Meccha Chameleon's custom maps could be delivering malware
PC gaming Meccha Chameleon is an undeniable indie phenomenon, and it's a shame to see bad actors attempting to capitalize on its massive success.
8 Comments
Features
Windows can now play Xbox original games — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
LIVE Join Danie and Jez at 1PM ET on July 24 for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast!
Kensington’s new Expert Mouse brings 1kHz speed and a massive 55mm trackball
First look With a massive 55mm red ball, dual sensors, software-driven scroll adjustments, and multi-device switching, the classic trackball gets its biggest leap forward in years.
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10 things to know before installing the Windows 11 2026 update
Windows 11 Microsoft's Windows 11 version 26H2 update explained. Discover what changes, upgrade options, hardware requirements, and why it matters.
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Windows Wrap: Microsoft trades Bing ads for a better Windows 11 Search, and more this week
Windows 11 It took years of relentless user pushback, but Microsoft is finally rescuing Windows Search from ads and clutter.
Moonraker turns 10 and still looks ahead of its time
Flashback A decade later, Microsoft’s unreleased Moonraker smartwatch still feels like a glimpse into an alternate timeline.
Looking back at 2016’s “I love you, Xbox” — and how much (and little) has changed
Flashback Looking back at the 2016 editorial that captured Xbox’s growing pains and predicted the decade ahead.
Revisiting the LG Lancet, 11 years later
Flashback A look back at the LG Lancet and the era when Windows Phone 8.1 defined Microsoft’s mobile peak.
The 2016 Android‑apps warning that now echoes Googlebooks
Flashback A 2016 warning about Android apps on Chrome feels newly relevant as Googlebooks pushes Android PCs into the agentic era and challenges Microsoft again.
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Windows & Software
Windows 11 finally lets you remap the Copilot key
Windows 11 Windows 11 now includes a native setting to remap the dedicated Copilot key to the Right Ctrl or Context menu key.
Microsoft pressures LG into stopping McAfee ads from appearing on Windows PCs with LG monitors
Microsoft A popup window from LG that began appearing on PCs with LG monitors connected was showing ads for McAfee, and nobody, not even Microsoft, was impressed.
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Windows 11's File Properties window is getting the modern WinUI treatment
Windows 11 The first signs of a completely modernized File Properties window using WinUI are hidden in the latest Windows 11 preview builds.
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PC Hardware
Microsoft teases more Surface "surprises" to come this year
Surface A new Inside Windows Q&A video has been released that dives into the year so far for Surface, what's next, and whether or not we might see some new peripherals soon.
Would NVIDIA exist without Sega's help in the '90s?
PC Gaming One of Nvidia's earliest failures actually led to the investment that saved the company.
5 Comments
Microsoft and Meta are teaming up to offer Xbox Game Pass with Meta Quest VR Horizon+ sub
Xbox For all 6 Meta Quest owners reading Windows Central today, Microsoft and Xbox have a new offering for you.
Custom Manchester United Surface PCs are coming, but only supporters can win one
Surface Microsoft Surface is coming to Manchester United kit, but the limited-edition PCs are what I care about.
Deals
Microsoft’s refreshed 2‑in‑1 lands on shelves with stronger graphics and optional OLED
Deals Microsoft’s latest Surface Pro is now available with Snapdragon X2 processors, improved graphics, and optional OLED panels. Early impressions point to smoother performance and better battery life.
This laptop will save you from bad grades thanks to this Back to School sale
Deals The 16-inch version of the HP OmniBook X Flip laptop, which we rated highly for its efficient performance and detailed touchscreen display, is now on sale for Best Buy's Back to School sale
The Surface Laptop 8 is the only laptop with Windows 11's new advanced haptics
Deals The Surface Laptop 8 features impressive battery life and premium performance, but its support for Windows 11's advanced haptics changes how computing feels.
Best Buy's Back to School has a solid 16" laptop with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD for 38% off
Deals The Samsung Galaxy Book6 is a fast-performing and feature-rich laptop with a gorgeous 2K, 16-inch LED touchscreen that's now on a 38% "Back to School" discount at Best Buy
Handheld Gaming PCs
It's no big deal that Steam Deck sales are slowing down right now
News Steam Deck sales are cratering, but this should be absolutely no surprise given the current climate and the aging hardware. There's a better handheld to buy.
Gaming
Rumors of World of Warcraft crossing over with Dungeons & Dragons have reportedly leaked
Gaming A post from Dungeons & Dragons' partner, Roll20, that has been quickly taken down, reportedly suggests the iconic tabletop RPG is planning a crossover with World of Warcraft
Age of Empires 3: DE's canceled DLC is launching after all
PC gaming New civs, new maps, new game modes, and a lot more are on the way, and you can join the open beta test now.
Did Diablo 2's addictive secret finally spill?
Gaming Is it the gear? Is it the characters? Is it the world? According to one ARPG sage, it's an underlying mechanic we've all been focused on for decades.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft Copilot's free tier is quickly becoming a glorified demo
AI Microsoft is shifting key Copilot features, including Deep Research, behind paid subscriptions. Here is why the free version of Copilot is starting to feel like a glorified demo.
10 Comments
Ed Zitron says Microsoft’s trillion‑dollar AI push is built on hype, fake demand
Microsoft Analyst Ed Zitron says Microsoft’s AI math is impossible and the whole strategy looks like a scam
7 Comments
Bill Gates says athletes are safe from AI
AI Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates says athletes are safe from AI, arguing that no one wants to watch computers playing.
Microsoft and OpenAI face publisher lawsuits over AI copyright
AI A coalition of publishers has sued Microsoft and OpenAI for scrapping their content without their consent or compensation.
Microsoft
Windows can now play Xbox original games — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
LIVE Join Danie and Jez at 1PM ET on July 24 for the LIVE Windows Central Podcast!
Bing search hints at LeBron James returning to Miami Heat
Apps Google dropped the delisted video fast, but Bing kept the index visible, resulting in more people seeing the video.
Microsoft will shut down Copilot Podcasts and wipe your saved audio
App Microsoft is retiring its Copilot Podcasts feature on August 18, 2026. Users will lose all access to their AI-created audio, with no option to export or download files before the tool shuts down.
Critic warns Microsoft’s AI push is unsustainable
INTERVIEW Journalist Ed Zitron of the 'Better Offline Podcast' and 'Where's Your Ed At' newsletter offered us a scathing take on Microsoft's chances in the AI race.
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Peripherals & Accessories
Kensington’s new Expert Mouse brings 1kHz speed and a massive 55mm trackball
First look With a massive 55mm red ball, dual sensors, software-driven scroll adjustments, and multi-device switching, the classic trackball gets its biggest leap forward in years.
8 Comments
REVIEW: Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II (Xbox, PC) — An absolutely spectacular multi-platform headset with the firm's BEST EVER audio
Review Turtle Beach has another absolute banger on its hands, with a refreshed design that looks at home either while gaming or commuting. There are a couple of minor gripes, but this otherwise flawless headset is a top-shelf pick.
