Windows Central Insider
Former Halo dev reveals new details about Xbox's canceled Halo 'Titan' MMO
Halo Ex-DOOM and Ensemble Studios dev Sandy Petersen has revealed new details about Microsoft's dead Halo MMO that was canceled 20 years ago.
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Features
13 biggest Windows 11 changes this month (so far)
Windows 11 Windows 11 preview builds add Taskbar positioning, quieter Widgets, smarter Search, and major update improvements for 2026.
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Microsoft launched a Bing “concierge bot” 10 years ago — the same idea Google is now pushing
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.
Xbox Ally in 2026: Thoughts on the state of Xbox Mode, AutoSR tested, and what comes next for Helix
Xbox I often think I'm the only "game journalist" on Earth actively using the Xbox Ally and Xbox Mode on PC. There are at least DOZENS of us globally using these devices ... so for that very small audience, I thought I'd share some thoughts on its current state.
Has Diablo 4 fixed its monetization?
GAMING Paid skins prove you have cash, but Diablo 4’s hidden grinds prove dedication beats a wallet every time.
Microsoft launched a Bing “concierge bot” 10 years ago — the same idea Google is now pushing
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.
11 years ago, Microsoft got cozy with "Non-Genuine" version of Windows
Flashback Microsoft’s decision to offer full Windows 10 upgrades to non‑genuine PCs marked a rare moment of outreach — and a major shift in how the company thought about Windows adoption.
Nine years ago, Microsoft bet big on UWP. The story looks very different today.
Flashback Microsoft has a problem with its Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and what it means for developers and consumers. Here is how they plan to fix that and why it means ignore phones.
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Windows 10 Mobile's Best Idea? Looking back at the debut of Continuum
Flashback From the Archives: The dream of the phone that's also a PC was announced today, 11 years ago, at Microsoft Build 2015.
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Windows & Software
Sefer is a new Markdown reader for Windows that gets the details right
Apps Sefer is a quiet, well‑designed Markdown reader with wide margins, a built‑in table of contents, and a custom renderer that makes documents and books easy to read.
Why Together mode is disappearing from Microsoft Teams next month
Apps Microsoft will retire Teams Together mode on June 30, removing the shared views introduced during the remote‑work boom. The company says the change will simplify meetings and reduce cognitive load.
You need to try Windows 11's new Haptic Signals feature
Windows 11 Microsoft has added a subtle new feature to Windows 11 that makes its UI respond with haptic feedback on compatible devices, and it's honestly great.
PC Hardware
You don't have to spend a lot to get a quality desktop computer
PC Desktop computers aren't known for being cheap, but there are affordable options that pack a punch. My top picks will help you find your next budget PC.
These pre-built desktop PCs are the best we've tested
Hardware Pre-built PCs come in many shapes and sizes, from budget options for homework to premium builds with power for gaming. Here are the best we've reviewed.
Microsoft’s Surface strategy still creates avoidable trade‑offs
Surface Microsoft’s new privacy screen is a real upgrade, but the Surface lineup still splits key features across models.
How does the new Surface Pro for Business (12th Edition) compare to older models?
Surface Microsoft's two-stage Surface Pro launch is confusing. Let me clear things up.
How does the new Surface Laptop 8 compare to the Surface Laptop 7?
Surface The Surface Laptop for Business (8th Edition) has launched, but before you run out and buy one, I have some details about what exactly is new (and why you should probably wait).
Microsoft unveils next-gen Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with upgraded chips, displays, and haptics
Surface Microsoft is refreshing its Surface for Business portfolio today with new Intel chips, with consumer models expected in the coming months along with Snapdragon X2 variants over the summer.
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Deals
Don't play Forza Horizon 6 on PC without trying this racing wheel
Deals The Logitech G29 steering wheel and pedal controller with Hall Effect sensors and Real Force Feedback is on sale for Memorial Day, to help you enjoy Forza Horizon 6 with greater racing immersion
This PCIe 5.0 SSD is starting to drop in price, but the crisis lives on
Deals The Samsung 9100 Pro is a premium-grade SSD with monsterously high sequential read speeds up to 14,700MB/s.
Free up your desk for faster mouse moves with this 60% TKL keyboard
Deals Best Buy is hosting a 33% discount for the Razer Huntsman Mini 60% keyboard, giving PC players a chance to free up desk space and play with 1000Hz polling rates for less.
HP's reliable OmniBook X Flip is a bargain before Memorial Day even starts
Deals The HP OmniBook X Flip 14, with a Core Ultra 5 226V CPU and a 2K FHD+ touchscreen, focuses on efficient productivity.
Handheld Gaming PCs
Winhanced now supports over 108 emulators
Winhanced Winhanced keeps expanding with PS5 support, emulator integration, improved navigation, and app launching features for Windows handheld gamers.
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Gaming
Forza Horizon 6 hits a massive new milestone across Xbox, PC, and Game Pass
Forza Xbox's Forza Horizon 6 got off to an explosive start at launch, and it's only picking up speed with a new milestone and Steam player count record.
The Xbox Gear Shop is back with a new name
XBOX The Xbox Gear Shop is back as the Xbox Game Studios Shop, featuring new first-party merch.
Warhammer Skulls 2026: Here is every DLC update and new game reveal
Gaming Warhammer Skulls 2026 has just concluded, and it has brought forth a tidal wave of major news announcements for several upcoming Warhammer videogames, as well as revealing brand new ones.
Artificial Intelligence
Ex-Microsoft exec says it missed "the AI wave" after fumbling mobile
AI Former Microsoft executive Mat Velloso claims the company missed its chance with AI, citing past failures in the internet and mobile.
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Mustafa Suleyman: AI will take over your white-collar job in 18 months
AI Microsoft’s AI chief says white‑collar jobs could vanish in 18 months as automation accelerates across organizations.
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Microsoft's AI data center in Kenya could "switch off half the country"
AI Microsoft’s $1 billion Kenyan AI data center stalls as the power grid struggles to meet demand, sparking fears of blackouts and resource strain.
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Satya Nadella believes Sam Altman may have been fired out of jealousy
AI Microsoft CEO says he is "very proud" the company risked investing in OpenAI.
Microsoft
Teams pop‑ups blamed on Apple, says Microsoft
TEAMS A macOS security update is causing Microsoft Teams to repeatedly ask for location access, sparking frustration among Mac users
Residents protest Microsoft’s data center amid utility concerns
MICROSOFT Microsoft’s St. Joseph County data center project faces community backlash over water access and rising utility bills.
Microsoft launched a Bing “concierge bot” 10 years ago — the same idea Google is now pushing
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.
Claude Code loses ground at Microsoft as Copilot CLI takes over
MICROSOFT Microsoft is ditching Claude Code for Copilot CLI, leaving developers frustrated and raising questions about financial motives.
Peripherals & Accessories
Meet the Tom’s Guide Savings Squad, here to rescue your wallet
Announcement The Tom’s Guide Savings Squad is officially live, officially useful, and officially ready to help you stretch your tech budget further than you thought possible.
