Windows 11 New QMR Feature and Big Start Menu Update

This Week in IT, Windows 11 QMR finally reaches Windows Insiders, Microsoft Accounts are getting a new login experience, and Power BI prices get a big hike.

Links and resources

• Get started with quick machine recovery in Windows – Windows IT Pro Blog
• Microsoft tests automatic quick machine recovery for Windows 11 | Windows Central
• New user experience for consumer authentication | Microsoft Community Hub
• Microsoft ups the price for Power BI Pro by 40 percent • The Register

Episode overview

This Week in IT, Russell discusses recent updates and changes in Microsoft’s products and services, particularly focusing on Windows 11, Microsoft accounts, and Power BI pricing.

• Windows 11 Quick Machine Recovery: Microsoft has introduced a new feature called Quick Machine Recovery (QMR), which allows the Windows Recovery Environment to connect to Microsoft’s services to analyze crash data and send back remediation, now available in preview for Windows Insiders. IT administrators can customize this tool for their environments. 
  
• Changes to Windows 11 Start Menu: A significant update to the Windows 11 start menu is expected in the upcoming 25H2 version, featuring everything on one scrollable page, the option to disable recommended items, and a wider interface, making it more user-friendly.
  
• Microsoft Account Login Experience: Microsoft is revamping the login experience for consumer accounts, encouraging passwordless authentication from the start. This includes a streamlined process for confirming email addresses and creating passkeys, aimed at enhancing security and user experience. 
  
• Power BI Price Increase: Power BI Pro and Premium licenses will see a notable price increase, with Pro rising from $10 to $14 and Premium from $20 to $24 per user per month. Microsoft justifies this by highlighting improvements made to Power BI over recent years.