Xbox CEO Asha Sharma leaves the door open for Elder Scrolls VI exclusivity Jez Corden Published 28 August 26 Xbox Microsoft's gaming chief has a dilemma: should Elder Scrolls VI skip PlayStation 5? She's not saying, for now.
Microsoft Edge update ends Edge Drop, adds Apple sign-in Sean Endicott Published 28 August 26 Apps The latest update to Microsoft Edge brings new security tools and admin controls, but it also gets rid of one of my favorite Edge features.
Holstin Set to Release as a Day One Xbox Game Pass Title in 2027 Alexander Cope Published 28 August 26 Gaming This upcoming Xbox Play Anywhere horror title uses a unique perspective‑shift that sets it apart from the genre.
Over 41,000 people oppose Microsoft's $5.4B Leeds, England data center Sean Endicott Published 28 August 26 Microsoft Over 41,000 people have signed a petition opposing Microsoft's planned $5.4 billion hyperscale data center in Leeds, England.
I'm finally going to give Diablo's biggest rival a go when finally leaves early access this year Alexander Cope Published 28 August 26 Gaming Path of Exile 2 has unveiled its 1.0 release date of December 11, 2026, while showing off the exciting new Duelist class and long-awaited Sword weapon type
Windows 11 26H2 update is now in Release Preview, and general rollout is right around the corner Zac Bowden Published 27 August 26 Windows 11 Microsoft has announced that Windows 11 version 26H2 is now available to test in the Windows Insider Release Preview Channel, which means general availability is imminent.
HP made one of my favorite PCs and had to abandon it. Could we ever see it return? By Ben Wilson Published 30 August 26 All-in-One PCs HP's Envy Move was a clever all-in-one PC with a portable twist thanks to a genius built-in battery, but it didn't last long. I'd love to see it return one day.
Windows Wrap: Why isn't a Surface showcasing the new Windows 11? By Sean Endicott Published 30 August 26 Windows 11 Microsoft is rolling out long-awaited Taskbar and UI fixes in Windows 11 26H2, but where is the flagship Surface hardware to actually show them off?
I test Windows laptops for a living, and these are the 7 features I can't pass up By Ben Wilson Published 29 August 26 Laptops I've tested enough laptops to know which features matter the most to me, and it's easy to defend my list of non-negotiables. Here's what I look for. 5 Comments
So was I actually wrong about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 after playing the beta? By Richard Devine Published 25 August 26 Opinion After my first Modern Warfare 4 playtest I immediately thought my previous trepidation about this year's Call of Duty was unfounded. So how's it panned out after a weekend playing the beta?
Podcast: Windows 11 just keeps getting better By Zac Bowden Published 24 August 26 Podcast On this week's episode: Daniel and Zac break down the new Windows 11 context menu upgrades, as well as recap all the improvements that have been confirmed to be coming to the OS this year.
Windows Wrap: Fixing Windows 11 isn't enough — Microsoft needs to fix its apps By Sean Endicott Published 24 August 26 Windows 11 Microsoft is making real progress with Windows 11 updates, but a faster UI won't fix the overall experience if core apps like Teams and Outlook take forever to load. 21 Comments
On This Day: Xbox’s 2015 “games everywhere” strategy revisited By Richard Devine Published 18 August 26 On this Day A look back at Xbox’s 2015 “games everywhere” vision — the moment Phil Spencer sketched out a future that Asha Sharma is now fully realizing 11 years later.
Moonraker turns 10 and still looks ahead of its time By Rich Edmonds Published 13 June 26 Flashback A decade later, Microsoft’s unreleased Moonraker smartwatch still feels like a glimpse into an alternate timeline.
Looking back at 2016’s “I love you, Xbox” — and how much (and little) has changed By Richard Devine Published 10 June 26 Flashback Looking back at the 2016 editorial that captured Xbox’s growing pains and predicted the decade ahead.
Revisiting the LG Lancet, 11 years later By Daniel Rubino Published 29 May 26 Flashback A look back at the LG Lancet and the era when Windows Phone 8.1 defined Microsoft’s mobile peak.
The 2016 Android‑apps warning that now echoes Googlebooks By Daniel Rubino Published 22 May 26 Flashback A 2016 warning about Android apps on Chrome feels newly relevant as Googlebooks pushes Android PCs into the agentic era and challenges Microsoft again. 7 Comments
Microsoft launched a Bing “concierge bot” 10 years ago — the same idea Google is now pushing By John Callaham Published 19 May 26 Flashback From our archives: A decade ago Microsoft was already testing a Bing “concierge bot,” an early take on the AI agents Google is only now announcing.
Windows Wrap: Why isn't a Surface showcasing the new Windows 11? By Sean Endicott Published 30 August 26 Windows 11 Microsoft is rolling out long-awaited Taskbar and UI fixes in Windows 11 26H2, but where is the flagship Surface hardware to actually show them off?
