<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central in Microsoft ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft Fri, 08 May 2026 09:28:40 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Windows 11 can block Google Chrome's 4GB AI model from reinstalling itself on your PC — A simple Registry tweak for "Pro" users ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-can-block-google-chromes-4gb-ai-model-from-reinstalling-itself-on-your-pc qf8Pb4M78GJPsLTnM259SM Fri, 08 May 2026 09:28:40 +0000 Fri, 08 May 2026 10:37:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We have to sweat every single detail": Microsoft's Xbox CEO Asha Sharma vows to deliver Xbox updates every two weeks to "fix the fundamentals on console and PC" in 2026 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-vows-to-deliver-xbox-updates-every-two-weeks-to-fix-the-fundamentals g6HAFNVycYyL4jrCy8SVhb Thu, 07 May 2026 20:48:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's Xbox architect Jason Ronald says we'll see more of Project Helix "later this year" — we'll know more about the next Xbox console before long ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-xbox-architect-jason-ronald-says-well-see-more-of-project-helix-later-this-year vpVZdpVreYt6RXPMxMFm4b Thu, 07 May 2026 17:03:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ My Windows 11 backup broke after KB5083769 — Microsoft says this simple fix might save your files ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-update-kb5083769-for-april-2026-causes-backup-failures-and-microsoft-recommends-this-fix gyKbNkJkMhhaFWzazKa5WU Thu, 07 May 2026 17:03:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ We uncovered a major Windows 11 performance upgrade Microsoft is testing, and it could make the OS feel noticeably faster ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-is-working-on-major-performance-boost-for-windows-11-that-will-speed-up-app-launches-and-common-actions-by-automatically-maxing-out-cpu-in-short-bursts yNadGbnQPWj43V7ERQQTfU Thu, 07 May 2026 12:29:37 +0000 Fri, 08 May 2026 16:28:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Minimize downtime and simplify troubleshooting": Microsoft's powerful new recovery tool is quietly fixing System Restore. Here's how it actually works. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-windows-point-in-time-restore sGXf4idyedUyFmjXc8EWs Wed, 06 May 2026 17:41:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ The 7 most ridiculous Xbox achievements we have ever seen (and why players still chase them) ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/the-7-most-ridiculous-xbox-achievements-we-have-ever-seen-and-why-players-still-chase-them nGrV6QcfYmWk53aiXwU4NH Wed, 06 May 2026 17:35:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows 11's new Run box is what happens when Microsoft actually cares: Replaces legacy Windows 95-era dialog with something new and better ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11s-new-run-box-is-what-happens-when-microsoft-actually-cares-replaces-legacy-windows-95-era-dialog-with-something-new-and-better Eb2FaCeUgZJtQHSrTjPiZT Wed, 06 May 2026 15:31:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ We spent a week with Xbox Mode — here is what actually works, what breaks, and what the community is saying about it ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/we-spent-a-week-with-xbox-mode-here-is-what-actually-works-what-breaks-and-what-the-community-is-saying-about-it JPp2NHHP4SCx4UEhSVnpcC Wed, 06 May 2026 13:31:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Microsoft/OpenAI breakup: What does it actually mean for Copilot and other AI apps on your Windows 11 PC? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/openai-chatgpt/the-microsoft-openai-breakup-what-does-it-actually-mean 8SVVGWta6uYLF7VrcsvNNf Wed, 06 May 2026 11:12:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ Teams erratically flips user status from 'Available' to 'Away' after just minutes of inactivity: "It’s not a status indicator, it’s a surveillance tool with trust issues." ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-teams/teams-erratically-flips-user-status-from-available-to-away-after-just-minutes-of-inactivity PaKNhJpMRVt7rodfXRRuLT Wed, 06 May 2026 09:39:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft Edge will load all your passwords into memory in plaintext, but Microsoft says it's not a security concern ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-edge-will-load-all-your-passwords-into-memory-in-plaintext-but-microsoft-says-its-not-a-security-concern qXYyeCJ2jj5mNfSp9EJRD8 Tue, 05 May 2026 22:38:09 +0000 Tue, 05 May 2026 22:40:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox ends Copilot on console and the reasoning reveals how Asha Sharma wants to reshape the platform ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-ends-copilot-on-console-and-the-reasoning-reveals-how-asha-sharma-wants-to-reshape-the-platform ZFhPPRuGa52w94dj7dj8vL Tue, 05 May 2026 20:34:55 +0000 Tue, 05 May 2026 20:39:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We