Microsoft blocks (some) Windows 11 pirates while Lenovo steals the show at Mobile World Congress

Mobile World Congress ran throughout last week, giving us another glimpse of what's on the way for consumer tech. Lenovo unveiled a solar powered concept PC and a concept laptop with an 18.1-inch foldable display.

We also saw devices that will actually hit store shelves, such as the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition.

Outside of Mobile World Congress, Microsoft blocked its Copilot AI assistant from helping people pirate Windows 11. Copilot also got a non-pirate related update on Windows 11 and macOS.

Microsoft blocks (some) Windows 11 pirates

Pirating Windows 11 just got incrementally more difficult. Earlier this month, it was discovered that Microsoft Copilot would share advice on how to activate Windows 11 without a license.

Now, if you ask the AI assistant about activating Windows, Copilot will ask if you would like to talk about something else.

"Want to talk about something else? I'm not able to discuss that topic, but I'm always happy to chat about other things! What else is on your mind?" said Copilot to me when I asked about activating Windows 11.

When pushed on the topic, Copilot said the following:

"Unfortunately, I can't assist with bypassing licensing requirements for Windows 11. Using unlicensed software can have significant risks, including security vulnerabilities and lack of support from Microsoft.

However, there are legitimate ways to acquire a Windows 11 license. Sometimes there are discounts or programs that can help, especially for seniors, students, or through certain promotions. If budget is a concern, there are also free operating systems like Linux that could be an alternative. If you'd like, I can help you explore some of these options!"

Pirating Windows has never been difficult. Copilot helping people pirate Windows 11 was only newsworthy due to irony.

Lenovo concept PCs

Lenovo is the torchbearer when it comes to innovative devices these days. Plenty of PC makers try new things, but Lenovo is likely the boldest when it comes to new form factors.

On that note, Lenovo unveiled the ThinkBook "codename Flip" at Mobile World Congress (MWC). That device has an 18.1-inch foldable display. That screen can flip around for sharing or stand tall.

The resulting vertical screen makes the ThinkBook Flip rather top heavy. It is a concept device, so Lenovo will have to play around with the exact shape and weight distribution before shipping a device with a similar display.

Another concept device, the Lenovo Yoga Solar PC, has solar panels in its lid. Those panels use back contact cell technology that improves efficiency.

Lenovo claims the Yoga Solar PC can get one hour of playback after 20 minutes of charging in the sun.

I also think the solar panels look pretty cool, but I suppose that's subjective.

Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition

Lenovo announced more than concept devices at Mobile World Congress. The PC maker also unveiled its Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition (Gen 10).

That laptop is powered by up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 285H and up to an NVIDIA RTX 5070 laptop GPU.

Those specs should be enough for heavy duty creative work. The Aura Edition branding indicates the PC meets standards for software, hardware, and AI features.

The latest Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition has a 16-inch screen that reaches up to 1,600 nits. That screen has a double layer of OLED pixels and is possibly the brightest laptop screen available.

Our Cale Hunt stays on top of the best laptops with bright screens and has not found a brighter laptop display than that of the Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition.

Copilot app update

Microsoft previewed a new Copilot app this week on Windows 11. The app is built using Microsoft's native app UI framework, which is great news.

When Microsoft launched its new dedicated Copilot app for Windows last year, many were disappointed to find out it was just the Copilot web view in a wrapper.

The new new Copilot app that is in preview is a native app with a better interface. It also launches quicker and performs better than its predecessor.

Microsoft launched its new Copilot app for Mac slightly before the Windows version entered preview.

Windows Central Podcast

Our Daniel Rubino and Zac Bowden talk tech each week during the Windows Central Podcast. In the most recent episode, they discuss the death of Skype, Lenovo's intriguing devices from Mobile World Congress, and updates to Microsoft's Copilot apps.

You can tune into the Windows Central Podcast each week on YouTube or catch up through your favorite podcast platform.

• Listen on Spotify
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• Subscribe via RSS

Reviews

We here at Windows Central love going hands-on with the latest tech. This week, our team looked at the lightest and longest lasting AI PC, a 4K Thunderbolt hub monitor, and a practically flawless monitor arm.

• ASUS Zenbook A14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Dell UltraSharp 27 4K Thunderbolt Hub Monitor ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
• MSI MAG MT201D monitor arm ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Split Fiction ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
• VITURE Pro XR Glasses ⭐⭐⭐⭐
• Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
• Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 14 ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

Deals of the Week

Our experts scour the web for the best deals — because who likes paying full price for things? The best gaming and laptop deals include discounts on WWE 2K25 Deadman Edition, the ASUS VivoBook S 15, and the Surface Pro Flex Keyboard.

