Microsoft Ecosystem Updates 2024: Xbox Price Hikes, Windows 11, GTA Delay & More

This week in the Microsoft ecosystem has proved eventful, marked by major pricing changes for Xbox hardware, significant updates—both positive and controversial—surrounding Windows 11 version 24H2, a blockbuster game delay from Rockstar, and a series of telling anecdotes about Windows development and user experience. These shifts do not exist in isolation; collectively, they shape the direction of the Windows and Xbox platforms, the periphery of PC gaming, and the broader hardware-software landscape Microsoft is helping to define. Let’s break down the most critical developments, understand their contexts, and analyze what they might mean for average users and power users alike.

Xbox Gets More Expensive: Price Hikes Across Consoles and Accessories​

One of the biggest stories this week is Microsoft's decision to raise prices on Xbox consoles and a range of related accessories. The move marks a significant milestone because Microsoft previously aimed to hold Xbox pricing steady, even as competitors adjusted their own rates to reflect supply chain issues and increasing component costs. Effective this week, the cost of certain Xbox configurations has reportedly jumped by up to $120, with controllers and headsets seeing notable increases as well.

What’s Driving the Price Changes?​

Microsoft has not provided a detailed public breakdown of the price increases, but market analysts predominantly cite ongoing economic headwinds: component shortages, shipping costs, trade disputes, and fluctuating currency values. These are not unique to Microsoft. Sony, for instance, raised the price of the PlayStation 5 in numerous regions in 2022–2023, with similar justifications.
It’s important to note, however, that official channels still show some older pricing on remaining inventory, and discounts are available through partners, indicating that the transition period between old and new pricing is not yet complete. For consumers, this presents a narrow window of opportunity: those interested in grabbing an Xbox or a first-party controller at the “old” rate should act fast.

Implications for Gamers and the Business​

• Value Proposition: The Xbox’s competitive positioning now shifts, especially in markets where console uptake is sensitive to pricing. Microsoft could face renewed pressure from Sony and Nintendo in certain regions.
• Accessory Ecosystem: The higher cost of controllers and headsets is especially impactful for players looking to expand their local multiplayer setups or replace worn-out hardware.
• Game Pass Strategy: Some speculate the price hikes will push more users towards Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, where hardware cost is “offset” by access to a vast library of games, further supporting Microsoft’s broader service-based strategy.

While price increases are never welcome news, in a context where nearly all major electronics manufacturers have made similar moves, Microsoft’s decision looks less like an outlier and more like a continuation of an industry-wide trend.

GTA 6 Delayed Until May 2026: Shockwaves and Silver Linings​

Perhaps even more universally impactful to gamers, Rockstar Games announced that the long-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI is delayed until May 2026. This confirmation puts to rest months of speculation and leaks suggesting the game’s launch might have slipped into late 2025.

Community and Industry Reaction​

The delay, while disappointing to many, comes as no great surprise. Rockstar is known for setting—and missing—ambitious release windows with the aim of perfecting high-profile titles. Developers and rival publishers breathed a collective sigh of relief; many third-party studios were holding launch plans for 2025 in limbo, wary of being overshadowed by GTA’s blockbuster arrival.

What This Means for Windows Gamers​

GTA VI is expected to have a massive launch on both consoles and (eventually) Windows PCs, although Rockstar has not yet confirmed the precise PC release date. In the interim, the delay opens up opportunities for dozens of high-profile releases to command attention. Microsoft, for example, will likely leverage the delay with strategic Game Pass additions and high-profile PC titles in 2025. For dedicated PC gamers, there is now a clearer roadmap for what the next two years of blockbuster releases will look like, removing some of the uncertainty that big tentpole titles like GTA invariably bring.

Windows 11 Version 24H2: Updates, Bugs, and Building User Trust​

Windows 11’s upcoming major feature update, known as version 24H2, is gradually becoming available to a wider audience. The update brings a mixture of advancements and frustrations, and it has been a magnet for both enthusiastic feedback and widespread user angst.