Remotely shutting down your PC is about to get a lot easier By Sean Endicott Published 27 August 26 Windows 11 Hidden code hints that Link to Windows will soon let Android users remotely shut down or restart their PCs or put their PCs to sleep.
Microsoft Whiteboard's shutdown just got delayed By Sean Endicott Published 26 August 26 Apps Microsoft delayed the shutdown of legacy Whiteboard and its standalone app, giving personal account holders extra time before losing saved content.
Windows XP released to manufacturing 25 years ago, before a huge launch By Ben Wilson Published 25 August 26 Windows Windows XP hit RTM 25 years ago, prepping the launch of Microsoft's most iconic OS, which became a bestseller with a lasting cultural impact. 15 Comments
Windows 11 version 26H2: Everything you need to know By Zac Bowden Last updated 25 August 26 Windows 11 Microsoft is gearing up to ship the next version of Windows 11 this fall. Here's everything you need to know about this next release. 8 Comments
HP made one of my favorite PCs and had to abandon it. Could we ever see it return? By Ben Wilson Published 30 August 26 All-in-One PCs HP's Envy Move was a clever all-in-one PC with a portable twist thanks to a genius built-in battery, but it didn't last long. I'd love to see it return one day.
I test Windows laptops for a living, and these are the 7 features I can't pass up By Ben Wilson Published 29 August 26 Laptops I've tested enough laptops to know which features matter the most to me, and it's easy to defend my list of non-negotiables. Here's what I look for. 5 Comments
Review: The HyperDrive Next dock might be the perfect option for busy offices By Cale Hunt Published 22 August 26 Review Thunderbolt Share certification and a built-in M.2 SSD slot are huge boons for busy workers.
Outlook and Teams are down for Surface and Windows on ARM users after a regression By Sean Endicott Published 20 August 26 Apps A recent Windows 11 Patch Tuesday update is breaking Microsoft Teams and the New Outlook on Surface and Windows on Arm PCs. Here is what is happening. 4 Comments
Qualcomm pulls key Snapdragon C benchmarks ahead of budget laptop launch By Sean Endicott Published 20 August 26 Computing Qualcomm updated its presentation for the budget $300 Snapdragon C chip, removing power efficiency results for web browsing and idle applications.
5 reader-recommended apps to fix Windows 11 By Sean Endicott Published 19 August 26 Apps Upgrade Windows 11 with these reader-recommended apps for scheduled dark mode, advanced volume mixing, seamless cross-platform file transfers, and taskbar shortcuts.
Save up on Intel's modern gaming CPUs, and get two upcoming games for free By Alexander Cope Last updated 25 August 26 Deals Antonline is offering gamers a chance to boost their performance for less with Intel's modern Core Ultra desktop CPUs.
Grab 12 months of Microsoft 365 for as low as $61.99 with these NordVPN bundles By Sean Endicott Published 21 August 26 Deal Newegg is offering massive discounts on 12-month Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions bundled with NordVPN, dropping prices down to as low as $61.99.
Everything you need to head back to school with a new Dell PC is here By Ben Wilson Published 19 August 26 Deals Back‑to‑school Dell deals are offering the bargain new XPS 13 laptop, along with essential accessories, and standout value for students.
Some of our favorite 4K monitors are the perfect back-to-school upgrade By Ben Wilson Published 17 August 26 Deals Some of our favorite Dell and Alienware monitors with 4K and QD‑OLED panels are a no-brainer upgrade for heading back to school as a new semester begins.
Beat AI-slop artwork by creating better, REAL images using these discounted drawing tablets By Alexander Cope Published 15 August 26 Deals Huion is launching a back-to-school campaign, discounting a large variety of its high-quality tablets for note-taking and creating art. Here are our top recommendations from this sale.
Snapdragon X Plus Surface Laptop 27% discount By Alexander Cope Published 14 August 26 Deals The Microsoft Surface Laptop (7th Edition) ranks among our top Windows laptops of all time for its clean design and strong performance for everyday tasks, and it's now 27% off
Pre‑orders are live for the ROG Xbox Ally X20, featuring a larger OLED display and a refreshed design By Daniel Rubino Published 25 August 26 Pre-order The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is now available to pre‑order, giving Windows handheld fans a new OLED option with upgraded hardware and a premium standalone price.
MSI handheld scalped to $2,599 amid RAM shortages By Daniel Rubino Published 17 August 26 No limit The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ vanished from retailers almost immediately, and the grey market has responded the only way it knows how: by duct-taping an absurd surcharge to the box and calling it market demand.
I miss PC Game Pass when using my Steam Deck, but this might fix that By Cale Hunt Published 11 August 26 PC Gaming Steam Deck (and other Linux systems) might soon be able to play PC Game Pass games with the help of Xodus. 18 Comments
How some PC gamers are making discs from their digital libraries By Richard Devine Published 27 August 26 News As Xbox announces its disc-to-digital program beginning soon, it looks like some PC gamers are going in the opposite direction.
