Windows 11 has 11 notable changes coming in November, but two stand out to us. Microsoft is finally letting you clean up the cluttered right-click menu, while a new recovery feature can reinstall Windows without requiring a bootable USB drive. We’ve been testing the latter, and there’s one important limitation you should know about. 🔗

Windows 11 can now reinstall itself from the cloud, even when your PC won’t boot. Microsoft is introducing a new recovery option that downloads a fresh Windows installation directly from its servers instead of relying on local installation files. This means you may no longer need a USB drive or another working PC to recover a broken Windows installation.

Windows 11 users could have a problem with Windows Update in 2027 if they don’t keep their PCs updated. Microsoft is replacing security certificates used by Windows Update. Some of the current certificates will expire on May 17 and June 19, 2027, if your PC hasn’t received the replacements, it could lose access to the service and stop receiving updates automatically. If a compatible PC misses the deadline, the required update can still be downloaded manually from Microsoft’s Update Catalog.

Windows 11 without the bloat. This free app builds you a smaller Windows 11 installer. Tiny11 Builder downloads an official Windows image, or uses yours, and strips out what you don't want before you install. → Tiny11: removes bundled apps and unwanted features, keeps updates, Defender and recovery → Custom: pick exactly which apps, features and services to remove or keep → Works on Intel and AMD PCs and on Windows on ARM → Resumes a build if it gets interrupted 20K+ GitHub stars. Avoid the Core mode unless you know why you need it. It can't be updated and turns off Defender. Test your ISO in a virtual machine before installing it on a real PC.

Windows 11 is about to get a small but seriously impactful upgrade for anyone using handheld gaming PCs or compact tablets. A new toggle found in preview builds lets you force apps to open maximized by default. No more tiny windows on tiny screens. Everything launches full screen, instantly making devices like the Surface Go or ROG Ally feel more comfortable and usable. It’s a thoughtful quality‑of‑life improvement that gives users more control and makes Windows 11 feel better tailored to modern form factors. Customization continues to be a big theme for Microsoft, and this feature is another step toward making Windows adapt to you, not the other way around.

Windows 11 is about to get a small but seriously impactful upgrade for anyone using handheld gaming PCs or compact tablets. A new toggle found in preview builds lets you force apps to open maximized by default. No more tiny windows on tiny screens. Everything launches full screen, instantly making devices like the Surface Go or ROG Ally feel more comfortable and usable. It’s a thoughtful quality‑of‑life improvement that gives users more control and makes Windows 11 feel better tailored to modern form factors. Customization continues to be a big theme for Microsoft, and this feature is another step toward making Windows adapt to you, not the other way around. Excited to see this roll out more broadly soon.

Windows 11’s August update is causing problems for some PC gamers, and Microsoft is investigating. The KB5121003 update, released on August 11, has been linked to crashes in games including: -ARC Raiders -The Finals -MARVEL Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Some players have also reported their PCs restarting while gaming. Embark, the studio behind ARC Raiders and The Finals, previously blamed the Windows update for crashes in its games. Microsoft statement about the reports: “Following the release of Windows updates on August 11, 2026 (KB5121003) and later, Microsoft received reports of issues involving inability to run games as expected.”