Microsoft reveals 5 long-overdue Windows 11 features arriving in 30 days, no AI required

windowslatest.com Jun 23, 2026

Microsoft reveals 5 long-overdue Windows 11 features arriving in 30 days, no AI required

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 23, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Microsoft is releasing five new Windows 11 features within the next 30 days, available first as an optional update in June and then as part of the July 2026 Patch Tuesday update. These features include a quieter Widgets experience, the ability to pause updates indefinitely, a Point-in-time Restore feature to roll back the entire PC, a screen overlay to reduce eye strain, and a reliability fix for Bluetooth. These updates aim to address long-standing user concerns and improve the overall Windows 11 experience. The features do not require a Copilot+ PC or any AI subscription, focusing on practical usability improvements.

💡 Why It Matters

· Microsoft's decision to give users more control over updates and system restores directly addresses user frustration with forced reboots and system failures.
· The new features also show a shift towards prioritizing user experience and feedback.

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Microsoft just added an “Xbox Handheld” logo to major game pages

Microsoft has introduced an "Xbox Handheld" logo on select game pages, including Gears of War: E-Day and Halo: Campaign Evolved. The logo indicates whether a game is optimized for handheld devices, such as the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. This move is seen as a positive step, as it provides clarity on game compatibility and gives hope for the optimization of games on portable hardware. The logo's appearance has sparked speculation about the development of an in-house Xbox handheld console.

💡 The Xbox Handheld logo may be a sign that Microsoft is preparing to release a dedicated handheld console, which could revolutionize the way gamers play on-the-go. If successful, this move could solidify Xbox's position in the gaming market and provide a much-needed alternative to the Steam Deck.

infosecurity-magazine.com · Jun 22

Microsoft Attributes Mastra AI Supply Chain Attack to North Korea

Microsoft has attributed a supply chain attack targeting the open-source Mastra AI framework to North Korean hackers, specifically the Sapphire Sleet group. The attack, which compromised over 140 packages on the npm registry, involved the takeover of a maintainer account and the publication of poisoned code with a malicious dependency. The malware, which could be deployed on Windows, MacOS, and Linux systems, was designed to steal cryptocurrency from wallets and gather sensitive information from infected machines.

💡 The attack highlights the vulnerability of open-source software supply chains to nation-state actors, who can exploit them to gain access to sensitive information and disrupt critical infrastructure. The use of social engineering tactics, such as LinkedIn attacks, to compromise privileged accounts underscores the need for robust security measures to protect against these types of threats.

purexbox.com · Jun 22

“It’s Time To Begin A New Adventure” – After 31 Years, Microsoft…

Earnest Yuen, a 31-year veteran of the gaming industry and Microsoft staff, has announced his retirement. Yuen contributed to over 50 games, including Killer Instinct and the Age of Empires franchise. He became a well-known figure in the Xbox community, working on projects such as Age of Mythology: Retold and Doritos Crash Course. Yuen expressed gratitude to his colleagues and the industry, thanking them for their trust, partnership, and friendship. He plans to spend more time with family, pursue hobbies, and enjoy gaming without production meetings.

💡 Earnest Yuen's legacy in the gaming industry will be remembered through his iconic contributions, including the revival of Age of Empires. His departure marks the end of an era, but his impact on the industry will continue to inspire future generations of game developers.

windowslatest.com · Jun 22

Microsoft reveals all the features coming to New Outlook, but Outlook Classic…

Microsoft is testing at least ten new features for New Outlook on Windows 11, including advanced Mail Merge, a new mini calendar, and a single view for all accounts. The updates aim to address performance issues and improve the user experience. Despite these efforts, Outlook Classic still outperforms New Outlook in terms of notification handling and loading speed. New Outlook takes over 10 seconds to load an email from a notification, whereas Outlook Classic opens in under 10 seconds. The new features are scheduled to roll out between August and October 2026, with some updates addressing known issues with notifications and folder control.

💡 Microsoft's struggle to match Outlook Classic's performance underscores the challenges of replacing a well-established product. The delayed notifications issue in New Outlook highlights the importance of getting the basics right in a productivity application.

windowscentral.com · Jun 21

Microsoft buried its best Surface hardware in years through a quiet series…

Microsoft announced the Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 with Qualcomm's latest chips and new colors, but the devices are $500 and $600 more expensive than their predecessors. The company will include a free keyboard with the Surface Pro 12 for a limited time. This is the third time Microsoft has announced new Surface PCs this year, and the lack of a dedicated event or stream has drawn criticism. The new devices feature significant upgrades, but the high price point may deter some customers. Microsoft's approach to announcing the devices has been seen as unconventional.

💡 Microsoft's decision to quietly release its latest Surface devices undermines their potential impact. The high price point of the new Surface PCs limits their appeal to a wider audience.

windowslatest.com · Jun 21

Secure Boot deadline: Microsoft reveals what happens to Windows 11 PCs if…

Microsoft has revealed what happens to Windows 11 PCs that miss the Secure Boot update deadline. The expiration of Secure Boot 2011 certificates does not cause PCs to stop booting, but devices without the 2023 certificates will no longer receive updates to the Windows Boot Manager, Secure Boot databases, and mitigations for newly discovered boot-level vulnerabilities. PCs on older hardware, particularly those from before 2018, may not receive the automatic update, and OEM support has a cutoff, with manufacturers like Dell and HP discontinuing BIOS support for certain models. This means some PCs will not be able to receive the certificate update, affecting their ability to receive future boot-level security updates, with the degradation being gradual, not sudden, and Microsoft confirming that standard Windows updates will continue to install.

💡 The inability to receive boot-level security updates exposes older PCs to potential vulnerabilities, leaving them more susceptible to attacks. Microsoft's confirmation that standard Windows updates will continue to install provides some reassurance, but the lack of boot-level security updates is a significant concern.