Windows Central Insider
Windows 11 gets BitLocker fix while Windows 10 is left waiting
WINDOWS 11 Microsoft selectively patches BitLocker recovery issue for Windows 11 25h2, leaving Windows 10 and Windows Server users waiting for updates.
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Features
Project Helix makes more sense once you connect it to Windows K2
XBOX Understanding how Project Helix ties into Windows K2 changes the whole conversation — and it’s a link many are overlooking.
Will Googlebooks KILL Windows? — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
LIVE Join Zac and Ben on May 14 at 12PM ET for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast.
Why Windows 11 update sizes are growing and what’s actually causing it
Windows Windows 11 updates have ballooned up to 5GB and beyond, and many users assume that it's AI that's mainly contributing to the bloat. Here's what's actually causing sizes to increase.
You can make Windows 11 look like Windows 12, if you're bold enough
WINDOWS You can transform Windows 11 into a Windows 12‑style desktop with Rainmeter's Windows 12 skin, which features a minimalist Start menu and a movable and resizable Taskbar.
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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When Lumia phones unlocked slo-mo video
Flashback From the archives: If you're running the Windows 10 Mobile Insider preview on a Lumia 930, 1520, or Icon, you can now try slow-motion video with the updated Windows Camera app.
When the Lumia 950 and 950 XL were threatened by Surface's success
Flashback Will the Surface's success cause fans to pass on the Lumias 950 and 950 XL during the critical launch of a new OS? Time and how these devices sell will tell.
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When Windows 10 Mobile was on nearly 6 percent of all Windows Phones
Flashback From the archives: Things were looking bright for Windows 10 Mobile as proved "by the numbers" on a Wednesday in 2015.
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When Windows Mobile still had a pulse, and concept phones promised a reboot that never came.
Flashback From the archives: Back in 2015, when Windows Phone was fighting for relevance, we dreamed of bold reboots and concept phones. A look back at where Microsoft was — and where our community’s imagination took us.
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Windows & Software
How Microsoft and partners will protect the heart of Windows from buggy drivers
Windows 11 Microsoft is teaming up with hardware makers to improve driver reliability and make managing drivers a cleaner experience.
Windows 11's new Low Latency Profile feature will begin rolling out soon
Windows 11 Windows 11's highly anticipated Low Latency Profile performance feature is now in the final round of testing, with rollout expected to begin within the next few weeks.
Microsoft Edge retires Copilot Mode for deeper AI integration
Browsing Microsoft is retiring the dedicated Copilot Mode in Edge. AI features will instead appear throughout the browser, including Edge's mobile version.
PC Hardware
Is the new Alienware 15 actually a better deal than the Aurora 16?
PC gaming The new Alienware 15 is the most affordable gaming laptop in the family, but how does it compare to the next best Alienware 16 Aurora? Let's find out.
Top 5 RAM scams to watch out for when buying in 2026
PC build RAM prices remain out of control, and bad actors are taking advantage of honest buyers with a wide range of scams. Here's how they work and how you can protect yourself next time you buy memory.
Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) is an outstanding laptop, mainly thanks to Snapdragon's X2 Elite
Review The Yoga Slim 7x (Gen 11) should be a top choice for students, small business pros, and even casual Windows users who want a premium laptop starting at $1,199.
Why a dedicated password manager may be safer than using Edge
Browsing Edge is the only Chromium browser that loads all saved passwords in plaintext on startup. If that worries you, a dedicated password manager offers stronger protection.
Deals
Pre-built iBUYPOWER rigs drop their prices before Memorial Day
Deals Pick up a ready-made desktop gaming PC from iBUYPOWER in the week leading up to Memorial Day with some time-limited discounts.
Save desk space and work on the go with one of our favorite mini-PCs that's now 30% off
Deals The Geekom IT13 still stands as one of the best mini-PCs we've tested for its reliable performance, large range of ports, and compact design that's currently enjoying a 30% discount sale
This WD_Black PCIe 5.0 SSD's huge discount was the PC upgrade I needed
Deals WD_Black's PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSD with insane speed is having an equally nuts discount for its variants to solve your gaming PC's storage issues.
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AMD's 9800X3D drops to a bargain price (with a bonus power supply)
Deals The AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the best gaming CPU, and it's back on sale with a free Corsair power supply.
Handheld Gaming PCs
Why Winhanced is becoming the go‑to launcher for handheld gaming PCs
Gaming Full Game Pass support, cloud gaming, remote play, and TDP controls make Winhanced feel far more complete than what Xbox themselves are currently offering.
Gaming
Where to get all the Barn Finds in Forza Horizon 6
Gaming Forza Horizon 6 is back with another batch of 12 Barn Finds to hunt down, so here's how you unlock them and all the locations you need to go to.
Where to find all 9 Treasure Cars in Forza Horizon 6
Gaming Alongside Barn Finds, Forza Horizon 6 introduces Treasure Cars, another set of 9 hidden vehicles that you'll definitely want to get your hands on. Here's how and where to get them.
Complete Forza Horizon 6 car list (so far)
Gaming Forza Horizon 6 has launched in early access ahead of its full May 19, 2026, release, so here are all the cars we know are confirmed to help you get started
Artificial Intelligence
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.
The Microsoft/OpenAI breakup: Copilot in Windows lost its exclusive edge
AI Copilot in Windows 11 doesn't feel as exclusive after Microsoft and OpenAI's new non-exclusive deal.
Leaked OpenAI memo throws serious shade at Microsoft
AI The ChatGPT maker indicated that its new partnership with Amazon will help enhance its enterprise market share while highlighting key constraints in its Microsoft tie-up.
Microsoft
Microsoft’s $30 billion AI win from OpenAI cost $100 billion
MICROSOFT Microsoft has reportedly spent more than $100 billion on its partnership with OpenAI, largely on infrastructure and hosting costs.
Will Googlebooks KILL Windows? — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
LIVE Join Zac and Ben on May 14 at 12PM ET for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast.
Bill Gates expected Microsoft to lose $1B on OpenAI
MICROSOFT A new report by The Information revealed that Microsoft's partnership with OpenAI has generated approximately $30 billion in revenue for the former between 2023 and 2025.
Microsoft is changing how you trigger Copilot in Office
Apps Microsoft is standardizing Copilot access across Windows, Mac, and Web by replacing varied app triggers with a single floating UI and the Alt + C shortcut.
"Unethical use of Azure" leads to the firing of Microsoft Israel leaders
Microsoft Microsoft's Israeli subsidiary has been placed under ownership of Microsoft France in the interim, after a Microsoft investigation reportedly uncovered "unethical" use of its products violating its terms of service and code of conduct.
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.
