When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Get a lifetime license for Microsoft Office and Windows 11 Pro for $35 until May 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Microsoft 365 costs $99.99 per year at minimum, and Windows 10 stopped getting security updates last October. If you want to deal with both at once, then take a look at this bundle. This is a two-part deal that covers your OS and your productivity suite in one go.

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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.

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When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Windows 11 has built-in settings to reduce CPU bottlenecks. Speed up Windows 11 without new hardware by offloading CPU work with tricks like hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. Many Windows PCs feel sluggish in everyday use, despite their hardware specifications suggesting otherwise. The processor is handling tasks that the graphics card, SSD, or network chip could process more efficiently.

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.

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 highlights that Windows 11's default firewall lacks proper outgoing connection monitoring, allowing programs to send data unchecked and potentially exposing users to malware communication. The article covers essential security tweaks including enabling DNS over HTTPS encryption, activating Microsoft Defender Network Protection, and disabling obsolete protocols like NetBIOS and LLMNR. Implementing these network hardening measures transforms Windows into a more controlled system that blocks unauthorized connections and protects against credential interception attacks. Windows' built-in network protection is like a front door that is locked from the outside, but through which any resident can carry valuables outside without being checked. By default, Microsoft allows almost any program to send data out without being checked -- this is known as a lack of egress filtering. If you want to know which apps are sending data back to their developers, or wish to prevent malware from contacting its command server -- the so-called command-and-control instance -- in the event of an attack, you need to tighten the reins. With the right filters and targeted protocol hardening, you can transform the open Windows data highway into a strictly controlled border crossing that checks every outgoing packet thoroughly.

Microsoft has acknowledged that faulty third-party drivers have been causing significant battery drain and performance issues in Windows 11 and older versions for years. PCWorld reports that problematic drivers prevented laptops from entering low-power hibernation mode, leading to unexpected battery depletion during standby. Microsoft is implementing stricter driver evaluation processes that will assess power consumption, heat generation, and performance impact, with automatic rollback capabilities to block problematic drivers. It sucks when a failing battery or a slow PC lets you down at crucial moments--and Windows 11 in particular has repeatedly struggled with such issues. Microsoft now officially acknowledges that these problems appear to be linked to faulty drivers.