Windows Update Preview: Haptic Feedback and Xbox Gaming Mode

Microsoft released the preview updates for Windows on the night before the long May weekend. These bring the non-security-relevant changes for the upcoming May Patchday to mass testing. Haptic feedback and the Xbox mode stand out.

Microsoft highlights some improvements. In the release notes for the update preview, Microsoft states that in the general rollout, Secure Boot certificates will be exchanged, Kerberos issues fixed, and a known problem with Remote Desktop corrected, which caused the security warning dialog not to be displayed correctly in multi-monitor environments with different scaling. It gets more exciting with the phased rollout: Microsoft is now bringing haptic feedback effects to Windows. With certain actions, like aligning objects in PowerPoint, touching and resizing windows, or when hovering over the “X” to close an app, there are vibrations from input devices.

However, Microsoft is proceeding cautiously: So far, the Surface Slim Pen 2, Asus Pen 3.0, and MSI Pen 2 support the function. Logitech's MX Master 4 can also do this after a firmware update for the Bolt dongle. According to Microsoft, other devices can also support this in the future, provided manufacturers release corresponding updates.

Improved Gaming Mode

The developers also emphasize that the Xbox mode should now be available on laptops, desktops, and tablets. It provides a streamlined full-screen user interface that puts games in the foreground and minimizes background distractions. The keyboard shortcut Windows+F11 is the quickest way to access it when you want to relax quickly and focus solely on the game.

The zip tool in File Explorer learns more formats; uu, cpio, xar, and NuGet packages (nupkg) are newly added. The Explorer should now remember view and sort preferences for the Download and Documents folders and consider them even when apps launch File Explorer in these locations.

Those who use AI agents should also be able to monitor them from the taskbar. When hovering over the Microsoft 365 Copilot icon, Windows shows progress in real-time. Interesting for the enterprise environment: Windows 11 now includes the function to remove pre-installed Microsoft Store apps via policies. This brings further functions, recently tested in insider versions, closer to general availability. This also includes the Windows driver policy, through which Windows no longer accepts drivers with cross-signed root certificates. In addition, more secure handling of batch files will be available for everyone with the performance booster registry entry “LockBatchFilesWhenInUse”.

After the updates, the Windows 11 versions will display build numbers 26200.8328 and 26100.8328, respectively.

(dmk)