Microsoft updates Windows 10 News app with rebrand and new design

By Zac Bowden
last updated

Microsoft is rolling out a new update to the Windows 10 News app that brings with it a new design and rebrand.

Last week, Microsoft announced "Microsoft News" and launched updated apps for iOS and Android that introduced a new design and rebrand. Oddly, there was no mention of an updated app in the works for Windows 10, which had many questioning whether a new News UWP app would ever come.

Today, Microsoft has rolled out a new version of the News app for Insiders in the Fast ring that brings with it a new design featuring elements of Fluent Design, and the same "Microsoft News" rebrand now found on other platforms. The new app looks great, and even has a link to download the News app on your phone too.

The Windows 10 News app was in dire need of an update, as it was starting to look dated when compared side-by-side with other in-box apps that have already been updated with Microsoft's new Fluent Design language. An update to the News UWP app should also help reconfirm Microsoft's commitment to in-box UWP apps.

The update is currently only available to testers in the Fast ring, but we can expect to see this update rollout publicly soon. What are your thoughts on the updated app? Let us know in the comments!

Download at the Microsoft Store (opens in new tab)

Zac Bowden
Zac Bowden
Senior Editor

Zac Bowden is a Senior Editor at Windows Central. Bringing you exclusive coverage into the world of Windows on PCs, tablets, phones, and more. Also an avid collector of rare Microsoft prototype devices! Keep in touch on Twitter: @zacbowden.

25 Comments
  • Just received in Slow Ring.
    Also updated Weather app 😊
  • Also came to money and sports 👏
  • My four favourite trusted simple Microsoft Apps!
  • Can I see e picture of Weather app? Does it have a new design? It will be probably weeks before I receive any of these
  • Should roll out to production ring a week after going out to release ring users
  • So did you get these in Release Preview already? I'm not getting them there.
  • no it just in the fast ring. Release ring should get it next week
    production usually get the week later
  • Alright, thanks a bunch!
  • So much of wasted space at the top.
  • Show us a picture of how YOU would design a news app then, instead of complaining about trivial things. Unless you only have a screen a few hundred pixels high then this is a non issue.
  • I'll get rid of the red title bar at the top and make the design seamless as in Groove and Settings app while keeping a common back button at the top left corner. But Microsoft is going the other way around with their thoughtless Edge in title bar concept AKA "Sets".
  • Here are my two mockups: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AsQmXlZLntjlhGE8hSPEEObduMug I agree with HassanAdam. Sets is horrible. We wanted tabs in File Explorer but they gave us sets and took away the common back button
  • I vote for the first mockup. Microsoft needs to hire competent designers.
  • Not an hour in and ALREADY there is a complaint. ... And people ^ wonder why Ms can't stay relevant with consumers.
    Uninformed consumers listen to the "informed" consumers and rake that opinion and run with it.
    Let Ms be free to create
  • Last time MS was free, they created new fonts for regedit and a button to access Edge from the title bar calling it "Sets".
  • For some reason, the new Android version won't keep me logged in. The new Android version no longer has any way to give feedback to MS.
  • When are we going to see a Windows Central app with fluent design? 🤔
  • We'll get one with fluent design when they get an app that works consistently first 😐 🤨
  • It will probably be a PWA with Android's design language. Wait, why isn't this a PWA?
  • Cool! I was waiting for a new MSN Bing Windows Microsoft News app.
  • Any info if this update is coming to WM10 for the few holdouts left? :-)
  • Kaymd: I don't see why not :)
  • It is is very hard to get excited about this. It is the same out dated design with Fluent Design elements. The new update does nothing to address the fundamental issues with the app - too many stale and junk stories just to name a few. This is my primary source for quick news on W10 and W10M devices. I would much prefer a better app with a real update. I'm assuming the rebranding is for iOS and Android users to promote Microsoft services. Just out of curiosity, why wouldn't they rebrand all the MSN apps.
  • They will, eventually. And the cycle will continue.
  • H4mm3r tyme:
    You know you can add more sources/my sources tab
    and fine tune your interest right?