Microsoft

While the Premium Edition of Forza Horizon 6 has been playable for the last five days, Standard Edition buyers can finally tear through the streets of Japan. Those looking to save on the €69.99 retail price can find all three versions of the highly anticipated racing game heavily discounted by 33%.

Microsoft says its Advanced Shader Delivery technology cuts Forza Horizon 6’s initial shader compilation from about 90 seconds to 4 seconds by downloading precompiled, hardware-specific shaders through its PC distribution channels. The feature is currently limited to Windows 11 users with supported AMD GPUs, Xbox Insider enrollment, and copies installed via the Xbox app or Microsoft Store, leaving Steam and Nvidia players without access for now.

Microsoft confirms active exploitation of Exchange Server zero-day CVE-2026-42897 via crafted email with no permanent patch available for on-prem deployments.

Retailers are already preparing to sell the Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 port. Even so, some gamers regret Microsoft bringing its longtime shooter franchise to PlayStation. After comments from CEO Asha Sharma, one insider predicts upcoming Halo games will again ship as Xbox exclusives.

Pwn2Own Berlin 2026 paid out over $908,000 across 39 zero-days in two days, with Microsoft Exchange compromised for $200,000 and Windows 11 hacked four times.

Microsoft's MDASH AI security system found 16 Windows vulnerabilities, including four critical RCEs, all patched in May Patch Tuesday, beating Anthropic and OpenAI benchmarks.

Windows 11 Release Preview builds KB5089573 and KB5089570 landed May 14 with Copilot in Excel, zero-day patches, Shared LE Audio, and new IT admin AI controls.

Images of rumored Xbox controllers give a glimpse into the future of Microsoft accessories. The Elite Series 3 could ship with dual scroll wheels, cloud gaming connectivity, and a replaceable battery. However, the latest leak doesn’t mention TMR or Hall effect technology to limit analog stick drift.

Foxconn confirmed a ransomware attack on North American factories after Nitrogen claimed to steal 8TB of data including Apple, Nvidia, and Intel project documentation.

Former Microsoft Game Studios executive Laura Fryer criticized Sony’s quiet PS5 digital licensing update, arguing that an unannounced 30-day online verification prompt alarmed players and risked undermining trust in digital ownership. While Sony says the check is intended to curb refund abuse and does not require ongoing logins, Fryer warned that the lack of transparency makes the change feel like a self-inflicted replay of past console DRM controversies.

Windows 11 May 2026 Patch Tuesday rolls out KB5089549 today, pushing Xbox mode to all users and advancing Secure Boot certificate deployment ahead of the June 26 deadline.

A journalist may have defied the Forza Horizon 6 review embargo. Playground Games insists it wasn’t at fault for uploading a version of the racing game to Steam ahead of schedule. SteamDB later explained how a journalist is more likely to have exposed the file list and pirated the release.

Microsoft’s Japan-set Forza Horizon 6 is already running on many gaming PCs. A full Steam build leaked on Valve’s marketplace, delighting piracy advocates. Online features likely won’t be available until the official Xbox and PC early access debut on May 15th.

Gamers accustomed to multi-monitor setups may discover Xbox Mode has limitations. When enabled, the console-inspired menus disable additional displays, interrupting multi-tasking. The UI has more advantages for the upcoming Project Helix Xbox console and gaming PCs connected to TVs.

Sega and Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio’s Stranger Than Heaven received a major spotlight during Xbox’s May 6 showcase, revealing Snoop Dogg as Orpheus, a smuggler and mentor figure who helps guide protagonist Makoto Daito’s musical rise in 1915 San Francisco.

A new job listing has revealed the next Halo mainline campaign is in the making. It is unclear what stage it is in currently, but it is said to introduce new elements, like a new advanced race that has been previously mentioned in Halo Infinite and the novels.

A faulty Defender signature update flagged two trusted DigiCert root certificates as malware and removed them from Windows systems worldwide.

Windows 11 KB5083769 is blocking the psmounterex.sys driver used by Macrium Reflect and Acronis, causing backup failures and VSS timeouts on 24H2 and 25H2.

An insider believes that low hardware stock will cost Microsoft sales when GTA 6 launches. The absence of Xbox consoles in many countries is not entirely intentional. Targeting higher profits and poor planning for the component shortage could haunt the PS5 rival.

Despite its struggles, publishing Xbox games on the PS5 has benefited Microsoft. However, multiplayer and live-service ports generated the most revenue, according to new sales data. If the company pivots back to Xbox exclusive games, it could become more strategic with its ports.

Microsoft wants to make things clearer for developers and keep them in the loop for updates to Project Helix. It has announced a new show that will detail the current state and progress on the next-generation Xbox console.

CISA has ordered federal agencies to patch CVE-2026-32202, a zero-click Windows Shell flaw left open by an incomplete February fix now confirmed as exploited.

Valve’s latest accessory may not be the all-in-one solution buyers had anticipated. Despite a high price, PC users won’t see Xbox Game Pass games supported on the Steam Controller release date. Lacking XInput compatibility, players will need Steam software for full functionality.

Microsoft is force-upgrading unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 PCs to 25H2 ahead of October 13 end of support, but KB5083769 is still sending some machines into unrecoverable boot loops.

Statements from Microsoft leadership have some gamers concerned about the new Xbox console. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma cautioned that Steam and Epic Games Store support isn’t guaranteed. Despite a high Project Helix price anticipated, buyers may have a limited selection of games.

Threat group UNC6692 is using Microsoft Teams IT impersonation and mass email bombing to deploy the SNOW malware toolkit and steal credentials from enterprise networks.

