Windows 11 license fee hikes contributing to higher laptop prices, says report
Windows 11 A new report claims Microsoft has raised the cost of the Windows license by up to 10% for certain OEMs, which is much higher than usual.
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Features
Windows Wrap: Microsoft is fixing Windows 11's legacy UI, but it's years too late
Windows 11 Microsoft is finally addressing Windows 11’s clutter, performance issues, and inconsistent design — but the cleanup comes after years of user frustration.
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I put on a pair of GUNNAR glasses and accidentally worked an extra hour
Accessories I went hands-on with GUNNAR Novato Onyx blue-light glasses and was shocked how quickly they reduced my eye strain.
Which is your favorite limited edition Xbox console of all time?
Xbox Xbox is turning 25, and through the years we've been treated to a heap of incredible special edition consoles. But which is your favorite?
We interview Microsoft about Windows K2!
Podcast Windows design and Insider lead Marcus Ash chats with the Windows Central Podcast about the current state of Windows 11
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
Microsoft just marked the end of uBlock Origin on Edge
Apps You will soon have to find an alternative to uBlock Origin on Microsoft Edge. Microsoft just confirmed the cutoff for the MV2, which is essential for certain extensions.
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Windows Wrap: Microsoft is fixing Windows 11's legacy UI, but it's years too late
Windows 11 Microsoft is finally addressing Windows 11’s clutter, performance issues, and inconsistent design — but the cleanup comes after years of user frustration.
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My top 5 features rolling out to Outlook this month
Apps Microsoft is rolling out five new features to Outlook in August 2026, including mobile calendar drag-and-drop rescheduling, event message filters, and floating Copilot Chat.
PC Hardware
Creators hack RTX 4060 to work with Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme
Gaming Creators were able to connect an NVIDIA RTX 4060 to an ASUS Zenbook A16 with a Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme. Is this a glimmer of hope for Windows on Arm gaming or just a clever workaround?
Halo: Campaign Evolved exposes Windows on Arm's big gaming flaw
Gaming A major texture bug leaves Halo: Campaign Evolved unplayable on Qualcomm’s top-tier chip, proving Windows on Arm gaming remains a work in progress.
HP's Omen Max 45L is powerful, but its quality doesn't match the PC's price
Review I love the PC's performance and cooling, but at the asking price, HP could be paying more attention to small details.
LG's response to Windows 11 monitor adware proves it learned nothing
Monitors LG stopped shoving McAfee ads onto Windows 11 PCs after Microsoft stepped in, but its official response proves the company still doesn't get the problem.
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Deals
One of the best gaming CPUs dodges price inflation for a while
Deals AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D is one of the best gaming CPUs, and it's on sale for 26% off to counter the pricing crisis.
Seagate Xbox Expansion Cards are selling out fast — buy one before prices surge further
Deals Seagate Xbox Expansion Cards are running out of stock at major retailers, with third-party sellers inflating prices over $300. Here is where you can still find 1TB and 2TB models at MSRP.
I never thought I'd call a Razer keyboard a bargain, but the Huntsman V3 Pro is a steal right now
Deal Razer's discounted Huntsman V3 Pro is built for gaming performance but offers a superb typing feel, making it a standout bargain for student gamers.
DEAL: This laptop’s new lower price makes it a practical pick
Deals While the Lenovo Yoga 7i laptop isn't great for art projects, its performance and battery life are excellent for routing work assignments and spreadsheets while on the go, especially while it's 20% off
Handheld Gaming PCs
I cut off my dbrand Xbox Ally X case with scissors and replaced it with this — absolutely no regrets ✂️
REVIEW The dbrand Killswitch case for the Xbox Ally isn't bad, but the JSAUX Mod Case absolutely blows it away — better feel, features, and value.
Gaming
Xbox responds to Australia’s renewed game‑classification enforcement
Gaming Australia’s updated classification laws now require Xbox players to verify their age, and several games are already being refused classification.
Valve's partner "CEVA Logistics" leaks customer data in recent cyberattack
PC Gaming Valve warns EU customers after a cyberattack on its CEVA Logistics partner leaks shipping data, urging caution against potential fake messages and scams.
I tested this compact PC case, and I'm convinced — it's time to build my own dual-booting Steam Machine
Not yet ratedHands-on Cooler Master surprises me with a compact, airflow‑centric PC case that suits a portable gaming rig more than perhaps anything else — and it's a bargain at $55.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft won't make Copilot for Linux so a hero stepped up
Apps Developer Hayden Barnes built an unofficial Linux app for Microsoft Copilot. The native app adds system tray support, dark mode, and desktop notifications.
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"Around 70%" of Microsoft's AI business still depends entirely on OpenAI — that's not good
AI Recent analysis showed that Microsoft's AI business, while seemingly booming, still carries a somewhat enormous Sam Altman-shaped risk.
Microsoft Editor is failing writers, so I replaced it with AI
AI Copilot and Gemini caught mistakes Word missed, making me switch to AI for proofreading.
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.
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Microsoft
Everything new in Microsoft Teams for July 2026: Meeting Recaps, Frontline AI, and more
Apps Microsoft's July 2026 Teams update introduces a dedicated Recap app for meeting summaries, transcripts, and recordings.
We talk to Microsoft's Marcus Ash about what it takes to fix Windows 11 — Windows Central Podcast LIVE
LIVE Join Daniel and Zac on August 3 at 2PM ET as they interview Microsoft's lead of design and research on Windows, Marcus Ash.
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Microsoft stock price rips on earnings, jumping a 'record breaking' 18%
Microsoft Microsoft's FY26 earnings report came in, and it has been taken extremely well on Wall Street, as investors reward $MSFT stock with a 20% bounce in less than a month.
Why Asha Sharma had to kill Phil Spencer's "every screen is an Xbox" vision
QOTD Phil Spencer once envisioned an Xbox on every screen. Here is why new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had to abandon that multiplatform strategy and double down on dedicated console hardware.
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Peripherals & Accessories
I've always avoided OLED gaming monitors, but ASUS is convincing me to switch
Review OLED finally wins me over, as the ASUS ROG Strix XG32UQWMS delivers amazing contrast with a glossy 4K panel and intelligent screen-protection features.
I put on a pair of GUNNAR glasses and accidentally worked an extra hour
Accessories I went hands-on with GUNNAR Novato Onyx blue-light glasses and was shocked how quickly they reduced my eye strain.
Razer’s first Hall Effect Magnetic Huntsman brings true 8KHz polling, and adjustable actuation
Review Razer’s first Hall Effect Magnetic Huntsman brings true 8KHz polling, adjustable actuation and a suite of movement-focused features — a precision-focused esports keyboard that’s as much about micro‑control as it is about bragging rights.
