Microsoft open sources Infocom’s Zork trilogy
Microsoft, in conjunction with Activision, Team Xbox, and its Open Source Programs Office, has announced plans to open source some of Infocom’s most iconic interactive fiction. Zork I, Zork II, and Zork III will be released under the MIT License, placing the code for one of the most recognisable early computer game series into accessible public repositories. As someone who spent many hours playing the Zork trilogy (and other Infocom games) over the years, this is fantastic news.
Developers, students, and researchers will be able to examine the structure of the original titles directly rather than relying on secondary documentation or archived binaries. It will also provide a clearer view of how Infocom’s early work was built, maintained, and adapted across platforms.
Microsoft is adding a much-needed agenda view to the Windows 11 taskbar calendar
If you have been waiting for Microsoft to make Windows 11’s taskbar flyout calendar useful, there is not much longer to wait. At Ignite, the company has provided details of a significant change that is coming in December.
The calendar flyout that appears when clicking the taskbar clock is in line for an upgrade. Now, in addition to displaying a quick-view calendar, there will be an agenda view.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.96.0 with support for more AI model providers
It is that time once again – there is a new version of PowerToys to install. Microsoft has just unleashed PowerToys v0.96.0 as part of a release cycle that focuses on “new features, stability, optimization improvements, and automation”.
First things first: are there any new modules here? Sadly not. But while there may not be any brand new utilities to play with, PowerToys v0.96.0 does see a number of significant changes and additions to the tools you already know and love – including Command Palette and Advanced Paste.
New year, new Microsoft OS -- the stunning Windows 26 is everything Windows 12 should be
Every so often, we get hints about Windows 12, but Microsoft has yet to announce it. Now that the tech giant is only officially supporting one Windows OS, perhaps that will change.
But as 2025 draws to a close, and with a new year on the horizon, it’s time to look forward to fresh beginnings and groundbreaking innovations. It’s time for a new Microsoft operating system. Let me introduce you to Windows 26.
Microsoft adds new screen recording capabilities to Sysinternals ZoomIt
Microsoft’s suite of Sysinternal tools is an interesting collection. While not as exciting – or as frequently updated – as PowerToys, it is home to a number of incredibly useful utilities, especially for power users and system administrators.
But there are also instances of crossover, and the screen recording tool ZoomIt is a perfect example. Although ZoomIt has been merged into the PowerToys utility suite, a standalone version remains available for Sysinternal fans who want to steer clear of PowerToys. In an interesting move, Microsoft has pushed an update to the standalone version of ZoomIt with new features which are not available in PowerToys.
The first Extended Security Update for Windows 10 is here
The end has been nigh for Windows 10 for what feels like an eternity, but Microsoft finally pulled the plug on mainstream support last month. After a confused period of communication and a few niggles, the company has now released the first Extended Security Update for the operating system.
With the release of the KB5068781 update, Microsoft is now only addressing problems with Windows 10. With the ESU program now in operation, no new features should be expected.
Microsoft is updating Windows 11’s Snipping Tool with option to add text to screenshots
Over the last few years, Microsoft has gradually evolved the Snipping Tool from a simple screen-grabbing tool into something which is much more advanced and sophisticated than anyone could have first imagined.
Having added features such as the ability to create video, grab text from images using OCR, the company is now adding new text options to the app. While not officially available – or even announced – new capabilities have been spotted in the app that show how Microsoft is developing this increasingly essential tool.
You can now install multiple apps simultaneously from the Microsoft Store
Microsoft has very quietly introduced a multi-app installer option for the Microsoft Store. Working in a similar way to third-party package installers, the new feature makes it possible to add several apps to a “shopping list” and then install them in one fell swoop rather than individually.
There are a few interesting things about this, not least of which is the fact that Microsoft has not made a big announcement about this handy new option. Another curiosity is that the option is only available for some users of the web-based version of the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft is killing off Defender Application Guard for Office
More than a year-and-a-half after announcing its retirement, Microsoft has revealed its plans to fully remove Defender Application Guard from Office.
The journey has been a long a slow one for the this security feature which isolates untrusted Office documents in a virtualized contained. Deprecation was first announced way back in November 2023, and the process of complete removal will not be finished until the end of 2027.
Microsoft hits Windows 10 users with misleading ‘end of support’ messages
Given the publicity Microsoft has given to the end of mainstream support for Windows 10, there are few users who are unaware if this fact. And with the promotion of the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, most are also aware that there is still a way to get updates.
So, there was a mixture of surprise and anger when users signed up to receive Extended Security Updates started it see a message informing them that “Your version of Windows has reached the end of support”.
Microsoft makes its first references to Windows 11 26H1
It may not have been long since Microsoft finally released the Windows 11 25H2 update, but the company is already working away on the next big release. We know little about it, but Microsoft has – perhaps accidentally – released code that makes reference to Windows 11 26H1.
This is the first time that Microsoft has referred to this particular branch of Windows 11 development, lending some credibility to the rumors that this was the next feature update for the operating system. So, what do we know?
Microsoft says irritating update and shutdown bug has been wiped from Windows 11
Like many people, you’ve probably put off installing Windows 11 updates because you need to get on with something else. And if at the end of the day you have selected the “Update and Shut Down” option in the Start menu, you may well have questioned yourself when Windows chose to restart instead.
But this was not you; it was Microsoft’s fault. The company has just admitted to the long-standing issue while quietly fixing the bug that has irritated users for a surprisingly long time.
Microsoft is changing the naming schema for Windows 11 updates
If you have ever been confused by updates for Windows 11, you are not alone. Microsoft is aware that the mish mash of unclear and inconsistent names used for different types of updates has left many people confused – so it is doing something about it.
The company has announced a change to the way in which it labels updates, making them simpler, more consistent, and easier to understand. Here is how things are changing.
Microsoft trials new Copy & Search feature in latest Windows 11 builds
In the most recent Windows Insider builds of Windows 11, Microsoft is testing a new feature that will make it quicker and easier to perform search based on text copied from other documents. The new Copy & Search feature is currently available in the new Dev and Beta channels, and it could be a real time-saver.
While it may not seem like much, Copy & Search reduced a three-step process to a two-step process. In the big scheme of things, it is not much, but it is something that feel significantly faster, even if the difference is quite small in reality. But this is not just a change that is about speed.
Update PowerToys to kill the annoying theme changing bug
When Microsoft released PowerToys 0.95.0 recently there was excitement that it included a new module – Light Switch. But the excitement quickly turned to disappointed and confusion because of a bug that has managed to slip through the net.
Microsoft was fairly quick to acknowledge that when it added the new Light Switch module to PowerToys, it should not have been enabled by default. But as it was enabled by default, many people wondered what on Earth was happening when their computer started randomly changing between Light and Dark Mode.
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