Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Windows 11 September Update: Copilot Enhancements, Customizable Lock Screen Widgets

2025-08-21

Microsoft is preparing a major feature drop for Windows 11 users in September. The update includes Copilot enhancements like improved Recall and Click To Do, alongside improvements for all users such as enhanced Windows Search (images displayed in a grid view), customizable lock screen widgets, and a redesigned Windows Hello interface. Additionally, the taskbar calendar flyout will once again display seconds, and Task Manager has been updated. Copilot+ PC users will get a new Recall landing page and a new Click To Do tutorial. Future updates include a more customizable Start menu and improved system-wide dark mode.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech

Microsoft Shuts Down Movies & TV Store After Nearly 20-Year Run

2025-07-19

Microsoft has announced the closure of its Movies & TV storefront on the Microsoft Store, effective July 18th. No new movie or TV content can be purchased through the Microsoft Store on Windows PCs or Xbox consoles. This follows the shutdown of Groove Music in 2017, marking the end of almost two decades of Microsoft selling digital movies and TV shows. Existing purchases remain accessible through the Movies & TV app, but users are encouraged to migrate to services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. The move is a significant shift for users who've built up collections on the Microsoft platform.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech Movies & TV Store Closure

Windows Hello Broken in the Dark: A Security Upgrade's Cost?

2025-06-16

Users are reporting that Windows Hello has stopped working in dark environments. Microsoft's update, aimed at patching a spoofing vulnerability, now requires both IR sensors and a webcam for facial recognition. While enhancing security, this means users can't use Windows Hello in low-light conditions unless they disable their webcam. A workaround involves disabling the webcam, restoring dark-room functionality but sacrificing video call capabilities. This upgrade prioritizes security, but at the cost of convenience for users.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech

Windows 11 Preview Build Brings Back the Iconic Windows Vista Boot Sound!

2025-06-16

A fun bug in the latest Windows 11 preview build has resurrected the iconic Windows Vista boot-up sound! Users booting their PCs are greeted by a blast from the past, with the familiar Windows Vista/Windows 7 startup chime replacing the expected Windows 11 sound. Microsoft acknowledges the issue, attributing it to a bug and promising a fix. The unexpected return coincides with Apple's announcement of Liquid Glass, sparking nostalgia for Vista and its Aero Glass interface. The discovery has quickly become a viral sensation on social media.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech

DOOM: The Dark Ages Gets a Difficulty Boost Patch – Hell Just Got Harder

2025-05-25

The acclaimed DOOM: The Dark Ages recently received a difficulty-increasing patch. Player feedback indicated the game was too easy, even on Nightmare difficulty, prompting id Software to adjust enemy damage, item drop rates, and the parry mechanic. The update buffs enemy attacks, reduces player forgiveness, and forces more tactical decision-making. Despite a mixed PC launch, the game attracted over three million players in five days and garnered critical acclaim. This update delivers the increased challenge many players desired.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Game Difficulty Adjustment

Windows 11's Cross-Device Resume: Say Goodbye to Interrupted Experiences

2025-05-21

Microsoft showcased a new cross-device resume feature for Windows 11 at Build 2025, similar to Apple's Handoff. This allows developers to seamlessly continue app usage across devices. A demo featured Spotify, letting users resume a song on their Windows PC from where they left off on their phone. WhatsApp was also shown. This feature, seemingly a successor to Project Rome, promises smoother cross-device experiences and increased app discoverability on Windows for third-party developers.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Development Cross-Device Resume

Xbox's Next Decade: Handhelds and Next-Gen Consoles

2025-03-10

Microsoft's Xbox strategy is shifting. While console sales have declined, its active user base has skyrocketed thanks to the Activision-Blizzard acquisition. Microsoft is focusing on a multi-platform strategy, including a planned 2025 release of an Xbox-branded handheld, codenamed "Keenan," running Windows and deeply integrated with PC Game Pass. More excitingly, Microsoft has greenlit next-gen Xbox consoles, slated for 2027, which will be closer to Windows, improving developer efficiency and continuing backward compatibility. This move aims to solidify its core user base and maintain competitiveness through more powerful hardware and tighter Windows integration.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Game Gaming Console

Microsoft to Shutter Skype? The End of an Era?

2025-02-28

Reports suggest Microsoft is preparing to shut down its long-standing communication app, Skype, in the coming months. A hidden string in the latest Skype for Windows preview hints at a May shutdown, prompting users to switch to Teams. Once a dominant VoIP platform, Skype has faced stiff competition from newer apps like Telegram and WhatsApp. Despite integration attempts within the Microsoft ecosystem, Skype has struggled to maintain relevance. The move appears to be a strategic shift towards consolidating users on the Teams platform.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech Communication App

Microsoft's Secret Free Office: Ads for Access

2025-02-24

Microsoft has quietly released a free version of Microsoft Office for Windows, allowing document editing without a Microsoft 365 subscription or license key. This free version, based on the full desktop apps, locks most features behind a Microsoft 365 paywall. It includes persistent in-document ads in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and only saves files to OneDrive. To access it, skip the sign-in prompt. While you can open, view, and edit documents, advanced features like add-ins, dictation, and advanced formatting are unavailable. This free Office appears to be in limited testing.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech Microsoft Office Free Version

Notepad's AI Rewrite Feature: A Freemium Trojan Horse?

2025-02-19

Microsoft's venerable Notepad, a staple for decades, now features an AI-powered 'Rewrite' tool. However, accessing this feature requires a paid Microsoft 365 subscription, sparking debate. While Notepad remains free and usable without an account, the prominent prompts for the Rewrite function feel like a subtle push towards a paid model. Though the core functionality remains free, the persistent ads for a premium service raise questions about Microsoft's long-term strategy for its classic applications.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech

Microsoft Kills Free VPN in Defender After Price Hike

2025-02-02

Microsoft's free VPN feature in Microsoft Defender, included with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions since 2023, is being discontinued on February 28, 2025. This announcement follows a recent price increase for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, leaving users feeling shortchanged. While the price hike includes the new AI-powered Copilot, many consider the loss of the convenient VPN a significant drawback.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech

Leaked: Microsoft's Scrapped Dynamic Wallpapers for Windows 11

2025-01-03

Former Microsoft designer Sergey Kisselev revealed designs for dynamic wallpapers intended for Windows 11. These wallpapers, featuring various animations and still images, were designed to complement the centered Start Menu and Taskbar, primarily targeting educational users. However, the feature never shipped, suggesting cancellation or postponement. While early hints appeared in Insider builds, it didn't make it into the 23H2 release, and its future remains uncertain.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech dynamic wallpapers