Secure Boot certificate update is applied as part of the Secure Boot update process."

So, this is due to the Secure Boot certificate changes that Microsoft let us know about earlier in the year, informing us they would be part of the monthly cumulative updates for Windows 11 (and Windows 10, for those on extended support).

While Microsoft indicates that affected Windows 11 users should expect one additional reboot, meaning two in total with the update in question, Windows Latest observes that some people have reported three reboots.

Analysis: multiple reboots can trigger an impending sense of doom

The issue here is that usually a monthly update for Windows 11 needs just a single reboot to be applied. Given that, when your PC restarts for a third time during what should be a simple, relatively limited update, it's only natural to start fearing that something's wrong and that your system has gone off the rails – or maybe into a repeating boot loop.

The dreaded boot loop is one of the most unpleasant problems you can encounter, with the PC stuck rebooting over and over, meaning you have to go into the recovery menu to try potentially tricky solutions to right things and actually get to the Windows 11 desktop again.

At any rate, at least now you know about this behavior – and you might experience it in the May update for Windows 11 potentially, which arrives a week today. These Secure Boot changes had a wider rollout in April, and will be deployed to more folks this month.

If you're wondering why Secure Boot is needing any attention at all, this is because the mentioned certificates were issued in 2011 and expire in June 2026 – so they need to be updated with the new versions from 2023.

Secure Boot is an important feature in that it's designed to stop certain malware – the likes of rootkits – compromising your PC before it even loads the operating system (potentially flying totally under the radar).

Unfortunately, as Windows Latest further points out, there are some Windows 11 users who are having trouble receiving the new certificates due to firmware issues. In reality, then, as this is a necessary tweak for Secure Boot to continue keeping you safe, experiencing multiple reboots with your next update is likely a good sign, as it means the new certificate (should) hopefully be in place.

• Microsoft has toned down the ads and annoyances with Windows 11's widgets panel
• In testing, the new default settings are a lot less in-your-face and distracting
• This is part of a large slab of work to improve Windows 11 in the past month, and Microsoft has further promised another major change is inbound for the taskbar soon

Microsoft has made a useful move to tame ads on the widgets board in Windows 11 (as previously promised), and it has updated us on the overall progress in fixing the OS so far – complete with an assurance that the big taskbar change some folks are desperate for is coming soon.

Windows Latest reports that in a preview build released a few days back in the new Experimental channel – which hosts the earliest test builds, before beta – there's a change to make the widgets board 'quieter', which is Microsoft-speak for less in-your-face with advertisements and promoted news stories.

Microsoft tells us: "We're working to make Widgets feel less distracting and overwhelming by making the experience quiet by default. To do this, we're testing a new set of default settings designed to reduce unexpected alerts and visual interruptions."

These new defaults mean that mousing over the widgets section on the taskbar will no longer cause the panel to pop up. More importantly, when the widgets board is summoned, you will get the "widgets experience on first launch", meaning by default the panel will be just widgets – with no MSN feed.

That MSN (Microsoft Network) feed is where Microsoft makes revenue from the widgets in the interface, pushing news stories and ads, and it's not something many people want to see – at least not by default. If you want to turn it back on, though, that's entirely possible with the new way of working, as you might expect.

Microsoft is also toning down taskbar badging for the widgets panel, which is when little notification dots pop up, say, for breaking news.

Remember that these changes are still only in testing for now, and at an early stage of that process too.

Analysis: 'top improvements' being pushed through

Essentially, Microsoft is smoothing over a bunch of distractions with the widgets panel here and turning off some of the advertising in Windows 11 by default. That's great news for everyone, and it's also a positive sign that, in its big revamp of Windows 11, Microsoft isn't afraid to make changes users really want, even if they could potentially interfere with its revenue stream.

I've recently written about my doubts about Microsoft calming down its upselling activities in Windows 11, so I'm pleased to see action actually being taken to pull back on some of the promotional nonsense that's included by default as part of the operating system.

These widget changes are mentioned in a lengthy blog post that Microsoft wrote about the "top improvements" that have started rolling out in testing, and it's quite a list, from making File Explorer speedier and improving system performance in general, through to a bunch of important changes to Windows Update.

Another key bit of info dropped here is Microsoft saying, "We know there's a lot of excitement for Taskbar customization – and that's coming soon."

