Windows 11 can be installed using an in-place upgrade or a clean installation, each with different tradeoffs. In-place upgrades preserve files, apps, and most settings, while clean installs deliver better stability. Unsupported hardware can still run Windows 11, but without official support or guaranteed updates. Microsoft offers multiple installation tools, including Windows Update, ISO files, USB media, and recovery options. UPDATED 1/2/2026: You can install Windows 11 on your computer using an in-place upgrade or a clean installation....

Microsoft introduces a dedicated Themes hub in the Store for easier discovery. Windows 11 users can choose from over 400 curated themes, including 35 new collections. Themes can be applied with one click from the new paintbrush icon on the left pane. Windows Spotlight remains an option for automatic daily wallpapers. Microsoft is adding a new “Themes” hub to the Microsoft Store app to make it easier to discover wallpaper collections you can download and apply to Windows 11 , refreshing your desktop with fresh imagery and colors....

Microsoft is working on several new improvements for Windows 11. Some of these new changes include an option to remove the date and time and the notification counter from the Taskbar. Soundscape page to manage theme sounds from the Settings app and new shortcut for open screen recorder. Microsoft is currently experimenting with a number of features for future updates of Windows 11 . In particular, the company plans to bring back the ability to disable the date and time and the notification counter from the Taskbar’s System Tray....

A leaked image shows off a new Microsoft Defender Preview app coming to Windows 11. It’s still unclear what Microsoft plans to do with this app. The Microsoft Defender may arrive soon in Dev Channel. It’s unclear how the company plans to integrate this application, but currently, the Microsoft Defender Antivirus can only be accessed through the Windows Security app. So, either Microsoft intends to separate the antivirus from the Windows Security app or replace the app with a new app called “Microsoft Defender....

Windows 11 build 22000.739 (KB5014697) causes malfunction of the hotspot feature. Microsoft is investigating the problem, but there’s not an official workaround. You can disable the feature or uninstall the update to mitigate the problem. Although system updates are meant to fix bugs and improve the experience, this is not the case with the last Patch Tuesday of Windows 11 since Microsoft has already confirmed that the update KB5014697 breaks the Wi-Fi hotspot feature for some devices....

Oracle fixes VirtualBox compatibility problem for Windows 11. As a result, Microsoft removes the upgrade block to Windows 11. VirtualBox still doesn’t have support for TPM and Secure Boot. Windows 11 is now safe to download and install on devices running VirtualBox. Although Windows 11 has been available as a free upgrade since October 2021, Microsoft had to place a safeguard hold for computers using VirtualBox . The reason was that an issue with the virtualization technology from Oracle was causing errors and failure when starting a virtual machine if any of the Microsoft Hyper-V components were present on the computer....

Microsoft made it absolutely clear in many occasions that Windows 8.1 update will be free for current Windows 8 users starting October 18th, 2013, via the Store. But today the company has finally revealed the new prices for the updated operating system, and, as it turns out, the new OS will cost the same as Windows 8. Before we dive into the pricing details, perhaps the biggest news is that Microsoft will no longer offer upgrade versions (retail or download), every copy you purchase starting Windows 8....

Another month, another two free Xbox 360 games Xbox LIVE Gold members are getting as part of the Microsoft promotions to keep the game console alive. For the month of February, Gold members are getting Dead Island and Toy Soldiers: Call War. Just as a reminder, months ago Microsoft started offering 2 free Xbox 360 games each month, but it was going to last only until the release of Xbox One....

Microsoft begins the rollout of the new Home experience for Xbox consoles. The update is available for Xbox Series X, S, and Xbox One consoles. The new interface prioritizes displaying backgrounds over the contents. Microsoft is gradually rolling out the new Xbox Home interface. The company has been working on the interface for about a year, and now, it’s ready for Xbox Series X , S, and Xbox One consoles....

As Microsoft prepares to officially unveil Windows Threshold—and reveal the new name for its operating system, on September 30, new details are emerging about a major change behind the scenes: the introduction of a new telemetry system. Codenamed “Asimov” (a nod to Halo lore), this new system is a powerful feedback and diagnostic mechanism designed to monitor real-time usage data from users’ computers. Originally developed by the Xbox team and now implemented by the Windows engineering group, Asimov represents a significant leap forward in how Microsoft gathers insights from its software in the wild....

