Achievements are getting a massive update, and Xbox says it’s only the beginning Xbox is finally giving Achievements the kind of upgrade fans have been asking for for years based on user feedback. Here's what's new.

Xbox is finally giving Achievements a real upgrade — new features, modern systems, and a dedicated team focused on fan feedback. This is the first meaningful progress we’ve seen in years.

www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox/...

Windows 11 just beat Ubuntu 26.04 LTS in resource requirements, and nobody saw this coming Ubuntu 26.04 now needs more RAM and CPU than Windows 11, and here's why.

Windows 11 now needs less RAM and CPU than Ubuntu 26.04 LTS. Not the 2026 plot twist I expected. www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...

"This could go over very poorly": SteamGPT shows up in a recent Steam update, suggesting Valve is prepping some sort of AI to help with support and anti-cheat A dataminer has discovered references to "SteamGPT" in a recent Steam update. While details remain scarce, it seems like Valve is working on an AI assistant to help with support and anti-cheat. That…

Is Valve really prepping an in-house AI agent to help with Steam's support and anti-cheat duties?

Here's what we know based on a recent datamining effort, and why it could either go really well or really poorly.

STORY at Windows Central🔗👇
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I finally found an open‑source screenshot tool on Windows 11 that beats Snipping Tool for my workflow Discover Yoink, the open-source all-in-one screenshot and productivity tool that rivals the Snipping Tool and ShareX on Windows 11.

Found a lightweight open‑source screenshot tool that genuinely beats Snipping Tool and even ShareX for everyday Windows 11 use. Fast, clean, and surprisingly polished. Full breakdown inside👇
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"You have to feel bad for anyone duped by such an elaborate ploy": How a fake Microsoft Teams update helped North Korean hackers compromise countless Windows PCs More details are emerging regarding a recent axios npm supply chain hack by North Korean bad actors. The hijack was weeks in the making and involved a fake Teams update to get it started. Here's how…

Bad actors are always getting better at delivering malware, and this recent axios hack was weeks in the making. Fake Teams downloads, fake Slack profiles, and cloned personnel were all involved in this NK effort to deliver a trojan to countless Windows PCs.

Full story⤵️
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"This is everything a flagship Windows laptop should be": I tested the new ASUS Zenbook A16 and it's practically perfect A combination of Qualcomm's phenomenal generational performance gains and refinements to ASUS' already stellar Zenbook design has crafted a practically perfect Windows laptop.

Starting at $1,599 for a Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme processor and 48GB of RAM, the Zenbook A16 borders on absurdity in terms of sheer value, with a practically perfect PC that showcases all the terrific advancements of Windows on ARM64.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

AI is far easier to implement during app development than I thought, as proven by this Microsoft MVP I recently put together a list of 7 Windows apps that make good use of an AI PC's NPU. It seems like there should be far more on the market, especially when meaningful implementation is so…

The NPU in your AI PC should be getting a lot more action, especially when Windows AI APIs make app development this easy. Microsoft MVP Lance McCarthy explains how he added meaningful AI to his app in just 10 minutes, and why you should too.

STORY: www.windowscentral.com/artificial-i...

7 Windhawk mods that completely changed how I use Windows 11 Discover the 7 best Windhawk mods to customize Windows 11, from Taskbar tweaks to Start menu styling and classic features restoration.

Windhawk mods let me shape Windows 11 exactly how I want — fixing annoyances, restoring features, and unlocking deeper customization. Here are the ones that made the biggest difference.

Our latest guide: www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...

7 Windows apps that actually use your PC's NPU: From editors to audio mixing to scam protection, these apps can make the most of your AI PC If you bought a new laptop in the last year, there's a good chance that it comes with an NPU. Besides Copilot+ tools in Windows 11, there are many apps that only get better thanks to the specialized…

Curious which apps actually use the NPU on your AI PC? A few big ones already do — and many still don’t.

Here’s the current reality in our latest roundup!
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8 new Windows 11 features arriving in April that make everyday use a little easier Microsoft refines Windows 11 with subtle upgrades in security, accessibility, and usability.

Windows 11’s April update brings 8 improvements that make the OS feel smoother, safer, and a bit more polished. Nothing flashy — just upgrades everyone benefits from.

