A new clipboard manager for Windows 11 is here, and it's better than Microsoft's in a few key ways. "Edge Drop" is still in its early stages of development, but the current preview build is very promising.

Edge Drop is a clipboard manager that can also be used for some light file management. It stays tucked away on the left side of your screen until you swipe your mouse over it or use a keyboard shortcut (Alt + C).

The app supports text, images, and several file types. Any item you copy on Windows 11 is added to Edge Drop by default. You can also drag items into Edge Drop.

Drag and drop functionality makes it easy to grab a few files, place them in Edge Drop, and then paste them somewhere else.

Edge Drop supports stacking content together, which I find useful for organizing projects. I'd love to see stacks work with different content types, such as text and images.

The developer of Edge Drop, AdiArtist, shared the app on Reddit. You can download Edge Drop through the app's website and read more about it on GitHub.

As a quick note, I wouldn't get used to the name of the app. Microsoft already has a feature named "Edge Drop." Even though that browser feature is being retired, I suspect Microsoft will want to protect the name.

Windows 11 Clipboard vs Edge Drop

Windows 11 already has a robust, built-in clipboard history that you can summon with Win + V. It supports pinning items, syncing across devices, and has been an integral part of my workflow for years. Even with Edge Drop installed, I'm not abandoning it.

Where Windows 11's clipboard is heavily keyboard-driven, Edge Drop is more built for the mouse. If you're working on a creative project, dragging and dropping items into organized stacks feels completely natural.

It reminds me of when I reviewed the HyperSpace TrackPad Pro (which, sadly, was canceled). Using that trackpad shifted my workflow; editing video with it felt entirely different than navigating a webpage. It didn't replace my mouse, but it became a perfect companion tool.

I feel the same way about Edge Drop. It’s a convenient, mouse-oriented clipboard manager that’s always just a gesture away, and it has earned a permanent spot right alongside Windows 11's default clipboard.

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Zenless Zone Zero, the once-PlayStation-exclusive action game by the creators of Genshin Impact, has announced it will be making its way onto Xbox on PC with cross-platform Xbox Play Anywhere support between the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming on July 29, 2026.

In addition, the game will be receiving a massive Version 3.1 content update titled "The Long Goodbye" on the same day it launches on Xbox on PC.

This update will include new questlines for its storyline and a new playable character called Remielle Dan, an S-Rank Anomaly Agent who is the very first Lumiflux attribute agent who can adapt her damage output depending on her team composition.

In addition, the S-Rank Ice Attack Agent Sigrid will also become playable in this update.

As part of Zenless Zone Zero's 2nd anniversary celebrations, the game will allow players to select and obtain one of five S-Rank agents (Jane, Soldier 0/Anby, Hugo, Trigger, or Lucia) and receive their corresponding exclusive W-Engine weapons.

On top of that, this update will introduce a new game mode called Enigma of the Labyrinth: Operation Bagel, 1,600 Polychrome login rewards, and up to 20 signal searches to find across the full game.

With Zenless Zone Zero now available on Xbox on PC, Xbox players will now have even more ways to enjoy the rich story, beloved characters, and addictive combat of this popular gacha action game on any compatible Xbox device, no matter where they are.

Zenless Zone Zero is also available on iOS and Android mobile devices, PlayStation 5, and PC via Epic Games Store and the Hoyoverse, with full cross-play support between each system and the Xbox platforms.

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Sim Update 6 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is on its way, and following the recent first beta release, there's now a newer one to try out with more new features.

In the Sim Update 6 1.8.8.0 beta there are two pieces of new content to take a look at, including the much-anticipated return of Bush Trips from Flight Simulator 2020.

It's not all of them at this point, but it sounds like a good chunk are available to try out before the public release, per the patch notes.

"As announced during FlightSimExpo 2026, bush trips are coming to MSFS 2024 and are now accessible in the Sim Update 6 Beta from the Activities menu. We have added a large amount of the bush trips from MSFS 2020 already and more will be added in the coming days."

The other fresh content concerns lighting, one of the already promised big upgrades for Sim Update 6. Generic airport lighting upgrades were made in the previous beta, while this latest one adds MastLights to those same generic airports, improving the illumination at parking spots.

This is on top of the features that came in the first Sim Update 6 beta, including DLSS 4.5, FSR 4, and the ability to skip walkarounds in Free Flight mode.

If you want to try the new beta for yourself, how you get in depends on where you're playing. Sign up to be a Flight Simulator Insider first, and then flights are managed through the XBOX Insider Hub app on console or PC.

Steam betas are managed through the game's Properties menu, and PS5 players can download the beta via the PlayStation Store.

There's no release date yet set for the public version of Sim Update 6, but the latest roadmap shows a July or August timeframe. So it's not too far away.

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Microsoft's Surface Laptop 8 launched this summer, sporting new Snapdragon X2 chips. The flagship laptops promise a premium experience, better battery life than the previous generation, and improved graphics performance.

The bump in performance is expected considering the Surface Laptop 8 has a brand-new chip inside, so a different improvement is more noteworthy. The Surface Laptop 8 is one of the only devices to support Windows 11's new advanced haptics feature. It's the only laptop to support the feature.

• Shop all Best Buy Surface deals

Advanced haptics sends a subtle bump through a touchpad, mouse, or stylus to let you feel Windows 11. For example, rearranging windows on your screen through Snap Layouts gives a clear indication of when you've hovered over a different layout.

Our Senior Editor Zac Bowden said "Windows 11's new 'Haptic Signals' feature is a quality of life upgrade [he] didn't realize the OS needed until [he] tried it." Now, you can experience the same thing since the Surface Laptop 8 is available for purchase.

