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

Signal joins the Microsoft Store after years of waiting
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Signal Private Messenger can now be searched for and downloaded on Windows PCs directly via the Microsoft Store.

You can now play with Copilot while setting up your Windows 11 PC
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 A new demo experience lets users try Copilot for the first time before ever hitting the desktop, during the out of box setup experience on Windows 11.

Best laptops with number pads 2026
By Zac Bowden last updated
Laptops Looking for a new Windows laptop with a number pad? You've come to the right place. Using our expert reviews, we've rounded up the best laptops with a number pad you can buy right now.

FlexiSpot E7 Flow review: Cable management made easy
By Zac Bowden published
Review FlexiSpot's latest standing desk is one built from the ground up with cable management in mind. That's not always an easy feat when you're dealing with a dynamic height adjusting tabletop.

Epstein email leak adds new fallout to Microsoft’s Surface RT disaster
By Zac Bowden published
Microsoft Steven Sinofsky sought advice from Jeffrey Epstein in newly released Epstein files, revealing that the former Windows head shared confidential Microsoft emails with the disgraced financier in 2012-2013.

You won: Microsoft is walking back Windows 11’s AI overload
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 People familiar with Microsoft's plans say the company is moving to streamline or remove certain Copilot integrations across in-box apps like Notepad and Paint in 2026, after pushback from users.

Microsoft explores bringing Linux-like top menu bar to Windows 11 with new PowerToys feature
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft's PowerToys team is exploring a new feature that would add a menu bar to the top of the Windows desktop, offering power user shortcuts similar to the menu bar on a Mac or Linux distro.

Microsoft wants 2026 to be a better year for Windows 11
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows 11's biggest pain points are to be addressed this year, Microsoft's Windows president Pavan Davuluri has said.

Windows 11 adoption just hit a major milestone
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 It took Windows 10 1,706 days to reach 1 billion users, but Windows 11 has done it in just 1,576. A huge milestone for Microsoft.

Windows 11 version 26H2: Everything you need to know
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft is now testing Windows 11 preview builds that are expected to make up the next version shipping this fall. Here's what we know.

Microsoft promises behind the scenes platform changes for Windows 11
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 After a rough few weeks, Microsoft has promised to make behind-the-scenes platform changes to Windows 11 as it begins testing the next wave of features.

Turn off Windows Recall if you’re concerned about privacy
By Mauro Huculak, Zac Bowden last updated
How to If you don't want to use Windows Recall, Microsoft has built-in a quick and easy ways to disable or uninstall it. Here's how to turn off Windows Recall and delete the data it has collected.

'Resident Evil Requiem' Xbox / PC preview: Leon Kennedy brings the fire
By Zac Bowden published
Gaming Resident Evil Requiem brings back the icon Leon Kennedy for another zombie filled adventure, and it's almost like he never left.

Microsoft confirms the botched Patch Tuesday update might prevent PCs from booting
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft has posted an online bulletin confirming that the company is investigating reports that state Windows 11's latest security update has rendered some PCs unbootable.

A second emergency update has been issued to address more Windows 11 bugs
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Another out of band update has been issued to Windows 11 users to address a major bug that caused Outlook to become inoperable after January's disastrous Patch Tuesday updates.

Windows 11 BitLocker keys accessible to FBI: How Microsoft’s policy puts your data at risk
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Windows 11's online Microsoft Account requirement means your PC is automatically backing up its data encryption key to the cloud, and Microsoft says it will hand those over to the FBI if asked.

Microsoft 365 is down in major outage
By Zac Bowden published
Microsoft Microsoft 365 is down in some regions in North America, knocking offline services such as Outlook and Purview.

Here's a first look at new features coming to Windows 11 in 2026
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft has more features, enhancements, and AI planned for Windows 11 users this year. Here's a first look at all the upcoming features we know are in the works.

Notepad and Paint gain even more new features
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 Microsoft has unveiled a selection of new features coming to Paint and Notepad on Windows 11 soon that bring new AI capabilities and quality of life improvements. Here's the lowdown.

It's 2026, and a new Windows phone is coming soon
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 NexPhone is NexDock's first smartphone that runs Android, Linux, and Windows 11. The device is expected to go on sale later this year for $549.

Is Windows' reputation at an all time low?
By Zac Bowden published
Podcast Podcast: Daniel and Zac discuss the current state of Windows 11, all the recent backlash around Microsoft and AI, and how the platform has evolved into something most people hate.

Download official Windows 11 version 25H2 RTM ISOs here
By Zac Bowden last updated
Windows 11 Windows 11 version 25H2 is now generally available, and you can download the official offline ISO media for installation onto your computer directly from Microsoft's servers. All the links can be found here!

Microsoft issues new emergency OS update for Windows 11 to address major bugs
By Zac Bowden published
Windows 11 The latest OS updates for Windows 11 introduces two major bugs that caused issues with shutting down your PC or signing into your PC using Remote Desktop.
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