Windows 10 22H2 is getting build 19045.6456 (KB5066791) as the last cumulative ever with a small set of general improvements and fixes. There are no new major features in this release, as the operating system support ends today, October 14, 2025. UPDATED 10/14/2025: Windows 10 build 19045.6456 (KB5066791) is now rolling out as part of the (last) October 2025 security update in the Stable Channel for version 22H2. This is a tiny update that addresses some general issues, but doesn’t include any noticeable changes or new features....

Windows 11 build 26200.5661 (KB5060838) introduces a new home interface for the Recall app, a new setting to reposition hardware indicators, and AI-powered context menu options in File Explorer. This Dev Channel update also includes Start menu policy changes, region setup visibility, and multiple fixes to improve system reliability. In the Dev Channel , Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 26200.5661 (KB5060838) with several new visual improvements, changes, and fixes that the company plans to roll out either for 24H2 or 25H2....

Windows 11 build 27919 has arrived in the Canary Channel, combining the Search permissions and Searching Windows pages into a single redesigned Search settings page. This build also fixes File Explorer crashes and resolves issues with several input keyboards. You’ll also find some known issues persist with Group Policy Editor, Remote Desktop, and Copilot+ PCs. As part of the Canary Channel, Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 27919 with changes for the Search settings, some bug fixes, and several known issues....

Windows 11 build 27965 brings a new Start menu and the Edit text editor for Command Prompt, removes .NET 3.5, and fixes Taskbar and video playback issues for Canary Channel users. Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 11 build 27965 in the Canary Channel two days after releasing build 27959 in the same channel. This update is significant for Insiders with devices enrolled in this channel because it introduces the new Start menu design....

Windows 10 LTSC delivers a stable, long-term release with minimal changes and extended support. You can install Enterprise or IoT LTSC on most devices, but availability is limited to volume licensing and evaluation downloads. This guide walks you through hardware requirements, update behavior, and the full clean installation process. UPDATED 1/2/2026: Although the support for Windows 10 has already ended, it’s still possible to perform a clean install of Windows 10 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) (mostly) in the same way as any other version of the operating system....

If you like the views and calm of the river during a boat ride, then you’re going to love the Colorful Boats theme that Microsoft has available in the Store. The theme comes with 14 high-resolution (4K) wallpapers of boats with bright colors and beautiful views of lakes, rivers, ocean, mountains, and more. If the images rotate too quickly on your desktop, after applying the theme on Settings > Personalization > Background , and use the Change picture every drop-down menu to adjust the image rotation frequency....

Yes, you can continue using Windows 10 after support ends on October 14, 2025, but it will no longer receive free updates or security patches. To stay protected, you can enroll in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, which offers one additional year of security updates through October 13, 2026, available via paid, Microsoft Rewards, or Windows Backup options. After a decade of service, Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025....

Microsoft begins the roll out of cumulative update KB3209835 for Windows 10 . The new update is currently available for PC and Mobile devices enrolled in the Release Preview ring, which means that it’s only available for testing, and it won’t release to everyone until the company considers the update is stable. KB3209835 bumps the operating system version number to build 14393.594, and it currently doesn’t have any change logs. Therefore, there is not details on the change and improvements update will bring to everyone running the Windows 10 Anniversary Update ....

To enable Copilot on Windows 10, install the update KB5032278 and turn on “Get the latest update as soon as they’re available” from Settings > Windows Update , click “Check for updates,” right-click the Taskbar and select the “Show Copilot (preview) button” option. Copilot is still limited to some regions in North America and parts of Asia and South America, but it will expand to other regions over time. UPDATED 12/1/2023: On Windows 10 , you can enable an early preview of Copilot, and in this guide, I’ll outline the steps to complete this configuration....

Windows 8.1 officially became RTM on August 27th , now it appears that the English version of the operating system has leaked onto the web. Just to be absolutely clear, what it seems we have here is the Chinese build we’ve seen recently , but apparently has been repacked with a new language. Already know that the previous leak of Windows 8.1 build 9600 includes everything we’ve seen in previous leaks and from the preview....