Latest articles by Zac Bowden

Here are the latest changes coming to Windows 11
By Ben Wilson last updated
LIVE Microsoft continues to update Windows 11 and its related apps, so we're tracking the latest feature changes.

Windows 11 will finally stop nagging you to set Edge as your default browser — but only in some markets
By Zac Bowden published
As part of its continued efforts to make Windows compliant with the Digital Markets Act, Microsoft has announced further changes to the Windows OS that will reduce its insistence on using first party apps and services.

Microsoft launches Sora powered Bing Video Creator tool
By Zac Bowden published
Bing OpenAI's Sora AI model is coming to Bing on mobile and the web, letting users generate video content using text for free via the Bing app.

Windows 11 version 25H2: Everything we know so far
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 The next version of the Windows 11 operating system will debut later this year. Here's everything we know about it so far, including potential release date, platform changes, and more.

The Surface Pro 12-inch is an obvious iPad Air competitor, and I think it wins
By Zac Bowden published
Editorial The new Surface Pro is an obvious direct competitor to Apple's iPad Air. It is roughly the same price, similar in size and design, and better emphasized as a tablet rather than a laptop.

Microsoft Edge is getting a redesigned New Tab Page powered by Copilot
By Zac Bowden last updated
Browsing The New Tab Page within Microsoft Edge will soon include Copilot prompts for some users. Microsoft is rolling out the new experience to Edge in May 2025.

Windows 11 is getting its own Handoff feature between Android and PC
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft has revealed that it's bringing "Cross Device Resume" to Windows 11, which will let apps seamlessly sync between Android and PC.

Qualcomm launches Adreno Control Panel for Snapdragon X Elite PCs
By Zac Bowden published
Snapdragon Snapdragon X Elite devices are getting a new Adreno Control Panel app that will let users and developers tweak the GPU for enhanced performance in certain games.

Microsoft finally makes the Surface Slim Pen colorful, but you can't have one
By Zac Bowden published
Surface The Surface Slim Pen has only ever been available in black, but a limited edition set of colorful Surface Slim Pens were recently given out at a Surface influencer event.

Microsoft open sources the Windows Subsystem for Linux
By Zac Bowden published
Linux After years of feedback, Microsoft is finally open-sourcing the Windows Subsystem for Linux, allowing developers to easily modify the feature.

Windows 11 apps will soon integrate with Click To Do
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft is giving developers access to an API that will enable specific features to appear contextually in Click To Do to get a task quickly started.

Windows 11 gains Model Context Protocol support
By Zac Bowden published
AI Windows 11 is gaining Model Context Protocol (MCP) support with new MCP Registry and MCP Server features, making building agentic AI experiences easier for developers.

Microsoft beats Apple and Google to the punch — waves fee for adding apps to its store
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Individual developers can now sign up and publish their apps on the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 and Windows 11 for free.

Microsoft ends production on Surface Laptop Studio 2, no successor in sight
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Production on Surface Laptop Studio 2 is reportedly coming to an end. Resellers will no longer stock it over the summer, and it appears a Surface Laptop Studio 3 isn't imminent.

Microsoft may debut Arm-based AMD chip in a Surface in 2026
By Zac Bowden published
AMD A reliable leaker claims Microsoft intends to launch new Surface PCs next year with AMD's upcoming Arm-based chip codenamed Sound Wave, but said chip looks to be designed for low-powered devices.

Best Windows on Arm apps
By Zac Bowden last updated
Arm-native apps Got a Windows PC with an Arm processor like Snapdragon X? These are the apps you should download that are Arm64 native!

Microsoft shares radical Windows 11 Start menu designs it explored
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows designers share concepts they explored for a new Start menu for Windows 11, before settling on one that does little to push the boat out.

Podcast: All about new (smaller) Surface PCs!
By Zac Bowden published
Podcast Daniel and Zac discuss Microsoft's latest wave of Surface PCs, our initial impressions of the new Surface Pro 12-inch, and how they fit into the lineup.

Here's why Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 are no longer $999
By Zac Bowden published
Surface The Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 now start at $1,199 as Microsoft removes original $999 configuration from the lineup to make room for smaller and cheaper models.

Windows 11 is getting a customizable Start menu experience
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 First leaked last month, the Windows 11 Start menu is getting a more customizable layout with a collapsible Phone Link panel, and it's now official.

Microsoft announces 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop
By Zac Bowden published
Surface Microsoft is launching a Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch today, starting at $799 and $899, with pre-orders available now.

A new "AI agent" for Windows 11 is coming to the Settings app
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 The Windows 11 Settings app is set to gain a new AI agent that will make configuring your PC even easier.

Microsoft ships Windows Recall to Copilot+ PCs after almost a year-long delay
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 First announced in May 2024, Microsoft's Recall feature for Windows 11 is now rolling out on Copilot+ PCs, alongside new Click To Do and AI-powered Search features.
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