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How-To
7 ways Windows collects your data (and how to opt out)
Microsoft tracks certain types of data on Windows 11 users. You can opt out of most of it.
Feature
Why is PC gaming still terrible on Snapdragon laptops? Blame Steam
Developing games for Arm isn't actually that difficult. According to these developers, the problem lies elsewhere.
News
The first-ever copy of Windows 95 shows up, unopened and pristine
An ex-manager from Microsoft proudly showed off his first edition of Windows 95, which should be worth a lot to collectors.
News
Asus motherboards now support native Windows RGB controls
A beta BIOS update lets you mess with your motherboard's RGB lighting without needing a separate Asus app.
News
Over 40 years later, Windows' Notepad finally has spell check
After more than four decades, the latest version of Notepad sent out to Windows 11 users includes spell check and auto-correct options.
News
Don't fall for the no-bloat 'government' version of Windows 11 going around
Windows 11 without any of the bloatware? Sounds promising! But the alleged "Government Edition" is actually illegal.
Feature
Is Windows 11's built-in antivirus enough for normal people?
See where Windows Security stands tall and where it falls short for regular, daily use.
News
New Windows 11 Start menu annoyingly hides oft-used actions
The Windows Start menu is undergoing a redesign that makes an unnecessary change.
Updated
Get Windows 11 for just $48 during July 4th weekend
PCWorld is offering a Windows 11 Home license for just $48 over the Fourth of July holiday with Windows 11 Pro deals available at just-as-steep discounts.
News
Copilot finally works on Windows 10 multi-monitor setups
It took Microsoft seven months to squash a Copilot bug that caused desktop icons to jump between screens.
Tip
This clever tip alerts you when apps are added to Startup in Windows 11
Did you know Windows 11 can immediately inform you when an app is added to the auto-start list?
News
Microsoft revives broken Windows update, but now breaks taskbars
The KB5039302 update remains problematic. The reboot loop issue might be fixed, but the taskbar is now unusable.
News
Latest Windows update causes reboot loop — what to do if you're stuck
The recently released KB5039302 update for Windows 11 causes some PCs to restart endlessly. Here's what you can do about it.
News
Windows 11 update adds new emojis, game suggestions, 7-Zip, and more
KB5039302 for Windows 11 brings minor innovations for emoji fans, gamers, and others.
News
Windows 11 starts forcing OneDrive backups without asking permission
Microsoft really, really wants you to back up files and folders to OneDrive.
Feature
Yawn. Windows' Copilot+ AI features feel like early tech demos at best
At launch—and without Recall—there's just not much here to get the blood pumping for Windows Copilot+ PC's.
News
Microsoft erases guide for switching to local Windows accounts
Microsoft apparently wants Windows users to use connected online accounts so badly, it's chopping off parts of its own service page.
Opinion
Why are tech companies so willfully bad at privacy?
Some companies been around longer than some of us have been alive, but they refuse to learn from experience—and wonder why we’re hesitant about new tech.
News
New Windows update makes it easier to move files around
Microsoft is beta testing a new feature that could make your life a little easier.
News
Latest Windows update patches critical Wi-Fi vulnerability
A trio of security issues are fixed in this Windows Update, including a remote Wi-Fi driver exploit.
News
Microsoft hunts for fix to annoying Windows 10 taskbar bug
Windows 10 is currently annoying many users with a right-click problem in taskbar apps.
Feature
Good news! Most apps I've tried on Microsoft's Copilot+ Surface just work
Most apps work on Copilot+ PCs without a fuss. There are a few exceptions, though. I did some testing with a variety of apps—here's how it all went.
Feature
The Copilot key isn't working on some Copilot+ PCs. Here's how I fixed it
Microsoft's Surface Pro (2024) hit my doorstep with an unresponsive Copilot key. If your Copilot+ PC has the same problem, try this fix.
Feature
Surface Pro (2024) first impressions: This AI tablet needs more I
My first hour or so with the Microsoft Surface Pro (2024), or Surface Pro 11th Edition, suffered through unexpected reboots, a malfunctioning keyboard, and weird AI apps. Aside from that, this Copilot+ PC is terrific.
News
Windows 11's latest update is kind of insane, in a bad way
The Windows 11 24H2 update shows how Microsoft is splitting Windows 11 users into Copilot+ haves and have-nots.
