TechCapsules

Microsoft’s August 2026 Windows 11 update adds Enhanced Sign‑in Security (ESS) support for external fingerprint readers, extending the company’s most protected Windows Hello experience to PCs lacking built‑in biometric hardware. While Windows Hello already replaces passwords with TPM‑backed cryptographic credentials and stores biometric templates locally, ESS adds a second defensive layer by moving biometric processing into isolated, hardware‑protected environments using Virtualization‑Based Security and TPM 2.0. ESS‑compatible readers contain a secure processor, store templates internally, present a Microsoft‑issued certificate, and communicate with Windows 11 [...]

Sean Endicott serves as a News Writer at Windows Central, specializing in coverage of Windows 11, Surface hardware, Microsoft 365, artificial intelligence, and the broader Windows ecosystem. Since joining the publication in 2017, he has authored over one thousand articles, delivering breaking news, analysis, and feature reporting on Microsoft’s software and hardware developments. His portfolio includes daily updates on Windows releases, Surface launches, and Microsoft 365 changes, alongside insights into the company’s growing emphasis on AI and [...]

Microsoft has updated the Photos app for Windows 11 Insiders in the Experimental channel, significantly reducing interface clutter and improving performance. The redesign removes promotional icons for Designer, Clipchamp, and OneDrive from the top toolbar, restoring a cleaner layout similar to the legacy version. The right-click context menu is now shorter and loads instantly, eliminating previous delays caused by rendering extra entries. Performance enhancements include a new WASDK multi-process architecture that reportedly cuts viewer load time by [...]

Microsoft announced that Windows 11 will be optimized to run more efficiently on PCs with only 8 GB of RAM, part of a broader effort to address the operating system’s biggest issues. Chief Pavan Davuluri outlined four focus areas for the remainder of the year: memory‑footprint reduction, a streamlined out‑of‑box experience, enhanced family safety features, and improved voice input. The company aims to make the OS feel faster and more responsive on lower‑spec hardware while expanding its multimodal capabilities. [...]

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 will be optimized for PCs with 8 GB of RAM, with updates slated for completion by the end of 2026. The pledge follows CEO Satya Nadella’s earnings‑call remarks about investing in the OS’s quality and fundamentals. President of Windows and Devices Pavan Davuluri outlined four focus areas, highlighting memory optimization as the top priority. Microsoft attributes current performance issues to the OS’s high memory footprint, driven by WebView2 components, Electron‑based apps, and [...]

Microsoft confirmed that significant surge in Windows 11 installations was primarily caused by forced migration from Windows 10 after its support deadline, not by marketed “AI PC” trend. Company’s fiscal 2026 earnings showed $90 billion in revenue, while Windows OEM and Devices revenue fell 7 % and Windows OEM revenue dropped 5 % amid weaker PC demand. Microsoft noted decline stemmed from a “high prior‑year comparable” boosted by Windows 10’s end‑of‑support, and announced an extended security update for Windows 10 until October 2027. OEMs such [...]

During Microsoft’s Fiscal Year 2026 Fourth Quarter earnings call on July 29, CEO Satya Nadella confirmed significant investments in Windows 11 to improve its quality and fundamentals. While the Personal Computing segment saw a 4% decline and Windows OEM revenue dropped 7%, Nadella emphasized restoring core features and performance. This follows a challenging 2025 marked by broken updates, prompting Microsoft to prioritize stability. Recent Insider builds and stable releases already reflect these efforts, including UI rebuilds using [...]

Microsoft has updated Windows 11’s File Explorer so the Details view now shows file sizes in the most appropriate unit—kilobytes, megabytes or gigabytes—rather than defaulting to kilobytes for every item. The change, documented in the Windows 11 KB5101684 update, aims to make size information clearer at a glance, especially for large files that previously appeared as thousands of kilobytes. While the feature rolls out gradually, users can force activation immediately with the third‑party tool ViveTool, which toggles the hidden [...]