<![CDATA[ Latest from Windows Central ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/feeds.xml Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:34:33 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Battlefield 6 is finally cooking for real with its 2026 roadmap bringing awesome maps, a real server browser, and more — but there's still one big problem ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/battlefield-6-is-finally-cooking-for-real-with-its-2026-roadmap-bringing-awesome-maps-a-real-server-browser-and-more UgqJMzdor8vzsn29yG6JN7 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:34:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We can’t wait to tell you our new story": Read Metro 2039 dev 4A Games' letter to the community following Xbox's reveal of the long-awaited shooter ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/read-the-metro-2039-devs-letter-to-the-community-following-xboxs-reveal-of-the-long-awaited-shooter 54PzW5nWyPSvfNJxKpH4YN Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:43:50 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 22:38:27 +0000 <![CDATA[ “The heir to the Stealth Pro is here” as Turtle Beach unveils a new flagship headset with upgraded sound, smarter features, and preorders already live ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/the-heir-to-the-stealth-pro-is-here-as-turtle-beach-unveils-a-new-flagship-headset-with-upgraded-sound-smarter-features-and-preorders-already-live RKgpuDsGAQi6G7exdZTcHU Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:29:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox’s latest update is now live for everyone, and I think they’re getting a lot right, but can they keep up the momentum? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-latest-update-is-now-live-for-everyone-and-i-think-theyre-getting-a-lot-right-but-can-they-keep-up-the-momentum QoeJJ5cAndH5uZA6cLuyBm Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:15:58 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:35:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox and Paramount have its Call of Duty movie release date, but it's pretty far off — here's exactly when the film is coming out ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/call-of-duty/xbox-and-paramount-have-its-call-of-duty-movie-release-date-but-its-pretty-far-off hwkxuDQSWkxbgJyVHma7wW Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:56:56 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Darkest ever" Metro 2039 looks absolutely insane, but also painfully sobering — Xbox First Look showcase offers our first glimpse at 4A Games' next epic ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/darkest-ever-metro-2039-looks-absolutely-insane-xbox-first-look-showcase PPtRGLW6wXREFbRcUUnkB6 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:27:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is revealing too much too soon and Blizzard risks ruining the joy of discovery ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/diablo-4-lord-of-hatred-is-revealing-too-much-too-soon-and-blizzard-risks-ruining-the-joy-of-discovery ZQDAJuB8EBSKqDZeHsNkiW Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:21:41 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:38:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ ASUS 'Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller' review — I had high hopes for this as an Xbox Ally companion ... sadly it falls a bit short. ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/asus-raikiri-ii-xbox-wireless-controller-review CgFA5Fww2RtRmkatGthyE Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:03:41 +0000 <![CDATA[ "An unmatched upgrade opportunity": Intel's new Core Series 3 mobile CPUs target "value buyers" as PC prices rise ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/intel/intel-core-series-3-panther-lake-announcement mX775dkodA8BBdhV94vLm4 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:05:13 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:08:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ "There are over 5,700 combinations.": I attended Panasonic's USS Intrepid press conference and saw 10Gbps, Wi‑Fi 7 and on‑device AI in the new Toughbook 56, but should you swap out your Toughbook 55? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/new-panasonic-toughbook-56-announcement jka6KuJ4T9E5hgribnu8rR Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The fastest path towards reinstatement": Microsoft responds to developer backlash after account termination — but identity verification remains non-negotiable ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/microsoft-responds-to-developer-backlash-after-account-termination zwRQ2tdE5vvsjMznwFb2U Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:07:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's VP just reworked a Windows 11 feature to make it "comfortable" for macOS users — if they ever decide to switch ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-vp-reworked-windows-11-feature-comfortable-for-macos-users