Microsoft has kicked off the year with a series of announcements that bring excitement across its spectrum of products and services. Featuring fresh hardware designs, intriguing Windows 11 updates, and even a nostalgic look back at wallpapers that never made the cut, there’s a cornucopia of news to digest. Let’s dive into the key highlights of this Microsoft Weekly edition and break it down for our community of savvy Windows enthusiasts!
First up, Microsoft is making waves in the hardware department by revisiting one of its classics—the Microsoft Ergonomic Compact Keyboard. Incase’s revival package, set to hit shelves at $119.99, breathes new life into the design that’s garnered a following for years. Here’s what's changed in the new iteration:
The heart of Microsoft’s weekly pulse remains its Windows 11 updates. Being part of the Windows Insider Program these days means keeping pace with frequent previews that set the stage for what’s next in Windows. Let's unpack the latest builds:
A potential standout here is Microsoft's groundwork for upcoming dynamic wallpapers shown in these builds—more on that in a moment.
Unlike dramatic UI overhauls, smaller changes like improved context menus can elevate the day-to-day experience—offering faster right-click actions that feel smoother and less laggy. This is where Microsoft's iterative approach speaks volumes about listening to user feedback.
Despite Microsoft's best efforts to push Windows 11 adoption, December 2024 statistics from Statcounter caught some attention. Here’s the breakdown:
Interestingly, on the gaming front, Windows 11 remains a firm favorite among Steam users with a presence of 54.96% of all Windows machines. Many attribute this to Windows 11’s performance optimizations and efficient use of newer hardware architecture.
Ever wondered what Windows 11 might’ve looked like with dynamic and animated wallpapers? Somewhere along its development timeline, Microsoft considered going all out with these upgrades. Designed to work seamlessly with the updated Start Menu and taskbar, these wallpapers aimed to bring a modern, animated vibe to the Windows experience.
Unfortunately, this project was shelved prematurely—but leaked snapshots have rekindled interest in what could’ve been. It's easy to imagine the appeal of an OS that blends dynamic aesthetics with productivity, perhaps even competing with macOS's famed visuals.
A question remains: Will Microsoft revisit this idea as Windows evolves? With AI-enhanced themes becoming a possibility, dynamic visuals could reemerge, delivering a more immersive desktop experience.
Security updates took center stage too, but with an unexpected twist for Windows 10 users struggling with end-of-support woes. ESET, the cybersecurity brand, says: "If you can’t update past Windows 10, try Linux." That’s a somewhat controversial stance, especially since transitioning to Linux may not be feasible for everyone.
However, if you're considering the leap, useful tools and guides are readily available for smooth navigation into the Linux ecosystem. Moreover, this highlights a larger trend where some businesses eye Linux as a path to escape proprietary lock-ins.
Fans of Minecraft may have reason to rejoice as its original creator, Markus "Notch" Persson, teases ideas for a "Minecraft 2." Although there’s no confirmed partnership with Microsoft yet, the sheer idea of a sequel to the world’s favorite sandbox game sparks imaginations.
Beyond that, Xbox Series S memory limitations have caused delays in big-name titles like Black Myth: Wukong. This scenario signals a significant hardware challenge in today’s hyper-realistic gaming landscape.
Finally, it wouldn’t be a proper Weekly without hunting for the hottest tech deals! Here are some worth snagging:
Let’s hear your thoughts! What excites you most? Have you tried the Insider builds yet, or scored big on any deals? Share your opinions with the WindowsForum.com community!
Source: Neowin Microsoft Weekly: new Microsoft keyboards, new Windows 11 builds, and unreleased wallpapers
Hardware Spotlight: Return of Microsoft’s Iconic Ergonomic Keyboards
First up, Microsoft is making waves in the hardware department by revisiting one of its classics—the Microsoft Ergonomic Compact Keyboard. Incase’s revival package, set to hit shelves at $119.99, breathes new life into the design that’s garnered a following for years. Here’s what's changed in the new iteration:- Dedicated Copilot Key: Fully embracing Microsoft’s vision of tight AI integration, this keyboard now features a shortcut key for Copilot, aligning it with modern productivity needs.
- Ergonomic Legacy: While staying true to its ergonomic roots, the redesign focuses on offering compact dimensions for modern workspaces.
