<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/feeds.xml Sat, 09 May 2026 13:55:36 +0000 en <![CDATA[ I dug into the new Windows Update rules coming to Windows 11, and these are the 5 things you need to know ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-changes-coming-to-windows-update-on-windows-11 fAFdqSM2mnuq6FiVwoWhve Sat, 09 May 2026 13:55:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox’s most underrated co‑op shooter gets a surprise sequel, and its 4‑player bug‑hunt vibe has me very excited ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xboxs-most-underrated-co-op-shooter-gets-a-surprise-sequel-and-its-4-player-bug-hunt-vibe-has-me-hooked-again QdZYYfgXd3L3zqDuLuZmWS Sat, 09 May 2026 13:16:34 +0000 Sat, 09 May 2026 13:17:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ "62% won’t pay $70 anymore": Gen Z's shift toward Xbox Game Pass has me rethinking how we buy video games and subscriptions ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/gen-z-shift-toward-xbox-game-pass-has-me-rethinking-how-we-buy 7LJ3JrLFasKgSZ32hm8ptV Sat, 09 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ “We want a real voice”: Why developers at Double Fine are launching a union effort and what it signals for the wider Xbox ecosystem ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/we-want-a-real-voice-why-developers-at-double-fine-are-launching-a-union-effort-and-what-it-signals-for-the-wider-xbox-ecosystem WgWvz5itVihAEFgXQktFTJ Sat, 09 May 2026 12:59:02 +0000 Sat, 09 May 2026 14:28:24 +0000 <![CDATA[ How new Windows 11 Insider builds blend smarter touchpad gestures, cleaner File Explorer, and a free EDU upgrade path ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-insider-builds-ship-with-touchpad-upgrades-file-explorer-fixes-and-a-free-edu-upgrade-path 7f6qo9F7y2928nyJ5aVjYo Sat, 09 May 2026 09:52:13 +0000 Sat, 09 May 2026 13:14:25 +0000 <![CDATA[ "You had lightning in a bottle and decided to pry the lid off yourself": Helldivers 2 reviews crash to 'Mostly Negative' on Steam after controversial update and AMA, Arrowhead responds ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/helldivers-2-reviews-drop-to-mostly-negative-on-steam-after-controversial-update-and-ama-arrowhead-responds kUJtqgU7yKcj4ixs3MYgrm Fri, 08 May 2026 20:48:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox posts the Forza Horizon 6 launch trailer a week before its Early Access release date — I love this tribute to a beloved racer the series partnered with ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/xbox-posts-the-forza-horizon-6-launch-trailer-a-week-before-its-early-access-release-date USdgdQD5jpV6TLfPBnqiT7 Fri, 08 May 2026 18:44:23 +0000 Fri, 08 May 2026 22:05:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft Store drops registration fees for companies as part of onboarding overhaul ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-store-drops-registration-fees-for-companies-as-part-of-onboarding-overhaul WTJAyfUkzLmu6Gpo8g47WX Fri, 08 May 2026 14:31:01 +0000 <![CDATA[ Sony's $565M Bungie hit has me wondering what's next — Destiny 2 feels strained, and Marathon's future suddenly looks fragile ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/sonys-usd565m-bungie-hit-destiny-2-strained-and-marathon-fragile hteqsuhwqcvt8D6SMMk23R Fri, 08 May 2026 10:44:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ Resident Evil Requiem's new "Leon Must Die Forever" DLC shadowdrops for free — Capcom turns zombie roundhouse kicks into a roguelike mode, and more are coming ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/resident-evil-requiems-new-leon-must-die-forever-dlc-shadowdrops-for-free LUXC6ajWv7hZsA6JaBk4tA Fri, 08 May 2026 10:37:16 +0000 <![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[ "The most addictive Xbox game right now": Build your own unstoppable tank Lego-style in this moreish bullet heaven — right now on Xbox Game Pass ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/terratech-legion-xbox-game-pass-preview BA4S7z5F4VdyZAP4DUQNRB Thu, 07 May 2026 23:19:06 +0000 <![CDATA[ Scared that Edge loads your passwords into memory in plaintext? A dedicated password manager keeps them inside an encrypted vault ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/scared-that-edge-loads-your-passwords-into-memory-in-plaintext-a-dedicated-password-manager-keeps-them-inside-an-encrypted-vault U2SUMihfiBfcjKdY3TsCTY Thu, 07 May 2026 21:23:55 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 23:35:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is "a solid device performance-wise