The Good: New Features, Improved Performance​

• Improved File Explorer Performance: Multiple users report that the latest builds of Windows 11 have refreshed File Explorer’s speed and responsiveness, especially when navigating large directories.
• Validation OS and System Tools: Key subsystems such as DISM (Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management), WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation), and .NET have received substantial upgrades. These changes, while largely of interest to developers and IT professionals, ultimately improve reliability and compatibility for all users.
• Passwordless Microsoft Accounts: Microsoft continues to lead in passwordless authentication. The updated onboarding for new Microsoft Accounts makes it easier to go password-free, a significant step towards reducing phishing risks and credential compromise.

The Not-So-Good: Upgrade Errors, BitLocker Controversies, and Feature Removals​

• Upgrade Error 0x80240069: Microsoft has confirmed a known issue preventing updates from 22H2 and 23H2 to 24H2 with error code 0x80240069. Currently, there is no workaround, but Microsoft has pledged forthcoming fixes.
• Forced BitLocker Encryption: Perhaps the most controversial change is Windows 11’s increasing use of automatic BitLocker device encryption on supported hardware. Numerous reports on Reddit and Microsoft’s own Feedback Hub highlight situations where drives were encrypted by default, with users neither prompted nor notified. For some, this has led to lost access when system recovery was needed or hardware was transferred to a new device.
  In response, Microsoft documentation stresses the importance of BitLocker for device security—especially on portable hardware—but the lack of explicit consent remains a user experience pitfall. While this move is defensible on enterprise-managed devices, its application to consumer PCs demands better communication and clearer opt-out mechanisms.
• The OOBE\bypassnro Command Removed: The removal of this command, which previously enabled certain offline setup scenarios, has resulted in a steady chorus of complaints by power users and sysadmins. Microsoft’s rationale: increased security and a streamlined onboarding experience, though this inevitably leads to frustration within segments of the community reliant on flexible setup options.

Windows Trivia and Engineering Details​

In a delightful throwback, a veteran Microsoft engineer published a blog post explaining a curious quirk from Windows 7: apparently, using a solid color background would noticeably slow down the login process, due to the way bitmaps were handled at startup. This anecdote spurred renewed discussion about the hidden intricacies—sometimes even bugs—that accumulate within large, mature codebases.
Adding to the lore, a quaint story about an “official cyberthreat song” nearly causing system problems on Windows PCs surfaced, underscoring the company’s quirky past product decisions and the unpredictable corners of digital history.
These trivia items are both light-hearted and instructive; they highlight why even seemingly minor configuration choices can have real-world performance or reliability impacts on such a widely-deployed system.

Windows Update: ARM Momentum, Notable Apps, and Drivers​

This week also saw noteworthy updates in the broader Microsoft ecosystem:

• Windhawk for ARM: The popular Windows OS modding tool Windhawk now supports native ARM64 devices, broadening its reach and giving users of emerging ARM-powered Windows PCs access to a vast array of system tweaks and enhancements. The increasing pace of ARM-native software releases signals Microsoft’s ongoing intent to nurture a viable non-x86 alternative in the Windows market.
• SoundShift: For those using multiple audio devices, SoundShift offers a solution deeply missing from stock Windows: the ability to quickly switch device pairs via keyboard shortcuts. Its PowerToys-worthy utility suggests Microsoft could do well to integrate similar functionality in future OS revisions.
• Office and Browser Updates: Microsoft Edge reached version 136 with security enhancements and interface tweaks, while Firefox 138 continued its drive to better match Windows 11’s visual idioms and usability conventions. Excel for Mac users can now edit multiple worksheets side-by-side, while PowerPoint gains improved placeholders, underscoring ongoing feature parity between desktop and cloud Office experiences.
• Driver and Firmware Releases: Routine, but essential for system stability, new drivers and firmware packages rolled out across various Surface devices, promising bug fixes and improved compatibility.

Game Reviews, Modding, and PC Ecosystem​

The GameSir Super Nova: New Gamepad Review​

A standout hardware review this week features the GameSir Super Nova controller, which, based on testing, is ranked as one of the best PC gamepads currently available. Reviewers praise its build quality, modular customization, refined aesthetics, robust battery life, charging dock, and striking RGB lighting effects. The controller demonstrates that high-end, third-party peripherals can compete neck-and-neck with first-party options—not just in hardware, but in software features and user experience.