need to evolve”: Xbox CEO overhauls leadership as Xbox's hardware future looks increasingly bleak ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/we-need-to-evolve-xbox-ceo-overhauls-leadership-as-xboxs-hardware-future-looks-increasingly-bleak ZMnbyNU7TtwXGy6iJimp7i Tue, 05 May 2026 18:37:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ “When we get it right, we celebrate together. When we don’t, you push us to improve.”: Microsoft leans on Windows Insiders as it tries to reset Windows 11’s reputation ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/when-we-get-it-right-we-celebrate-together-when-we-dont-you-push-us-to-improve-microsoft-leans-on-windows-insiders-as-it-tries-to-reset-windows-11s-reputation 9iFLaiB4pVMffn9hvEnjtk Mon, 04 May 2026 21:21:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ After testing LAP Photo Manager on Windows 11, I’m convinced it outperforms the built‑in Photos app in all the ways that matter ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/lap-photo-manager-for-windows-11-is-it-better-than-photos-i-think-so ZiNmDogiMFnyFQftUsSGJ7 Sun, 03 May 2026 14:05:27 +0000 Sun, 03 May 2026 14:06:18 +0000 <![CDATA[ Your PC is an Xbox, your Android is a Windows Phone, and Windows K2 is here to save Windows 11 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/your-pc-is-an-xbox-your-android-is-a-windows-phone-and-windows-k2-is-here-to-save-windows-11 NQEWdYzhTv7MbajCx3hHAN Sun, 03 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Edge vs Chrome heats up again as Reddit users say performance and features matter more than brand loyalty ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-edge-vs-google-chrome-reddit-users-say-performance-and-features-matter-more-than-ever 8ZCEHUkDxBeqqwLGXwRvBC Sun, 03 May 2026 13:26:35 +0000 Sun, 03 May 2026 14:06:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ "You need to be a hacker to use Windows": This free tool lets you rebuild Windows 11 without Copilot or any other AI ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/this-free-tool-lets-you-rebuild-windows-11-without-copilot-or-any-other-ai 59UQ34yHvnDkpUbLuk2uJP Sun, 03 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Xbox mode is easily the headline feature”: In May’s Windows 11 update, I walk through the 11 upgrades that change how we use the OS, and why some of them surprised me ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11s-may-2026-update-is-packed-with-11-powerful-features-you-cant-ignore z3NHpmbmSVwQMHczzKMSJb Sat, 02 May 2026 14:12:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ Your Windows PC's security foundation could expire in 8 weeks — Here's how to check if you're eligible for a new Secure Boot certificate ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/secure-boot-certificates-expire-how-to-check XYwrhGpCcWDSRzGeSy4Z4C Sat, 02 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ ON THIS DAY: Microsoft will focus on desktops with UWP — here's why you should care ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/on-this-day-windows-10/microsoft-will-focus-on-desktops-with-uwp-heres-why-you-should-care-clone q2z8CbmuZfrUW6ibPbroqQ Fri, 01 May 2026 18:28:06 +0000 Sat, 02 May 2026 14:49:26 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft will hide Windows 11's annoying MSN feed by default as it moves to reduce ads and noise across the OS ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-will-hide-windows-11s-annoying-msn-feed-by-default-as-it-moves-to-reduce-ads-and-noise-across-the-os d4odj5ZYiJwTGRSVGc6ysh Fri, 01 May 2026 17:17:02 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 17:28:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ Everyone has an opinion on Microsoft’s spending, but the real story is what the numbers say about its position ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/is-microsoft-spending-from-a-position-of-strength-or-playing-catch-up ecMPTQN4xXPFrTg96X8Ew7 Fri, 01 May 2026 09:06:58 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 17:43:08 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows 11 KB5083631 update released with major explorer.exe reliability upgrades, AI agent support, Xbox mode, and more ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-kb5083631-update-released-with-major-explorer-exe-reliability-upgrades-ai-agent-support-and-more phF3VoLbETFHanCfFdDw6i Fri, 01 May 2026 00:31:48 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 00:37:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ As Xbox fans push for Microsoft to return to exclusive games, analysts report they're the "number one reason" players use consoles — "41% of respondents cited that" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/as-xbox-fans-push-for-a-return-to-exclusive-games-analysts-report-theyre-the-number-one-reason-players-use-consoles mWymHtuK49UAjj266GoDic Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:55:01 +0000 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:57:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox's new April Update brings awesome improvements to Xbox and PC, including