Why should I care about advanced haptics?

As a quick point of clarity, the Surface Laptop 8 with Snapdragon X2 is what recently became available. Microsoft launched the Surface Laptop 8 for Business earlier this year. The business model runs on an Intel processor and comes with features you likely do not need as a general user.

Both the consumer and business versions of the Surface Laptop 8 support advanced haptics, but I recommend the consumer model to most people.

Advanced haptics is one of those small touches that makes Windows 11 feel polished. I appreciate UI changes and other Windows 11 improvements, but I'm more interested in features like advanced haptics because it changes the hands-on experience with a PC — quite literally.

"The new advanced haptic touchpad is a joy to use. It provides subtle tactile cues that confirm your actions," said our Editor-in-Chief Daniel Rubino in our Surface Laptop 8 review.

Our friends at Tom's Guide came away similarly impressed when reviewing the Surface Laptop 8:

"I’m also fond of the touchpad, which delivers satisfying haptic feedback when pressed. With some apps, you will even feel haptics when hovering over the X button on a window, which is quite fun and intuitive."

Right now, Windows 11 is the main way that you'll experience advanced haptics. But there's an API for the feature, so third-party developers can leverage it. Filmora, Affinity, and other third-party apps either already support the feature or will soon.

The only other way to use Windows 11's advanced haptics feature is to have a Logitech MX Master 4 or a supported stylus like the Surface Slim Pen 2. Over time, more devices should support the feature, but the Surface Laptop 8 beat everything else to the punch.

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Today, Bethesda offered an update on its studio, following Xbox's brutal cuts across its games business.

Microsoft is laying off thousands of gaming staffers and contractors in its gaming operation, as bets on Xbox Game Pass, Call of Duty, and multi-platform games didn't pan out. To that end, many fans have been worrying that the future is bleak for games like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, as ZeniMax seemed disproportionately targeted by management.

In a note shared by Bethesda today, the firm not only confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI is coming along nicely, but also that Starfield and Fallout will continue to be built upon. Not only that, but Fallout 5 is now in pre-production, and Fallout 3 and New Vegas will get Oblivion-style remakes, confirming my previous reporting.

Fans will also be excited to learn that Obsidian's long-rumored Fallout project has now been fully greenlit, and is being developed in collaboration with Bethesda.

"The wasteland continues to expand as we team up once again with our longtime friends at Obsidian Entertainment," Bethesda remarked. "We're happy to confirm they're working with us on a new Fallout project. We'll have more to share in the future."

Details on the Obsidian Fallout project have been rumored for a while. In my own research, I learned that Obsidian had been building a prototype on the side for as long as two years, pending collaboration with Bethesda. With Xbox's CEO Asha Sharma signalling intent to speed up production on Fallout titles, it seemed increasingly inevitable that more spin-off projects like New Vegas and 76 would emerge.

I caught up with Todd Howard in an exclusive interview yesterday to learn more about the plans, and talk about the "mythology" fans often curate surrounding some kind of rivalry between Obsidian and Bethesda.

"I appreciate some of the fan chatter, but behind the scenes, there's a huge amount of like mutual respect [between us]. We're always wondering if we could find a way to work together in the right way. And when those things come up, I think I definitely look at the franchise all up, as you see in the note, everything that's kind of happening with Fallout."

"You sort of say, is there a way or a window or a pocket where we could do something together that really, really made sense? And so we're super excited about the opportunity, working together."

I asked about the possibility of other spin-offs, given that under Xbox, you now have Fallout legends like Tim Cain and Brian Fargo of InXile all under one roof. Could we see a return to an isometric-style tactical CRPG Fallout, given the success of Baldur's Gate 3 more recently? Todd Howard's response, 'never say never.'

"Sometimes you find your way there and sometimes you don't, or you do it later. It takes time. You mentioned the Fallout show. And that was a 10-year journey. As a caretaker of these things, the number one job is to make sure we serve the franchise as best we can."

Todd Howard couldn't give us more details on what Obsidian's Fallout might look like, as it's still early on. I've been investigating rumors that it would be built in Unreal Engine, although given Bethesda's focus on growing Creation Club, perhaps that could change. I asked whether or not it would be multiplatform or Xbox exclusive on console, but Todd Howard said again, they'll announce those things "when the time is right."

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Good news often comes in threes, and that could be true for fans of Starfield, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout today.

Just now, Xbox studio Bethesda offered a massive update on its plans for its big three properties, and we caught up with studio director, Todd Howard, to learn more context about what fans can expect.

"We love making these worlds as much as you love playing in them," the note reads. "Today, we want to share what's next for Bethesda Game Studios and what you can expect from us in the years ahead."

For forty years, we've built games that have entertained almost half a billion players. More than just games, these are worlds. Worlds for you to explore, shape, and make your own. Worlds we return to together. That's what's driving us forward."

Bethesda said that it's making the investments to bring its core teams "closer together" with a view of building titles faster, provide them support for longer, for "decades to come."

Here's an overview of what was announced.

