TL;DR: Why buy them separately when you can grab both Office Pro 2021 and Windows 11 Pro together for under $45?

If we’re being honest, many “upgrades” are just excuses to drain your wallet with subscriptions you’ll forget you signed up for. But this? This is the unicorn of software bundles. For less than what you spent on brunch last weekend, you can grab both Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro for just $45.

Think of it as a two-for-one glow-up for your computer. On one side, you’ve got Office 2021 — the classic productivity suite that still rules the corporate universe. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, Access, and Teams are all here, and you don’t need to worry about compatibility issues ever again. Your documents will play nice with colleagues, clients, or that one cousin who wants you to read his short stories.

On the other side, Windows 11 Pro steps in as the slick, secure upgrade your machine has been begging for. Cleaner design? Check. AI-assisted Copilot to handle the grunt work? Absolutely. Better security and professional features like BitLocker and remote desktop access? Built right in. Whether you’re running a small business, freelancing, or just trying to stop your PC from acting like it’s stuck in 2010, Windows 11 Pro has got you.

Plus, this isn’t going to get you another monthly bill. It’s a one-time payment that locks in a lifetime license for both. No renewal notices. No hidden fees. Just modern software, forever.

Getting MS Office and Windows 11 Pro for $45 (MSRP: $418.99) will help future-proof your workflow in an instant.

The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle

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​​Microsoft has released the KB5064081 preview cumulative update for Windows 11 24H2, which includes thirty-six new features or changes, with many gradually rolling out. These updates include new Recall features and a new way of displaying CPU usage in Task Manager.

The KB5064081 update is part of the company’s optional non-security preview update schedule, which releases updates at the end of each month to test new fixes and features coming to the next month’s  Patch Tuesday.

Unlike regular Patch Tuesday cumulative updates, monthly non-security preview updates do not include security updates and are optional.

You can install the KB5064081 update by opening Settings, clicking on Windows Update, and then “Check for Updates.”

Because this is an optional update, you will be asked if you want to install it by clicking the “Download and install” link unless you have the “Get the latest updates as soon as they’re they’re available” option enabled, which will cause the update to automatically install.

You can also manually download and install the KB5064081 preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Windows 11 KB5064081 highlights

Once installed, this optional cumulative release will update Windows 11 24H2 systems to build 26100.5074.

The August 2025 preview update features numerous new additions that are gradually rolling out, including an updated method for displaying CPU workload metrics in Task Manager.

For years, Windows Task Manager’s Processes tab displayed CPU usage using a “Processor Utility” metric, which could display confusing or incorrect results.

The method ignored the number of cores a processor had, so a single, maxed-out core on a 16-core CPU could show overall usage at 100%. It also compared workload against the chip’s base clock speed rather than its actual operating frequency, so when turbo boost pushed cores above their regular speed, usage could spike beyond 100% and then get clipped in the display.

These quirks meant the numbers shown in the Processes tab usually did not match what was displayed in the Performance or Users tabs, or within third-party monitoring tools.

According to WindowsLatest, Microsoft has now standardized CPU reporting throughout Task Manager, with the Processes tab now using the same formula already used in the Performance and Users tabs.

The new CPU load is calculated as:

(Δ Process CPU Time) ÷ (Δ Elapsed Time × Logical Processors)

This updated CPU utilization formula is now rolling out with this update.

For users who prefer the legacy view, Microsoft has added an optional “CPU Utility” column in the Details tab. However, by default, Task Manager will now show consistent CPU metrics across the entire application.

The complete list of changes that are gradually rolling out includes:

• [Recall] New! Recall opens to a personalized homepage that puts your recent activity and top-used apps and websites front and center, making it easy to pick up where you left off. After turning on snapshot collection, the homepage highlights key productivity features like Recent Snapshots, which show the latest snapshots to help you quickly resume tasks, and Top Apps and Websites, which display the three apps and websites you’ve used most in the past 24 hours. You can set filters in Settings to control which apps and websites are saved in snapshots. A new navigation bar on the leftmost side of the screen provides quick access to Home, Timeline, Feedback, and Settings.

