<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central in Microsoft ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft 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 13:03:34 +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[ "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[ "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[ 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 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[ 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[ 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[ "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[ 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[ 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[ 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[ Microsoft is shutting down Outlook Lite on Android and pushing users to the full Outlook app — a move that raises questions about Microsoft’s long‑term mobile strategy ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/outlook-lite-android-end-of-life owx3ZCGfiuUiCnYNjy4sAA Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:45:59 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:49:06 +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[ "More secure, reliable, user-friendly": Microsoft explains why it quietly killed Windows 11's phone activation option ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-explains-killed-windows-11-phone-activation d2QFkEYhxMLbf6AcdPMJMj Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:23:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Digital sovereignty is not optional": France's government is ditching Windows to reduce its reliance on "American tools" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/france-government-ditching-windows-and-reliance-on-american-tools yrsB5PiYF2W4GMeXenbmff Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:52:43 +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[ Microsoft terminated accounts tied to VeraCrypt, WireGuard, and Windscribe — developers push back ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/microsoft-terminated-accounts-tied-to-veracrypt-wireguard-and-windscribe-developers-push-back mhRHRNN2VuEgTQo6eJSoHJ Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:19:03 +0000 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:20:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We have discontinued SaRA”: Microsoft replaces its Windows 11 Recovery Assistant — here’s how to transition to Microsoft's modern command-line replacement. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/how-to-transition-to-microsoft-get-help-command-line-tool QJRiUGGWsGDuiCMqpfmYfF Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:46:21 +0000 Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:57:51 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Actually lets you test its new features”: Why Microsoft’s Windows 11 Insider overhaul finally feels like something I can trust ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-unveils-major-windows-11-preview-program-overhaul-that-actually-lets-you-test-its-new-features-windows-insider-program-gains-new-experimental-and-beta-channels 2CwHv2aRX8PyBAxAPi9Uwi Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:34:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft says Windows 11's bugs are all "resolved": At least the ones it knows about — and new bugs are impossible to avoid ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-says-windows-11-bugs-are-resolved e3WzUzMjYm2hixs2qWHA6H Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:10:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Repeated choices to serve their business over their customers": Mozilla accuses Microsoft of using 'dark patterns' to force its Copilot AI on Windows 11 users ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/mozilla-accuses-microsoft-dark-patterns-to-force-copilot-on-windows-11-users tdPy9bWprrrJqdSftyezRo Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:32:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ The original Xbox was going to be a lot like Project Helix, says ex-Microsoft gaming exec — here's why the first plans for a console-PC hybrid didn't work out ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/the-original-xbox-was-going-to-be-a-lot-like-project-helix-says-ex-microsoft-gaming-vp owShss39Vq3zgF9cWDa2c4 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:30:25 +0000 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:32:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ Former Microsoft Xbox VP says AI is "the big question mark" for the future of gaming — he believes "There won't be a line where it's 'AI' and 'not AI' anymore" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/former-microsoft-xbox-vp-says-ai-is-the-big-question-mark-for-the-future-of-gaming EMS6uGQ3fQtjnJYdudF4Ef Thu, 09 Apr 2026 19:30:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Windows and Xbox are now prioritizing user feedback in a huge pivot ... but why now? I can't help but be suspicious — it smells a bit like panic. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-and-xbox-are-now-prioritizing-user-feedback-in-a-huge-pivot-but-why-now MNkviM8YE7TWuvSwnd39Xa Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:13:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft finally begins removing Copilot from Notepad on Windows 11 — but the AI still persists ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-finally-begins-removing-copilot-from-notepad-on-windows-11-but-the-ai-still-persists 8tDvBNGjsygTCgSE2yBjUG Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:38:47 +0000 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:45:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft broke Windows 11 search by trying to fix it: Here's what happened ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-broke-windows-11-search-by-trying-to-fix-it Y6zTqiuABVMdTMkPoa2t7Q Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:40:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Listening to how we can keep making it better for you": Windows Insider meetups are coming back after years away, connecting Windows 11 users with Microsoft ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-insider-meetups-returning-in-2026 WAzu9LAeDRbnS8dDVw3sLF Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:29:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ Ex-Microsoft gaming VP reveals why Xbox was greenlit despite how “unlikely” it was — “they saw it as a hedge against the threat” of Japan in tech ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/ex-microsoft-gaming-vp-reveals-why-xbox-was-greenlit-despite-how-unlikely-it-was b7LXmRw9nJknNmJdPigfnA Wed, 08 Apr 2026 22:23:02 +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[ 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[ Microsoft's Azure cloud platform problems stem from AI, according to a former engineer: "Those disruptions built up." ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-azure-problems-stem-from-ai-according-to-former-engineer HD3rDjLQhBzhQhzukUaPVW Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:27:09 +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[ "This was not opportunistic. It was precision." — How North Korean hackers used Microsoft Teams and Slack to compromise Windows PCs with an elaborate ploy ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/north-korea-axios-hack-teams-slack p3ASKSEajuZRaCUWKx642B Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:27:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Make file recovery more predictable": A major change to OneDrive is about to roll out, and I happily welcome anything that improves sync performance ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/microsoft-copilot/speed-vs-convenience-microsoft-is-changing-how-onedrive-syncs fb7hcr5kPoFUrWcDpun9xQ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:21:10 +0000 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:57:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Copilot is in a survival scramble”: I break down Microsoft’s chaotic AI strategy shift — and why I’m still trying to figure out where this all leads next ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/microsoft-copilot/microsoft-copilot-survival-scramble-where-this-ai-strategy-is-headed Eo6dj74mDjszoTWW5dBcGR Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:12:17 +0000 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 13:52:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft dismisses a trending Bing-era disclaimer that "Copilot is for entertainment purposes only": There's no reason for you to worry about this outdated language ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/microsoft-copilot/microsoft-dismisses-copilot-is-for-entertainment-purposes-only NmaMbCYEZXNr8WaZM34prL Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:53:37 +0000 <![CDATA[ Whoa, delisted Xbox 360 games just showed up on the Xbox Store — did Microsoft leak new Xbox Backwards Compatibility games? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/whoa-delisted-xbox-360-games-just-showed-up-on-the-xbox-store-did-microsoft-leak-new-xbox-backwards-compatibility-games NLHTsdvZhVGAj4G3G6gpa7 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 20:58:36 +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[ “These mods completely changed how I use Windows 11”: As I walk through the 7 Windhawk tweaks that transformed my desktop, I’m surprised by which ones made the biggest difference ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/7-best-windhawk-mods-to-transform-your-desktop-on-windows-11 zxyir6iEGZKD8K4yBNxRkT Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:30:33 +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[ “Threatened retaliation on first contact”: As I dig into a former Halo art director’s claims, I’m left questioning what else Microsoft didn’t want anyone to see. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/threatened-retaliation-on-first-contact-as-i-dig-into-a-former-halo-art-directors-claims-im-left-questioning-what-else-microsoft-didnt-want-anyone-to-see wZSp5v54Bh2ydAPipCPHGo Sat, 04 Apr 2026 14:00:15 +0000 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 20:44:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft Outlook frustrates Artemis II astronauts live from space — Microsoft's reputation for shoddy software now stretches to the moon ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/microsoft-outlook-frustrates-artemis-ii-astronauts-live-from-space-i-see-that-i-have-two-microsoft-outlooks-and-see-neither-one-are-working nmV62eMJzxNUmbazMcW3J9 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:32:18 +0000 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:41:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft now has an AI that can turn hours of audio into text instantly — and businesses will love it ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/microsoft-mai-transcribe-1-shipping-to-commercial-customers qpnsmNq4qdThuMskLb8Zx7 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft wants Edge to automatically open by default every time you turn on your Windows 11 PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-wants-edge-to-automatically-open-by-default-every-time-you-turn-on-your-windows-11-pc EtdwuEJF2EdXCS4RUBrPmR Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:31:57 +0000 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:36:18 +0000