zkgkcsfdfCiYcKYsm67CyA Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:52:21 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:53:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft thinks you'll want an Xbox Controller and 1 year of Microsoft 365 and Xbox Game Pass over a MacBook Neo ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/microsoft-thinks-youll-want-an-xbox-controller-1-year-of-microsoft-365-and-xbox-game-pass-over-a-macbook-neo 2v7S2RdcBxgikDKGYFWqKU Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:51:29 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:53:33 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Microsoft fired the skilled people, leaving flowchart followers": Microsoft's Security Response Center is being blamed for the zero-day BlueHammer exploit leak, but I can't tell who's right ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-security-response-center-bluehammer-exploit SsyAjrjrWmHQHSiQwkEX5F Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:41:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Thank you to every Greymane": Crimson Desert shows no signs of slowing down, topping over 5 million sales within a month ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/crimson-desert-topping-over-5-million-sales-within-a-month dWVGZ8MfQKkQtswVkb3RP6 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:20:35 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Another all-round excellent mini PC:" Beelink's discounted desktop is fantastic for intensive work and even some PC gaming ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/desktops/beelinks-discounted-desktop-is-fantastic-for-intensive-work baW9NgjQJzvH5MYH7qK6Yg Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:58:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox's Starfield gets Nintendo Switch 2 rating days after its PS5 release, keeping hopes for a port of Bethesda's RPG alive — here's what we know ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xboxs-starfield-gets-nintendo-switch-2-rating-days-after-its-ps5-release-keeping-hopes-for-a-port-of-bethesdas-rpg-alive KoUTfC28oyea4U4HipaBqA Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:53:03 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:23:50 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The stuff that we're seeing is really well put together": Xbox game publishing chief says Forza Horizon 6 takes him back to the golden years of racing games ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-game-publishing-chief-says-forza-horizon-6-takes-him-back-to-the-golden-years-of-racing-games BMyez6dgZaYyfr3BrdhSJ8 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:41:54 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's Xbox games lead Matt Booty says its studios are in a "culture of cultures" and work together more than you think — Blizzard is even helping with Fable ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/microsofts-xbox-games-lead-matt-booty-says-its-studios-are-in-a-culture-of-cultures-and-work-together-more-than-you-think SnaNwo4h4tXAn5LAjNQ8Km Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:44:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Rumored feature coming to Steam that will help you track prices, and Microsoft should copy it immediately for Xbox and PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/rumored-feature-coming-to-steam-that-will-help-you-track-prices-and-microsoft-should-copy-it-immediately-for-xbox-and-pc ttTBioUSpaacr3ZMPYePgU Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:30:39 +0000 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:00:22 +0000 <![CDATA[ Xbox and Best Buy want to help you build your first video game in 2026 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-and-best-buy-want-to-help-you-build-your-first-game-in-2026 XNHdVsvKqjNTF6f48DazC3 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:18:59 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:21:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft prepares display upgrades and two stage launch for new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop with Intel and Snapdragon chips this year ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsoft-prepares-display-upgrades-and-two-stage-launch-for-new-surface-pro-and-surface-laptop-with-intel-and-snapdragon-chips-this-year goYT3nnvAHXsAwgzgoADq3 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:12:44 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 23:38:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ Someone discovered Seagate's Xbox Storage Expansion cards can be used on PC — which has made their value more meaningful with these discounts ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/storage/someone-discovered-seagates-xbox-storage-expansion-cards-can-be-used-on-pc-which-has-made-their-value-more-meaningful-with-these-discounts gaABjSQTDdeo9kCqnqJnyM Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:35:49 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 22:10:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ ID@Xbox makes a bold claim — “Games launching day