• [Click to Do] New! When you launch Click to Do for the first time, you’ll see a quick interactive tutorial. It shows how to complete tasks faster by demonstrating actions on both text and images—such as summarizing large blocks of text or removing image backgrounds. To revisit the tutorial later, select More options  > Start tutorial.

• [General] New! When an app requests access to location, camera, microphone, or other device capabilities, Windows shows a redesigned system dialog box. To emphasize the privacy prompt, the screen dims slightly, and the prompt appears at the center of the screen.

• [Taskbar] 

  • New! The larger clock with seconds is now back in the notification center, displayed above the date and calendar. To turn this option on, go to Settings > Time & language > Date & time, and turn on Show time in the Notification Center.

  • Fixed: If you accidentally click and drag your mouse across the taskbar preview thumbnail, the preview might stop working.

• [Search on the Taskbar]

  • New! When you use Search from the Windows taskbar, a new grid view will help you more quickly and accurately identify the desired image within your search.

  • New! Search on the taskbar now provides clearer status information. If your search results are incomplete while your PC is organizing files in the background, Windows shows a notice with a link to check progress. You can dismiss the notice when you’re done. There is also a status for files and folders, so you can easily tell whether they’re available online (cloud) or stored on your device.

• [Lock screen] New! More widget options and support for lock screen widget personalization (previously referred to as “Weather and more”) are rolling out. After initial launch with Windows Insiders in the European Economic Area (EEA), these updates are expanding to all regions. You can add, remove, and rearrange lock screen widgets such as Weather, Watchlist, Sports, Traffic, and more. Any widget that supports the small sizing option can be added. To customize your lock screen widgets, go to Settings > Personalization > Lock screen.

• [File Explorer] ​​​​​​​

  • New! Dividers now separate top-level icons in the File Explorer context menu.

  • New!​​​​​​​ When you’re signed in with a work or school account (Entra ID), File Explorer will display people icons in the Activity column and the Recommended section at the top of File Explorer Home. Hover over or select a person’s icon to open their Microsoft 365 Live Persona Card, which shows who they are and how they’re connected to the file.

  • Fixed: If you try to use the unblock open in Properties for a file, it still shows as blocked when you open Properties the next time.

• [Windows Hello]

  • New!​​​​​​​ As part of the enhanced passkey features released in September 2023, you’ll see a redesigned Windows Hello interface. These modernized visual updates support fast, clear communication that appear across multiple authentication flows, including the Windows sign-in screen, passkey, Recall, the Microsoft Store, and more.

     The Windows security credential experience for passkey offers a cleaner, more intuitive interface designed to support fast, secure sign-in. You can now easily switch between authentication options such as passkeys or connected devices.

  • Fixed: Windows Hello might recognize your face on the login screen, however it would still fail and then prompt you to enter your pin. If you continue experiencing issues, you might need to go to the Facial Recognition section under Settings > Accounts >Sign-in options and select Improve recognition.

  • Improved: Fingerprint login after standby is now more robust.

• [Settings] 

  • New!  Windows activation and expiration prompts match the Windows 11 design and appear as system notifications when action is required. There also have been improvements to messaging under Settings > System > Activation.

  • New! You can go to Settings > Privacy & security > Text and Image Generation to see which third-party apps have recently used generative AI models provided by Windows. You can also choose which apps are permitted to use them—putting you in charge of your device’s AI experience.

  • New! As part of the Copilot+ PC experience, the agent in Settings helps you quickly find and change settings. Initially available on Snapdragon®-powered Copilot+ PCs, agent in Settings now supports AMD- and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs. It currently works only when your primary display language is set to English.

  • Fixed: Settings might crash if you attempt to add a security key under Settings > Account > Sign-in options.

• [Task Manager] New! Task Manager now uses standard metrics to show CPU workload consistently across all pages, aligning with industry standards and third-party tools. If you prefer the previous view, you can enable a new optional column called CPU Utility in the Details tab to display the earlier CPU usage value shown on the Processes page.

