Windows Central

The movable taskbar is officially back in Windows 11. Microsoft is testing it now in Insider builds, and you can try it today if you’re enrolled. Here’s how it works and what to expect as the feature rolls out👇 windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

Microsoft has fixed a frustrating BitLocker lockout issue ... but only for Windows 11 (for now, obviously). Windows 10 users dealing with the same problem aren’t getting the patch, raising fresh questions about how updates are being prioritized as Windows 10 nears end of support. DETAILS🔗 windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

From the archive: Hard to believe it’s been 11 years since Microsoft offered full Windows 10 upgrades to non‑genuine PCs. At the time it felt like a shocking olive branch, but it ended up shaping the modern Windows era more than anyone expected. windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

Is this happening to you? Windows 11’s May 2026 update is running into trouble for some users, with install failures and slow internet complaints starting to stack up. Microsoft says it’s investigating, but early reports point to issues affecting both update reliability AND network performance. Details at Windows Central🔗👇 windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

ROG and XREAL just opened global preorders for the ROG XREAL R1 gaming AR glasses. 240Hz micro‑OLED, 171 inch virtual screen, real 3DoF, and deep ROG Ally integration. Full review coming soon. Just watch out for that price, but you DO get a full dock with it, so it can connect to Xbox, PC, and handheld all at once. DETAILS👇 windowscentral.com/gaming/rogs-ne…

You can't review Diablo 4 without its endgame, and several hundred hours in, we're now putting a score on Lord of Hatred. Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is a masterpiece, and combined with the base game, now represents one of Blizzard's best ever titles. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: windowscentral.com/gaming/a-maste… 👏 @Diablo @Blizzard

The Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 just leaked, and it looks like Microsoft is gearing up for a serious upgrade. New images show added scroll wheels near the headphone jack, opening the door for deeper in‑game control. Even more intriguing is a switch between local and cloud modes, hinting at direct Wi‑Fi connectivity for smoother Xbox Cloud Gaming. Microsoft also appears to be introducing a user‑replaceable rechargeable battery... FINALLY! Hopefully, those pesky durability issues that plagued the previous generation controllers have been fixed too windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xb…

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 Release Preview build includes the highly anticipated Low Latency Profile feature, which speeds up app launches and system flyouts significantly. The feature landing in Release Preview means it's just a few weeks away from general availability, so it won't be long before all Windows 11 PCs are enjoying this significant performance upgrade windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

Opinion: Most discussions around Project Helix focus on Xbox’s strategy shift, but almost no one is connecting it to Windows K2. Once you do, the whole picture changes, and it raises real questions about whether Helix can work without K2 landing exactly right. Adam Hales breaks it all down and shares his thoughts about both projects in our latest feature at Windows Central👇 windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/i-…

Microsoft reportedly made around $30B from OpenAI in just two years, but the real story is the $100B in costs tied to the AI push. The scale of the investment shows how aggressively Microsoft is betting on AI infrastructure, even as the financial picture gets harder to ignore. DETAILS (and something about Windows Phone) at Windows Central👇 windowscentral.com/microsoft/micr…

NEW 🎮LEAK A new (compact) Xbox Cloud Gaming Controller has leaked with built‑in Wi‑Fi, and the design points to a direct‑to‑cloud connection that should cut out Bluetooth latency entirely. The new images show a familiar Xbox layout, but the Wi‑Fi support could make cloud play feel far more responsive, especially for fast‑paced games. This could be a big step toward making Xbox Cloud Gaming feel closer to local hardware, and we have little reason to doubt its authenticity. What do you think, yay or nay? Full story at Windows Central👇 windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/me…

Will Googlebooks KILL Windows? | Windows Central Podcast LIVE x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Microsoft was so close to fixing foldables’ biggest flaw. A newly surfaced patent shows the canceled Surface Duo 3 would’ve used a spring‑loaded hinge that literally helped open the device for you. It was smoother, faster, and way more premium than the friction hinges we’re used to. It’s wild seeing how far the hardware team pushed the Duo line… only for the project to be shelved. Imagine this hinge paired with modern Android and better cameras. We might’ve had a real contender. windowscentral.com/hardware/surfa…

🏎️FH6 REVIEW ROUNDUP Playground did it again. Early Forza Horizon 6 reviews are landing, and the message is loud: this is a major win for the franchise. Big praise for the world, the handling, the visuals, the whole package. We rounded up how critics are scoring FH6 so far ... Details👇 windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/p…

What do Googlebooks mean for Windows? Join @zacbowden and @BenWilson_x86 for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast today at 12PM ET: windowscentral.com/live

Dell just introduced a new Alienware 15 gaming laptop starting at a cool $1,299! Sp, it begs the question: Is it a better buy than the Alienware 16 Aurora, especially when the latter is on sale? I compared the two laptops to help you make the right decision ⤵️ windowscentral.com/hardware/dell/…

More Windows 11 fixes inbound Windows 11 will soon let users pause updates indefinitely AND automatically roll back faulty drivers, Basically, Microsoft can start "a recovery action from the cloud, replacing the problematic driver on affected devices without requiring manual intervention from the user or the hardware partner." This change could prevent a huge number of update‑related problems. DETAILS👇 windowscentral.com/microsoft/wind…

"Forza Horizon 6 is the most confident, most refined, and most fun entry yet. It's the best-looking racer on Xbox and PC." ★★★★⯨ Everything that made the earlier games iconic is back, with a slicker sheen and events that "pop". If you love racing and want an open-world experience that’s equal parts heart and horsepower, Forza Horizon 6 is a no-brainer. It’s the top dog for a reason, and this chapter just cements it. Read the full review: windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/fo…

If you're an Xbox customer and fan of The Talos Principle franchise, I have some bad news for you ... Devolver Digital is snubbing Xbox completely for "Grand Finale" Talos Principle 3, leaving Xbox users out of the conversation for the game's conclusion. windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/de… 🤔👇