News
Windows 11 is finally getting a popular time-saving Windows 10 feature
A clever Windows 10 feature is apparently returning to Windows 11—and you can try it out right now.
News
Microsoft pulls Recall from initial launch of Copilot+ PCs
Microsoft was set to launch its Recall feature for Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs, but the AI search engine has been pulled out of privacy concerns.
How-To
How to turn off Recall on Copilot+ PCs: Stop Windows from recording everything
The new Windows Recall function records everything that happens on your PC and takes a screenshot of your screen every five seconds. This allows you to switch off Recall permanently and protect your privacy.
News
Microsoft is killing a huge AI feature in Copilot Pro
Microsoft announced that it's getting rid of the way to build custom Copilot models inside Copilot Pro.
News
How the best Windows screensaver came to be
3D Pipes, the iconic screensaver within Windows NT and other versions of Windows, arrived as a way for Microsoft to show off new technology.
Feature
Windows Defender antivirus: 5 settings to change first
All Windows PCs use Microsoft’s antivirus by default.
News
Microsoft retreats on Recall — always-on screenshots will be opt-in
A new blog post tries to assuage the privacy and security concerns around Recall on Copilot+ PCs.
News
Windows 10 gets its first beta preview in three years
While Windows 10 is on its way out, Microsoft is opening the Insider beta program for a last hurrah. Just don't join Canary or Dev if you want to stay on Windows 10.
News
This Windows 11 trick brings back Windows 10's file explorer
A Reddit user discovered this trick by chance, which opens the Windows 10 File Explorer in Windows 11.
How-To
Why you should reset your Windows PC every year
Windows PCs should not only be reset in emergencies. Here's why an annual reinstallation of Windows offers many advantages.
News
Microsoft blocks Windows 11 workaround that enabled local accounts
Many users use an e-mail trick to avoid creating a Microsoft account. This has now apparently been stopped by Microsoft.
News
Is your taskbar suddenly crashing? Blame the latest Windows update
Windows update KB5037853 rolled out helpful new features – and broke the taskbar for some people. A fix will now be sent out to affected users.
News
Surprise Windows 11 update drops with helpful goodies galore
Microsoft has released an unscheduled update for Windows 11 that's brimming with helpful quality of life features.
News
Dolby Digital audio support is disappearing from Windows 11
If you need to reinstall Windows 11 from scratch, you can no longer play files with Dolby Digital's AC-3 codec.
Feature
Should you enable hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in Windows 11?
Gamers are often encouraged to switch on hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in Windows 10 or 11, but does this feature actually provide any tangible upticks to performance?
News
Microsoft's Windows 11 upgrade pleas get even more desperate
Windows 11 hasn't been as successful as Microsoft had hoped—and they still really want to convince Windows 10 users to switch.
Feature
Windows 11’s most-hyped new AI feature could be a privacy nightmare
Microsoft Recall feels like it comes straight from the future—but it has a hidden dark side that's all too familiar.
News
Microsoft battens security hatches on Windows admin accounts
Coming changes to Windows 11 will help reduce the risk of using an administrator account on a day-to-day basis.
News
Microsoft Edge will start blocking screenshots on the job
Microsoft Edge for Business will begin blocking the ability to take screenshots of web pages your IT department deems off limits.
News
Surface VP sitdown: How is AI going to change Microsoft's PCs?
PCWorld's Mark Hachman interviews Microsoft's corporate vice president of Surface devices to talk about the future of the PC and Windows in an AI-powered world.
News
This year's major Windows 11 update is here for you to try
Microsoft has pushed a test version of what may be called the Windows 11 2024 Update, complete with new features like WiFi 7 support for you to try. But there's a bunch of AI features that won't work without a Copilot+ PC.
News
Microsoft's Copilot AI upgrades to a dedicated Windows app
Microsoft is "evolving" Copilot into a Windows app, removing the "preview" tag, and moving it right smack into the middle of the Windows 11 taskbar.
News
You can now limit how much memory Microsoft Edge uses
Want to restrict Microsoft Edge from eating all your RAM? There's a new slider you can use to choose how many gigabytes Microsoft Edge can occupy.
News
Modder gets Windows XP to run on 1989 computer
A modder created a version of Windows XP that runs on Intel 486 processors and made the ISO file available to download on the Internet Archive.
Feature