Printer Properties
The latest Printer Properties coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
PC Shipments Slide 4.9% in Q2 2026, Ending Two-Year Growth Streak as Memory Prices Soar
Worldwide PC shipments fell 4.9% year over year in Q2 2026, the first annual decline in two years, as a severe memory-chip shortage drove up hardware prices, according to IDC. The crunch is hitting Windows laptop buyers, IT departments, and gamers with sharp price hikes and limited configurations, with relief not expected until mid-2027 at the earliest.
What Windows’ Ultimate Performance Power Plan Actually Changes—and When You Should Use It
Microsoft's Ultimate Performance power plan, originally for Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, eliminates micro-latencies by disabling core parking, increasing timer resolution, and preventing hardware from entering low-power states. It does not overclock the CPU. This article explains what the plan technically changes, its history, practical benefits for gamers and creators, and how to safely enable it with a Powercfg command on compatible desktops.
Surface Laptop 7th Edition Gets a $400 Price Cut as 8th Edition Launches at $1,600
The Surface Laptop 7th Edition is currently available with a $400 discount, making it up to $400 cheaper than the new 8th Edition. While the 8th Edition offers Snapdragon X2 processors and incremental improvements, the 7th Edition's Snapdragon X Elite still delivers outstanding performance and battery life. This article analyzes the value proposition for different buyers and provides actionable advice on choosing between the two.
Microsoft’s Free Creators Update Turns Windows 10 Into a 3D Studio
Microsoft has announced the Windows 10 Creators Update, bringing 3D creation tools directly to users through a new Paint 3D app, a Remix 3D online community, and the ability to design custom 3D emoji. The free update, slated for early 2017, aims to make 3D art accessible to everyone, with deep integration into Windows and Microsoft services.
How to Keep Your Devices Running When Typhoon Bavi Shuts Down Air and Sea Travel
Typhoon Bavi is hitting Ishigaki and Miyakojima with extreme wind and flood warnings, halting all flights and ferries. This article provides practical steps for Windows users and travelers on how to prepare devices, back up data, and stay safe during the disruption.
Why Windows 11 Still Has Two Printer Properties Paths — and Which One You Should Use
Windows 11 now offers a direct "Printer Properties" button in Settings, streamlining access to the classic printer dialog for everyday users. This article explains the different paths available, when to use each, and the historical reasons behind the coexistence of modern and legacy interfaces, providing clear, actionable steps for home users and IT pros alike.
The End of SetPoint: Logitech Options+ Is Now Mandatory for Unifying Pairing
Starting in 2026, Logitech requires the Logi Options+ software to pair devices with Unifying receivers, retiring the old SetPoint and Unifying utilities. This change ensures compatibility with modern Windows and macOS versions and consolidates device management into a single application.
The Windows 11 Keyboard Shortcut You're Probably Using Wrong – And How to Fix Your Muscle Memory
Microsoft changed the keyboard shortcut for notifications from Win+A to Win+N in Windows 11, splitting the old Action Center into separate Notification Center and Quick Settings panels. This article explains the change, how it affects everyday users and IT pros, and provides practical steps to retrain muscle memory, customize the system, and prepare for the transition if you're still on Windows 10.
Windows 11's Camera App Has a Secret Wi-Fi QR Code Scanner — Here's How It Works
Windows 11 includes a little-known built-in feature in the Camera app that can scan Wi‑Fi QR codes to connect instantly without typing passwords. The tool works with any standard Wi‑Fi QR code and is a practical convenience for home users, IT pros, and developers deploying devices. This guide explains how to access and use the scanner, what it supports, and what to do if you encounter issues.
Microsoft Cancels Surface Go and Laptop Go, Goes All-In on Snapdragon X2 for Flagship Devices
Microsoft is reportedly discontinuing its affordable Surface Go and Laptop Go lines, while the upcoming Surface Laptop 8 and Pro 12 will exclusively use Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processor, according to a report from Windows Central. The shift comes alongside 4,800 job cuts at Microsoft, signaling a strategic pivot toward premium ARM-based Windows devices.
NVIDIA’s Fold-CP Enables 32,000-Token Protein Folding — Here’s How Windows Developers Benefit
NVIDIA's Fold-CP framework enables the Boltz-2 protein folding model to process 32,000 tokens across 64 B300 GPUs, combining MMseqs2-GPU, cuEquivariance, and an optimized OpenFold3 NIM. This breakthrough will eventually bring data-center-class biomolecular simulation to Windows workstations, benefiting developers, researchers, and IT professionals who work with NVIDIA GPUs.
Apple's M6 Chip Delay Throws a Curveball at Windows Laptop Buyers — Here's Why It Matters
Apple's next Mac chip roadmap reportedly skips M6 Pro and Max, releasing only a base M6 in late 2026 and launching a MacBook Ultra with older M5 silicon. This delay reshapes the competitive landscape for Windows laptops, giving IT managers and consumers more time to commit to Windows hardware without falling behind, while developers may find cheaper Windows AI PCs outperforming Macs on local inference through 2027.
GitHub Mobile Update: Copilot Sessions Get Filter and ‘Needs-Attention’ Sort
GitHub has rolled out an update to its mobile app that adds filtering and a ‘Needs Attention’ sorting option to Copilot session lists. This allows developers on iOS and Android to quickly isolate sessions by repository, date, or status, and to surface those requiring immediate follow-up, turning the app into a more effective coding companion on the go.