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It’s a weird month for PC hardware”: What I found in Steam’s latest survey — and why it surprised me Steam's March 2026 hardware and software survey is live, and there are some huge swings that are clearly caused by a PC gaming market that's in flux.

I already knew that the PC gaming market was in bad shape due to rising hardware costs. However, I didn't expect such huge swings in these key areas, including a 20% drop in PCs using 32GB of RAM.

Steam's March 2026 survey really says it all. www.windowscentral.com/gaming/pc-ga...

"Shipments are now forecast to decline": Your next PC might be 60% more expensive in 2026, and entry-level Windows laptops could vanish Analysts warn of a 13% PC shipment decline in 2026 as RAM and storage prices surge.

The PC market in the US bounced back last year, but analysts warn a 13% drop is coming as storage and RAM costs skyrocket.

But perhaps more concerningly, the supply crisis will likely have the greatest impact on entry-level PCs.

More "microslop" for Microsoft 365? OpenClaw is set to supercharge the suite of productivity apps Microsoft just made a new hire to bring OpenClaw and personal AI agents to Microsoft 365 to bolster productivity.

Microsoft’s latest hire plans to bring OpenClaw and personal AI agents to Microsoft 365, raising questions about the company's broader commitment to reducing consumer AI integrations.

"My goal is to help usher in a new generation of workplace proactive assistants, ones that lighten your load."

Fallout Season 2 pulls 83 million viewers on Prime Video since its release New data confirms Fallout Season 2 is a major hit, with strong viewership pushing it just behind Reacher among Prime Video’s most successful returning series.

There's no denying that Fallout Season 2 has been a monumental success for Amazon and Microsoft.

Audiences are already hungry for more, after the second season pulled in 83 million viewers, making it Amazon’s second biggest returning show, behind Reacher.

Windows 11’s March Insider Update: 9 new features and fixes you shouldn’t miss Microsoft closes March with a wave of Windows 11 upgrades across Insider channels, improving security, better accessibility, and deeper NPU insights.

Windows 11’s March Insider Update brings 9 useful changes, from UI tweaks to performance fixes. A solid month for testers.

STORY: www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...

A NAS made my Windows PC backups so easy that I'm never going back. Here's why you should try one. A straightforward "Network Attached Storage" box has me backing up critical files more regularly than ever before.

"I didn't expect a "NAS" to change how I protect my Windows PC, until I tried one."

It's March 31, which means it's World Backup Day, and I'm double-checking that all of my PC's most important files are safe, and encouraging you to do the same!

How to get the best bitrate and picture quality in Xbox Cloud Gaming on Windows 11 Unlock higher quality, lower latency, and full control in Xbox Cloud Gaming on Windows 11 with Better xCloud.

Windows 11 now gives you real control over Xbox Cloud Gaming quality. Tweak a few settings and the stream looks noticeably sharper.

GUIDE: www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...

Windows 11 is gearing up for insane 1000Hz displays and the future of ultra‑smooth gaming Windows 11 update KB5079391 adds support for display refresh rates above 1,000Hz, and it turns out there's a lot more room than I was expecting for new hardware to slot into.

Windows 11 now supports 1000Hz+ monitors, clearing the way for the next generation of ultra‑fast gaming displays.

STORY🔗👇
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Windows 11 meets the iconic Windows 10 "Hero" in this new mashup A Reddit user’s new wallpaper mashup combines the Windows 11 logo with an aesthetic inspired by the original Windows 10 wallpaper.

A Reddit user’s new wallpaper mashup combines the Windows 11 logo with an aesthetic inspired by the original Windows 10 wallpaper 🥰

I prefer the symmetrical look over the slanted logo, but I like the default wallpaper more. Now, I don't have to choose between the two!

32GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 for $150? It's only possible with this Newegg bundle deal. When you buy a new Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus CPU and ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming WiFi motherboard, you get 32GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6400 RAM for just $150. Not bad, and only for a limite...

Buying RAM hurts a lot right now, but this bundle might be the perfect painkiller.

When you buy Intel's latest Core Ultra 7 270K Plus CPU and an ASUS ROG Strix Z890-E Gaming motherboard, you can get 32GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6400 RAM for just $150!