one I've wanted Microsoft to add for years — here's what's new ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-new-april-update-brings-awesome-improvements-to-xbox-and-pc-including-one-ive-wanted-microsoft-to-add-for-years yDtjbjkPUYxp24pfmfmPJC Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:57:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows Phone 8 is getting a second life thanks to 8Marketplace, patched Twitter app, and more ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/windows-phone-8-is-getting-a-second-life-thanks-to-8marketplace-patched-twitter-app-and-more WN3xkLSPSMb2AXCobxsQgi Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:53:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft should steal concepts from this Windows redesign project: Envisioning an ad‑free Windows 11 without AI clutter ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-should-steal-concepts-from-this-windows-redesign-project jHTFE2qbSfLaUFaB2KjS9L Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:23:19 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 04:11:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We know we have work to do to earn every player”: Xbox CEO admits growth is falling short ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/we-know-we-have-work-to-do-to-earn-every-player-xbox-ceo-admits-growth-is-falling-short kj5PzNYTtZkfiaMjBAbzea Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:05:40 +0000 <![CDATA[ France threw a funeral for Windows 10 — complete with a coffin and chants of Microsoft's "programmed obsolescence" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/france-threw-a-funeral-for-windows-10-complete-with-a-coffin UdraQbZMvLvBUki7dsCZAk Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:09:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We're doing the work required to win back fans across Windows and Xbox": Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says the company is making foundational changes to fix Windows 11 and Xbox ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/were-doing-the-work-required-to-win-back-fans-across-windows-and-xbox-microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-says-the-company-is-making-foundational-changes-to-fix-windows-11-and-xbox 9kyVc5v8SBNa4mE8X79PLE Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:34:48 +0000 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:34:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ Analysts react to Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass price drop from CEO Asha Sharma, believe it "should help subscriber numbers grow" — "Not surprising at all" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/analysts-react-to-microsofts-xbox-game-pass-price-drop-believe-it-should-help-subscriber-numbers-grow SSQM85Zqy3RqwtjnKXQNgk Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:42:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ "This was detrimental to Halo Infinite's post-release development": New Halo report reveals just how destructive "mass culling" Microsoft layoffs were at Halo Studios ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/new-halo-report-reveals-just-how-destructive-mass-culling-microsoft-layoffs-were-at-halo-studios 73RuVqJqhDXfkH8i2ydi55 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:30:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ We’ve tested the April 2026 Windows 11 update, and its 11 improvements genuinely make the OS feel better ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/11-big-windows-11-changes-in-april-2026-you-need-to-know-right-now 4zSkwke7wSxFP9zDS9xRKE Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:16:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Strengthening the Xbox identity”: We’re looking at why Microsoft is giving Xbox and Mojang employees their own branded emails ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/strengthening-the-xbox-identity-were-looking-at-why-microsoft-is-giving-xbox-and-mojang-employees-their-own-branded-emails z5YfbaBpGYZu8pB6hcRVJJ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:30:30 +0000 <![CDATA[ ON THIS DAY: Continuum will be built into Windows 10 for Phones, turning your phone into a PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-10/on-this-day-continuum-will-be-built-into-windows-10-for-phones-turning-your-phone-into-a-pc-clone 3L7Z8QZ7QyrQ7VUEafqU5S Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:33:23 +0000 Fri, 01 May 2026 18:22:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows K2 status tracker: Keeping tabs on every Windows 11 commitment Microsoft has made in 2026 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-k2-status-tracker-windows-11-commitments tdHnB7ytXdG8WMK3b9q6KP Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:48:42 +0000 Wed, 06 May 2026 15:57:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Why it actually matters": Inside the Xbox publishing overhaul designed to win back frustrated developers ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/why-it-actually-matters-inside-the-xbox-publishing-overhaul-designed-to-win-back-frustrated-developers tysByphCwSuATofFtNhrJm Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:14:53 +0000 <![CDATA[ "GitHub is failing me, every single day, and it is personal": After Xbox and Windows, now GITHUB is in crisis — Microsoft, what are you doing? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/github-is-failing-me-every-single-day-and-it-is-personal-after-xbox-and-windows-now-github-is-in-crisis-microsoft-what-are-you-doing dpSbvyJxBXXUYKuZCX6B24 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:55:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft blames Slack's lackluster growth on "inferior capabilities" while Salesforce's antitrust lawsuit targets Teams bundles ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-teams/microsoft-blames-slacks-lackluster-growth-on-inferior-capabilities MzwojBqA98tntdXZPpeE8K Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:28:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft Teams users are outraged at a new 'Unlock Premium' banner, raising questions about Microsoft's UX designs: "This seems really unprofessional" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-teams/microsoft-teams-users-are-outraged-at-a-new-unlock-premium-banner Zw99EJVKZrWhwS3StWh9yZ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:55:09 +0000 Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:29:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The world probably would have been a better place with that game in it": Ex-The Elder Scrolls Online director reflects on Xbox canceling his 'Project Blackbird' MMO amid layoffs ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/ex-the-elder-scrolls-online-director-reflects-on-xbox-canceling-his-project-blackbird-mmo-amid-layoffs uvNSN9TgADdz3KaZmTy2we Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:04:33 +0000 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:45:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft and Xbox are "actively investigating" a rampant 'can't connect' issue for backwards compatible Xbox 360 games — "It’s not select 360 games ... it’s all of them" [UPDATED] ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-and-xbox-are-actively-investigating-a-rampant-cant-connect-issue-for-backwards-compatible-xbox-360-games 2hwMTcBjiwRerF6aVaTiUK Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:16:31 +0000 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:25:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ Google's "$3 solution for your outdated PC that can't run Windows 11" has sold out in less than a month ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/google-chromeos-flex-usb-upgrade-sold-out 79hroEzce7LimKDaQNb4pm Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:15:11 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's Windows K2 could be Windows 11's tipping point, and finally deliver the experience users expected: "When the Windows brand is under attack, it drags the whole Microsoft brand down with it." ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/microsofts-windows-k2-could-be-windows-11s-tipping-point-and-finally-deliver-the-experience-users-expected RQzpRHqzwxsUsqdPAhQRr7 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:49:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ "That's exactly what Xbox needs": Former Meta colleague of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma says her non-gaming background doesn't matter because she has "the spine to push hard calls through" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/former-colleague-of-xbox-ceo-asha-sharma-says-her-non-gaming-background-doesnt-matter zSGKnn7x3trKAP2oyyRzva Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:03:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Microsoft didn’t mention these 4 hidden Windows 11 features” and they might matter more than the ones they did talk about ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/4-hidden-features-that-microsoft-didnt-mention-in-the-experimental-channel-for-windows-11 YXBUZQtJSK7rNxh6Nxhz7G Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:23:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:35:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The work we’re doing together remains ambitious": OpenAI ends Microsoft exclusivity in a tone that doesn’t match last week’s leaked memo ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/the-work-were-doing-together-remains-ambitious-openai-ends-microsoft-exclusivity-in-a-tone-that-doesnt-match-last-weeks-leaked-memo xB7rtLFGWCcAjssNzbqM8G Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:26:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Microsoft finally remembers why Windows enthusiasts matter” — from Insider reboot to update control and community fixes, Windows 11 is finding its footing again ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-wrap-microsoft-finally-remembers-why-windows-enthusiasts-matter Y99qTRTHCcxgm7ZRv2ro7G Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:16:18 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:21:03 +0000