Microsoft is working on adding the ability to remove backgrounds from images with a single click to its venerable Paint software. The latest Windows Insider builds already have the updated version of Paint, giving users a chance to try the feature before its official release. The new “Remove Background” option …
Read More »MSI rolls out BIOS update to fix Windows unsupported processor error
A couple of weeks ago, a Windows 11 update began causing issues for MSI motherboard users, resulting in a BSOD ‘unsupported processor' error. After some investigation, the root cause of the issue has been found and a new BIOS update should fix things right up. MSI and Intel have been …
Read More »Steam Deck adoption pushes Linux over Mac
It has been about a year and a half since the Steam Deck launched. The Linux-powered PC gaming handheld is consistently a top seller on Steam but until now, Windows and Mac remained as the two most-used operating systems amongst Steam gamers. Now, that has finally changed, with Linux overtaking …
Read More »Lenovo to launch ‘Legion Go’ PC gaming handheld
There has been a huge rise in the popularity of handheld PC gaming systems over the last few years. We've seen more OEMs jump on this trend recently, with the likes of the ROG Ally. Lenovo might be the next big name in tech to launch a PC gaming handheld, currently known as the Legion Go.
Read More »Starfield will be a ‘Play Anywhere’ title, so one copy will get you access on PC and Xbox
Years ago when Microsoft began improving its PC gaming efforts, we saw the Play Anywhere initiative launched, with participating games in the Play Anywhere program allowing users to buy one copy of a game across both Xbox and PC. It has been a while since we've seen Play Anywhere in …
Read More »Apple introduces Proton-like emulation for Windows games on Macs
In recent years, Apple has been focusing more on gaming, particularly on the Mac platform. Its latest chips have powerful, efficient iGPUs, paving the way for games like Death Stranding and No Man's Sky on Mac. Now, Apple is testing new ways to make bringing games to Mac easier for …
Read More »UK moves to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
While Microsoft was able to convince the UK's Competition & Markets Authority that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard would not harm the console gaming market, it would seem the CMA was not convinced that the deal wouldn't impede competition in the cloud gaming market.
Read More »Leaked video shows Microsoft working on Windows Handheld Mode
There is no denying that the success of the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck has helped to inspire other manufacturers to get in on the handheld market. One company which seems to be tinkering with the idea is Microsoft – with a new video showcasing a Windows 11 UI designed …
Read More »Steam to end Windows 7 and 8 support by January 2024
Operating system fragmentation has always been an issue for Windows, and while the situation had been mostly resolved thanks to Windows 10 (until Windows 11 was introduced), many users still run much older versions of Microsoft’s OS, including Windows 8 and even Windows 7. Those wanting to play games via Steam however will soon need to upgrade as come the end of the year support for older versions of Windows is officially ceasing.
Read More »Pokémon TCG Live enters open beta on PC and mobile
Since the release of Hearthstone, online card games have become increasingly popular. Other traditional TCGs like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic The Gathering have made the transition to digital offerings and soon, the Pokemon card game will be doing the same thing. Pokemon TCG Live just entered open beta on PC and …
Read More »Microsoft might require an SSD for Windows 11 starting in 2023
Currently, the only storage requirement to install Windows 11 is 64GB of free space. There's no mention regarding the type of storage device, allowing users to install on an HDD or an SSD. However, according to a new report, Microsoft may soon limit Windows 11 installations to SSDs. According to …
Read More »Forspoken adds Microsoft’s DirectStorage tech for one-second load times
While DirectStorage technology has been available on Xbox Series X/S since launch, it is only just coming to PC for the first time this year. Microsoft announced plans to roll out DirectStorage support for Windows last week, and now the first supported game has been announced – Forspoken. While Forspoken …
Read More »Google Play Games for PC enters beta
Back in January, Google announced its own plans to bring Android apps to Windows, using a new Google Play app for PCs. The app will pave the way for supported Android games to run on PCs natively, without the need for an emulator like Bluestacks. Now, Google Play Games for …
Read More »Windows drivers are now available for the Steam Deck
The Steam Deck launched to a mixture of emotions, with those who managed to get the system at launch both applauding the console and its ambitions, but also acknowledging its current software-led issues. One of the biggest issues – the lack of Windows drivers – has now been partially resolved. …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass PC app update enables mods and removes restrictions on game installs
In late 2021, Microsoft announced some major improvements coming to the Xbox Game Pass app on PC. The update will finally give users more control over their game installs and files, as well as increased mod support. Now after months of testing, this update is finally ready to roll out. …
