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Microsoft

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People are discussing a mix of Windows 11 update changes (including claims of better performance and an important printing break on Server 2022), plus Microsoft product/feature updates like Copilot in Windows 11, Excel May 2026 features, and a newer Microsoft Lens app for AI use cases. There’s also ongoing attention on Microsoft’s Activision merger litigation resolution and related Xbox community feedback systems.

ContextNeowinTweakersView all sources →
11.3 Activity score steady · 3d
14.4 Peak score 3d window
Neutral Sentiment
20 Sources · 38 signals
Last updated · next ~09:30
3d First on radar
Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Excel in May 2026 ·
Key Takeaway Recent Microsoft-related updates are bringing both productivity/AI features (Copilot, Excel, Lens) and serious regressions, including a KB hotpatch that breaks 32-bit printing on Server 2022.
AI summary · grounded in cited sources
SourcesNeowinView all sources →
Windows updates Copilot and Office AI token costs Activision legal wrap-up
Neutral 45/100
Themes
Windows updatesCopilot and Office
+2 adjacent themes
AI token costsActivision legal wrap-up
AI Daily Narrative Updated 1d ago · awaiting refresh

Microsoft pushes Copilot back into Windows 11 sidebar, while Activision settlement adds $250M cost

Microsoft is again turning Copilot into a sidebar inside Windows 11, reversing the standalone desktop approach and pushing the assistant into a more integrated position on the screen. The change is rolling out gradually, can be docked on the left or right, and automatically resizes other open apps to make room. The move is meant to boost visibility and surface Copilot’s productivity features more prominently. techpowerup.com

The redesign also restores the original Copilot layout Microsoft showed in 2024, after the app had shifted away from that sidebar form. In this version, Copilot is tied more closely to Windows 11 context menus, apps, icons, and other interface elements. That keeps Microsoft’s AI push centered on desktop presence even as it continues experimenting with the product’s shape. techpowerup.com

Separately, Microsoft paid $250 million to settle an Activision Blizzard merger-related lawsuit tied to the $70B-plus acquisition. The case had been filed by Swedish pension fund Sjunde AP-Fonden, which accused Microsoft and Activision of rushing the deal and undervaluing shareholders’ interests. The settlement adds another financial reminder of how costly the acquisition has already been for Microsoft. kitguru.net

Evidence-backed · 3 paragraphs · 1 min read
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Live Wire

Top 1 signals · Recent Microsoft-related updates are bringing
Neowin · 1h ago
Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Excel in May 2026

Broader Microsoft coverage

Other Microsoft activity — not part of the “Recent Microsoft-related updates are bringing” story
Tweakers · 4h ago
Microsoft brengt update uit die Windows 11 sneller moet maken
Neowin · 3h ago
Microsoft's MAI-Image-2.5 enters Arena's top 3 with better image generation

Briefing Findings · Recent Microsoft-related updates are bringing

Story-specific findings extracted from this briefing's coverage. Fast Facts in the sidebar holds the canonical reference data (CEO, founded, ticker).

Windows 11 update ID KB5089573
Broken hotpatch KB5087424 (May 2026 hotpatch) breaks 32-bit printing
Error code splwow64.exe 0xc0000142
Copilot location change Copilot returns as a sidebar in Windows 11
Office product mentioned Newest Office priced at $130 (Stop Paying for Microsoft 365)

What to Watch

  • Follow KB5087424 reports for further fixes impacting 32-bit printing on Server 2022 (splwow64.exe 0xc0000142). BleepingComputer
  • Watch for rollout/availability details of Copilot’s Windows 11 sidebar return. TechPowerUp

What Changed

  • Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Excel in May 2026 Neowin
  • PSA another broken Microsoft Patch: KB5087424 (May 2026 hotpatch) breaks 32-bit printing on Server 2022 — splwow64.exe 0xc0000142 Neowin
  • I created a Microsoft Lens (open-source) | Standalone App for you to try - 4090 HD generation in about 2 seconds after initial model load Neowin
Source-backed brief 2 articles across 2 publications · brief is source backed Show all sources
Neowin · 1 article
Tweakers · 1 article
Broader Microsoft coverage · not part of the Recent Microsoft-related updates are bringing story
Neowin · 1 article

Latest from across the web

External coverage we have crawled and indexed for this topic.

