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Microsoft unveils the future of Outlook, and you can try it right now
Microsoft has released its new Outlook client with updated features to members of the Office Insider channel.
Updated
If Microsoft is serious about accessibility, fix Windows 11
It's worth thinking about what you can and can't do with Windows 11 in terms of accessibility, as well as just making the operating system easier to use.
Updated
These 8 core apps are changing in Windows 11
Windows includes a number of native apps: Mail, Calendar, Clock, Paint, and more. All of these are receiving a new look and/or features within Windows 11.
News
Windows 11 gets smarter, tests AI-powered 'suggested actions'
A new Windows 11 Build 25115 for the Windows Insider Dev Channel tests out automatic recognition of phone numbers and dates.
News
New Windows 11 preview makes Microsoft accounts mandatory for (almost) all
The latest build of Windows 11 eliminates the option to sign in with a local account on Windows 11 Pro, forcing users to sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
News
Microsoft reveals a new Windows Game Bar built for controllers
You'll need to be a Windows Insider and an Xbox Insider to test the new controller-centric Game Bar.
Updated
8 ways Windows 11 is better than Windows 10
We've compiled the eight most meaningful reasons and features we'd say you should consider upgrading to Windows 11 if you haven't already.
News
How long until your laptop runs out of battery? Windows 11 will tell you
Microsoft says it's bringing back a "time to empty" battery-life indicator as well as changing a few things about Windows in its latest Windows 11 build.
News
Relentless ransomware disguised as Windows Updates takes aim at students
Illegal download sites are quickly spreading Bitcoin ransom schemes disguised as Windows updates.
Updated
Auto HDR deep-dive: How and why to use Windows 11's eye-catching game feature
Windows 11's Auto HDR feature promises to make older titles look just as bright and vibrant as newer HDR-compatible releases without a major hit to performance. Does it work? Here's everything you need to know
News
Windows is the 'socket' for Microsoft subscriptions, CEO says
Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella told Wall Street analysts that Windows is just a way to sell subscriptions.
Deal
Load up that new PC with Windows 10 Home for just $50
The PCWorld Software Store is selling Windows 10 Home licenses for $50 right now.
News
Played these games? Microsoft will give you 3 free months of PC Game Pass
Microsoft is offering a free three months of PC Game Pass for those people have played Microsoft's biggest titles, including Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.
News
No, Windows XP is not more popular than Windows 11
Alarmingly low Windows 11 adoption rates from a recent report don't hold up to scrutiny.
News
Don't hold your breath for Windows 11 taskbar improvements
The next big Windows 11 update won't include the ability to move the taskbar.
News
Rivals call foul on the "fix" for Windows 11's atrocious default browser options
Tying the new one-click browser switch to an optional Windows 11 update opens Microsoft up to new criticism.
Updated
Meet Microsoft's new ink-first app, Journal
Microsoft has launched Microsoft Journal, a note-taking , journaling app designed to use a Surface Pen or other stylus from the get-go.
Opinion
When will Windows 11 stop screwing up the little things?
Removal of basic functionality (and uneven fixes for those design decisions) make interacting with Microsoft’s newest operating system just too cumbersome.
News
This new Windows 11 security feature will force you to reset your PC
Microsoft announced new upcoming security features for Windows 11 on Tuesday. However, one of the most significant ones, Smart App Control, requires you to reset your PC.
Updated
File Explorer will get a tabbed interface in Windows 11
Microsoft has revealed several new features for Windows 11, including a tabbed interface for File Explorer, more Focus Assist features, as well as a personalized Start menu that includes folders.
News
Microsoft taps AI to make you look your best in video meetings
Microsoft is applying artificial intelligence to meetings, with a host of new AI-driven technologies from Eye Contact, automatic framing, plus improved background blur and echo cancellation.
News
Windows Cloud PCs will be able to work offline soon
Microsoft has added three new features to its Windows 365 cloud PC offering, allowing hybrid workers flexibility between offline and online work.
News
Microsoft's Your Phone app is now called Phone Link
Microsoft is giving the Your Phone app that connects your Android phone with your Windows PC a fresh coat of paint, calling it Phone Link in its new update.
News
Microsoft returns some sanity to Clipchamp's pricing
Microsoft has improved Clipchamp's free tier, making its new video editor actually somewhat practical to use.
News
New Windows 11 update restores one-click browser choice, mostly
Microsoft's optional update to Windows 11, KB5011563, restores the ability to select a default web browser with a single click. Well, mostly.
Opinion
Windows 11 won't be fully secure until everyone has BitLocker encryption
Device encryption isn’t universal for all Windows 11 Home users. That leaves some vulnerable if their PC is ever lost or stolen.
