Windows Central Insider
Baldur's Gate 3 director reacts to Xbox Game Pass removing Call of Duty from day one access
Xbox Due to Microsoft's new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate price drop, Call of Duty games won't come to it day one anymore — something that may benefit the series.
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Features
Hate the Windows 11 Taskbar? Here’s the ultimate way to bring back a classic look from Windows 95 to Windows Vista
Apps Windows 11 may look sleek, but let's face it, the Taskbar doesn't have many fans. So send it back to the glory days with RetroBar.
Dear Xbox, stop apologizing for your existence
Xbox If there's one thing I think Xbox should change under new CEO Asha Sharma — it's in how Xbox presents itself to the public. Xbox needs to stop hiding.
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Windows Wrap: Surface prices rise, Surface Pro 12 rumors, modder boom, and more
Surface Surface prices are going up while the hardware lineup gets simpler and less ambitious. Here is why Microsoft’s premium strategy feels out of step.
World of Warcraft finally kills 'pirate' server Turtle WoW ... but there are real lessons here
PC Gaming It wasn't just about money. Turtle WoW and other "Classic+" servers were trying to deliver an MMORPG fantasy that is lost in modern World of Warcraft.
Windows & Software
Hate the Windows 11 Taskbar? Here’s the ultimate way to bring back a classic look from Windows 95 to Windows Vista
Apps Windows 11 may look sleek, but let's face it, the Taskbar doesn't have many fans. So send it back to the glory days with RetroBar.
"Parents Decide Act" pushes Windows towards forced age verification
Windows 11 A proposed US law could force operating systems to verify your age and share it with apps, sparking a heated debate over privacy and safety.
Windows Wrap: Surface prices rise, Surface Pro 12 rumors, modder boom, and more
Surface Surface prices are going up while the hardware lineup gets simpler and less ambitious. Here is why Microsoft’s premium strategy feels out of step.
PC Hardware
I tested 5 games on the Zenbook A16: Can Windows on ARM attract any gamers?
Windows on ARM ASUS and Qualcomm created a stellar Windows laptop in the Zenbook A16, but can it handle any PC gaming? I tested a few favorites to find out.
Intel reveals new Core Series 3 mobile CPUs for "value buyers"
Hardware Intel has unveiled its new Core Series 3 "Wildcat Lake" mobile CPUs designed to be more affordable, and I'm optimistic that they'll be a decent antidote to rising PC prices.
Panasonic Toughbook 56: Rugged modular laptop for field service, public safety, and utilities
Laptops Built for the edge: modular, fast, and secure so your laptop works as hard as you do.
EXCLUSIVE: Microsoft plans OLED display upgrades and a two-stage launch for new Surface PCs in 2026
Surface New PCs from Microsoft will consist of new chips, display upgrades, and higher starting prices this spring and summer.
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Deals
Our favorite Snapdragon X Elite Surface PC says 'No' to rising prices
Deals Microsoft Surface laptops keep rising in price, but this 36% discount for the Surface Pro 11 avoids it.
Wireless or wired. Playable on Xbox or PC. This controller that's 37% off can do all that and more
Deals The discounted 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller for Xbox is a highly rated controller with a ton of platform compatibility, connectivity versatility, and solid controls
A 1000Hz Xbox/PC controller worth spotlighting: Wolverine V3 Pro
Deals The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and its wired-only Tournament Edition are having a 25% discount to help Xbox and PC players achieve smoother gameplay inputs and comfort for cheaper prices.
OmniBook X Flip delivers steady performance and all‑day battery life
Deals The HP OmniBook X 14" forgos style for pure substances with dependable performance rates for workflows, 20 hours of battery life, and a durable 2-in-1 design that's now on sale
Handheld Gaming PCs
How the Steam Deck became an unlikely Windows handheld
PC Gaming Valve's Steam Deck is a great piece of hardware that runs SteamOS out of the box. What about Windows? Well, it's possible, but not without some help from a community of enthusiasts.
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Gaming
Teams meetings are about to get less chaotic thanks to UI fixes
Apps Small UI tweaks aim to cut down on accidental hand raises and premature exits.
You'll finally be able to use Rewards points directly on Xbox soon
XBOX Microsoft is expanding its Rewards program with a new feature that will allow Xbox users to spend points directly on console.
Xbox hires for major new comms role to "protect and elevate" the brand
Xbox Xbox is hiring a senior brand and reputation lead, suggesting a renewed focus on messaging, consistency, and how the platform presents itself across media, partners, and its community.
Artificial Intelligence
OpenAI’s new feature is just like Windows Recall: Chronicle watches you
AI OpenAI’s Codex gets a memory upgrade, improving developer workflows by boosting effectiveness and efficiency.
Microsoft says its faster MAI-Image-2-Efficient AI model slashes costs
AI Microsoft unveils MAI-Image-2-Efficient, a faster and cheaper AI image model designed to deliver photorealistic results at scale.
Former Microsoft Xbox VP says AI is "the big question mark" for the future of gaming
AI Microsoft's former gaming and Xbox VP Ed Fries believes AI is "the big question mark" for gaming moving forward, and says it's not going away.
Did ChatGPT just call Sam Altman a liar?
AI OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently admitted that ChatGPT doesn't have the capability to keep track of time, but the chatbot insists it does.
Microsoft
Microsoft Rewards is changing in May and earning points may get harder
Microsoft Rewards Microsoft Rewards is rolling out a new tiered system with Member, Silver, and Gold levels, alongside increased earning potential and monthly bonuses, though early user reactions remain mixed.
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Join us for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast today at 2PM ET!
LIVE Daniel and Zac will be LIVE at 2PM ET on April 17 for the latest episode of the Windows Central Podcast, which will be all about what's next for Surface!
Is Microsoft's Security Response Center broken in light of BlueHammer?
Windows A zero-day BlueHammer exploit was recently published on GitHub in response to alleged MSRC failures, and although Microsoft has released a patch, it was live for two weeks.
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Excel incorrectly thinks 1900 is a leap year (and it won't be fixed)
Microsoft Sure, it could be fixed. But it's a lot easier to let the false 1900 leap year live on in Excel.
Peripherals & Accessories
ASUS ROG Raikiri II: build quality, input tech, and who benefits most
Review Our review of the Asus ROG Raikiri II: precise TMR sticks, crisp micro switches, and premium extras—who benefits and when it’s worth the cost.