Windows Insider Updates: Canary and Beta Channel Build Highlights
The heart of Microsoft’s weekly pulse remains its Windows 11 updates. Being part of the Windows Insider Program these days means keeping pace with frequent previews that set the stage for what’s next in Windows. Let's unpack the latest builds:Canary Build 27766
Primarily focused on bug fixes, this build addresses glitches in File Explorer that had caused crashes for users. By tackling such core usability issues, Microsoft is shoring up confidence among testers who rely on stable file management features.A potential standout here is Microsoft's groundwork for upcoming dynamic wallpapers shown in these builds—more on that in a moment.
Beta Build 22635.4660
In the Beta Channel, the updated context menus from Windows 11’s version 24H2 have been backported to version 23H2. While this sounds like a simple switch, it's a testament to consistency in incremental polishing.Unlike dramatic UI overhauls, smaller changes like improved context menus can elevate the day-to-day experience—offering faster right-click actions that feel smoother and less laggy. This is where Microsoft's iterative approach speaks volumes about listening to user feedback.
Windows 11 Market Share Slip: Does Numbers Matter?
Despite Microsoft's best efforts to push Windows 11 adoption, December 2024 statistics from Statcounter caught some attention. Here’s the breakdown:- Windows 11 market share dropped to 34.1%.
- Windows 10, despite being on its twilight run towards end-of-support, saw an uptick.
Interestingly, on the gaming front, Windows 11 remains a firm favorite among Steam users with a presence of 54.96% of all Windows machines. Many attribute this to Windows 11’s performance optimizations and efficient use of newer hardware architecture.
A Peek Into Microsoft’s Unreleased Wallpapers: The Dynamic Era That Never Was
Ever wondered what Windows 11 might’ve looked like with dynamic and animated wallpapers? Somewhere along its development timeline, Microsoft considered going all out with these upgrades. Designed to work seamlessly with the updated Start Menu and taskbar, these wallpapers aimed to bring a modern, animated vibe to the Windows experience.Unfortunately, this project was shelved prematurely—but leaked snapshots have rekindled interest in what could’ve been. It's easy to imagine the appeal of an OS that blends dynamic aesthetics with productivity, perhaps even competing with macOS's famed visuals.
A question remains: Will Microsoft revisit this idea as Windows evolves? With AI-enhanced themes becoming a possibility, dynamic visuals could reemerge, delivering a more immersive desktop experience.
Software Updates and ESET’s Linux Pitch
Security updates took center stage too, but with an unexpected twist for Windows 10 users struggling with end-of-support woes. ESET, the cybersecurity brand, says: "If you can’t update past Windows 10, try Linux." That’s a somewhat controversial stance, especially since transitioning to Linux may not be feasible for everyone.However, if you're considering the leap, useful tools and guides are readily available for smooth navigation into the Linux ecosystem. Moreover, this highlights a larger trend where some businesses eye Linux as a path to escape proprietary lock-ins.
Gaming Round-Up: Nostalgia and Next-Gen Challenges
Fans of Minecraft may have reason to rejoice as its original creator, Markus "Notch" Persson, teases ideas for a "Minecraft 2." Although there’s no confirmed partnership with Microsoft yet, the sheer idea of a sequel to the world’s favorite sandbox game sparks imaginations.Beyond that, Xbox Series S memory limitations have caused delays in big-name titles like Black Myth: Wukong. This scenario signals a significant hardware challenge in today’s hyper-realistic gaming landscape.
Deals Spotlight for 2025
Finally, it wouldn’t be a proper Weekly without hunting for the hottest tech deals! Here are some worth snagging:- Logitech G PRO 2 Lightspeed - $119.99 (8% off)
- 2TB Samsung 990 EVO Plus SSD - Breakneck speeds at a competitive price
- Lenovo 510 FHD Webcam - A steal at $44.17 (37% off)
Wrapping Up: A Big Year Ahead for Windows and Beyond
As 2025 begins with a bang, Microsoft's diverse slate of hardware innovations, software refinements, and ambitious pipelines signal a dynamic year ahead. Whether we're examining sleek keyboards or Windows 11 tweaks, one thing’s clear: Microsoft isn’t just keeping pace—it’s rewriting the playbook for technology-driven living.Let’s hear your thoughts! What excites you most? Have you tried the Insider builds yet, or scored big on any deals? Share your opinions with the WindowsForum.com community!
Source: Neowin Microsoft Weekly: new Microsoft keyboards, new Windows 11 builds, and unreleased wallpapers