News
Gabe Newell has been hiding in a Windows 1.0 Easter egg for 36 years
The recently-unearthed list of original Windows team members includes a few familiar names
Feature
You can finally choose where Xbox games reside on your PC—but there's a big catch
Yes, you can finally manage where your Xbox games land on your hard drive, but you still have to mind your data caps for a while longer yet.
News
Watch Microsoft's DirectStorage slash PC game loading times down to a second
A video of Forspoken, an upcoming game shows off how fast Microsoft's DirectStorage technology can be on M.2 SSDs, SATA SSDs, and a traditional hard drive.
News
Marvel and Halo geeks will love Xbox Game Pass Ultimate's new freebies
Microsoft has added a one-month trial of Paramount+ to its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate perks, along with trials for Marvel Unlimited's digital comics archive, ad-free Hulu, Spotify, and more.
News
Latest Windows 11 preview signals its final new features for the fall
Microsoft has temporarily merged its Insider Dev Channel and Beta Channels within Windows 11, taking what were previously experimental features and giving them a stamp of approval.
Feature
Is your Windows 11 PC encrypted? The answer is surprisingly complex
In theory, Windows 11 makes device encryption available to all. In reality, it’s not so universal. Here’s how to check for it—and figure out what to do if you lack the option.
News
Running Windows 11 on an unsupported PC? Get ready for a desktop watermark
You can run Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, but Microsoft doesn't want you to, and a new desktop watermark proves the point.
Opinion
Why Microsoft slipping 'ads' into Windows is a good thing—if it's done right
No, not ads for the latest Marvel movie. But there should be a way for Microsoft and users to clearly understand what's new within Windows. The challenge is to mutually agree on what it should be.
News
Start11 brings ungrouping back to Windows 11's inadequate taskbar
Stardock's paid Start11 utility has added new features such as taskbar ungrouping, drag-and-drop, and the ability to expand the Windows 11 taskbar.
News
Microsoft says we weren't supposed to see those ads in Windows File Explorer
You won't be seeing banner ads next to your Explorer files in Windows 11, at least for the time being.
News
Microsoft releases DirectStorage, the future of fast-loading PC games
Microsoft has begun shipping the DirectStorage API to its developer partners. Games that support DirectStorage should load dramatically faster than before, possibly putting the Xbox "Quick Resume" feature on the PC.
News
Bypassing outrageous limits in Windows 11's new video editing app isn't cheap
Microsoft's new Windows 11 app, Clipchamp, wants you to pay up to $39 per month to unlock its full capabilities.
News
Finally! File Explorer tabs found hiding in new Windows 11 preview
Microsoft is finally adding the Windows File Explorer feature users have been waiting on for years: tabs.
News
Windows is getting new video-editing and family apps
Microsoft is making its Clipchamp and Microsoft Family apps part of Windows in a new Windows Insider test build 22572 for the Dev Channel. Search Highlights is also en route.
News
New Windows 11 test build wants your credit card info
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22567 includes a new payment subsection within the Windows 11 Settings menu, adds a new security watchdog app, and changes the time Windows Updates occur.
News
Microsoft continues to fix Windows 11 with changes to Taskbar, Widgets
Microsoft issues Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22563, which continues fixing problems with Windows 11. In this build, Microsoft addresses Taskbar issues with tablets and sets the stage for more Widgets.
News
Windows 11's windowed gaming and HDR are about to get a lot better
Microsoft reveals several ways in which PC gamers will have a better experience on Windows 11, including an HDR calibration app and improvements on windowed games in a new test build.
News
Huge Windows 11 preview fixes glaring flaws, adds a slew of new features
Insider Build 22557 offers up much-needed fixes and a heaping helping of new features for Windows 11.
News
Windows 11's update schedule blurs as Microsoft vows 'continuous innovation'
Microsoft is now promising to deliver Windows 11 features and "experiences" year-round, and not just the spring and fall.
Updated
Windows 11’s first big update arrives: 6 new features to try
Microsoft has launched a set of new experiences for Windows 11, replacing what we'd normally call Windows 11 22H2. They include Android app support, a redesigned Taskbar, and updated Windows Media Player and Notepad apps.
News
Android 13 can boot Windows 11, developer shows
An Android developer testing the developer preview of Android 13 shows off how it can boot Windows 11 in a virtual machine, closing the circle as Android apps prepare to launch on Windows 11.
News
Windows 11's February update is fixing my biggest multi-monitor gripe
Windows 11's big February update looks like it'll finally return the clock and date to the taskbar on secondary monitors. Phew!
News