and a step up from previous Galaxy Book Pro laptops" that deserves this discount ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/the-samsung-galaxy-book5-pro-360-is-a-solid-device-performance-wise-and-a-step-up-from-previous-galaxy-book-pro-laptops-that-deserves-this-discount eLvx6qQXguLjL6VswnNKxe Thu, 07 May 2026 21:06:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox Mode on a Windows 11 PC with dual monitors is exactly what you should expect — and that’s a shame ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/xbox-mode-on-a-windows-11-pc-with-dual-monitors-is-a-shame B2YwhjbVVKyr2X4DGQkuPf Thu, 07 May 2026 20:52:57 +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 teases a new Xbox dashboard UI for console and PC — it's got fewer ads, and takes inspiration from Xbox Cloud Gaming too ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsoft-teases-a-new-xbox-dashboard-ui-for-console-and-pc-its-got-fewer-ads-and-takes-inspiration-from-xbox-cloud-gaming-too DpmW8SrGpBxYX8RNA7yXfM Thu, 07 May 2026 18:39:26 +0000 <![CDATA[ The all-new Xbox achievement update is rolling out now to everyone — here’s what's changed ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/the-all-new-xbox-achievement-update-is-rolling-out-now-to-everyone-heres-whats-changed djkHGijiYbsDddbuXRzsGZ Thu, 07 May 2026 18:05:14 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Too many of us are eager to take Xbox for granted": Despite sentiment online and fears for the future — I've never been happier and more satisfied to be an Xbox gamer. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/too-many-of-us-are-eager-to-take-xbox-for-granted bTQFoqkjfEjBUPYMdnYtYL Thu, 07 May 2026 17:09:47 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 17:28:22 +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[ Telegram on Windows Phone?! I'm digging my old Lumia out of storage to try this app ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/windows-phone/telegram-on-windows-phone-im-digging-my-old-lumia-out-of-storage-to-try-this-app a2p9CHwZ2pzUYd94yCaPVQ Thu, 07 May 2026 16:02:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ "SteelSeries finally helped me retire my battered 2015 Astro A50": This is the multiplatform headset, perfected ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/steelseries-arctis-nova-pro-omni-review FH6FLuGxM8rU2y4SuexHpi Thu, 07 May 2026 14:53:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ Razer's mechanical gaming keyboard offered "endless customization" — and now it comes with a discounted price tag ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/razers-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-offered-endless-customization 83sSmTTMVCJtLXkPPNcrBT Thu, 07 May 2026 14:25:17 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Stagnant, overpriced, underwhelming, and dead": Here's why Surface fans are turning on Microsoft's premier laptop brand ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/why-surface-fans-are-turning-on-microsofts-premier-hardware-brand 9NZpcH2crK9RC46jjz7zvA Thu, 07 May 2026 14:10:59 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 14:26:30 +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 Sat, 09 May 2026 12:00:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ A new Halo Studios report claims the Xbox studio is actively developing “Halo Next” — with fresh details on the Endless, the Flood, and Joseph Staten’s original plans. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/a-new-halo-studios-report-claims-the-xbox-studio-is-actively-developing-halo-next PsQVHq8kS8kyvqt8e8JDhL Thu, 07 May 2026 10:34:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ Google Chrome is quietly installing a 4GB AI model on devices and users are not happy about it ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/google-chrome-quietly-installs-a-4gb-ai-model-on-devices kmwgf3awpMSnMi5iX8aJkM Thu, 07 May 2026 10:10:57 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 16:46:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ "They look to influencers to be told how to think": Fallout co-creator says many gamers parrot content creator opinions instead of forming their own, and I think he's 100% right ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/fallout-co-creator-says-many-gamers-parrot-content-creator-opinions-instead-of-forming-their-own HUBbMiPMYhf9FACT7yJqRS Wed, 06 May 2026 22:01:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The most fun I've had in Halo PvE in a long time": I played Halo Infinite's surprise new Gauntlet