Windows Central Insider
Destiny 2 fans rally with petition and call to action to save game
GAMING Destiny 2 fans fight ending updates with a massive Change.org petition and a June 9 global log-in protest.
Features
This new controller is going to change everything for racing games
Gaming I finally got my hands on GameSir's Swift Drive prototype, and it's beyond any of my expectations. This is a truly game-changing product.
From our archives: 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.
Xbox’s new plan to win the "Attention War"
Xbox XBOX has a new chief strategy officer as part of another leadership shakeup from CEO Asha Sharma. How might Matthew Ball handle XBOX's future? We can infer a bit from his own analysis.
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13 biggest Windows 11 changes this month (so far)
Windows 11 Windows 11 preview builds add Taskbar positioning, quieter Widgets, smarter Search, and major update improvements for 2026.
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Microsoft launched a Bing “concierge bot” 10 years ago — the same idea Google is now pushing
Flashback From our archives: A decade ago Microsoft was already testing a Bing “concierge bot,” an early take on the AI agents Google is only now announcing.
Xbox Ally in 2026: Thoughts on the state of Xbox Mode, AutoSR tested, and what comes next for Helix
Xbox I often think I'm the only "game journalist" on Earth actively using the Xbox Ally and Xbox Mode on PC. There are at least DOZENS of us globally using these devices ... so for that very small audience, I thought I'd share some thoughts on its current state.
From our archives: 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.
Microsoft launched a Bing “concierge bot” 10 years ago — the same idea Google is now pushing
Flashback From our archives: A decade ago Microsoft was already testing a Bing “concierge bot,” an early take on the AI agents Google is only now announcing.
11 years ago, Microsoft got cozy with "Non-Genuine" version of Windows
Flashback Microsoft’s decision to offer full Windows 10 upgrades to non‑genuine PCs marked a rare moment of outreach — and a major shift in how the company thought about Windows adoption.
Nine years ago, Microsoft bet big on UWP. The story looks very different today.
Flashback Microsoft has a problem with its Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and what it means for developers and consumers. Here is how they plan to fix that and why it means ignore phones.
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Windows & Software
From our archives: 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.
Sefer is a new Markdown reader for Windows that gets the details right
Apps Sefer is a quiet, well‑designed Markdown reader with wide margins, a built‑in table of contents, and a custom renderer that makes documents and books easy to read.
Why Together mode is disappearing from Microsoft Teams next month
Apps Microsoft will retire Teams Together mode on June 30, removing the shared views introduced during the remote‑work boom. The company says the change will simplify meetings and reduce cognitive load.
PC Hardware
You don't have to spend a lot to get a quality desktop computer
PC Desktop computers aren't known for being cheap, but there are affordable options that pack a punch. My top picks will help you find your next budget PC.
These pre-built desktop PCs are the best we've tested
Hardware Pre-built PCs come in many shapes and sizes, from budget options for homework to premium builds with power for gaming. Here are the best we've reviewed.
Microsoft’s Surface strategy still creates avoidable trade‑offs
Surface Microsoft’s new privacy screen is a real upgrade, but the Surface lineup still splits key features across models.
How does the new Surface Pro for Business (12th Edition) compare to older models?
Surface Microsoft's two-stage Surface Pro launch is confusing. Let me clear things up.
Deals
This “killer budget laptop” from Lenovo is just over $500
Deals Lenovo’s Slim 3X just dropped to its lowest price in months, making it a strong bargain for students and office workers.
Don't play Forza Horizon 6 on PC without trying this racing wheel
Deals The Logitech G29 steering wheel and pedal controller with Hall Effect sensors and Real Force Feedback is on sale for Memorial Day, to help you enjoy Forza Horizon 6 with greater racing immersion
This PCIe 5.0 SSD is starting to drop in price, but the crisis lives on
Deals The Samsung 9100 Pro is a premium-grade SSD with monsterously high sequential read speeds up to 14,700MB/s.
Free up your desk for faster mouse moves with this 60% TKL keyboard
Deals Best Buy is hosting a 33% discount for the Razer Huntsman Mini 60% keyboard, giving PC players a chance to free up desk space and play with 1000Hz polling rates for less.
Handheld Gaming PCs
MSI's next Claw gaming handheld is so expensive that I doubt anyone cares
Handhelds MSI's Claw 8 EX AI+ handheld is listed at Australian retailers with a shockingly high price, sparking skepticism as better‑value options dominate the market.
Gaming
This new controller is going to change everything for racing games
Gaming I finally got my hands on GameSir's Swift Drive prototype, and it's beyond any of my expectations. This is a truly game-changing product.
Forza Horizon 6 hits a massive new milestone across Xbox, PC, and Game Pass
Forza Xbox's Forza Horizon 6 got off to an explosive start at launch, and it's only picking up speed with a new milestone and Steam player count record.
The Xbox Gear Shop is back with a new name
XBOX The Xbox Gear Shop is back as the Xbox Game Studios Shop, featuring new first-party merch.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft finally lets Office users hide floating Copilot button
AI Microsoft admits the floating Copilot button in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint was a mistake, and will now allow users to move the AI back to the ribbon.
Ex-Microsoft exec says it missed "the AI wave" after fumbling mobile
AI Former Microsoft executive Mat Velloso claims the company missed its chance with AI, citing past failures in the internet and mobile.
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Mustafa Suleyman: AI will take over your white-collar job in 18 months
AI Microsoft’s AI chief says white‑collar jobs could vanish in 18 months as automation accelerates across organizations.
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Microsoft's AI data center in Kenya could "switch off half the country"
AI Microsoft’s $1 billion Kenyan AI data center stalls as the power grid struggles to meet demand, sparking fears of blackouts and resource strain.
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Microsoft
Copilot marketing boss leaving Microsoft
MICROSOFT Yusuf Mehdi, Microsoft’s Copilot marketing chief, will leave next year after helping reimagine Windows for the agentic era.
Teams pop‑ups blamed on Apple, says Microsoft
TEAMS A macOS security update is causing Microsoft Teams to repeatedly ask for location access, sparking frustration among Mac users
Residents protest Microsoft’s data center amid utility concerns
MICROSOFT Microsoft’s St. Joseph County data center project faces community backlash over water access and rising utility bills.
Microsoft launched a Bing “concierge bot” 10 years ago — the same idea Google is now pushing
Flashback From our archives: A decade ago Microsoft was already testing a Bing “concierge bot,” an early take on the AI agents Google is only now announcing.
Peripherals & Accessories
Meet the Tom’s Guide Savings Squad, here to rescue your wallet
Announcement The Tom’s Guide Savings Squad is officially live, officially useful, and officially ready to help you stretch your tech budget further than you thought possible.