So, the ability to move the taskbar away from the bottom of the screen (and other useful customization options) isn't far off, and that's good to hear. It seems that the rumors of this being a top priority for Microsoft were on the money.

All in all, it's good to see that Microsoft wants to stay engaged with Windows 11 users, and that it's keeping us all up to date regularly, and pushing promised changes through with some alacrity – including reining in some ad-related blights on the OS.

Fixing Windows 11 remains a mountainous task, don't get me wrong, but I'm starting to have more faith that Microsoft may actually pull this off.

• Microsoft is actively working to improve Windows 11's performance, via project 'K2'
• Project K2 is an effort to reduce bloatware, use of AI, and optimize game performance
• Microsoft is reportedly looking at Valve's SteamOS as the benchmark for gaming

Valve's SteamOS continues to show significant advantages over Windows 11 for gamers, with better memory utilization and improved in-game performance, but Microsoft has a plan to combat that.

As reported by Windows Central, Microsoft is working on a new project labeled Windows 'K2', intent on removing bloatware, reducing AI, and optimizing Windows 11 for gaming, with three focuses of 'performance, craft, and reliability'.

Rather than a dedicated release (or update) for Windows 11, project K2 is Microsoft's effort to maintain high quality across current and future versions of the OS, prioritizing consistency, and ultimately win back the trust of users.

Windows Central explains that Microsoft has clarified that Windows 11's performance has effectively been lacklustre, particularly within applications like File Explorer and games. Valve's SteamOS is also reportedly viewed as the benchmark specifically for gaming, and that's no surprise considering the performance comparisons made over the last year.

SteamOS has provided a seamless and simple experience for both handheld and now, desktop gamers, with a console-like user interface without any bloatware hogging memory or the use of AI. Microsoft has tried to match up to this with the Windows Full Screen Experience (FSE), which does reduce RAM consumption, allocating more for games, but Windows K2's existence makes it clear that FSE has not done enough to compete.

Fortunately, it's not just gaming that Microsoft wants to optimize, but also minimizing memory usage when systems are idle, which, in theory, should improve overall RAM consumption when multitasking or simply using a browser.

Users like myself have had to rely on third-party tools and applications to reduce bloat and ensure Windows 11 isn't using more memory than it needs — and my main hope is that Microsoft can eventually take Windows to a stage where I no longer feel compelled to install an entirely different operating system, out of frustration. I just don't know if it will achieve that, at least with Windows 11.

• Apple’s Vision Pro headset was used in a world-first surgery
• It’s since been used in hundreds of similar operations
• It could help transform operating theaters, one surgeon believes

If you’re due for surgery, the next time you go under the knife, your operation could be performed by a surgeon using an Apple Vision Pro headset. That’s because the world’s first successful procedure to remove optical cataracts has been completed with the assistance of one of Apple’s headsets — and it’s gone on to help in scores of other medical operations in the past year alone.

The surgery actually first took place in October 2025, but the surgeon in question — Dr. Eric Rosenberg, DO, MSE — has since performed “hundreds” of subsequent procedures, according to a press release.

It all happened at the SightMD practice in New England, which is owned by Dr. Rosenberg. Using a Vision Pro app called ScopeXR (also developed by Dr. Rosenberg), the surgeons were able to visualize the operation “in immersive stereoscopic 3D while simultaneously accessing real-time surgical overlays and comprehensive preoperative diagnostic data, all without breaking sterile technique".

Dr. Rosenberg had plenty of praise for the Vision Pro: “This isn’t just about a new device, it’s about reimagining what the operating room of the future looks like.” Speaking of ScopeXR, he said: “We’ve created a platform that makes surgeons safer, smarter, and more connected.”

Fulfilling the Vision Pro’s potential

One way that ScopeXR was able to tap into the Vision Pro was by enabling collaboration between surgeons and consultants, even if they weren’t all in the same room together. Assistants and mentors could remotely join the feed provided by the Vision Pro and communicate in real time.

As Dr. Rosenberg put it, “We are now able to bring the world’s best surgeon into any operating room, at any hour, from anywhere on the planet.” That has a range of uses, from training surgeons to providing help with unexpected complications.

