Windows Central

1. Microsoft blocks Windows 11 KB5101650 update for Dell PCs due to "unexpected shutdowns, poor performance, increased heat, and battery drain"

   Microsoft has blocked the KB5101650 after Dell informed the company that a recent change is causing some of its PCs to suffer from major instability issues.

2. Wuthering Waves players slam the Xbox version for poor performance, saying it “looks like a mobile game on low settings”

   Wuthering Waves players are criticizing the Xbox version over graphical issues and poor performance, with many calling on Kuro Games to improve the port.

3. Dispatch’s long‑awaited Xbox Series X|S debut is finally confirmed, and it arrives in less than two weeks with full Xbox Play Anywhere support

   After months of waiting, AdHoc Studio has at last revealed the long-awaited release date for the Xbox version of its hit superhero game, Dispatch, and it will be arriving sooner than expected.

4. Newegg offers some of our favorite gaming CPUs bundled with motherboards and precious RAM in a limited summer sale

   Newegg is offering several bundles containing some of our favorite AMD CPUs, compatible motherboards, and RAM sticks at discounted prices for people looking to upgrade their rig for improved gaming and content creation performance.

5. Alienware made an "entry-level" gaming laptop with RTX 5050 graphics — but this 15-inch PC needs more than NVIDIA's clever upscaling tech to offset its downsides.

   The Alienware 15 gaming laptop with RTX 5050 graphics delivers capable gaming performance with NVIDIA's DLSS tech, but loud fans and tight storage hold it back.

6. The innovative "Kill Block" map for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is my most anticipated new feature for the game's multiplayer — and we finally get to see more of it

   Infinity Ward releases details on its innovative new dynamic map, Kill Block, coming to Modern Warfare 4 this October.

7. Cracks are starting to show in Xbox Game Pass after Microsoft removed a previously promised first‑party game it literally owns [UPDATE]

   Xbox has removed Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 from its upcoming Game Pass lineup despite owning the IP, prompting questions about the service's direction as subscriber growth reportedly slows.

8. Xbox adds 52 more titles to 'Stream Your Own Games,' including Black Ops 6 and indie classics

   Xbox's "Stream Your Own Games" library has expanded with 52 new titles. Game Pass subscribers who own these games can now stream Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and a bunch of indie classics.

9. Windows 11 has more recovery options than ever, and here’s exactly when I would use each one to fix a broken PC

   Windows 11 doesn't rely on one recovery option. Discover every tool available to repair, restore, reset, and rebuild your computer.

10. This viral Steam PC horror game is coming exclusive to Xbox on consoles next week, with Game Pass and Play Anywhere

    Bun Muen, the developer of the upcoming viral indie horror game Shift At Midnight, has announced that, in addition to PC, it's also coming to Xbox consoles, Xbox Game Pass, and Xbox Play Anywhere on July 22, 2026.

11. Microsoft's Snapdragon X2 Surface Laptop 8 and Pro 12 for Business are now available

    The Snapdragon X2-powered Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12 for Business are officially available. Here is what you need to know.

12. I tested Windows 11's overhauled search experience, and I think Microsoft has finally fixed it: Windows Search is now more accurate and easier to use

    Microsoft's new Windows Search experience is now rolling out in preview, and I've gone hands-on to see if the improvements really do make a difference.

13. GOG gently reminds us that it's the leading PC gaming platform to offer full DRM-free games — yes, you can keep them forever

    Faith in the preservation of digital media has been shattered thanks to Sony and Microsoft's recent actions, but GOG.com has come to restore it by reminding gamers that it's the only legal digital storefront where you can buy DRM-free games and save them on your computer or discs permanently.

14. The Xbox action RPG that proved to me Game Freak is capable of more than just Pokémon just released a new trailer

    Game Freak, the studio most famous for developing the mainline Pokémon games, has uploaded a new gameplay trailer showing off the complex combat system of its upcoming action RPG, Beast of Reincarnation.

15. Windows 11's latest update will let you pause updates indefinitely

    Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 introduces Point-in-time Restore, a new tool to pause updates, Widget improvements, and much more.

16. Microsoft keeps proving you own NOTHING with them — it blocks another user's entire Xbox game library, including his OneDrive [UPDATE]

    Never say 'lightning doesn't strike twice' because Microsoft has been caught banning and deleting another Xbox player's entire games library, account, and OneDrive folder after it was hacked.

17. This capable mini-PC for both work and 1080p gaming with increasingly expensive RAM and storage is now on sale just for today [EXPIRED]

    Best Buy is offering a limited-time 24-hour deal on the GEEKOM A7 Max AI mini-PC with a 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM, essential commodities for work and gaming that are becoming more expensive in this RAMpocalypse.

18. Windows Movie Maker still beats Clipchamp in an important way

    Microsoft’s Clipchamp now requires OneDrive syncing to edit video projects. Windows Movie Maker never would have betrayed me like this.

19. After two years, Once Human is coming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC with full cross-progression

    Once Human launched back in 2024, initially as a PC exclusive, before being joined in 2025 by a mobile version. Now, at long last, it's finally coming to console.

20. Xbox's cuts and layoffs don't solve its biggest problem — What will Asha do to solve Microsoft's biggest gaming crisis?

    In order to find the next genuine article of growth, Xbox will need to innovate in ways it hasn't seen in decades. Will Xbox CEO Asha Sharma be given the runway to do it?

21. Your Snapdragon X PC just took a step toward becoming a true gaming laptop

    Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon Control Panel update adds direct NPU driver access, a redesigned game library, and more reliable one‑click optimization. Gaming on Snapdragon X PCs won’t see a graphics boost, but the overall experience is better than before.

22. Microsoft’s powerful new Snapdragon X2 Surface PCs are here, and they're more than a spec bump

    Microsoft just launched its upgraded Surface Pro and Surface Laptop featuring Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X2 chips.

23. "Decrepit, disconnected, and directionless," we spoke to Ed Zitron on Microsoft's chances in the artificial intelligence biz — and whether or not the AI 'bubble' is primed to implode

    Journalist Ed Zitron of the 'Better Offline Podcast' and 'Where's Your Ed At' newsletter offered us a scathing take on Microsoft's chances in the AI race.

24. HP's 16-inch Windows laptop is perfect for the home and office — with 16 GB of RAM and Snapdragon X for $809 while it lasts

    Amazon is hosting a limited-time 26% discount on the HP 16" Omnibook 5 laptop, allowing students and workers to get work done faster with its Snapdragon X CPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.

25. The Call of Duty Black Ops ports on PS4 and PS5 are a hot mess of hackers

    Activision has disabled some playlists in the new Call of Duty: Black Ops port on PS4 and PS5 because hackers have, predictably, made it awful.