Owlcat's next potential hit game has announced its PC release date By Alexander Cope Published 27 August 26 Xbox Players will journey through the 'Shadow of the Road', an intriguing CRPG set in an alternative steampunk version of feudal Japan.
Fable shows off more dialogue choices and in-depth combat gameplay By Alexander Cope Published 27 August 26 Xbox Fable has an extensive preview of its dialogue choices, exploration, and combat system, looking like the best the series has seen yet.
Halo could’ve gone further with more ODST‑style stories — what should Microsoft do next? By Jez Corden Published 26 August 26 Xbox The future of Halo is a confusing one. Halo Campaign Evolved doesn't seem to have resonated with the audience, and Xbox is likely scratching its head about where to go next. 4 Comments
The Division 2 is going to Central Park next with its third DLC expansion By Richard Devine Published 26 August 26 News Ubisoft has officially announced its teased Central Park-themed DLC for The Division 2, with a full reveal to come in September.
OpenAI's Sam Altman just admitted he was "wrong" about AI By Jez Corden Published 25 August 26 AI In a new podcast, OpenAI and ChatGPT lead Sam Altman lamented how much the industry made AI a hated tech, in his words, that they failed to "explain the benefits." 8 Comments
Microsoft will remove the COPILOT function from Excel By Sean Endicott Published 17 August 26 You will no longer be able to use the COPILOT function in Excel after September 14, 2026. Here is why Microsoft is retiring the preview feature and what it means for your spreadsheets.
Copilot vanishes from classic Outlook, addition by subtraction? By Sean Endicott Published 14 August 26 Apps Copilot has gone missing in classic Outlook, drawing joking questions about whether the behavior is a feature or a bug.
ChatGPT adds Recall-esque feature to macOS that records your actions By Cale Hunt Published 14 August 26 AI Windows users were (and still are) unsure about Recall, and something similar is now headed to macOS. 4 Comments
Microsoft confirms unified Copilot app rollout has begun By Zac Bowden Published 13 August 26 Copilot We knew it was coming, and now it's official: Microsoft is beginning to rollout a new Copilot app that merges Copilot and Microsoft 365 Copilot under one experience.
"If it was opt in ... nobody would opt-in." Twitch CPO admits everyone hates its AI training 'feature' By Jez Corden Published 12 August 26 AI Twitch's Chief Product Officer accepts that everyone hates its AI "features," but is going to double down on it anyway. 5 Comments
Microsoft's "AI at Work" rebrand proves it doesn't even value accuracy By Sean Endicott Published 27 August 26 Apps Microsoft renamed the Microsoft 365 Roadmap as the "AI at Work Roadmap," even though most of what it tracks has nothing to do with AI. 9 Comments
Windows 11 just keeps getting better — Windows Central Podcast LIVE By Zac Bowden Last updated 21 August 26 LIVE Join Daniel, Jez, and Zac on August 21 at 1PM ET for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast.
Everything new in Microsoft Teams for July 2026: Meeting Recaps, Frontline AI, and more By Sean Endicott Published 3 August 26 Apps Microsoft's July 2026 Teams update introduces a dedicated Recap app for meeting summaries, transcripts, and recordings.
Microsoft stock price rips on earnings, jumping a 'record breaking' 18% By Jez Corden Published 30 July 26 Microsoft Microsoft's FY26 earnings report came in, and it has been taken extremely well on Wall Street, as investors reward $MSFT stock with a 20% bounce in less than a month.
Why Asha Sharma had to kill Phil Spencer's "every screen is an Xbox" vision By Sean Endicott Published 29 July 26 QOTD Phil Spencer once envisioned an Xbox on every screen. Here is why new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had to abandon that multiplatform strategy and double down on dedicated console hardware. 15 Comments
Windows Central Podcast recaps the week in tech By Zac Bowden Published 27 July 26 Podcast On this week's episode: Daniel Rubino and Jez Corden discuss the recent announcements around Xbox backward compatibility, Windows adware, and Samsung foldables.
Razer’s fastest low‑profile keyboard yet delivers a level of control that surprised me By Daniel Rubino Published 20 August 26 Review Razer’s tenth Huntsman keyboard brings optical analog power down to desk level—and my trained typing hands couldn't be happier.
Best gaming keyboards 2026 By Ben Wilson Last updated 19 August 26 Keyboards Windows Central tests and reviews the latest and greatest gaming keyboards to help you make the best possible decision for your gaming setup.
Which keyboard switch is right for you? By Cale Hunt Published 16 August 26 Hardware It's no longer enough to pick the keyboard with the best aesthetics. I dig into switches and how they differ.
Why It’s Time to Refresh PCs: Performance, Security, and Sustainability Over AI Hype By Sponsored Published 7 July 26 whitepaper