• On Fallout: Bethesda confirmed that it is working towards Fallout 5, which is now in pre-production.
• Bethesda confirmed my previous reporting that Fallout 3 and Fallout New Vegas will get full remakes in the future, but didn't announce dates.
• Bethesda also confirmed that Obsidian is returning to Fallout with its very own spin-off game, and said more info would come in the future.
• Fallout 76 will get a "huge" new DLC called Raven Rock, which will serve as a prequel to Fallout 3.
• Starfield is slated for more content, with a Starborn DLC on the horizon, and more tools and features to boost Creation Club content. Bethesda says Starfield remains "an important part of our future."
• Elder Scrolls 6 is progressing nicely, and Todd says that the studio is "where they want to be" on the game's development timeline — but don't expect it any time soon.
• Elder Scrolls Online will continue to get new seasons, and Zenimax Online Studios will be more directly integrated into Bethesda proper to improve collaboration.
• Elder Scrolls VI is Bethesda's current primary focus, "we're where we planned to be, loving how it looks, and playing every day."
• A big part of the wait revolves around Creation Engine 3, which Bethesda has been developing specifically to boost simultaneous franchise development and improve Creation Club tooling.

Todd Howard spoke to us about the Xbox cuts, huge respect for Obsidian, and video game industry challenges

When I got the call that I'd be speaking to Todd Howard, I admit I was a bit floored. I've been doing this for over a decade at this point, and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine it would lead to an on-the-record chat with one of gaming's most prominent.

Todd Howard has been stewarding Bethesda franchises since 1994, but solidified his place in gaming legend with the release of Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, back in 2000. The game industry looks wildly different now than it did back then, but Bethesda has always managed to adapt to changing times.

Top of mind for me, and I suspect most of the Xbox faithful right now is Microsoft's huge cuts to the gaming operation, which seem to have disproportionately fell into ZeniMax's lap. I asked Howard how he and the team was doing, given what's going on.

"Great question," Howard says, looking visibly sorrowful. "I've been doing this a long time, whenever you've worked with people for, in some cases, many decades, and they're no longer here, that's really personally very difficult, and difficult for our teams."

Howard referred to previously difficult times in Bethesda history. During the 90s, Bethesda struggled to make it into the big time, and just before the firm was acquired by Microsoft, it had struggled out a variety of multiplayer-adjacent and mobile titles in attempts to join the "service game" gold rush, to mixed success.

"We had to change who we were and how we did some things then. And then we kind of became ZeniMax and did a bunch of things, and then we had to change again in 2016. Moving to different studios ... how do we support these franchises? And I think we're at another change moment for how we support each other, and what we do with these games and for our fans."

Speaking of fans, I couldn't help but mention Obsidian's return to Fallout. Obsidian made Fallout New Vegas, which is among the most beloved entries in the storied Fallout canon. Fans love it for its reactive world and true choice and consequence, something many feel Fallout 4 pulled back on. I asked Todd Howard how the collaboration with Obsidian came about, and what he thinks of the online mythology surrounding a purported rivalry.

"I appreciate some of the fan chatter, but behind the scenes, there's a huge amount of like mutual respect [between Bethesda and Obsidian]. We're always kind of wondering if we could find a way to work together in the right way. And when those things come up, I think I definitely look at the franchise all up, as you see in the note, everything that's kind of happening with Fallout."

"You sort of say, is there a way or a window or a pocket where we could do something together that really, really made sense? And so we're super excited about the opportunity, working together."

Todd remarked about how Obsidian's work flow mirrors Bethesda's, with a core team that have been together for decades. I noted how there's so much legendary Fallout alumni at Xbox now, with Tim Cain at Obsidian, and Brian Fargo at InXile. I asked if we could see even more projects emerge in the future, like an isometric Fallout 1 remake from InXile, for example. Howard remarked that Xbox teams are "pretty in sync," and they've seen and heard every idea for Fallout spin-offs.

"Sometimes you find your way there and sometimes you don't, or you do it later. It takes time. You mentioned the Fallout show. And that was a 10-year journey. As a caretaker of these things, the number one job is to make sure we serve the franchise as best we can."

The future hold for Starfield, Fallout, and Elder Scrolls fans

I didn't have a ton of time with Todd Howard (albeit hugely appreciated), and many of my questions were simply too far afield for answers.

I asked Todd Howard if The Elder Scrolls VI or Fallout 5 would be going exclusive to Xbox, given Xbox CEO Asha Sharma's mandate to grow the Xbox hardware ecosystem. He said it was too early to comment. I asked if we could get a timeline for Elder Scrolls VI launch window, but again, it sounded like the game is still too far away to put a landing strip on paper. I asked what engine Obsidian's Fallout game would be using (Unreal or Creation Engine?), but he said more would be revealed at a later date.

I think ultimately, today, Bethesda really wanted to reassure its fans that Xbox's cuts haven't decimated the studio. We've seen other Xbox studios like id Software put out statements on the topic, for example, as rumors run rife, and long-tenured staff with decades of experience and millions of dollars in sales to their names get ousted.

With the memory crisis ongoing, the AI build-out harming Microsoft's financials, and the saturation of the attention economy, it's a tough time for gaming. There's more content than ever, but also more competition than ever. It sounds as though Bethesda is pouring everything it can into making The Elder Scrolls VI another landmark hit for the studio, but we might still be waiting more than a hot minute to get our hands on it.

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Id Software has been through the wringer this month, as it was one of the many casualties of Xbox's big "reset" that laid off 3,200 game devs, which caused it to lose 136 of its workforce.

id Software quickly responded by saying that despite its loss of staff, it still has the essential crew needed to make more DOOM games and that its team is roughly the same size as it was when it made DOOM (2016).

Plenty of fans weren't entirely convinced by this statement, so id Software's Studio Head, Hugo Martin, decided to reassure the fanbase directly during a YouTube livestream playthrough of DOOM: The Dark Ages | Livestream hosted by id Software's Senior Community Lead, Joshua Boyle.

