<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central in News ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/news Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:55:02 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Microsoft plans major Start menu upgrades for Windows 11 with better customization and performance: Users will soon be able to resize it and toggle off entire areas of Start ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-plans-major-start-menu-upgrades-for-windows-11-with-better-customization-and-performance-users-will-soon-be-able-to-resize-and-toggle-off-entire-areas-of-start 6iU5U3mtH7Wgrj9cq7dweF Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:55:02 +0000 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:40:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Cloud Gaming with monthly time limit": Microsoft's code hints at an Xbox Game Pass 'TRITON' codename and new 'Duet' tier ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-code-hints-at-game-pass-triton-and-duet-tier ypcsNBiW3wtLhVdVRsVPNH Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:16:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft Edge for mobile could make me ditch Chrome for good: Free YouTube background play without interruptions ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-edge-for-mobile-free-youtube-background-play-without-interruptions n6kFub8BWSFQeQZTZR99bL Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:01:00 +0000 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:07:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Over 3.3 million downloads": This Linux alternative to Windows 11 is winning over Microsoft's customers with a huge update ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/zorin-os-winning-over-microsoft-customers-with-huge-update 54wVX2U9H7RzsSJBBdwiGV Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:46:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Sniffnet is my new go-to app for network monitoring — Free, open-source, and taking on GlassWire and Wireshark ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/sniffnet-network-monitor-app tKwkUWV2iab3jXo82RHfLc Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:01:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Battlefield 6 is finally cooking for real with its 2026 roadmap bringing awesome maps, a real server browser, and more — but there's still one big problem ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/battlefield-6-is-finally-cooking-for-real-with-its-2026-roadmap-bringing-awesome-maps-a-real-server-browser-and-more UgqJMzdor8vzsn29yG6JN7 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:34:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We can’t wait to tell you our new story": Read Metro 2039 dev 4A Games' letter to the community following Xbox's reveal of the long-awaited shooter ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/read-the-metro-2039-devs-letter-to-the-community-following-xboxs-reveal-of-the-long-awaited-shooter 54PzW5nWyPSvfNJxKpH4YN Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:43:50 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:38:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The heir to the Stealth Pro is here” as Turtle Beach unveils a new flagship headset with upgraded sound, smarter features, and preorders already live ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/the-heir-to-the-stealth-pro-is-here-as-turtle-beach-unveils-a-new-flagship-headset-with-upgraded-sound-smarter-features-and-preorders-already-live RKgpuDsGAQi6G7exdZTcHU Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:29:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox’s latest update is now live for everyone, and I think they’re getting a lot right, but can they keep up the momentum? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-latest-update-is-now-live-for-everyone-and-i-think-theyre-getting-a-lot-right-but-can-they-keep-up-the-momentum QoeJJ5cAndH5uZA6cLuyBm Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:15:58 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:35:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox and Paramount have its Call of Duty movie release date, but it's pretty far off — here's exactly when the film is coming out ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/xbox-and-paramount-have-its-call-of-duty-movie-release-date-but-its-pretty-far-off hwkxuDQSWkxbgJyVHma7wW Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:56:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Darkest ever" Metro 2039 looks absolutely insane, but also painfully sobering — Xbox First Look showcase offers our first glimpse at 4A Games' next epic ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/darkest-ever-metro-2039-looks-absolutely-insane-xbox-first-look-showcase PPtRGLW6wXREFbRcUUnkB6 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:27:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ "An unmatched upgrade opportunity": Intel's new Core Series 3 mobile CPUs target "value buyers" as PC prices rise ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/intel/intel-core-series-3-panther-lake-announcement mX775dkodA8BBdhV94vLm4 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:05:13 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:08:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ "There are over 5,700 combinations.": I attended Panasonic's USS Intrepid press conference and saw 10Gbps, Wi‑Fi 7 and on‑device AI in the new Toughbook 56, but should you swap out your Toughbook 55? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/new-panasonic-toughbook-56-announcement jka6KuJ4T9E5hgribnu8rR Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The fastest path towards reinstatement": Microsoft responds to developer backlash after account termination — but identity verification remains non-negotiable ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/microsoft-responds-to-developer-backlash-after-account-termination zwRQ2tdE5vvsjMznwFb2U Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:07:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's VP just reworked a Windows 11 feature to make it "comfortable" for macOS users — if they ever decide to switch ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-vp-reworked-windows-11-feature-comfortable-for-macos-users zkgkcsfdfCiYcKYsm67CyA Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:52:21 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:53:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft thinks you'll want an Xbox Controller and 1 year of Microsoft 365 and Xbox Game Pass over a MacBook Neo ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-thinks-youll-want-an-xbox-controller-1-year-of-microsoft-365-and-xbox-game-pass-over-a-macbook-neo 2v7S2RdcBxgikDKGYFWqKU Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:51:29 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:53:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Thank you to every Greymane": Crimson