one into Game Pass… do very well on other platforms as well” ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/id-xbox-makes-a-bold-claim-games-launching-day-one-into-game-pass-do-very-well-on-other-platforms-as-well rm98ahTYyYYZQyseYCfBjZ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:34:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ Before Forza Horizon 6 takes us to Japan, let's remember where the legend began almost 14 years ago ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/forza/before-forza-horizon-6-takes-us-to-japan-lets-remember-where-the-legend-began-almost-14-years-ago nx7K6gb6D6z7ofppix8DtZ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:54:22 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:12:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Users can now simply ask what happened": AppControl's optional AI integration gives you in-depth PC diagnostic history in plain English — It works with popular LLMs, but I'll use offline models for added security ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/appcontrol-update-ai-integration KEvACh4ehd5zMwfRVXC9M Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:26:38 +0000 <![CDATA[ Our friends at Tom's Guide are upgrading: Here's what it means, and how our sister site's overhaul affects Windows Central ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/the-new-toms-guide-is-live zcumzbuq8n6Vtkzj5FzEk3 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:11:20 +0000 <![CDATA[ WWE 2K26 review: It comes close to being the best in the world — but yearly releases are clearly holding it back ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/wwe-2k26-review ttviyWzdVM6AadTCmxZbnY Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ ASUS Zenbook A16 vs. Zenbook S 16: Lots of similarities don't necessarily make for an easy choice, and it might come down to pricing and performance hardware ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/asus/asus-zenbook-a16-vs-zenbook-s-16 JQbtTnGB2xnc49xo8Z23Ek Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:53:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ "This is one headset that absolutely will not disappoint anyone": Our favorite Xbox headset raises the bar for sound quality with a price that's lower than I expected ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/accessories/headphones/our-favorite-xbox-headset-with-a-price-thats-lower-than-i-expected Q8NBYkitno6v99jpZz29tg Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:39:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ "One of the better laptops I’ve encountered and one I’d happily use daily": This high-end ThinkPad is a solid bet for professionals — especially after this generous discount ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/this-high-end-thinkpad-is-a-solid-bet-for-professionals C66Q7fQJjgonyHaBMXMd4f Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:20:10 +0000 <![CDATA[ I've finally found a loophole to block a specific type of YouTube ads, and it won’t cost you a dime: Just a little teamwork ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/block-youtube-live-ads-a-little-teamwork WrcUa4zcfkbamXeJhqCCWA Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:03:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft veteran says the Task Manager was under 80 KB because "small was fast and fast mattered" — but wishes "we had carried more of that taste, not the suffering" ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows/microsoft-veteran-task-manager-was-under-80-kb-because-small-was-fast-and-fast-mattered 2Rj4GDPMQEx2CPNnmfvNCJ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:51:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The Lotus guys probably figured it didn't matter to be wrong": Excel thinks 1900 was a leap year because of a small shortcut taken in the '80s — I'll think of this next time I want to cut corners ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/microsoft-office/excel-1900-leap-year-error-lotus-shortcut xo8RF6vcavLZc7y64bA5Wg Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:30:59 +0000 <![CDATA[ Starfield's sales on PlayStation 5 make me wonder why Xbox even bothered... was this worth devaluing exclusivity? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/zenimax-bethesda/starfields-sales-on-playstation-5-make-me-wonder-why-xbox-even-bothered-was-this-worth-devaluing-exclusivity AbHv2WRFSTaQYpavVMBWsj Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:04:36 +0000 <![CDATA[ Overwatch Season 2 just dropped with new hero Sierra and a launch on Nintendo Switch 2 ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/overwatch-season-2-live WeHRUWtmQ5vXnJJxNDYnQf Tue, 14 Apr 2026 22:02:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ "We have ideas that we want to get out there": Bethesda's Todd Howard says Xbox's Starfield and Fallout 76 were "creatively different" by design, for better or worse ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/zenimax-bethesda/bethesdas-todd-howard-says-xboxs-starfield-and-fallout-76-were-creatively-different-by-design-for-better-or-worse