Xbox’s 2026 Games Showcase is shaping up to be a major moment for the platform as fans wait for new reveals and long‑overdue updates Microsoft has informed the gaming community when Xbox Games Showcase 2026 will air, along with details for Gears of War: E-Day Direct and Xbox FanFest 2026.

The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 now has an official date and time. Set your reminders because this one matters.

DETAILS: www.windowscentral.com/gaming/xbox-...

"This is probably going to be pretty good for schools" — The MacBook Neo targets students, but maybe not for the reason you think Framework founder Nirav Patel tears down his company's Laptop 12 next to the new MacBook Neo, unveiling different design philosophies that define each product.

The Framework teardown shows what repairability looks like. The MacBook Neo teardown shows some big improvements, but it still has drawbacks.

STORY: www.windowscentral.com/hardware/lap...

Copilot is now injecting ads into GitHub pull requests. It's a disaster. A developer caught Copilot adding promotional "tips" to code descriptions, highlighting a messy new era of AI slop.

Microsoft may have committed to reducing AI "slop" in Windows 11, but the tech giant seemingly forgot to CC GitHub about the initiative.

A software developer has shared that Copilot injected an ad into a pull request on GitHub.

A privacy‑first Android OS says it won’t follow the same age verification rules coming to Windows Would you give up privacy for age checks? GrapheneOS has indicated that it won't comply with new age-verification laws, as it aims to continue prioritizing user privacy even if it risks losing global ...

"If GrapheneOS devices can't be sold in a region due to regulations, so be it."

This Android-based OS refuses to comply with the same age-verification laws that are prompting changes to desktop operating systems, even though noncompliance could affect global access.

GTA VI price leak? New comments from Take-Two's CEO point to a surprising sweet spot $100 or not, plenty of people will break the bank to buy Grand Theft Auto VI at launch.

A recent GTA 6 price hint suggests fans won't face a $100 nightmare after all, at least according to clues from Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick.

Whether tempted by single-player extras or multiplayer bonuses, plenty of gamers would probably still spend more.

Surface is stuck in a loop — here are 4 ways Microsoft can save it Refinement isn't enough; Microsoft needs to innovate again, end staggered releases, and stop gatekeeping features to keep Surface from fading into tech boredom.

Windows 11 had a big week: new browser, better dark mode, a revamped Taskbar, a redesigned Feedback Hub — and Surface buyers should probably wait.

Our weekly wrap-up of all the biggest news in Windows and Microsoft🔗👇
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A mysterious “HP TV” app is appearing on Windows 11 PCs, and users want to know if it’s useful or just bloatware HP TV+ promises free, instant entertainment on your PC, but it struggles to stand out in a crowded streaming space.

The HP TV app popping up on Windows 11 has everyone asking the same thing: what is this thing, and why is it on my PC?

DETAILS: www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...

Windows Central readers overwhelmingly want Windows 11's forced Microsoft account requirement to go away We asked our readers what they think of Windows 11's forced Microsoft account requirement, and the answer is clear. Too bad it's not on the official list of improvements coming to the OS in 2026.

Windows 11’s mandatory Microsoft account rule is sparking real backlash from users who want more control.

Here's what you are saying, and it's not subtle🔗👇
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ASUS' ROG Strix G18 is a stellar gaming laptop that can handle any AAA PC title thrown at it, if you can take the heat it generates that is The Amazon Spring Sale is giving gamers a prime opportunity to grab the premium-grade ASUS ROG Strix G18 gaming laptop for a 21% discount.

🚨DAILY DEAL ALERT

A gaming laptop with an RTX 5050, an 18‑inch display, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD at this price is the kind of “happy medium” every PC gamer wishes they found sooner.

How to get it🔗⤵️
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Microsoft’s massive AI investments are triggering investor backlash and putting the company on track for its worst quarter since the financial crisis Investors are concerned about Microsoft's spending on AI, citing that AI agents from companies like OpenAI could threaten its core business model with Office.

Microsoft’s $146B AI bet is spooking investors and dragging the stock toward its worst quarter since 2008.

DETAILS:
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