Microsoft’s Windows 11 KB5083769 April 2026 update causes critical boot failures, pixelated BSODs, and BitLocker recovery loops on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 PCs.

Gamers could see Microsoft add yet another tier to its monthly subscription service. At a likely tempting price, the Xbox Game Pass Starter Edition would combine a catalog of games with cloud streaming. A Discord Nitro leak hints that the plan will also bundle third-party subscriptions.

Xbox branding is returning to prominence, now replacing Microsoft Gaming. The Verge reported on an internal meeting hosted by CEO Asha Sharma that confirmed the change. She has also emphasized the value of first-party hardware as marketing ramps up for Project Helix.

Microsoft could introduce highly customizable Xbox Game Pass tiers. An insider explains that players could see first-party games, cloud gaming, and bundled subscriptions become add-ons. With the Game Pass Ultimate price already lower, more affordable, tailored plans are possible.

Microsoft has made the Limited Edition Forza Horizon 6 Xbox Controller and Wireless Headset official. The controller boasts a transparent shell, while the headset introduces custom sound effects. With the designs drawing mixed reactions, some gamers find the artwork too outlandish.

Microsoft has released emergency out-of-band updates KB5091157 and KB5091575 to fix LSASS crashes and domain controller reboot loops caused by the April 2026 KB5082063 update.

Despite pleas from fans, Bethesda may not be able to create a Fallout: New Vegas remaster. A former Obsidian Entertainment developer thinks the company lacks the essential source code. Without a capable engineer on staff, the rumored Fallout 3 remaster is more likely.

Forza Horizon 6 has surpassed 500,000 pre-sales on Steam roughly a month before launch, translating to an estimated $30 million in gross revenue when factoring in different editions and regional pricing, according to Alinea Analytics. The figures point to exceptional momentum, potentially exceeding 2 million Steam sales in the first 24 hours, while additional demand from the Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass is not included.

A datamine suggests that Microsoft could debut new Game Pass plans with Xbox Cloud Gaming. Tiers called Triton and Duet have leaked, with the latter part of a rumored Netflix bundle. Both options would only allow a fixed number of hours per month for cloud streaming.

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma may have plans to turn around the fortunes of Game Pass. Even so, former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden doesn’t see much hope for the service. A social media post explains why the Xbox Game Pass price increase is not the source of its struggles.

Microsoft April 2026 Patch Tuesday fixes 167 vulnerabilities, including an actively exploited SharePoint zero-day. Windows 11 KB5083769 and KB5082052 bring new builds and RDP security.

Champion of the original Xbox, Seamus Blackley, has serious concerns about Project Helix. He argues that Steam has a more consistent philosophy that values games above all else. The new Xbox console may also lack the innovative features that draws gamers to Nintendo hardware.

Gamers expected the next Fable title to ship before the end of 2026. However, a reliable insider reports that the Xbox game has suffered an internal delay. If Playground Games can’t finish development by October, Microsoft may postpone it until after the November GTA 6 release date.

An insider divulged that Microsoft is considering a shakeup of its lineup of Xbox Game Pass games. Call of Duty games, one of the perks of the Ultimate and PC tiers, may no longer arrive on day one. Both revenue from the shooter and the subscription service have diminished.

Despite Microsoft’s best efforts, many publishers prioritize Steam and the PS Store. As a result, there are fewer Xbox Play Anywhere games than anticipated. A leak reveals that to bolster support for Windows handhelds and Project Helix, devs will receive a higher percentage of revenue.

Microsoft says Copilot isn’t just for “entertainment” after users publicized its own terms, warning against relying on AI. The company says it will update its documentation around Copilot, after calling the old documentation outdated.

A driving force behind the first Xbox system sees many parallels with Project Helix. In a recent podcast, Ed Fries revealed why Microsoft decided against a Windows PC concept. The new Xbox console may benefit from larger memory capacities and more games with controller support.

Microsoft is establishing Copilot as its primary AI brand for Windows, Microsoft 365 and GitHub. However, the terms of use, warnings, and disclaimers for each Copilot differ. By doing this, the Redmond-based tech giant is undermining trust in its own AI tool.

Retro gamers are often frustrated when titles disappear from the Microsoft Store. Happenings in the xCloud backend may be a prelude to Xbox 360 games and other favorites returning. The company has promised to implement backward compatibility on PCs and existing and new Xbox consoles.

Glenn Israel, a former art director at Halo Studios, has published a detailed account of alleged harassment, HR failures, and project mismanagement during his final years at the company. These claims come a few months after his departure in late 2025.

Microsoft says unmanaged Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro PCs will receive 25H2 automatically through Windows Update, though its release health page still shows a conflicting status date.

Mojang’s Minecraft “Tiny Takeover” update, released March 24, refreshes baby mobs with fluffier designs and new vocalizations recorded from “real animal voice actors,” including a specialist “cow whisperer” brought in to capture authentic mooing. The patch also adds golden dandelions to prevent baby mobs from growing up, simplifies name tag crafting, and expands music-building options with copper-based note blocks that produce trumpet tones that vary with oxidation.

Microsoft’s March 31 out-of-band release for Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 folds the pulled KB5079391 preview back into a new cumulative update that fixes error 0x80073712.

Gamers may notice an unexpected newcomer to Xbox Game Pass on April 3rd. The AAA basketball sim NBA 2K26 will expand the Game Pass Ultimate, Premium, and PC catalogs. Microsoft gave no prior hint that the sports game praised for its realistic gameplay would join the subscription service.