Apple’s Vision Pro is often held up as an expensive flop, with its future existence frequently called into question, and it’s true that the device seems to have struggled to gain traction in the consumer world. But flip over to the other side of the coin and it appears that the product is doing well in industrial, medical and similar environments.

Perhaps that’s where the Vision Pro is best placed to fulfill its potential. Apple is said to be working on lightweight smart glasses, and those would probably be a more consumer-friendly device. But for more demanding users like operating theaters around the world, the Vision Pro’s incredibly high-end specs could be just what’s needed.

• There's a hidden Screen Tint feature in a new Windows 11 preview build
• It offers a choice of six preset modes designed to deal with various issues
• You can also set your own color tint, and its strength, giving you plenty of customization options

Windows 11 is apparently set to get a new accessibility feature, one that can tint the display to make it more suitable and easier on the eyes for reading, or even help guard against a migraine developing.

Windows Latest flagged up a post on X from regular leaker PhantomOfEarth, who uncovered the new Screen Tint feature in a recent preview build of Windows 11, where it's present in the accessibility settings for the OS.

It's essentially a supercharged version of the current Night Light feature, offering a range of six preset colors, and the ability to set your own custom color tint. There's also a slider to adjust the strength of the effect, so you can have a deeper, more intense tint should you wish.

The provided presets include a 'calm amber' tint, which is designed to be helpful for long periods of using your Windows 11 PC to defend against eye strain. (This is the closest tint to the existing Night Light feature, it's worth noting). There's also a 'rose tint', which is the color that aims to reduce migraine triggers as mentioned at the outset, and another warm tint, 'soft yellow', is for helping to mitigate any discomfort when reading text.

At the colder side of the color temperature range, there's 'cool blue' to combat glare sensitivity, while 'gentle green' is for relief from photophobia (light sensitivity). Finally, the 'natural grey' tint is for those who dislike the starker contrast levels of the standard black-and-white look of Windows 11.

Analysis: commendably customizable

Remember, this new feature is not even in testing yet, so the usual rule applies — it could be an idea that Microsoft is toying with, but might abandon. Or at least the implementation could end up different to what we see here, which is a feature hidden in the background that's been enabled by poking around under the hood of Windows 11.

As noted by Windows Latest, which experimented with the Screen Tint ability, it doesn't work properly yet. The results can include screen flickering or the colors being wrongly applied, but that's only to be expected considering the feature isn't official yet.

I don't see any reason why Microsoft wouldn't want to roll this out into testing, though, as it's a handy accessibility feature – and this is an area the company has been very keen on developing ever since Windows 11 was first launched. I particularly like the customization available here, including the option to adjust the intensity of the effect, and the fact that you can mix your own tint using a color picker.

I'm not alone in liking the idea, as you might guess, with one Redditor observing that: "Neat — I'll use this for sure. I fly a lot of 12+ hour overseas flights and I'd very much like to have more control over the overall colour palette when the lights go out. I used f.lux for this for a long time but it hasn't been updated in years and it's too temperamental."

This all plays into Microsoft's current drive to give Windows 11 users more choice and control over the OS, and to generally fix everything that's wrong with the desktop operating system. More broadly, it's good to see deeper options to tailor the nature of a display more to your tastes or needs, beyond a simple reading mode, or the blue light reduction facility, that may be provided with your monitor.

Of course, this kind of tech, while clearly useful, should not be a substitute for keeping healthy screen habits — try not to be stuck staring at any display for too long if you can at all avoid it, and practice the 20/20/20 rule.

• Leaked renders show what the Samsung Galaxy Glasses might look like
• They don't have a screen and they look a lot like Ray-Ban Meta glasses
• However, they reportedly run Android XR with access to Gemini

Meta is probably the biggest name in smart glasses right now, but it might not be for much longer, because Samsung has a pair of its own smart specs on the way. And based on a new leak, they look very similar to the Meta Ray-Bans — but with at least one clear advantage.

Android Headlines has shared renders of what it claims are the Samsung Galaxy Glasses, and for the most part, they look like an ordinary pair of specs — the only real sign that they’re not is the camera lenses at the edges of the frame.

But this is a design that’s also very similar to a lot of Meta’s smart glasses, which likewise have a camera at each side and, in some cases, similarly shaped lenses.

