Windows Central Insider
Forza Horizon 6 mod lets you play your Spotify music through the in-game radio
Forza This sweet Forza Horizon 6 mod lets you play your own Spotify music through the in-game radio, but it's not available yet due to a Nexus Mods complication.
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Features
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.
Windows K2 status tracker: Progress on Microsoft's promises to fix Windows 11
Windows 11 Microsoft has promised to fix Windows 11's biggest flaws, but actions speak louder than words. So, let's track its progress.
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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.
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
Microsoft is axing SMS 2FA because it's a fraud risk
News Microsoft is pulling the plug on SMS-based two-factor authentication because it has become a leading source of fraud, replacing it with passkeys and verified email.
Windows K2 status tracker: Progress on Microsoft's promises to fix Windows 11
Windows 11 Microsoft has promised to fix Windows 11's biggest flaws, but actions speak louder than words. So, let's track its progress.
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Microsoft's Copilot button in Excel might block out data in your spreadsheets
Software Microsoft’s Copilot button in Excel is unremovable, blocking sheets and frustrating users who call the implementation atrocious.
Microsoft will let Windows 11 users remap the Copilot key as a "Right Ctrl" or "Context menu" key
Windows 11 Windows 11's special Copilot Key has not been the popular hit that Microsoft was hoping it would be, and has now confirmed plans to let users remap the button back to its old functionality.
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.
Deals
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.
This 4K 27-inch gaming monitor switches to 1080p and 320Hz for esports
Deals Amazon is hosting exclusive deals in honor of Memorial Day, like this 33% discount on this high-quality ASUS ROG Strix 27-inch gaming monitor that can switch between 4K and 1080p resolutions.
Handheld Gaming PCs
New Winhanced update brings low‑power downloads
Winhanced Winhanced’s latest 0.9.6.5 update introduces a new low power download mode for Windows handheld gaming devices, alongside refreshed launcher icons and fixes for devices like the Legion Go.
Gaming
Former Halo director pleads for outside investigation
HALO Former Halo Studios art director Glenn Israel is calling for a third-party investigation into alleged ethics violations and hiring concerns.
Forza Horizon 6 is now on Xbox Game Pass as more games get announced
Gaming Here are all the incredible games joining Game Pass in the coming weeks, including Microsoft's biggest new game of the year.
Stream another heap of your own games from the cloud thanks to Xbox Game Pass
XBOX Xbox has added nearly 70 more titles to its Stream Your Own Game feature for Xbox Cloud Gaming, including Forza Horizon 6, Oxenfree, Katana ZERO, and more.
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.