During this livestream, Hugo Martin stated that “There have been reports that we've been nerfed into the ground and gutted, and we are not; we have 50 people, and that's not true. We're the size we were when we made Doom 2016, and IDTech is very much alive and well."

Hugo continues, "You have to understand, we have idTech engineers both in Frankfurt and, you know, at Machine Games; we collaborate quite a bit. So, you know, the IDTech is there, the Doom team is here, and we're excited to work on; to share with you guys more of what we're working on in the future when it is appropriate and approved.”

Windows Central's take

Reactions to id Software's layoffs have been universally reviled by the gaming community. Fans have sent harsh criticisms to Microsoft via its Player Voice Feedback platform (while being spurned by Bethesda's Union), and one former id Software developer even left a scathing message, saying, "I sure hope the sixth round of layoffs is worth our pain and your pleasure."

One of the few neutral reactions to this situation was from John Carmack, one of the founders of id Software, who said, "I’m saddened, but I can’t muster anger or outrage over it, he continued, "To continue being produced long term, games need to succeed, not just be beloved. Games are competing with every other option for spending your leisure time and money, and the competition is brutal."

Personally speaking, I'll believe id Software's statement that it is "not gutted and nerfed" when I see what their next game is and if the quality of it suffers from the downsized manpower it suffered thanks to Microsoft.

The only good news from this mess is that at least DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelation's quality hasn't suffered from these layoffs because this DLC expansion is enjoying rave reviews from critics and fans for refreshing it with DOOM: Eternal's faster-paced gunplay while adding new weapons, enemies, and more features.

But will id Software's future projects maintain high standards of quality now that its team has been downsized? Will Microsoft incur even more layoffs to the point where id Software will be forced to close its doors? Only time will tell, and we'll be there to find out and report it.

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Content creator Sean Dubs TV, who regularly covers Halo, recently took a closer look at a Microsoft trademark filed back in 2021 for Halo: The Endless.

At the time, many assumed it was connected to Halo Infinite, possibly as the title of a campaign expansion, but that never materialized. What's particularly interesting is that Microsoft continued fighting to secure the trademark until April 2026, suggesting it may have been intended for something else entirely.

For those unfamiliar with Halo lore, the Endless are a mysterious species introduced in Halo Infinite. While very little is known about them, some fans have speculated they're connected to the Precursors, the ancient race said to have created all life in the Halo universe.

The timing is what makes this particularly interesting. Microsoft formally abandoned the trademark just weeks before reports emerged that Halo Studios had canceled their multiplayer project, Project Ekur.

That doesn't prove the events are related, but it certainly raises questions about whether Halo: The Endless was once part of an earlier vision for the franchise that has since been left behind.

Sean Dubs TV also uncovered a little-known interview with Halo Studios head Pierre Hintze, in which he reflects on lessons learned from previous Halo games. Speaking about Halo 5, Hintze said:

“We chose to go a different direction when it comes to the narrative where Master Chief was not the main protagonist and the backlash was imminent, and for us there are certain things which we have to deliver in terms of the expectation of our players.”

Personally, I think Halo Studios may be taking away the wrong lesson from Halo 5. It wasn't simply that players wanted more Master Chief, but that the game was marketed around him only to shift focus to Spartan Locke.

Bungie also proved with Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, while Ensemble Studios did the same with Halo Wars, that Halo stories can succeed without Master Chief when expectations are set appropriately.

Hintze also spoke about the kinds of experiences he believes will become more important in gaming over the coming years, saying:

“I think we're going to see deeper experiences where the line between playing with and against humans becomes more blurred... Yes, it is incredibly rewarding if you go into a first person shooter and play one v one and win. But it is also incredibly rewarding if you are completing an objective or completing a raid in an MMO and you see the solidarity and the help and support we can lend each other.”

It's worth stressing that Hintze was answering a broader question about the future of gaming, not Halo specifically, and he never suggests Halo is becoming an MMO.

Even so, the comments have attracted attention online, and when combined with Microsoft's decision to abandon the Halo: The Endless trademark, they've left fans, myself included, wondering exactly what direction Halo Studios is now taking.

Halo: Campaign Evolved releases soon, but I'm even more eager to find out what Halo Studios has planned for the future of the franchise. I've always felt Halo is massively underutilized, and with Xbox now looking to invest more heavily in its biggest franchises, I'm hoping we finally see the series branch out into more genres. Who knows, maybe even the canceled Mega Bloks game could make a return one day.

Let me know what you'd like to see from Halo in the comments, and as always, be sure to take part in our poll!

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Best Buy is hosting a Back to School sale, giving major discounts on various gadgets and gizmos to help aspiring students get through their summer semester.

One of the more lucrative products on offer through this event is the fast-performing, long-lasting Samsung Galaxy Book6 laptop, which is currently having its steep $1,449.99 listing price cut down to $899.99 at Best Buy.

Why buy the Samsung Galaxy Book6?

Samsung produces some of the best laptops in the business, boasting gorgeous screens and solid hardware that can tackle any workloads thrown at them, and the Samsung Galaxy Book6 is no exception.

It can handle running multiple browser tabs; it can launch and run heavy-duty programs like Adobe Photoshop or multiple lightweight programs from Microsoft Office, and multitask these activities and more without a hint of slowdown thanks to its solid Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD storage unit.

It also features a 16-inch 2K LED touchscreen that displays images with bright, vibrant colors and rich details for viewing documents and videos with clear HD definition while allowing you to tap and swipe app windows in an instant compared to using a mouse.