Their capabilities also sound similar, with Android Headlines explaining that this first pair of Samsung smart glasses likewise lacks a screen, but that, as they run Android XR, you’ll be able to talk to Gemini to do things like translate signs and take pictures, while Google Maps will be able to give you directions through them.

It’s a similar idea to the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, but with those specs, you’re stuck with Meta’s AI, which isn’t as capable or popular as Google’s, so Samsung could have a big advantage there.

Of course, Meta has Ray-Ban and Oakley branding for its glasses, which is probably more appealing than the Samsung branding here, but we already know that future Samsung frames will be made in collaboration with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, so Meta’s branding advantage might not last for long either.

And if you’re disappointed that there’s no screen on these glasses, you shouldn’t have too much longer to wait for a model with a display, with those coming in 2027, according to Android Headlines.

But this first screenless pair will probably land before the end of 2026, and they're rumored to cost between $379 and $499 (roughly between £280 / AU$525 and £370 / AU$695), which puts them roughly in line with Meta’s pricing.

So, will you buy a pair of Samsung Galaxy Glasses based on what we know so far? Take part in our poll below to let us know.

If you do want to buy these Samsung glasses, you might be able to do so in July, as that's when the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and Galaxy Watch 9 will likely launch. Though Android Headlines speculates that the Galaxy Glasses could get teased then and go on sale later.

Personally, I think they look promising, but I'll probably hold out for the model with a screen next year, even though those are sure to cost even more — with leaks currently putting the display-toting model at between $600 and $900 (around £440 / AU$835 to £665 / AU$1,250).

• Microsoft is giving us much more control over Windows 11 updates
• In testing you can now delay updates indefinitely
• Forced updates are a thing of the past, too, and there'll be fewer disruptions with more updates bundled together

Microsoft already told us it was planning substantial changes to Windows 11 updates, and some major moves are now in place.

This is happening in testing currently, as announced by Microsoft in a lengthy blog post, with three main pieces of work highlighted.

The big change that many have wished for is functionality that allows for pausing a Windows 11 update for as long as you want. And as 'long as you want' means just that, with the ability to hold off any given update until a specific date of up to 35 days in the future – but you can initiate another pause after that, and keep going.

Microsoft explains: "This means you can now re-pause for up to 35 days at a time, with no limits on how many times you can reset the pause end date."

Another important refinement of the update process is the end of forced updates, with Microsoft ensuring that the Power menu (button) always has the option to simply 'Shut down' and 'Restart' alongside 'Update and shut down' and 'Update and restart' (the latter two only being present if there is a pending update, of course).

So, you always have the choice to just switch off your PC or restart, avoiding an update, with a guarantee that "Windows will perform exactly that action, without unexpectedly starting an update". You have to explicitly choose one of the update options to apply the pending patch.

The third main change is that you can elect to miss out on downloading and applying updates when you're installing Windows 11, to make setting up a PC a lot quicker. We already heard about this, with the rollout flagged by a tester previously, but Microsoft is now widely delivering this option to Windows Insiders.

It's worth noting that the choice to skip updates during installation is not available for commercial devices (where setup is managed), and also doesn't apply to cases where a device may require updates to even work with Windows 11 (as obviously it wouldn't be possible to skip in these scenarios).

Microsoft further explains that Windows 11 users will see fewer disruptions in terms of having to restart for updates, as more of them – the likes of .NET or driver updates – will be bundled together with the monthly cumulative update.

In other words, you can get them all out of the way at once (albeit with a lengthier overall update process). Driver updates will also be given more meaningful titles, so you can better understand what they're for.

Analysis: 'cup of coffee' updates, begone

Remember that all of this is in testing right now – and therefore subject to change, potentially – but I wouldn't be surprised to see these features arrive for all Windows 11 users before long.

Microsoft has indicated that it isn't hanging about with implementing the project to fix Windows 11 in 2026, and we're seeing the evidence already, so I'd imagine this will be piped through with some speed (before the 26H2 update later this year, certainly).

These are without doubt some very useful introductions, and particularly the ability to delay updates indefinitely, which is something I've been very keen to see brought in. I wasn't expecting it to actually allow users to pause for as long as they want, although technically, you are still going to be forced to update when the version of Windows 11 you're on runs out of support. But that's a whole lot of road with which to dodge an update, if you're really worried about, say, reports of a nasty bug that apply to a hardware configuration you have with your PC.