Modding and Streaming Updates​

• Modding on ARM: Windhawk’s ARM64 support is a boon for modders, addressing the long-standing gap for customization tools on non-x86 systems.
• Nvidia GeForce NOW: The streaming service announced support for several key titles, like DOOM: The Dark Ages and Far Cry 4, reinforcing the viability of cloud gaming for users with capable internet but less powerful local hardware.

Deals, Freebies, and Anniversaries​

Epic Games Store’s regular rotation of free titles remains a highlight, with the current giveaway (Super Space Club) available for a limited time. Forza Motorsport’s upcoming anniversary update is set to overhaul the game’s Drivatar AI with smarter, data-driven behavior, particularly in crowded race scenarios, promising a more realistic single-player experience for fans of simulation racing.

Five Frustrations: Windows 11’s Persistent Pain Points​

No weekly summary would be complete without reckoning honestly with unresolved issues. Nearly four years post-launch, Windows 11 still elicits regular complaints about:

• Broken Dark Mode: Visual inconsistencies and lackluster app support frustrate those who prefer a unified look in low-light environments.
• Automatic Theme Switching: Some users find the system’s occasional failure to switch themes intuitively a recurring nuisance.
• Settings vs. Control Panel: The enduring coexistence of two overlapping settings environments (legacy Control Panel and the modern Settings app) remains bewildering.
• Feature Gaps: Promised features either delayed or removed without much explanation continue to be a sore point.
• Performance Anomalies on Older Hardware: Despite general optimization, some users still report lags or instability, particularly on PCs close to the official minimum spec cutoff.

Microsoft’s challenge, then, will be to tackle these chronic irritations even as it pushes forward with major under-the-hood renewals in security and cloud integration.

Windows Insider Program: The Quiet Week and What’s Brewing​

While there were no new builds for Insiders in the Canary, Dev, Beta, or Release Preview channels this week, enthusiasts remain as vigilant as ever. Scouring the latest Windows Server 2025 Insider builds, users discovered a redesigned “Advanced” settings section that now houses features previously buried under “For Developers,” along with new options inherited from the deprecated Dev Home app. This modularization signals Microsoft’s intent to further rationalize system configuration options, though real-world benefits will depend on how these changes are reflected in the mainline client OS.

Market Share: Windows 11 vs. Windows 10, Browser Wars​

Latest Statcounter numbers show Windows 11 holds 43.72% of the PC desktop market, with Windows 10 close at 52.94%. While Windows 11 has posted gains month-over-month, Windows 10’s enduring popularity demonstrates the hesitancy of many organizations and individuals to upgrade amid compatibility and training concerns. On the browser front, Chrome’s dominance remains so entrenched that neither Edge nor Firefox have managed to gain meaningful ground, despite frequent updates and new features.

The Takeaway: Microsoft’s Balancing Act in 2024​

This week’s news encapsulates the tightrope Microsoft must walk in 2024—balancing aggressive innovation and ecosystem expansions, like ARM support and passwordless authentication, against user experience pitfalls and the public relations risks of price hikes. For gaming, both on Windows and Xbox, the company faces a pivotal moment: as hardware becomes pricier and marquee launches move further out, the pressure to deliver unequivocal value through software and services intensifies.
For Windows users, particularly those navigating the choppy waters of feature updates, device encryption, and day-to-day reliability quirks, the appeal of sticking with older, more predictable versions is easy to understand. Yet, Microsoft’s ongoing investments in security, productivity, and accessibility point toward a future where the venerable operating system continues to evolve—albeit not always at the pace or in the manner users might wish.
Watching how Microsoft responds to these pressures—quickly patching bugs, smoothing out upgrade annoyances, refining user communication, and keeping value strong for both consumer and business segments—will determine whether these growing pains become mere footnotes or major turning points for the platforms that millions rely on every day.

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Source: Neowin Microsoft Weekly: Xbox now costs more, GTA 6 delayed, and interesting Windows trivia