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Opinion
Every time I use Windows 11, I wish I was using Windows 10
Windows 11’s annoyances aren’t showstoppers, but they’re enough to make me sigh daily.
News
Windows 11's Start menu prepares to pester you for using a local account
Even more Windows 11 Start Menu "notifications" (read: advertisements) are coming in future builds.
News
Microsoft is changing how the Print Screen key works in Windows 11
Microsoft has released a beta build that changes how the traditional PrtScn or Print Screen key works, launching the Snipping Tool app instead. But you can fix it if you want, too.
News
Windows Defender finally squashes Firefox bug that ate CPUs for 5 years
An issue with Windows Defender was causing Firefox to spike CPU usage for a lot of users.
News
Android's AirDrop alternative, Nearby Share, now works on Windows
With an official Windows app, Google makes Nearby Share actually useful for most of its users.
News
Windows 11's Search may let you download apps directly soon
Thanks to a recent update in the Windows 11 Insider Canary channel, you'll be able to download games and apps through Windows 11's search results.
News
Microsoft tests adaptive brightness on more Windows 11 PCs – even desktops
Microsoft is testing content-based adaptive brightness on Windows 11 desktops and laptops that are plugged in.
News
Windows 12 may be stripped down to enable frequent updates
A report claims that Windows 12 might be partitioned into modular components to enable more frequent updates and different features sets for different markets.
News
Steam will stop working on Windows 7 and 8 next year
Steam is ending support for Windows 7 and 8 on January 1, 2024.
News
Windows PCs reveal hidden 'Acropalypse' screenshot info, but a fast fix is coming
Newly-discovered vulnerabilities in the Windows Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch mean it's possible to view cropped-out parts of images.
News
There's no stopping Windows 11's Start menu ads now
Microsoft plans on rolling out ads and notifications in Windows 11's Start menu.
Opinion
Windows 11's tabbed File Explorer is profoundly disappointing
Browsers have set the standard, and Windows 11's new tabbed File Explorer ignores that.
News
Needy Windows 11 apps will beg you to pin them to your taskbar
Microsoft announced plans to allow Windows apps to pop up notifications asking you to pin them to the taskbar, as well as make them your default apps.
News
Windows 11 may be slowing down your SSD again
The latest patch to Windows 11 appears to be slowing down storage devices like SSDs, though Microsoft promises a fix is forthcoming.
News
Microsoft is sending free USB drives to Windows 11's biggest fans
If you don't have a spare drive to install a new Windows 11 Insider Program Canary build, Microsoft might give you one for free.
News
5 just-launched Windows 11 features you need to try pronto
An unscheduled Windows 11 'quality update' in March 2023 adds a stunning amount of new features, including iMessage support and Bing AI Chat. These are the five you should try first!
Deal
Snag legit Windows licenses for up to 65% off in PCWorld's Software Store
You need Windows. You don't need to break the bank. PCWorld's Software Store is selling Windows 10 and 11 licenses for as little as $50!
News
Microsoft's new Windows 11 features arrive next week
What Microsoft is now calling the March 14 update for Windows 11 arrives soon, though hopes for a major fall feature release look gloomy.
News
Windows 11 might bring back the top taskbar
A preview build shows some basic — and currently broken — functionality for the top-pinned taskbar from older Windows versions.
News
Windows 12 inbound? Microsoft paves way with Insider 'Canary' channel
Microsoft has launched a new Windows Insider channel, Canary, for cutting-edge Windows nerds who want to check out what might be Windows 12.
Updated
Fixed: Windows Calendar app is crashing after the latest update
The Calendar app within Windows appears to be crashing repeatedly after the February update, but there's a workaround in place.
News
Windows 11's lackluster volume mixer is getting a serious upgrade
A Windows Insider Build shows a vastly improved volume mixer in quick settings, with access to output devices and individual app volume.
News
A pizza icon debuts today in Windows File Explorer
Microsoft launched a new Insider Dev Channel build of Windows 11 on Thursday, with a new audio mixer, Start badges, and… pizza?
Updated
Windows 11 can finally manage iPhone texts and calls, with several catches
Microsoft has finally managed to connect to and control Apple iPhone texts and calls, via Windows 11's Phone Link app.
Feature
Windows 11's new features are ho-hum but the best one saves you money
We've gone hands-on with the February 2023 update for Windows 11 and emerged largely unimpressed. A way to lower your energy bill by reducing your PC's power consumption deserves your attention.