Other notable features of the Samsung Galaxy Book6 include a slim, lightweight design that's also sturdy enough to withstand some punishiment, a plethora of USB, HDMI and microSD ports, a long battery life up to 24 hours, Copilot+ integration for AI tasks, and the ability to wirelessly connect your phone via Galaxy Book6 Touch so you can respond to phone calls and text messages directly from your PC while turning it into a monitor so you can multitask more easily.

So, if you're looking for a premium-grade laptop to help you survive school exams for the next several years, Best Buy's 38% discount for the Samsung Galaxy Book6 laptop could be your golden ticket to acing tests with A+ scores.

FAQ

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Microsoft's once popular IRC client "Comic Chat" is being open sourced to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Those who frequented the world wide web in the 90's will likely remember Comic Chat for being a unique experiment into how IRC chatting could be, featuring graphical avatars that presented chats and chatrooms in comic strip form.

Originally developed by Microsoft Researcher David Kurlander and released on August 13, 1996, Comic Chat began life as a research project before morphing into Microsoft Chat and becoming the default chat client for MSN.

"Today, we’re excited to announce the open-source release of Microsoft Comic Chat, the chat client that automatically turned conversations within Internet Relay Chat (IRC) into comic panels featuring illustrated characters, speech bubbles, and expressions, and helped introduce the world to a little font called Comic Sans," Microsoft's Scott Hanselman announced in a blog post today.

"For many people, Comic Chat is a nostalgic artifact from the early days of the internet as we transitioned from technologies like telnet, Usenet, and IRC to the largely visual web that we enjoy today. For others, it’s a legendary piece of Microsoft history they have only heard about in stories, screenshots, and debates about typography. Now, developers, historians, retro computing enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a wonderfully unconventional idea can explore the source code for themselves."

Although from the 90s, Comic Chat is still functional as an IRC client today, though most people likely don't use it anymore. Still, with the app now being open source, perhaps developers and tinkerers will be more open to breathing life back into the 30 year old app.

The Comic Chat source code is now public on GitHub for anyone who wants to take a look and compile their own version.

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As part of the Windows Insider Program, Microsoft released several preview builds of Windows 11 in early July 2026, some of which introduced new features and others only improvements for existing experiences.

In the first two weeks of July, the company began the public test of the Cloud rebuild recovery feature, revealed a new design update for the account manager available through the Start menu, and made other improvements for version 26H2

In addition, Microsoft is continuing to expand previously announced features to more Insider channels, including the ability to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro Education for K-12 environments. The company is also rolling out Taskbar position and size options, along with Windows Update improvements designed to reduce the number of required restarts each month.

In the Experimental track, we've seen builds 26300.8772 and 28120.2387, and builds 28020.2380 and 26220.8764 have been released in the Beta channel.

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most noteworthy changes available through the Windows Insider Program.

Biggest improvements from the Windows Insider Program in July 2026

In this recap, I'll highlight the latest and most noteworthy changes available through the Windows Insider Program since my last roundup.

Cloud rebuild new feature

Starting with build 26300.8772, Windows 11 introduces a new recovery feature known as "Cloud rebuild," which has been designed to make it easier to reinstall the operating system when the computer is unable to start, or you're looking for a fresh install.

If this feature sounds familiar, it's because it's similar to the Cloud download option in Reset this PC. However, Cloud rebuild introduces a new workflow that downloads the Windows 11 installation files and drivers and performs a clean installation without requiring a bootable USB drive, a custom recovery image, or access to the desktop environment.

Cloud rebuild can be accessed from the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) by going to the "Troubleshoot" page and using the "Cloud rebuild" option.

Before you can use the feature, the computer must be running Windows 11 on compatible hardware, and the device must be connected to the internet using a wireless or wired connection.

Once you confirm the Windows 11 version, edition, and language, click "Install," and the system will erase the hard drive and reinstall the operating system and drivers.

Account Control flyout redesign

In the Start menu, Microsoft is also updating the Account Control flyout with build 26300.8772. The new design offers a more modern style that highlights your account information and picture.

It also highlights your Microsoft 365 subscription, cloud storage, and access to your benefits.

Backup and restore default settings

In commercial computers, starting with the preview build 26300.8772, Windows 11 is enabling the backup and restore feature policy by default for devices enrolled in a Microsoft Entra ID or Entra hybrid-joined environment.

The idea is to start the device with backup protection to make recovery smoother. For example, when a device is reset or replaced, users can quickly return to their personalized desktop without extra steps.

Of course, network administrators can always control this experience, and Microsoft notes that existing policies will remain in effect, and manually configured settings always take priority over the default behavior.

Taskbar position settings

The company is also bringing back the ability to change the Taskbar location with the release of build 28120.2387 in the Experimental channel.

This change allows users to place the Taskbar at the top of the screen, as well as at the left or right edges, rather than being limited to the bottom.

The setting appears on Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, under the "Taskbar behaviors" section. The setting is called "Taskbar position."

The company notes that flyouts, tooltips, and animations will follow the Taskbar orientation regardless of the position.

Also, most existing features will continue to work, including the option to ungroup and show labels for apps.

Furthermore, the company is updating the "Show smaller taskbar button" option to make the Taskbar smaller instead of just the buttons. (As we have already seen in other tracks, the company is expected to create a separate option to make the Taskbar smaller.)

Windows Update with fewer reboots

As part of Windows 11 build 26220.8764, the company is introducing a new unified Windows Update experience that coordinates monthly quality updates with driver, .NET, and firmware updates.

By bundling these updates into a single installation cycle whenever possible, Microsoft aims to reduce the number of restarts users experience each month, with the long-term goal of requiring just one monthly reboot.

