Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central and has been with the site since 2016. His expertise is in exclusive coverage about Windows, Surface, and hardware. He's also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices, and was fortunate enough to daily drive both the fabled Lumia McLaren and Microsoft Band 3, along the Surface Mini and even Surface Neo. Keep in touch with him on Twitter and Threads!
Latest articles by Zac Bowden

Xbox is getting serious — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
By Zac Bowden last updated
LIVE Join Daniel and Zac on May 7 at 2PM ET for a live episode of the Windows Central Podcast.

We uncovered a major Windows 11 performance boost in testing
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows 11 is set to gain a new feature that will boost CPU frequency in bursts when initiating high-priority tasks to speed up app launches and system responsiveness.

Windows K2 status tracker: Progress on Microsoft's promises to fix Windows 11
By Zac Bowden last updated
Windows 11 Microsoft has promised to fix Windows 11's biggest flaws, but actions speak louder than words. So, let's track its progress.

Windows 11's new Run box is what happens when Microsoft actually cares
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 The new Windows Run box has been officially unveiled, and it's a genuine improvement over the legacy interface with faster launch times and more features. This is what happens when the people working on Windows actually care.

Microsoft Edge loads your passwords into memory in plaintext, but Microsoft says not to worry
By Zac Bowden published
Microsoft Edge A security researcher has discovered that Microsoft Edge will load all your stored passwords into memory in plaintext at startup, making it easy for malware to scrape those passwords.

Microsoft confirms it's hiding ads by default in Windows 11's widget panel
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 A new Windows 11 preview build has confirmed that the OS will soon hide the MSN feed by default, replacing it with a new default behavior that opens straight to your widgets instead.

Latest Windows 11 update brings more reliable explorer.exe, AI agents, and new haptic engine
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows 11's optional non-security preview update for April 2026 has finally been released, and includes a number of quality of life improvements and changes that are now rolling out.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says company is doing foundational work to win back Windows and Xbox fans
By Zac Bowden published
Microsoft Satya Nadella has commented on recent announcements around Windows and Xbox that are working to rebuild trust and positive sentiment around its consumer offerings.

What is Windows K2? Here's what you need to know
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft has restructured its Windows team to better position Windows 11 as a strong platform that people should want to use. Here's how it's going about that.

Microsoft once again fixes File Explorer's annoying white flash bug
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 The latest Windows 11 preview build mentions a fix for File Explorer that should stop it from flash banging you in dark mode. I feel like we've seen this before...

Breaking down Microsoft's next-gen Surface PC leaks
By Zac Bowden published
Podcast Podcast: Daniel and Zac discuss the leaks around Microsoft's upcoming wave of Surface hardware.

Microsoft is finally adding the right kind of AI support to Windows 11
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Support for AI agents on the Taskbar and Search Box are coming to Windows 11 next month, Microsoft has confirmed.

Windows 11's Start menu set for major customization upgrades
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft is rebuilding the Start menu from the ground up, and is adding some much needed customization and performance improvements along the way.

Microsoft will give students a free Xbox controller and subscription when buying a new Windows 11 PC
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 In a desperate bid to win over students, Microsoft has launched a new promo that bundles a year of Microsoft's subscriptions with the purchase of select new Windows 11 PCs.

EXCLUSIVE: Microsoft plans OLED display upgrades and a two-stage launch for new Surface PCs in 2026
By Zac Bowden published
Surface New PCs from Microsoft will consist of new chips, display upgrades, and higher starting prices this spring and summer.

Windows 11 version 26H1: Here's what we know
By Zac Bowden last updated
Windows 11 Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 11 version 26H1 is now shipping exclusively on new PCs that ship with Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X2 SoC. Here's what you need to know.

Microsoft has killed its Surface Hub line of collaborative displays
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Microsoft has ended production on the Surface Hub 3, with no plans to make more in the future, putting an end to its collaborative displays line.

Microsoft's overpriced Surface PCs are now too expensive to make any sense
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 It no longer makes sense to recommend a Surface at any price point over a similarly spec'd MacBook, iPad, or third-party OEM Windows machine.

Microsoft reveals major price increases for all Surface PCs
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Microsoft is raising prices on all its current Surface PC offerings, with the midrange devices now starting at above $1,000, and flagships starting at $1,500.

Microsoft enables ability to skip updates during Windows 11 setup
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 A new update now rolling out globally will give users the option to skip the update process when setting up a new Windows 11 PC, speeding up the experience two-fold.

Fixing Windows 11 is futile. Just do Windows 12 already.
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Is Microsoft wasting its time trying to fix Windows 11? Maybe it's time for Windows 12.

Microsoft resets Insider testing
By Zac Bowden last updated
Windows 11 Microsoft is restructuring how Windows 11 previews roll out, introducing clearer channels that finally make early feature testing predictable again.

Latest Notepad update for Windows 11 finally removes Copilot branding
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 A new Notepad update for Windows Insiders begins Microsoft's push to reduce Copilot on Windows 11, replacing it with AI-powered "writing tools" instead.
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.