Desert shows no signs of slowing down, topping over 5 million sales within a month ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/crimson-desert-topping-over-5-million-sales-within-a-month dWVGZ8MfQKkQtswVkb3RP6 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:20:35 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox's Starfield gets Nintendo Switch 2 rating days after its PS5 release, keeping hopes for a port of Bethesda's RPG alive — here's what we know ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-starfield-gets-nintendo-switch-2-rating-days-after-its-ps5-release-keeping-hopes-for-a-port-of-bethesdas-rpg-alive KoUTfC28oyea4U4HipaBqA Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:53:03 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:23:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The stuff that we're seeing is really well put together": Xbox game publishing chief says Forza Horizon 6 takes him back to the golden years of racing games ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-game-publishing-chief-says-forza-horizon-6-takes-him-back-to-the-golden-years-of-racing-games BMyez6dgZaYyfr3BrdhSJ8 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:41:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's Xbox games lead Matt Booty says its studios are in a "culture of cultures" and work together more than you think — Blizzard is even helping with Fable ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-xbox-games-lead-matt-booty-says-its-studios-are-in-a-culture-of-cultures-and-work-together-more-than-you-think SnaNwo4h4tXAn5LAjNQ8Km Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:44:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Rumored feature coming to Steam that will help you track prices, and Microsoft should copy it immediately for Xbox and PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/rumored-feature-coming-to-steam-that-will-help-you-track-prices-and-microsoft-should-copy-it-immediately-for-xbox-and-pc ttTBioUSpaacr3ZMPYePgU Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:30:39 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox and Best Buy want to help you build your first video game in 2026 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-and-best-buy-want-to-help-you-build-your-first-game-in-2026 XNHdVsvKqjNTF6f48DazC3 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:18:59 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:21:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft prepares display upgrades and two stage launch for new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with Intel and Snapdragon chips this year ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-prepares-display-upgrades-and-two-stage-launch-for-new-surface-pro-and-surface-laptop-with-intel-and-snapdragon-chips-this-year goYT3nnvAHXsAwgzgoADq3 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:12:44 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:38:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ ID@Xbox makes a bold claim — “Games launching day one into Game Pass… do very well on other platforms as well” ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/id-xbox-makes-a-bold-claim-games-launching-day-one-into-game-pass-do-very-well-on-other-platforms-as-well rm98ahTYyYYZQyseYCfBjZ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:34:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Users can now simply ask what happened": AppControl's optional AI integration gives you in-depth PC diagnostic history in plain English — It works with popular LLMs, but I'll use offline models for added security ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/appcontrol-update-ai-integration KEvACh4ehd5zMwfRVXC9M Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:26:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ Our friends at Tom's Guide are upgrading: Here's what it means, and how our sister site's overhaul affects Windows Central ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/the-new-toms-guide-is-live zcumzbuq8n6Vtkzj5FzEk3 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:11:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ I've finally found a loophole to block a specific type of YouTube ads, and it won’t cost you a dime: Just a little teamwork ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/block-youtube-live-ads-a-little-teamwork WrcUa4zcfkbamXeJhqCCWA Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:03:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft veteran says the Task Manager was under 80 KB because "small was fast and fast mattered" — but wishes "we had carried more of that taste, not the suffering" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/microsoft-veteran-task-manager-was-under-80-kb-because-small-was-fast-and-fast-mattered 2Rj4GDPMQEx2CPNnmfvNCJ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:51:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The Lotus guys probably figured it didn't matter to be wrong": Excel thinks 1900 was a leap year because of a small shortcut taken in the '80s — I'll think of this next time I want to cut corners ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-office/excel-1900-leap-year-error-lotus-shortcut xo8RF6vcavLZc7y64bA5Wg Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:30:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ Starfield's sales on PlayStation 5 make me wonder why Xbox even bothered... was this worth devaluing exclusivity? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/zenimax-bethesda/starfields-sales-on-playstation-5-make-me-wonder-why-xbox-even-bothered-was-this-worth-devaluing-exclusivity AbHv2WRFSTaQYpavVMBWsj Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:04:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Overwatch Season 2 just dropped with new hero Sierra and a launch on Nintendo Switch 2 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/overwatch-season-2-live WeHRUWtmQ5vXnJJxNDYnQf Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:02:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We have ideas that we want to get out there": Bethesda's Todd Howard says Xbox's Starfield and Fallout 76 were "creatively different" by design, for better or worse ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/zenimax-bethesda/bethesdas-todd-howard-says-xboxs-starfield-and-fallout-76-were-creatively-different-by-design-for-better-or-worse BLqrZW9DrVkMomCb5cZAHJ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:57:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ Your Xbox Storage Expansion Cards can have a life after the console; as it turns out, you can use it as PC storage ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/your-xbox-storage-expansion-cards-can-have-a-life-after-the-console-as-it-turns-out-you-can-use-it-as-pc-storage p7DoaKKY9UbB3G82BUBrJP Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:50:23 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:10:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ Subnautica 2 publisher changes from Krafton to the game's devs on Xbox and Steam amid Early Access legal battle — is Unknown Worlds indie once more? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/subnautica-2-publisher-changes-from-krafton-to-the-games-devs-on-xbox-and-steam-amid-early-access-legal-battle 9rMnFMDpSqPe6NyTUdd7T9 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:27:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Metro creator Dmitry Glukhovsky says Metro 2039 "will be darker than anything you've seen before" ahead of full reveal — is Artyom's story finished? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/metro-creator-says-metro-2039-will-be-darker-than-anything-youve-seen-before-ahead-of-full-reveal MwnEksqhxbEZtHZtUjnBtQ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:49:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ Surface Hub is dead: Microsoft pulls the plug on its 50-inch and 85-inch collaborative touch displays ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/surface-hub-is-dead-microsoft-pulls-the-plug-on-its-50-inch-and-85-inch-collaborative-touch-displays QZeVDaUMkvyvaTKvZRo6tb Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:07:00 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:53:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft says its MAI-Image-2-Efficient AI model slashes costs by 41% while boosting speed by 22% (and maintaining quality) ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/microsoft-mai-image-2-efficient-ai-model-announced TKTAiJ3VU2LwVs8cXobABK Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Another example of Game Pass disparity": Kingdom Come Deliverance II runs natively on ARM with Steam, but not the Xbox app ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/kingdom-come-deliverance-ii-arm-native-steam-xbox-pc-app 3yHQ2CcTiQoRVYMUE8zVJM Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:52:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The new best way to land QD-OLED on a budget?": Alienware just unveiled a new gaming monitor promising high-end specs at one seriously low price ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/dell/alienware-aw2726dm-qd-oled-gaming-monitor-available S6JEnaTJvdczTbFCLxF7XM Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:58:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Xbox users spend more than PS5": Grand Theft Auto V leak reveals GTA Online earnings — as consoles dominate PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/grand-theft-auto-v-leak-reveals-gta-online-earnings TdBsQ8sdVVPPbuHWwmzvaH Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:10:55 +0000 <![CDATA[ "This is a pattern, not a coincidence": Halo Studios report highlights alleged leadership failures and staff treatment concerns ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/halo-studios-report-highlights-alleged-leadership-failures aeq4x5oyiwvyFNTt2ou9W6 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:55:45 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:23:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Zero detections across 69 engines": A fake Windows 11 24H2 update is slipping past antivirus to try and steal your passwords ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/fake-windows-11-24h2-update-slipping-past-antivirus 2D5Ck6bTMAjRTEVK4mTNHF Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:26:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ Ex-Microsoft Xbox lead says he thinks Phil Spencer "did a fantastic job," and believes new CEO Asha Sharma has an "edge" — "I'm very optimistic." ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/ex-microsoft-xbox-lead-says-he-thinks-phil-spencer-did-a-fantastic-job-and-believes-new-ceo-asha-sharma-has-an-edge kq6ZKkRU2dbVSvwZtUJa2Y Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:31:49 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:26:45 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says Game Pass "has become too expensive for players," suggesting a price change — "we need a better value equation" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-new-xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-says-game-pass-has-become-too-expensive-for-players-suggesting-a-price-change Mh2jZmJa2KwUkCvo65VgaX Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:22:28 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:27:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ "It will reshape the PC landscape": A new rumor says NVIDIA is entering final negotiations to buy a large PC company — Dell and HP stocks jump in the wake, but I'm not so sure ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/nvidia/nvidia-rumor-pc-company-acquisition-dell-hp rHKhhHVFFgEtbRrVgdWnRQ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:04:14 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ Forza Horizon 6 full achievements list appears online ahead of release, revealing all 57 challenges and the full 1000 Gamerscore breakdown ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/forza-horizon-6-full-achievements-list-appears-online-ahead-of-release-revealing-all-57-challenges-and-the-full-1000-gamerscore-breakdown u89T3e4ZDF5Cmb96dsaYQ5 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:51:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft reveals major price increases for all Surface PCs as RAM crisis continues: Flagships now $500 more expensive than at launch ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-reveals-major-price-increases-for-all-surface-pro-laptop-pcs-as-ram-crisis-continues k6b8ZUeULQvYJzADSUPifJ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:42:39 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:31:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows 11 no longer forces you to install updates when setting up your PC — ending mandatory 30 minute update process forever ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-no-longer-forces-you-to-install-updates-when-setting-up-your-pc-ending-mandatory-30-minute-update-process-forever 25ENdkmMVWTpBAvVK9f26E Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:35:11 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:39:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Qualcomm's next PC gaming move on Snapdragon X starts with 25 "adapted" titles from NetEase, Marvel Rivals included ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/qualcomm-snapdragon-x-netease-collaboration-marvel-rivals Vo7RYvbedRsGMVx5FToNAP Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:20:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ "It started as a meme, but I think I might actually leave this on my PC": Enthusiast builds a "Superdome" PC cooler out of Noctua fans, and it works way better than anyone expected ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/major-hardware-noctua-superdome-pc-cooler 7T3oL5fLoDE2ZjfQ5edwa6 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:58:01 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:13:00 +0000