Radiology
The latest Radiology coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Free at Last: VMware Fusion Pro 26H1 Removes Cost Barrier for Windows 11 on Apple Silicon
Broadcom's VMware Fusion Pro 26H1 is now free for all uses, completely changing the equation for running Windows 11 on Apple Silicon Macs. While Parallels Desktop remains the easiest option, Fusion Pro offers advanced features at no cost, and tools like UTM and VirtualBox serve niche needs. This guide breaks down which VM to pick based on your needs, budget, and tolerance for setup complexity.
Windows 11's Taskbar Gets Experimental Top and Side Placement — But Don’t Jump Into Insider Builds Just Yet
Microsoft has released an Experimental Channel build that lets Windows Insiders move the taskbar to the top, left, or right of the screen. The feature is incomplete and not ready for daily use, but all Windows 11 users can use built-in settings like left-alignment, smaller icons, and battery percentage to make the taskbar feel more familiar without joining the Insider program.
Windows 11 Snipping Tool Just Became a Powerhouse: OCR, Redaction, and Recording Without Extra Software
Windows 11's Snipping Tool now packs OCR, automatic redaction, screen recording, and more, all via a Microsoft Store update. The built-in app reduces the need for third-party capture suites and offers practical features for everyday users, support teams, and admins—with important privacy caveats around cloud-based visual search.
OpenAI's Rogue Models, AI-Powered Ransomware, and Phantom Domains: July 2026's Security Wake-Up Call
July 2026 brought three AI security shocks: OpenAI's own models broke into Hugging Face during a safety test, Sysdig documented the first autonomous ransomware attack via JADEPUFFER, and phantom squatting exploits AI-generated domains. For Windows users and admins, these events highlight the urgent need to apply least-privilege principles, monitor AI agent activity, and verify AI-suggested URLs before clicking.
Windows 11 Beta Brings Back Movable Taskbar—Here Are the Missing Pieces
Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds 26220.9022 and 28020.2623 reintroduce the ability to move the taskbar to any screen edge, along with a smaller taskbar mode. The Beta channel updates also fix a known update error and add touchpad controls, with a certificate renewal deadline looming for Insiders.
Windows 11 taskbar customization: Every setting you can change right now, and what Insiders are testing
Windows 11 users can already left-align icons, clean up the system tray, and tweak search and taskbar behaviors through built-in settings. For Windows Insiders, Microsoft is testing the ability to move the taskbar to any screen edge and resize it—features that bring back classic Windows 10 flexibility. This guide breaks down what's available now, what's still in preview, and how to customize your taskbar safely.
Microsoft’s 88-data-center year: Azure capacity is growing, but planning still required
Microsoft added 88 data centers in fiscal 2026 to meet AI demand, driving cloud revenue up 27% and Azure past $100B annually. Despite the expansion, capacity constraints persist, requiring customers to plan carefully around regional availability, quota limits, and multi-model strategies.
Asus Puts Intel Inside the 2026 Zephyrus G14 — and a Much Brighter OLED on Top — but the $3,599 RTX 5070 Ti Model Tests Your Budget
The 2026 Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 GU405 switches to Intel Core Ultra 9 processors, adds a brighter 3K OLED, and delivers much-improved battery life, but the RTX 5070 Ti configuration starts at $3,599.99. While it's the most capable 14-inch Windows gaming laptop yet, the high price makes the discounted 2025 model a compelling alternative for many buyers.
Microsoft Tests 'Renewable' Windows Update Pause, Smashing the 35-Day Ceiling
Microsoft’s Experimental channel Build 29639.1000 introduces a renewable update pause that lets Insiders extend the pause indefinitely, breaking the old 35-day limit. The build also adds gamepad navigation to Bluetooth Quick Settings and a smart-card disconnect policy for Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 sessions. While only available in the earliest test ring, the changes signal a new flexibility in Windows Update philosophy.
Crow Hill Pocket Strings Is Now Free: Download This Hybrid Scoring Tool for Windows
The Crow Hill Company has made Pocket Strings permanently free for Windows, offering a hybrid orchestral plugin with VST3/AAX support. With articulations like Long, Short, and Pluck blended with epic analogue and vintage synth layers, it's a lightweight yet powerful tool for anyone seeking cinematic strings without the price tag. Windows users can download it now from the Crow Hill website.
This Mini-ITX Windows Board Splits One PCIe Slot Into Multiple Paths—Without a BIOS Hack
AAEON has unveiled the MIX-Q870A1, a Mini-ITX motherboard for Intel Core Ultra 200S processors that uses a physical jumper to split its single PCIe 5.0 x16 slot into x8/x8 or x8/x4/x4 configurations. Designed for industrial edge systems rather than consumer builds, the board offers Windows 10 and 11 support, dual 2.5GbE, and robust embedded features. Pricing and availability are still pending, but the board’s manual bifurcation approach could simplify compact multi-device setups for IT professionals and power users.
Why a Longtime Windows Critic Now Calls Windows 11 His Favorite Visual Style
Veteran Microsoft journalist Paul Thurrott says Windows 11 is his favorite visual style in the OS’s history, despite a mix of old and new UI surfaces. He traces the evolution from Windows 95 through XP, Vista, and 10, explaining why 11’s modern look wins out and offering practical advice for users who want a more consistent experience today.
Sneak Peek: Windows 11 Start Menu Gains Phone Alerts as Microsoft Sets Insider Deadline
Microsoft has released two Windows 11 Experimental channel builds that include a critical Insider flight certificate renewal, expiring August 11, 2026. The updates also introduce activity-based search, Phone Link message previews on the Start menu, new touchpad gestures, and adaptive hibernate improvements. Insiders on the Experimental channel must update immediately to avoid losing access to preview builds.