Windows 11 Pro Education for K-12 free upgrade

Microsoft is changing the installation requirements to allow devices running Windows 11 Home to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro Education at no additional cost for K-12 education.

This change aims to give schools more flexibility when acquiring new devices. However, the company says that this is one-way only. After the upgrade, the only way to roll back to the Home edition is by performing a clean installation of the operating system.

Windows Search upgrades

Outside its regular download schedule, Microsoft recently began rolling out a slew of improvements to the Windows Search experience on devices enrolled in the Experimental channel.

First, the company is decluttering the home screen and focusing on the search experience. As part of this rollout, the Windows Search home screen only includes your recent searches, ditching the visual clutter, including those annoying advertisements.

In addition, when performing a search and a web result is more relevant, the experience will now prioritize the answer rather than products and promotions.

Microsoft is also introducing design tweaks to better indicate where each result comes from. For example, you'll find better spacing between items and interface changes when selecting a result, including thumbnail previews.

Second, you'll now have more control over search results with the options to disable web searches and Microsoft Store apps from appearing in the Windows Search experience.

However, by default, search will work as always. It's up to you to customize your search experience from Settings > Privacy & Security > Search.

Third, the search experience now improves local content and rankings, meaning local results are given higher priority in apps, settings, and files, instead of web and Microsoft Store results showing up first when there are better results.

As part of the ranking tweaks, you'll notice that searches for settings now appear higher in the results.

Fourth, Microsoft is also focusing on improving search accuracy through two specific changes. For instance, Windows Search has been updated to better handle typos, missing or extra letters, and partial words.

In addition, the feature will now show results for local files using two-character file search, and more accurately surface cloud and connected files when they're the best match.

Windows Central's Take

I think these Insider builds show Microsoft focusing on what Windows 11 has needed for a while, improving the experience instead of simply adding more features. Cloud rebuild could make recovery much less stressful, while the Windows Search changes address one of the operating system's biggest frustrations by prioritizing useful local results over web content.

The reappearance of Taskbar positioning is also a welcome change. It shows Microsoft is still paying attention to feedback and bringing back flexibility that many users have missed since Windows 11 launched.

What are your thoughts on these latest Windows 11 Insider changes? Let me know in the comments.

More resources

Explore more in-depth how-to guides, troubleshooting advice, and essential tips to get the most out of Windows 11 and 10. Start browsing here:

• Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
• Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know

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The day when AI isn't completely polarizing feels like it'll never arrive, and there's a definite divide between those for and those against.

This drama has now spilled into the Linux kernel, prompting a lengthy and firm response from its creator, Linus Torvalds (via GamingOnLinux).

It emerged as a topic referencing using AI and a tool called "Sashiko" for agentic reviews of changes to the Linux kernel. Then in swoops Torvalds to firmly put his foot down.

The full transcript of his response is below:

"Yes.

And no, that's not the position of the Linux kernel. I realize that some people really dislike AI, but this is an area where I'm willing to absolutely put my foot down as the top-level maintainer.

Linux is not one of those anti-AI projects, and if somebody has issues with that, they can do the open-source thing and fork it.

Or just walk away.

AI is a tool, just like other tools we use. And it's clearly a useful one.

It may not have been that "clearly" even just a year ago, but it's no longer in question today.

There are other questions around AI (like what the economy of it will actually look like in the end), but "is it useful" is no longer one of those questions. Anybody who doubts that clearly hasn't actually used it.

Yes, it can also be a somewhat painful tool, both for maintainer workloads and just from a "it keeps finding embarrassing bugs" standpoint.

But the solution is not to put your head in the sand and sing "La La La, I can't hear you" at the top of your voice like some people seem to do.

The solution is to make sure those LLM tools _help_ maintainers instead of just causing them pain. There's no question on that side.

We're not forcing anybody to use it, but I will very loudly ignore people who try to argue against other people from using it.

And no, AI isn't perfect. But Christ, anybody who points to the problems at AI had better be looking in the mirror and pointing at themselves at the same time.

Because it's not like natural intelligence is always all that great either.

The kernel project has been and will continue to be about the technology.

Sure, the social angle of working on open source is important and often a very motivating part of the project, but in the end that's a side benefit, not the _point_ of the project.

This is *NOT* some kind of "social warrior" project, never has been, and never will be.

In the kernel community we do open source because it results in better technology, not because of religious reasons.

And so we make decisions primarily based on technical merit. Not fear of new tools.

Linus"

I can already see the pitchforks rising, but let's take a step back. While Torvalds does appear to be flexing some muscle, if you read carefully, he's also not actually advocating for AI.

"AI is a tool... And clearly a useful one." There's no ideology behind it. He's not suddenly saying that the Linux kernel is going to be built using AI. More that if it can be used to make certain parts of the process better, then it will be.

And as he says, human intelligence isn't exactly perfect, is it?

It's a sticky wicket and sure to provoke some discussion. Linux is where many of the most serious enthusiasts go, and plenty just have a fundamental opposition to AI. I'm not getting into that, because it's exhausting, and we've been round and round on the topic plenty.

I do like Torvalds' approach in addressing this, though. Unlike, say, Microsoft, there are no business interests to push and bank accounts to swell by pushing the general public into using AI. There's also an alternative; if you don't like it, you can fork it and make your own. There are already plenty of custom kernels on Linux.

He's simply being pragmatic. The genie is free from the lamp; AI is here, and ignoring it simply isn't an option. Everyone can have their own opinion, but as he states, Linux isn't a "social warrior" project. They're just trying to make the best software, and increasingly, that's going to mean folks leveraging AI. Like it or not.

