Windows Central

1. The HP TV app just showed up on Windows 11, and people are wondering what it even does — here’s why it exists and whether you should use it

   HP TV+ is a free streaming app for Windows 11 with live channels and movies, but it feels more like background noise than a must-have service.

2. Windows 11’s push for mandatory Microsoft accounts is hitting a nerve with users who say the change complicates setup, privacy, and basic PC ownership

   Microsoft is planning some major changes for Windows 11 in 2026, but one thing not officially noted is a change to mandatory Microsoft accounts in Windows 11. We asked our readers what they think.

3. UGREEN's new Maxidok 17-in-1 Thunderbolt 5 dock is for power users craving extra M.2 storage — A huge launch discount makes it cheaper than the CalDigit TS5 Plus

   UGREEN recently launched its new Maxidok 17-in-1 (U716) Thunderbolt 5 dock, and I got my hands on it early to test it out. It's a new high-end option competing with the very best docks, and it's currently enjoying a huge launch discount.

4. Xbox’s next original game is taking shape as the studio behind South of Midnight begins hiring for a mysterious new project

   Compulsion Games is hiring across multiple roles as it begins work on a new IP described as intriguing, according to a recent LinkedIn post from the studio.

5. Windows 11 KB5079391 update pulled as Microsoft scrambles to address installation issues

   If you were wondering where Windows 11's latest preview update had gone, it turns out that Microsoft pulled it due to installation bugs.

6. Psychological horror meets 15th-century poetry when 'The Alighieri Circle: Dante’s Bloodline' comes to Xbox later this year

   What if The Divine Comedy was more than just a poem? That’s the question asked by upcoming psychological horror The Alighieri Circle: Dante’s Bloodline.

7. Windows Wrap — 4 steps to save the Surface brand

   New Surface PCs are on the way, but hardware refreshes aren't enough. Here are four ways the company can actually save the Surface brand.

8. This RTX 5050 gaming laptop with an 18” FHD+ display, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD strikes a "happy medium between performance and price"

   The Amazon Spring Sale is still in motion, and it's coughed up a generous 21% discount for the premium grade, ASUS ROG Strix G18 gaming laptop with the RTX 5050 GPU, AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX CPU, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD configuration.

9. Microsoft’s $146B AI spending spree is spooking investors — and could lead to its worst quarter since 2008

   Microsoft could be looking at the worst quarter since the 2008 financial crisis because of AI, but it still wants to make a $146 billion infrastructure investment in 2026

10. Microsoft quietly shipped 9 meaningful Windows 11 improvements this year, and they actually make the OS feel more polished

    Windows 11 has gained cross-device resume, MIDI upgrades, Sysmon, and more in early 2026. Here are all the new features and improvements.

11. Xbox drops a bunch of 25th Anniversary merch and signals a major vibe shift at Microsoft

    Xbox is turning 25, and the celebration comes with a 73Studio collab and some new gear to fawn over. The brand is signaling a "Return to Xbox" that you can wear.

12. Bethesda Fallout 3 dev "initially felt a little touchy" about New Vegas' success because they "put in all this effort" for its foundation — "We made 90% of the art, we built the engine"

    Fallout 3 dev "initially felt a little touchy" about New Vegas' glowing reputation because Bethesda's work building its foundation went unrecognized.

13. Xbox Game Pass “TRITON” shows up with only first‑party games, sparking questions about whether Microsoft is preparing a major shake‑up to its subscription model

    A newly discovered Xbox Game Pass codename, TRITON, points to a first party game lineup, adding to speculation that Microsoft could be testing a different subscription offering.

14. Why did Microsoft end 'This is an Xbox' marketing? Microsoft responds — "It didn't feel like Xbox."

    Microsoft's controversial Xbox marketing campaign "This is an Xbox" was almost immediately ended after new CEO Asha Sharma came on board. Microsoft explains why.

15. Geekom's ultimate Windows Mini-PC with upgradeable RAM and SSD is now 33% off — it also features quad 4K monitor support and an Intel i5-13600H CPU

    The Geekom IT13 is our no.1 mini-PC for its reliably quick performance for productivity tasks, 4K monitor support, and compact design, and it's now on sale for a 33% Amazon Spring Sale discount.

16. Sony raised PS5 prices in key regions and Xbox instantly became the cheaper console, creating one of the funniest value swings in years

    Sony has raised PS5 prices across multiple regions, and early comparisons show Xbox hardware now offers better value in several markets, shifting the pricing landscape between the two platforms.

17. Alienware’s 2026 refresh doubles down on power, RGB, and unapologetic gaming attitude, proving subtlety is still not the plan

    Alienware announced a refresh for its flagship Area-51 and Aurora gaming laptops at CES 2026, and they're now available to buy from Dell. Best part? The older models are enjoying some heavy discounts.

18. Yes, your office admin can fully remove Microsoft's Copilot app from your work PCs — if you follow this strict criteria for 28 days

    Microsoft made it possible to batch uninstall Copilot in Windows 11, but the caveats make it harder than expected.

19. Windows 95's self-healing tricks saved Microsoft's retro OS from rogue installations — A "fix it after they break it" strategy

    Windows 95 had a clever safeguard against sloppy installers that few would have known about.

20. Baldur's Gate 3 director weighs in on cheaper Xbox Game Pass tiers Microsoft is considering — "I don't think race to the bottom needs a renaissance"

    As Microsoft's new Xbox CEO considers making Xbox Game Pass more affordable with "lower-priced tiers," one executive dev says he thinks that's a bad idea.

21. The “Avengers” of Windows app development are assembling to fix Windows 11

    Legendary developer Rudy Huyn is picking a new team to improve the Windows 11 app experience.

22. STALKER 2 just got a big Xbox feature ahead of its new Cost of Hope DLC — new details about the expansion have me excited to return to The Zone

    Ahead of STALKER 2's newly announced Cost of Hope DLC expansion coming out this summer, the game now fully supports Xbox Play Anywhere on Xbox and PC.

23. Hunters of 2-in-1 laptops with stylus pen support for crafting digital art are in luck — this solid 3K AMOLED PC will fit your needs at a 29% discount

    The Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a favorable 2-in-1 laptop with a detailed 3K AMOLED display, a high-performance Lunar Lake Intel Core Ultra Series 2 CPU, and additional features for work and personal use. It's also now available for a 29% discount courtesy of the Amazon Spring Sale.

24. Qualcomm-based PC sales have "experienced explosive growth," according to a new report — and the platform could save a struggling entry-level PC gaming market

    In the future, ARM-based PCs could save the day for entry-level and mid-range PC gamers. I'm not sure I believe it, but that's exactly what this recent analyst report suggests.

25. OpenAI Sora dead, new funding "Ponzi scheme" ... is the end of OpenAI nigh, and will Microsoft end up picking up the pieces?

    OpenAI looks increasingly chaotic, as it shutters various projects and restructures in ongoing, increasingly fruitless-looking attempts to become profitable.