The change to avoid forced updates is great to see, as well, although really, the system should have always worked like this. Hopefully this will mean an end to 'shower' or 'cup of coffee' updates, whereby a user leaves their PC for 10 or 15 minutes or so for a break, and comes back to find their device is partway through an update it has kicked off all by itself.

Overall, this is impressive and Microsoft definitely gets some credit here, albeit we've had to wait a good long while for this to happen.

• NASA has released an enjoyable free tool for Earth Day
• It lets you spell your name using landscape features in satellite photos
• You can share your creations or download them and print them later

You’ve heard of writing your name in the stars, but what about writing your name on Planet Earth? That’s what's NASA’s latest tool is offering up, and it’s a fun way to celebrate Earth Day and demonstrates the variety of landscapes and features found on our blue planet.

Specifically, you’ll need to head over to NASA’s ‘Your Name in Landsat’ website and enter your name — or whatever word you want — into the box near the top of the page. Click the Enter button and you’ll see it spelled out, with each letter being represented by a letter hidden in a satellite photo.

For instance, try entering ‘TechRadar’ and you’ll get nine images lined up next to each other. The first could be a rocky formation that resembles the letter T, the second a swirling oceanic current that looks like an E, and so on.

The result is an entertaining little digital toy that is an enjoyable way to brighten someone’s day. You can share a link to your creation or download it, ready to be sent over email or maybe printed out as a postcard.

And if you mouse over any of the images used to spell your chosen word, you’ll see the location it was sourced from, as well as its longitude and latitude. That enables you to check it out on a site like Google Maps if you want to see the landscape in more detail.

An enjoyable distraction

NASA’s latest plaything is designed to coincide with Earth Day, which landed on April 22 this year. The event, which has been running since 1970, is dedicated to supporting environmental protection efforts around the world — you can read our series of articles celebrating it during Sustainability Week 2026.

It therefore makes sense for NASA to time its Your Name in Landsat tool to line up with this annual event. Its images show the vast variety of environments found across the globe and might help to inspire a touch of activism in those who use it.

According to NASA, “The satellite images used in this interactive [tool] are part of Landsat's extensive record, spanning more than 50 years.” They were sourced from NASA Earth Observatory, NASA Worldview, USGS EarthExplorer, and ESA Sentinel Hub, and you can download them individually if you like. Landsat is the longest-running satellite imagery program in the world and has been going strong since 1972.

Unfortunately, the downloaded images are not particularly large, so aren’t ideal for using as a poster or similarly-sized object. But they’re still a good way to explore the world and have a little fun while doing it.

• Tim Cook said he regretted the shaky launch of Apple Maps in 2012
• The Apple CEO said the company learned from its mistakes
• Yet it comes as Apple’s Siri revamp looks to be delayed by over two years

Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO after 15 years at the helm, and after all that time you’d imagine there might be a moment or two that he looks back on with regret. As it turns out, there is, as he recently revealed to Apple employees in a leaked town hall meeting — but I’m wondering if he might have made a different choice.

Speaking to Apple employees, Cook picked the disastrous Apple Maps launch in 2012 as his “first really big mistake,” according to reporting from Bloomberg. And it’s not without good reason: in many places around the world, Apple Maps’ initial release was so bad — with incorrect directions, mislabeled places, inaccurate satellite imagery, and much more — that Cook was forced into a contrite and very rare public apology. Scott Forstall, the Apple exec in charge of Maps, was pushed out of the company entirely.

According to Bloomberg, Cook summed up Maps’ calamitous opening salvo this way: “The product wasn’t ready, and we thought it was because we were testing more of local kind of stuff.” In other words, it seems as though Apple couldn’t see the forest for the trees — it was so focused on getting details right in areas local to the company that it neglected to see the bigger picture and the broader problems that affected the service.

That said, like any good mistake, Cook said that the Apple Maps roll-out proved to be a “valuable experience” for the company. “We apologized for it, and we said, ‘Go use these other [mapping] apps. They’re better than ours.’ And that was some humble pie,” he added, before continuing: “But it was the right thing for our users. And so it’s an example of keeping the user at the center of the decisions that we made… Now we’ve got the best map app on the planet. We learned about persistence, and we did exactly the right thing having made the mistake.”

