Using a VPN, or virtual private network, is one of the best ways to protect your online privacy. We review dozens every year, and these are the top VPNs we've tested.

We are at a rare moment in Microsoft history, when the company that defined the modern PC is supporting a single version of its flagship operating system. Windows 10 is officially unsupported. Windows ...

Preloading will help File Explorer launch more quickly on less powerful hardware. Preloading will help File Explorer launch more quickly on less powerful hardware. is a senior editor and author of ...

Upgrading to Windows 11 is still possible even after Windows 10 reached the end of support on October 14, 2025. Although many devices continue to run the retired operating system, switching to Windows ...

The era of Windows 10 is officially over, and Windows 11 has taken over. Microsoft ended support for their former OS in October, although it will still offer security updates for one more year. Plenty ...

It’s that time of year again—temperatures are dropping, leaves are changing color, and Microsoft is gradually rolling out another major yearly update to Windows 11. The Windows 11 25H2 update is ...

As we look ahead to Windows Central’s 20th anniversary in 2027, we’re taking time to revisit the stories that shaped our community. From Microsoft and Xbox to Windows and PC, these throwbacks remind ...

Microsoft is blocking another way to choose a local account in Windows 11. You'd force a local account by disconnecting from the network. The block is currently in place in the latest Windows 11 ...

This is important because: Microsoft is closing the side doors to offline setup. As familiar workarounds disappear, most people are guided toward a Microsoft account on day one, which narrows choice ...

Microsoft has required both an internet connection and a Microsoft account to set up Windows 11 since February 2023. Users, however, found a way around this by opening Command Prompt during setup and ...