<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central in Feature ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/feature Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:59:03 +0000 en <![CDATA[ It's time for Xbox to stop apologizing for its existence ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/its-time-for-xbox-to-stop-apologizing-for-its-existence drf9J2UcewtuKxjpwVxFY6 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:59:03 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tested this Windows 11 customization app with 42 million downloads — why aren't more people discussing it? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/explorerpatcher-windows-11-customization ZG25dG3QKoKTKdy2z8aqZf Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:22:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Wrap: Surface prices climb and ambition shrinks — plus Surface Pro 12 rumors, Windows 11 modders, Start menu fixes, and Rewards shakeups ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-wrap-surface-is-raising-prices-while-lowering-ambition cFiM8SE5PZLWz9K4PfiBRi Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:19:29 +0000 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:19:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ World of Warcraft finally kills 'pirate' server Turtle WoW ... but there are real lessons as to why it was so popular ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/world-of-warcraft-finally-kills-pirate-server-turtle-wow q8zhDHMPbtFd5T4sDxSqQY Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:50:28 +0000 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:37:52 +0000 <![CDATA[ 14 defaults I think are worth changing: Windows 11 feels modern, but many out‑of‑box settings push services, tracking, and clutter. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/14-worst-default-configurations-on-windows-11 PR2icfgUs378u3rohannvF Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:32:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tested 5 PC games on the ASUS Zenbook A16 with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme: Is Windows on ARM improving? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/i-tested-5-pc-games-on-the-asus-zenbook-a16 djXpwtxVCgSeR9wRYyUKf9 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Retro gaming PCs are booming in 2026, and not just for nostalgia — Here's the story behind it and how to build your own on the cheap ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/retro-gaming-pc-boom-build-own UuDbmBsfhqsYhsTEDvWygW Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:52:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ “A solid list from the community,” as Reddit users highlight 10 open‑source apps that run great on Windows 11 and deserve more attention ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/top-10-open-source-windows11-apps-recommended-by-reddit YzZbg6Hezm8huWXvQXyvR Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:29:56 +0000 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:52:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ Your old Windows laptop is worth more than you think: I found 5 projects that can replace cloud subscriptions ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/your-old-windows-laptop-is-worth-more-than-you-think-5-projects-replace-cloud-subscriptions t8S6KSwhmzXE28rx5ju9RX Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 'People of Note': Turn-based combat becomes a full-blown musical experience in this new Xbox Play Anywhere title from Annapurna Interactive ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/people-of-note-xbox-play-anywhere M5vmfTFS96a8BqU3aGXZFK Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:12:00 +0000 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 16:12:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is revealing too much too soon and Blizzard risks ruining the joy of discovery ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/diablo-4-lord-of-hatred-is-revealing-too-much-too-soon-and-blizzard-risks-ruining-the-joy-of-discovery ZQDAJuB8EBSKqDZeHsNkiW Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:21:41 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:38:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Microsoft fired the skilled people, leaving flowchart followers": Microsoft's Security Response Center is being blamed for the zero-day BlueHammer exploit leak, but I can't tell who's right ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-security-response-center-bluehammer-exploit SsyAjrjrWmHQHSiQwkEX5F Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:41:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ Before Forza Horizon 6 takes us to Japan, let's remember where the legend began almost 14 years ago ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/before-forza-horizon-6-takes-us-to-japan-lets-remember-where-the-legend-began-almost-14-years-ago nx7K6gb6D6z7ofppix8DtZ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:54:22 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:12:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Mind-warping Morrowind-like 'Dread Delusion' rejects modernity and embraces teeth-bared retro nightmares on Xbox and PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/dread-delusion-xbox nHMFMRJ4nJP7AYALxuHAye Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:18:48 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:19:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's crazy Surface price hikes are pushing me to Apple: I can no longer recommend Surface over a MacBook or iPad ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsofts-crazy-surface-price-hikes-are-pushing-me-to-apple-i-can-no-longer-recommend-surface-over-a-macbook-or-ipad R6BWC5W55ZLKJs4SBunik8 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:17:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Windows 11 customization scene is thriving because Microsoft won't give users what they want ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-customization-thriving-microsoft-wont-give-users-what-they-want xfY99vibnzixgKQAbwdoSN Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:40:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ The 7 