Cook said that other missteps, like the abandoned AirPower charger and the scrapped self-driving car project, were on his list of regrets. Yet he added that Apple had mostly avoided the product recalls and cancelations that have dogged other firms in recent history.

Analysis: Has Apple actually learned it lesson?

While Cook may cite Maps’ bumpy start when the product “wasn’t ready” as being a “valuable experience,” it’s not the case that Apple has managed to avoid repeating the same error. In fact, we got a reminder of that just this week when Google revealed that the revamped version of Siri — powered at least in part by Google Gemini — would be arriving later in 2026.

Why is that a problem? Well, Apple initially revealed the new version of Siri in June 2024, whereupon the company promised that Apple Intelligence would enable Siri to understand your personal context, work within apps, and more. Yet we won’t be getting any of that for many more months. Even when those features do arrive, they’ll be over two years later than promised.

If you say that releasing a product too early was a serious mistake but claim that it taught you valuable lessons, you have to actually prove that in practice. The Siri debacle — where Apple was clearly caught flat-footed by the emergence of ChatGPT and panicked, passing off something that was evidently nothing more than a set of flashy mockups as the real deal — suggests that Apple hasn’t entirely taken the Maps fiasco on board.

Of course, that’s not to say that this is a common problem for Apple. The company has been remarkably consistent when it comes to announcing a product or feature and then actually following through with it. But it’s frustrating to see Tim Cook discuss a clear example of a half-baked product that was rushed out of the door during the exact same week that we get a timely reminder about an overhyped Siri overhaul that was nowhere near ready when it was shunted out into the world.

No tech leader is perfect, and compared to some of his ghoulish contemporaries, Tim Cook looks close to angelic. But as both Apple Maps and Siri go to show, if you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk too.

• Microsoft has made it clear that it's "really directly influenced" by feedback from Windows 11 users
• Pavan Davuluri, head of Windows, said: "I'm really excited for what's ahead. This year you're going to see us really double down on it [listening to feedback]."
• The skeptics out there are going to need to see the results of this new attitude before they're convinced, though

Microsoft has again underlined how it's listening to Windows 11 users, and specifically testers, in terms of taking on board feedback to improve the operating system.

Windows Latest reports that in a meeting with Windows Insiders in Seattle, Microsoft made it clear that it's been very involved with analyzing feedback from these testers over the past couple of months, saying it was "really directly influenced" by what it's hearing.

Pavan Davuluri, who is head of Windows at Microsoft, reportedly shared a message summing up the company's new attitude: "I also want you to know this is the start. I'm really excited for what's ahead. This year you're going to see us really double down on it [listening to feedback]. Navjot [presumably Navjot Virk, CVP of Windows Experiences] and I have this frame of customer love equals performance; is it fast? Reliability: is easy to use, does it do all the things I think of from a quality perspective? And then craft, how do I feel? Does it make me happy? Do I feel connected to the product?"

Davuluri added: "Our goal as we go forward is to be more open as we build Windows, make sure you feel like you are included in the entire lifecycle of our product making process."

Analysis: walking the walk

The report also observes that Davuluri said 'when people at Microsoft are passionate about a product, they can deliver amazing things', and that this now applies to Windows. Which is an odd way of framing things – so, the people who've been crafting Windows 11 for the past five years weren't passionate about it?

I should note that this isn't a direct quote from the Windows boss, rather it's just a sentiment expressed by Windows Latest itself in the site's report, but it's come from somewhere (presumably), and it struck me as oddly jarring.

The truth, though, is that Microsoft hasn't been listening to people in recent history. If you recall, in the earlier days of Windows 11, the software giant did make good deal of noise about eliciting and acting on user feedback, but that seemed to eventually evaporate into the OS mists. We then had AI come stomping onto the scene, trampling through Windows 11 and leaving its heavy hoofprints everywhere, while users fed back very clearly that they didn't want more AI features, but rather they'd prefer fixes for all the existing fundamental problems with Windows 11.

And here we are, now, with Microsoft having kicked off its grand scheme to fix Windows 11 in 2026. So, when the company talks about listening to feedback, there's inevitably going to be skepticism, and indeed there has been quite a lot of that aired.

