Windows Central Insider
Microsoft keeps fixing things. The community keeps complaining. This week shows the gap between progress and perception.
The new Windows Run impressed us and showed what happens when Microsoft cares and puts effort into a feature.
It wasn't all rosy, however. Windows 10 users are still holding out from upgrading, possibly due to being priced out of getting new hardware. Xbox Mode also disappointed when spanned across multiple displays.
But overall, it was another solid week for Microsoft, and that's continued a strange phenomenon. Despite Microsoft rolling out changes people have asked about for years, many are silent or even critical.
That trend has me asking: Do you want to complain or do you want things to get better?
Biggest News Stories
Windows 11 is set to gain a new feature that will boost CPU frequency in bursts when initiating high-priority tasks to speed up app launches and system responsiveness.
Valve's new hardware survey shows that a quarter of Windows users are holding on to Windows 10, while the most popular PC components paint a broader picture.
Xbox Mode’s handling of dual monitor setups is raising concerns among PC gamers, with secondary displays left blank.
The new Windows Run box has been officially unveiled, and it's a genuine improvement over the legacy interface with faster launch times and more features.
Microsoft rolled out four new Windows Insider builds with upgraded touchpad gestures, clearer File Explorer descriptions, a redesigned voice‑typing UI, and a free K‑12 upgrade path.
Windows 11 now gives you the power to block Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge from automatically downloading local AI models for on-device generative AI features without explicit user consent.
Following the development of Windows 11 and Xbox over the last few years has led to some interesting experiences. Many of us were frustrated with Microsoft for the degradation of quality and features across our favorite platforms, and rightfully so.
What disappoints me is how vocal people continue to express displeasure even when Microsoft is moving in the right direction. Even more frustratingly, many are silent when a good change occurs and loud when anything fails to go their way or at their speed.
Check out the response to our Senior Editor Zac Bowden showing Low Latency Profile on Windows 11, a feature that's in the early stages of testing among Windows Insiders.
TESTED: Windows 11's upcoming "Low Latency Profile" mode brings genuine performance improvements to the OS, speeding up flyout and app launches significantly.We've benchmarked opening some apps on video with the Low Latency Profile enabled and disabled, and you can see… pic.twitter.com/BCNtsXmx31May 8, 2026
People on X and Reddit called the feature slop, a waste of time, and said Windows "already [pooped] the bed." Some yelled about why such a feature is not the default behavior. Others complained about the feature existing at all because they're worried about CPU spikes.
Our Managing Editor Jez Corden argued that "Too many of us are eager to take Xbox for granted," including himself. People told Jez to switch to PlayStation and accused him of working for Microsoft.
To be clear, Microsoft should be called out for faults and issues. I've done so many times and will continue to do so.
It's been a theme for the Windows Wrap since I started publishing weekly. I've called out Microsoft for holding back Windows and praised Microsoft for taking steps to fix it.
Pretty much without fail, more people have engaged with stories criticizing Microsoft than pieces praising the company. Many responding to good news react with negativity.
It seems like people are happier to complain than to see criticism lead to improvement. It reminds me of the Baroness Von Sketch Show skit about returning cheese.
If we want Windows and Xbox to get better, we have to acknowledge progress when it happens, not just when it’s convenient to complain.
Shopping with Sean
This week's best deal was on the WD_Black SN7100 SSD. While the gargantuan $914 discount on the 4TB model has ended, there are still great deals on the 1TB and 2TB versions. It's not as big as the earlier deal, but there is still a sizable discount on the 4TB SSD through Amazon.
We expect the deal on the SSD to end this weekend, so now's the time to take advantage of the deal.
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