Windows Central

A former Halo developer says a senior Xbox leader verbally "blasted" him, and new reports claim that the same leader has been repeatedly referred to HR for antagonistic behavior. The allegations raise tough questions about workplace culture inside one of Microsoft’s most important studios and how long these issues have been known internally. Full details on this latest Xbox drama by @JezCorden 🔗windowscentral.com/gaming/i-was-v…

"Microsoft deleted my (account) and told me to buy my games again". A Brazilian Xbox gamer has won a lawsuit after Microsoft blocked his entire digital library, and the court has since ordered the full restoration of his purchases, along with $400 in damages. windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xb…

Microsoft is exploring new ways to make smartphones feel more naturally connected to Windows 11. Early prototypes show updates to the Start menu’s Phone Companion, including a richer activity feed that lets you scroll through recent messages and photos without opening another app. A new taskbar flyout is also being tested, offering quick access to phone status and simple controls like do not disturb, vibrate, and find phone. Another idea in development is a standalone Messages app on Windows that syncs SMS conversations and lets you chat directly from your PC. windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

Xbox's PS5-exclusive ports of Call of Duty Black Ops are beating GTA 6 on the trending charts. It has highlighted the Xbox back compat versions ... which are presently rife with hackers to the point of being unplayable. windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xb… We asked Xbox to comment.

I spent a week with Acer's new "Swift Go 16 AI" Windows laptop, and it's a strong OLED option for the price — fast and long‑lasting, held back only by predictable bloatware and a few hardware gripes. Nevertheless, Acer surprised me in more ways than one with a recommended Windows laptop that'll be a strong competitor in its category. Review by @BenWilson_x86: windowscentral.com/hardware/acer/…

Is this laptop's quirky touchpad just a gimmick, or are these hidden buttons actually useful? 🤔 Multimedia controls (optionally) appear when I start streaming content, and video meeting functions give me marginally faster control over my microphone and webcam. Either way, I wouldn't usually expect an Acer laptop to impress me, but I found myself using these quite often over the past week. There's even a unique little aspect to the infamous Copilot key on this Swift Go 16 AI. Full review on Windows Central soon 💻

Check out our latest review at Windows Central of the new Razer Soma Chroma RGB gaming chair 👇(2/2) windowscentral.com/gaming/gaming-…

REVIEW: Razer put RGB in a gaming chair, and the Soma Chroma somehow makes it work. @Daniel_Rubino spent time with it and found that the wireless lighting, USB‑C power bank support, and reactive effects are more than a gimmick. Comfort is legit, build quality is strong, and the whole thing feels way better than you may think. @Razer turned a wild idea into a chair that actually improves your setup instead of distracting from it. That said, this is meant for a very specific person, namely a streaming gamer, or anyone who just wants a villain-like throne that also shimmers with RGB. And yes, we're that audience. (1/2)

Xbox Series X|S prices rise on August 1, and this tracker follows every retailer as inventory moves, discounts appear, and stock tightens ahead of the jump. If you’ve been waiting for a deal, this is the last real window before the new pricing hits. With hardware costs expected to climb again in 2027, grabbing a console now avoids the next wave entirely. Speaking of volatility, for some reason, Best Buy raised the price of the 2TB WD_Black Storage Expansion card from $299.99 to, you know, $709.18🙄 Xbox Series X with Disc continues to be the one we see most of our audience buying, but discounts are few and far between, and inventory fluctuates a LOT. Last updated at 9:10 AM ET. 👇 windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xb…

Windows 11’s new Cloud rebuild is a huge upgrade for anyone who’s ever dealt with a broken PC. We explain how it lets you reinstall Windows directly from the cloud, even if your system won’t boot, and why it finally removes the need for USB drives or complicated recovery steps. It’s designed for everyday users who just want their computer working again, and it’s one of the most practical features Microsoft has added in years. Let's get into it⤵️ windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

John Carmack has responded to Microsoft laying off staff at id Software, the studio he helped build and the birthplace of DOOM. His reaction is hitting hard for longtime fans who see the cuts as another sign of turbulence inside Xbox’s studios. Carmack’s comments add weight to growing concerns about how id Software is being handled and what these layoffs mean for the future of one of gaming’s most influential teams. Full story 🔗windowscentral.com/gaming/john-ca…

🔉Windows Central Podcast #398 Copilot OS leaks and new Microsoft layoffs are painting a picture of a company in the middle of major change. This week’s Windows Central Podcast with @zacbowden @Daniel_Rubino, and @JezCorden breaks down what the leaks reveal about Windows’ future, how the layoffs fit into Microsoft’s shifting AI strategy, and what all of this means for the next phase of the company’s roadmap. Full episode is out now on all your favorite platforms⤵️ windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

Microsoft’s latest sustainability report shows a 25% jump in emissions, and the company says the surge comes from dropping “unbundled renewable energy credits” and rapidly expanding AI datacenters. The report makes it clear that AI workloads are driving huge energy demand, with Microsoft admitting that growth in compute is outpacing its ability to offset emissions. The company says it’s still committed to long‑term climate goals, but the numbers highlight how AI is creating environmental pressure that’s getting harder to hide. Full story🔗 windowscentral.com/microsoft/drop…

This is also the lowest price since January (we checked), which makes the timing even better. 4TB gives you room for huge games, project files, and backups without constantly juggling space. If you’ve been waiting for a large NVMe to drop, this is one of the few deals that actually makes sense right now. Direct Link to Amazon 👉winc.shop/BIWIN-Black-Op…

🚨Limted Time Deal Alert: 4TB SSD 4TB is a massive amount of fast storage, and this BIWIN NV7400 NVMe SSD is 23% off right now on Amazon. It’s sitting at a 4.7 rating, with reviewers saying things like “install was easy,” “performance is snappy,” and “great value for the size.” Speeds are solid for a Gen4 drive (6,500 read; 6,218 write), and several buyers mention it runs cool even under load. With storage and RAM prices trending upward again, grabbing a big SSD at a discount is getting harder. (1/2)

Windows 11 is testing a new "Cloud rebuild" feature that lets you reset your PC without a USB drive, and Microsoft added it as an option rather than forcing a cloud-only future on us. As physical media fades, I wish Sony would get the memo. windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

A talented YouTuber has a Minecraft spin-off running on the Game Boy Color (and the original Game Boy) 3D worlds with block‑placing, exploring, even the Nether, on hardware from decades ago. Absolute wizardry. Can it run DOOM? Probably. But what about Minecraft? windowscentral.com/gaming/mad-gen…

DOOM is eternal. Rumors of id Software's demise are being wildly exaggerated — but it is true that the cuts have been brutal and callous. What does the future hold for id Software, id Tech, and DOOM? Here's what we know. windowscentral.com/gaming/zenimax… 👇

Microsoft Layoffs and Copilot OS Leaked? | Windows Central Podcast LIVE x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

The Windows Central Podcast is LIVE in one hour with @Daniel_Rubino, @JezCorden and @zacbowden windowscentral.com/live