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.

Prototype Review

Hands-on with the unreleased Microsoft Lumia 650 XL

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 89

Microsoft's Lumia 650 was a cool little phone for the time, but could it have been improved with a bigger brother?

New builds!

Microsoft releases Windows 10 build 17101 and 17604 for Insiders

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 26

Microsoft is rolling out both a Redstone 4 and Redstone 5 build for Insiders in the Fast and Skip Ahead rings.

RS5 begins

Microsoft kicks off preview for next Windows 10 update coming this fall

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 18

The first Redstone 5 preview build for Insiders is now rolling out in the Skip Ahead ring. Bring on the next-next version of Windows 10!

Opinion

Hey, Microsoft, PLEASE stop auto-installing third-party apps on Windows

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 77

Microsoft automatically installs six bloatware apps on every Windows 10 PC, even after a clean install. This needs to stop.

Microsoft Store + Streaming apps

Amazon Music shows up in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 92

Amazon Music is now showing up in the Microsoft Store on Windows 10.

Patch Tuesday!

February 2018 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 10 now rolling out

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 17

This months Patch Tuesday is now rolling out on Windows PCs with new bug fixes and security patches.

The Podcast!

Windows Central Podcast 82: PWAs are cool

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 6

This week on the Windows Central Podcast: We talk PWAs, BUILD 2018, Windows 10 S mode and more!

Preview Central

Microsoft is making it easier to test new app updates on Windows 10

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 11

Some Windows 10 apps now have their own preview options that give users early access to new features without having to run Insider builds.

From the Forums

Would a foldable mobile Surface device be able to replace your PC?

Zac Bowden 2 years ago

Could a foldable device from Microsoft tempt you into replacing your full time PC? We want to know your thoughts!

Laptop vs. Book 2

Surface Laptop vs. Surface Book 2: Why I’m sticking with the Laptop

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 34

I am a Surface user who prefers the Laptop over the popular Book 2. Here's why.

Build Video!

Hands-on with Windows 10 build 17093 showcasing new changes!

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 10

Build 17093 of Windows 10 Redstone 4 features yet more improvements and changes to the OS, including a improvements to Game bar, Reveal effects, and more OS refinements.

I don't like it

4 things we really don't like about Windows 10 'Redstone 4'

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 88

Windows 10 'Redstone 4' is bringing some welcome new features and improvements, but not everything is roses...

Fingers crossed

5 changes we hope to see in Microsoft's 'Surface Studio 2'

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 69

We have reason to believe Microsoft's 'Surface Studio 2' codenamed Capitola is currently in the works. Here's our wish list for what we hope to see in Microsoft's next Windows 10 all-in-one PC.

Windows Central Podcast 81: Flat Surface Revenue

Zac Bowden 2 years ago

This week on the Windows Central Podcast: We talk Microsoft revenue, the Windows 10 Bug Bash, Microsoft's canceled Xbox Joule and more!

PWA FTW

Microsoft readies Progressive Web Apps for Windows 10 and the Store

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 91

Microsoft has today announced that it will be automatically bringing PWAs to the Microsoft Store, and has detailed its plans for PWA support in Windows 10 Redstone 4.

Taking S to the next level

Microsoft is turning Windows 10 S into a mode that runs on Home and Pro

Zac Bowden 2 years ago 138

Windows 10 S as a standalone edition of Windows is no more. Instead, Microsoft is turning that idea into a mode that runs on top of other editions of Windows 10.