Funnily enough, the point about the lack of passion comes back in there. If you scan the comments from skeptics on Reddit, there are some common themes, such as accusations that the people making Windows 11 don't actually use the OS (and that they're sat there working on Macs).

Or sentiments like: "The biggest problem with Windows is, it is directed by [a] bunch of UX [user experience] people who didn't care about the quality of the OS, they only care to push their UX to make them look like they are useful."

Or more general accusations about AI 'slopification' and spyware (or adverts), all of which you'll see in this example Reddit thread.

Microsoft clearly needs to shake off the chains of this entrenched skepticism, which is very deeply ingrained in some folks. And this new push to revamp Windows 11, and do better with testing the OS, does feel like it's a genuine change to me. Granted, I'm still worried that not enough emphasis has been put on bug squashing – and specifically how Microsoft is going to overhaul its internal QA processes, Windows Insiders aside – but I have hope.

Or at least I'm willing to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt, and to see how Windows 11 progresses as the year rolls on. All the right noises being made, however, must translate into all the right changes being made with a successful implementation across a dauntingly broad swathe of different facets of Windows 11.

• Microsoft has a new post on the Windows Learning Center
• It asks: "Do you still need third‑party antivirus in 2026?"
• The conclusion is that Windows 11's built-in protection should be fine for most people, but situationally, you may want to consider an alternative

Ever wondered whether Microsoft Defender can protect your PC from whatever malware might be lurking out there? You're not alone, and Microsoft has just addressed this issue.

Windows Latest noticed that Microsoft has a new post on its Windows Learning Center advising people on the subject of the best antivirus software, and whether the default option in Windows 11 is good enough.

The key question in respect of the latter point comes later in the article, where Microsoft asks: "Do you still need third‑party antivirus in 2026?"

The answer is clear enough: "For many Windows 11 users, Microsoft Defender Antivirus covers everyday risk without requiring additional software. The choice to add third‑party antivirus depends on how you use your PC and which features you value."

Microsoft elaborates that Defender antivirus is "usually sufficient when Windows 11 runs with default protections enabled, updates are installed regularly, and software downloads are deliberate".

The company also notes that SmartScreen plays a part in protecting the average Windows 11 PC, too, and that the coverage given by this feature plus Defender should be fine, bearing in mind the noted caveats.

Situationally, where you might want to consider installing a third-party antivirus or security suite is if you share devices with other family members who may not be as careful as you (or indeed you might want to manage multiple family devices across one dashboard).

Microsoft further notes that you'll need an independent solution if you "want services like identity monitoring or parental controls", which aren't provided by Defender.

Analysis: I don't think Microsoft is wrong here

What Microsoft is essentially saying is that for most people, certainly individual PC owners, Windows 11's built-in antivirus should be just fine. It's mainly family scenarios, where you may want the ability to control internet access for your children, in which you'll need to look for something more extensive in the way of a security suite.

Is Microsoft correct to assert that Defender works well for everyday users? I would say that yes, it is. There was a time in the past where Defender wasn't very highly thought of, but Microsoft has come a long way since then, and relying on Windows 11's default antivirus is not a risky proposition these days.

It covers the basics and keeps you safe from malware, although as Microsoft notes, there are other pieces of the puzzle when it comes to ensuring your PC isn't compromised. That includes applying regular updates (for Windows 11 and other apps), and a sensible dose of caution regarding what you download onto your system (don't underestimate the importance of the latter).

No, Microsoft Defender doesn't offer the best antivirus protection going, but it is good enough. However, it's just the core basics, and other security solutions offer a lot more in the way of features, some of which may be valuable to you.

The other benefit of Defender is that because it's already there in Windows 11, it fits neatly away in the background — updating itself as and when — and the app doesn't require a separate installation (and consumes little in the way of resources).

That said, even if you don't want to pay for an antivirus, there are still relatively lightweight free antivirus apps from major vendors that perform slightly better than Microsoft Defender in terms of malware protection (based on independent tests). The days when Defender was appreciably lagging behind those security top dogs, though, are well and truly in the rearview mirror.

• Windows 11's Start menu is rumored to be getting a bunch of important fixes
• That includes full control over what elements appear in the menu, and the ability to manually switch between the small and larger layouts
• Microsoft is testing changes to make File Explorer perform better, too, and that should arrive with the next Windows 11 update in May

Windows 11's Start menu is going to get the changes many people have been clamoring for, and Microsoft is busy fixing the performance of File Explorer, too, as the company moves to shore up key parts of the operating system's interface.