WWE 2K25 Deadman Edition: was $99.99 now $80.89 at CDKeys

To play WWE 2K25 early, you need one of the special editions, and this deal at CDKeys on the Deadman Edition will also save you nearly $20 in the process.

Also available:

Bloodline Edition: was $129.99 now $107.09 at CDKeys

Standard Edition: was $59.99 now $48.39 at CDKeys

ASUS VivoBook S 15
Was: $899.99
Now: $599.99 at Best Buy

"The ASUS VivoBook S 15 is the first Copilot+ PC I've ever used, and I'm glad it was. This laptop is a joy to use, and while it makes some choices that don't align with my personal preferences, I can see it's a great all-rounder that most people will be more than happy with for $1,299 [the launch price of the PC]. For that price, you get an incredible screen, good battery life, and excellent performance in a chassis that's high-quality and professional." - Zac Bowden, Senior Editor

Windows Central review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

✅Perfect for: Everyday use, someone who wants long battery life from their laptop, creative work.

❌Avoid if: You're looking to do some heavy gaming.

Display: 15.6-inch, 3K (2880 x 1620) OLED CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus GPU: Qualcomm Adreno RAM: 16GB LPDDR5x. SSD: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe. AI PC: ✔️ Copilot+ PC: ✔️ Launch date: 2024.

👉See at: Best Buy

❓Why Best Buy? Our favorite tech retailer. Return period: 15 days. Price match? ☑️ (Also applies within return period). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: My Best Buy w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, 60-day return period, & expanded support.

One of 2024's best

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Was: $69.99
Now: $43.29 at CDKeys (Steam)

"Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth delivers all the charm of Remake while making the needed improvements to side-content to ensure the original's step-out moment is worth taking once more." — Iain Harris, senior deputy news editor at GamesRadar+

GamesRadar+ review ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

✅Perfect for: Anyone that wants to save money on a massive JRPG that continues the story from Final Fantasy 7 Remake.

❌Avoid if: You aren't interested in huge role-playing games.

Launch date: Jan. 23, 2025

👉See at: CDKeys

Return period: 7 days (For unredeemed codes). Price match? No. Free shipping: Always. Membership: Free CDKeys account w/ purchase history, exclusive deals, & community features.

💰Price check: $48.99 at GreenManGaming (Steam)

🤩Alternative deal: $40.79 for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at CDKeys (Steam)

Such a flex

Surface Pro Flex Keyboard
Was: $349.99
Now: $249.99 at Best Buy

"The short version of this review is that the new Surface Pro 11 and Flex Keyboard are an outstanding combination that dramatically improves the Surface Pro line—only the original Surface Pro and Surface Pro 4 rival it in terms of impact." — Daniel Rubino, Editor-in-chief

Windows Central review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: People who want the best Surface Pro experience, including having the option to use a keyboard when attached or detached.

❌Avoid if: You already have a Surface Pro keyboard you are happy with or if you are on a budget.

Battery: Up to 41 hours. Trackpad: Surface precision haptic touchpad. Backlit keys: ✅ Compatibility: Surface Pro 11, Surface Pro 10, Surface Pro 9, Surface Pro 8. Launch date: 2024

👉See at: Best Buy

Return period: 15 days. Price match? Yes (Also applies within return period). Free shipping: $35 minimum. Membership: My Best Buy w/ free shipping, exclusive deals, 60-day return period, & expanded support.

💰Price check: $286.18 at Newegg

Avowed
Was: $69.99
Now: $56.89 at CDKeys

"Avowed takes us back to the world of Eora from Pillars of Eternity, and The Living Lands is the most eccentric, colorful, and wild adventure yet. Obsidian Entertainment has done a wonderful job capturing the 'magic' of RPGs like Skyrim that makes exploring every crevice fun, and immersing yourself in this world is stupendously easy." —Zachary Boddy

Windows Central Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

✅Perfect for: You like the sound of a focused RPG experience with creative and engaging combat, strong writing, and stylized visuals

❌Don't buy if: You're after an open-world type of RPG with a huge map and 100+ hours of content to play through, or you want a dark type of fantasy setting

👀See at: CDKeys

💰Price check: $69.99 at Steam

🤔Alternative deal: $31.59 for 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership

🤩Premium Edition: $77.19 at CDKeys