• [Widgets]

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​New! Multiple dashboards are now available in your Widgets Board. This gives you more space for your favorite widgets and helps you stay informed with a feed that connects you to current events. A new navigation bar on the left side makes it easy to switch between your widget’s dashboard and other views like the Discover feed. After initial launch in the EEA, these updates are expanding to all regions.

  • New!  A new visual experience is available for the Discover feed on the Widgets Board. The layout is more organized, personalized, and engaging. Copilot-curated stories are now included, offering a well-rounded view of each topic with summaries, videos, and images from trusted MSN premium publishers. To customize your feed, go to Widgets > Discover dashboard > Personalization settings.

• [Windows Backup for Organizations] New!​​​​​​​ Windows Backup for Organizations is now generally available! Experience seamless device transitions with enterprise-grade backup and restore. Whether you’re refreshing your organization’s devices, upgrading to Windows 11, or deploying AI-powered PCs, this solution helps sustain productivity with minimal disruption, ensuring business continuity and organizational resilience.

• [PowerShell 2.0] Starting in August 2025, Windows 11, version 24H2, will no longer include Windows PowerShell 2.0. This legacy component was introduced in Windows 7 and officially deprecated in 2017. Most users won’t be affected, as newer versions such as PowerShell 5.1 and PowerShell 7.x remain available and supported. If you use older scripts or tools that depend on PowerShell 2.0, update them to avoid compatibility issues.

• [Live captions] Fixed: Changing the opacity of live captions in Settings > Accessibility > Captions > Caption Style, has no effect.

• [Input]  

  • Fixed: Attempting to type Chinese with an IME after copying something with CTRL + C can result in the first character not displaying.

  • Fixed: An underlying issue related to textinputframework.dll could result in certain apps like Sticky Notes and Notepad crashing.

• [dbgcore.dll] Fixed: An underlying issue with dbgcore.dll could result in certain apps, including explorer.exe, crashing.

• [Kerberos]​​​​​​​ Fixed: There might be an underlying crash in Kerberos when attempting to access a cloud file share.

• [Login] Improved: Addressed some underlying cases which could lead to you seeing a blank white screen, or a screen saying, “just a moment”, for a few minutes when logging into your PC.

• [Miracast] Fixed: An issue where, on certain devices, audio would initially play but stop a few seconds after casting to a TV.

• [Audio] Improved: Addressed an underlying audio service stops responding which could impact the ability to play audio in certain cases.

The good news is that some fixes or improvements in the KB5058502 update are available immediately:

• [Device management] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that prevented some system recovery features from working properly due to a temporary file sharing conflict. This affected certain device management tools and disrupted key functions on some devices.

• [File system]​​​​​​​ Fixed: An issue in Resilient File System (ReFS) where using backup apps with large files could sometimes exhaust system memory.

• [Input]  

  • Fixed: This update addresses an issue with the Chinese (Simplified) Input Method Editor (IME) where some extended characters appear as empty boxes.

  • [Fixed This update addresses an issue that prevents typing on the touch keyboard when using the Microsoft Changjie, Microsoft Bopomofo, or Microsoft Japanese Input Method Editors (IMEs). The issue occurs after switching to a previous version of the IME.

• [Performance] Fixed: This update addresses an issue that slows application installation on ARM64 devices. Some installers might take longer to complete.

Microsoft reports two known issues with this release: a bug that causes incorrect CertificateServicesClient (CertEnroll) errors to appear, and lag/stuttering in audio and video performance when using Network Device Interface (NDI) to stream or transfer feeds between PCs.

The company is now rolling out a fix for the CertificateServicesClient (CertEnroll) errors , but it is gradually rolling out over the next four weeks. 

The full release notes for KB5064081 can be found in this support bulletin.

Microsoft has resolved a known issue that caused Windows upgrades to fail with 0x8007007F errors on some Windows 11 and Windows Server systems.

Although this issue impacts both Windows client and server platforms under specific upgrade paths, it will not affect customers attempting to upgrade their devices to Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025, the latest Windows versions.

“Starting August 12, 2025, some Windows upgrades might fail with error code ‘0x8007007F’ when performed via ‘Windows Setup > Upgrade’ installation,” the company noted in a new entry on the Windows release health dashboard.