biggest Windows 11 Insider changes from early April — and why they matter for 2026 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/the-7-biggest-windows-11-insider-changes-from-early-april-2026 5aevSK6B7PqKkoBizUPECQ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:52:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft is wasting its time trying to fix Windows 11: Just do Windows 12 already ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-wasting-time-trying-to-fix-windows-11-just-do-windows-12 fTyo3e8xV3UDaL9WLtPdvB Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:03:02 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:13:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Wrap: Snapdragon X PCs are the latest victims of lazy takes and willfully ignorant tech journalists ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-wrap-snapdragon-x-pcs-are-the-latest-victims-of-lazy-takes-and-willfully-ignorant-tech-journalists ruQwyZ2zFs4BQKEjmD5S3i Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:03:12 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I stopped digging through folders”: How OmniSearch changed the way I find files on Windows 11 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/omnisearch-changed-how-i-search-files-on-windows-11 KTvuewepVDdYcHP6ZcCpaT Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:38:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ "What else were Steam Deck users to do but create their own solutions?": I watched Valve's Linux-first handheld turn into a Windows 11 experiment in its community ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/handheld-gaming-pc/steam-deck-windows-11-dual-boot-community g2hqwZYoqBqveWqxSGGntW Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "An ode to the Horde:" A ramble on what World of Warcraft's most iconic faction means to me — and a lament for its erasure ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/a-ramble-for-world-of-warcraft-horde-faction-lament-erasure tqpQHZPrJPaRD7KyZ2FjKW Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:11:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Let's talk about it: Which Xbox console is the best-looking of all time and why is it the Xbox One X? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/lets-talk-about-it-which-xbox-console-is-the-best-looking-of-all-time-and-why-is-it-the-xbox-one-x WoFPjeyJtbPgqv38r6LKY3 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:07:05 +0000 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:47:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ "It still won’t be my dream Surface Pro": The missing piece Microsoft never built vanished — and it’s not coming back ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/the-missing-piece-microsoft-never-built-vanished-and-its-not-coming-back NHJGjMqy7HHEq4645hWb7A Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "I’ve died more times than I can count": This side-scrolling roguelike is an ID@Xbox triumph. Say hi to 'Absolum,' your new addiction. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/ive-died-more-times-than-i-can-count-this-side-scrolling-roguelike-is-an-id-xbox-triumph-say-hi-to-absolum-your-new-addiction A58sBDGtMGKjiv7acykkw8 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:27:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The CRT revival is real": I'm amazed by the community efforts to keep CRT gaming alive — and how OLED could be its renaissance for modern gamers ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/monitors/crt-revival-oled-gaming H8YuVvg58HEWxVXTWbhyER Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:13:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Wait, Windows uses less?”: I break down the surprising requirement that flips the Linux vs. Windows script ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-now-requires-less-ram-and-cpu-than-linux-ubuntu-26-04-lts fKhAP7CK9HcyWmZUfr6FL Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:09:18 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:54:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ I finally played Forza Horizon 6 and Japan is a spectacle the likes of which we've never seen ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/forza-horizon-6-preview vKUmfYh8uDeHp4HNR37xic Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:15:35 +0000 <![CDATA[ Four new features I found in the Forza Horizon 6 preview that will change how you play the game ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/four-new-features-i-found-in-the-forza-horizon-6-preview-that-will-change-how-you-play-the-game MCqGfkeaEEQ4Si7nEiFNPB Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:18:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ ASUS’ Zenbook A16 shows why Microsoft must rethink Copilot+ PC branding ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/zenbook-a16-a-warning-microsoft-needs-to-stop-obsessing-over-copilot-pc-for-surface 5VuEedojhZiFskMbKAEvdD Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:59:25 +0000 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 17:28:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ "I can't stop laughing": I might have a reason to press my Copilot key as this absurd Windows 11 app adds some comic relief ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/this-absurd-windows-11-app-adds-copilot-key-comic-relief BoTY8z5mcNxHF9qZtUmuRF Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:17:33 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:45:03 +0000 <![CDATA[ “I finally found something that just works”: I explain the open‑source screenshot tool that beat Snipping Tool and ShareX for me — and why it might become your new default ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/i-found-a-good-open-source-screenshot-alternative-to-snipping-tool-and-sharex-on-windows-11 bPTpxB6eNxsU57BG3qccQC Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:49:29 +0000 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 19:57:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ I compared Lenovo Qira to HP IQ in a battle of on-device AI intelligence — Are these finally the assistants we've been hoping for? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/lenovo-qira-vs-hp-iq KbWZ6axVfqvRYGbNyD6vKC Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Is this the perfect Windows app to emulate? Microsoft needs to take notes. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/is-this-the-perfect-windows-app-to-emulate-microsoft-needs-to-take-notes JXAwMCCck8LSp7v3MqhsdL Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:40:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ "You wanna live forever?!": A boomer shooter inspired by the satirical world of 'Starship Troopers' will have you blasting bugs on Xbox ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/starship-troopers-ultimate-bug-war-xbox mZZkcnwfw4uHVfSkWNpxpj Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:02:05 +0000 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:07:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Wrap: One team is fixing Windows 11 while others break it ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-wrap-one-team-is-fixing-windows-11-while-others-break-it rqK6cKSmfrkaL2MnqTuH7D Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:32:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ I found 7 Windows apps that use your PC's NPU to improve efficiency and performance with AI — You might be surprised at what's on the list ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/apps-use-npu-ai-pcs oEff4YXF9TAzgQycV9fu75 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:01:06 +0000 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:50:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows 11’s April update packs 8 (mostly) meaningful improvements you won’t want to skip. Here's what you'll be getting. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/8-features-coming-with-the-april-2026-security-update-for-windows-11 cqgvGg2xV27CCfYy2sog3a Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:51:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m hooked on this solo-dev-made dice roller on PC Game Pass: easy to learn and hard to master ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/dice-a-million-pc-game-pass QJM6ucbKTVji4XSZMB8WCW Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:16:16 +0000 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:17:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ NVIDIA’s new Dynamic MFG feature could make games smoother… or just weirder. Either way, the real GPU battleground is shifting to software. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/nvidia/nvidia-dynamic-mfg-6x-ai-pc-gaming-opinion TY3ybL3Ft2RiWttHzrvtsR Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:57:42 +0000 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:19:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ The March Windows 11 Insider Update adds 9 fresh features and improvements worth knowing ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11s-march-insider-update-for-2026-adds-new-features-and-heres-what-you-need-to-know hSYRG8QoGuVa4X7dfcziyh Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:24:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 more awesome ID@Xbox indies for a fresh Spring: Witchy gardening, big hit brawling, and a dark platformer you might've missed ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/5-new-indies-for-spring fzuU7BMQdxvA39Kz7uCAg3 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:18:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I didn't expect a "NAS" to change how I protect my Windows PC, until I tried one. Here's how it affected my backup habits. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/nas-changed-how-my-windows-pc-backup-habits HZBjiZjyjhF4xmQwpETfJo Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:48:26 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Surface Pro X was ahead of its time — Now it’s time for a 2026 comeback ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/the-surface-pro-x-was-ahead-of-its-time-now-its-time-for-a-2026-comeback JHXAPyNkCiAeh3jUCnkoNo Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:52:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ The HP TV app just showed up on Windows 11, and people are wondering what it even does — here’s why it exists and whether you should use it ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/what-the-heck-is-the-hp-tv-app-and-should-you-get-it-on-windows-11 xZPawdctxrYD6TxxJ6eCLc Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:30:57 +0000 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 13:32:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ Psychological horror meets 15th-century poetry when 'The Alighieri Circle: Dante’s Bloodline' comes to Xbox later this year ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/alighieri-circle-dantes-bloodline-preview ywK4WAfg9wZVxMdHcnW7AB Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:01:41 +0000 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 11:04:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Wrap — 4 steps to save the Surface brand ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-wrap-4-steps-to-save-the-surface-brand FA5SLVX6LCERZrbcrBUCKZ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:31:46 +0000 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:39:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft quietly shipped 9 meaningful Windows 11 improvements this year, and they actually make the OS feel more polished ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/9-new-windows-11-features-microsoft-delivered-in-the-first-quarter-of-2026 HJ7Exhy4y9FbnGtKLYhA5m Sat, 28 Mar 2026 13:28:45 +0000 Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:22:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Hands-on with the new Windows 11 Feedback Hub: What actually changed ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-gets-a-redesigned-feedback-hub-with-easier-reporting-and-better-community-insights bchf9kz3SV6Q9QnKTu2Ueg Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:50:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ The $30 Xbox Game Pass problem could be fixed without dropping the price ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/the-xbox-game-pass-problem-could-be-fixed-without-dropping-the-price o3NDdF8f5jZBAumCvRN2Hh Thu, 26 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000