View all 9 signals →

Direct Microsoft · 5 Articles whose headline is primarily about Microsoft.

hothardware.com

Microsoft Warns Unpatched Windows 11 PCs Face June 2026 Secure Boot Block

As the Secure Boot certificate expiry deadline nears, Microsoft is reminding users to update.

18h ago Chris Harper
windowscentral.com

Microsoft confirms Ask Copilot is still coming to Windows 11's Taskbar this summer

First announced last year, a new document has confirmed that Microsoft's upcoming "Ask Copilot" feature for Windows 11's Taskbar is arriving mid-2026.

18h ago Zac Bowden
neowin.net

Microsoft 365 Copilot Notebooks gets new tools to turn documents into mind maps and more

The refreshed interface of Copilot Notebooks in the Microsoft 365 Copilot app now consolidates chats, creations, and references in a single location.

11h ago Pradeep Viswanathan
neowin.net

[Price Dropped] Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 now 93% off

Experience next-generation cross-platform development & AI-powered collaboration for seamless, efficient programming.

11h ago Paul Hill
gamedeveloper.com

Microsoft to pay $250M to settle Activision Blizzard lawsuit

The lawsuit claimed former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick hurriedly sold the company to avoid the consequences of sexual harassment allegations.

19h ago Chris Kerr

Microsoft ecosystem · 1 Coverage of Microsoft's products, sub-brands, and platforms.

neowin.net

Windows 11 gets big performance upgrade, shared audio support, and more in new update

The May 2026 non-security update for Windows 11 is here, and it brings shared audio support, new features for Task Manager, performance upgrades, and more.

11h ago Taras Buria

What each outlet is saying

Source-by-source view of what publications and communities are surfacing right now.

Neowin 6 articles

Tracking: Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Excel in May 2026 / Microsoft's MAI-Image-2.5 enters Arena's top 3 with better image generation

Here are all the new features Microsoft added to Excel in May 2026 Microsoft's MAI-Image-2.5 enters Arena's top 3 with better image generation
+4 more Microsoft 365 Copilot Notebooks gets new tools to turn documents into mind maps and more [Price Dropped] Microsoft Visual Studio Professional 2026 now 93% off Microsoft is working on a "Copilot Design System" Save 94% on Microsoft Project 2021 Professional for Windows

Adjacent signals

Latest from topics that share context with Microsoft — parents, siblings, descendants.

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Sub-topics in scope 8 Visual Studio Code Windows 11 Next-Gen Xbox YellowKey Microsoft OneDrive Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Copilot LinkedIn
Discovery

Videos

Topic-matched media from the channels we track
Microsoft Copilot Is A Disaster Chris Titus Tech A Special Message from Microsoft VP, Windows & Device Sales Lead Mark Linton | MSI 40th Anniversary MSI Gaming Microsoft 365 Copilot Cowork with plugins Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 Copilot Cowork on mobile Microsoft 365 Windows 11 on ARM gaming ISN'T what you think! #microsoft #windows11 #tech #pcgaming Windows Central Microsoft 365 Copilot: Skills in Copilot Cowork Microsoft 365

Discussions on the web

Recent threads on Reddit and Hacker News that mention Microsoft.

More in search →
Hacker News · u/nicp · 

Windows 11 LTSC update issue

Does anyone know where i can get a legit license key for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC Evaluation?

2 1
Hacker News · u/dustin1114 · 

I Bypassed Adobe and Microsoft to Build a Git-Tracked Book Production Pipeline

I Bypassed Adobe and Microsoft to Build a Git-Tracked Book Production Pipeline

4
Hacker News · u/Brajeshwar · 

Microsoft testing adjustable taskbar, Start menu in Windows 11

Microsoft testing adjustable taskbar, Start menu in Windows 11

2 1
Hacker News · u/tosh · 

Windows 11 brings back much-missed taskbar options

Windows 11 brings back much-missed taskbar options

1
Hacker News · u/01-_- · 

Microsoft admits Windows 11's dedicated Copilot key breaks certain workflows

Microsoft admits Windows 11's dedicated Copilot key breaks certain workflows

20 10

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