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My hype for Final Fantasy Resonance continues to build as Square Enix has released a new gameplay trailer showcasing more of its HD-2D pixel art style in its cinematic cutscenes, environments, and turn-based combat system.

I was already sold on the game for bringing back turn-based combat to the Final Fantasy franchise, but this trailer has cemented it on my wishlist.

It's a montage of various scenes from Final Fantasy Resonance. These include exploring towns and a classic open-world map seen in old-school Final Fantasy games from the NES to PS1 era, characters interacting with each other, and scenes of the turn-based combat system where the heroes summon spirits of previous Final Fantasy protagonists to aid them in battle.

All the while, it's all presented in an absolutely beautiful HD-2D pixel art style (a blend of 2D animated character sprites set against 3D animated backgrounds) that was made popular by Square Enix's Octopath Traveler series.

Windows Central's take

As someone who grew up playing 16-bit pixel-art games on the Super Nintendo and Sega Mega Drive and is a fan of other HD-2D games like Live a Live Remake and Dragon Quest 3 Remake, I absolutely adore this game's pixel-art.

It looks so clean, vibrant, and detailed, and superbly animated to boot. Not to mention, it gives the characters so much personality with their exaggerated, intimidating, or silly pixel-art facial expressions depending on the situation.

I honestly prefer this art style to recent mainline 3D Final Fantasy games, which tried to blend realistic graphics with fantastical aesthetics, with mixed results that sometimes either dull the contrast of the environments to make it look boringly dreary (e.g., Final Fantasy XVI) or make characters look bland (or, in some worse cases, look like lifeless dolls, like in Final Fantasy XIII).

In fact, it looks so good that it makes me wish Square Enix used this art style for its modern remaster of Final Fantasy Tactics. Not that it's needed, as its PS1-era graphics have held up extremely well, but I would've loved to see what it would've looked like with HD-2D pixel art and modern animations for its over-the-top special attacks and summon spells.

Though I guess Square Enix wanted to play it safe with Final Fantasy Tactics since it's such a beloved game in the franchise, and they're probably using Final Fantasy Resonance to test the waters to see if people would want more HD-2D Final Fantasy games if it does well; I know I certainly do (here's hoping for an HD-2D remake of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance).

Either way, I can't wait to see more of Final Fantasy Resonance (or hopefully, a playable demo) before it releases on October 22, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 1 & 2, PC via Steam.

What do you think of Final Fantasy Resonance? Do you think its turn-based combat looks cool, or do you prefer Final Fantasy games with real-time combat, like the Final Fantasy VII Remake series?

If you have any thoughts on the matter, please let us know through the poll below, the comments section, or our Reddit page.

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I've been reviewing Turtle Beach headsets for a long time. The firm has a huge array of products for Xbox and PC gamers, hitting every price point and use case. Many of Turtle Beach's products have easily landed on our best Xbox and PC gaming headsets lists. Where I've personally found Turtle Beach to be most exciting is on the higher-end, where the firm has a tendency to really push the envelope with regards to functionality and value.

The Stealth Pro II absolutely encompasses that. Yes, it isn't cheap, but it comes in at a comparable price to lifestyle Bluetooth headsets that offer far less functionality and features, often with subpar durability and audio.

With the Stealth Pro II, I'm sitting here well and truly asking myself if this headset isn't just a competitor in the gaming space, but also the general everyday lifestyle space. With a subtle and stylish design, obscene amounts of functionality, and absolutely crystalline audio — the Stealth Pro II could be (should be) your next Xbox / PC gaming headset pick.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Specs and Price

The Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II headset is a monster on paper, boasting an impressive array of features, functions, and premium-end specs.

Here's an overview of what you can expect to get out of the box.

At $349.99, it's not exactly what I'd call cheap, but that seems to have become the standard for headsets that are really pushing the bar when it comes to premium audio and "do everything" specs.

You can swap between two 40-hour batteries, with one permanently charged and ready to go in the transmitter dock. It comes with an additional USB transmitter for PC, with the main charge dock functioning as the radio for Xbox. It also sports Bluetooth 5.3 audio with LDAC, with simultaneous mixing with a USB sound source. It grabs the Hi-Res certification that has become all the rage lately, and boasts a massive speaker upgrade over the previous gen, with dual 60mm drivers and a huge frequency spectrum from 10Hz to 40kHz.

What's it like to actually use, though?

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Design and Comfort

I think this is quite easily Turtle Beach's most attractive headset design. The Stealth Pro of yesteryear was fantastic, but it was still quite bulky in that typical "gamer" way, designed for isolation rather than fashion. Somehow, the 'Beach has managed to thread both needles with a single line here. Absolutely stunning engineering and design here.

The brushed metal speaker plates look great on the outside, and there remains a very subtle Turtle Beach imprint that stays out of the way and won't cramp anyone's style. The speakers are accented with the same metallic trims, and the headband connects with these bending connectors that look very futuristic.

The microphone is simultaneously flip-to-mute and detachable, allowing you to go fully wireless. It has internal microphones as well for taking calls on the go without using the full mic boom.

The tapered cans reduce the visible footprint of the headset, which I feel reduces its visible "bulk" over some of Turtle Beach's previous attempts at a headset like this. And this is without compromising on speaker size or features. The 60mm drivers are a noticeable upgrade over the previous model, with separated tweeters and woofers.

