Windows 11 articles

Microsoft admits Windows 11 lost its way, Nadella pledges to "win back fans"

TL;DR: Microsoft is trying to repair Windows 11's reputation and overhaul its app ecosystem, and both efforts center on one idea: get back to fundamentals and make the OS feel like a fast, coherent, native-first platform again. That shift runs from Satya Nadella's pledge to "win back fans" to internal engineers publicly declaring that "Native apps are back!" for Windows 11.

Microsoft's "Windows K2" plan promises a faster Start menu, instant search, and fewer botched updates

Windows Insiders can now pause updates indefinitely, in 35-day increments

Microsoft says Windows 11 changes are "directly influenced" by users

Microsoft's full-screen Xbox experience is now available to Windows 11 Insiders

Open-source tool decrypts all private data collected by Windows Recall on Copilot PCs

Editor's take: Windows Recall continues to raise security concerns. Microsoft has redesigned the feature to improve data and identity protection following public outcry, but a new tool is now reigniting the controversy. I have to suspect that few people in their right mind would choose to enable or use it at this point.

Malware campaign lures users with fake Windows Update website

Microsoft is removing 32GB size limit for FAT32 volumes, this time for real

Windows is finally killing off the Control Panel

Windows 11 will be force-updated to version 25H2 using machine learning

Linux gaming levels up as CachyOS beats Windows 11 in head-to-head tests

Looking ahead: For years, Linux gaming has lived in the shadow of Windows. But recent benchmarks suggest that balance may be shifting. In a comparison spanning more than 10 blockbuster titles, the Arch-based Linux distribution CachyOS frequently outperformed Windows, even in games without native Linux support.

The Windows Command Prompt is getting faster, smarter, and a lot more modern

Microsoft halts Windows 11 update after users report installation errors

Microsoft plans 100% native Windows 11 apps in major shift away from web wrappers

First look: Microsoft plans to build 100% native apps for Windows 11 and launch an initiative centered on a new team focused on native experiences instead of web-based wrappers. The company has also created a new team to lead the work, following years in which many core and third-party Windows apps have relied heavily on web technologies.

Windows 11 users are still fixing the Start menu with third-party tools

Microsoft is rethinking Windows 11 after months of complaints

Highly anticipated: Microsoft is taking a closer look at Windows 11 after months of criticism over the operating system's uneven performance and intrusive AI features. The company has begun outlining a series of engineering fixes and user experience overhauls aimed at rebuilding confidence in its flagship product, with the first phase arriving in preview builds this spring and broader improvements planned throughout 2026.

Microsoft is backing away from putting Copilot everywhere in Windows 11

Nvidia, AMD, and Intel back Microsoft's plan to fix shader compilation stutter

Need a fresh start? This Windows 11 ISO download makes clean installs easy

Windows 11 "Xbox Mode" UI coming to all PCs in April

Windows 11 hits 72% share as Windows 10 fades, but not everyone is happy

Connecting the dots: Windows 11 finally takes over the desktop, but maybe not on Microsoft's preferred terms. StatCounter's latest numbers show Microsoft's latest OS running on nearly three-quarters of Windows desktops worldwide, with Windows 11 at 72.78% and Windows 10 down to 26.27%. It is a sharp swing from only late 2025, when Windows 11 hovered above the 50% mark and Windows 10 still powered nearly half of all machines.

Microsoft expands Windows 365 Cloud PC thin clients to Asus and Dell hardware

Microsoft clarifies Windows 11 legacy printer driver support after user concerns

Microsoft is adding images to Notepad, and users are wondering why