Windows Central reported the work on the Start menu, although it should be noted that this is just a rumor. That said, we do know that Microsoft intends to revamp the menu as part of the major campaign to fix Windows 11, so something will certainly be done with this part of the UI.

According to sources who spoke to Windows Central, the main change will be a much greater level of control over the customization of the Start menu. Windows 11 users will be able to turn off any section of the menu that they don't want to see.

That means not just the ability to ditch the recommended panel — which you can do now (that was part of the most recent major overhaul for the Start menu — but you can also get rid of pinned apps, or even the list of all apps installed on the PC.

Apparently, you'll also be able to choose to have a small (6-column) or larger (8-column) Start menu layout, which is a decision Windows 11 makes itself right now. For example, if you have a small screen, the OS will automatically elect for the more compact view, which is sensible enough. However, not everyone is happy with the way this works in certain scenarios, so Microsoft is set to let users override this decision should they wish.

Windows Central says Microsoft is trying to make the Start menu "much faster and responsive" on top of this, and we've heard about this before (and that the UI should work snappily even when the system is straining under a heavy workload). The search function in the Start menu is going to be made speedier, too.

As for File Explorer — the app that powers the very folders that contain the files on your desktop — Microsoft just released a new Windows 11 test build in the Release Preview channel which boosts its performance.

The build notes say that it "improves the speed and performance of File Explorer launch" and cures the remaining bugs where opening a folder in dark mode causes a nasty white flash to light up the screen (a fix that has been progressing through test versions of late).

Windows Latest tried out the preview and found that File Explorer does indeed feel faster, and that it seems especially faster when first launched, so that sounds promising.

Analysis: a mountain to climb

The first time File Explorer is run can often be seriously sluggish with some PCs — I've witnessed this myself, on my Windows 11 Surface device — so it's an important area to fix. These are welcome improvements for File Explorer, and all being well, they should be deployed in the May update for Windows 11. (Don't count on it, though, as whether that goes ahead could depend on what happens in testing, and if last-minute bugs are found).

The proposed work with the Start menu is huge, and pretty much a wish-list of everything you could want fixed with this part of the interface (about the only thing lacking is any mention of ditching the ad-like promos, though you can switch off the recommended panel already, of course). However, before we get carried away with the idea of these changes, we should remember that they are just rumored plans for Microsoft. Even if all this is true as it stands, the company could yet change its mind on some of these points.

I'm really surprised to see the idea of turning off the Start menu's all apps list is seemingly on the table. If so, the thrust of this redesign is handing the user complete control over the look of the Start menu, to the point of making it extremely streamlined. The ability to manually switch to the small layout of the Start menu (previously a selection made by the OS, as noted) plays into this notion, too.

This would appear to be a drive to please those who've been complaining about the Start menu looking too large and cumbersome, and essentially spanning the whole desktop and becoming more like the old 'Start screen' in some cases.

As I've observed in the past, the menu has become such an annoyance for some folks in its newer, wider form, that they've been forced to resort to hacks or third-party tools to get a more compact Start menu. Now, Microsoft is going to offer this choice, and the ability to make the menu really sleek by disabling various elements — which is great, but at the same time, should've been the case in the first place.

Indeed, not everyone is impressed with Microsoft here. As one Redditor observed: "Too little too late. My next build will be... another OS." Others expressed similar sentiments in that thread, albeit more barbed in nature at times, such as: "Too little, too late. We'll believe it when we see it, and even then, we'll be careful because it can go back to being sh*t faster than we can say pumpernickel."

It's probably the software-related understatement of the year to say that there's a lot going on with tweaking and changing Windows 11 right now, across so many fronts. Windows Central points out that the project to fix the major pain points with the OS is called 'Windows K2' and I think that's a more than apt name.

It seems Microsoft realizes it has a mountain to climb here; I just worry that the ascent ahead is a bit too steep, and there are good reasons why Microsoft can't stumble or fall here, as I discussed at length recently. Linux is becoming a more imposing threat, and the MacBook Neo is a challenge to Windows 11 laptops to boot.