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Zac Bowden
Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows 10 on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.
All Articles by Zac Bowden
Hey Cortana update my PC
Review: Windows 10 version 2004 packs new improvements to existing features
23
Microsoft's next Windows 10 feature update is almost here. Known only as version 2004 right now, this new version of Windows 10 is all about fit and finish. There's not a whole lot new here in regard to features, but plenty of changes and enhancements to features that have already been part of the OS for some time. In this review, we'll be taking a look at all the notable new changes...
Skype Isn't Cool
On this week's podcast ... A new Insider leader, Skype sucks, and more
We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Microsoft has appointed a new leader for the Windows Insider Program, and CEO Satya Nadella says their hardware supply chain is 'getting back on rails'. Slack is working on calling integration with Microsoft Teams, and there are also new updates to the Bing COVID-19 tracker.
Buyers Guide
Need a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 port? Every PC here deserves a look.
Looking for a new laptop that has Thunderbolt 3 ports? Well, you're in luck, as we've rounded up what we think are the best Thunderbolt 3 enabled laptops available to buy today.
Family Safety
Microsoft's Family Safety tools are coming soon to Android and iOS
Microsoft has today announced that it is bringing its rich set of family safety tools to Android and iOS, extending support beyond Windows 10 and Xbox. Microsoft's Family Safety features have been part of Windows 10 and Xbox for a while, and are managed using Microsoft's online family safety website. Now that these tools are coming to iOS and Android, users will be able to manage family...
Teams for Life
Microsoft Teams is getting new features for families and friends
13
Microsoft has today announced that Microsoft Teams, a service in use by over 44 million people for work, will soon be getting new consumer-focused features designed for keeping families and friends connected. These new features will be coming to the existing Microsoft Teams client, and will show up in preview first on iOS and Android in the coming months.
Edge enhancements
A new password monitor and vertical tabs coming soon to Microsoft Edge
2
A new Password Monitor, vertical tabs, and smart copy feature is coming soon to Microsoft Edge. The new Microsoft Edge will also begin rolling out on Windows Update starting next month, with Collections coming soon to stable as well as Android and iOS.
Grammarly by Microsoft
Microsoft Editor for Word, Edge, and Outlook makes you a better writer
5
Microsoft Editor enables users to be better writers by underlining words and phrases with suggestions that could enhance their writing. The Editor will analyze your writing and check for plagiarism, protecting you from any issues and helping you be more original in your writing. It'll also help you correctly cite content if necessary, great for students writing reports and papers. Now...
Productivity suite
Microsoft 365 brings work, life, and family together under one subscription
10
Microsoft has announced a new subscription aimed at consumers who are looking to keep their life organized between home, work, and family. The new subscription is largely a rebrand of Microsoft Office 365, but with several new benefits and features that extend outside of the traditional suite of Office applications. Such benefits include new cloud-powered experiences that enhance your...
PSA
Windows 10 and Xbox One family settings can keep kids safe online
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has rendered many schools across the world closed, meaning children are at home on their PCs much more than usual. Home is the safest place to be right now, but as our children spend more time on their PCs, online safety is going to be more important than ever. That's where Microsoft's family safety tools can help; built into every Windows 10 PC and Xbox...
Ghost Panel
Are Windows 10 Control Panel's days numbered?
39
The latest Windows Insider builds of Windows 10 have feature IDs that make reference to hiding the about page in Control Panel and making sure other areas that link to it are also removed. These feature IDs suggest that Microsoft is testing this change internally, and that the company is almost ready to have the modern Settings app as the only about area for users to access.
Make the Hardware Sing
Windows Central Podcast 171: New Windows 10 UI, Xbox Series X, and more
1
We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Windows 10 has surpassed 1 billion devices and Teams has reached 44 million daily users. Zac and Daniel also discuss Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 as more details have been announced for both consoles. Also in the gaming realm, Daniel has been enjoying Doom Eternal. All that, and more.
Copy syncing
Copy and paste syncing between Windows 10 and the Galaxy S20 is awesome!
2
Microsoft’s Your Phone app for Windows 10 now supports cross-device copy and paste, a feature that previously only worked across Windows 10 PCs. Starting with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy S20 series (and future Samsung devices running OneUI 2.1 or above,) users can now copy and paste text and images across their PC and phone. Here’s how it works.
New lead
Microsoft announces new leader for the Windows Insider Program
13
The Windows Insider Program has finally found its new leader. Amanda Langowski, previously in charge of the flighting system for the Windows Insider Program, and also coordinated several beta programs for Windows back in the day. Langowski is now in charge of the entire Windows Insider Program, replacing Dona Sarkar who left the role in October 2019.
Buyer's guide
This is the best Windows 10 tablet you can buy right now
174
There are many Windows 10 tablets on the market, but it's hard to sort through the rubbish. Here's our picks for the best Windows 10 tablets you can buy right now. At the top of our list is the Surface Pro X, which we think is the best due to its ARM processor, large display, and thin form factor while still packing good battery life and excellent performance.
New UI
Microsoft teases new Windows 10 UI in video celebrating 1 billion users
49
Microsoft's Chief Product Officer, Panos Panay, has today shared a video celebrating one billion users on Windows 10 that gives us an interesting look into what Microsoft is thinking about when it comes to UI design on Windows 10. Panos Panay recently took charge of the Windows user experience, and in this video, we see a number of new user interface designs that may hint at where...
Microsoft for consumers
What to expect from Microsoft's digital March 30 event for consumers
10
Microsoft is holding a virtual press event on March 30, where it is expected to announce a new productivity-focused subscription for consumers. The event won’t be livestreamed publicly, but members of the press will be blogging the news as it happens on the day. We’re expecting the event to be entirely about software and services, and not about new Surface products that the company is...
Emoji Gifoji
Check out Windows 10X's new emoji panel with GIF and clipboard integration
2
Inside Windows 10X is a brand new emoji panel that has several new features and enhancements, including better animations and a redesigned user interface. It also has new content options that enrich the emoji panel experience and, in my opinion, makes it more useful too. Let’s dive in and take a closer look.
Mobile Kings
Windows Central Podcast 170: Build is canceled, and a new Windows 10X build
We're back with another exciting episode of the Windows Central Podcast, and this week, Microsoft Build 2020 has been canceled and reborn as a digital event due to coronavirus, but Microsoft still has plenty of announcements planned for the year. An online Surface event could possibly happen in April. All that, and more.
1000000000
Windows 10 surpasses 1 billion monthly active devices worldwide
14
Microsoft has today announced that Windows 10 is now in use on over one billion devices across the globe, finally hitting a milestone that it has been striving to achieve ever since Windows 10 first launched back in 2015. Initially, the company wanted to reach a billion devices by 2017, but the death of Windows Phone and the fact that many Windows 7 users didn't take the free upgrade to...