BLqrZW9DrVkMomCb5cZAHJ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 21:57:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ Your Xbox Storage Expansion Cards can have a life after the console; as it turns out, you can use it as PC storage ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/your-xbox-storage-expansion-cards-can-have-a-life-after-the-console-as-it-turns-out-you-can-use-it-as-pc-storage p7DoaKKY9UbB3G82BUBrJP Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:50:23 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:10:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ Surface Laptop prices are skyrocketing — this deal might be your last chance to own one without taking out a mortgage ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/laptops/surface-laptop-prices-are-skyrocketing-this-deal-might-be-your-last-chance-to-own-one-without-taking-out-a-mortgage Y8F4U7XGouinkyy3Sm6YuF Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:29:16 +0000 <![CDATA[ Subnautica 2 publisher changes from Krafton to the game's devs on Xbox and Steam amid Early Access legal battle — is Unknown Worlds indie once more? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/subnautica-2-publisher-changes-from-krafton-to-the-games-devs-on-xbox-and-steam-amid-early-access-legal-battle 9rMnFMDpSqPe6NyTUdd7T9 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:27:13 +0000 <![CDATA[ Metro creator Dmitry Glukhovsky says Metro 2039 "will be darker than anything you've seen before" ahead of full reveal — is Artyom's story finished? ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/metro-creator-says-metro-2039-will-be-darker-than-anything-youve-seen-before-ahead-of-full-reveal MwnEksqhxbEZtHZtUjnBtQ Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:49:34 +0000 <![CDATA[ Surface Hub is dead: Microsoft pulls the plug on its 50-inch and 85-inch collaborative touch displays ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/surface-hub-is-dead-microsoft-pulls-the-plug-on-its-50-inch-and-85-inch-collaborative-touch-displays QZeVDaUMkvyvaTKvZRo6tb Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:07:00 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:53:29 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft says its MAI-Image-2-Efficient AI model slashes costs by 41% while boosting speed by 22% (and maintaining quality) ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/microsoft-mai-image-2-efficient-ai-model-announced TKTAiJ3VU2LwVs8cXobABK Tue, 14 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Mind-warping Morrowind-like 'Dread Delusion' rejects modernity and embraces teeth-bared retro nightmares on Xbox and PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/indies-idxbox/dread-delusion-xbox nHMFMRJ4nJP7AYALxuHAye Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:18:48 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:19:39 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Another example of Game Pass disparity": Kingdom Come Deliverance II runs natively on ARM with Steam, but not the Xbox app ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-gaming/kingdom-come-deliverance-ii-arm-native-steam-xbox-pc-app 3yHQ2CcTiQoRVYMUE8zVJM Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:52:58 +0000 <![CDATA[ "The new best way to land QD-OLED on a budget?": Alienware just unveiled a new gaming monitor promising high-end specs at one seriously low price ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/dell/alienware-aw2726dm-qd-oled-gaming-monitor-available S6JEnaTJvdczTbFCLxF7XM Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:58:46 +0000 <![CDATA[ Microsoft's crazy Surface price hikes are pushing me to Apple: I can no longer recommend Surface over a MacBook or iPad ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/microsofts-crazy-surface-price-hikes-are-pushing-me-to-apple-i-can-no-longer-recommend-surface-over-a-macbook-or-ipad R6BWC5W55ZLKJs4SBunik8 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:17:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ "Xbox users spend more than PS5": Grand Theft Auto V leak reveals GTA Online earnings — as consoles dominate PC ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/grand-theft-auto-v-leak-reveals-gta-online-earnings TdBsQ8sdVVPPbuHWwmzvaH Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:10:55 +0000 <![CDATA[ "This is a pattern, not a coincidence": Halo Studios report highlights alleged leadership failures and staff treatment concerns ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/halo/halo-studios-report-highlights-alleged-leadership-failures aeq4x5oyiwvyFNTt2ou9W6 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:55:45 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:23:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ The Windows 11 customization scene is thriving because Microsoft won't give users what they want ]]> https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-customization-thriving-microsoft-wont-give-users-what-they-want xfY99vibnzixgKQAbwdoSN Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:40:15 +0000