Windows News
The latest Windows News coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Microsoft’s Forgotten Trailblazers: Surface Duo, Zune HD, and the Pocket PC Era
A MakeUseOf retrospective examines three Microsoft products—Surface Duo, Zune HD, and Pocket PC—that pioneered mobile innovation but were abandoned too soon. The article explores their groundbreaking features, the reasons behind their demise, and the lasting community loyalty that keeps their legacies alive.
June 2026 Update Unleashes Snappier Start Menus on Broader Range of Windows 11 Hardware
Microsoft's June 2026 optional preview update KB5095093 expands the Low Latency Profile feature to more PCs, reducing input lag and accelerating the Start menu. Previously limited to select high-performance devices, this update aims to bring a snappier experience to a broader user base. Users can install the update via Windows Update to test the improvements before the July mandatory rollout.
Hands-On: Windows 11 Build 26300.8758 Delivers Long-Awaited Taskbar Resizing and Critical Explorer Stability Fixes
Windows 11 Experimental Build 26300.8758 introduces a native Taskbar size setting with small, medium, and large options, along with smoother animation transitions. The update also delivers critical File Explorer reliability fixes for memory leaks, crashes, and slow thumbnail loading, marking a significant quality-of-life improvement for Insiders.
Google's Adaptive Battery: The Hidden Pixel Feature That's Killing Your Notifications and How to Fix It
Adaptive Battery on Google Pixel phones uses on-device machine learning to restrict background activity for rarely used apps, extending battery life but often delaying critical notifications. This article explains how the feature works, details its trade-offs, and provides step-by-step fixes—including per-app battery settings and Developer options—to restore real-time alerts. It also draws parallels to Windows power management, highlighting lessons for Microsoft's Modern Standby and Battery Saver features.
Pixel 10a Hands-On: A $499 Phone That Plays It Too Safe
The Google Pixel 10a at $499 delivers a quality mid-range Android experience with seven years of updates, a still-impressive camera, and seamless Windows integration via Phone Link. However, its Tensor G4 chip, unchanged battery and charging speeds, and nearly identical design to the Pixel 9a make it feel more like a repackage than a genuine upgrade, especially as competitors offer more innovation at similar prices.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold Leak Reveals Qi2, Tensor G6, and ₹2 Lakh India Price
Fresh leaks suggest Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold will feature Qi2 magnetic charging, an 8-inch inner display, and the Tensor G6 chipset when it launches in late 2026. However, Indian buyers may face a price exceeding ₹2,00,000, raising questions about its competitiveness. The device could offer enhanced productivity for Windows users through better Phone Link integration and a potential desktop mode.
Vietnam Bets Big on Semiconductor Prototyping: Inside the New National MPW Center
Vietnam launched its first national Multi-Project Wafer coordination center on June 26, 2026, aiming to lower chip prototyping costs and fuel its semiconductor design ecosystem. The center will partner with global foundries, subsidize academic and startup projects, and could become a significant node for Windows PC chip innovation. While challenges like talent shortages and fab absence remain, the move signals Vietnam’s serious intent to climb the semiconductor value chain.
Windows 11 runs Crysis on 2006 DDR1-AGP PC via driver mods
An enthusiast named O_MORES successfully installed Windows 11 on a retro PC featuring DDR1 RAM and an AGP graphics card, then ran Crysis with full 3D acceleration. The ASRock ConRoe865PE motherboard, Core 2 Quad Q6600, and Radeon HD 4650 AGP overcame stringent Windows 11 requirements through driver modding and registry bypasses, proving that legacy hardware can still deliver playable gaming on a modern OS.
Vietnam Opens First National MPW Wafer Hub, Accelerating Local Chip Prototyping
Vietnam inaugurated its first National Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) Coordination Center on June 26, 2026, in Hanoi, aiming to drastically reduce chip prototyping costs for domestic designers. The facility pools multiple designs onto shared wafers, enabling startups and universities to fabricate silicon affordably. The move could boost Vietnam's semiconductor design ecosystem and lead to more custom chips for Windows-based devices.
Windows 10 Security Support Extended to 2027: What the $30 Consumer Plan Covers
Microsoft has extended Windows 10’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) for unmanaged Home and Pro PCs, making the $30 consumer plan available for purchase until October 12, 2027. This pushes the final security patch window beyond the previously expected October 2026 cutoff, addressing lingering upgrade delays as many users remain on Windows 10 instead of moving to Windows 11.
Epson ET-4850 offline on Windows 11/10? 2.4 GHz network conflict and stale queues are the top causes for 2026
The Epson EcoTank ET-4850 frequently appears offline on Windows 11 and 10 due to 2.4 GHz network reliance, stale print queues, and driver conflicts. This guide provides detailed, tested solutions to get your printer back online permanently.
Basic Semiconductor Targets Hong Kong IPO as SiC Power Chips Gain Traction in AI Data Centers
Shenzhen-based Basic Semiconductor has filed for a Hong Kong IPO on June 28, 2026, reflecting growing momentum for China’s silicon carbide (SiC) power-chip makers in AI data centers. The company plans to focus on high-voltage power solutions for AI server racks, aligning with the industry shift toward 800-volt architectures.
Korea's Honam Chip Cluster Tug-of-War Could Stall Windows PC Memory Supply
South Korea's ambitious Honam semiconductor cluster, meant to secure global memory chip supply for Windows PCs, is caught in a political power struggle between the government and opposition. The resulting delays in tax incentives and regulatory approvals threaten to postpone Samsung and SK hynix's fab expansions, with potential knock-on effects for DRAM and NAND flash availability, pricing, and the rollout of next-generation Windows hardware.