mode, and I'm hooked — it's something I've wanted for ages ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/i-played-halo-infinites-surprise-new-gauntlet-mode-and-im-hooked-its-something-ive-wanted-for-ages Yu5ZR7dkMxjbXaue8jFwzm Wed, 06 May 2026 20:39:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ This hybrid headset earned respect for "great sound quality on all fronts" — and we think so too now that it's 44% off ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/this-hybrid-headset-earned-respect-for-great-sound-quality-on-all-fronts PX2yuWPJmxFmj8A6io3KHU Wed, 06 May 2026 18:15:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox continues its brand refresh with a slick new boot-up animation that leans into nostalgia and the return of "Team Green" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-continues-its-brand-refresh-with-a-slick-new-boot-up-animation rM3vXB5KqmZwbHGUXPrh6m Wed, 06 May 2026 18:00:30 +0000 Thu, 07 May 2026 10:40:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ This compact 75% gaming keyboard is an "ultra-comfortable option" with a hot-swappable design — it's hard to beat ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/this-compact-75-percent-gaming-keyboard-is-an-ultra-comfortable-option mDLavbL3K6hZLvAkUuKi49 Wed, 06 May 2026 17:53:04 +0000 <![CDATA[ Our favorite Snapdragon X Elite laptop with "peak clamshell form factor", once again escapes the claws of RAM price hikes with this deal ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/our-favorite-snapdragon-x-elite-laptop-escapes-ram-price-hikes xYQEFgc4k6yPSE9yD3FhEH Wed, 06 May 2026 17:48:00 +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[ "Krafton are still very much helping us": Dev of Xbox Game Pass' Subnautica 2 says it's still working with publisher Krafton despite Steam page removal ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/dev-of-xbox-game-pass-subnautica-2-says-its-still-working-with-publisher-krafton-despite-steam-page-removal vYHGiRzNkBtqWQvC7Zy4ba Wed, 06 May 2026 17:30:48 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft Teams will add new protections as attackers target external calls with brand impersonation tactics ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-teams-will-add-new-protections-as-attackers-target-external-calls-with-brand-impersonation-tactics sksizUWT6B5nRfWthpdsRC Wed, 06 May 2026 16:36:21 +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[ Microsoft Edge is removing its Sidebar to cut clutter while leaving the ever-controversial Copilot untouched ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/microsoft-edge-is-removing-its-sidebar-to-cut-clutter-while-leaving-the-ever-controversial-copilot-untouched qdKWZkip45H3C7xWF7LwZ7 Wed, 06 May 2026 12:42:04 +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[ "Apple's laptop simply delivers a higher quality experience": LG's new $599 gram Book is turning heads, but how does it compare to the MacBook Neo? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/lg-gram-book-15-vs-macbook-neo 5bs3DGGiUefBpMixQ4BNXo Wed, 06 May 2026 10:20:13 +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[ “There is simply nothing else like it” becomes even more true now that this premium multi‑system headset is 25 percent cheaper ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/there-is-simply-nothing-else-like-it-becomes-even-more-true-now-that-this-premium-multi-system-headset-is-25-percent-cheaper 5rFKAKjxqnxVkFvJuBwnhC Tue, 05 May 2026 20:30:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Arctis Nova Pro Omni is here and SteelSeries is making a bigger play than just another headset refresh ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/steelseries-arctis-nova-pro-omni-launch TkpGh5t3sfeiwzH2cqLpnY Tue, 05 May 2026 20:27:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We hate that not everyone who wanted one was able to get it": Valve laments that the Steam Controller went out of stock instantly, says it's working on a restock ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/valve-laments-that-the-steam-controller-went-out-of-stock-instantly-says-its-working-on-a-restock qn5LzSTkcW3srNXkWNF2Z8 Tue, 05 May 2026 20:22:42 +0000 <![CDATA[ “Halo Infinite is not done yet”: A surprise update dropped out of nowhere and it raises new questions about the game’s future ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/halo-infinite-is-not-done-yet-a-surprise-update-dropped-out-of-nowhere-and-it-raises-new-questions-about-the-games-future KuZ8Dxm6TTq8wPZV5CBPSN Tue, 05 May 2026 20:14:06 +0000