Read More »Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 to offer latest CPUs from AMD and Intel
Microsoft hasn't yet announced a successor to the Surface Laptop 4, but as usual in the tech industry, leaks can give us an early glimpse at what we can expect. Like the predecessor, the Surface Laptop 5 will be available as a 13.5-inch model or a 15-inch, each packing a …
Read More »Xbox Game Pass February games announced
We're half way through the month, which means it is time for another round of games to be announced for Xbox Game Pass. The first half of the month saw titles like Contrast, CrossfireX and Ark: Ultimate Survivor Edition added, and now we've got a fresh batch of games on …
Read More »The Xbox app can now performance check your PC
Unlike consoles, PCs come in all shapes and sizes, meaning that some PC players are limited in the number and type of games that they can download and play. Microsoft is now making it easier to identify your PC’s capabilities before dedicating both time and SSD space on an unplayable …
Read More »Qualcomm exclusivity deal for Windows on Arm is coming to an end
We've seen multiple laptops and 2-in-1 PCs with ARM-based processors running Windows, but they've all had one thing in common – Qualcomm processors. This week, we finally found out why this has been the case. As it turns out, Microsoft and Qualcomm hashed out an exclusivity deal for Windows on …
Read More »Mod support is finally coming to Xbox Game Pass
While Xbox Game Pass offers an incredible value for money across both PC and consoles, the PC version of the service falls behind due to its lack of features when compared to the likes of Steam. Finally, the Xbox app on Windows will soon offer mod support, allowing for much …
Read More »Microsoft Surface Pro 8 leaks with 120hz screen and more
The Microsoft Surface Pro devices have historically offered a balance of portability and performance, with the devices becoming popular in the school and education space. For the past few iterations, the Surface Pro devices have been lacking in innovations – though this is finally changing. Ahead of the Microsoft Surface …
Read More »iCloud app finally gets password manager on Windows
While Apple’s iPhone works seamlessly with many of the manufacturer's other devices, it is much more of a locked down system when paired with non-Apple devices. Such is the case with the company’s password manager which has historically been severely gimped on Windows machines. Finally however, Windows users will be …
Read More »Windows 11 Dev Preview now live
Microsoft recently showed off Windows 11 - a revamp which comes with a plethora of changes - both visually and quality-of-life wise. While the full release is not expected to launch until much later this year, Microsoft did promise early access to those who are part of its Windows insider program. For those brave few, Windows 11 is now available.
Read More »Auto HDR is coming to PC with Windows 11
Of the many improvements brought about by the newest generation of Xbox consoles, Auto HDR is one of the most unique. Allowing older games to be brought to modern brightness standards without the need for developer input, Auto HDR has now been announced to be coming to PC. As part …
Read More »Microsoft reaches $2 trillion market milestone
Back in 2019, Microsoft became the third company to reach a $1 trillion market cap. Now in 2021, Microsoft has hit a new milestone, becoming the second company to be worth $2 trillion USD. Microsoft reached the $1 trillion milestone in Q2 2019, just behind Apple and Amazon. In August …
Read More »Microsoft appears to be teasing Windows 11
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced plans to reveal “the next generation of Windows” during an event on the 24th. While most expected this to be another Windows 10 overhaul, a Microsoft teaser may have just revealed that we'll be getting a full Windows 11 instead. For the last six years, …
Read More »Microsoft will announce the “next generation of Windows” very soon
For the last 6 years, Windows 10 has been continuously updated to elevate the user experience, but it looks like the next generation of Windows is now on the way. During Microsoft's Build 2021 conference this week, the company's CEO, Satya Nadella, stated the client OS will receive “one of …
Read More »Microsoft will begin removing Adobe Flash from Windows next month
Microsoft has revealed plans to start removing Adobe Flash from Windows 10 this year. Flash officially reached End of Life status on the 31st of December 2020, but remnants of it still remain in Windows to this day. Starting in June, Microsoft will be issuing Windows 10 update KB4577586, which …
Read More »Microsoft follows Epic’s lead, reduces Windows Store revenue cut to 12%
Earlier this week, we heard that Microsoft was due to make some announcements about its PC gaming store. Now, we know what changes are coming, as Microsoft is reducing its revenue cut for PC games sold through its store from 30 percent to 12 percent. This is the same strategy …
Read More »Microsoft ends support for Cortana digital assistant on iOS and Android
While Microsoft initially had lofty goals for its digital assistant ‘Cortana', the company has been slowly backing away over the last few years. During that time, we've seen support for Cortana dropped for a variety of products, including smart speakers. Now, the dedicated iOS and Android Cortana apps are also …
Read More »