The list of upgrade paths impacted by this bug includes:

• Upgrades from Windows 10 1809, Windows 10 21H2, and Windows 10 22H2 to Windows 11, versions 23H2 and 22H2
• Upgrades from Windows Server 2016 to Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022
• Upgrades from Windows Server 2019 to Windows Server 2022

While the company didn’t share what was causing these upgrade problems, Redmond says the bug triggering them is now fixed.

Users who experienced issues while trying to upgrade their systems are now advised to retry the upgrade process.

“This issue was resolved as of August 15, 2025. Devices upgraded after this date should no longer encounter this error. If you do experience error ‘0x8007007F’, retrying the upgrade process will typically resolve the issue,” Redmond added.

This week, Microsoft has also released emergency out-of-band updates to address a bug that caused Windows reset and recovery to fail after installing the August 2025 security updates.

Additionally, Microsoft rolled out a Known Issue Rollback (KIR) fix last week for a bug that triggers Windows update failures when installed from a network share using the Windows Update Standalone Installer (WUSA).

​The company also resolved a separate issue triggered by the installation of the KB5063878 update, which caused the August 2025 security updates to fail with 0x80240069 errors on Windows 11 24H2 systems when delivered via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).

TL;DR: Upgrade to Windows 11 Pro and get Microsoft Office for life for just $54.97 (86% off).

Keeping your computer up to date can be expensive. Your PC needs the latest operating system for speed and security, but you also need the tools to actually get work done. Too often, that means paying for each upgrade separately or locking yourself into monthly subscriptions that add up fast. This bundle solves both problems with one purchase, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

Windows 10 support officially ends in October 2025, which means no more security updates or patches. If you’re still running it, you’ll be more vulnerable to cyberattacks and software incompatibilities. Upgrading to Windows 11 Pro now ensures you’ll have the latest features, security protections, and full compatibility with future updates, while pairing it with Office 2021 Pro gives you the productivity powerhouse to match.

Full Microsoft Office suite

 Word – Write, edit, and format everything from resumes to reports.
 Excel – Build budgets, track data, and automate workflows.
 PowerPoint – Create polished presentations that grab attention.
 Outlook – Manage your email, calendar, and contacts in one hub.
 OneNote – Keep all your notes synced and organized.
 Publisher – Design flyers, brochures, and newsletters with ease.
 Access – Manage databases and streamline information storage.
 Teams (Free) – Chat, call, and collaborate in real time.

Windows 11’s pro features

 Copilot AI – Summarize web pages, generate text, and automate daily tasks.
 DirectX 12 Ultimate – Realistic graphics and better gameplay for PC gamers.
 Performance Boost – Faster load times and smoother multitasking.
 Snap Layouts & Multiple Desktops – Organize work like a pro.
 Enterprise-Grade Security – BitLocker encryption, Smart App Control, and TPM 2.0 keep your data locked down.

Lock in Windows 11 Pro + Office 2021 for just $54.97 (MSRP $418.99).

The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle

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The search feature for the Windows 10 emoji panel is broken after installing the KB5062554 cumulative update released Tuesday, making it not possible to look up emojis by name or keyword.

Windows includes an emoji panel that allows you to select emojis to insert into text or search for an emoji using keywords.

On Tuesday, Microsoft released Windows updates to fix bugs and security vulnerabilities as part of the July 2025 Patch Tuesday.

Since installing the Windows 10 KB5062554 update, numerous users report they are unable to use the search feature of the emoji picker to find and insert emojis into their writing.

“After installing the July 2025 cumulative update (KB5062554), the emoji picker still mostly works – you can call it up with (Win + .) and clicking an emoji pastes it correctly – but the emoji search function is completely bricked,” a Windows 10 user posted to Reddit.

“The moment you type anything in the searchbar you get the “We couldn’t find this one” error.”

BleepingComputer can confirm that the search feature in the Windows 10 emoji panel worked before installing the KB5062554 update. However, after installing the update, the feature no longer worked, now stating “We couldn’t find this one,” no matter what we typed.