News
Microsoft PowerToys is finally bringing 'paste as plain text' to Windows
Windows has perennially lacked the ability to quickly paste text without formatting. A coming update to Microsoft’s PowerToys tool will change that at long last.
Opinion
I wish 8-inch Windows tablets would come back
Other people want bigger screens and more powerful hardware. But that’s missing the point of a (sort of) pocket-sized Windows tablet.
Feature
Hands on: How to use Bing Chat within Windows 11
Microsoft has begun integrating its Bing Chat AI chatbot within Windows 11. We go hands on and show you how to use it.
Updated
Huge Windows 11 feature update adds Bing AI Chat, tabbed Notepad, and more
The February 2023 update to Windows 11, aka Moment 2, integrates Bing Chat within Windows and much more.
News
Asking Bing Chat to be more creative will decrease its accuracy
A Microsoft executive says that new Bing Chat controls that allow you to ask it for more creative responses may diminish the accuracy of its results, for now.
News
Microsoft admits it marked ineligible PCs for Windows 11 upgrades
Some laptops and desktops sold with a promised upgrade to Windows 11 are officially out of luck
News
Windows 11's terrible taskbar is about to get a lot more useful
Windows 11's controversial taskbar is getting new search bar and End Task options that should make your life easier.
News
Microsoft's new AI Bing taught my son ethnic slurs, and I'm horrified
Microsoft's new Bing listed a number of derogatory ethnic slurs in a chatbot response to a PCWorld query, suggesting that its troubles with racism aren't quite over.
News
One Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro feature we love (and one we hate)
During our tests of the Samsung Galaxy Book3 Pro 360, we ran across two small little features that we think should be more common or never seen again.
News
Meet Tiny11, a fine-tuned Windows 11 build that barely needs RAM
Tiny11 is a lightweight build of Windows 11 that's designed to run on underpowered machines.
Feature
Windows 11's big yearly update comes to your PC: 5 new features to try first
If your PC recently got a big Windows 11 2022 Update, you have new tools and programs to check out.
Updated
Microsoft Surface sales are tanking, Microsoft says
Microsoft's balance sheet from the first quarter of 2022 tells a familiar tale: cloud revenues up, PCs struggle. But this time, PCs are really, really, suffering, as is Surface.
News
Notepad tabs, overhauled graphics settings appear in Windows betas
Microsoft released new Windows Insider previews for both the Beta and Dev Channels on Thursday, with new features that include a tabbed Notepad app, updated Settings, and a revamped Windows Spotlight.
News
Microsoft execs partied with Sting in Davos hours before announcing layoffs
Microsoft paid for a private Sting concert in Switzerland the day before announcing it will cut 10,000 jobs.
News
Paid Microsoft subscription perks quietly infiltrate more Windows apps
Microsoft now offers hidden Clipchamp benefits to Microsoft 365 users, one of a growing number of Windows "apps" (even Solitaire!) that are now just a front door for subscriptions.
News
Microsoft Office may not open when you restore Windows 11
Users who roll back to an earlier restore point on Windows 11 22H2 (the Windows 11 2022 Update) may not be able to launch several apps, including Office.
News
Microsoft will stop selling Windows 10 licenses in a few days
Microsoft has posted notifications on its digital download pages for Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Workstation stating that it will stop selling Windows 10 licenses at the end of January. Here are your options.
News
Microsoft is laying off 10,000 employees
The layoffs represent approximately 5% of Microsoft's total headcount.
Feature
Windows 8.1 support dies today. Here's how to secure your PC
On January 11, Microsoft puts Windows 8.1 in the ground. Here’s how to ready your PC for a newer version of Windows.
Feature
Microsoft's biggest wins, fails, and WTF moments of 2022
From Microsoft Designer to the implosion of the HoloLens, these were Microsoft's best, worst, and what-the-#%!@ moments of 2022.
Feature
The 1 major security precaution you should always enable on a new PC
When setting up a brand-new PC (or one new to you), don’t ignore this step—and especially don’t disable the feature later on.
News
Finally! Windows Snipping Tool will add screen recording
Microsoft is adding a screen recorder to the Windows Snipping tool, allowing you to capture screenshots or video from your desktop.
News
Windows 11's borked gaming performance is mostly fixed, Microsoft says
If you're suddenly seeing that big Windows 11 2022 Update hit your desktop, it's because Microsoft finally (sorta) fixed its game-breaking performance issues.
Opinion