Windows Latest

Windows 11 adds per-app mic/camera privacy controls

Microsoft is testing a small privacy improvement for Windows 11 that gives each installed application its own toggle for microphone, webcam and location access, regardless of whether the app was installed from the Microsoft Store or another source. The change is visible in an Experimental build and would replace the current behaviour where non-Store apps are grouped under a single permission switch. The report originates from Windows Latest and was published by t3n on August 19, 2026. The article notes these settings trace back to Windows 10 Version 1903 (May 2019) and that features in Experimental builds may or may not reach stable releases.

Microsoft warns against SMS-based 2FA over AI phishing

Microsoft has warned IT administrators that SMS- and voice-based two-factor authentication (2FA) are increasingly vulnerable due to AI-assisted phishing and easier SIM-swapping. In an internal email, the company recommended migrating to phishing-resistant methods such as passkeys. Microsoft said it has observed a strong rise in AI-driven attacks with higher click-through rates that aim to capture passwords and MFA codes. As a consequence, Microsoft will disable SMS- and voice-based authentication for Entra ID accounts starting February 1, 2027; a timeline for personal Microsoft accounts has not yet been announced.

Windows 11 adds Low Latency Profile for faster app launches

Microsoft has introduced a new "Low Latency Profile" in Windows 11 that speeds up application startup by briefly increasing CPU performance. The feature is delivered with the August update KB5121003 and alters CPU usage during app launches so the processor can run near full capacity for short bursts. Tests reported by Windows Latest show meaningful reductions in load times for Web-based apps (for example, the Weather app loading time fell from about eight seconds to four). The update is rolling out in waves to users.