Windows 10 reaches end of support on October 14, 2025, with technical support, feature updates, and security updates no longer provided by Microsoft for free.

Enterprise and consumers can purchase extended updates, but this only extends Windows 10 security updates for one year for consumers and up to three years for businesses.

While Microsoft will likely fix this bug in the coming months, they are pushing people to upgrade to Windows 11, where they are focusing all of their development.

BleepingComputer contacted Microsoft to see if they plan on fixing this bug, and will update the story when we receive a response.

Looking to consolidate multiple computers into a single device that’s portable but does it all? This inevitably suggests a Windows laptop: I don’t have time to play recent video games, but I might! The problem, of course, is that Windows is such a mess for anything other than games. So it’s inconceivable that I would purchase anything other than a MacBook! At The Verge, Antonio G. Di Benedetto reviews the latest high-end “gaming” laptops and persuades me that it wouldn’t be horrible to do some real work on one of them.

The most important part of any gaming laptop, just like desktop PCs, is the graphics card. Laptop GPUs can’t stack up to full-size cards that reach much higher wattage in desktops, but that doesn’t stop the likes of Nvidia from making things a little confusing with the naming scheme on its RTX brand of GeForce cards. So keep in mind that, for example, an RTX 5090 laptop card doesn’t come anywhere near the performance of a desktop 5090. Desktops may always win out in raw performance, but gaming laptops are a simpler turnkey solution that can easily go places (yes, even the ones that feel like you’re toting around a cinderblock).

NVidia’s GPU branding system is inconsistent and AMD’s is incomprehensible. Looking up how much energy the chips dissipiate is a clue, but you really have to get into the benchmarks to know what’s what. Di Benedetto recommends the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which comes at various levels of grunt and is well-reviewed by other sources. Despite the teen gamer branding, the newer models look sleek and professional. Moreover, it’s very popular, so there’s likely an open-box return knocking around at your local Best Buy and plenty of discussion online.

I think, though, that I like The New York Times’ pick better: the Asus ProArt 16, which also comes in a more-my-size 13-inch form. It has the nice GPU options, but is otherwise designed squarely for doing the creative tasks I tackle. It stands out as a MacBook Pro alternative rather than “gaming laptop that isn’t too embarassing.” I also like that you can irritate people by pronouncing “Proart” as it were an Irish surname, rhyming with “sort.” “Hey, you brought a Proart!”

The Asus ProArt P16 is the first Windows laptop to beat Apple machines’ performance when exporting large 4K videos, and it’s an all-around great laptop for media editing. It has an accurate 4K OLED display, a nice keyboard and speakers, and a control wheel on the trackpad that you can assign to scrub through your Premiere timeline or control specific sliders in other editing software. Its display also has a 120 Hz refresh rate, so motion will seem smoother, and it’s better for some gaming on the side, if that’s your bag. The P16 has more ports than the MacBook Pro as well, adding two extra USB-A ports.

Two big drawbacks hold me back: the battery life is nowhere near Apple Silicon tier, and the 13-inch model has only a 60hz display. I’m fine with that on games (if its 4060 gets 60fps on Ultra at 3200×1800 I’ll be happy) but once you’ve got used to 144hz on the desktop it’s hard to go back. Inmates not gaming or boiling lakes might be interested in the 13-inch ARM model, whose battery life is much better. But I’m not sure I’d take it over a similarly-priced MacBook Air.

Previously:
• Nvidia hopes 5050 GPUs are an affordable hit
• Nvidia’s RTX 5070 continues to disappoint

Bottom line: As cheating software evolves, so must mitigation efforts. However, new anti-cheat measures rarely go off without a hitch. Many players express concerns about disruptions, false bans, or privacy issues. While no system is perfect, these safeguards are necessary to maintain fair play and preserve the integrity of the game for honest users.

Despite shifting focus to the next Battlefield game, EA continues supporting Battlefield 2042 with updates. The latest patch (8.8.0) now requires Secure Boot to run, a move designed to combat increasingly sophisticated cheating methods and protect fair play.

