All articles tagged with #windows
France said it will replace Windows workstations with Linux as part of a broader move toward digital sovereignty in Europe, migrate videoconferencing to a French-made platform (Visio) and shift health data to a new system by 2026, reflecting Europe's push to reduce reliance on US tech amid frictions with the US.
Windows and Xbox are signaling a consumer‑first reboot by reviving Insider events and pushing user‑requested features (like the vertical taskbar) after a period of AI‑driven controversy. Jez Corden frames the shift as a potentially panic‑driven pivot tied to OpenAI tensions and the profitability challenges of AI within Azure, suggesting Microsoft may rethink or split from OpenAI to refocus on core Windows/Xbox experiences and win back trust from users. The piece situates this as a strategic turn this year, though the author remains skeptical about its durability.
Samsung Electronics announced Samsung Browser for Windows, extending its mobile browser to PC with cross-device continuity and a new agentic AI assistant built with Perplexity. The browser lets users pick up where they left off across devices, uses Samsung Pass for autofill, and employs natural-language understanding to manage tabs, summarize content across multiple tabs, search history by natural language, and even locate moments in video content. Availability covers Windows 10/11 (version 1809+), with agentic AI features initially in South Korea and the United States and plans to expand to more markets; supported devices include Galaxy Book3–6 series and required Samsung Account and Continuity Service.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 will add a movable Taskbar (bottom, top, left, or right) and a smaller, resizable height, with these options configurable in Settings rather than through a draggable debug menu; flyouts will adapt to the Taskbar’s position, and the changes are prioritized for the current release cycle to boost Windows 11’s customization options.
Microsoft is facing consumer backlash over its aggressive Copilot AI integration across Windows 11, prompting a pledge to trim Copilot entry points in apps like Notepad, Snipping Tool, Photos, and Widgets and to focus on more useful, well-crafted features; critics warn of AI bloat and security risks, while users consider Linux or Apple’s MacBook Neo as alternatives amid Windows 12 rumors and ongoing update issues.
Microsoft is signaling a shift away from the Windows Update nightmare by letting users pause automatic updates for as long as they need, with the option to reboot or shut down without forced installs and to skip updates during device setup. The company also promises faster updates for those who want them, plus ongoing improvements to performance, reliability, and wake times, all while preserving some degree of automatic updating. It’s a move toward giving users more control and rebuilding trust in Windows, though it stops short of ending automatic updates entirely.
Microsoft is adding a movable Windows 11 taskbar that can be repositioned to the top or sides, with a smaller taskbar option planned for later this year; the feature will first roll out to Windows Insiders before reaching all users as part of ongoing UI and performance improvements.
Spotify Premium users can enable Exclusive Mode in the Windows app’s Playback settings to give Spotify control over your device’s audio processing, achieving bit-perfect playback; Mac support is planned for a future release, and using Exclusive Mode disables other apps’ audio and Spotify automix/crossfade features.
Spotify is adding Exclusive Mode to its Windows app, giving the player exclusive control of the PC’s audio path to achieve bit-perfect playback and preserve fidelity for its lossless option; available to Premium subscribers, with macOS support coming later.
Microsoft’s Xbox PC app preview now lets users manually add any Windows executable or CMD to the Xbox library via an Add Games To Library option, enabling in-app launches for a variety of games and apps (from YARG and iTunes to Sider). While initially benefiting ROG Xbox Ally users by keeping gameplay inside the Xbox interface, this feature hints at a broader, more open ecosystem ahead of Project Helix, potentially reducing the need to switch to Windows for non-traditional titles.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 March 2026 update KB5079473 adds features such as Sysmon, enhanced Windows Backup, Quick Machine Recovery, and a built-in speed test, alongside WebP desktop background support and RSAT on ARM; it also delivers faster Windows Update, more reliable File Explorer search, and other bug fixes, with the update rolling out via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog.
Google Play Games for PC is widening its premium catalog and introducing a cross-buy option with Android, including a Windows tab for desktop-optimized titles, wishlist syncing, and trial availability. While some games will support cross-platform purchases (buy once, play anywhere), this capability is developer-dependent and not universally available yet, signaling a gradual move toward a fuller Windows/Android crossover.
Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo introduces a lightweight, iPhone-friendly MacBook with trimmed hardware that targets students and casual users, potentially eroding Windows’ grip on the budget laptop market. The move could spur PC makers to innovate, while Microsoft faces talk of a shift toward a subscription Windows model. Neo’s strong ecosystem and design may lure new buyers, though concerns about durability and repairability remain as the market watches how Windows and Chromebooks respond.
Contrary to rumors of a 2026 release, the article argues Windows 12 is unlikely until 2027, with Windows 11 receiving ongoing updates (26H2 and 26H1 for Snapdragon) and the next OS forecast to hinge on AI hardware (NPUs) and Copilot integration. It predicts a store-/cloud-based app model that restricts Win32 apps to Pro/Enterprise editions, possibly via containers or Windows 365, and a new paid subscription tier. Past missteps like Windows 10 S and Windows 10X inform these predictions, and a Windows 12 preview is expected in 2027 with a likely October 2027 launch, potentially branded as Windows Copilot Edition.
OpenAI has released a native Windows desktop app for Codex, its AI coding assistant that runs AI agents to write code from natural-language prompts. The Windows version follows the Mac release and supports planning, adjustable autonomy, access to local directories and GitHub, and a multi-chat interface for teams with per-action notifications. Competing tools include Claude Code and Google Antigravity, and although Codex is free with ChatGPT accounts, usage quotas can rapidly exhaust even paid plans.