The AI assistant had its personality stripped in pursuit of a more consistent experience. Copilot is getting yet another visual overhaul as Microsoft reconsiders its approach to AI across Windows and its various apps. The new changes are focused on the version of Copilot accessible in Microsoft 365, and visually streamline the AI assistant to using it more consistent across apps like Word, PowerPoint and Excel. The most striking difference in Copilot's new look is how little color it has. You can still get Copilot to produce full-color outputs and it will reference other apps by their colorful app icons.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft is enhancing Copilot with new user controls, including read-only options and the ability to lock the AI assistant to specific document sections. Microsoft is expanding Copilot's prompt box with contextually aware suggestions for Word and PowerPoint, while unifying commercial and consumer versions under single leadership. These updates aim to make AI assistance more helpful and less overwhelming for productivity tasks, with features currently being tested internally before reaching consumers. Google made headlines a short time ago for a plan to expand its Gemini prompt box as it combines AI and search. Microsoft is taking a different tack: it's also dynamically expanding its prompt box, but with an eye towards improving its productivity apps instead. Right now, Microsoft's efforts are traversing the outer reaches of its productivity solar system, being tested internally with a few targeted corporate partners, Fast Company reports .

PCWorld reports on Windows 11's optional update KB5089573, the first release from Microsoft's secret Project K2 initiative aimed at improving performance through 2027. The update introduces a Low Latency Profile that boosts CPU speed for important tasks, delivering up to 70% faster flyouts and 40% quicker app launches. Users can manually install this preview update via Windows Update or Microsoft Update Catalog for immediate performance gains. Detailed instructions are provided below. Microsoft is following through on a previous announcement with a new optional update for Windows 11 that makes the operating system genuinely faster, especially in certain situations. It's called update KB5089573 and it includes the "Low Latency Profile" feature.

PCWorld reports that Windows 11 PCs face a critical Secure Boot certificate expiration in June 2026 that could compromise system security. Current certificates from 2011 will stop receiving boot-critical updates and malware blacklists, potentially causing boot failures or blocking future Windows feature updates. Microsoft is rolling out new certificates to prevent these issues, making timely updates essential for maintaining PC security and functionality. Microsoft has clarified what will happen to Windows 11 PCs if Secure Boot certificates are not updated before they expire in June 2026. Secure Boot is a security standard developed by the PC industry.

PCWorld reports a Windows 11 bug has blocked all updates since February for some users, creating serious security vulnerabilities and potential system issues. The problem stems from January's Preview Update and affects download timeouts, leaving systems without crucial monthly security patches and upcoming Secure Boot certificate updates. Microsoft recommends performing a Known-Issue Rollback (KIR) to revert the faulty update and restore normal update functionality. Problems with Windows updates are nothing new, but right now there's a seriously annoying bug that's affecting certain Windows 11 users--they haven't been getting any Windows updates for months. According to BleepingComputer, the issue started after installation of the January Preview Update. This means that those affected have not received a single Windows update since February, and that includes all the monthly security updates that should be keeping them safe. As if that weren't bad enough, we're also at a critical juncture just weeks before Secure Boot certificates expire on older Windows machines. Microsoft has been distributing updated certificates via Windows Update, which must be installed on PCs before June in order for Secure Boot to continue working as intended.

France is already moving on from Zoom and Microsoft Teams in favor of homegrown alternatives. Other countries are quickly following suit. As tensions between President Donald Trump and Europe continue to simmer, the continent is accelerating its moves to reduce its addiction to US technology . Cities and governments are ditching Microsoft Office for open-source alternatives, shifting to European cloud hosting for local AI, and moving defense data to systems without American involvement . Nowhere has this been more clear than in France.

Microsoft is officially discontinuing SMS verification for personal account logins, pushing users toward more secure passkey authentication methods. PCWorld reports that SMS-based authentication represents a major fraud risk, prompting Microsoft's aggressive transition to biometric and PIN-based passkeys. Users should switch to passkeys soon, which use device-stored keys and biometric data for enhanced two-factor authentication security. For a while now, it's been possible to authenticate your Microsoft account logins by receiving a six-digit code via text message. Windows Latest now reports that SMS verification will be phased out shortly.

PCWorld reports that Microsoft's May security update KB5089549 is failing to install on some Windows 11 devices running versions 25H2 and 24H2. The installation fails at 35-36% completion with error code 0x800f0922, caused by insufficient free space on the EFI System Partition. Microsoft offers temporary workarounds including Known Issue Rollback or registry tweaks while developing a permanent fix for future release. Microsoft's May security update KB5089549 is failing to install on some Windows 11 machines.

PCWorld reports Microsoft's new Surface for Business lineup features Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors and a notable privacy screen technology for protecting sensitive information. The 13-inch Surface Laptop maintains its $1,499 price while the Surface Pro increased significantly to $1,949, offering up to 17 hours battery life and triple monitor support. The standout privacy screen feature prevents others from viewing displays, making these incremental updates particularly appealing for business security needs. Microsoft announced new Surface for Business laptops and tablets on Tuesday. Sadly, you already know what to expect: three new Surface Laptops, in 13-and 15-inch display sizes, and a new Surface Pro tablet, too.

A California jury has tossed out Elon Musk's high-profile lawsuit against OpenAI and its boss Sam Altman. In a unanimous verdict, the case was thrown out because Musk had filed his lawsuit after a statute of limitations to bring such claims had expired. Musk had accused Altman of breaching a non-profit contract by shifting the ChatGPT-maker to a for-profit company after Musk donated $38m (£28.5m). Musk had argued Altman deceived him by accepting his money and then reneging on OpenAI's original non-profit mission to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technology for the benefit of humanity. Jurors spent three weeks viewing internal correspondence and hearing testimony, and arrived at a verdict on Monday after deliberating for roughly two hours.