On comfort, this is the only part where I think more attention could've been paid. The headband is made of this odd nylon mesh which, while looking pretty, is actually quite tight and uncomfortable over longer sessions. I imagine it's something one could get used to, but it seems like an odd oversight given how painstaking the rest of the design work is. The mesh is also great at trapping dust and is a bit difficult to clean effectively. Additionally, it doesn't seem to be replaceable ... so if you rip it somehow, you're kind of screwed.

I'm also not a huge fan of the fabric material used on the cushions. While it is comfortable, Turtle Beach's previous materials felt a little smoother on the skin. I am someone who vastly prefers leatherette over fabric, though, so take that as you will.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Features and Audio

Where this headset absolutely dominates is audio. This is by a country mile the best-sounding headset Turtle Beach has ever produced. As I write this, I'm listening to Tool at maximum volume and enjoying my very own personal concert in an absolutely vast virtual soundscape with impressive separation, thundering, warm bass, and enjoying distortion-free treble, mids, and highs.

The intros on songs I've been intimately acquainted with for decades come through with details I've not experienced prior. Regardless of what I threw at it, from thundering double bass-peddle metal tracks to haunting electronica, it has been a really really fun time testing this headset out. For music and cinematic delivery, this headset is goosebumps-inducingly good, truly ethereal, regardless of genre. For lifestyle and daily mobile use, it also rocks up with active noise canceling, which is very good too. I put it through its paces with noisy fans and my air filter on maximum settings, and felt myself fully isolated with my Spotify playlist.

But what about gaming?

You can indeed expect a similarly amazing experience in games, too. Rocking up with Overwatch and the review build of Halo Campaign Evolved was as immersive as you might expect. Halo's intro music somehow never fails to enchant, and it's only elevated with a good sound system like these.

Where things get even more impressive, particularly in competitive play, is with Turtle Beach's famed SuperHuman Hearing.

Using the bundled Swarm II app, you can set it to focus either on footsteps or gunshots; there's also a legacy setting for those who prefer the old-school profile. SuperHuman Hearing does negatively impact the "cinematic" feel of games, creating an unnatural soundscape — but that's entirely the point. It's supposed to look for and emphasize sound cues that will give you a tactical advantage. And it does work. Games that are already designed with tactical sound design have always worked well with Turtle Beach's SuperHuman Hearing system, but with this headset it hits another level. If Battlefield 6 or Overwatch were Olympic sports, this headset would probably get you banned for cheating.

Another part of this headset that's utterly impressive is the microphone. It's detachable and sports flip-to-mute capabilities as mentioned, but it also has a miniature shock protector, which I've simply never seen before in a gaming headset.

Above is an audio sample with the headset's AI-powered noise cancellation feature turned on. In the first half, you can hear my voice come through clearly despite having a fan blowing directly on the mic, which is impressive. It sounds a lot better without the fan on, of course, but the clarity is rock solid for gaming comms.

I think I'd even be comfortable dropping my XLR mic and using this headset for actual game streaming, which is not something I find myself saying often these days. Turtle Beach really nailed it across the board when it comes to audio here.

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro II — Should you buy it?

I absolutely adore this headset. The sound is a true pleasure, and it's always a joy when a headset like this delivers so much. It makes the review process fun, as I have an excuse to listen to several albums and play several games as part of my "extensive" testing process ...

I was a bit disappointed with the headband and materials on the earcups. I'm also a bit disappointed that Turtle Beach still can't seem to nail dual-USB sound source mixing, although I admit the requirement for that is pretty niche, and not something 99% of people will actually use. Being able to mix Bluetooth in simultaneously with your Xbox or PC is a nice consolation, though.

✅ You should buy this if:

• You want best-in-class audio on a multi-platform gaming headset.
• You're willing to pay a premium for things like ANC and high-end specs.
• You're a fan of Turtle Beach's SuperHuman Hearing feature.

❌ You should skip this if:

• You want simultaneous USB audio mixing (consider the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro instead.)
• You want to save a bit of cash and ditch some of the frills (consider the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 (Gen 3) instead.)

Where this headset just shines above all is the sound delivery. The soundscape is incredibly immersive for its category, and the microphone is also a cut above what I'd typically expect from a gaming headset.

At this price point, there aren't really a ton of competitors out there worth considering in this range. I absolutely don't think you'll be disappointed with this if you're a dedicated Xbox and PC gamer who wants a bit of Bluetooth and music capabilities on the side. This is an immaculate "do everything" headset that definitely feels worth the price of admission for me.

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As I sit here typing this, our entire content management system is buckling under the load that is Xbox's Ultimate Game Sale 2026.

Microsoft often runs sales events during the summer, lining up with Steam and other platforms to drive interest during a time that is typically light for gaming. People are actually going outside and touching grass I'm told, during the summer months. It couldn't be me, though.

Indeed, I've already spent over $100 on this week's sales event, which is scheduled to run until July 29th, so you have plenty of time.

The event has a ton of highly popular titles deeply discounted. Little Nightmares 3, the entire Final Fantasy franchise, Resident Evil games, Xbox first party titles, indie heroes like Darkest Dungeon and Mutant Year Zero, heavy hitters like Death Stranding, Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader, Cronos: The New Dawn and Silent Hill 2. There's a ton of hidden console gems here too, like Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, Void Train, Wartales, Signalis, and many, many more.

There's everything from Xbox Series X|S, to Xbox One, to back compat Xbox 360 games, to Xbox Play Anywhere PC games, Xbox Ally-optimized games, and everything in between.

If you jump into the sale, do let us know what you pick up in the comments. Below is a list of all the main games we could find, and their associated discounts.