“As cheat developers keep evolving their tactics, we’re stepping up our game too,” EA said in its Battlefield 2042 changelog.

The change specifically targets cheats that try to load during the Windows boot process. The developers note it only works on hardware supporting Secure Boot, which most rigs do since the feature has existed since 2011. Initially, Microsoft designed Secure Boot to detect low-level malware loading during startup by verifying digital signatures, and it’s had some mishaps in recent years.

Most recently, game developers have used Secure Boot to detect cheaters. Valorant was among the first to implement these checks, with mixed results. The anti-cheat method generally worked as intended, but many users reported it bricking their game. Whether all those reports were honest is unclear – cheaters often lie to regain access. However, even a small percentage of legitimate players getting cut off or banned due to technical issues doesn’t sit well with the community.

Several controversial anti-cheat clashes have flared up, especially over demands for kernel-level access. Valorant’s Vanguard system requires Ring 0 privileges, but it’s not just Riot Games and EA caught in the crossfire. Most major multiplayer games, including Fortnite, use invasive anti-cheat software. It’s a price players pay to enjoy these games – without it, cheating runs rampant and ruins the experience for everyone.

Even with mitigation methods in place, developers still struggle with the problem. Last year, cheaters disrupted the Apex Legends Global Series. At least two contestants suddenly found themselves using cheats they didn’t install. Ironically, outside hackers had taken over their computers. Officials subsequently postponed the event while operators secured the servers.

While new anti-cheat measures may frustrate some legitimate players, developers must prioritize protecting gameplay for the good of the community. Most players with Secure Boot enabled in other games experience no issues, and any hiccups tend to affect only a small fraction of the gaming population.

Most modern systems ship with Secure Boot enabled by default, but Battlefield will display a popup if it isn’t. Players unfamiliar with tinkering with BIOS settings can find step-by-step instructions on EA’s help pages or check out the video above.

Rumor mill: Leaks, rumors, and comments from Microsoft over the past few years have fueled speculation that the company is fundamentally changing its console strategy. If the latest information is accurate, the next Xbox could essentially be a Windows PC with a console-style user interface that runs older Xbox games through emulation.

A most recent leak outlines Microsoft’s alleged plans to launch a console-like front end for Windows, allowing users to install Steam via the Microsoft Store, and release an Xbox emulator for PC. While some details align with previous rumors, readers should take the information with a sizable grain of salt.

Although the video below is in Spanish from leaker eXtas1s, a translated summary by ResetEra user “P40L0” describes a console-style overlay for Windows. Similar to Steam’s Big Picture mode or the SteamOS interface, the new UI would support both PC gaming and the next-generation Xbox.

This entire concept ties kind of perfectly into Microsoft’s long-standing goal of improving the Windows experience on handheld gaming PCs – if that’s ultimately a path the company chooses to pursue.

The controller-friendly interface in SteamOS makes the Steam Deck significantly more user-friendly than more powerful Windows devices like the Asus ROG Ally. Microsoft reportedly plans to address this gap sometime this year. A leaked collaboration between Microsoft and Asus could be the first step toward introducing an Xbox-style UI for Windows.

Additionally, eXtas1s claims that Microsoft is internally testing a Steam installer accessible through the Microsoft Store. The launcher, titled “Steam DF Beta,” is not intended for current Xbox consoles but rather for Windows, similar to the existing Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect apps available on the platform.

The information might be connected to supposedly revamped Xbox app for Windows featuring a Steam filter. Combined with mockups of an upcoming Asus handheld, the leak suggests Microsoft is aiming to integrate Steam more seamlessly into the Windows UI, creating a more console-like experience for users.

Microsoft is also reportedly developing an emulator for Windows that supports the entire Xbox back catalog. If the next Xbox functions as a Windows PC with a gamepad-friendly interface, this emulation-based backward compatibility would allow users to carry over their existing Xbox libraries.

Furthermore, Game Pass is expected to remain a cornerstone of Microsoft’s gaming ecosystem. However, the company may soon raise prices on existing console and PC tiers while introducing new, more affordable options.